How to Maximise Your Trip to Finland Your First Time Around

Ahoy there, adventurers! Journey with me to the remote Kingdom of Finland, a realm of bewitchment and enchantment! Known as the ‘land of a thousand lakes’, Finland is a fascinating fusion of history and modernity, with a refreshingly energising air that will leave you feeling invigorated. From art carnivals to majestic monuments, Lake view cottages to music festivals, and Europe’s most exquisite cuisine – there’s something for everyone in this beautiful land. But be quick – summertime is the peak season for tourist exploration, but it’s over before you know it! Set sail for Finland and experience all it has to offer!

The magical Finnish fest entices its proximity to extraordinary experiences – like scaling the heights of towering forests, appreciating the midnight sunbeams from rooftop bars, partaking in picturesque lake cruises, or mastering the waters of Suomi rivers, which have been dubbed some of Europe’s finest. Endless opportunities await you!

Helsinki – Finland’s Capital

No matter your group size – solo traveler, a couple, or a small party of family and friends – Finland is a must-visit destination, and you’ll most likely start your adventure in Helsinki, the capital city. For me, the Helsinki Airport was the launchpad of my Scandinavian voyage. But Helsinki is so much more than an endless stretch of Baltic ports and isles; its streets are alive with innovative architecture and chic bars and restaurants. To experience Helsinki in a budget-friendly way, why not plan a walking tour? Book a hotel in the city center and, if you’d rather not walk, hop on one of the yellow or green city trams to get a unique sightseeing experience.

Helsinki is a city of contoured, crafty and smart designs, thanks to Alvar and Aino Aalto who helped solidify it as the creative hub of Finland. Nowadays, Finnish designs from Helsinki have a far-reaching influence across the globe. From architectural masterpieces to one-of-a-kind boutiques and galleries, Helsinki is a trove of textiles, handicrafts, jewelry, glassware, and wooden homewares that will leave you in awe.

Most-outstanding impressions of contemporary art can be viewed, at Musiikkitalo Hall, Akateeminen Kirjakauppa, Finlandia Talo Hall, Kiasma museum and Temppeliaukio, an extraordinary rock-carved church. Some of the buildings that left me impressed are; the 19th-century Helsinki Railway Station that retains its national romanticism from the art-nouveau movement, Kamppi chapel and other architectures featuring Byzantine-Russian and authentic neoclassical styles. Here’s a rundown of a few sites I explored.

Finland Cuisine

Finnish food is sustainably farmed, locally sourced and contains sought seasonal ingredients that might be trending on world charts in the recent time, however, have long been a part of Finland’s lifestyle. From Michelin-starred restaurants to artistic bistros to first-class gastronomy outlets to the celebrated covered market of Kauppahalli, I chanced upon Finnish flavours all across Helsinki. However, all around Finland, Baltic Herring, Game food, snow grouse bird, smoked salmon and arctic char fish will find their way onto your plates.

These dishes are usually served, with lingonberries, forest mushrooms, cloudberries and a variety of other herbs. Some of the typical Finnish dishes are Kaalikääryleet, Hernekeitto pea soup, Leipäjuusto cheese, Viili yoghurt, Perunamuusi mashed potato, Lihapullat Finnish meatballs, and smoked Palvikinkku. Finnish cuisine often makes use of rye, barley, oats, blueberries, lingonberries, cloudberries and sea buckthorn.

Activities In Finland

Finland is a lifestyle packed archipelago enclosed by phenomenal nature. Opportunities are swarming; from boating to island-hopping, to beach life to forest trekking or merely sauntering along, widespread Finnish parks and gardens. In the winter, observing Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) is the most-preferred activity, along with snow sports such as ski, ice hockey, dog-sledging, reindeer-sledging, snowmobile, ice fishing and so on.

One pursuit commonly favoured, all round the year is touring national parks for the exquisite wildlife they host. The fabled labyrinth of national parks has well-marked tracks, and nature-watching trips allow for getting a glimpse of bears and moose in the deep forests.

Ski Resort Activities

For those who fancy skiing, Rukatunturi (Ruka) is a must-visit. Ruka owns 500 km of cross country trails in 34 slopes. Another famous ski resort in Finland is Levi, with 43 slopes and 27 lifts for a great skiing experience. Levi’s location within the Arctic Circle is its unique selling point. From the Igloo hotel (Levi Igloos/Golden Crown), you can observe northern lights.

Language Of Finland

Finnish Suomi or Suomen Kieli is the language spoken by the residents of Finland. It is one of the two official languages of Finland. Swedish being the other. Learning a few basic phrases while visiting Finland always come handy.

1. Hello Hyvää päivää | Terve | Hei | Haloo

2. Good Morning Hyvää huomenta

3. How are you? Mitä kuuluu? | Kuinka voit?

4. Good Evening Hyvää iltaa

5. My name is Nimeni On

6. Good Night Hyvää päivää

7. Cheers! Kippis!

8. Good Night Hyvää yötä

9. I don’t know En tiedä

10. Good Luck Onnea

11. Excuse me/Sorry Anteeksi

12. How much is this? Paljonko tämä maksaa?

13. Please Pyydän | Olkaa hyvä

14. Thank You Kiitos

15. Help! Apua!

Must-Know Facts

1. Many claim title of the internet, however, Finns were the first to introduce it to the public.

2. Finland is Nokia’s home, forever connecting people across the globe. You will not find a single payphone in the country.

3. A list of baffling sports top the charts of Finnish annual world championship, such as mobile phone and rubber boot throwing, mosquito hunting, swamp football and Air Guitar, to name a few.

4. Finland allows for the world’s best ‘Freedom to Roam’ choices for free – whether you want to pitch a tent or go fishing in the lake.

5. Following 2010, Finland commemorates annual ‘Failure Day’ every October thirteenth – this convention celebrates bad news and ill-fortune, as a way of learning for the future.

6. Finland, Europe’s 8th-largest country is pulsating with 187,888 lakes, the most in the world so to say and these come with a total of 179,888 breathtaking Finnish Islands worth exploring.

7. Finland was an integral part of Sweden till late 12th century. After Adolf Ivar Arwidsson quoted, “we are no-longer Swedes, we do not want to become Russians, let us, therefore, be Finns”, a national movement resulted in the establishment of the Finnish national identity. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, Finland declared itself independent.

8. Important festivals of Finland are Savonlinna Opera Festival and Helsinki Festival.

9. Finland’s national animal is Brown Bear, its national flower is Lily of the valley, its national bird is Whooper Swan, and its national song is Maamme or Vårt land.

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