72 Hours in Tuusula, Finland

We arrived at Jokela train station at noon, after a 1 hour train ride from Helsinki city centre. The train station is extremely small, and Tuusula itself is very easy to get around either by bicycle or by public transporation. We were picked up at the station by the owner of the hotel we were staying in, and arrived to check in within no time.

• There are regular direct trains from Helsinki to Tuusula, but check the schedule ahead of time as sometimes they are cancelled without any warning.

Our accommodation sat on the edge of Lake Tuusula, so once we had checked in, we decided to follow one of the many walking trails in the area for a stroll along the lake. We visited in September, but during the summer months the lake is a haven for water sports and people who like to go on leisurely boat and kayak rides.

• Our accommodation sat on the edge of Lake Tuusula, so once we had checked in, we decided to follow one of the many walking trails in the area for a stroll along the lake. We visited in September, but during the summer months the lake is a haven for water sports and people who like to go on leisurely boat and kayak rides.

Following our long explorative walk along the lake, we decided to take full advantage of the free bicycles that were included with our accommodation. If there's one thing we learned very quickly about Tuusula, it's that both locals and visitors love to go cycling here. We followed a cycling path that lead from our accommodation to Fjällbon Park, which is a beautiful wooded area where you can admire the views of the lake.

• Following our long explorative walk along the lake, we decided to take full advantage of the free bicycles that were included with our accommodation. If there's one thing we learned very quickly about Tuusula, it's that both locals and visitors love to go cycling here. We followed a cycling path that lead from our accommodation to Fjällbon Park, which is a beautiful wooded area where you can admire the views of the lake.

Tuusula is quite a small area to explore, and it's mostly popular for its outdoor activities on offer. But there are still some fantastic historical locations within Tuusula to visit. After making our breakfast, we grabbed the bicycles again and headed back towards the Fjällbon Park area. Tuusula Church sits on the outskirts of the park, and was built in the 18th century directly overlooking the lake. This was our first stop for the day and it was a very calm and tranquil spot to visit, with nothing but the sounds of nature surrounding it.

• To get to Tuusula Church you'll need to cycle on a main road, but the road isn't very busy so it's easy to do - remember to wear a helmet!

Tuusula has a lot of culturally and historically important museums to explore, many of which sit in beautiful Scandinavian style houses. The Lotta Museum was one of the largest, and focuses on the role of female volunteers throughout Finnish history. The name comes from the special female task force known as "lottas" who were very important during the wars of the 20th century.

• If you're feeling hungry from all the walking and cycling and haven't brought any snacks with you, there's a cafe inside the Lotta Museum which seemed to be very popular with the locals. The museum costs €7 to get into.

You would be surprised at how many artist's homes are dotted around Tuusula. Set against the backdrop of the forests surrounding the lake, these homes look like something out of a fairytale. Many of them are within walking distance of Lotta Museum, and are even closer by bicycle. Poet J.H. Erkko's Artist Home, also known as Erkkola, is a beautiful example of a log-built house, which is now open to the public.

• Erkkola often holds special events such as workshops and concerts, so check their website if you're planning on visiting. It costs €5 to enter it.

There are a lot of hidden gems in Tuusula to find, one of which was this beautiful dock lined with colourful boats that were tied up for the winter. This dock sits at the end of a long gravel road that's connected to one of the main roads near Tuusula Church. We headed back to this area on our bicycles to explore it a bit more before heading back to our accommodation for dinner. So if you want a nice, peaceful area along Lake Tuusula to relax at for a while, with not a single person nearby, make your way to Jäähavaintomiehet.

• If the weather isn't too cold, and the sun is shining, this is the perfect spot for a picnic.

After a quick morning walk, we caught the bus to the train station and headed back to Helsinki city centre. Helsinki's main station is right in the heart of the city, so if you're short on time and want to explore a bit of the Finnish capital, you'll be able to do so.

• Make sure you check the bus times and double check the route before getting on the bus in Tuusula. We ended up having to change buses because we were on the wrong one, even though it had the same bus number!

If you only have a few hours in Helsinki to spare, make sure you head to Senate Square first. It's one of the main points of interest in Helsinki, and is home to the famous Helsinki Cathedral, who's glistening white architecture is visible throughout the city. From Senate Square, you're easily able to access the waterfront and other nearby attractions on foot.

• There are a lot of fantastic restaurants in this area tucked away, so do some research beforehand and pick out where you want to eat to save time.

Finland is famous for its seafood. Even if you aren't a big seafood lover like me, you can't pass up the opportunity to try at least one dish. One of the best restaurants in Helsinki for seafood is Merimakasiini Restaurant. They offer a fantastic lunch menu if you prefer something lighter to eat, and they also have non-seafood dishes on offer which are equally as nice. The restaurant sits along the waterfront, so you get incredible views while you eat, just to top off this high quality dining experience. It's a great way to end your day of exploring Helsinki, and your trip to Finland, before heading to the airport.

• Merimakasiini Restaurant isn't the cheapest option for food in Helsinki, but it's one of the best and comes highly recommended by locals.