Finland is always different at any time of year, but whatever season you visit, the purity of the air and the beauty of nature will imbue you with a sense of joy and peace. With vast stretches of forest dotted with beautiful lakes, it is an ideal country for hiking, kayaking and boating. The southern part of the country is also dotted with cities full of life, among which the capital, Helsinki, stands out. It is an avant-garde metropolis famous throughout the world for its design and music. But there are so many reasons for a trip to Finland, and here are the best 15.
The spectacle of nature along the Oulanka River, Finland. ©veger/Getty Images
What to see and do
1. Designer shopping, Helsinki. Functional, elegant, original or extravagant - the choice is yours. The capital's decidedly alternative sophistication is best appreciated by visiting the numerous design shops in the centre. You can admire the iconic forms of the Finnish 20th century in the historic shops of brands such as Iittala, Marimekko and Artek or look for an avant-garde (or even just quirky) object in the alternative district of Punavuori, in the heart of the Design District, where you're sure to find something you didn't think you'd need, but can't live without. And you can have it sent home.
Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland. ©Grisha Bruev/Shutterstock
2. Traditional saunas. Although today almost all Finns have saunas in their homes, there are still some public saunas that smell of pine, tar shampoo and old traditions and where you can be gently lashed with birch branches or undergo vigorous scrubs. After the sauna, Finns go to cool off in the street, with a towel around their waist and a cold beer in hand. Helsinki and Tampere are the best places, while it takes a day to prepare for the smoke sauna in Kuopio, which offers a more rural experience, with a lake to take a dip in.
A family of bears in the forest, Finland. ©ErikMandre/Getty Images/iStockphoto
3. The parks of northern Finland. With its expanses of protected forests and fjäll (mountains), Finland is an ideal destination for hiking. In Karhunkierros, near Kuusamo, you will find beautiful hills and deep gorges, which look especially fascinating in autumn. The Urho Kekkonen National Park in Lapland offers some of the most beautiful wilderness in Europe; don't miss the spectacular gorge of the Kevo Integral Nature Reserve and the fjälls of the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.
4. Bear-watching. The brown bear (Ursus arctos) is the national animal. A thousand of these mighty creatures live in the north-eastern part of the country and roam freely between Finland and Russia. Several agencies have bear observation hides, where you can spend a night in absolute silence while they sniff out moose carcasses and pieces of salmon. The best time of year is from mid-April to August, except July, when the bears think more about mating than eating.
The medieval Olavinlinna castle in Savonlinna, Finland. ©DPRM/Shutterstock
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5. Åland By bike. The enchanting archipelago of Åland is best explored by bicycle, so you can appreciate its little-known beauty even more. Bridges and ferries connect many of its 6,000 islands and well-marked routes allow you to get off the main roads and onto winding paths and forest trails. Leave your bike wherever you like to pick strawberries, visit a medieval church or the ruins of castles like Kastelholms Slott, sunbathe on a slab of red granite, quench your thirst with a glass of cider or climb up to admire the sparkling sea.
6. The Lakes Region. There's more water than land in the Lake District and it would be a shame not to enjoy it. Carve out three days to paddle along the family-friendly Oravareitti (Squirrel Trail) or visit Kolovesi and Linnansaarito National Parks to admire the freshwater seals. Do your arms ache? Old ships still ply what were once important shipping routes; you can take short cruises or a day trip from Savonlinna to Kuopio or across the country's largest lake, Saimaa, to Lappeenranta.
7. Sledding and snowmobiling in Lapland. Whizzing through the snow with a husky wetsuit in the low winter sun of Lapland is a truly unique thrill. Short excursions are fun, but two-day trips offer the opportunity to feed and get to know these beautiful dogs and experience a wood-fired sauna in the wilderness. Bear in mind, however, that this is not an easy experience: expect to eat a lot of snow before learning how to lead a pack. Alternatively, you can go snowmobiling or on a reindeer sleigh.
A typical Finnish cottage bathed in autumn colours on the island of Ruissalo. ©Igor Grochev/Shutterstock
8. Music festivals. Are you a fan of chamber music? Or do you like hard rock, the kind that makes your ears pop? Finland has a music festival to suit all tastes: for a month, Savonlinna Castle is the setting for the opera festival; violinists gather in Kaustinen for folk music; Pori, Espoo and Tampere attract thousands of jazz fans; Seinäjoki is filled with heels and sequins for the five-day tango festival; Turku's Ruisrock is one of many rock festivals; Lahti's Sibelius Festival welcomes autumn with classical grace.
