Step back in time, in five charming wooden towns
Finland’s wooden towns are like stepping into a Nordic storybook. Built of timber and shaped by centuries of craftspeople, merchants and seafarers, they offer a window into the country’s diverse past. Despite fires, wars and reinventions, they still feel wonderfully alive today. Here are five must-visit, charming wooden towns:
Old Rauma, a UNESCO treasure
Old Rauma is one of northern Europe’s best-preserved wooden towns and a proud UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its medieval street plan winds through pastel houses, narrow lane,s and leafy courtyards. Artisans’ workshops, museums and cafés sit inside 18th- and 19th-century buildings, creating an atmosphere where history and everyday life blend naturally. Rauma is located 1,5 hours north of the city of Turku, the hub of Southwest Finland.
Old Porvoo, a riverside classic
Just east of Helsinki, Old Porvoo charms with crooked lanes, colorful wooden houses, and its iconic row of red shoreline warehouses. The town is very popular from June to August, yet also lovely beyond the busiest weeks, when the cobbled streets feel calm and there’s time to enjoy the small details. Local galleries, candy shops — like Finland’s oldest sweets factory, Brunberg — and antique-inspired cafés add to its inviting rhythm.
Loviisa, for seaside warmth
30 minutes east of Porvoo, another popular wooden town, Loviisa, is a compact neighborhood of pastel wooden houses in a maritime setting. Every summer, many of these historic homes open their doors during the town’s famous heritage weekend. At Christmastime, you can also visit the locals’ charming, holiday-inspired homes. Throughout the year, visitors can enjoy one-of-a-kind stops like Tuhannen tuskan kahvila (Café of the Thousand Pains), a beloved garden café inside an restored old stable.
Naantali, a sunlit harbor
Naantali grew around a 15th-century convent, and its wooden houses still curve around a harbor that shines in evening sun. The old town is filled with cafés, small galleries, and waterfront paths that encourage slow exploration. Located near the iconic Moominworld theme park, Naantali blends centuries of history with contemporary Finnish storytelling.
Helsinki’s wooden neighborhoods
Nestled in Finland’s capital, Helsinki, are several wooden-built districts that feel far from the urban bustle. Originally built as working class housing in the early 1900s following the “garden city” ideal, Käpylä, Vallila and Kumpula feature colorful homes, leafy streets, and a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere. Easily reached by tram or bus, they offer visitors a gentle introduction to Finnish wooden architecture without leaving the capital region. In the summer, these neighborhoods feature popular block parties, like the famous Käpylän Kyläjuhlat.
Finland has many more wooden towns, from coastal villages to former industrial districts now filled with artists. Each one offers a unique way to wander through Finnish history at an unhurried pace. Discover the full collection of wooden towns!
