The Häme region of Finland is situated in the Southern Lakelands, around 1 hour north of the capital, Helsinki. Finland is famously called ‘the land of a thousand lakes’, as it boasts around 188,000 lakes. Most of which are concentrated across Europe’s largest Lakeland region. We recently spent 3 days exploring Häme along with everything it has to offer its visitors, and it truly took us by surprise. This was our third visit to Finland, and it’s only left us more in love with the country and eager to explore more.
In this guide, you can expect to find information on how you can visit this gorgeous region and plan the most perfect outdoorsy adventure. Prepare to discover parts of Finland you may never knew existed. You will be placing Häme firmly on your Europe bucket list!
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Furthermore, this post is written in collaboration with Visit Häme who hosted us during our stay & organised many of the awesome activities we are going to share below. Therefore, a huge thank you goes out to them.
The best time of year to visit Häme
Without a doubt the best time to experience the magic of this region is during the summer months (June -August). The days will be long and the temperatures perfect for swimming in the lakes and walking in the forests. Not to mention, at this time of year you may even get the opportunity to take part in Nordic traditional festivals such as Midsummer. Which happens during the summer solstice (usually around the 20th-26th June), to celebrate the longest day of the year.
We chose to visit Häme in late June and experienced clear sunny days. With crisp mornings and warm afternoons. Temperatures reached around 23 degrees Celsius. If you are keen to escape the heat of southern Europe in summer, then Häme is the perfect destination for those of you seeking a Nordic summer experience.
Apart from Summer, Autumn is another great time to visit (September – Early November). The turning of the seasons is a lovely opportunity to get a feel for Finland in the cooler months. This is also the perfect time for saunas and cold plunges. Moreover, during Autumn the colours will be in full force, turning the landscape into a beautiful display of orange and red hues. Ideal for any keen photographers out there!
How to reach the Häme Region
If you are travelling from the UK or any other corners of Europe, then the easiest airport to fly into is Helsinki. From the UK there are regular flights to Helsinki from most London airports, and flight time is around 2 hours. Häme is located only 1 hour north of the airport and therefore is easily accessible via renting a car and driving yourself, or by taking the train. Finland has an excellent and affordable public transport system, which makes travelling throughout the country a breeze.
Our recommendation is that you rent a car. This will give you the freedom to explore at your own pace and with only a short amount of time in Häme, it will be the quickest way to get around. When looking for car rentals we always use Discover Cars. They offer affordable comparisons for all major car rental companies and even have competitive insurance packages. That are often much cheaper than booking direct.
The route through Häme Region
Day 1: Hämeenlinna to Leppaniemi
Hämeenlinna is considered the capital of the Häme region. It is the region’s largest city and the hub of this historical part of Finland. Hämeenlinna is the perfect place to start your adventure and become acquainted with the region through its nature, food and history.
Ahveniston Park
This park is situated just outside the city. It’s only a short drive from the centre and is a great place to start, with a stretch of the legs after your drive. The park is most well-known for hosting swimming events during the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. There is an Olympic sized swimming pool with great views onto the lake. It is still open to the public today.
Furthermore, the park is also home to the stunning Ahvenisto Lake. Which is popular with wild swimmers, as it has a sandy beach and very clean water. There are also plenty of nature trails that will take you through the forests surrounding the lakeside. Ahvenisto is a mixture of sport, nature and history and is one of Hämeenlinna’s best known outdoor recreation areas.
The park is also totally FREE to visit!
Miller’s BBQ
After working up an appetite on the nature trails, the obvious next stop has to be lunch! There is no better option than swinging by the famous Miller’s BBQ for a delicious and meaty meal. Whilst you may not expect to find an American style BBQ joint in the middle of Finland. This place truly packs a punch and serves some of the best BBQ we’ve ever had (and we’ve had many inside the USA).
The owners of this restaurant set out to establish a BBQ culture in Finland, and they truly nailed it. Even taking trips out to the BBQ mecca that is Texas to find inspiration for their own restaurant. Miller’s BBQ offers a laid-back dining experience, with plenty of flavour in their meats. We definitely recommend that you try out their platters with a little bit of everything. That way you’ll have the full experience.
