Finland highlights & map
Finland’s highlights, both scenic and cultural, vary wildly from the Arctic reaches of northern Lapland, to the central pine forests, and expansive archipelagos of the southwest. There are superior hiking, cycling, canoeing, wildlife watching and snow sports – but the region you choose to do these in will depend on the time of year; winter lasts considerably longer in the north, which may impact on your planned activities. Finland’s road network is well maintained, and there are excellent (if pricey) bus and train services. However, the country is huge and its landscapes – though beautiful – are monotonous, so we recommend picking just one or two regions and getting really stuck in, to avoid spending all your vacation traveling.
1.
Colour Rock (Hossa)
2. Helsinki
3. Inari
4. Kuopio
5. Lake Saimaa
6. Lakeland
7. Lapland
8. Luosto
9. Oulanka National Park
10. Oulu
11. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
12. Rovaniemi
13. Tampere
14. Turku
15. Western Uusimaa
16. Wild Taiga
2. Helsinki
3. Inari
4. Kuopio
5. Lake Saimaa
6. Lakeland
7. Lapland
8. Luosto
9. Oulanka National Park
10. Oulu
11. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
12. Rovaniemi
13. Tampere
14. Turku
15. Western Uusimaa
16. Wild Taiga
Colour Rock (Hossa)
1. Colour Rock (Hossa)
Värikallio, commonly known as the "Colour Rock," is one of Finland’s largest rock art sites. Dating back to the Stone Age, the 61 paintings are located along the scenic Hossa hiking route, and depict wildlife, hunting and shamanic rituals. They are dramatically situated on a rock wall emerging from Lake Somerjärvi – and were probably created from a boat or while the lake was frozen.
Helsinki
2. Helsinki
Helsinki is perched on a peninsula which creeps into the island filled Gulf of Finland. Its Art Nouveau architecture is well preserved, and the city has a laid-back feel, especially in summer. Excellent museums and quirky bars (including one carved from ice!) will keep you busy day and night. Don’t miss Suomenlinna, an 18th century maritime fortress built on a group of islands.
Inari
3. Inari
Despite being Finland's largest municipality, Inari has a population of less than 7,000, including many native Sámi. Much of the region is covered by national parks and designated wilderness areas. Winter sports include downhill and cross-country skiing, husky and reindeer sledding, while in summer the landscape is a glorious backdrop for hiking, canoeing, mountain biking and fishing.
Kuopio
4. Kuopio
Sitting peacefully on Lake Kallavesi, the harbour town of Kuopio draws visitors all year round. Summer activities include steamer cruises and lakeside hikes, while in winter there are numerous ski routes through the surrounding spruce forests. A grid of old wooden houses has been preserved in the city center, and the Puijo Panorama Tower offers the best views in the region.
Lake Saimaa
5. Lake Saimaa
Several attractive towns are huddled along the jagged, 15,000km shoreline of Finland’s largest lake, and its many narrow canals and archipelagos offer calm waters and harbours which are ideal for kayaking. Winding lakeside trails are fantastic for hikers and cyclists. Linnansaari National Park is one of the most popular regions, and the best place to spot rare ringed seals.
Lakeland
6. Lakeland
Finland has around 188,000 lakes. Its Lakeland region is a wonderful blend of picturesque towns, vast, glassy expanses of water, scatterings of forest filled islands, and untouched nature reserves. Kayak across a lake, hike through the spectacular landscape, cycle the shorelines and look out for Saimaa ringed seals – one of the world’s most endangered seal species.
Lapland
7. Lapland
Finland's most northerly province is enshrined in folklore and fairytale, with its residents - real and mythical - including the reindeer herding Sámi, lynx and wolves, and Father Christmas and his elves. European nature at its most raw, Lapland is the place to see the Northern Lights, track brown bears and cross country ski across kilometres of unmarked snow.
