⚓Discover Visit Finland: our practical guide to read before you go

When we think of Finland, we think beyond its capital Helsinki. Travelers are more attracted to the north of the country: Lapland and its much envied Northern Lights! And the strengths of this country cut by the Arctic Circle do not end there. Not far from 200 lakes and numerous forests are the playground of nature enthusiasts, summer, like winter. Are you wondering which regions or which periods to prefer to visit Finland? Here are our tips on how to best organize your thrilling boreal trip!

Why travel to Finland?

Nation of Northern Europe, Finland shares its borders with Norway, Sweden and Russia. As for nature, it is the most forested country in Europe with 73% of wooded areas. Also nicknamed " the land of a thousand lakes Finland has not far from 200! Visiting Finland is done under the midnight Sun in summer or in the darkness of winter. These are unusual experiences to live, just like observe the Northern Lights in Lapland. Moreover, nature here is of capital importance since there is even a law that concerns it: the jokamiehenoikeus is the "Everyone's right" to enjoy nature and its fruits, while respecting it, of course!

Northern Lights

De multiple outdoor activities are linked to this ubiquitous nature: hiking, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing; dog or reindeer sled; Mountain biking; skiing, etc. Finland is also the santa claus country and has the world record number of saunas per inhabitant, you will find it almost everywhere!

When to go to Finland?

To choose the best time to visit Finland, you need to know what you want to focus on. Winter is particularly cold and dark. In summer, the country is bathed in light and it is around 20 ° C in the south and 15 ° C in the north, July being the hottest month. The landscapes and the activities will be diametrically opposed depending on the season you choose. If your goal is to see northern lights, it will be necessary to visit Finland, and particularly the North, between mid-November and the end of March, which corresponds to the coldest period. It is also the best period to take advantage of winter outdoor activities like skiing, dog sledding or snowmobiling and admire snowy forests and icy lakes.

Summer, from June to August, will be more appropriate to take advantage of hiking in national parks without having to put on all winter gear; to visit the typical towns and villages with their colorful wooden houses; as well as to attend multiple cultural festivals (Ruisrock in Turku, the famous midnight sun festival in Sodankylä in Lapland, etc.). Also good to know: the "ruska", name to designate the flamboyant colors of autumn, is at its peak in September.

Summer in Porvoo

What budget to foresee?

Visiting Finland is considered cheaper than visiting Norway and the cost of living is about the same as that of France. It takes about 100/120 euros as budget per day for a “backpacker” type stay (or less if there are plenty of tips), double for an average budget and even more for travelers with more luxurious tastes. Accommodation prices are very high in April in winter sports regions and the very high season runs from June to mid-August. The low season is after the start of the school year, mid-August. For a tight budget, campsites or youth hostels should be preferred. Campsites have chalets which are surely the most economical solution, but also the most typical, for a group of 4 people for example.

The lunch »Are inexpensive lunches served in 3 parts (cold buffet, hot dish, hot drink). Count around 10/12 euros. Average restaurant prices are between 18 to 35 € and more upscale between 35 and 55 €. As to transport, they are relatively expensive. It takes 3 € on average for a single bus ticket.

How to go to Finland?

There are several possibilities to get to Finland from France. the the fastest and most convenient way is undoubtedly the plane. Allow around 3 hours from Paris to Helsinki on a direct flight for an average round-trip cost of € 300. It is also possible to land in the north, in Rovaniemi, making a stopover in Helsinki. By bus, it will be necessary to count not far from 45 hours and the train ride is quite perilous unless your goal is to explore Europe, especially Hamburg (Germany) and Stockholm (Sweden), where the train stops.

And even if it means traveling through Europe, you might as well do it by car or converted vehicle such as a van or motorhome. To do Paris-Helsinki you have to count 30 hour journey for 2 kilometers and cross Belgium, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia before taking the ferry from Tallinn to the Finnish capital. Finally, the more athletic and daring can do the choice of bike which is facilitated by EuroVelo, a development of cycle paths throughout Europe.

How to get around on site?

To visit Finland, you can choose the car, yours if you arrived with or a rental car (there are several agencies in the country). It is the means of transport that makes the freer to roam. But if you want to move around differently, it is possible. Finland is large and sparsely populated but its transport network is very good, all regions are interconnected. You will find 27 airports, the Finns themselves use the internal flights that are effective.

THErail option is also to be taken into account because it allows to admire the landscapes during the journey. the coach network is one of the most important in Europe, it covers 90% of Finnish roads. With its hundreds of thousands of islands and lakes, you surely won't be able to miss the river transport, whether for a simple crossing or for a sightseeing cruise lasting a few hours or several days. Finally, for travelers who leave in summer, do not hesitate to discover the gentle relief of the country by bike.

