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Why is Finland a great vacation destination?
- Finland is a dream destination for outdoor enthusiasts, history buffs, art and architecture lovers, and foodies.
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What does Helsinki offer visitors?
- The capital city Helsinki provides a great introduction to Finland, offering a variety of activities and attractions for every type of traveler.
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Where can art lovers go in Helsinki?
- The Finnish National Gallery offers a feast for the senses with its impressive collection of art.
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What historical and architectural landmarks should visitors see?
- History and architecture enthusiasts should visit Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, and the National Museum.
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What outdoor adventures are available in Finland?
- Visitors can head north to Lapland in the Arctic Circle to see the Northern Lights and enjoy activities like husky sledding and snowmobiling.
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1. The Ateneum
The Ateneum Art Museum is one of the most popular art museums in Finland, located in the heart of the capital city Helsinki. Art lovers can trace the origins and progress of Finnish art from around 1890 to the 1960s at the Stories of Finnish Art Exhibition (running until 2020), which juxtaposes Finnish and other European art works. In addition to showcasing Finnish art, the museum also has a comprehensive collection of international art and hosts a series of regular events, including workshops, guided tours, and much more. To fully round-out your Finnish art journey, you should also visit Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art) and the Sinebrychoff Art Museum, which together with the Ateneum make up the Finnish National Gallery.
Ateneum, Kaivokatu 2, 00100 Helsinki, Phone: +35-82-94-50-04-01
2. Aurora Service Tours
If you have always dreamt of seeing the famous Northern Lights, Aurora Service Tours are there to bring your dreams to life. The company offers very special 4 night/5 day “Aurora Holidays” that will take you to the northern-most villages of Finland, where the air is almost completely pollution free and you have a much better than average chance of seeing the lights – the company achieved a 100% success rate in the 2016/2017 season. Your nights will be spent on exciting 3 to 5-hour light-chasing expeditions, fueled by anticipation, hot drinks, and snacks. During the day, you can select from a variety of activities including snowshoeing excursions, snowmobile trips, or husky adventures. The tours are extremely popular and you are advised to book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Aurora Service Tours, Rievanradnu 5 C7, 99980 Utsjoki, Finland, Phone: +35-84-07-26-35-34
3. Bock’s Corner Brewery
Located on the west coast of Finland, Vaasa offers visitors a wide range of exciting outdoor activities teamed with interesting history, art, and architecture. Once you have worked up a good thirst you can make your way to Bock’s Corner Brewery, where a variety of craft beers have been produced since 2015. The brewery occupies a refurbished ice cellar in the heart of what was once a thriving brewery district that fell into disuse around 30 years ago. At Bock’s Corner Brewery, you can go on a guided tour and then enjoy the chance to sample some of the 20 varieties of artisan beers and ciders. There is also a shop, pub, and restaurant on site and the brewery hosts regular beer festivals and events.
Bock’s Corner Brewery, Gerbyntie 18, 65230 Vaasa, Finland, Phone: +35-85-03-75-73-47
4. Heather’s Helsinki
Heather’s Helsinki is dedicated to providing all foodies and first-time visitors to the city with an exceptionally personal way to discover the food and culture of Finland. In recent years, Helsinki has been at the forefront of the exciting “New Nordic” food movement, and joining Heather’s Fork in Hand Food Tour will give you the chance to stroll through local food markets, find off-the-beaten-track coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs and sample a variety of traditional and exciting modern Finnish delicacies. You will learn all about the origins of the foods and take away a better understanding of what to expect from your Finnish foodie experience. Heather offers her tours all year round (regardless of the weather) and you should book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Heather’s Helsinki, C 36, Reginankuja 4, 00810 Helsinki, Finland, Phone: +35-84-08-23-74-46
5. Helsinki Cathedral
Occupying a commanding position on the northern side of the Senate Square, the Helsinki Cathedral has been a prominent landmark in the city’s Empire Era center since it was built in 1852. The church was designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel and is essential viewing for visitors interested in art and architecture. The central dome of the church is supported by corner pillars and rises to a lofty height of 80 meters, allowing natural light to pour into the interior, which is based on a typical neo-classical equal-arm cross design. On the roof of the imposing church you will see 3-meter statues of the twelve apostles standing guard over the church and the city.
