Things to Do and See in Finland
There are some beautiful places to visit in Finland! Absolutely all Finland holidays need to include a bit of lake and forest exploring – whether you’re there in the summer or winter months. The breathtaking Finnish scenery is what you’re there for.
If you’re visiting Finland in winter then some of the best things to do include meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus at SantaPark, visiting the Lumilinna Snow Castle of Kemi, going skiing (Levi is one of the most popular ski resorts in Finland), meet the reindeers at Salla Reindeer Park, visiting a snow village or ice hotel and go in search for the Northern Lights. Join one of the trips to Lapland to enjoy all that this wintery destination has to offer – we like the look of this one with IntrepidTravel!
If you are in Finland in summer then include a visit to Archipelago National Park where you can spend your days kayaking, sailing and island hopping while checking out the aquatic life.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park is great to visit year-round with 90 miles of walking trails and 75 miles of ski trails where you can go snowmobiling or enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride. Hossa National Park is another great park to visit (read our guides on hiking in Hossa National Park and eating your way through the park). Plus, read our guide on things to do in the Hossa region.
For those interested in a bit of history and culture then you need to include a visit to the Siida Museum – located on the gorgeous Lake Inari. The museum tells the story of the Sami, or the Laplanders of Finland who were a semi-nomadic tribe.
Olavinlinna castle is another popular spot to visit, this castle sits in Savonlinna and dates from the 15th century. The Imatrankoski Rapids are one of the most popular Finland tourist attractions.
Suomenlinna Fortress is a great day trip from Helsinki. The fortress is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in 1748. Another day trip from Helsinki is Seurasaari Island which is a really interesting open air museum highlighting the traditional life in Finland.
Things to do in Helsinki includes the Helsinki Zoo, Linnanmäki Amusement Park, the SkyWheel, the Design Museum and the Helsinki cathedral. Going for a Finnish sauna experience is amongst the must-do things to do in Finland. Head to Löyly in Helsinki where you can add a dip into the freezing cold Baltic Sea then head back into the sauna. A true Finnish experience!
Tip: Get the Helsinki Card for sightseeing in Helsinki – it includes public transport and access to many sights and museums. Alternatively, take the Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus.