Finland Travel Guide

Notable Places

Explore Finland

This Finland travel guide will help you plan your next vacation.

Finland Quick Guide

Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Finnish & Swedish
Time Zone: EET (UTC+2) / EEST in summer (UTC+3)
Fun Fact #1: Home to the world’s first Ice Hotel, rebuilt yearly in Jukkasjärvi
Fun Fact #2: Finland has over 188,000 lakes and 30,000+ islands
Fun Fact #3: Suomenlinna sea fortress (Helsinki) is a UNESCO site on six linked islands
Tipping: Not expected, rounding up or 5% appreciated
Emergency Number: 112

Where to Stay in Finland

From modern design hotels in Helsinki and lakeside cabins in the Lakeland district to cozy glass igloos under the Northern Lights in Lapland, Finland’s accommodations blend style, comfort, and a deep connection to its natural landscapes.

Start by planning out where you would like to visit and then search for accommodation in those areas. Cities are well connected with public transport so you are unlikely to get stuck in a remote place, unless that is what you want to do! We use Booking.com for all our hotel stays, many hotels have pay later offers and you can build up your Genius level to get discounts on your stays.

CHECK BOOKING.COM

How to Get Around Finland

Finland has reliable public transport across major cities and regions. Helsinki’s metro, trams, buses, and ferries serve urban and island districts. Intercity trains and buses link Helsingfors with Turku, Tampere, Vaasa, Savonlinna, and Rovaniemi. Ferries connect island towns like Porvoo, the Turku Archipelago, and Åland.

Yet, exploring remote wilderness, like Lapland’s national parks like Urho Kekkonen, Pallas-Yllästunturi, Koli in the east, or events in Salla often requires a rental car. You can then access secluded lakeside retreats, midnight-sun vistas, and Sami culture far from bus routes.

For the best deals on car rentals, rent a manual transmission car if you know how to drive one and try out the many car rental coupon codes out there. In addition, we always recommend that you search on Discover Cars and Rentalcars.com to get a good lay of the land in terms of what the best rates are across multiple companies.

SEARCH FOR A CAR RENTAL

Must-Visit Places in Finland

Helsinki: Design District, Market Square, Temppeliaukio Rock Church, Swedish‑built Suomenlinna fortress
Turku & Archipelago: Medieval Turku Castle, riverside cafés, island‑hopping and national parks via ferries
Porvoo: Charming cobbled Old Town, wooden riverside houses, chocolate boutiques
Savonlinna (Olavinlinna): Lakeside castle and annual opera festival in the Saimaa region
Rovaniemi & Arctic Lapland: Gateway to the Arctic with Arktikum museum, Santa Claus Village and Northern Lights
Koli National Park: Iconic hilltop vistas over Pielinen Lake, forests & art heritage
Åland Islands: Swedish-speaking archipelago with Mariehamn, maritime museum, beaches
Tampere & Hämeenlinna: Industrial‑heritage city with public saunas; medieval Häme Castle
Salla (Lapland): Remote village famous for reindeer safaris, smoke saunas and winter activities

Stay Connected

Don’t waste time hunting for SIM cards or stressing about roaming. With an eSIM, you can get connected as soon as you land and stay online wherever your adventures take you.

🔗 Check out our guide to the cheapest eSIMs for international travel.

Find the cheapest eSIM

Finnish Food to Sample

Finnish cuisine highlights forest, lake, and arctic flavours with comfort food and seasonal flair.

Karjalanpiirakka – Karelia & lakes region: Rye crust filled with rice porridge, typically topped with egg butter.
Lohikeitto – Nationwide, esp. coast: Creamy salmon soup with potato, leek, dill.
Kalakukko – Eastern Finland: Fish and pork baked inside a dense rye bread loaf.
Poronkäristys (Reindeer Stew) – Lapland: Sautéed reindeer meat in beer gravy, served with mashed potatoes and lingonberries.
Ruisleipä (Rye Bread) – Nationwide: Dark, sourdough rye bread, Finnish staple with every meal.
Hernekeitto – All over on Thursdays: Pea soup with ham, traditionally eaten before sauna.
Leipäjuusto & Cloudberry Jam – Northern Finland: Fresh cheese frequently served with sweet, tart cloudberries.
Mustikkapiirakka – Lakes region: Blueberry pie made with wild forest berries.
Lanttulaatikko – Christmas Dish Nationwide: Swede (rutabaga) casserole baked with breadcrumbs and syrup.
Korvapuusti (Cinnamon Roll) – Nationwide: Sweet cardamom-spiced buns, enjoyed with coffee during fika.

Top 5 Things To Bring On Every Trip

Travel Insurance: Protect yourself against unforeseen events like trip cancellations, medical emergencies, or lost luggage.
Power Bank: Keep your devices charged on the go, ensuring you stay connected and capture every moment.
Universal Travel Adapter: A must-have for international travelers to plug in and power up devices in different countries.
Reusable Water Bottle: Stay hydrated while reducing plastic waste; many destinations have refill stations available.
Packing Cubes: Organize your luggage efficiently, making it easier to find items and maximize space.

Top Day Tours to Discover Finland

Northern Lights: The ultimate bucket list item, chase the Northern Lights with expert guidance for an unforgettable Arctic adventure.
Nuuksio National Park: Just outside of Helsinki is the enchanting wilderness of Nuuksio national park. Experience authentic Finnish nature on a stunning hike passing beautiful lakes, scenic views, snacks by the campfire.
Santa Claus Village: For Christmas lovers of all ages, discover the home of Santa Claus. Visit reindeers, huskies, and Santa Claus himself!
Husky Sledding: For an alternative way to get around the country, discover the Lappish countryside by driving your very own team of huskies.