Finland

Finland is home to the happiest people on Earth. Perhaps it’s because they have the cleanest air on the planet or more forested land than the UK or Italy. Or maybe it’s the 187,888 lakes and miles and miles of trails for hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing. Maybe it’s just because they drink the most coffee in the world, which also explains why there are remote backcountry cafes on the trails. It might be as simple as Finland being the official home of Santa Claus. No matter the reason, it’s hard to visit Finland and leave unhappy. Now, if we can only figure out their obsession with heavy metal and angry birds.

Table of Contents

$$-$$$$
Language(s)

Finnish and Swedish

Currency

Euro

Exercise Increased Caution
Summer Winter
Helsinki 71 17
Oulu 69 7
Rovaniemi 67 6
Outlets
Type-C
Type-F

Fun Facts

  • The Finns drink the most coffee in the world
  • Finland has over two million saunas 
  • Finnish ants nest sitting competitions are a thing
  • Finland has the most heavy metal bands per capita in the world
  • Finland is the world’s happiest country (according to The World Happiness Report)
  • Finland has the world’s cleanest air
  • Finnish is part of the Uralic language family (like Hungarian)
  • There are 187,888 lakes in Finland
  • Most Finnish children have two birthday parties (one for friends and one for family)
  • 74% of the country is forested (more area than the UK or Italy)
  • Suomi is Finnish for Finland
  • There are more reindeer than people in Finnish Lapland
  • Levi recognizes five seasons of winter

Bucket-List Activities

  • Chase the Northern Lights
  • Hike the Hetta-Pallas Trail under the midnight sun
  • Ski to a backcountry café
  • Sauna (and then jump in a frozen lake)
  • Sleep in a glass igloo
  • Ride the world’s only sauna gondola in Ylläs
  • Stay at the SnowCastle of Kemi
  • Kayak Oulanka National Park

Natural Wonders

  • The frozen waterfalls of Korouoma Canyon (Posio)
  • Lake Pielinen (Finland’s most famous landscape – Koli National Park)
  • Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park (Cleanest air in the world – Enontekiö, Kittilä, Kolari and Muonio)
  • Lake Saimaa (the longest coastline in the world – southeastern Finland)

Major Attractions

  • Suomenlinna Fortress (Helsinki)
  • Kauppatori and Esplanadi (Helsinki)
  • Santa Claus Village (Rovaniemi)
  • The Design District (Helsinki)
  • Northern Lights (Lapland)
  • Åland Archipelago (Åland)
  • Medieval towns (Turku)
  • Olavinlinna Castle / Lake Saimaa (Savonlinna)

Native Foods

  • Long Drinks (citrus soda with a liquor kick)
  • Karjalanpiirakka (rice pies)
  • Poronkaristys (sauteed reindeer)
  • Lihapullat (Finnish meatballs)
  • Mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie)
  • Leipäjuusto (bread cheese)
  • Kalakukko (fish pie)
  • Korvapuusti (cinnamon buns)
  • Graavilohi (cured salmon)
  • Salmiakki (salty liquorice)
  • Ruisleipa (rye bread)

General Travel Tips

Common Phrases

  • Hei – Hello
  • Näkemiin – Goodbye
  • Kyllä – Yes
  • Ei – No 
  • Kiitos – Thank you
  • Ei kestä – You are welcome: 
  • Anteeksi– Excuse me: 
  • Nimeni on … – My name is …
  • Hauska tavata – Nice to meet you
  • Hotelli – Hotel: 
  • Anteeksi, en puhu suomea – I’m sorry, I don’t speak Finnish
  • Lentokenttä – Airport
  • Rautatieasema – Train station
  • Bussiasema – Bus station
  • Lippu – Ticket
  • kalsarikannit – drinking beer in your underwear with no intention of going out (not a common travel phrase, but it leads to)
  • Krapula – hangover (used in a sentence, I feel like krapula)
  • Helsinki/ Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL ✈✈✈✈) – The capital city and start to most Finland trips
  • Oulu / Oulu Airport (OUL ✈✈✈) – the most populous city in Northern Finland
  • Rovaniemi / Rovaniemi Airport (RVN ✈✈✈) – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus on the Arctic Circle in Lapland
  • Turku / Turku Airport (TKU ✈✈) – The most traditional medieval town in Finland
  • Kittilä / Kittilä Airport (VAA ✈✈) – Gateway to Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park and Levi Fell
  • Vaasa / Vaasa Airport (VAA ✈✈) – Home to Tropiclandia Water Park
  • Kuopio / Kuopio Airport (KUO ✈✈)- Gateway to Tahkovuori
  • Tampere / Tampere-Pirkkala Airport (TMP ✈✈) – A large city between Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake
  • Ivalo / Ivalo Airport (IVL ✈✈) – The gateway to Saariselkä
Levi Husky Park - A Photo Essay of Finnish Lapland's Animal Stars

Levi Husky Park - A Photo Essay of Finnish Lapland's Animal Stars

Do you want to get close to some furry film stars, visit local wildlife, and learn what it takes to be a champion sled dog? Levi Husky Park invites you…
The 8 Most Unusual Places to Sauna in Finland

The 8 Most Unusual Places to Sauna in Finland

Finnish sauna culture is alive and well! But why sauna ordinary when you can sauna extraordinary? That's why we're bringing you the eight most unusual places to sauna in Finland!
Our (Failed) Quest to Capture the Midnight Sun

Our (Failed) Quest to Capture the Midnight Sun

"Photography is the story I fail to put into words" - D Sparks. We spent three sleepless nights trying to capture the midnight sun during a recent trip to Finland.…
15 Reasons to Visit Lapland in the Summer

15 Reasons to Visit Lapland in the Summer

Many people spend their summers in Lapland enjoying fresh air and expansive nature under the midnight sun. The Finnish summer holds far more delights, from delicious food and unique accommodations…
Timeless Magic Under the Midnight Sun in Finnish Lapland

Timeless Magic Under the Midnight Sun in Finnish Lapland

Join us on a journey to Finnish Lapland, known in summer as the land of the midnight sun because of the 45 days of continual sunlight in June and July.…

WE ARE EXCITED TO SHARE OUR JOURNEY WITH YOU!

JOIN THE CONCIERGE CLUB FOR BEHIND THE SCENES CONTENT, OUR LATEST POSTS, AND MORE… STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX!

Newsletter Signup

Table of Contents

Meet Ed & Jenn

Hi! We are Jenn and Ed Coleman, and together we are Coleman Concierge. It is our goal to inspire you to get out, expand your world, and to seek adventure, even in your own backyard.

We deeply believe in the transformational power of travel. Our tagline is amazing adventures for ordinary people because we believe that you don’t have to be super rich, super fit or super anything to have an amazing adventure. Expanding your comfort zone and trying new things will pay huge dividends in both health and happiness.

We advocate for sustainable and ethical travel and truly believe in the power of travel to transform both ourselves as well as the world around us.

NEVER MISS ANOTHER ADVENTURE! JOIN THE CONCIERGE CLUB!

Get our latest travel tips and posts straight to your inbox and start planning your next adventure.

Newsletter Signup

Proud Media Members of:

North American Travel Journalists Association

Adventure Travel Trade Association

International Food Wine and Travel Writers Association

Society of American Travel Writers

Impact Travel Alliance

Your Journey Begins Today

Get our latest travel tips and posts straight to your inbox and start planning your next adventure.

Newsletter Signup