- Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus at the Arctic Circle.
- Learning about Lapland the Sami people at the Siida Museum.
- Following the creaky bridges and maze-like interiors of 15th-century Olavinlinna Castle in Savonlinna.
- Skiing, snowboarding or dog sledding in the Finnish winter outdoor capital of Levi.
- Island hopping in the charming Aland Archipelago.
- Shopping alongside Helsinki residents at Kauppatori, one of northern Europe’s most popular market squares.
- Being awestruck and overcome by the beauty of the Northern Lights, seen best from September to March.
- Staying overnight in the iconic Lumilinna Ice Castle in Kemi.
- Marveling at the gigantic Kummakivi, or “strange rock,” one of the top attractions of Ruokolathi.
- Spend a day in an old wooden town, like Kӓpylӓ and Vallila in Helsinki, or Old Porvoo, where the wooden residences date back as far as 300 years.
Best Things to Do in Finland
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As of July 30th Finland is open to travelers from a limited number of countries. Travelers from the US are currently banned from entering EU countries.
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1. Suomenlinna Fortress
Hop on a 15-minute ferry from Helsinki’s Market Square to take a Suomenlinna Fortress tour. This is one of the world’s largest sea fortressed, dating back to the 18th century and today a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Check out the massive Vesikko submarine, the Ehrensvärd Museum and the Doll and Toy Museum.
2. The Arctic Circle
Who doesn’t want to include a trip to the Arctic Circle as part of their Finland tour? Reindeer! Santa! Stay a day or two in Rovaniemi, Gateway to the Arctic, and enjoy the famous Midnight Sun in the summertime. There are outdoor activities galore in northern Finland, from canoeing and swimming to fishing and hiking. Visit a Sami reindeer farm or learn about Lapland culture and the Arctic at the Arktikum Science Museum.
3. The Churches of Helsinki
The best churches to visit in Helsinki include two cathedrals and one architectural icon. Explore the Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral, Europe’s largest Orthodox church, the neoclassical Lutheran Cathedral and the Temppeliaukio Church, built into solid rock and boasting incredible acoustics.
4. Northern Lights
A Finland tour highlight to be sure, the Northern Lights top many a traveler’s bucket list in this region of Europe. The best time to view the Aurora Borealis is from September to March - the skies are generally clear. Many Finland tours include the chance to sleep under the show in accommodations designed to showcase the heavenly view.
5. Turku
Turku is the oldest town in Finland - serving as its capital, until 1812 - and offers visitors an inside peek at the country’s medieval roots. Complementing ancient architecture, you’ll find the art nouveau and modern aesthetics. Check out Turku’s top attractions: Sibelius Museum, Kaupatori market square, the orthodox church and the medieval cathedral.
6. Lake Saimaa and Savonlinna
Touring eastern Finland? You’ll soon realize that this region of the country is more sea than land. With all these lakes, rivers and ponds, the one that stands out the most is huge Lake Saimaa - also called the “lake of a thousand islands.” The main city in Finland’s lake region is Savonlinna - a popular vacation spot for Finns - home to the Olavinlinna Castle. Nearby, visit the largest wooden church in the world in Kerimäki. Many Finland tours in the eastern region include boat trips to Punkaharju, the monasteries of Uusi Valamo, Lintula and Vyborg in Russia.
7. Tampere
Jazz-lovers on Finland tours must make a stop in Tampere, the country’s third largest city but with a small-town ambience. There are a number of festivals here annually, including the Tampere Jazz Happening in November, a world-renowned jazz tradition that draws in some of the genre’s biggest names.
8. Lemmenjoki National Park
Lemmenjoki is the largest park in Finland - more than 2,500 square kilometers. Those seeking outdoor adventure on their Finland tour would do well to spend a few days in this pristine wilderness, home to brown bear, wolves, moose, reindeer and golden eagles, as well as countless miles of well-signed trails, cabins with saunas, huts and more.
9. Aland Archipelago
Explore the island of the Baltic Sea on a tour of Finland’s Aland Archipelago - you’ll hear both Finnish and Swedish spoken here as you hop the various ferries between the islands. Look for the Pommern (a ship-turned-museum), the Aland Maritime Museum and the 14th-century Kastelholm. And don’t miss the favorite food of the Aland Archipelago: a sweet pancake topped off with stewed plums and whipped cream.
10. Kemi and the Ice Castle
Perhaps one of the most iconic landmarks for Finnish travelers, the snow castle in Kemi is not to be missed. Each year, the castle is reconstructed for its guests and the various celebrations and music performances that are held there. Some years, it can be as high as three stories tall.
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It was great trip with a variety of activities. We saw the Northern Lights...
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Northern Lights of Scandinavia
Insights Northern Lights of Scandinavia 10 day trip was excellent. Remembering that the lights are absolutely weather dependent, there is so much more to see, do an...
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