Finland - travel guide for nature lovers
Finland - land of forests and lakes
Finland is a northern, sparsely populated country whose greatest treasure is its untouched and diverse nature. More than 70% of the country is covered by forest, there are tens of thousands of lakes and the coastline is dotted with barren archipelagos. The tundra rises in northern Lapland, where reindeer roam freely and winters last for months. The peace, tranquillity and sense of space in Finland is a true experience.
Finnish nature is easily accessible. National parks, nature trails and hiking trails are often accessible directly from cities by public transport. Everyone's rights allow for freer wandering and camping than in many other countries. Being outdoors is part of Finnish everyday life and culture. Hiking, trail running, berry picking, fishing and camping are ways of being part of the natural environment.
Finland - articles
Trail Running in Finland: Forests and National Parks
Nature has always been an important part of life for Finns. We have walked, wandered, jogged, camped, and picked berries in the woods from the beginning of our history. Even though running is…
Adventure running in Nuuksio National Park
Nuuksio National Park in southern Finland is less than an hour's drive from Helsinki. Its easy accessibility makes it ideal for beginner hikers. Although Nuuksio is a relatively urban nature area…
Hiking the 82 km Karhunkierros Bear's Trail 2/2
The most popular hiking trail in Finland is Karhunkierros , also known as the Bear’s Trail. It takes you through the Oulanka National Park to beautiful forests and scenic views by the swirling River…
The four seasons
Spring (March-May)
Spring usually starts in March in the south and in late April or as late as May in the north. It is characterised by increasing sunlight, melting snow and a rapid awakening of nature. Lakes are freed from ice between April and May, and weather conditions can vary greatly during spring.
Summer (June-August)
Summer in Finland is short but bright. In the north you can experience the midnight sun, when the sun does not set at all for weeks. Temperatures average between +15 and +25 degrees Celsius, but the weather can be variable. Nature is at its greenest and mosquitoes are at their most abundant.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn begins with cooler temperatures and shorter days. In particular, the autumn foliage means a riot of colour to the forests and fells, making it a popular season for hiking. In November, the weather becomes more wintry, with rain and grey skies in the south and snow in the north.
Winter (December to February)
Winter usually starts in December in the south and November in the north. In Lapland, snow cover can last for six months, and temperatures can drop to -30°C or below. During the mid-winter polar night "kaamos", the sun does not rise above the horizon in northernmost Finland. Snow and ice are part of the winter landscape, in many years also in the very south of Finland.
Travel areas in Finland
Helsinki and the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
Helsinki is a modern and maritime capital, where archipelago, culture and nature intertwine. From Helsinki, you can easily reach Nuuksio National Park and Sipoonkorpi National Park, or take a boat trip to the Suomenlinna sea fortress. In the Helsinki Capital Region, you can also discover design, food culture and the history of seaside towns.
Coastal area and archipelago
The old wooden towns of Turku and Rauma, the maritime culture of Åland and the vast archipelago form a unique region. In summer, the archipelago attracts cyclists, canoeists and boaters - routes run from island to island, through rocky shores, bridges and village communities.
Lake Finland / Lakeland
Finland has Europe's largest lake district, where the rhythm of water and forest soothes the traveller. Saimaa, Päijänne and numerous smaller lakes offer nature experiences and quiet moments. The area also includes the Kuopio, Savonlinna and Jyväskylä regions. In Saimaa you can see a seal, hike in national parks and stay in a cottage by the water.
Eastern Finland and the forestry hill landscapes
The national landscapes of Koli, the marshlands of Patvinsuo and Kuusamo's rugged hilly forests offer some of the deepest shades of Finnish nature. The area combines national parks, hiking trails such as the Karhunkierros Bear's Trail and traditional culture. In Eastern Finland, you can walk in some of Finland's finest forests.
Lapland
Northern Finland - Lapland - is a world of its own. Fells, reindeer, the nightless night and the polar night season make Lapland unique. In winter, snow, silence and Northern Lights beckon - in summer, hikes, midnight sun and endless wilderness. Urban destinations include Rovaniemi, Inari and Kilpisjärvi. Popular national parks include Urho Kekkonen National Park and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
What to do in Finland?
Nature is Finland's biggest attraction - it is everywhere and easily accessible. Hiking, trekking and wilderness activities are genuine experiences in pure nature. Of course, Finland also has charming cities, rich culture and varied local customs.
In Finland, it is worth trying sauna bathing, which is not just a way of washing but part of well-being. In a sauna, you sit quietly, take a dip in the lake (or hole in the ice in winter!), and let your body relax. Many people combine sauna with cottage life and spending the night in nature.
In summer, fishing, rowing on the lake, and picking berries or mushrooms in the forest are everyday pleasures that are experiences for the traveller. In winter, skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing and watching the northern lights are part of the northern experience - especially in Lapland, but also further south.
Top 10 experiences in Finland
- Sauna and lake - spend an evening in a wood-fired sauna and take a dip in a quiet lake.
- Hiking in a national park - for example, the Karhunkierros in Kuusamo, Hetta-Pallas in Lapland or Nuuksio near Helsinki.
- Canoeing on Lake Saimaa - explore Lake Finland from the water.
- Northern lights viewing - from autumn to spring in Lapland.
- Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi - an atmospheric destination all year round.
- Koli National Landscape - an impressive view of the Lake Pielinen and the inspiration of Finnish writers, painters and composers of the National Romantic period.
- Midnight sun in June - experience a bright summer night in the north.
- Snowshoe hike and open fire - a winter hike in the forest, with a break at the campfire.
- Islands in Turku and Åland - cycle, boat or hike along the rocky shores.
- Peace and quiet - perhaps the most important experience: be still, stop and breathe.
Airports, trains and buses
There are direct flights to Helsinki from several major cities in Europe, Asia and North America. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is the largest and busiest international gateway in the country.
International flights also arrive at several other airports around the country. Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo and Kuusamo are popular destinations, especially during the winter season, when tourists head to Lapland for the Northern Lights, cross-country skiing and winter nature. You can continue your trip with airport taxi, bus or rental car.
In addition to flying, you can also arrive in Finland by ferry from Sweden, Estonia or Germany. There are ferry connections to Helsinki, Turku and Mariehamn in Åland.
The trains operate from southern Hanko and Helsinki to major cities and up to Kolari and Kemijärvi in the north.