Luosto
8. Luosto
Just 90 minutes from the Arctic Circle, Luosto is the leaping-off point for all classic Lapland activities – husky and reindeer sledding, Northern Lights tours, skiing, ice fishing, and even ice swimming and climbing. The nearby Pyhä-Luosto National Park is located on a fell chain covered in ancient pine forests, offering fabulous cross country skiing and hiking trails.
Oulanka National Park
9. Oulanka National Park
Oulanka is known for its 80km Karhunkierros hiking trail, though there are many shorter nature walks during which you can spot the park’s native endangered wildlife and over 100 species of birds. Around the park’s pine forests, sandy valleys and vast swamplands, several rustic wooden cabins have been renovated and can be used free of charge. The white water rapids offer fantastic rafting.
Oulu
10. Oulu
Northern Finland’s unofficial capital, Oulu is a neat university city scattered across several islands, with well planned bicycle routes, free WiFi in the city center… and, perhaps more famously, the Air Guitar World Championships each August. For the more traditional, fishing, white water rafting on the melted spring rivers and canoeing also take place here.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
11. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
One of Finland’s oldest and largest national parks, Pallas-Yllästunturi protects 1,020 km2 of Lapland, including ancient forests, high fells and 350km of hiking trails. Marking the border between the north and south, the park contains many arctic as well as southern species, and farming gives way to reindeer herding. Its air is said to be the cleanest in Europe.
Rovaniemi
12. Rovaniemi
Just 5km south of the Arctic Circle, Rovaniemi is the home of Father Christmas, who can be visited here year round. As the capital of Finnish Lapland, this lively university city is the departure point for activities including Northern Lights tours, reindeer and husky sledding, skiing, skating and ice fishing.
Tampere
13. Tampere
Tampere’s industrial past earned it the nickname 'the Manchester of the North.' Sitting on a narrow strip of land between two large lakes, the city is splashed with 200 smaller lakes, and the historical buildings downtown have been converted into shops, museums and restaurants. Finland’s oldest working sauna is situated in the attractive bohemian quarter of Pispala.
Turku
14. Turku
Turku is Finland’s oldest city, and with its cathedral, castle, cobbled streets and idyllic market square, it has a distinctly medieval feel. Sail to a nearby island, bike or hike the archipelago to enjoy unspoiled nature at the splintered edge of northern Europe. Lakeside beaches, adventure parks and bicycle hire make this a great, active destination for kids.
Western Uusimaa
15. Western Uusimaa
The area stretching along the fragmented coast to the west of Helsinki is known as Uusimaa. This region is a wonderful summer destination, when the long days allow you to cram in many hours of cycling, hiking, relaxing on beaches and island hopping. There are many small towns and villages, with both Finnish and Swedish speaking inhabitants.
Wild Taiga
16. Wild Taiga
Extending along the Russian border, Wild Taiga’s thick forests, hills and rivers are home to some of Europe’s rarest species, including moose, wolverines, wolves and bears. But it’s not just for nature lovers; as one of Finland’s earliest inhabited regions, Wild Taiga has a well preserved culture, and visitors can enjoy theatre, dance, chamber music and learning about traditional livelihoods.
Finland winter activity vacation & Northern Lights
Discover this Finnish winter activity wilderness week
From
US $2870 to US $3500
8 days
ex flights
Husky safari in Finland
Sled with huskies through spectacular Finnish scenery
From
£2923 to £3488
8 days
inc UK flights
Cross-country skiing vacation in Finland's eastern wilderness
Guided country skiing vacation through remote eastern Finland
From
€1140
7 days
ex flights
Winter vacation in Finnish Lapland
Winter Cottage vacations, Finnish Lapland.
From
£2410 to £2445
8 days
inc UK flights
Lapland vacation, husky safari & log cottage
Luxurious log suite,northern lights & overnight husky safari
From
€1950 to €2050
5 days
ex flights
Finland Northern Lights vacation, Wilderness Auroras
Winter activities & Aurora hunting in Finland
From
£1997 to £2444
5 days
inc UK flights
Travel Team
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Travel times in Finland
The following times give you a rough idea of the driving times between the main Finland highlights. Be aware that it is a legal requirement for headlights to be used at all times, even during the day, and that winter tyres – preferably with studs – must be used during the winter months. Travel will take longer in winter – lower speed limits are also enforced.
