The Northern European country of Finland borders the Baltic Coast to the South and stretches far above the Arctic Circle to the North. Its natural landscapes and varied climate offers a variety of activities for all types of visitors.
If you are looking for some urban culture, you should visit the capital city of Helsinki. This is a contemporary urban city, which is a centre for both culture and business. Here you will find Scandinavian culture, architecture, and history.
Places worth visiting:
Helsinki
As the country’s capital, it is the most popular place for tourists to visit in Finland. Helsinki contains a lot of culturally rich attractions. Visit its many churches, such as the Lutheran Cathedral, the Church in the Rock and the Uspenski Cathedral. The local stadium hosted the 1952 Olympics and is worth a visit, as is the art deco architecture of the Parliament House. While there are dozens of excellent museums and galleries in Helsinki, one of the best to see is the National Museum of Finland, where you can learn about- and trace Finnish history over time.
Rovaniemi
Being referred to as the capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi is the ultimate gateway to experiencing the staggering beauty of Lapland. During World War II, Rovaniemi was completely destroyed, and as a result, much of the architectural design is mid-century brutalist. While there are numerous wonderful attractions to take part in, a definitive highlight is the official Finnish home to Santa Claus. Visitors get to tour Santa Claus Village, get stamps from the Santa Claus Post Office, and even visit the Santa-themed underground amusement park. Other attractions in Rovaniemi include the Korundi House of Culture and the Pilke Science Center, as well as several culturally rich landmarks, one of the most known ones being the Jätkänkynttilä Bridge.
Savonlinna
A small city in the midst of Finnish Lakeland, Savonlinna is a charming historic destination. Located on a series of islands in Lake Saimma, the biggest attraction is unquestionably Olavinlinna, also known as St. Olaf’s Castle, which was built in the 15th century. Since the castle wasn’t militarily or politically important for centuries, it has withstood the test of time and remains largely intact. Also worth visiting is the Orthodox Museum, the Savonlinna Provincial Museum, as well as the nearby province Kerimäki, where the world’s biggest wooden church is located.
Porvoo
The second-oldest town in all of Finland is a destination known for its unique wooden homes. Stroll through the cobblestone streets and witness numerous important landmarks dating back to the 13th century. Visit the 11th century Porvoo Cathedral, and explore local art and heritage at the Porvoo Museum and indulge in delicious local pastries at the Brunberg Shop - an iconic shop in the city.
Turku
Located along the coast of Southern Finland, Turku served as the capital of Finland for a long time during the 19th century. Although it is no longer the capital, Turku is still a major tourist destination, and houses countless historic attractions and cultural landmarks. Visit the 13th century Turku Castle, the Aboa Vetus and Art Nova museums, and the neighbourhood of Luostarinmäki, which is one of the few areas with architecture that survived the city fire that took place in the early 19th century.
Finnish Lakeland
The region spreads across central and eastern Finland, and is an area of Finland consisting of around 55.000 lakes that are at least 200 m. wide. The abundance of lakes makes for a stunning view. The largest lake is Lake Saimaa, which allows swims and boat rides, or you can hike the perimeter and take in the breathtaking scenery. While you are here, you can also explore the town’s university Jyväskylä, or the medieval St. Olaf’s Castle.
Kemi
Located in Finnish Lapland, this city is best known for its pulp mills, however, travellers know Kemi best as the location of the renowned and iconic snow castle. The castle is re-built yearly, and can be up to three stories tall and often serve as the venue for weddings or live musical performances. Guests are welcome to stay overnight in the snow hotel. Kemi also has a great nightlife scene, and offers the arctic icebreaker tour, that takes you through the arctic waters in search of icebergs, which makes for an incredible view.
Aland Archipelago
Aland Archipelago is a collection of islands in the heart of the Baltic Sea. While technically belonging to Finland, you are more likely to hear residents speaking Swedish rather than Finnish. Ferries shuttle visitors between the Aland Islands, offering you the chance to see numerous attractions spread across the different islands. Visit the Pommern Museum, the Aland Maritime Museum, the 14th century castle Kastelholm, and go for a hike along the many stunning hiking trails.
Tampere
Although it is the third-largest city in Finland, Tampere is still not a huge urban area, and feels more like a collection of different neighbourhoods than a major consisting metropolis. Check out the Natural History Museum to get an understanding of Tampere’s history and heritage, and visit the Finnish Hockey Hall of Fame. Outdoor recreation such as skiing and hockey are incredibly popular here. However, there are attractions that are friendlier to the less athletic people as well, such as the Duck Park or the very popular Särkänniemi Adventure Park, which features an aquarium, a planetarium, a children’s zoo, an art museum and an observation tower with great views of the surrounding forests and lakes.
Levi
Consisting of a lot of unspoiled and authentic landscape, Levi is a nature lover’s dream destination. For outdoor enthusiasts, the winter resort of Levi is undoubtedly a top attraction for fun. Located in Finnish Lapland, it contains miles of trails for skiing and snowboarding. There are also opportunities for additional activities such as reindeer safaris, ice fishing expeditions, and outdoor saunas. The nightlife in Levi is greatly renowned for both tourists and Finnish residents, so go explore the bars, lounges and clubs in Central Levi.