Finland! The happiest country in the world (or so it is known)! Possessing both the world’s best education system and the cleanest air, Finland is truly a remarkable country. Known for its infamous sauna culture, Santa Claus Village, Northern Lights, and thousands of lakes, the country has become an extremely popular tourist destination. It is a land of immeasurable beauty, complete with deep green woods and forest to accompany the masses of lakes. It is almost impossible to not be in touch with nature whilst in Finland, even when visiting one of its wonderful cities! Plus, the country itself is sparsely populated, making it even easier to access the breathtaking nature on offer.
The architecture here is awe-inspiring, quirky in design, and magnificent to admire. There is so much beauty to behold! Finland combines indigenous heritage, with not one national language but two: Finnish and Swedish. The locals are some of the friendliest in the world, so I am sure that your trip here will be a pleasant and memorable one. But, with so much to explore and an entire country at your doorstep, it can be difficult to know where to start your journey. Worry not! Listed below are this author’s top eight things to do in the fantastic country of Finland. It was difficult to whittle down but we got there in the end. So, read on, and begin planning your Finnish adventure.
Sleep Under the Northern Lights
Finland is renowned for being a country of stark contrasts. Especially that is, in terms of the climate. During the summer months, in the northernmost parts of the country, the sun rarely sets. This phenomenon has landed Finland the nickname ‘The Land of the Midnight Sun’. During the winter months, it is quite the opposite, with the sun disappearing almost completely.
This time is nicknamed ‘Kaamos’. You would assume that without sun this time of year would be dark and dreary. Oh no! The bright white snow and shining moon and stars light up the land. Not only this, but if you’re lucky, you’ll get to sneak a glimpse of the vibrant and colorful Northern Lights, spreading magic across the sky. The best way to experience the incredible Northern Lights is a campout! Why not rent out a glass hut or cabin to sleep rounded by nature and the beautiful lights? Many companies offer this experience! Here, you’ll be able to stay dry and warm whilst admiring one of nature’s most spectacular phenomena!
Visit an Island Lighthouse
Finland is known for having the largest archipelago in the entire world. And where there are islands, there are lighthouses! Not just any lighthouses, these are some of the most magnificent and beautiful you will ever see. The majority of the lighthouses in Finland are now automated, but this doesn’t mean that they are abandoned.
They double as hotels or bed and breakfasts or romantic getaways. Have a look at the offers available and get yourself booked in for a weekend escape or day trip! Distant locations ensure peace and quiet, with only the accompanying sounds of the surrounding sea. Even the journey to the island is peaceful and relaxing, with many available ferry and boat trips venturing out to the islands regularly!
Adventure to an Old Wooden Town
Now, this experience is truly authentic! In the years gone by, Finland’s houses were built of wooden and oftentimes painted red, sometimes with some spots of blue and yellow. Nowadays, Finland still possesses many towns made entirely of wood that have been fantastically preserved. In fact, they practically sit exactly as they did centuries ago, making a visit to one of these picturesque wooden towns feel like a truly authentic step back in town.
The capital of Helsinki boasts some fantastic towns, sitting comfortably in the districts of Vallila and Käpylä. These districts are a fantastic place to begin your adventure, exploring the centuries-old wooden towns! Beautiful wooden towns can also be found in Old Porvoo, which sits an hour from Helsinki, Rauma in the West, and Loviisa in the South. If you’re wanting to spend a little longer in one of these authentic wooden towns, many of the towns house charming little beds and breakfasts where you can spend a weekend admiring the landscapes and relaxing in some of the most authentic locations in Finland.
Go Hiking in a National Park
As I said before, there is so much nature to explore and admire in Finland! There are over forty national parks scattered across the country. The national parks sit on islands, by lakes, in forests, peatlands, and fells. There are so many to choose from, each offering unique hiking trails and a multitude of recreational activities. Why not try your hat at canoeing, climbing, or snowshoeing? If there was any place to try these out, it would be in one of Finland’s national parks! Every Finnish national park has a number of marked hiking routes, nature trails, picnic sites, campfire sites, and information boards.
A large amount of the parks also have ten sites, unlocked huts, and rentable cabins! Plus, with the Finnish ‘Everyman’s Rights’ law, anyone who visits is able to venture just about anywhere in Finland as long as they remain respectful of the environment and clean up after themselves. So, grab your backpack and get exploring the beautiful Finnish outdoors!
Relax in a Public Sauna
Finland is known for its sauna culture. In fact, some locals visit the sauna every day. So, it would be considered almost wrong to not try out one of the many available public saunas during your visit! The Finnish believe that relaxing in the darkness of a sauna cleanses the mind and the body. As of now, there are over three million saunas in the country of Finland!
The easiest way to visit a public sauna in Finland is to visit one of its major cities, where the venues are more so advertised to tourists. Find one you like the look of, and get relaxing! A truly authentic, rejuvenating, Finnish experience.
Admire the Helsinki Central Rail Station
Located in the capital city of Finland and considered by the BBC to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the entire world, the Helsinki Central Train Station is one of the top tourist attractions not only in Helsinki but in the entirety of Finland. Complete with a stunning granite facade and a multitude of fascinating sculptures, the station truly resembles a piece of art. Of the most notable sculptures are the infamous statues of giants, who roam the station bearing circular lanterns.
It is almost as if these magnificent statues are the guardians of the train station. Within a few moments of being in the Helsinki Central Rail Station, you will understand why it is considered one of the most magnificent in the world, as you stand in awe admiring its breathtaking architectural beauty.
Location: Kaivokatu 1, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Visit the Hidden Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna
Are you ready for an adventure to a tropical paradise!? Give island life a try! As you pass the Helsinki Train Station and Cathedral located in the Finnish capital, make your way toward Market Square and you will discover Kauppatori Pier. Step aboard the quaint pier and get ready for a trip across the sea! Clamber on to one of the many departing ferries (there are usually one to four per hour, depending on the time of year) and find yourself sailing toward the Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna.
This island fortress is both breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly historically important. The Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna was built in the eighteenth century by the Swedish, which is when Finland was still very much a part of Sweden. Arriving on the island, there is so much to see and do! It can take a few hours to cover all that the sea fortress has to offer, so make sure to keep at least half a day free to explore. There are several routes you can take when navigating, but the ‘Blue Route’ is recommended. The Blue Route will tour you through all the main sites of the island including the King’s Gate and the Kustaanmiekka Artillery.
This route should only take a minimum of forty-five minutes to complete, though, of course, you could easily spend multiple hours completing the route. This is especially encouraged when the weather is good! The island offers walking route maps that can be collected during the ferry ride or online prior to your trip. Visiting the eighteenth-century Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna is a true adventure and an excellent way to escape city life and admire some true natural island beauty.
Location: 00190 Helsinki, Finland
Visit the Uspenski Cathedral
Located close by to the very central Market Square is the wonderful Uspenski Cathedral. The structure was built to dedicate the Dormition of the Theotokos, with its names coming from the Old Church Slavonic word ‘uspenie’. Sitting comfortably on the hillside of the Katajanokka Peninsula, the cathedral overlooks the city of Helsinki. The Uspenski Cathedral exists as an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral and is actually the very largest of its kind!
The building is stunning! Built in red brick and complete with spiky steeples, the Uspenski Cathedral is unconventionally beautiful. Why not venture inside? The interior is just as impressive as the exterior! This is particularly the case during the day, when the sun shines through the cathedral windows, illuminating the fascinating interior. The Uspenski Cathedral boasts staggering architectural beauty and is well worth a visit during your time in Helsinki!
Location: Kanavakatu 1, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
