Recognized for its breathtaking landscapes, thick forests, Northern Lights and, huge areas of unspoiled wilderness I can by no means get sufficient of this mysterious and intriguing nation. From lovely Finnish Lapland to funky Helsinki, listed here are my private favorite locations I’d like to share with you…
1. Helsinki
I beloved Helsinki! This capital is a novel and eclectic combine of up to date and Artwork Noveau structure, glorious designer eating places, full of life bars, inventive cafes, lovely boutiques, and artwork galleries wrapped up in a single fashionable, neat and compact package deal!
In addition to its fashionable eye for design I additionally beloved its quirks and eccentricities – locals casually strolling throughout the frozen sea throughout mid-winter, the lengthy rows of heavy steel bars, and the super-cute Moomin cafe are just some examples!
It’s additionally a really progressive place with a burgeoning vegan scene, a dedication to being as inexperienced as they will and sustainability, and an enthralling small-town friendliness.
My favorite highlights of this extraordinary embody Uspenski Cathedral, the Sibelius monument, the Katajanokka district and Temppeliaukio Church (aka the distinctive rock church which has grow to be an enormous vacationer hotspot)!
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2. Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus himself! Within the metropolis, I completely love how residents have lovingly embraced the legend and determine of Christmas, and the sights and sounds of the season will be seen all through the entire place and naturally, it’s a favourite vacationer vacation spot for household holidays.
There’s lots for adults to get pleasure from too, with unbelievable Northern Lights shows and people magical summer time months in June and July when the solar by no means units. It’s known as the Midnight Solar, and it turns the times right into a dreamy – and really lengthy – journey.
3. Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna is one for the historical past followers! Suomenlinna was constructed as a fortress in 1748 and has all the time served as a fortress in some kind or one other, however it’s also residence to a small group of residents.
This space of Finland has not all the time been part of the nation however has modified arms just a few occasions. As soon as owned by Russia and Sweden, this island is now a World Heritage Web site and some of the visited locations in the entire nation.
I believed it was a really intriguing and distinctive vacationer attraction full of rugged coastal landscapes, historic sea fortifications, and lovely views of the Baltic Sea. I additionally beloved with the ability to see Helsinki’s skyline within the distance!
4. Arctic Resort Kakslauttanen
That is beautiful, tranquil, however a lot sought-after resort resulting from its unbelievable and distinctive lodging that it presents!
Positioned in Kakslauttanen, its residence to the world-famous glass igloos, which felt like I used to be sleeping beneath the celebrities however nonetheless being tremendous cozy! It was additionally an effective way to expertise watching the Northern Lights they made an look on the final night time of our keep. It was a really spectacular expertise to look at them shimmer and dance throughout the sky!
Surrounded by thick forest and the Kakslauttanen River and coated in snow through the winter months, I’ve to confess this place isn’t low cost, however it truthfully was a kind of as soon as in a lifetime experiences!
5. Nuuksio Nationwide Park
This can be a nature lover’s dream! Positioned simply exterior Finland’s capital and I go to Nuuksio Nationwide Park to reconnect with nature, escape from metropolis hassles and benefit from the beautiful pure – and really unspoiled – magnificence.
I’m all the time captivated by the surroundings right here which incorporates peaceable forests, shimmering lakes, and rocky cliffs and there’s many miles of well-marked mountaineering and biking trails. There are additionally designated tenting web site and alternatives for wild tenting.
6. Porvoo
Porvoo is a like a cross between a quaint fishing village and a comfy small-town really feel whereas nonetheless aiming for the celebrities! It’s additionally very fairly with an enthralling mixture of the previous and the brand new. It’s really one in all solely six remaining medieval cities and was first documented in historical past within the 14th century.
It’s situated on Porvoo River and surrounded by inexperienced landscapes and I like the lovable and colourful wood homes which lined the riverside and charming cobblestone streets.
Historical past is in every single place I regarded on this distinctive city and on my journey I kayaked the river and explored the numerous quaint retailers, cafes and riverside eating places which served up every thing from conventional Finnish delicacies to effective eating and worldwide fayre.
7. Lake Saimaa
This nation has a considerable variety of lakes—probably the most in Europe! Lake Saimaa is the most important of those interconnected our bodies of water.
The lake system will be seen from land, however I explored it by boat to see the huge scope and distinctive fantastic thing about this outstanding and tranquil space.
I extremely advocate occurring a guided boat tour to 1 to attempt to catch a glimpse of the Saimaa Ringed Seal, which is at the moment endangered and only some hundred exist now!
