Identified 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 lovely Finnish Lapland to funky Helsinki, listed here 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 latest and Artwork Noveau structure, wonderful designer eating places, vigorous bars, inventive cafes, lovely boutiques, and artwork galleries wrapped up in a single trendy, neat and compact bundle!
In addition to its trendy 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 metallic 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 a captivating 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 change into an enormous vacationer hotspot)!
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2. Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus himself! Within the metropolis, 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 get pleasure from 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 referred to as the Midnight Solar, 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 kind or one other, however it is usually dwelling to a small neighborhood of residents.
This space of Finland has not all the time been part of the nation however has modified palms a couple of instances. As soon as owned by Russia and Sweden, this island is now a World Heritage Web site and probably the most visited locations in the entire nation.
I believed it was a really intriguing and distinctive vacationer attraction stuffed with rugged coastal landscapes, historic sea fortifications, and beautiful views of the Baltic Sea. I additionally cherished with the ability to see Helsinki’s skyline within the distance!
4. Arctic Resort Kakslauttanen
That is gorgeous, tranquil, however a lot sought-after resort as a consequence of its unimaginable and distinctive lodging that it presents!
Positioned in Kakslauttanen, its dwelling to the world-famous glass igloos, which felt like I used to be sleeping beneath 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 Nationwide Park
It is a nature lover’s dream! Positioned simply outdoors Finland’s capital and I go to Nuuksio Nationwide Park to reconnect with nature, escape from metropolis hassles and benefit from the gorgeous 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 mountaineering and biking trails. There are additionally designated tenting website and alternatives for wild tenting.
6. Porvoo
Porvoo is a like a cross between a quaint fishing village and a comfy small-town really feel whereas nonetheless aiming for the celebs! It’s additionally very fairly with a captivating mixture of the previous and the brand new. It’s really one among solely six remaining medieval cities and was first documented in historical past within the 14th century.
It’s positioned on Porvoo River and surrounded by inexperienced landscapes and I really like the lovable and colourful picket homes which lined the riverside and charming cobblestone streets.
Historical past is all over the place I appeared on this distinctive city and on my journey I kayaked the river and explored the various quaint retailers, cafes and riverside eating places which served up all the pieces from conventional Finnish delicacies to nice eating and worldwide fayre.
7. Lake Saimaa
This nation has a considerable variety of lakes—probably the most in Europe! Lake Saimaa is the most important of those interconnected our bodies of water.
The lake system could be considered from land, however I explored it by boat to see the huge scope and distinctive great thing about this exceptional and tranquil space.
I extremely advocate occurring a guided boat tour to 1 to try to catch a glimpse of the Saimaa Ringed Seal, which is at present endangered and only some hundred exist now!
8. Oulanka Nationwide Park
I completely cherished Oulanka Nationwide Park and we travelled right here within the winter when it turns into a unprecedented 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. Through the summer time, you’ll hear Brooks gushing and rivers dashing between the densely packed timber. Through the winter it’s a implausible 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 selfmade cloudberry liquors, and taking very refreshing dips of their outside scorching tub!
9. Turku Archipelago
It is a fantastic hidden gem! The locals consider it’s probably the most breathtaking locations on Earth, and I can completely see why! This unimaginable chain of 20,000 islands is nothing wanting extraordinary.
I used to be fascinated that regardless of every island being very distinct, all of them come collectively to create a tight-knit neighborhood. I believed the vibe right here was actually particular!
Touring across the islands was really easy with the community of ferries—there was no have to hire a automotive I simply rented a bicycle as an alternative. It was the proper means to absorb the island vibe and really feel like a neighborhood on the identical time!
10. Utsjoki
It is a dreamy unspoilt gem! Positioned in Finland’s northernmost area in Lapland and bordering Norway, its a captivating village crammed gorgeous Arctic landscapes, intriguing Sámi tradition, and beautiful views of the Teno River.
Utsjoki’s small inhabitants of simply over 1,200 helps preserve the small village regardless that 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 best.
11. Naantali
It is a fairly resort city with a vibrant calendar of festivals and Finnish tradition! I really like its charming surroundings which is stuffed with colourful picket homes, picturesque waterfront alongside the archipelago, and plush gardens, all set towards the gorgeous backdrop of the Baltic Sea.
Positioned in Southwest Finland, festivals such because the Naantali Music Pageant occur each June from the sixth to the seventeenth, attracting guests from across the globe. I really like the distinctive old-world ambiance that this city has in addition to its gorgeous river views.
On my journey, I visited the historic and chic Kultaranta Palace and Gardens which have been constructed within the late nineteenth century, the upscale Naantali Spa, the place I had stress-free wellness therapies, the charming Outdated City which was stuffed with cobblestone streets and superbly preserved picket homes; and the splendidly whimsical Moominworld!
12. Mariehamn
I believed this was a pleasant gem! It’s the capital of the gorgeous Åland Islands and I cherished how straightforward 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 searching the quaint retailers and eating places whereas strolling alongside Torggatan which was the primary pedestrian road within the centre.
For the most effective 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
That is an incredible place to try to see the the Aurora Borealis! The Northern Lights appeal to numerous vacationers yearly and encapsulate the creativeness as streams of color dance throughout the night time sky.
I really 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!
Through the summer time season, visitors get pleasure from 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 a superb expertise!
14. Repovesi Nationwide Park
Positioned solely 3 hours from Helsinki within the municipalities of Kouvola and Mäntyharju, this former website for intensive industrial forestry, the Repovesi space efficiently reworked into a stunning nationwide park.
A haven for outside fanatics, I believed it was gorgeous place stuffed with hills blanketed with thick, rugged forests and clear blue lakes each in summer time and winter. Through 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
Positioned in japanese Finland’s Karelia area, Pielinen Lake is the fourth largest in Finland. Its giant drainage basin covers each east Finland and Russia.
I really like this unspoiled and tranquil spot. It has implausible views and leisure actions reminiscent of mountaineering and biking through the summer time months. There’s additionally plenty of fairly small villages and cities positioned on the forested hills of Karelia.