More Finland articles
Our Finland travel guide lets you into long and light summer days, for trekking and kayaking, as well as Northern Lights watching, snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the snow covered, darker months of winter.
The best time to visit Finland depends on what you wish to do as winter is ideal for dog sledding and winter sports whereas the arrival of spring in May sees the sun making a return prior to the long hot summer days.
If you’re looking to put a bit of colour into the darker depths of winter there’s no better place to start than Finland and if you’re also looking for more info on the best time to go then read as you keep watching the skies.
From snow shoeing and cross country skiing to husky safaris, Northern Lights and warming fires, Finland in the winter abounds with things to do so slip on your woolly socks, grab a glass of Glögi and read on for more info.
There’s no more exhilarating and rewarding way to discover the snowy Finnish wilderness other than on a husky safari, with a team of dogs pulling you through pure white landscapes and across vast frozen lakes.
Finns grow up learning about jokamiehenoikeus: every man’s right to roam. The Finnish landscape is everyone’s, including yours, to explore and forage – so long as you do so carefully.
You don’t need to travel to Alaska to see brown bears; the Wild Taiga region of Finland is home to these fascinating creatures and a supporting cast of other animals, too, from wolves and wolverine to elk and reindeer.
Traveling in Finland with kids is a wonderful experience for families of any age, with snowshoeing and canoeing on the cards for older children, and snowmen, sledging and reindeer-nuzzling delights for younger ones.
If you think that Lapland is just about snow and Santa then think again as summer vacations in Finland help to create a far more accessible and affordable outdoor experience. including self-drive tours and hiking vacations.
Rail vacations in Finland are far more relaxing than driving. They also encourage an element of destination-hopping, so you will be able to visit Oulu and Kemi instead of heading straight to busy Rovaniemi in Lapland.
Although traditionally semi nomadic reindeer herders, the Sámi are adapting to a changing world with responsible tourism playing a role in keeping alive the languages, music and folklore tales from around the Arctic Circle.
Vacations in Finland don’t have to mean Santa. You could exercise huskies in autumn to help them get fit for sledding season or visit the country in summer, when far fewer people think to come, and try vacationing like a Finn in a log cabin.
The first eSleds have made their debut in Finland, and in the responsible travel stakes, electric beats traditional snowmobiles hands-down, but how can you make sure your snowmobile safari is good for Finnish Lapland?
Finns prize privacy and remoteness above all else, and many choose to vacation in their home country, fleeing to their family cabins in search of solitude. Just like Finns, honeymooners appreciate a bit of alone time – just replace that family cabin with a place for two.
Our specialist vacation companies and travelers have shared their Finland travel advice on everything from cross country skiing and the best time to see wildlife, to packing for the cold and eating locally sourced food.
It's hard to know where to start when planning a trip to Finland but we've picked out our top activities to get you started - from admiring the Aurora to mushing huskies, tracking wolverines and thawing out in a sauna.
If you fancy fat biking in Oulanka National Park, these mountain bikes with big chunky tyres are a great way to enjoy some Arctic exercise and have fun as part of a small guided group without damaging the environment.
When you stay in a log cabin in Finland, you’re often staying in a family’s second home – sauna, open fire and a cupboardful of kayaks and snowshoes included.
Helsinki is the cool capital of Finland – a southerly peninsula city surrounded by lakes, islands and forest parks.
It's hard to go wrong when traveling in this nature loving nation but there are a few things to be aware of including hunting, Sami rights and huskies vs snowmobiles; read our thoughts on responsible tourism in Finland.
Find all our Finland guides in one place, from Husky safaris to the Northern Lights and everything in between.
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