8. Oulanka Nationwide Park
I completely beloved Oulanka Nationwide Park and we travelled right here within the winter when it turns into a rare magical wilderness. It covers an space of 270 sq. kilometres in Finnish Lapland (the far north of the county).
Initially established in 1956, it caters to many outside and journey lovers. Through the summer time, you’ll hear Brooks gushing and rivers speeding between the densely packed bushes. Through the winter it’s a implausible place to identify the Northern Lights and we have been fortunate sufficient to see (and {photograph} them on our journey).
We stayed at Basecamp Oulanka and beloved the all of the outside adventures it hosts in addition to sampling their selfmade cloudberry liquors, and taking very refreshing dips of their outside sizzling tub!
9. Turku Archipelago
This can be a great hidden gem! The locals consider it’s some of the breathtaking locations on Earth, and I can completely see why! This unbelievable chain of 20,000 islands is nothing in need of extraordinary.
I used to be fascinated that regardless of every island being very distinct, all of them come collectively to create a tight-knit group. I believed the vibe right here was actually particular!
Touring across the islands was really easy with the community of ferries—there was no have to lease a automobile I simply rented a bicycle as a substitute. It was the right method to absorb the island vibe and really feel like a neighborhood on the identical time!
10. Utsjoki
This can be a dreamy unspoilt gem! Positioned in Finland’s northernmost area in Lapland and bordering Norway, its an enthralling village stuffed beautiful Arctic landscapes, intriguing Sámi tradition, and lovely views of the Teno River.
Utsjoki’s small inhabitants of simply over 1,200 helps preserve the small village regardless that it attracts round 20,000 to 25,000 guests annually. This Sami village is the place I can escape hectic metropolis life and revel in pure magnificence at its most interesting.
11. Naantali
This can be a fairly resort city with a vibrant calendar of festivals and Finnish tradition! I like its charming surroundings which is full of colourful wood homes, picturesque waterfront alongside the archipelago, and luxurious gardens, all set towards the beautiful backdrop of the Baltic Sea.
Positioned in Southwest Finland, festivals such because the Naantali Music Pageant occur each June from the sixth to the seventeenth, attracting guests from across the globe. I like the distinctive old-world ambiance that this city has in addition to its beautiful river views.
On my journey, I visited the historic and chic Kultaranta Palace and Gardens which have been constructed within the late nineteenth century, the upscale Naantali Spa, the place I had enjoyable wellness therapies, the charming Outdated City which was full of cobblestone streets and superbly preserved wood homes; and the splendidly whimsical Moominworld!
12. Mariehamn
I believed this was a pleasant gem! It’s the capital of the beautiful Åland Islands and I beloved how straightforward it’s to discover this charming transport city on foot after catching a ferry right here. I might stroll from one finish to the opposite with out ever needing a automobile and simply stare upon its charming surroundings and picturesque streets!
On my journey, I beloved looking the quaint retailers and eating places whereas strolling alongside Torggatan which was the principle pedestrian road within the centre.
For the very best view of this rising metropolis, I trekked as much as Badhusberg the place I might see panoramic views of Mariehamn from up excessive!
13. Saariselka
That is an incredible place to attempt to see the the Aurora Borealis! The Northern Lights appeal to numerous vacationers yearly and encapsulate the creativeness as streams of color dance throughout the night time sky.
I like how they make the occasion much more particular with uniquely designed cabins. These cabins supplied an outstanding view of the northern lights whereas we remained heat inside!
Through the summer time season, friends get pleasure from a trek into one of many final remaining huge wilderness alternatives in Europe. With so many forests disappearing, returning to nature in a wilderness-driven panorama like Saariselka is a superb expertise!
14. Repovesi Nationwide Park
Positioned solely 3 hours from Helsinki within the municipalities of Kouvola and Mäntyharju, this former web site for intensive industrial forestry, the Repovesi space efficiently remodeled into a beautiful nationwide park.
A haven for outside fans, I believed it was beautiful place full of hills blanketed with thick, rugged forests and clear blue lakes each in summer time and winter. Through the winter, the entire place is roofed in pure white snow and truthfully it’s a really unbelievable and really Instagram-worthy sight!
15. Lake Pielinen
Positioned in japanese Finland’s Karelia area, Pielinen Lake is the fourth largest in Finland. Its giant drainage basin covers each east Finland and Russia.
I like this unspoiled and tranquil spot. It has implausible views and leisure actions reminiscent of mountaineering and biking through the summer time months. There’s additionally a lot of fairly small villages and cities situated on the forested hills of Karelia.