Whether its the volcanic landscapes of Iceland, the fjords of Norway, the beaches of Denmark or the lakes and islands of Sweden, travel to the Nordic region is best known for the life outside the cities.

Yet in Finland, many international travelers spend a city break in Helsinki with little thought to travel beyond the city limits.

That's a real shame, because Finland has many natural and cultural attractions worthy of attention including vast forests, Arctic landscape, Sami culture and seven UNESCO World Heritage sites. Here are five highlights.

Northern light nights at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

One big draw to the far north of Finland is the chance of catching a northern lights display. Staying outside for many hours is key to maximizing your chances of a sighting, yet the sub-zero temperatures often experienced this far north of the Arctic circle will have you quickly seeking shelter.

The thermal glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort are truly unique accommodations that solve this problem. From September to early April each year, guests can host their own northern lights safari from the comfort of their bed. Wooden chalets are also available, some with an igloo annex for an even more comfortable aurora-hunting experience.

Beyond the novelty of potentially sleeping under the northern lights, the resort offers many truly Finnish experiences including six saunas. For the more active, skis and snow shoes are available for rent while husky-pulled sled rides can also be arranged.

Meet Santa in Rovaniemi

Also north of the Arctic circle is a festive treat for well-behaved children and curious adults alike. Despite the theme, the Santa Claus Village of Rovaniemi is open every day of the year.

During the summer, Santa is available for gift requests in his office while reindeer and huskies await attention outside. A tree-planting campaign in the nearby Santa's Forest aims to help the village become a carbon-neutral destination by 2025.

Discover medieval Finland in Old Rauma

There are many well-preserved old towns on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Old Rauma though is home to around 800 people who live and work in the old buildings, creating a living museum that's bustling with life.

In amongst the 600 colorful historic buildings, you'll find small boutiques, cafes and restaurants—and Finland's narrowest street. Don’t miss the stunning murals inside the 15th century Church of the Holy Cross.

A visit to Rauma lets you tick off two UNESCO World Heritage sites. Just a few miles east of Old Rauma is the Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki, the largest complete burial site from the Scandinavian Bronze Age.

Moomin culture in Tampere

Although the last Moomin story was written by creator Tove Jansson more than 50 years ago, the quirky characters remain popular throughout the world. In 1986, Jansson donated a big collection of Moomin-related art to Tampere Art Museum, which has since spun off the collection into a dedicated Moomin Museum in Tampere Hall.

The family-friendly attraction is more art gallery than museum, displaying the original art and 3D tableaus as a multi-sensory experience. Illustrating the impact of the Moomins around the world, the impressive reading room contains books in languages as diverse as Afrikaans, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and even Karelian, a Finnish-based language spoken in Russia.

Finland’s Lakeland

Many of Finland’s countless lakes and islands are clustered together in the country’s southeastern region, close to the Russian border. Route 62 between Mikkeli and Ruokolahti gives the best views, but the whole region is worth exploring for nature lovers.

Because of the difficulty in defining a lake, no-one knows exactly how many there are in Finland’s Lakeland. But there are at least 55,000 bodies of water with a width of at least 650 feet.

Summer cottages dot the idyllic lakesides throughout the region. While many Finns own a cottage for their annual summer retreat, some are available for rent. It’s the best place in Finland to experience the truly Finnish habit of sauna followed by a plunge into an ice-cold lake.