Still in the middle of holiday plans? Take a look at these summer destinations

1. Picturesque Split

The diverse city of Split, known as the “Flower of the Mediterranean”, delights with its 1,700-year-old history, pleasant weather and lush nature. Wander along the narrow alleys of the charming Old Town, Grad, and glimpse into locals’ life by stopping by numerous small boutiques, galleries and cafes.

The main attraction of Croatia’s second largest city is the historic Diocletian’s Palace, built in the 4th century. Unlike the name suggests, it’s not a single building but a historical district of 220 buildings and narrow alleys with cobblestones. In addition to the palace, there is plenty to do in Split: head to the lively Riva waterfront boulevard, climb the Marjan hill for a view over the city, or relax on Bačvice beach, located right next to the city centre.

Split is also known for its picturesque archipelago, which offers you a great option for a day trip or even a longer visit. The islands of Brac, Hvar, Korcula and Vis all offer their own unique atmosphere, and you can reach them daily with several ferry services. Some other fascinating day trip destinations are also located close by; the Krka National Park with its spectacular waterfalls, just over an hour away, and the Blue Lagoon near the Game of Thrones town of Trogir, less than an hour’s drive away.

2. Charming Trondheim

If you’re after some fresh air, beautiful scenery and nature on your summer holiday, Trondheim in Norway might be a perfect destination for you. Travel back in time to the charming area of Bakklandet, where the old wooden buildings are well-preserved. Stroll along the narrow cobbled streets, pop in small boutiques and fascinating art galleries, and stop to have a coffee break in one of the cosy and cute cafes. You’ll be able to reach the area via the old town bridge, "Gamle Bybro", from which you can admire picturesque views full of colourful wooden houses.

Another location worth a visit is the impressive Nidaros Cathedral situated in the heart of the city.  If you enjoy places high up, climb up the 172 steps leading to the cathedral tower – the view from the top over the city will reward you. If climbing is not for you, the northernmost medieval cathedral building in the world is also extremely impressive from the ground level. The renovation project of the cathedral took place between 1905 and 1983, and it was Norway’s largest art project.

In Norway, nature is always close by, and Trondheim also offers multiple ways to enjoy the Norwegian summer. To the west of the city is the Bymarka forest area with several hiking trails, which you can easily reach by the local tram. During the summertime, you can also hop on an excursion to the tiny, isolated island of Munkholmen. If you’d like to see more of Norway by the water, why not join a cruise from Trondheim to, for example, Bergen.

3. Delicious Bologna

Known from the hearty tagliatelle al ragú, or more familiarly pasta bolognese, Bologna offers culinary delights that will leave you breathless. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region also offers other delicacies – try the mouth-watering local mortadella with Parmigiano Reggiano cheese from the nearby region for an appetiser. For the best street food, head to the old Quadrilatero food market area, where local flavours are at their freshest. The city also delights beer lovers, as you can find several local microbreweries in Bologna.

In addition to feasting, there’s plenty more to do in this authentic Italian city. The heart of the city is the central square, Piazza Maggiore, where you will find the magnificent Basilica di San Petronio. The church might look modest from the outside but will surely enchant you with its ornate interior. In Bologna, you can easily get around the city on foot, and one of its most famous attractions is the arched passages in the centre, which total an astonishing 40 kilometres. They are beautiful, and also very convenient in case of rain. Back in the day, Bologna was also adorned with about a hundred towers, of which about twenty remain today, the most famous being the Asinelli and Gardisenda towers. However, you cannot climb up to those anymore these days.

Those interested in cars can explore the history of both Ferrari and Lamborghini near Bologna, as there are several museums nearby. For a day trip, you can take a train or rental car to some of the fascinating smaller cities in the area, such as Parma, Modena, Ferrara or Ravenna, all filled with food and history.  Moreover, you can also conveniently combine your Bologna trip with Finnair’s new destination for summer 2026, Florence.

4. Unique Visby

Located on the island of Gotland, Visby is an idyllic summer paradise. Its medieval old town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, enchants you with narrow alleys and beautiful houses. Visby is known as the city of roses, being beautiful especially in the summer when the roses bloom everywhere.

Cobbled streets lined with old houses also lead to attractions. You can head to the City Wall surrounding the old town or get to know Gotland's long and fascinating history at the Fornsalen museum. The films about the beloved Pippi Longstocking were filmed in Visby, and you can pick up a map marked with the filming locations from the town's tourist information. You can enjoy the day with a picnic in Almedalen park and admire more floral splendour in the Botanical Garden free of charge. Visby has a rich number of restaurants and cafes, which are at their busiest in the summer, and you simply can't go home without tasting the local delicacy, saffron pancakes.

A bunch of interesting events take place in Gotland. Medieval Week is an annual event that is usually arranged at the beginning of August. As the name suggests, the Middle Ages return to the town, and visitors dress up in costumes according to the theme. The program includes, for example, theatre performances and music appropriate for the spirit of the times. You don't have to look for beaches further than Sweden either – for those who long for the sea and sand, Tofta beach a bit outside of Visby is certainly suitable.

5. Historic Gdansk

Founded in 997, Gdansk, a historically significant city on the Baltic Sea, has played a significant role in shaping modern Europe. The city is closely linked to the beginning of World War II, and it later became the birthplace of the Solidarity movement, which helped end communist rule in Poland. The city’s history is marked by German influence, as Gdansk was known by its German name Danzig until the end of World War II. You can dig deeper into the depths of history at the World War II Museum and the European Solidarity Centre.

The charming old town, Stare miasto, is known for its beautiful buildings, many of which have been rebuilt after being destroyed by fire after World War II. Perhaps the city’s most iconic attraction, or at least the most photographed, is the world’s oldest still functioning wooden crane, the Stary Żuraw. Gdansk also offers a good and affordable setting for a spa holiday and shopping and is also known as the Amber Capital of the World.

Combining city break and beach holiday is also possible on a trip to Gdansk, as the so-called Golden Coast is situated in northern Poland. The nickname comes from the fact that amber shards wash up on the beaches, making them shimmer in gold. The closest beach town to Gdansk is Sopot, where the coastline of fine, light sand stretches for kilometres. You can also visit the longest wooden pier in whole Europe there. You can reach Sopot by local train in less than half an hour and head there for a day trip or decide to enjoy it longer by staying in one of the comfortable spa hotels enjoying the seaside atmosphere and good restaurants.