Finland

Finland Tour

The Serene, Stylish Land of Lakes, Light & Nordic Magic

Embark on an enchanting journey to Finland – a pristine Nordic haven where 180,000 lakes mirror endless sky, ancient forests hum with quiet, and design-forward cities pulse with culture. From Lapland’s aurora-draped nights and reindeer-cloaked fells to the island-studded Baltic coast and storybook towns in Lakeland, Finland offers a rare balance of wilderness and modern ease. Here, saunas are sacred, coffee is king, and everyday life is elevated by effortless design and deep respect for nature. Whether you’re chasing the Northern Lights, gliding across snow in winter, kayaking among summer islets, or savouring slow evenings in a steamy lakeside sauna, Finland promises a calm, life-affirming escape.

With Ocean6 Holidays’ specially curated Finland packages, discover a country that blends minimalist beauty with soul-stirring landscapes – a once-in-a-lifetime journey where purity of air, water, and experience takes centre stage.

Finland Tourism: A Quick Overview
Continent: Europe
Official Languages: Finnish, Swedish
Dial Code: +358
Population: ~5.6 million
Currency: Euro (€)
Time Zone: EET (UTC+2), EEST (UTC+3 in summer)
Area: ~338,000 km²

Highlights of Finland

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Lapland & the Northern Lights:

A quarter of Finland lies above the Arctic Circle. Winters bring polar magic – aurora borealis, snowy forests, and cozy glass igloos. Summers unveil the Midnight Sun, with daylight stretching late into the night.

Land of Lakes & Islands:

With ~168,000 lakes and ~179,000 islands, Finland is a paradise for kayaking, lake cruises, island hopping, and serene cabin stays.

Sauna Culture (UNESCO):

Sauna is a cherished way of life – in homes, lakeside cottages, hotels, and even by the sea. Cool off with a plunge into a lake or Baltic waves.

Design & Architecture:

From Alvar Aalto’s organic modernism to contemporary libraries and museums, design is woven into daily life.

Wildlife & Nature:

Ancient taiga forests, national parks, and quiet fells shelter brown bears, elk, the elusive wolverine – and the iconic Saimaa ringed seal in Lakeland.

Happiness & Wellbeing:

Consistently ranked among the world’s happiest countries, Finland’s secret is simple: clean nature, trust, and time well spent.

Cities of Finland

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Helsinki

Finland’s stylish seaside capital blends Nordic design, green parks, and a necklace of islands. Wander from Helsinki Cathedral across Senate Square to artisan cafés; ferry to Suomenlinna, the UNESCO-listed sea fortress; and unwind in a contemporary public sauna by the harbour. Helsinki’s food scene spans salmon soups to cutting-edge New Nordic bites.

Tampere

Nestled between two lakes and stitched together by rapids, Tampere is Finland’s “sauna capital” and a cultural powerhouse with theatres, museums, and lake-view cafés. Urban buzz meets easy access to forests, islands, and scenic trails.

Turku

Finland’s oldest city flows along the Aura River with a medieval castle, riverside restaurants, and easy access to the Archipelago Sea – the world’s largest archipelago. Perfect for summer island-hopping and gentle coastal cycling.

Rovaniemi (Lapland)

Gateway to the Arctic and official hometown of Santa Claus. In winter, take husky sled rides, snowmobile safaris, and reindeer encounters. In autumn and spring, chase the aurora; in summer, bask in endless light on forest trails and rivers.

Oulu & the West Coast

A laid-back tech-meets-nature city with bike-friendly paths, sandy beaches, and access to birding wetlands. Summer festivals, sea breezes, and island excursions abound.

Kuopio & the Lakeland

A lakeside charmer with panoramic towers, market squares, and classic smoke saunas. Launch into the Finnish Lakeland for boating, berry picking, and cabin life.

Attractions of Finland

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Helsinki Cathedral & Senate Square:

Neoclassical icons crowned by a gleaming white dome and grand steps overlooking the city.

