Complete Travel Guide to Finland – the Happiest Country in the World. Discover Captivating Destinations, Peculiar Contests & More
Known as ‘The Pearl of the Baltic’ or more colloquially as the ‘Home of Sauna’, I am fortunate enough to have been twice across my European adventures to this amazing country! Finland is famous for its awesome beauty, top-notch design and slightly bizarre culture which makes it an unparalleled travel destination. So please consider the below your official Finland guide!
Whether dreaming of a Lapland blanketed in white, lively boulevards of Helsinki or peaceful lakes in their thousands; everyone can find something to admire. Beyond its stunning scenery, Finland will amaze and entertain you with fun facts too!
More Than Just a Rough Guide to Finland..
We’ll be diving into a wide array of topics, all accompanied by my own tasty tidbits that can only be found right here! This includes looking at the sauna culture, the oldest city, wife-carrying championships and why its people are just so damn happy. This article will scratch that itch whether you’re a wilderness enthusiast, a culture fiend or just simply love your trivia. So sit back, relax and enjoy this Finland tourist guide in full. Now, let’s get cracking!
Helsinki ᅳ A Trendy Nordic Capital
Helsinki is a cosmopolitan city complete with a modern pace of life and rich history. For those who seek travel destinations with original architectural pieces and historical remnants, Helsinki is the place to visit. Let’s dive into the reasons why:
Things To Do in Helsinki:
1. Visit the Senate Square and Helsinki Cathedral
You can’t miss Helsinki Cathedral due to its white towering colonnades and dome gold-plated statues, it’s one of the only orthodox cathedrals within the city boundaries. From around Helsinki you can catch a quick glance of the domes, and a walk through the Senate Square will provide you with ample picture taking opportunities. There are some lovely bars overlooking the square where me and a friend stopped for a few drinks. If you wouldn’t already have guessed, Finnish customer service is excellent too!
2. Journey to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
A site of Cultural and Historical Significance under the World Heritage Sites of UNESCO, the fortress was built in the 18th Century and consists of fortifications across six small islands. This is a great place for all the history buffs and boasts picturesque views of the Baltic sea. I was fortunate enough on my travels to befriend a Helsinki local who worked on the island. Her favourite recommendation was the island museum, simply called ‘Suomenlinna Museum’ which really captures the history of the place, I would recommend checking it out. Thanks Milja!
You can get a ferry from Helsinki across the day, and if the weather is good enough you can enjoy the upstairs platform. A useful website of live times for the Suomenlinna ferry times is also available.
3. Explore the Design District
The Design District of Helsinki is the place to experience Finnish creativity. Visit the shops, art studios, and museums displaying the world-famous designs of the people of Finland.
Fun Fact: Not many people know Helsinki is an archipelago. With more than 300 islands linking the city with bridges and ferries, the city is a perfect center for island hopping activities.
Lapland: The Land of the Night Sky & Father Christmas
Lapland for a lot of us who grew up in the UK is the home of Santa, or so we’re told. I remember being insanely jealous of the one kid in my primary school class whose parents took him and actually met the guy. 20 years later I’m still a bit bitter – F you Robert.
Away from my primary school bitterness, Lapland has been described as the epitome of Finland and features heavily on lots of their advertising campaigns. The most northeastern area boasts of snowy terrain, reindeer safaris (yes they are actually called safaris!), and of course the beautiful and famous alluring spectacle – The Northern Lights. The Sámi, Finland’s indigenous people also live in these parts.
Notable Attractions to Check Out in Lapland:
1. Rovaniemi: The Daddy of All Christmas Destinations
Whether summer or winter, enjoy the best spirit of Christmas the whole year in Rovaniemi, the official residence of Santa Claus. You’ll be able cross the Arctic Circle, meet Mr. Claus in person and even pay a visit to the Santa Claus’ Post Office to check for that missing mail.
2. In Pursuit of Aurora
Lapland is one of the most attractive regions in the world for the sighting of the famous Aurora Borealis, or Northern Lights. To enjoy the scenic beauty to the max, it’s advisable to tour the far regions outside towns such as Saariselkä and Kakslauttanen. I’ve seen these amazing lights many times in my travels, and the best times have always been away from artificial light and in remote areas, you can be sure to experience that in these 2 places!
3. Winter Sports
Skiing, snowboarding, ice fishing, dog sledding and igloo accommodation are some of the ways which you can enjoy the winter season. There are a bunch of cool Husky Sledding options available too if you’re a dog person.
Fun Fact: Lapland is famous not only for its winter landscapes but for the summer ones too! Known as “Midnight Sun”, the sun remains visible 24 hours a day during the May to August months, meaning it literally does not drop below the horizon! Did someone say endless activities?
Finnish Lakeland: Getting your Nature Fix
Next stop as your virtual Finland tour guide – Finnish Lakeland. If it’s peace and tranquility you’re after, this is the place to go. There are more than 188,000 lakes in this area which makes it one of the largest lake districts in Europe. Extra fun fact from my home country of England is that our Lake District only has 1 actual lake, so I think Finnish Lakeland may just edge this one. With boating, fishing, or some majorly picturesque views, it goes without saying that a vacation in Lakeland is heaven on earth for nature lovers.
Must-sees in Finnish Lakeland:
1. Lake Saimaa
The largest lake in Finland, Saimaa is a great choice for canoeing, kayaking or even walking along the peaceful lake borders.
2. Punkaharju Ridge
This picture-perfect ridge is known for it’s breathtaking hiking routes meandering through the forest and lakes.
