Finland: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
Finland delights with its vast landscapes, dense taiga forests, and lakes. At the latter, you can stay in one of the traditional log cabins with a sauna. Far in the north, you can discover the culture of the Sami people and go skiing in the highlands. Urban highlights await in Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku.
Table of contents
Finland - 8 most beautiful natural sights
Nuuksio National Park
From Helsinki, it's a stone's throw to this forest and lake-rich national park. In summer, you can move from one body of water to another, swim, and relax in a sauna in a log cabin by the water. Particularly popular are Lake Holma-Saarijärvi and Lake Mustalampi, both known for their small islands. Nuuksio is often used as a weekend getaway. Within minutes, you can be in the midst of nature from the Finnish cities and find peace by the lakes. You can take a boat from jetties onto the water and even seasonally fish from the lakes.
Saimaa Lake
The Saimaa lake district is located in the southeast of Finland in the regions of South Karelia and South Savo and includes over 14,000 islands. Lake Saimaa in the south of this lake district is the largest lake of all. It is known for its breathtaking landscape as well as its idyllic tranquility. Lake Saimaa and the entire lake district are a popular travel destination with numerous idyllic accommodations. It is a true paradise for nature lovers. The magnificent landscape on and around the lake can be wonderfully discovered on hikes or bike tours, as well as by canoe or even by sailboat.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
In Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park, you will find the typical landscapes of Lapland, such as picturesque fell chains, dense taiga forests, and the gentle hills of the tundra. You can reach the reserve via municipalities like Kolari and Kittilä. On-site, companies organize snowmobile tours, dog sledding, hiking trips, and much more for you. Many vacationers are drawn to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park in winter. From about September to March, with a bit of luck, you can discover the fascinating Northern Lights in the sky. Additionally, you will learn more about the culture of the Sámi, encounter reindeer, huskies, and moose. Snowmobiles are an exciting means of transportation during the cold season.
Oulanka National Park
The rivers Oulankajoki and Kitkajoki and their tributaries shape the landscape of Oulanka National Park in northeastern Finland. Sometimes they meander calmly through the park, founded in 1956, and sometimes they rush quickly and uncontrollably through gorge-like valleys, pouring into roaring waterfalls. Experience nature actively with fishing trips and white-water rafting. Amidst moors, heaths, and seemingly endless spruce and pine forests, marked hiking trails and numerous suspension bridges also open the way through the primeval wilderness. Reindeer and brown bears roam around. Learn more about the diverse animal and plant life of the national park at the informative visitor centers Oulanka and Karhunkierros on the Bear's Trail long-distance hiking route.
Halti
In the northwesternmost corner of Finland, Halti is one of the largest natural attractions in Lapland. It is located in the Käsivarsi Wilderness Area, which is one of the most uninhabited and pristine regions in Northern Europe. The fell and highest point of the Scandinavian country is considered an appealing yet challenging destination for adventurous outdoor enthusiasts on hikes and ski expeditions. Halti is located in the municipality of Enontekiö. It is the perfect place to admire the Northern Lights, observe reindeer, and immerse oneself in the nature-connected life of the Sámi people. The village of Kilpisjärvi, which belongs to Enontekiö and has its own fell center, is a popular starting point for tours to Halti.
Yyteri
About 17 km from the center of Poris, you will find the 6 km long Yyteri beach. You reach the water through impressive dunes. The beach is rightly called the "Finnish Riviera": On the gently sloping shore, you feel transported to the Mediterranean. Here, children play carefree. Due to the favorable wind conditions, the beach is popular with wind and kite surfers. Naturists will find their own nudist area. The best time to visit for swimming is in July and August. If you want to practice your swing during your vacation in Finland, use the golf course.
Frozen waterfalls of Korouoma
Korouoma Nature Park is located near the city of Rovaniemi in the Lapland region of northern Finland. One of its biggest attractions is the gigantic frozen waterfalls, some of which reach a height of 60 meters. They offer an impressive and sometimes almost fairytale-like sight. In the nature park, in addition to the frozen waterfalls, you can explore huge gorges and snow-covered forests. There are various professional tours including equipment such as necessary snowshoes and provisions, allowing you to fully enjoy the beautiful nature of the Arctic Circle in an authentic way.
Turku Archipelago
Many visitors to the Turku Archipelago use the ferries from the Finnish city to Åland and Sweden to better enjoy the view of the many small skerries. Additionally, one can directly approach the islets with a smaller boat and stay in one of the traditional log cabins. The islands of the Turku Archipelago are a true natural paradise, which can be used for various activities. It is suitable for sailing and rowing tours. During the season, vacationers like to come to fish off the coast of the Finnish city of Turku. In warm weather, swimming is even possible.
Finland - Climate
For activities such as hiking, sailing, and cycling, we recommend the summer from the end of June to the beginning of September. Then, temperatures in the south are around 20°C and in the north average 16°C. From September, you can also see the Northern Lights in Lapland. The ski season there begins in late October and early November. Temperatures then drop well below freezing, reaching up to -20°C. On the coasts of Oulu, Turku, and Helsinki, it is significantly milder in contrast. Even in December, temperatures are hardly expected to exceed 2°C.
The following graph shows the average weather conditions for the country. Historical weather conditions may vary by region.