Finland: Modern Scene, Unspoiled Scenery
A prosperous, educated, and technologically advanced society on the top of the world, Finland is home to a unique culture formed by Nordic, Russian, and European influences and a fiercely independent spirit. This guide will help you appreciate this often-overlooked country, and direct you to resources that will help you plan a trip.
Expand All Guide SectionsFinland Travel Basics
Finland is the home of modern cities and untouched wilderness, endless nights and midnight suns, fine arts and ancient culture. Whether you’re looking to walk around an historic European city, relax in a sauna, or discover the wild outdoors, Finland offers unique possibilities to travelers.
Dulcinea's Insight
- Lapland, Finland’s northernmost province, is part of the Sapmi nation, which also covers parts of Norway, Sweden, and Russia. Some links will reference travel sights in Sapmi; bear in mind that some of these sights may not be in Finland.
- If you do your own search for travel in Finland and Finnish-language sites, look for a small British Union Jack, usually on the top right of the page. Clicking this will direct you to the English-language version of the site.
Dulcinea's Picks
For official tourism ...
Visit Finland
is the country's official travel and tourism guide with a "Things To Do" section that gives you ideas for every part of the country during any part of the year. Here you'll find popular destinations, explanations of Finnish customs, and links to travel packages and guided tours.
For events and activities …
Finland Festivals
has dates and general information on all the music, dance, and arts festivals going on in Finland. First select “English” from the top menu bar, then search by date, region, and type of festival to see if there’s anything worth checking out during your trip.
Outdoors.fi
has an index of outdoor activities and destinations, searchable by type of activity and location. For a complete list of destinations (with links) like national parks, hiking areas, nature reserves, and campgrounds, take a look at the “Site Map”.
Museums.fi
entices the visitor with interesting Finnish themes and stories as a way to introduce its collection of Finnish museums. “Tar and Sails” or “Russian Czars in Finland”? Let your curiosity get the best of you. There is a short description for each museum, as well as a link to its official site.
For Helsinki specifically …
Helsinki Finland
is a Web site of the Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau. The site has a comprehensive guide to the Finnish capital with information about sights, events, restaurants, hotels, and transportation. Along with Virtual Finland, this site is essential for everyone who plans to visit Helsinki.
Helsinki Expert
offers many tours of the city, as well as trips from Helsinki to other parts of the country. It is geared toward those who are looking for an organized and hassle-free vacation. Don’t miss the “Helsinki Card” for special savings on main sights, public transportation, and museums.
For cities and attractions ...
Virtual Finland
has a "Travel" section with niche articles on the country's most desirable locales, such as "Opera on the shores of Lake Saimma" and "Hiking in Lapland," as well as tips regarding Finnish customs, weather, and stunning natural features.
Wild and Free
has Lapland covered with information about activities, accommodations, and travel packages. In winter, stay in a hotel made of ice and snow and visit a reindeer farm. In summer, experience the midnight sun and go river rafting. You'll find sample itineraries (called "Incentives" on the site) for winter and summer.
Saaristo
is a project of the Turku Archipelago Tourist Association, and has a guide to the Finnish Archipelago, a popular destination for fishermen and those who enjoy untouched nature. Located in southwest Finland, the Archipelago is made up of more than 20,000 islands, offering unique sightseeing opportunities.
For guided tours ...
The Finland Travel Bureau
offers tours, both guided and unguided, to all parts of the country. Even if you don't want such structured travel plans, the site is worth looking at for sightseeing ideas.
Wild North
offers wilderness tours in northern Finland. This is an enticing option for hunters and fisherman who don't want to brave the unforgiving Finnish wilderness on their own.
Finland Travel Requirements
Finland is a very modern and safe society, with laws and entry requirements typical of countries in ... read more »
Getting to Finland
Whether by plane, train, boat, or car, Finland is simple to get to if you know what you’re ... read more »
Finland Hotels
Finland offers a wide variety of lodging options, from classic luxury hotels in Helsinki to rural ... read more »
Getting Around in Finland
With efficient highway and train systems, getting around Finland is easy for well-informed ... read more »
Finland Travel Blogs and Forums
The most useful information on traveling oftentimes comes from other travelers, many of whom have ... read more »
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