Exploring Finland

The great outdoors in Finland are practically boundless. Forests and lakes cover most part of the country. Nature reserves and marked trails exist all around the country beginning from the south to the most northern part of Lapland.

Lapland

Land of the Midnight Sun and the Northern Lights, the Finnish province of Lapland is one of the world’s most wild and unspoiled regions, sparsely populated and blessed with wide open hills, uninhabited forests, magnificent lakes and foaming rapids. The region offers the tourist the holiday of a lifetime. Walking, canoeing, boating and fishing, horse riding and birdwatching - there are outdoor activities of every kind for a wonderful adventure holiday.

In the early autumn, the magical Lapland attracts visitors with the beautiful “ruska” – the ablazing colouring of the flora. Activities vary from fishing in the rapids to berry and mushroom picking. Every man’s right guarantees that one can enjoy the offerings of nature.

The capital of the province of Lapland is Rovaniemi. The city is best known as the permanent residence of Santa Claus which is located in Finnish Lapland on the Arctic Circle. Many people go to Rovaniemi just to cross the Arctic Circle for which one can get an actual Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate. A definite “must” when visiting Rovaniemi is also Arktikum - a science centre, museum and a unique architectural sight.

Other attractions in Lapland include the Gold Museum in Tankavaara which is one of the most important tourist attractions in Lapland. Golden World is the international face of the Gold Museum which was founded in 1973 for the purpose of studying and recording the history of gold in Finland. The museum’s expositions on gold and its magnificent mineral collection attract over thirty five thousand visitors annually.

Important towns in Lapland also include Kittilä and Ivalo which can be reached by plane from Helsinki. Both are good starting points for the exploration of Lapland. Train connections are also available between Helsinki and Lapland. Other attractive destinations in Lapland are e.g. Inari, Salla, Pyhä-Luosto and Ranua.

Lakeland

Finland is known as a land of thousand lakes due to its magnificent lake district which is the largest in Europe and immensely popular with the Finns themselves. A glimpse at a map shows that the area is indeed filled with waterways, islands, canals and beaches. Renting a cottage by a lake gives you a unique experience of the cottage life that Finnish people cherish. Going to the sauna, fishing and other water-related activites are the best components of a nature holiday in Finland.

Visiting the Neighbouring Countries

Sweden and Norway

Sweden and Norway offer a large number of attractive destinations, once you have first discovered Finland. Many adventurous travellers rent a car from Northern Finland and drive all the way to North Cape in Norway - the upmost part of Europe.

Russia and Baltic countries

Finland’s eastern border neighbour Russia is at an easy access from Helsinki. The beautiful St. Petersburg - the historical city of the Tsars - can be reached by plane or train from Helsinki.

Estonia’s capital Tallinn has a charming medieval town centre with lots to see. Flights from Helsinki to Tallinn; to Riga in Latvia; and to Vilnius in Lithuania take you to the Baltic countries in no time at all.