Probably the first thing that comes into your mind when you think of Finland is Santa Claus and long cold winters. But Finland is much more than that. Visiting Finland during the summer is amazing. The long warm days, the berries, the green forests make Finland seem like a magical land. And if you’re wondering about the top places to stay in Finland, a range of options are available to you - from the best vacation rentals to the top glamping spots in Finland. You don’t want to rush through this country, you rather want to take you time, move slowly from place to place and relax while doing so. If you’re not sure what’s so special about this beautiful country, you’re reading the right article. Check out these 13 best things to do in Finland.
1. Go on a husky safari (from USD 124.0)
If riding a husky-driven sleigh is on your bucket list, then Finland is the perfect place to do it. Embark on a husky safari through the frozen landscapes of Finland and see the stunning natural beauty of Lapland, click memorable photographs and experience the joyful company of the amiable huskies. End your husky safari with some heartwarming hot chocolate and cookies.
Husky Safari from Rovaniemi with Husky Sled-Ride
Duration: 2 hours
2. Meet Santa and his elves at SantaPark (from USD 38.0)
Located in Rovaniemi, SantaPark is a great place for kids. Besides getting to meet Santa Claus, kids and adults can also enjoy various activities and attractions in this amazing winter wonderland. Children can ride aboard a Four Seasons Magic Train, enrol themselves at the Elf School and graduate from it, go on a lovely sleigh ride, see the elves working in the toy shop, get a chance to meet some beloved storybook characters as well as personally hand over their wishlists to Santa. This attraction is truly a fun place for the entire family!
SantaPark Admission Ticket
Duration: 3 to 6 hours
3. See eastern Finland in a Savonlinna Custom Sightseeing Tour (from USD 67.0)
Explore the majestic beauty of the Saimaa lake region in eastern Finland by embarking on a custom sightseeing tour that includes a fun snowshoeing session and hot drinks in the end. Travel comfortably in the company of an experienced guide who will revel you with facts about the region. See all the iconic attraction of the area like Olavinlinna Castle, Punkaharju Ridge, Kerimaki Church, which is the world’s biggest wooden church, and more.
Savonlinna Custom Sightseeing Tour
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4. Have the best meat pie in the world in Lappeenranta
Omnomnom
Posted by Henri Karhu on Monday, 26 June 2017
Lappeenranta is a rather small town east of Finland, not very far from the border with Russia. It’s actually very easy to organize a trip to St. Petersburg from here. One of the things Lappeenranta is famous for is Finnish traditional meat pie. It’s almost like a hamburger, except that it’s all stuffed into some sort of a doughnut. There are many places to eat meat pies in Lappeenranta in both Market Square and Harbour Square. One good option is Satama Sanni restaurant in Harbour Square.
Satama Sanni restaurant
Address: Satamatori, Lappeenranta 53900, Finland
Website: Satama Sanni restaurant
Finland Tour Guide
Ann Travel Finland (Anna Siukola)
Hi, my name is Ann, and I offer author’s Helsinki and Southern Finland tours in English to individual travelers, families, friend groups, and large groups. My style is educative and entertaining, so you will have a lot of facts presented in an easy, fun, and friendly manner. I am knowledgeable in various fields, but my tours are not boring history lessons. Instead, we will have a lively narrati... Read more
5. Visit the castle in Turku
One of the oldest buildings in Finland, Turku castle impresses with its exhibition and large amount of information related to Finnish history. It is one of the most popular Finland attractions and you can plan an entire morning or afternoon for the visit: several hours for visiting the museum (it is larger than expected) and one/two hours for lunch in the cafeteria inside. It’s a good opportunity to learn more about Finnish culture.
Turku castle
Address: Linnankatu 80, 20100 Turku, Finland
Website: Turku castle
6. Discover Helsinki
Walking around downtown Helsinki, you will discover many historic buildings and squares, including the Senate Square, the Lutheran Cathedral, the Uspenski Othrodox Cathedral and Market Square. It would be difficult to only choose one place in Helsinki, so make sure you plan at least one day to walk around downtown and get a feel of this modern European Capital. If the weather’s bad and you feel like seeing some art, choose to visit the Ateneum. They have impressive art galleries all year round.
Ateneum Helsinki
Address: Kaivokatu 2, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
Website: Ateneum Helsinki
Tip from tour guide
During your visit to Helsinki, check out the beautiful Art Museum Ateneum. It houses the works of the iconic Finnish painter, Albert Edelfelt, including the ones with elegant ladies and the Romanov family children. You can also see the work of the famous sculptor Ville Valgren and Finnish painter, Helene Schjerfbeck. Other exhibitions include The Modern Woman. It also has a collection dedicated to contemporary classical art.
7. Learn history on Suomenlinna island
Part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, Suomenlinna island is the place to practice your photography skills while being transported in time. The ruins of the fortress speak of an old history of the island. It is a good place for history and nature enthusiasts. You can easily spend an entire day here. There is also a wide choice of restaurants and cafe, but you can, of course, also pack your food and have a picnic either on the beach or on the green area. You can reach Suomenlinna island easily - there are many public ferries heading to Suomenlinna.
