Lakes, forests and saunas under the midnight sun or northern lights.
Finland is a country of forests and tens of thousands of lakes, with a design-minded capital on the Baltic. Helsinki has the sea fortress of Suomenlinna and a lively market square, while the Lakeland around Saimaa is ideal for cabins and paddling. The Turku archipelago scatters islands along the southwest coast, and Lapland, around Rovaniemi and beyond, offers reindeer, fells and the aurora.
Sauna is a way of life, followed by a swim in a lake or even a hole in the ice. Food is simple and seasonal: salmon soup, rye bread, Karelian pies and wild berries. June to August brings long light days for the lakes; December to March is the time for snow, huskies and northern lights in Lapland, while spring and late autumn are slushy and dark.
Best time to visit Finland
June, July, August.
Places to visit in Finland
Helsinki: Finland's seaside capital of Art Nouveau streets, bold modern design, public saunas and ferries to an island fortress.
Rovaniemi: The capital of Finnish Lapland, sitting on the Arctic Circle, with Santa Claus Village, reindeer farms, husky rides and the aurora.
Turku: Finland's former capital on the Aura river, with a medieval castle and cathedral and ferries into the vast Archipelago Sea.
Savonlinna: A lakeside town in the heart of the Finnish Lakeland, known for Olavinlinna castle, its summer opera festival and endless waterways.
Essentials
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Language: Finnish; Swedish on the coast; English widely spoken
Plugs: Type C / F, 230 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+2
Tipping: Not expected
Getting around: Trains and long-distance buses; domestic flights or night trains to Lapland
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking