Finland Travel Guide
Europe

Senate Square in Finland's capital city, Helsinki

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Why holiday in Finland?

This far north European country embraces cities and towns with buildings ranging from medieval castles to modern classics that all go colourfully hyperactive in the summer months as the sun refuses to set and the locals refuse to sleep.
The massed islands around the south coast and in the central Lake area are a great destination for water sporters and not too bad for wilderness seekers too, though up north to Lapland is more suitable for bipedal space cases or white-out sports freaks in winter.
Crime is low and the country is very clean and efficient while domestic transport systems are excellent.

Downside:
- Finland's not cheap, especially alcohol which is way overpriced.
- Drunk males are not uncommon and can be difficult. Nothing new there then.
- Out of town the endless, flat, repetition of trees/ water/ trees may make journeys tiresome.

Climate

Best weather: May-Sept
The Midnight Sun occurs in Lapland from mid-June to mid-July.
Worst: Winter (very short, dark days but amazing winter landscapes)

Length of stay:
Minimum worthwhile stay, not incl. flights: 2 days, Helsinki and environs.
A reasonable time: 2 weeks, Helsinki-Turku region, the Lake area, and Lapland or the Aland islands.

Main attractions

***Helsinki. Radiant architecture, excellent museums, scenic waterways, and a lively, cheerful atmosphere - especially in summer months. And a beach!

**Turku. This 800 year old port has lost a lot of its old buildings and culture to rapacious development, but still retains a watery charm, some good museums and a few great buildings including the huge medieval Turku Castle. This is a popular base for cruises around the islands.

**Turku - Hamina (east of Helsinki), though the scenery is less than dramatic this road trip winds past an evocative scattering of castles, ancient churches and manor houses. About 200 miles.

**Aland islands (Ahvenanmaa). 6,000 or so flat, rural islands boasting few residents but their own flag and distinctive culture - a particularly good target for bikers or sailors. Ferries run constantly in the summer.

**Lake Region. Thousands of attractive lakes and islands take up one third of the country and make a tranquil, wild and watery destination.

**Savonlinna is the biggest town in the area, sports the grand Olavinlinna castle and offers endless scenic summer cruises as well as a world class opera festival in July.
The lakes are especially good for bike and kayak use.

**Lapland, north of not-very-interesting Rovaniemi, is a place of space and stark wilderness as you cross into the Arctic Circle.
Under the Midnight Sun hikers will love the spectacular routes, wandering reindeer and free overnight huts of various parks, especially Lemmenjoki National Park, while kayakers will find plenty of rapids to give them an icy thrill.
For a shot of real Sami (Lap) culture try the lakeside town of Inari.

Activities

Kayaking: water,water everywhere, and plenty of canoes/kayaks to rent. Easy paddling around the lakes, not quite so easy at sea and a touch hairy over rapids up in Lapland.

Hiking: June-Sept, though beware insect overload in June/July. Trails often have huts available en route, or prepared camping places.

Saunas: if you haven't been beaten by a naked mate with birch twigs in a steamy situation then you haven't experienced Finland.

Hietaniemi Beach, Helsinki
Photo by Pollo

Biking: hire available in tourist areas, and roads are mostly flat and well surfaced in the south, but beware monotony - trees, water, trees, trees and so on.

Fishing: a popular pastime in this watery wonderland, including ice-fishing, but a local licence is required.

Cross-country skiing: Oct-April, some trails are illuminated.

Downhill skiing: not common but if you must, try Lapland or Koli in Karelia.

Sailing: with thousands of islands inland and out to sea, good fish and clean air, Finland makes a sailor's eyes go wet and dreamy, but beware navigation around Turku.

Main festivals:
31 Dec, New Year celebrations, especially lively in Helsinki.
May 1, May Day - an excellent excuse to get wrecked with the locals.
June, ***Midsummer's Day (Juhannus), the country's biggest event with parties nationwide.
July, ***Savonlinna Opera Festival, held in a medieval castle set in a lovely town.
July, Ruisrock festival in pretty Turku.
August, Savonlinna Beer Festival.

Money:
The currency is the Euro and prices are high but not stratospheric. Finland is a sophisticated society so ATMs are plentiful and most Traveller's Cheques accepted.
Tipping is rarely necessary.

Visas:
European citizens and nationals of USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia and Singapore do not need visas for visits up to 90 days.

Electricity:
Electric sockets are 230v and take 2 round pin plugs.

Safety:
Crime is very, very unlikely.

Language:
The Finnish language is difficult but most younger Finns speak reasonable English.

Food:
An interesting fusion of Scandinavian and Russian styles, though somewhat heavy and unsubtle. Heavy on the wallet too.
Ingredients lean towards marine life for obvious reasons, but reindeer and snow grouse are on the protein platter too.
Scandinavians love a hearty breakfast so this is the time to load up on calories if you are short on $.

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