Finland Destination Guide
Finland offers a plethora of outdoor activities, interesting and unique competitions to witness, a beautiful countryside to experience and historical cities to explore. As would be expected in a country with Finland's extreme temperature ranges, different activities are offered at different times of year. From hiking, canoeing and horseback riding to skiing, snowboarding and reindeer watching, Finland offers a range of outdoor activities throughout the year. The cities, meanwhile, provide interesting museums, art galleries and architecture. And, of course, you must visit a sauna - the quintessential Finnish experience.
The best thing to do is to decide what you want to see and do in Finland and plan your visit according to what will be available when you go.
Use this Finland destination guide to plan what you want to see and do during your holiday. A perfect way to see the highlights of Finland is to take a tour. And be sure to check out some further Finland travel information, or some of the local highlights of the capital Helsinki, or the nearby countries of Estonia and Latvia.
Things to See & Do Finland
Helsinki
The capital contains many of the country's best museums, art galleries, architecture and historical sights. Included amongst these are Dipoli Hall, located at the Helsinki University of Technology in Otaniemi, which is recognised internationally as an architectural masterpiece, and the Senate Square, which includes the eye-catching cathedral. Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also located in the capital. Helsinki offers great shopping, a happening bar and music scene, and Finland's best dining opportunities. Surrounded by parks, forests, shoreline and lakes, it is quite easy to escape from the relative bustle of the city.
Saunas
Enjoying saunas is a traditional Finnish activity, and there estimated to be over 1.5 million throughout the country. Almost all hotels, hostels and campsites will have a sauna for your use. One of the most famous is the Ounasvaara Spa Complex, in Santasport (located close to Rovaniemi). This spa is ideal to try the traditional Finnish smoke sauna or peat bath. The best time to visit is during winter, when experienced sauna-goers will often cut a hole through the ice of the lake to quickly take a dip in. It is even possible to take sauna tours - Muurame offers recommended ones.
Skiing
Cross-country skiing and downhill skiing (and snowboarding) are all extremely popular in Finland. All over the country are well marked and even often illuminated cross-country tracks. Added to this are the over 100 downhill skiing runs. The skiing season in central and southern Finland last from December to mid-April, whereas up north the season lasts from November to early May. Major ski resorts in the north include Pallastunturi, Saariselkä, Pallas, Levi, Ylläs and Luosto/Pyhä. Popular resorts in central Finland are Rovaniemi, Ruka, Iso-Syöte, Vuokatti, Koli and Tahko, while Himos and Lahti are two of the main ones in the south.
Land of Lakes
Finland has about 180,000 lakes, with most located in the east. The Lakeland region offers a dizzying array of islands, lakes and bays, linked by rivers and waterways that were originally used as a means of communication. The largest of the lakes is Lake Saimaa, which is linked by waterways to a number of interesting little towns. The regions is a favourite of tourists, and is well worth visiting in summer.
Turku
Turku is Finland's oldest town, and should definitely be on the itinerary. Without the bustle of Helsinki, the former Finnish capital offers a number of classy restaurants and bars, as well as some interesting museums. One of the best of these is the is the Luostarinmaki Handicrafts Museum, which highlights some splendid craftwork. Two other major highlights include the cathedral and the medieval castle.
