Finland travel guide

View the Northern Lights in the Finnish Arctic Circle

For so many of us who don’t live near Northern Lights viewing spots, this is an absolute highlight of travelling to Finland. The further north you go, the higher your chances of finding these stunning lights. If you join a group tour, you might have even better luck. 

Read more: Best Time and Places to See Northern Lights in Finland

Meet Santa Claus at Rovaniemi

If you’re looking for where Santa lives during the year, you’ve found it. This village offers the chance to meet Santa Claus and his elves regardless of when you visit. Book a tour of the village, visit Santa’s special post office, and cross over the Arctic Circle line. This is fun for every age.

Read more: Things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland

Explore Helsinki’s Design District (and Beyond)

No visit to Finland would be complete without at least a day or two spent discovering Helsinki. The city offers markets, museums, and other landmarks, but a must-see is the Design District. This consists of 25 streets packed with boutiques focusing on Finnish design. 

Delve into Nature in Finnish Lakeland

This region is where Finns escape to when they need to recharge in nature. It’s also Europe’s largest Lakeland district. You’ll find lakeside cottages to stay in, museums to visit, and nature parks to explore. 

Sail Through the Turku Archipelago

Off the coast of Turku is an archipelago of tiny islands, four of which contain fascinating landmarks. During summer, a sailing trip through the islands is one of the best Finland activities. 

Spend Time at a Public Sauna

There is no shortage of saunas in Finland — it’s a regular pastime for locals. There is a cultural significance around the saunas, so it’s best to familiarise yourself with this to stay respectful. Then, find a sauna close to you and embrace the health benefits (just remember to stay hydrated). 

Take a Dog Sledding Tour

The best time to go dog sledding is winter, but you can still try the activity during the rest of the year. Go to Lapland, meet the fluffy, friendly huskies, and embark on a fun tour, dashing through the snow on a sleigh. 

Feast on Finnish Cuisine

From food markets to local favourite restaurants, Finland is a foodie’s haven. There’s so much traditional food to try here; every meal will be an experience. You can take a walking food tour, and there are a number of Michelin-starred restaurants (specifically in Helsinki) for you to splurge on.

Read more: 14 Unmissable Things to Do in Finland

Best of Finland’s Cities and Towns

14 days

Helsinki – Porvoo – Turku – Tampere – Rovaniemi

Catch Finland’s highlights and squeeze in a couple of small-town charms. 

Unbeatable Winter Holiday

Ten days

Pyhä – Ivalo – Rovaniemi

Spend ten days skiing, taking snowmobiles, and sledding through the snow. 

Summer Adventure Through Finland

Ten days

Helsinki – Turku – Rovaniemi

Spend a summer trip biking and enjoy walking tours, then catch a river cruise in Rovaniemi.

Finland’s Gems

Eight days

Helsinki – Turku – Suomenlinna – Kittilä – Rovaniemi

Travel Finland and see the most gorgeous places, ending in Oulanka National Park. 

Visit Kevo Nature Reserve

Untouched wilderness awaits at Kevo Strict Nature Reserve, where nature has been carefully preserved since 1956. This reserve is in Utsjoki, northern Lapland and is a site for scientific research due to its unique ecosystem.

Book an Ice Fishing Trip

I recommend booking a trip with someone knowledgeable if you plan to go ice fishing in Finland. This involves drilling a hole into the ice, placing your fishing pole into the hole, and then cooking any fish you catch. 

Find One of Finland’s Wooden Towns

Several towns in Finland have preserved the old wooden structures that were once used throughout the country. Visit towns like Porvoo, Kaskinen, and Kristinestad and stroll through the streets admiring the buildings.

Take a Ferry to the Åland Islands

The Åland Islands are between Finland and Sweden, but a ±6-hour-long ferry from Turku will get you to the main island of Fasta Åland. Here, you’ll find cafes, handmade craft stores, wooden houses, and plenty of beaches. The island has hotels, so I’d suggest you stay over. 

