Finland travel guide : discover history, culture and must-see destinations

Essential Finland travel information

• Official name: Republic of Finland (Suomen tasavalta)
• Capital: Helsinki
• Population: About 5.5 million people
• Official languages: Finnish and Swedish
• Currency: Euro (€)
• Government: Unitary parliamentary republic

Finland's rich history: from Swedish rule to modern independence

Finland has one of the most fascinating histories in Northern Europe. Here's a simple timeline:

Ancient times

The area now known as Finland was settled around 8500 BCE after the last ice age. The early inhabitants were hunter-gatherers who left behind rock paintings that can still be seen today. By 1000 CE, three distinct tribes had formed: the Finns, the Tavastians, and the Karelians. Unlike much of Europe, Finland remained isolated from major historical developments like the Roman Empire and early Christianity.

Swedish era

Beginning in the 12th century, Sweden gradually incorporated Finland into its kingdom through a series of crusades. For the next 700 years, Finland remained part of the Swedish realm. Swedish became the language of administration and education, though Finnish remained the language of the majority. This period saw the arrival of Christianity, the establishment of Turku (Åbo) as Finland's first capital, and the founding of the Academy of Turku in 1640.

Russian Grand Duchy

As a result of the Finnish War (1808-1809), Sweden ceded Finland to Russia. Tsar Alexander I established Finland as an autonomous Grand Duchy with its own parliament, laws, and currency. During the 19th century, Finnish national identity strengthened significantly. The national epic Kalevala was published in 1835, compiling Finnish oral folklore and mythology. The period saw growing calls for independence, especially after Russia began restricting Finnish autonomy in the early 20th century.

Independent Finland

Finland declared independence on December 6, 1917, following the Russian Revolution. A brief but bitter civil war followed in 1918 between the Reds (leftist labor movement) and the Whites (conservative government forces). During World War II, Finland fought two wars against the Soviet Union—the Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944)—managing to maintain its independence despite significant territorial losses. Post-war Finland transformed from an agrarian society into a modern industrialized nation. Finland joined the European Union in 1995 and adopted the euro in 2002. Today, Finland is consistently ranked among the world's most stable, free, and prosperous countries.

Finnish culture & traditions every traveler should know

Finnish Language

Finnish (Suomi) belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family and is not related to the Indo-European languages spoken in most of Europe. It's known for its melodic quality and logical structure. Finnish has 15 grammatical cases and words can become extremely long through the addition of suffixes. While Finnish is the mother tongue of about 87% of Finns, Swedish is also an official language. English is widely spoken, especially among younger generations. The Sami languages, spoken in Lapland, are recognized minority languages. Finnish expressions like "sisu" (determination and resilience) and "kalsarikännit" (drinking at home in your underwear with no intention of going out) offer insights into the national character.

Art & literature in Finnish culture

Finland's cultural expressions are deeply connected to nature and national identity. Architect Alvar Aalto pioneered modernism with a distinctly Finnish approach, using natural materials and organic forms. Composer Jean Sibelius created symphonic works that captured Finland's natural landscapes and national spirit. Author Tove Jansson created the beloved Moomin characters, which have become cultural ambassadors worldwide. Contemporary Finnish design, from Marimekko textiles to Iittala glassware, combines functionality with aesthetic beauty. Finland's vibrant contemporary art scene includes installations that often engage with issues of sustainability and the relationship between humans and nature.

Finnish cuisine: What to eat & drink

Finnish cuisine emphasizes pure, fresh ingredients from forests, lakes, and the sea:

• Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies - rice-filled rye pastries typically served with egg butter)
• Kalakukko (fish baked inside a loaf of bread)
• Ruisleipä (traditional Finnish rye bread, a staple of the diet)
• Grillimakkara (grilled sausage, especially popular during summer)
• Salmiakki (salty licorice candy, an acquired taste for non-Finns)

Berries feature prominently in Finnish cuisine, with forests offering bilberries, cloudberries, and lingonberries. Coffee culture is important—Finns consume more coffee per capita than any other nation. The craft beer scene has exploded in recent years, while traditional spirits include Koskenkorva vodka and Lakka, a cloudberry liqueur.

