Why not get your new year off to a great start with a visit to Finland, known as the happiest country in the world? This country has endless amazing adventures to suit every kind of traveler. An enchanting landscape with thousands of lakes, millions of saunas, and an abundance of fresh, forest-inspired cuisine provides the perfect backdrop for well-deserved rest and overall health. . Here are our picks for the top 9 experiences in Finland to add to your travel bucket list next year.
Sourcing your meals and ingredients in the Saimaa region – European Gastronomic Region 2024
Saimaa, located in Finland’s Lake District, is rapidly gaining recognition as one of the world’s leading destinations for lovers of haute cuisine. In his upcoming year 2024, Saimaa will receive the prestigious European Gastronomic Region Award in recognition of its dedication to the importance of cultural and culinary identity. This dedication is reflected in the region’s much-loved produce, grown deep in the forest and fresh from Lake Saimaa, one of Europe’s largest lakes. This region is a real treasure, a hidden gem for international travelers and a place where Finns like to spend their holidays in their summer homes for berries and mushrooms.
2. Watch movies 24 hours a day above the Arctic Circle
In mid-June, the small town of Sodankyla in Lapland comes alive. Sodankyla’s population is less than 10,000, but it is a world-class film and cultural center. The White Nights Film Festival was founded in 1986 by Finnish filmmakers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki and his wife, the city of Sodankyla. You might even meet famous people like Francis Ford Coppola and Wim Wenders. The film will be screened at four venues across the city.
3. Cross-country skiing in Lahti, the green capital of Europe
Finns love cross-country skiing, in fact, it’s a national hobby. The season begins in October and runs through May in Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region, where you have the chance to ski under the Northern Lights. Lahti, Europe’s green capital in 2021, has hosted the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships for the seventh time. The region has world-class ski runs in the forest and is just an hour’s train ride from Finland’s capital, Helsinki. Every March, Himos Ski Resort hosts “Shimarihito”, a unique bikini skiing event that combines skiing and a sauna.
4. Play and travel and build an insect hotel
Regenerative travel encourages visitors to travel in more meaningful ways to support the well-being of local communities. Haltia Lake Lodge has been awarded Visit Finland’s Sustainable Travel Finland Award and Europe’s Most Sustainable Hotel 2022, helping travelers fight biodiversity loss. In summer 2024, Haltia Lake Lodge will offer an earth-friendly conservation vacation for groups for the first time. These special breaks include combating invasive plant infestations and revitalizing pastures. Hawkhill Cottage Resort, a pioneer in regenerative travel, lets guests build insect hotels. Lapland-based company Wild Out invites visitors into the forest to eat lunch and build nest boxes.
Finland, Lapland, Kilpisjärvi,
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Five. Hike 3 Scandinavian Countries in 10 Seconds
The midnight sun lasts for more than two months in Kilpisjarvi, a small but lively village in northern Finland near the Norwegian border. This village is home to Saana Waterfall, a sacred sacrificial place for the Sami people. In midsummer, you can also ski at the height of the Sarna waterfall or swim in the clear waters of Lake Kilpisjärvi. You can also hike to neighboring Finland, Sweden, and Norway in less than 10 seconds.
6. Enjoy the sauna
Although Finland has a population of 5.6 million people, it may come as a surprise to some that there are over 3 million saunas. Finland’s sauna culture is part of UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The sauna is one of the few places in the world where the use of mobile phones is prohibited, allowing visitors to enjoy tranquility and deep relaxation. The most public sauna is in Tampere, the sauna capital of the world. One hour from Tampere in Manta, you will find the only Art His sauna in the world. Handcrafted from a wooden log structure, Ronnahis sauna is located on a nearby island right in front of Helsinki’s city centre. It is accessible by public boat and is only open during the summer. The northernmost public sauna, Arctic Sauna World, is located above the Arctic Circle on the shores of sacred Lake Jelisjärvi, offering a blissful escape after a hike in Yllas Pallas National Park.
helsinki pride
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7. Celebrate love in the capital Helsinki
Helsinki is one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the world. At the end of June, the city gathers for the Capital Pride Festival. Helsinki Gay Pride attracts more than 100,000 visitors and is celebrated throughout the city through a week-long series of cultural events, parties, demonstrations and exhibitions. Activities for LGBTQ+ visitors aren’t limited to his one Pride festival a year. Recently reopened and the largest gay club in Scandinavia, DTM celebrates all things queer.
8. Go ice fishing, take an ice cruise, or stay in an ice hotel
With thousands of frozen lakes, the Lake District is a great area for ice fishing from January to March. The legendary and world’s only icebreaker cruise, Kemi’s Sampo takes you to frozen waters with unparalleled views. Finish your “cold exposure” with a once-in-a-lifetime experience at the Arctic Snow Hotel at night. If you’re brave enough to take it to the next level, take a dip in the frozen lake or ocean, as the locals love to do, to boost your happy hormones and improve your health.
Reindeer sleigh caravan in Lapland, Finland
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9. See and photograph wildlife in Europe’s last wilderness area
Reindeer are Lapland’s most common inhabitants. In the summer, these cute animals roam free and cause the only traffic jam in Lapland. Bear viewing season begins in early May and lasts until September. Finland’s pristine and picturesque landscape is home to many wild animals and birds, including wolves, lynx, eagles, cranes and swans. While traditional photography tours in the wild are widespread, one unique way to experience local wildlife is from the heat of a sauna. Hossankarhat’s Bear Sauna His Safari welcomes guests to the world’s only “hidden sauna” where visitors can watch bears and other wildlife from their windows while relaxing in the sauna.
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