Boat excursion with Pirkka Lines through Häme
No trip to the Lakelands would be complete without taking a scenic cruise along one of the many lakes in this region. Hämeenlinna sits on the shores of Lake Vanajavesi. Which is part of a chain of lakes that stretches hundreds of miles, as far as Tampere in the Western Lakeland region.
On your visit to Hämeenlinna, the best way to enjoy a sunny afternoon is by hopping on a scenic cruise along the lake with Pirkka Lines. You will pass by the beautiful Häme Castle, adorable Nordic cottages and nature spots as you make your way along the lake. Pirkka Lines offers stops at multiple destinations throughout the Lakelands. So depending on how long you wish your trip to be, you can choose what suits you best.
Stay at Hirsihuvilat Leppaniemi, Häme
During the summer months, many Nordic people retreat to their summer cottages, usually located by lakes or oceans. It is a time for them to enjoy the warmer months. Filled with time spent in nature and plenty of Finnish sauna’s, followed by lake swims. If you are visiting Häme during the summer, you absolutely must experience this kind of retreat with a stay at Hirsihuvilat Leppaniemi, just north of Hämeenlinna.
They have cabins located on the shore of a crystal-clear lake. Paired with a lakeside sauna and small rowing boats to take you out onto the water. The cabins are self-catered with a kitchen and everything you would need to cook your own meals. It is the perfect place to escape into nature and go ‘off grid’ for a short while.
Day 2: Leppaniemi – Hämeenlinna – Forssa
On your second day you are going to explore more of what Hameenlinna has to offer as a city and then make your way West to the small town of Forssa. There are a couple of places to stop along the way that are worth seeing.
Breakfast at Iloranta Farm
Across the water from Hirsihuvilat Leppaniemi is a farm stay called Iloranta, if you don’t fancy making breakfast for yourself at your cabin. Then Iloranta offers breakfasts to guests, including the chance to try some traditional Finnish breakfast delicacies. Such as the Karelian Pasty, which is a Finnish pasty with rice porridge in a rye crust and then baked. They are delicious!
There is a small self-built ferry that you can take, the owner of Iloranta built it himself and will be delighted to take you for a ride in the ferry.
Häme Castle
Your next stop of the day is going to be Häme Castle. Located in the centre of Hämeenlinna is one of three of Finland’s medieval castles. Which makes it pretty unique to the country. The castle was built in the 13th century by the Swedes to secure their power over central Finland. It was constructed by red brick, which is unusual for a Finnish castle, but certainly makes it stand out in the landscape. It is hard to miss on your visit to Hämeenlinna.
In the past the castle has been used as a royal seat, administrative centre, military fortress and a prison up until 1972. However today it is simply a museum and cultural venue with exhibitions on medieval life in Finland, as well as military and prison history. It is well worth visiting to learn more about the history of Central Finland.
Entry fee is 14 Euros per adult and 7 Euros per child. You can find more information ahead of your visit here.
Aulanko Nature Reserve
On the out-skirts of Hämeenlinna is Aulanko Nature Reserve. The park combines natural scenery with cultural and historical landscaping. Interestingly, it is one of Finland’s best examples of an English style park from the late 19th and early 20th century. Furthermore, the park is home to lakes, ponds and forested hilltops. Whilst the observation tower on Aulangonvuori Hill offers spectacular views across the Vanajavesi valley and the surrounding lakes.
This is the perfect place for the nature lovers reading this. In Aulanko Nature Reserve you can enjoy walking, hiking, swimming and bird watching in the summer months. In the winter you can even cross-country ski here. The views that can be found in the park have inspired painters and poets, it is considered to be one of Finland’s most beautiful landscapes, so you absolutely cannot miss the chance to visit.
It is FREE to visit the nature reserve. However, there may be paid parking in some areas.
Tiirinkosken Kahvila
As you drive towards Forssa, make sure you stop for a while at Tiirinkosken Kahvila. This is a small farm/cafe that offers visitors a farm to table experience. They serve delicious waffles made with their own broad beans, that you must try if you decide to visit. Moreover, there is a selection of farm animals to see here. Including Highland Cows that roam the field outside the cafe.