Dishes to try

• Karjalanpiirakka – pastry filled with mashed potatoes or rice pudding and topped with butter. 
• Poronkäristys – a stew made from reindeer meat and served with mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. 
• Sienisalaatti – mushroom salad with marinated forest mushrooms, often mixed with onions, pickles, and sour cream.

Drinks to try

• Birch Sap – a refreshing non-alcoholic beverage.
• Sahti – traditional Finnish beer.

Expect to spend between €157 and €400 / $165 and $422 per day per person in Finland on a mid-range basis. Add €200 / $211 if you’re travelling on a luxury basis.

Average Daily Costs 

• Hotel 
  • Mid-Range €82 and €201 / $87 and $212
  • Luxury €110 and €351 / $116 and $370
• Food – €36 and €64 / $38 and $68
• Public Transport €3 and €11 / $3 and $12
• Attractions – €12 and €100 / $13 and $106
• Tours – €13 and €900 / $14 and $950

Safety

The crime rate in Finland is low. The country has a small gap between high- and low-income residents, and crime is not a source of survival for the Finns. Always be vigilant with valuables, but generally, the biggest safety risks would be winter driving and the wilderness. 

Health

Finland has strict regulations for the whole country, so you can drink the water and be relatively safe from health risks. You should have all of your routine vaccines up to date, though. And if you’re doing lots of hiking or outdoor activities, check the weather and prepare for very cold days. Always wear sunscreen.

Tipping

Tipping for services is not expected in Finland. Restaurants don’t always expect tips either, and if they do, you’ll likely already find 10-12% added to your bill.

Tips for travelling

• Learn About Lapland’s Indigenous Sámi Culture. Be sure you’re respecting the culture and not overstepping or offending anyone. 
• Don’t Worry About Carrying Cash. Finland has effortless cashless payment services, and you won’t need cash for almost anything while visiting.
• Make Sure You’re Recycling. This is an important practice in Finland — look out for the specific bins. 
• Learn Basic Finnish Phrases. You’ll find that many Finns can converse in English just fine, but being able to greet them in their language will earn you respect. I’ve got some of the common phrases listed for you below. 
• Stay in Unique Accommodation. Finland has a treasure trove of Airbnbs and hotels, including ice domes, wooden cabins, and other fascinating but cosy accommodations. 

How to see the best for free

Finland is expensive, but there are ways to visit on a budget. The outdoors are almost entirely free to hike and explore. Take to the city streets on foot and find landmarks, cathedrals, and churches, all free to view. 

Many museums, like the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, are free or offer free entrance every first Friday of the month. In Helsinki, you can watch free concerts by music students at the Helsinki Music Centre. 

Packing

• Waterproof hiking trainers for wet hikes.
• Thermal hiking leggings to keep warm while adventuring outdoors.

Travel insurance

Even travelling to a place as remarkable as Finland, I wouldn’t suggest leaving before ensuring you have travel insurance sorted. My personal choice is AXA Travel Insurance, and they haven’t let me down yet. 

Suggested guidebooks

• Lonely Planet Finland 
• Finland – Culture Smart!: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Interesting facts

• Finland has some of the happiest people in the world. 
• Finns are multilingual. All children learn Finnish, Swedish, and English in school. 
• Which country drinks the most coffee in the world? Finland! Perhaps that’s why they’re so happy.
• You’ll find 187,888 lakes in Finland — which explains the country’s nickname.

Handy phrases

Hello – Hei

Yes – Joo

No – Ei

Please – Ole kiltti

Thank You – Kiitos

How Much Is? – Kuinka paljon on?

Time zone

Finland’s time zone is Eastern European Time (EET), with the UTC offset UTC+02:00. Finland’s clocks are set back by an hour for Daylight Savings on the last Sunday of March and again in October.

Electricity and adapters

Finland uses types C and F plugs with a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. I’d suggest packing a universal travel adapter to take with you.