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (UNESCO):

An inhabited 18th-century archipelago fortress – museums, tunnels, and seafront walks a short ferry from Helsinki.

The Archipelago Sea:

50,000+ islands of wooden piers, red cottages, and serene cycling routes. Add a detour to autonomous Åland for maritime charm.

Finnish Lakeland & Saimaa:

The country’s blue heart – labyrinthine waters, forested islets, and the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.

Lapland & Santa Claus Village:

Year-round wonder; winter auroras and snow adventures, summer midnight sun, and reindeer culture.

National Parks (40+):

From Koli (quintessential Finland vistas) and Nuuksio (Helsinki’s backyard wilderness) to fell-country parks in Lapland – all marked by superb trails and shelters.

Design Landmarks:

Alvar Aalto works nationwide, striking public libraries (hello, Helsinki’s Oodi), and contemporary museums celebrating art, craft, and architecture.

Sauna Experiences:

Historic smoke saunas, modern harbor saunas, and lakeside cottages – the ultimate Finnish reset.

Shopping in Finland

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Shop for handcrafted wood homeware, minimalist glass and ceramics, local textiles, and nature-inspired prints. Food lovers can hunt for rye breads, berry preserves, wild mushroom products, artisan chocolates, and specialty salmon. In markets across Helsinki, Turku, and Tampere, pick up forest-scented soaps, sauna accessories (birch whisks, towels, aromas), and ethically made outdoor gear for your next lakeside escape.

Cuisine of Finland

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Comforting, clean flavours rooted in nature. Expect salmon (smoked, soup, grilled), lake fish, slow-cooked game, and hearty rye bread (ruisleipä). Berries-bilberry, lingonberry, cloudberry-brighten breakfasts and desserts; dairy is ubiquitous from butter to buttermilk. Vegetarian and vegan options flourish, with seasonal produce and mushrooms starring. Coffee culture is strong (among the highest per-capita coffee consumption in the world): linger in cafés with cinnamon buns as snow falls outside or summer sunlight streams in late.

Interesting Facts About Finland

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Land of a Thousand Lakes – and then some:

~168,000 lakes and ~179,000 islands shape daily life and leisure.

Happiest Country:

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Finland regularly tops global happiness rankings thanks to trust, nature, and balance.

Sauna Nation:

Sauna culture is inscribed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list.

Wild North:

A quarter of the land lies within the Arctic Circle; summers bring Midnight Sun, winters bring polar night (and auroras).

Early Equality:

Finland granted universal suffrage in 1906, the first in Europe to do so.

NATO Member:

Finland joined NATO in 2023.

National Icons:

National animal: brown bear; national bird: whooper swan.

Location of Finland

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Finland sits in Northern Europe, bordered by Sweden to the west, Norway to the north, Russia to the east, and the Baltic Sea to the south and southwest. The capital, Helsinki, crowns the southern coast. The country stretches from the island-dotted south to Lapland’s Arctic fells near the Norwegian border.

Best Time to Visit Finland

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Finland is a true four-season destination – choose your window based on the experiences you crave.

Spring (April-May)

Weather:

Cool, brightening days; lakes thaw, forests awaken.

Experiences:

City sightseeing without crowds, nature walks, early cycling, sauna by the lake with fresh birch scents.

Good to know:

Weather can swing – layer up and pack a waterproof.

Summer (June-September)

Weather:

Mild to pleasantly warm, long days; in Lapland, Midnight Sun reigns.

Experiences:

Island hopping, kayaking, lake cruises, cabin stays, berry picking, festivals, outdoor dining, urban saunas by the sea.

Tips:

Peak season – book in advance, particularly for the Archipelago and Lakeland.

Autumn (September-October)

Weather:

Cool and crisp; forests blaze with ruska (autumn colours).