Stay at Eerikkilä
Once you arrive in Forssa, we definitely recommend that you consider staying at Eerikkilä. It is a sports and outdoor recreation resort on the shores of Lake Ruostejärvi. The resort offers guests an abundance of outdoor and sporting activities to enjoy during your stay. As well as lakeside saunas with direct access into the lake.
It is a really fun place to stay as you have the opportunity to try pretty much whichever sport you desire. We headed straight onto the lake for some paddle boarding. In addition, there is a restaurant on site that serves meals throughout the day. You also have the option to choose between a hotel room, log cabin or apartments. Leaving it well equipped for different budgets and group sizes.
Day 3: Forssa
On your final day in the Häme region, you should take some time to explore the historical town of Forssa. These days Forssa is well known in Finland for its textile industry. As back in 1847 industrialist Axel Wilhelm established a spinning mill in the town. This is how Forssa transformed into an industrial hub. However, this town is also surrounded by some beautiful nature spots, that we are going to share below.
Torronsuo National Park
This national park is situated not too far from Forssa town centre and is home to Finland’s largest bog area. There are bird watching towers, boardwalks, swampy areas and forests to explore. Moreover, Torronsuo is a haven for biodiversity. Supporting over one hundred bird species, as well as various butterfly species and unique flora that has adapted itself to the boggy environment.
There are many maintained trails to enjoy at your own leisure, that take you through the swamp like landscape. Make sure you keep an eye open for Cloudberries. A delicious fruit that mostly grows in the Nordics. If you would prefer to visit the national park with an expert guide who can tell you more about the unique landscape and flora that you can find here, then definitely book a guided tour with Somaluonto.
Did you know? Foraging in the forest is a practice rooted deep in Nordic culture. The people of this land feel very connected to the earth and will be able to point out interesting and unique flora that you may ordinarily walk by. We even got to try some of the plants we found on the forest floor.
Forssan Museum
After a wander through the surrounding forests, you should make some time to swing by the Forssan Museum. On your visit here you will be able to learn more about the history of Forssa and its place in the textile industry. Unfortunately, the museum exhibits are written in Finnish. However, the staff at the museum would be happy to translate the exhibits for you if required. The Forssa museum is located in the former spinning mill, which is also an interesting building to take a look around.
Entry fee to the museum is 6 Euros for Adults and children go free.
Canoe trip on the Loimijoki River
Next to the museum is the Loimijoki River. The best way to see the town of Forssa is by taking a calm canoe trip down the river. You can jump in a canoe with Erarenki. As you float down the river you will pass by textile buildings, beautiful Finnish style houses and nature spots. The Loimijoki River and valley is part of the Forssa National Urban Park. Which encompasses over 814 hectares of green space. In addition, the area includes forests and wetlands. Offering canoeists a peaceful and serene journey through the heart of Forssa and its landscape.
Canoe trips start at 45 Euros per day for two people.
Hand Car ride at the Jokionen Railway Museum
The final stop on your adventure through Häme before heading home or to another Finnish destination, should definitely take you to the Jokionen Railway Museum. It is here that you will have the chance to operate your own Hand Car on the railway tracks. Which cut through the Finnish countryside. If you aren’t familiar with the Hand Car, it is a small locomotive operated by a pumping action, which increases the speed of the Hand Car. On a sunny day, it is the perfect way to explore the countryside.
This was such a fun activity to do to round off our time in Häme. If you had enough time, you could even pack yourself a picnic and take it with you on your adventure. The railway tracks head towards Jokionen in one direction and Humppila in the other and stretch for around 6km. Therefore, you can get rather far on the disused railway.
Hand car rental is 10 Euros per person for the first hour and then 5 Euros for every hour after.
Final thoughts on a trip to Häme Region
Finally, this beautiful region has so much to offer its visitors. Even on a short 3-day trip you can get around and pack a lot into your itinerary. Driving times are short, making it ideal for a road trip too. If you are looking for somewhere a little more unusual or different to visit in Finland, then Häme is it. Moreover, we hope this guide has given you all the information you need to make your trip extra special.
If you do have any additional questions, you can always leave us a comment below. Otherwise, we’d be happy to help over on our Instagram, you can send us a direct message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
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