Suomenlinna island
Address: 00190 Helsinki, Finland
Website: Suomenlinna island
8. Look for Santa Claus in Lapland
What’s an article on Finland without a mention of Lapland!? Lapland is maybe the most famous of all Finland tourist attractions. It is the northernmost region in Finland, also known as Santa Clause’s home. The area is magical, especially if you visit during the holidays. You should also try to see the Northern Lights - the beauty of this impressive natural phenomenon cannot be explained in words.
Lapland Northern Lights Experience by Reindeer Sled from Luosto
Address: Luosto, Finland
Website:
9. Visit the food market in Tampere
In the summer months, Tammelantori Market in Tampere becomes a one of the most interesting Finland points of interest. It is a very enjoyable place to be, especially for breakfast. It is open from Monday to Saturday. They sell a selection of vegetables, berries, coffee and pastry so be sure to arrive with an empty stomach! The food is fresh and the relaxed location gives the opportunity to interact with locals. No better way to start the day then having breakfast at Tammelantori Market.
Tammelantori Market
Address: Tammelantori, Tampere 33100, Finland
10. Experience Finnish sauna on Saunasaari island
Posted by Heljä Lotvonen on Saturday, 20 May 2017
If you’re wondering what to do in Finland, then experiencing a Finnish sauna on Saunasaari island is a highly recommended activity for you. Just 15 minutes away from Helsinki by boat, Saunasaari is an island full of saunas. It’s one of the best sauna experiences in the country. On top of that, the views from the island are magnificent, making it a great place for unwinding and forgetting about the daily stress. If you’re travelling with a bigger group, you can even book the entire island for yourself. Make sure to stay for sunset - it’s a very good spot for that.
Sauna on Saunasaari island
Address: Vasikkasaari, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
Website: Sauna on Saunasaari island
11. Enjoy the beach in Hanko
There are no other towns south from Hanko, as this is Finland’s southernmost town. The town forms a peninsular and along it, there are many beaches that you can choose from. The town is rather small and compact, but it makes for a good place to walk and sunbathe. With its 30 km (19 miles) of beach, there’s for sure something for every taste.
Bellevue Beach
Address: Hanko 10960, Finland
12. Admire stunning glass objects at The Finnish Glass Museum
Finland is known for its beautiful glass products and has a glass industry dating back hundreds of years. At The Finnish Glass Museum, visitors can admire stunning glass objects from the 18th century all the way up to current designs. The exhibits consist of artistic, designer and household glass objects. Visitors can take time exploring the colorful permanent and temporary exhibitions on their own or take a guided tour.
The Finnish Glass Museum
Address: Tehtaankatu 23, 11910 Riihimäki, Finland
Website: The Finnish Glass Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 10.16 USD
13. Explore Finland's skiing history Lahti Ski Museum
Finland is a country that offers plenty of opportunities to go skiing. And Lahti Ski Museum offers you a chance to explore the history of skiing in an interactive and interesting manner. Through its basic and special exhibitions, visitors can learn about the history of skiing in general as well in Finland, trends in skiing, techniques, famous Finnish skiers and more. In the museum’s collections, one can browse through a plethora of photographs, skiing equipment like poles, blades, hats, gloves, flags, books, and more.
Lahti Ski Museum
Address: Urheilukeskus, Salpausselänkatu 8, 15110 Lahti, Finland
Website: Lahti Ski Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 9am - 5pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 4pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 11.29 USD
The country of extremes
The hot south with its sandy beaches versus the cold north with its snow and reindeer sledges give Finland a special character. It is the country of extremes, the country where you can learn a lot of history and good policy making. It’s also the place to discover berries you’ve never tasted nor seen before in your life. The cool green forests are just open invitations for picking berries and mushrooms. There are many things worth exploring in Finland, make sure not to rush through the country. After all, the only way to make the most out of a sauna experience is to be relaxed and calm.
Tip from Content Creator
Finland is one of the most underrated destinations in Europe, in my opinion. I've spent two summers here, and it's the only country in Europe I've returned to multiple times. It's the perfect place to go if you're looking for fewer crowds, lots of time outdoors, and some of the friendliest locals. And the food? *chef’s kiss*
Want to add some more things to your itinerary? Check out my recommendations below:
- Visit the traditional Finnish sauna at Löyly Helsinki
- Go hiking in Tampere
- Have a lake day at one of the country’s 187,000+ lakes
- Immerse yourself in nature at Kuru Resort
- Try salmon soup
- Rent bikes and explore Helsinki
- Head north to see the midnight sun
- Stuff your face with karjalanpiirakka
- Plan a day trip to nearby Estonia
- Go berry picking
- Take a dip in the Baltic Sea
- Ride the floating bar barge in Turku
- Hike in one of the 40+ national parks
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Top 6 Things To Do In Ivalo, Finland - Updated 2024Rienz Althron
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