Experiences:

Hiking, mushroom foraging, photography, cozy saunas, early aurora chances in Lapland (dark skies return).

Tips:

Some remote roads and summer services wind down – check accessibility.

Winter (November-April)

Weather:

Cold and snowy; longer nights up north.

Experiences:

Northern Lights, husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobiling, skiing, ice fishing, glass igloo stays, Christmas markets.

Tips:

Pack serious winter layers (thermal base, insulated jacket, boots, gloves); tripod for aurora shots.

How to Get to Finland

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By Air

Fly into Helsinki Airport (HEL), the main international gateway with extensive connections across Europe and beyond. Regional airports serve Rovaniemi (Lapland), Tampere, Turku, Oulu, Kuopio, and more for easy domestic hops.

By Sea

Regular ferries link Helsinki and Turku to Tallinn, Stockholm, Mariehamn (Åland), and Travemünde. Overnight cabins, restaurants, and sweeping deck views turn travel into part of the adventure. The Helsinki-Tallinn route is among the world’s busiest passenger sea corridors.

By Rail & Road

Finland’s modern roads and efficient rail network connect major cities. Cross-border rail to Russia is suspended; travellers typically combine flights and ferries for international arrivals.

Best Places & Experiences by Region

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Lapland

Do: Aurora hunting, husky & reindeer safaris, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, Arctic photoshoots.
See: Rovaniemi & Santa Claus Village, glass igloos, frozen rivers, fell-country national parks.

Finnish Lakeland

Do: Canoe and kayak among forested islets, lake saunas, cabin stays, berry picking, gentle hikes.
See: Saimaa and its rare ringed seals, panoramic viewpoints in Koli National Park, tower views in Kuopio.

The Archipelago & Åland

Do: Island hopping by ferry and bike, seaside saunas, slow food and seafood.
See: Pastel-hued wooden towns, lighthouses, apple orchards, world-class kayaking routes.

Helsinki & the South Coast

Do: Design walks, sauna by the sea, island picnics, museum-hopping, café culture.
See: Helsinki Cathedral, Suomenlinna, Oodi Library, market halls, art museums.

Tampere, Turku & the West

Do: River cruises, rapids-side dining, lakeside sauna circuits, summer music festivals.
See: Turku Castle, Aura riverside, Tampere’s lake panoramas and museums.

Suggested Experiences with Ocean6 Holidays

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Aurora & Arctic Wonders (6-8 Days):

Rovaniemi base with husky, reindeer, and aurora safaris; optional glass-igloo night.

Lakes, Saunas & Islands (7-10 Days):

Helsinki + Lakeland cabin stay + Turku/Archipelago cycling and sauna experiences.

Grand Finland (10-14 Days):

Helsinki, Lakeland, Turku Archipelago, and Lapland – the full arc from sea to fell.

Winter Magic (5-7 Days):

Snow-draped adventures: Santa Claus Village, snowmobiling, ice fishing, and starlit sauna rituals.

Practical Tips

Layers are life:

Even in summer, evenings can be cool; in winter, thermals are essential.

Cashless ease:

Cards and mobile payments are widely accepted.

Sauna etiquette:

Rinse before entering; swimsuits often optional in private saunas (follow local customs in public ones).

Nature first:

Trails are well marked; practice Leave No Trace in national parks and sensitive habitats.

Light & dark:

Bring sleep masks in summer (long light) and enjoy starriest skies in winter.

Why Finland with Ocean6 Holidays

We handle the details – curated itineraries, handpicked stays, seamless ferries & flights, and authentic local experiences – so you can slow down and savour the Finnish way: time in nature, beautiful design, healthy food, and heartfelt hospitality. Whether you dream of the aurora flickering above a silent snowfield or a sunset sauna on a mirror-still lake, Ocean6 Holidays turns those moments into your reality.

Ready to feel the calm?
Explore our Finland packages and let the land of lakes, light, and Nordic magic welcome you home to nature.

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