Cycling in Finland

What to eat and drink in Finland?

Finnish gastronomy is not well known and is directly linked to Finland's extreme climate. You cannot produce a wide variety of food there. We will find rich dishes, a heritage of peasants and lumberjacks who had high caloric needs: potatoes, cabbage rolls, lots of fish (salmon, herring and freshwater fish), game, pork chops, meats in sauce or the reindeer which comes in all possible forms (steak, stew, smoked, pâté, sausage, etc.) but which is quite expensive.

And among the more modern dishes, you will not miss these specialties:

The Karelian canoes : in the form of boats, they are made of potatoes or rice pudding on a dough made from rye flour.
Le Rye bread : the most popular bread, it is well typed, dark and rich in fiber.
The crisps : crispy flat breads.
The blueberry pies : a must in summer with berries collected during a walk.
The Salmiakki : a salty liquorice emblematic of Finland.
On the drink side: coffee, vodka, glow (mulled wine with spices), cider, lakka liqueur (cloudberry, sour berry).

Where to sleep, in which region to stay?

In view of the weather conditions and the relatively high cost to visit Finland, we will favor a region to discover rather than traveling the whole country. It is recommended to visit and stay in these four geographic regions: Helsinki (South), Big lakes (East), the archipelago (Baltic sea), Lapland (North).

Hotels are often more expensive and less original than Airbnbs. And the must for accommodation in Finland is the mökit, a wooden chalet by the water, to rent by the week or by the day. Saunas are guaranteed in virtually all Finnish accommodation. For a city break, book a accommodation in Helsinki then head for Suomenlinna, a UNESCO listed maritime site or in the medieval village of Porvoo.

Helsinki

In Lapland you will find modern igloo-shaped accommodation. If you are coming with children, stay near Rovaniemi, the village of Santa Claus! To get some fresh air, aim for the Åland Islands and in particular its capital Mariehamn. Also stay at Kuopio where you will find the largest smoke sauna in the world or in Turku, the oldest city in Finland.

What are the monuments and museums to see?

The Finns share the land with the Samis. In Inari, in the far north of the country, be sure to visit Siida, the Sami museum and nature center. You will know more about this indigenous people distributed in Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia. 6 historical sites are classified as UNESCO World Heritage :

The old town of Rauma,
The maritime fortress of Suomenlinna,
The old church of Petäjävesi,
Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age Cemetery,
The Verla wood treatment plant,
Struve's geodesic arc.

Did you know ? Finnish Tove Jansson is the originator of the Moomins, these little imaginary creatures heroes of comics and cartoons that look like hippos. Moomin World is an amusement park dedicated to them in Naantali and a museum is also dedicated to them in Tampere. Three other curiosities to discover if you visit Finland: the country has the most heavy metal bands in the world, it welcomes crazy events (world championships of carrying a wife, throwing mobile phones or football in the mud) and finally… it is where the REAL Santa Claus lives !

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi

Parks, walks and activities in nature

If you come to visit Finland, it's good to explore nature! The flagship activity is Northern Lights viewing and companies abound with proposals: bed in a modern igloo with a direct view of the sky, night excursion in the forest and discussion around a wood fire, swimming with equipment to watch the sky while floating on a lake, etc. Dog or reindeer sleigh rides are also very common and popular with travelers looking for unique outdoor experiences in snowy landscapes.

Finland has 40 national parks to indulge in multiple activities, summer and winter. Among them, a natural site classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site : the archipelago of Kvarken. Located in the Gulf of Bothnia, this archipelago has exceptional geological value thanks to its moraines (piles of rocky debris) dating back tens of millennia. Another must-do activity to do in Finland is to bathe in a frozen lake, before and / or after a steaming sauna. The Finns practice it regularly!

Kvarken

Useful information

Let's share some practical information to plan your stay in the best conditions:

formalities : bring your national identity card or a valid passport.
Language : the two official languages are finnish and swedish. 70% of Finns speak English.
Currency : The currency is the Euro. The Finns work with rounding and the 1 and 2 cent coins are not used in the country. Credit cards are accepted everywhere.
Health : no vaccination is required and reimbursement of medical expenses is possible with the European health insurance card.
Tips : tipping is not usual in Finland.
Saint-Martin Tourist Office : check the official tourism website for ideas for sightseeing and for upcoming activities.
Equipment required : in winter, cover up! Your clothes must be suitable for negative temperatures: gloves, hats, liner gloves, coat, thermal clothing, warm socks, snow boots, etc.