3. Cottage Life
Summer for Finnish people is often spent at a secluded lake location. These stays are usually in a cottage or cabin, known as mökki in the local language. These almost always come equipped with an in-built sauna, so a quick steam session followed by a dip in the immaculate water is a great way to boost that immune system and detoxify.
Fun Fact: Finland has some of the cleanest air worldwide, so make sure to fill your lungs with that extra crispness. This is ideal for nature lovers to get away from the usual hustle & bustle and recharge.
Turku and Åland Archipelago: A Taste of Finland’s Historical and Coastal Charm
With a unique mix of culture and scenic beauty, this unlikely pair have their bases covered. Finland’s oldest city – Turku, is a hub for medieval history including a museum inside an actual fortress! The Åland Islands comprise 6,700 islands and feature – you guessed it – more stunning views right up there with the best of them.
What to Do When Visiting Turku and the Åland’s:
1. Turku Castle
One of the last standing medieval Castles, Turku Castle was built in the 13th Century and is the best-preserved of its kind in the whole of Scandinavia.
2. Åland Islands
These islands are perched between Sweden and Finland and offer cycle-friendly terrain, hospitable towns and an abundance of marine activities.
3. Archipelago Trail
Did someone say road trip? The Archipelago Trail connects many of the smaller islands. Offering a unique experience of the Finnish archipelago.
Fun Fact: The Åland Islands have their own flag and postal service, they are also the only autonomous region in Finland. The main language spoken on the island is surprisingly Swedish, however this doesn’t mean that your excellent chances of finding an English speaker will drop in the slightest.
Unique Finnish Trivia
Finland does not only boast amazing views and a colourful history, there are some ridiculous quirky trivia that will knock your socks off. For starters, here are some Finland facts that will intrigue:
1. The Country with the Happiest People in the World
The World Happiness Report conducts its report each year, including a 6-factor ranking system around GDP per capita, social support systems, general freedom, perception of corporate corruption, charitable giving and life expectancy. No change here with Finland winning again in 2024 for the 7th year in a row!
2. Weird Events
Finland is home to some of the strangest contests such as Wife Carrying World Championships (which funnily enough do not require the participants to be married). Another event gaining some decent traction is the Air Guitar World Championships which take place each year in Oulu.
3. Coffee Obsessed
Finns are the world’s biggest coffee drinkers, consuming close to 12kg worth of coffee per individual in a year, this amounts to close to 4 cups a day!
4. National Sleep Day
Sometime in July, Finland commemorates National Sleep Day. The last member of the family that wakes up is generally carried and thrown into a lake. Because why not.
5. Enjoying Saunas the Finnish Way
Finland has over 2 million saunas which is pretty unbelievable for a country with a little over 5 million people. The sauna is a way of life for the Finnish people and every traveler has to visit one. Indeed, as explained to me during my time there, it’s more than just cleansing the body but also your mind, with a grander aim of achieving inner peace. The practice has even been recognised by UNESCO as part of Finnish Culture.
The Best Time of the Year to Visit Finland:
The best thing about Finland is that visitors can travel at any time of the year and have a completely different experience. Each season has its own unique offerings, and below you can see these in more detail to fine-tune your trip to your preferences.
My first time visiting was in late November 2018 where I embraced Autumn weather with the beginning of Christmassy vibes, however more recently in August 2024 was a whole different feel. This had a completely different array of summer seasonal colours on display to enjoy.
Winter (December – February)
• Best for: Northern Lights, Christmas markets and winter sports.
• Activities: Husky sledding tours, snowshoe walks and meet & greet with Santa Claus in Lapland.
Spring (March – May)
• Best for: experiencing the melting snow, early morning hiking, spotting Finnish wildlife.
• Activities: Bird & Butterfly watching (butterfly is ‘perhonen’ in Finnish), Lakeland canoeing and National Park visits.
Summer (June – August)
• Best for: Midnight Sun, festival season and more demanding outdoor explorations.
• Activities: Trekking, water sports and trying one of the many Summer Finland festivals.
Autumn (September – November)
• Best for: Autumn colours, picking berries and fruits, and peace & relaxation.
• Activities: Enjoying nature, woodland walks, cabin retreats.
Useful Tips to Consider for Finland
Before you pop off for a visit, here are some personal practical suggestions that may help you out further in this travel guide to Finland:
1. Getting Around
Public transport in Finland is excellent, especially so in the cities. In more remote areas like Lapland or Finnish Lakeland, my advice would be to hire a car and enjoy a long drive with mesmerising views.
2. Language
Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages, and almost all Finns are fluent in English. I didn’t find one person who didn’t speak great English my whole time there! However, it’s always good travelling etiquette to learn a few basic Finnish words such as ‘kiitos’ (thank you) or ‘moi’ (hello), (‘moikka moi’ for extra cute points).
3. Currency
The currency used in Finland is the Euro (€) which is accepted together with your usual array of cards even in the most remote countryside. The previous currency was the ‘markka’ until they changed way back in 2002.
It’s Time to Discover the Beauty of Finland for Yourself…
From the built-up, modern cities and serene lakes to the enchanting winter experiences, getting snug with nature in your lakeside mökki or wilderness trekking around endless lakes, Finland won’t leave you disappointed.
Now that you’ve explored some of the best that Finland has to offer, as well as collecting a small army of interesting facts for your next quiz, the only thing left to ask is: When are you booking?
Please feel free to share your travel itinerary or any other questions you may have in the comments below. You can easily reach me through my Contact Page on the site too!