Finland in a Nutshell
Soak Up The Culture
Helsinki is easily explored on foot. Roam through the streets and admire the unique design and architecture. Weave in and out of contemporary hubs of culture like the Central Library and Station. The National Museum is a walk through Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day. See the best of the inner city's maritime and urban environment on the 130-kilometre waterfront trail.
Some of the 330 islands around Helsinki are connected by bridges, while others are a short ferry ride away. Among the hundreds of islands, Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari offer beautiful nature escapes; Suomenlinna is UNESCO-listed for its famous sea fortress; Seurasaari has an open-air museum; and Harakka is ideal for plant lovers.
To discover the true Finnish way of life, indulge in a sauna, the lifeblood used for spiritual healing and cleansing. The building Löyly is as intriguing from the inside as from the outside, with eye-catching décor housing a smoke sauna, wood-heated saunas and an opening out onto the sea to take a refreshing dip. You'll soon see why Finnish sauna culture is protected by UNESCO.
Contrast is the main ingredient in Finnish culture, so once you’ve experienced the modern capital, immerse yourself in the traditional way of life in the mythical area of Lapland. Here, you can meet the only Indigenous People in the European Union, the Sámi, and join in their festivals and celebrations.
Tastes to Try
The appreciation of simplicity transcends through Finnish cuisine, with clean, local and sustainable ingredients used. In Lapland, cloudberries, reindeer, lichen and other wild foods are the taste of the region, while in Helsinki, Restaurant Day is a celebration of Nordic cuisine. The local people sample dishes from pop-up restaurants.
Must-try foods are: Karjalanpiirakka, a savoury pastry; Grillmakkara, a grilled sausage eaten with mustard and washed down with beer; or Ruisleipä, a rye bread that is a staple to the Finnish diet. Look out for Kalakukko, a traditional fish and meat pie, slow-baked in the oven inside a bread covering. For sweet treats, Korvapuusti is a cinnamon roll that pairs well with a morning coffee.
Adventure Awaits
To enjoy the snow-covered area of Lapland, head to the capital, Rovaniemi, and enter a winter wonderland, where museums exploring the history of the area are interspersed in ski resorts and ice buildings.
With around 75 ski resorts in Finland, hills make up the sweeping slopes and steep falls in the season, which runs from October to May. From wide, easy slopes to challenging, world-class runs, all family members can indulge in some light and snowy relief while learning or improving a skill.
For a slightly warmer adventure, the 40 national parks of Finland offer kayaking, cycling, and hiking opportunities, all offering contrasting viewpoints of spectacular nature. To witness true beauty, head to the labyrinthine Archipelago Sea, with more islands than any other archipelago in the world.
Soak Up The Culture
Helsinki is easily explored on foot. Roam through the streets and admire the unique design and architecture. Weave in and out of contemporary hubs of culture like the Central Library and Station. The National Museum is a walk through Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day. See the best of the inner city's maritime and urban environment on the 130-kilometre waterfront trail.
Some of the 330 islands around Helsinki are connected by bridges, while others are a short ferry ride away. Among the hundreds of islands, Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari offer beautiful nature escapes; Suomenlinna is UNESCO-listed for its famous sea fortress; Seurasaari has an open-air museum; and Harakka is ideal for plant lovers.
To discover the true Finnish way of life, indulge in a sauna, the lifeblood used for spiritual healing and cleansing. The building Löyly is as intriguing from the inside as from the outside, with eye-catching décor housing a smoke sauna, wood-heated saunas and an opening out onto the sea to take a refreshing dip. You'll soon see why Finnish sauna culture is protected by UNESCO.
Contrast is the main ingredient in Finnish culture, so once you’ve experienced the modern capital, immerse yourself in the traditional way of life in the mythical area of Lapland. Here, you can meet the only Indigenous People in the European Union, the Sámi, and join in their festivals and celebrations.
Tastes to Try
The appreciation of simplicity transcends through Finnish cuisine, with clean, local and sustainable ingredients used. In Lapland, cloudberries, reindeer, lichen and other wild foods are the taste of the region, while in Helsinki, Restaurant Day is a celebration of Nordic cuisine. The local people sample dishes from pop-up restaurants.
Must-try foods are: Karjalanpiirakka, a savoury pastry; Grillmakkara, a grilled sausage eaten with mustard and washed down with beer; or Ruisleipä, a rye bread that is a staple to the Finnish diet. Look out for Kalakukko, a traditional fish and meat pie, slow-baked in the oven inside a bread covering. For sweet treats, Korvapuusti is a cinnamon roll that pairs well with a morning coffee.