Helsinki Cathedral, Unioninkatu 29, 00170, Helsinki, Phone: +35-89-23-40-61-20
6. Senate Square
History and architecture buffs should not miss the chance to visit Helsinki’s Empire-style Senate Square , where you can admire several unique examples of neo-classical architecture within close proximity to each other. The square is dominated by the impressive Helsinki Cathedral, which is flanked by the Government Palace and the National Library of Finland. In the center of the square you will find a statue of Alexander II (1894). At the southeast corner of the square you can visit the Helsinki City Museum, which is housed in the oldest stone building in the city. Senate Square hosts a nightly sound installation at 5:40 pm, when you can listen to a musical composition that moves from one building to the next for 5 minutes and 18 seconds.
Senate Square, Unioninkatu 29, 00100, Helsinki
7. Helsinki Zoo
A visit to the Helsinki Zoo (one of the oldest zoos in the world, established in 1889) makes a great change from the hustle and bustle of the city. The zoo is perfectly located on its own island, which is easily accessible from the center of the city by car or bus; in summer you have the added option of taking a scenic ferry ride to the island. You will be able to visit various outdoor habitats that are home to over 150 species of animals and nearly 1,000 species of plants. Visitors can look forward to seeing tigers and other big cats at Cat Valley as well as brown bears and Barbary macaques, among many others species. The zoo is open all year round.
Helsinki Zoo, Mustikkamaanpolku 12, 00270 Helsinki, Suomi, Phone: +35-89-31-03-74-07
8. Hetta Huskies
You can add another whole dimension of fun to your holiday in Finland when you sign up to go mushing in the high Arctic with Hetta Huskies. Whether or not you have ever sampled dog sledding before, you are in for an adventure to remember when you set off to explore the snowy wilderness inside the Arctic Circle in northern-most Finland. Hetta Huskies offer a variety of dog sledding options from their base, which is located 200km inside the Arctic Circle, and you can choose from a 3 to 4-hour introductory tour, a full-day trip, or even a multi-day arctic adventure up into the high tundra plateaus. It is also possible to do some night-time Aurora chasing combined with your sledding and you are welcome to visit the farm or even adopt a retired dog.
Hetta Huskies, Hetantie 211, 99400 Enontekio, Finland, Phone: +35-85-05-77-27-62
9. Kiasma
Kiasma is Helsinki’s exciting Museum of Contemporary Art and is a must-see for all art lovers. The museum is housed in a controversial building designed by the prestigious American architect Steven Holl, who carefully designed the structure to maximize the use of natural light. You can admire the museum’s permanent collection and visit the regularly rotating visiting exhibitions spread out over four floors of exhibition space. To further enhance your experience, you can take a guided tour of the collection highlights on the first Saturday of the month at 2:00 pm. In addition to exhibits, the museum offers a range of workshops including an introduction to color workshop for babies. You can round off your visit by attending a show or concert at the Kiasma Theatre.
Kiasma, Mannerheiminaukio 2, FIN-00100 Helsinki, Finland,Phone: +35-82-94-50-05-01
10. Lapland Safaris
Outdoor enthusiasts who are looking for something really different to experience in Finland will find a wide variety of thrilling adventures awaiting them at Lapland Safaris. Outdoor adventures include snowmobile excursions, dog-sledding adventures, ice fishing, guided snowshoeing excursions, and Northern Lights tours. In addition, you can spend a night in a real igloo in the Snow Village at Lainio or take your children on an unforgettable journey to see Santa Claus busy at his office in Santa Clause Village – arrive in style in a reindeer-drawn carriage. The outdoor adventures range from 1-day jaunts to extended overnight adventures into the wilderness of Lapland. In summer the sun never sets and all the fun continues under the famous midnight sun.
Lapland Safaris, Koskikatu 1, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland, Phone: +3-58-16-63-31-12-00
Best Time to Visit
Places to Stay
Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Melting snow, blooming landscapes, and fewer tourists.
Hotel Kamp (Helsinki) – A luxurious stay in the heart of the capital.
Visit Nuuksio National Park – Enjoy scenic hikes and wildlife near Helsinki.
Summer (June-August) – Long daylight hours and lively festivals.
Santa Claus Holiday Village (Rovaniemi) – A magical Arctic stay with unique experiences.
Experience the Midnight Sun – Head to Lapland to enjoy 24-hour daylight.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air and stunning autumn foliage.
Arctic TreeHouse Hotel (Rovaniemi) – A unique and cozy stay with panoramic views.
Explore the Finnish Lakeland – Take a scenic boat trip among the thousands of lakes.
Plan Your Trip
Table of Contents:
- 1. The Ateneum
- 2. Aurora Service Tours
- 3. Bock’s Corner Brewery
- 4. Heather’s Helsinki
- 5. Helsinki Cathedral
- 6. Senate Square
- 7. Helsinki Zoo
- 8. Hetta Huskies
- 9. Kiasma
- 10. Lapland Safaris