Finland Travel Guide 2023: Things You Need To Know About Finland

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Nov 20, 2023 By Daniel Jackson

Finland is a fantastic travel destination thanks to its picturesque starry night skies, husky excursions, igloos, and the opportunity to view the northern lights. Finland is in the Nordic region of Northern Europe. In Finland, the indigenous Sámi people once called Finnish Lapland home.

Several European nations are nearby, including the European Union's Eastern Partnership state of Ukraine. Having fought against the Soviet Union's invasion, the Finns have developed a unique yet robust national identity. The frigid winters, which may drop below -30°C, and the exquisite summer days, when the sun rarely dips beyond the horizon, characterize Finnish life.

Finns travel to their lakeside summer residences to bask in the midnight sun while they retreat to their saunas in the winter. The Finland travel guide contains useful information for organizing a trip to Finland and detailed suggestions for places to see and things to do.

Weather In Finland

Finland's varied and sometimes unpredictable climate is a major tourist draw. Summers in Southern Scandinavia, in particular, are often moderate and warm. July is the hottest month of the year. Winters are exceptionally lengthy and chilly in contrast.

Typically, February is the coldest month. Finland has a much longer winter season compared to other countries. From October through May, snow is possible. Snowmobiling, husky excursions, and visiting the northern lights draw the most tourists to Finland in the winter.

Finland experiences milder weather throughout the summer months. The longest days and warmest weather occur in July. In Finland, the summertime sun stays up all night. It implies that in some parts of Finland, daylight will never end. Heavy winds, blizzards, and occasionally snowfall can be expected in northern Finland during autumn.

Since the southern parts have low temperatures and significant rainfall from October through December, this is the least popular period to visit. Even if the weather is milder in the spring than in the winter, snow may still be present in the far north of Finland by the middle of the month.

Finland - The Land Of Lakes

No one has ever attempted to tally the number of lakes and islands in Finland, but every family could have a private island or lake with room for guests. Unsurprisingly, the cornerstone of a perfect Finnish summer is a log cabin by the water, complete with a steam sauna—the idyllic Finnish setting, complete with a small boat moored nearby and excellent fishing and swimming.

You can explore any woodland, collect berries, or set up a temporary camp there. There is enough to do in Finland's beautiful outdoors. Incredibly talented architects, painters, sculptors, and designers have emerged from Finland.

Everywhere you look in Helsinki, you'll find something interesting: a statue, a curved window, a little figure full of humor, or even just an exquisitely carved facade on a block of flats. Some of Finland's oldest structures may be seen in the country's older cities like Turku and Porvoo, where the Swedish influence was strongest.

Food in Finland

Food in Finland often consists of fish, meat (especially pig), and starchy vegetables like potatoes. Common wild game includes reindeer, moose, and deer. A popular breakfast option in Finland is an open-faced sandwich made with dark bread and various cheeses, much like the Scandinavian countries' preferred fare.

In general, it costs a lot to buy food in Finland. Fast food restaurants, like McDonald's, charge roughly 9 euros for a meal, whereas casual restaurants may cost as much as 13 euros. Plan on spending between 40 and 80 EUR for a three-course lunch with waitperson service.

While a big pizza Would run you roughly 10 EUR, a full Thai or Chinese food plate would run around 15 EUR. Try the reindeer at Ravintola Aino if you want to splurge on authentic Finnish cuisine in Helsinki. The reasonably priced (50-62 EUR) dishes are well worth the money.

When To Go To Finland

Depending on your itinerary, any time of year in Finland is great. Visit in December or January for the best of Lapland's splendor. Lapland becomes a wintry wonderland in December with its Christmas decorations, markets, and northern lights.

Keep in mind that in this season, the temperature drops dramatically over the whole country of Finland. Daily lows in the winter average -8 degrees Celsius (17 degrees Fahrenheit).

Temperatures are mildest in the spring and fall shoulder seasons. From April through October, the average daily high ranges from 2 to 5 degrees Celsius (36 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit). The beauty of each season is undeniable, though. Everything blooms in the spring, and the leaves change colors in the fall.

Things To Do In Finland

Go To Lake Pakasaivo

The indigenous Sámi people historically held rituals at this lake in northern Finland. While regular lakes mix at least once a year as top water cools and becomes denser, leading it to descend to the bottom, the 60-meter-deep lake is meromictic, meaning the water at the surface and the bottom never mix. Because of the lack of oxygen, whatever is at the bottom will remain fully preserved.

Study The Rich Heritage Of Finland

Kemijärvi's Museum of Local History provides a glimpse into early 20th-century rural Finnish life via an anthropological lens. In the main structure, you can see what life was like for the average Finn back in the day in a conventional farmhouse, complete with a bedroom for the housekeeper, a bedroom for the in-laws, and a living area.

Visit Raanua Wildlife Park

If you're looking for a family-friendly vacation spot, go beyond the world's most northern nature reserve. In addition to the only polar bears in Finland, you may also find lynx, wolves, and brown bears here, among more than 50 other species. You may observe the animals in a more natural setting than other zoos because of the park's emphasis on the outdoors.

Conclusion:

Finland has a very low violent crime rate and is a very secure country overall. Pickpocketing is uncommon in Helsinki. However, it happens on public transportation, particularly at busy railway and bus stations. Don't take anything valuable with you when you go out; be aware of your surroundings.

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