Beautiful places in Finland

If you are planning to visit Finland and searching for the answer to places to visit in Finland, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we will introduce to you some amazing places in Finland.

When most people are looking for a great place to vacation, Finland is rarely on their radar. No matter what your reason for vacationing is, however, Finland may surprise you on how it fits the list.

From castles made out of ice to natural wonders that will take your breath away, Finland has it all. However, nature plays an important role in finish lifestyle so you need to find the best time to visit Finland which suits you.

Finland is the most beautiful, but most underrated Nordic country and deserves a lot more love and attention than it currently gets. It is the land of a thousand lakes (or 188.000 actually), it is the land of the midnight sun, but it is also so much more. It is a country deeply in touch with nature. And it is a country of modern design and bustling city life. Because we love Finland so much, we have compiled a list of 8 beautiful places in Finland to put on your bucket list!

Capital Region of Helsinki

The most natural starting point for your visit to Finland is the capital Helsinki. Helsinki has been the capital of Finland since 1812 as Russian Emperor Alexander I worked towards reducing the Swedish influence in the country. Today, it is by far the most vibrant city in Finland and worth a visit year round. From the iconic Senate Square to the imposing Suomenlinna Fortress, there is plenty to see for history and architecture lover. A hub for Nordic Design, Helsinki is also the perfect place to give your credit cards a good workout!

Historic Finland: Turku & Rauma

Turku was the capital of Finland for several hundred years before it lost its status to Helsinki. Turku has had a tumultuous history and actually burned to the ground several times, most notably in the Great Fire of Turku in 1827. Nonetheless, as the oldest city in Finland, it brims with history and charm. But more importantly, it is your gateway to the beautiful Finnish archipelago. Not far from Turku lies the picturesque town of Rauma which is famous for its iconic wooden houses.

The Finnish Archipelago

The Finnish archipelago is the largest archipelago in the world (although some of the islands are admittedly tiny) and one of the most unique places to visit in Finland. The largest island group is the autonomous region of the Åland Islands, with their capital Mariehamn. It is absolutely beautiful in the summer and easily accessible by cruise ship from either Helsinki or Turku. You can also try and cycle your way from Turku to Mariehamn by catching a series of commuter ferries between the island!

Finnish Lakeland

Finnish Lakeland is located in central and eastern Finland and occupies a large area within the country. After all, it consists of thousands and thousands of lakes! The Finnish lake district is a remnant of the last ice age and shapes Finland until today, geographically as well as culturally. It is home to much of Finnish wildlife and the perfect destination for nature lovers. For example, head into Koli National Park, one of the most popular and most beautiful national parks in Finland. If you are looking for a city break close to a lake in Finland, book yourself into an accommodation in Tampere or Jyväskylä.

Finnish Karelia

Karelia is a region lying in the far East of Finland and, in fact, is a region shared with Russia. Russian influences can be observed almost everywhere. For example, the Russian language has had a strong impact on the east Finnish dialect. Karelia is best known for its pies, and that’s because they are truly delicious and perfect for long and hard Finnish winters. Some of the cities to visit in the area are Lappeenranta, Joensuu, and Savonlinna. Savonlinna is well known for its imposing castle and the annually held Savonlinna Opera Festival. Lappeenranta is ideal for those wanting to take a visa-free cruise to Russia as Vyborg is easily accessible via the Saimaa Canal.

Ostrobothnia

Ostrobothnia is a small region in Western Finland, located on the Gulf of Bothnia. Fun fact, although it lies in Western Finland it is called Ostrobothnia (Eastern Bothnia) as Finland was once part of the Swedish empire which lay to the west! In fact, much of the Swedish influence lingers today as Swedish-speakers make up more than half of the population in the region. Ostrobothnia’s dominating city is Vaasa. Further to the South lies Pori, which, although not technically in Ostrobothnia, also has a lot of coastal charm.

Northern Finland

Two frosty spots to mark down on your Finland Bucket List are the towns of Oulu and Kemi. Both lie on the Finnish west coast, yet they are not known for their beaches. They are known for fantastic winter landscapes! After all, Kemi is home to the biggest snow fort in the world, Kemi Snow Castle! It has been built every year since 1996 with a new design and houses a hotel, a chapel, and a restaurant. Forget the ice bars you have been to… this is the real deal! Find out more about Kemi Snow Castle on the official website.

Finnish Lapland

Even further North, beyond the Arctic Circle in Finland, lies Finnish Lapland. Lapland sports a frosty sub-arctic climate and little vegetation. It is a very popular winter destination and home to dozens of ski resorts. The perfect base for visiting Finnish Lapland is Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is located on the Arctic Circle, at exactly 66°33′45.9″, and, perhaps most importantly, the home of Santa Claus. The city hosts an entire tourist center in the shape of a tiny village dedicated to Father Christmas. Moreover, it is home to the Arktikum, a fantastic museum on Sami culture and history. Rovaniemi is also the perfect base for exploring Lapland as it is easily accessible by plane from Helsinki.