Adventure Awaits
To enjoy the snow-covered area of Lapland, head to the capital, Rovaniemi, and enter a winter wonderland, where museums exploring the history of the area are interspersed in ski resorts and ice buildings.
With around 75 ski resorts in Finland, hills make up the sweeping slopes and steep falls in the season, which runs from October to May. From wide, easy slopes to challenging, world-class runs, all family members can indulge in some light and snowy relief while learning or improving a skill.
For a slightly warmer adventure, the 40 national parks of Finland offer kayaking, cycling, and hiking opportunities, all offering contrasting viewpoints of spectacular nature. To witness true beauty, head to the labyrinthine Archipelago Sea, with more islands than any other archipelago in the world.
Soak Up The Culture
Helsinki is easily explored on foot. Roam through the streets and admire the unique design and architecture. Weave in and out of contemporary hubs of culture like the Central Library and Station. The National Museum is a walk through Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day. See the best of the inner city's maritime and urban environment on the 130-kilometre waterfront trail.
Some of the 330 islands around Helsinki are connected by bridges, while others are a short ferry ride away. Among the hundreds of islands, Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari offer beautiful nature escapes; Suomenlinna is UNESCO-listed for its famous sea fortress; Seurasaari has an open-air museum; and Harakka is ideal for plant lovers.
To discover the true Finnish way of life, indulge in a sauna, the lifeblood used for spiritual healing and cleansing. The building Löyly is as intriguing from the inside as from the outside, with eye-catching décor housing a smoke sauna, wood-heated saunas and an opening out onto the sea to take a refreshing dip. You'll soon see why Finnish sauna culture is protected by UNESCO.
Contrast is the main ingredient in Finnish culture, so once you’ve experienced the modern capital, immerse yourself in the traditional way of life in the mythical area of Lapland. Here, you can meet the only Indigenous People in the European Union, the Sámi, and join in their festivals and celebrations.
Tastes to Try
The appreciation of simplicity transcends through Finnish cuisine, with clean, local and sustainable ingredients used. In Lapland, cloudberries, reindeer, lichen and other wild foods are the taste of the region, while in Helsinki, Restaurant Day is a celebration of Nordic cuisine. The local people sample dishes from pop-up restaurants.
Must-try foods are: Karjalanpiirakka, a savoury pastry; Grillmakkara, a grilled sausage eaten with mustard and washed down with beer; or Ruisleipä, a rye bread that is a staple to the Finnish diet. Look out for Kalakukko, a traditional fish and meat pie, slow-baked in the oven inside a bread covering. For sweet treats, Korvapuusti is a cinnamon roll that pairs well with a morning coffee.
Adventure Awaits
To enjoy the snow-covered area of Lapland, head to the capital, Rovaniemi, and enter a winter wonderland, where museums exploring the history of the area are interspersed in ski resorts and ice buildings.
With around 75 ski resorts in Finland, hills make up the sweeping slopes and steep falls in the season, which runs from October to May. From wide, easy slopes to challenging, world-class runs, all family members can indulge in some light and snowy relief while learning or improving a skill.
For a slightly warmer adventure, the 40 national parks of Finland offer kayaking, cycling, and hiking opportunities, all offering contrasting viewpoints of spectacular nature. To witness true beauty, head to the labyrinthine Archipelago Sea, with more islands than any other archipelago in the world.
frequently asked questions
Finland is in the European Union, so you can visit the country for up to 60 days without a visa if you have a valid British passport. If you haven’t already, you may need to apply for the new European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) launching in 2025.
The capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi, sees average temperatures of around -11.7°C and -11.0°C in January and February and -6.9°C in December, though the crisp air moderates the cold temperatures. Weather is very changeable and the snow is about 25-50 centimetres thick on the ground. You will need proper warm gear if you plan to visit Lapland in winter.
Finland is a year-round destination with something special to enjoy in every season. Winter is a popular time to visit and Lapland attracts Christmas visitors keen to explore Santa’s mythical home. It’s also a popular time of year for skiing and snowsports. Summer is an ideal ideal for exploring the islands and 40 national parks and the north experiences the Midnight Sun. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons which bring their own level of beauty, and as for saunas? They’re great all year round!