Finland is a winter wonderland situated in the Arctic tundra. Not only is it a beautiful place to see the Northern Lights and tons of wildlife, it’s Nordic culture makes for a fantasy-filled excursion you won’t want to miss out on! There’s more to Finland than meets the eye, and in case you don’t already believe it, here are just 10 of the countless things you MUST do while you’re in Finland!
Santa Claus Village - A Christmas-themed attraction that is open 365 days a year? Yes please! The Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in the Lapland region is a yuletide-filled amusement park, fun for all ages! There’s market stalls, rides, Christmas light displays, and is even home to the line marking where the Arctic Circle begins! If you’re the type of person who turns on your Christmas music playlist as soon as Thanksgiving has passed, this is the place for you!
Suerasaari - Just off the coast of Helsinki, lies a wooded island that’s home to an open air museum. Seurasaari has been attracting both locals and visitors alike for decades due to its peaceful surroundings, walking trails, and wildlife. The best time to visit Seurasaari is definitely Midsummer, when locals gather for the annual tradition of lighting a bonfire on a small isle just off Seurasaari to celebrate the summer!
Olavinlinna - built on an island in the Kyrönsalmi strait in the Savonlinna region, Olavinlinna is a 15th-century medieval fortress, and is actually the northernmost stone fortress that is still standing! Every summer since 1912, the Olavinlinna fortress has been the stage for the Savonlinna Opera Festival!
Helsinki Cathedral - Originally named St Nicholas’ Church until the independence of Finland in 1917, Helsinki Cathedral is a landmark within the city. It was built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. Visitors can see this stunning Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church in the city centre of Helsinki, at Senate Square!
Ylläs - Ylläs is a 718-metre high fell located in the municipality of Kolari. It is home to the second largest ski resort in the Lapland region, and is popular with both cross-country and downhill skiers. There are two villages, one on either side of the fell. Ylläs is also home for many reindeer! On a reindeer safari, you can ride a traditional reindeer sleigh through a snow-covered forest, led by a traditional reindeer herder! Ylläs is a must-visit while exploring Finland!
The National Museum of Finland - Within the city of Helsinki in a romantic-style building, is the National Museum of Finland! It explains the history of the Finnish people from all far back as the Stone Age through objects and cultural history! The museum is a part of the Finnish Heritage Agency, and is a great way to learn more about this amazing Nordic country!
Snow Village - This place is a MUST when visiting Finland. The Snow Village is a seasonal snow resort, only open during the winter. The resort is made from sculpted ice and snow, and will often have displays referencing pop culture, such as ‘Game of Thrones’! If you can’t stay in the resort, you at least need to make a stop at the resort’s ice bar! Snow Village is one of the ‘coolest’ places you’ll visit (see what I did there?)!
Market Square - Located in the city centre of Helsinki, Market Square is a public market open everyday from 8am-4pm! The square always has some kind of event going on, such as the herring festival held annually in October, or a vintage American car show held on the first Friday of every month! There are outdoor cafes, vendors selling fresh produce or baked goods, and sometimes you may catch a street performer! If you want to fully immerse yourself in the Finnish culture, this is where you need to go!
Moomin World - If you are traveling with kids (or perhaps you’re still a child at heart!), you can’t visit Finland without stopping at Moomin World! This amusement park located on the island of Kailo in southwestern Finland is not your traditional theme park, as it doesn’t have any rides. Instead, it is filled with storybook-style homes and fantasy-esque walking trails based on the Moomin books, a Finnish children’s classic written by Tove Jansson. The park is open annually from June to August!
Learn About Sami Culture - The Sami people of Northern Finland are the only indigenous group within the European Union. To this day, their culture has been well preserved and celebrated for both the present and future generations of Sami. There are many ways to learn about the Sami culture while travelling through Finland. You can visit Siida, the Finnish Sami museum, or Solju, the Sami Parliament Hall that was designed by a Sami architect and is often surrounded by the Northern Lights! Other ways to immerse yourself in the Sami culture include visiting indigenous film and music festivals, or visiting a traditional reindeer herder and going on a reindeer safari!
When travellers begin planning their European vacation, Finland tends to get skipped over. But trust me when I say that Finland is not a destination to be missed! For those dreaming of a winter wonderland expedition, this is the stop for you! Did you know that Acanela Expeditions offers photography workshops in Finland from November-February? You’ll learn all about travel photography from a professional, all while exploring the Arctic tundra beneath the Northern Lights! Click here to learn more or email expeditions@acanela.com!