Finland

A trip to Finland is easily arranged at any time of the year, as the country has an almost unlimited number of things to see and do for travellers of all ages. You can focus on enjoying the lively culture, shopping and museums of the Finnish cities, or go on an adventure holiday to Lapland’s breathtaking natural surroundings. Meet Santa Claus, or explore the beautiful Finnish archipelago, for example, by bicycle or on a cruise.

Finland has excellent transport links throughout the country, so it is easy to find an inexpensive trip to any Finnish destination at any time. The country has a comprehensive railway network, and places that are inaccessible by train are easy to reach by bus or private car, or by sea. There are numerous airports around the country, so you can save time by using a plane to get closer to your destination. This is a quick and popular mode of holiday travel to more distant parts of Finland, for example from Southern Finland to the fells of Lapland.

An interesting city break in Finland can be enjoyed anywhere in the country, with cities of different sizes found in every area, from the southernmost extremity of Finland to the most northern. Southern Finland holds the country's largest cities, including the capital, Helsinki, which has the widest range of museums, as well as major children's favourites such as Linnanmäki amusement park and Helsinki Zoo. Southern Finland has cities to suit every taste, including the historic city of Turku and the beautiful and youthful city of Tampere on the banks of the Aura River, a university centre packed with culture. While travelling in Southern Finland, you should definitely explore the wonderful archipelago and the life of the Åland Islands.

Besides the great cities of the south, there are excellent city destinations all over the country, each with its own absolutely unique culture derived from the local history of its region. You can explore Ostrobothnian history and culture, for example, in Oulu, Vaasa and Seinäjoki. The largest cities of Eastern Finland are Kuopio, Joensuu and Mikkeli. The cities of Lapland include Rovaniemi, where you can visit Santa Claus Village, the great favourite of children and the young at heart, as well as Tornio and Kemi, where you can experience the unique atmosphere of Lapland on your city holiday.

Besides city tourism, Finland offers unique opportunities for nature travel and active holidays. The fells of Lapland offer various opportunities for cross-country and downhill skiing for winter sports enthusiasts of all levels, and the chance to fall in love with the unique scenery of Lapland, for instance by hiking among the colours of an arctic autumn. The year-round sports and natural attractions worth visiting in Lapland include the Rukatunturi area in Kuusamo and Lemmenjoki National Park in the gold-mining area. Outside Lapland, other ways to experience the natural environment of Finland include cycling the Archipelago Trail or hiking in the beautiful natural landscape of Finnish Lakeland.

In Finland, you can admire the distinctive cultures of the cities, find different ways to enjoy an active holiday or just take a breather in the clean and pure environment. Spend your own kind of holiday exploring the wonderful possibilities that Finland can offer.