Oulu

Oulu is known for being Finland’s center for technology, as well as being a busy tourist city. It is a popular place to hold music and cultural festivals and has a variety of museums and art centers as well. Oulu is the perfect city to stay in while you are touring Finland, with its close proximity to other beautiful places in Finland, and its own thriving culture.

Archipelago National Park

Often referred to as the most beautiful Archipelago in the world, Archipelago National Park certainly has the most islands out of any available. This park is only accessible by sea, so be prepared for a boating trip if you want to make this park part of your adventure. With 10 nature trails and hundreds of different birds and animals living in the park, it is a nature lover’s paradise. It is one of the best places to visit in Finland in the summer.

Tampere

The third largest city in Finland, Tampere is a unique location all its own. Tampere draws people for its natural beauty. Located between two lakes, it has a number of boating and swimming areas to keep water lovers happy. Both seasons are the best time to visit Tampere.

Tampere is as fun in winter as it is in summer, with swimming and boating giving way to ice fishing and pinewood saunas. You can still swim if you dare—a portion of the lakes are kept ice-free for the brave few who want to experience a very chilly swim.

Turku Castle

Dating back to the medieval period, Turku Castle is one of the oldest buildings still standing in Finland. Today it is a museum where you can walk through the halls built almost a thousand years ago. Learn about the history of this castle, including the many sieges it survived, and take photos of this iconic and beautiful location. if you are in Finland, then Turku Castle worth your visiting.

Ruins of old Vaasa

Vaasa is yet another charming and modern city in Finland. Close to Vassa however, there is an entirely different one. Ancient ruins of the city where Vaasa got its beginnings. You can still walk around these old ruins today, and see what once was long before the popular new city went up in its place. So, add ruins of old Vaasa in your things to do in Finland list.

LEVI

Lapland is one of the best places to visit in Finland in the winter. If you enjoy skiing or other snow sports, Levi is a place you need to visit. A resort located in Lapland, Levis is part of the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup circuit.

Not only is it the perfect place for snow lovers, but it also has some of the best viewings of the Aurora Borealis in the world. There is even a hotel nearby that features glass topped domes where you can look to your heart’s content without ever getting cold.

Kemi (snow castle!)

There no doubt that winter is the best time to visit Finland. Every year in Kemi, a snow castle is constructed during the winter season. This huge ice hotel is rendered in exquisite beauty, with murals made in the ice, sculptures, ice furniture, and more.

Expect to spend about two hours looking around every room of this vast and beautiful castle. Too cold for you? Warm up with a hot coffee in the ice cafe.

8. Lemmenjoki National Park

This beautiful park is home to some of the most breathtaking views in the country. Most of the people who visit are backpackers, who want to experience beauty as deeply as they can. You won’t just find people mesmerized with nature here; however—you might also find gold diggers on one of 40 claims within the park. Definalty, Lemmenjoki National Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Finland.

Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi, Finland – December 30, 2010: Racing on the reindeer sledges in Rovaniemi on December 30, 2010

During Christmas time, this city is a sight to behold. Rovaniemi takes a special shine to Santa Claus, and in some places that tradition goes year round. If you are bringing youngsters who are excited at being in the arctic circle, a visit to Santa Claus Village or Santa Park may give them a special kind of magic, you can’t get anywhere else.

Rovaniemi is also home to sled dog and reindeer farms, where sledding is available if you’ve ever wanted to try out your own team. Rovaniemi is a beautiful place in Finland, which worth visiting.

Parola Tank Museum

If you have a love for things that go, “Boom!” (or just have a young boy) the Parola Tank Museum is a thrilling place to visit. Their collection has grown to include dozens of tanks, anti-tank guns, and other armored vehicles. Many of the tanks are extremely rare and range from very old to fairly new. A great place to visit both for its historical factor, and for simply being fun.

Helsinki

The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is a beautiful city filled with exquisite architecture and historical buildings. There are many places to visit in Helsinki.

Dozens of dazzlingly beautiful churches and cathedrals dot the area, and there are a number of interesting statues ranging from beautiful too—well—naughty. A walk around the city is an adventure in itself, and well worth the effort of visiting here.

Lake Saimaa

Finland is home to a variety of beautiful lakes and rivers, but this lake underscores the beauty of Finland. Saimaa is the largest lake in Finland and is home to some of the most beautiful wetlands on the planet.

Here you may get a chance to see one of the most endangered species on the planet, the Saimaa Ringed Seal. There are currently only 400 of these unusual freshwater seals left on the earth, and they only live here at this one lake. There are also a few other species of animal found only here, such as the Saimaa salmon, that are well worth searching for.

Finland is a travel destination most people don’t have checked off their list. If you’re ready for an adventure that is truly unique among your friends, visit Finland and experience a world you’ve never seen before.

Now, what do you think? What are the most beautiful places in Finland in your opinion? Did we miss anything on the list? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! Let’s stay in touch!