Sauna culture

The sauna is Finland's most significant cultural institution and a key to understanding Finnish society. With approximately 3.3 million saunas for 5.5 million people, the sauna is considered a necessity rather than a luxury. Traditionally, saunas were places for physical and spiritual cleansing, and even childbirth. The authentic Finnish sauna experience involves alternating between the hot sauna (typically 80-100°C) and cooling off outdoors, often with a dip in a lake—even in winter through holes cut in the ice. Sauna etiquette emphasizes equality and respect; in the sauna, social hierarchies disappear. For visitors, public saunas in Helsinki like Löyly offer accessible ways to experience this cornerstone of Finnish culture.

Top places to visit in Finland

Helsinki: Essential sights in Finland's capital

The capital city blends neoclassical grandeur with cutting-edge design:

• Senate Square: The heart of Helsinki's historic center, featuring the iconic Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, and University of Helsinki main building.
• Suomenlinna: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this sea fortress spread across six islands offers a glimpse into Finnish history along with beautiful maritime views.
• Design District: A creative hub featuring Finnish design shops, museums, galleries, and the renowned Design Museum.
• Temppeliaukio Church: The "Rock Church" excavated directly into solid rock, known for its distinctive architecture and exceptional acoustics.
• Oodi Library: A modern architectural masterpiece that redefines what a public library can be, representing Finland's commitment to education and community spaces.

Lapland: Finland's northern wonderland

Finnish Lapland covers nearly a third of the country and offers extraordinary seasonal experiences. In winter, visitors come for the Northern Lights, which are visible on about 200 nights per year, along with dog sledding, reindeer safaris, and ice hotels. Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, is the "official hometown" of Santa Claus, with Santa Claus Village open year-round. Summer brings the midnight sun, with 24 hours of daylight for hiking, fishing, and enjoying the pristine wilderness. Lapland is also home to the indigenous Sami people, with opportunities to learn about their culture and reindeer herding traditions.

Turku

Finland's oldest city and former capital offers a journey through Finnish history. Turku Castle, dating from the 1280s, is one of Finland's most important historical buildings. The beautiful Turku Archipelago, consisting of over 20,000 islands and islets, offers perfect opportunities for sailing, kayaking, or cycling. Every year on Christmas Eve, the "Declaration of Christmas Peace" is read from the balcony of Brinkkala Mansion, a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages.

Lakeland

Finland's lake district lives up to the country's nickname, "Land of a Thousand Lakes" (though Finland actually has over 188,000 lakes). The region offers quintessential Finnish experiences: cottage life, saunas, swimming, fishing, and boating. The town of Savonlinna hosts a world-renowned opera festival each summer in the medieval Olavinlinna Castle. Nearby Punkaharju Ridge, a narrow esker formation running between lakes, offers one of Finland's most iconic landscapes.

Åland Islands

This autonomous archipelago between Finland and Sweden has a distinct culture and identity, with Swedish as its official language. The demilitarized, self-governing region consists of 6,700 islands, though only about 60 are inhabited. Mariehamn, the capital, features maritime museums highlighting the islands' seafaring history. The islands are perfect for cycling, with relatively flat terrain and scenic routes connecting quaint villages and red granite shorelines.

Natural wonders & landscapes of Finland

• Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis): Best seen in Lapland between September and March, these spectacular natural light displays occur on approximately 200 nights per year.
• Midnight Sun: Above the Arctic Circle in summer, the sun doesn't set for several weeks, creating a magical experience of perpetual daylight.
• Koli National Park: The view from Ukko-Koli hill over Lake Pielinen is considered Finland's national landscape, inspiring generations of artists.
• Archipelago Sea: The world's largest archipelago by number of islands, with over 40,000 islands and skerries between Finland and Sweden.
• Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park: Finland's third-largest national park offers some of Europe's cleanest air and unspoiled wilderness.

Fascinating Facts About Finland

Finland has been ranked the happiest country in the world for six consecutive years (2018-2023) according to the World Happiness Report.

Finns consume more coffee per capita than any other nation, averaging 12 kg per person annually.

Finland is the most forested country in Europe, with forests covering 74% of its land area.

The Finnish language has no future tense, reflecting a cultural tendency to focus on the present rather than making detailed future plans.

The concept of "everyman's right" allows anyone to roam freely in nature, gather berries and mushrooms, and fish with a simple rod and line, regardless of land ownership.

Finnish contributions to world culture

• The sauna as a global wellness practice
• SMS text messaging (the first commercial SMS message was sent over the Radiolinja network in Finland)
• Linux operating system (created by Linus Torvalds)
• The game Angry Birds (developed by Finnish company Rovio)
• The circular economy concept (Finland is a global leader in sustainable design)