Even though it is not as well-visited as the other countries that make up northern Europe, but there is a huge variety of experiences and sights that Finland has to offer. From getting your hands dirty in an adventure to relaxing in a sauna, there is something to suit everyone’s taste due to which it boasts an ‘other-worldly’ quality. There are stunning natural landscapes and majestic forests to be found here, but this doesn’t mean that Finland doesn’t offer some urban sprawl. The wintery delights often draw people to Finland and they are certainly worth experiencing at least once.
If you are ready to experience Finland, you should definitely do these ultimate things in the country:
- Explore the Santa Park
Don’t want to go to the North Pole to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus? You can simply go to the north of Finland and visit Rovaniemi instead. You can experience some Christmas delights here, which include an Elf School and you also get a chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and learn how to make gingerbread treats from them. You can go to the Calligraphy School where you can write down a letter to Santa or visit the Post Office where you get to see all the mail the elves receive throughout the year. Crossing the Arctic Circle through an underground tunnel is the primary highlight here. This Winter Wonderland is essential to the experience, especially if you are traveling with kids.
- Polish your history at the Siida Museum
The Siida Museum is situated on the beautiful Lake Inari and is considered one of Finland’s best museum. It tells the story of Sami, a semi-nomadic tribe, who were known as the Laplanders of Finland. There are nature exhibits at the Siida Museum, along with interactive information sessions and photographic galleries. This highlight the history of the Sami and there is a theater with a show about the Northern Lights and engaging rotating galleries.
- Have dinner at restaurant Aanaar
Restaurant Aanaar is also located at Lake Inari and gives you a view of the breathtaking Juutuanjoki’s Janiskoski Rapids. Both visitors and locals flock to this restaurant for the delicious plates that are made from all seasonal local ingredients and emphasize less well-known items, such as reindeer heart and angelica root, served with a zingy sauce. There is also butter and smoked beetroot made from nettles and the trout from Lake Inari that are worth trying.
- Check out Olavinlinna
Dating back to the 15th century is a castle called Olavinlinna that’s located in Savonlinna. To protect the castle from enemies, it was constructed in the center of a glassy lake on a rock and is famous for its three dominating towers. To reach the castle, you will have to walk across some creaking bridges and its interior is a maze of serene chapels and ornate towers. You will be able to take a guided tour that lasts for an hour and will tell you all about the daily life of the castle.
- Enjoy a picnic at Suomenlinna
Take the ferry to Suomenlinna from Helsinki, a fortress that was constructed in 1748 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Swedes originally erected it before it was captured by the Russians and was then regained by the Finns after the Russian Revolution when they declared independence. There are 8 islands that makeup Suomenlinna that have 100 guns, 290 different buildings and intact canons, all surrounded by walls of 6 kilometers. There are also six museums that teach you about Finland’s history. You can also have a picnic on the grounds and it can get quite crowded on the weekends.
- Ski in Levi
If you are looking for the best resort in Finland, you don’t have to look anywhere else than Levi and the Alpine World Cup Race is also held here annually. There are 43 different slopes that you will find and they are ideal for people with different levels of skiing skills and abilities. You will also come across 26 ski lifts. You will find 124 miles of trails and these include black runs for downhill skiers and cross-country ski sections. Those who enjoy snowboarding will also find a dedicated park for it in the resort. Even if you don’t ski, the resort still has plenty of opportunities to offer to you, including a cute reindeer park and husky sled rides.
- Check out the animals at Helsinki Zoo
The Helsinki Zoo opened its doors back in 1889 and it has an illustrious and long history, being one of the oldest zoos in the world. The zoo is based in Korkeasaari Island and there are 1,000 types of plans and 150 different types of animals that can be found here. The island covers an area of 52 acres and there are diverse animals that can be seen, such as bears, camels, lions, monkeys and wolverines. The zoo has been divided into various sections, which include Borealia, Africasia and Amazonia. As expected, there are also plenty of Nordic animals that can be found in the zoo, including animals like bison, elks, reindeers and wolves.
- Explore the Archipelago National Park
Inaugurated back in 1983, the Archipelago National Park is located near Turku. The islands that form the park are a combination of Russian, Swedish and Finnish heritage and you will come across never-ending horizons and limpid sea everywhere you turn. Renting a boat, such as a kayak or a sailboat is one way to check out the flora and fauna here and you can island hop as per your preference. Apart from that, you also have the opportunity to look at the aquatic life, such as babbling sea geese and serene seals. People can also go fishing as the waters are filled with pike and trout and have something to offer to everyone.
Put these activities on your itinerary and you will be able to explore and enjoy Finland in the best possible way.
