Known 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 stunning Finnish Lapland to funky Helsinki, listed below are my private favorite locations I’d like to share with you…
1. Helsinki
I cherished Helsinki! This capital is a novel and eclectic combine of up to date and Art Noveau structure, glorious designer eating places, energetic bars, inventive cafes, stunning boutiques, and artwork galleries wrapped up in a single fashionable, neat and compact package deal!
As nicely as its fashionable eye for design I additionally cherished 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 only a few examples!
It’s additionally a really progressive place with a burgeoning vegan scene, a dedication to being as inexperienced as they’ll 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 turn into an enormous vacationer hotspot)!
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2. Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus himself! In town, I completely love how residents have lovingly embraced the legend and determine of Christmas, and the sights and sounds of the season could be seen all through the entire place and naturally, it’s a favourite vacationer vacation spot for household holidays.
There’s loads for adults to take pleasure in too, with unimaginable 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 Sun, 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 type 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 palms a number of occasions. Once owned by Russia and Sweden, this island is now a World Heritage Site and one 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 cherished having the ability to see Helsinki’s skyline within the distance!
4. Arctic Resort Kakslauttanen
(*15*)
This is beautiful, tranquil, however a lot sought-after resort because of its unimaginable and distinctive lodging that it affords!
Located in Kakslauttanen, its residence to the world-famous glass igloos, which felt like I used to be sleeping below the celebs however nonetheless being tremendous cozy! It was additionally a good 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 type of as soon as in a lifetime experiences!
5. Nuuksio National Park
This is a nature lover’s dream! Located simply exterior Finland’s capital and I go to Nuuksio National 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 climbing 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 comfortable small-town really feel whereas nonetheless aiming for the celebs! It’s additionally very fairly with an enthralling mixture of the outdated and the brand new. It’s really one in every of 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.
History is all over the place I regarded on this distinctive city and on my journey I kayaked the river and explored the various quaint outlets, cafes and riverside eating places which served up every little thing from conventional Finnish delicacies to high-quality eating and worldwide fayre.
7. Lake Saimaa
This nation has a considerable variety of lakes—essentially the most in Europe! Lake Saimaa is the most important of those interconnected our bodies of water.
The lake system could be seen from land, however I explored it by boat to see the large scope and distinctive fantastic thing about this exceptional and tranquil space.
I extremely suggest occurring a guided boat tour to at least one to attempt to catch a glimpse of the Saimaa Ringed Seal, which is presently endangered and just a few hundred exist now!
8. Oulanka National Park
I completely cherished Oulanka National 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. During the summer time, you’ll hear Brooks gushing and rivers dashing between the densely packed timber. During the winter it’s a incredible 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 cherished the all of the outside adventures it hosts in addition to sampling their home made cloudberry liquors, and taking very refreshing dips of their outside sizzling tub!
9. Turku Archipelago
This is an excellent hidden gem! The locals imagine it’s one of the breathtaking locations on Earth, and I can completely see why! This unimaginable 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!
Traveling across the islands was really easy with the community of ferries—there was no must lease a automotive I simply rented a bicycle as a substitute. It was the right means to absorb the island vibe and really feel like an area on the similar time!
10. Utsjoki
This is a dreamy unspoilt gem! Located 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 keep the small village although it attracts round 20,000 to 25,000 guests every year. This Sami village is the place I can escape hectic metropolis life and revel in pure magnificence at its most interesting.
11. Naantali
This is 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 in opposition to the beautiful backdrop of the Baltic Sea.
Located in Southwest Finland, festivals such because the Naantali Music Festival occur each June from the sixth to the seventeenth, attracting guests from across the globe. I like the distinctive old-world environment that this city has in addition to its beautiful river views.
On my journey, I visited the historic and stylish Kultaranta Palace and Gardens which have been constructed within the late nineteenth century, the upscale Naantali Spa, the place I had enjoyable wellness remedies, the charming Old Town which was full of cobblestone streets and fantastically 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 cherished how simple it’s to discover this charming delivery city on foot after catching a ferry right here. I may stroll from one finish to the opposite with out ever needing a automotive and simply stare upon its charming surroundings and picturesque streets!
On my journey, I cherished looking the quaint outlets and eating places whereas strolling alongside Torggatan which was the principle pedestrian avenue within the centre.
For the perfect view of this rising metropolis, I trekked as much as Badhusberg the place I may see panoramic views of Mariehamn from up excessive!
13. Saariselka
This is an incredible place to attempt to see the the Aurora Borealis! The Northern Lights entice 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 provided an outstanding view of the northern lights whereas we remained heat inside!
During the summer time season, company take pleasure in 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 an excellent expertise!
14. Repovesi National Park
Located solely 3 hours from Helsinki within the municipalities of Kouvola and Mäntyharju, this former web site for intensive industrial forestry, the Repovesi space efficiently reworked 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. During the winter, the entire place is roofed in pure white snow and truthfully it’s a really unimaginable and really Instagram-worthy sight!
15. Lake Pielinen
Located in japanese Finland’s Karelia area, Pielinen Lake is the fourth largest in Finland. Its massive drainage basin covers each east Finland and Russia.
I like this unspoiled and tranquil spot. It has incredible views and leisure actions comparable to climbing 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.