9. Summer cottages. The icon of the Finnish summer is a comfortable cottage on the shore of a quiet blue lake, with a small rowing boat moored, a pier for fishing and a beach for swimming. In the more spartan bungalows, toilets are located outside and water is collected from a well, while the more modern ones are equipped with every comfort. Whether you are looking for an escape into the wilderness - picturesque Karelia offers dense forests - or a place to relax with the whole family, you are sure to find what you are looking for.
10. Sámi culture in Inari. The natives of the north have learnt to use technology to manage their reindeer herds more efficiently, while maintaining very close contact with nature. Their capital, Inari, and the nearby Lemmenjoki National Park are the best places to start learning about Sámi culture and traditions, starting with the beautiful Siida Museum, with interactive exhibits and original buildings including farms, warehouses and even a courthouse. Take part in nature excursions with Sámi guides, meet the reindeer and appreciate the excellent handicrafts and music, the proceeds of which benefit the local communities.
A traditional wooden house in Rauma, Finland. ©Juho Ruohola/Getty Images
11. Finnish bars. Rumours about the price of Finnish beer are a bit of an exaggeration: over here, the drinking is social and a lot of fun, especially in the student bars of Turku. After a couple of tuoppi (half-litre mugs) of beer, Finns are a little less reserved and are happy to chat with foreigners; this is the best way to get to know the locals. The main cities are full of alternative bars and you will soon find your favourite drink among Finnish ciders, craft beers, sweet and sour mixes or something more unusual, such as salty liquorice vodka and Arctic blackberry liqueur.
12. The old town of Rauma. The largest wooden town in the Nordic countries, Vanha Rauma, was rightly included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites. Its six hundred houses are museum pieces, but they also form a lively centre, with locals tending their potted flowers while chatting with their neighbours, while tourists wander among the cafés, shops, museums and craftsmen's workshops. Giäl, an ancient sailor's dialect that mixes several languages, is still spoken here, and during Pitsiviikko (Rauma Lace Week) the medieval art of lace-making is celebrated.
13. Snow hotel in Kemi. Although the mere thought of a ' snowhotel' may send a chill down one's spine, staying overnight in these artistically extravagant and ethereally beautiful ice buildings is as extraordinary as it is expensive. In Lapland, the choice is quite wide and includes the Lumihotelli in Kemi. Very heavy sleeping bags ensure a comfortable sleep and a morning sauna will wipe away any chills. If you do not plan to stay overnight in these establishments, you can still visit them and sip a vodka cocktail in the bar.
Berries and mushrooms are among the typical Finnish products you can discover at local food markets. ©Sitikka/Getty Images
14. Food markets. Stalls selling local cheeses, black rye bread, handmade chocolate, Finnish sausages and smoked fish fill kauppahalli across the country with their aromas. The one in Tampere is one of the most typical and allows you to taste the traditional mustamakkara (black pudding). In summer, the kauppatori (market squares) are packed with the freshest vegetables, juicy strawberries and freshly picked peas. Autumn brings tasty chanterelles and Arctic blackberries from Lapland, which sprout in August as if by magic.
15. Hanko by the sea. Finland's southernmost town boasts some of the country's most beautiful beaches and a history closely linked to Russia. The aristocrats of St. Petersburg, who frequented it during the summer months, left a valuable legacy of wooden villas here. This area was also the backdrop to bitter fighting during World War II, when it was occupied by the Soviet Union and the inhabitants were forced to flee. Today, warships and trenches have given way to yachts and sand castles and this long sandy peninsula is ideal for relaxation.
The view from a traditional sauna, Finland. ©Samuli Vainionpää/Getty Images
On the road: the E8
The best way to enjoy a trip to Finland? Definitely on the road. Along the coast of the country there are several roads that connect the main population centres. The 'queen' of these roads is definitely the E8: 1,400 kilometres from Tromsø (Norway) to Turku (Finland) that become the benchmark for organising a holiday on the road. Cars can be easily rented in the main cities of Finland, as long as you have a credit card.
