Finland
The stunning, nature-filled country of Finland has so much to offer! From the capital of Helsinki to the lake district to Lapland, you won’t go bored here. This Nordic country has plenty to offer year-round!
Planning a trip to Europe? Check out these helpful articles –
10 Practical Packing Tips, 7th one is the Easiest
Places to See
Helsinki
Oulu
Lakeland
Rovaniemi
Turku
Åland Archipelago
Inari
Kilpisjärui
Porvoo
Activities to Do
Visit Santa & North Pole in Rovaniemi
Northern Lights in Lapland
Swim in the lakes & sea
Rent a cabin in Lakeland
Explore Helsinki
Visit Koli National Park
Learn about Sami culture in Inari
Kayak in Oulanka National Park
Floating Sauna
What to Eat & Drink
Rye Bread
Salmon soup
Perch fillets
Herring (smoke & pickled)
Reindeer
Elk
Cloudberry jam
Coffee, like US filter coffee
Long Drink, on tap
Places to Stay
De Gamlas Hem Hotel (Oulu)
Planning Resources:
Accommodation – I always check these three websites to see my options when booking hotels or apartments to stay in : Booking.com, Airbnb.com and Expedia.com (includes VRBO & Hotels.com)
Tours – When searching for activities and tours, I use Viator and Get Your Guide
Transportation – I stalk Google Flights for both domestic and international flights. For trains, Eurail for multi-day passes and Trainline for one-off train tickets. I often use Enterprise for rental cars, but will go with any reputable company that offers a good deal.
Finland’s Best Hidden Gem – the Kesän Floating Sauna in Oulu gives you a peek into the strong Finnish sauna culture. The only way to the sauna is through a floating raft that travels back and forth between the sauna and the shore. You wait on the beach until there’s an opening, then the raft comes to pick you up. Quickly pop into the changing rooms to put on your swimsuit and into the wood-burning sauna you go. Too hot? Perfect, you can hop into the cold fjord!
Alex’s Insider Tips
1
Visit Oulu in 2025-
as a future European Capital of Culture, Oulu is fueling up for a great year for tourists! The focus on local food is key piece of what they're planning to show off.
2
Try Long Drink on Tap-
practically a national drink in Finland, Long Drink is a canned gin and grapefruit soda drink. It's so refreshing and often offered on tap! I even found it at a Sam's Club in Traverse City, Michigan around Christmas 2023...so you might be able to try it back home in the states!
3
Stay in an Airbnb-
Finland is an expensive country, especially when it comes to eating and drinking out. A great way to save money is to stay in an apartment and cooking some of your own meals!
4
Filter Coffee-
the Finnish people are some of the world's biggest coffee drinkers. But unlike other European countries, such as Italy, they actually don't focus on espresso or fancy coffee beverages. They love a classic pot of filter coffee, which brings me all the nostalgic Michigan feels!
My Must Have Guides For European Travel
Everything you need to know about visiting Europe
What can I expect from Finland?
A country with expansive natural landscapes, full of lakes in the south and forests in the north. You won’t encounter large crowds of people and the silence of the nature will truly allow you to relax!
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September 13, 2023
