17 Reasons to Visit Finland in 2017

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17 Reasons to Visit Finland in 2017

17 Reasons to Visit Finland in 2017

Finland is a little hidden gem located far up North.
While we might be small in size, we’re big in things to discover.

Our air is one of the cleanest in the world and landscapes are second to none. We are a country of thousands of lakes and forests – which are never far away from wherever you are. Wish to pay a visit to Santa, admire the Northern Lights or experience the peace of the countryside & cottage life?

When you think you’ve seen and experienced it all, it’s time to explore us. Lonely Planet did and listed us as one of the TOP 3 travel destinations for 2017.

Please enjoy our list of 17 reasons to come to Finland in 2017.

About Finland

Full of interesting contrasts, such as the four seasons, the Midnight Sun and winter darkness, urban and rural, East and West.

About Finland

Centenary

Join us in Celebrating Finland’s Centennial in 2017. The theme for our 100 years of Independence is ‘Together’. What identifies us, what are we proud of – and where we are heading to.

Come along and explore all that Finland has to offer on this celebratory year, from diverse events and good vibes to experiencing the beautiful nature that is always close by.
National Parks

There are 39 national parks in Finland, and in 2017, when Finland celebrates its 100 years as an independent country, the 40^th national park will be inaugurated. They’re scattered around the country’s archipelago, lakes, forests, peat lands and fells, and showcase the areas’ various natural characteristics, such as rapids, rift valleys and eskers.
Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands and great green parks. The city’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active. Located between East and West, the northern capital of Helsinki is full of surprises just waiting to be discovered.

The coast of Helsinki offers a new attraction this year, as the island of Vallisaari is finally open for public. With lots of unspoilt nature, the island is the perfect destination for a day out.
Northern Lights

The thrill of witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. The Northern Lights are visible on roughly 200 nights a year – or every other clear night – in Finnish Lapland. Catching the magical phenomenon requires clear and dark skies and a viewing spot not affected by light pollution, like street lights and neon signs.

This year you can take admiring the Northern Lights to the next level, as several northern destinations will open new and unique accommodation options where you can admire spectacular views over the Northern skies in a nest-like atmosphere. Check out TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, Aurora Dome in Muonio and Glass Villas in Kemi.
Santa Claus

Santa Claus is known and loved all over the world. But did you know he comes from Finland and that it is possible to meet him in person? Open each day of the year in the city of Rovaniemi, children and adults can visit Santa’s office, enjoy a private chat with him and revel in the enchanted atmosphere. As we all know, Santa’s annual mission is to deliver happiness around the world with the help of his team of furry reindeer friends.
StopOver

Fancy a peaceful break while traveling between continents? In 2017 Finland is the best place to take time to stop and breathe.

Finland’s location in the crossroads of West and East provides a great opportunity for travellers to experience Finland en route to or from Europe. Our StopOver option provides passengers time to explore Finland from 5 hours to 5 days with endless possibilities to build your itinerary. Whether you prefer hiking in Lapland or spending a few hours shopping and checking the sights in Helsinki – everything is possible.
Winter Activities

Finland is the ultimate winter wonderland with endless possibilities to quench your thirst for any kind of winter activity. Whether you prefer to cruise down the fells of Lapland, make your way through magical landscapes with a pack of huskies or taking a slow snowshoe hike in the forest – we got it.

In 2017 Lahti will organise the skiing Centenary World Championships, something that one-hundred-year-old Finland is very proud of. The centennial and the all-time seventh World Championships in the same location will be a true once-in-a-lifetime event.
Sauna Culture

If you want to understand Finland and its people, getting familiar with the sauna is a good starting point. Sauna is such a big part of Finnish culture it can’t be compared to anything else.

The Allas Sea Pool is a new spa complex inspired by the historic spa heritage of the Baltic Sea. You can enjoy new sauna experiences beside the sea in a cool urban milieu all year round.

The Löyly Design Sauna was recently opened just a short distance from the city centre on the southern tip of the Helsinki peninsula. The modern complex also has a restaurant serving the finest Finnish cuisine, while the contemporary wooden building is an attraction on its own.
Moomins

Moomins are probably the most known and adored Finnish icon, if not before, then right after Santa Claus. The white, hippo-like Moomins are Finnish literature characters created by the much‐loved Swedish‐speaking Finn, writer and artist Tove Jansson in the 1940’s.

A new Moomin Museum, maintained by Tampere Art Museum, will open at Tampere Hall on June ^17th, 2017. It is the only museum of Moomin art in the world. It will have a unique collection of Tove Jansson’s works exhibited in a modern, multi-sensory way.
Finnish Design

Finnish design isn’t just something you see — it’s something you experience. Finnish culture and a strong craft tradition have brought up some of the world’s most impressive designs, designers, and design-related brands.

In 2017 we will continue our love affair with Finnish brands such as Marimekko, Iittala, Arabia and Artek that have enriched our everyday lives for decades, without forgetting the nation’s fresh, emerging design scene.
Wild food

The pièce de résistance regarding Finnish food products is the surprising fact that they are often completely free of charge and have grown in the wild. Finnish berries and fruits are packed with sweet flavors as well as healthy vitamins and flavonoids. Finns scour the vast forests for these delicious treasures along with tasty mushrooms and fresh wild herbs.

If you don’t have time to pick your own, you can tickle your taste buds in any of the numerous restaurants serving wild food on their menus.
Silence and Peace

In the rush and crush of modern life, the rarities are what we value most, such as space, quiet and time. Space to breathe, time to dream. You can find these treasures in Finland, where the lakes are many and the people are few.

A handful of pure nature, a pinch of Finnish sauna, a spoonful of traditional treatments, serve with wild food and add light activities to taste – equals extreme relaxation.
The Cleanest Air

The air in Finland is the third cleanest in the world, according to a recent study by WHO, and one of the very cleanest parts of the world can be found in Finnish Lapland. For example, the Finnish Meteorological Institute FMI’s measurement station in Pallas (also a national park) is one of the places that measures the cleanest air in the world.
Locals

If you’ve ever met a Finn, chances are they’ve mentioned the reserved nature of their countrymen. Fear not – we’re not taciturn brutes! Finns are talkative, hospitable and warm-hearted folks. We Finns are pretty peculiar people and secretly enjoy conveying that image of ourselves, even if it’s not always true. A Finn will tell tall tales with a straight face, giggle internally and go on until the stories just get too much for anyone to believe.
Wildlife

These pristine and picturesque landscapes provide habitat for many wild animals and birds including magnificent bears, reindeer, lynx, eagles, and swans, as well as the world’s rarest seal. Birdwatchers flock to Finland to find species that are hard to spot anywhere else in Europe.

If you go to the woods today in most parts of Finland, a big surprise encounter with a bear is very unlikely. But for anyone keen to join an organised trip to see and photograph wild bears, the densely forested borderlands of Eastern Finland are an ideal destination in 2017.
Culture

A packed nationwide calendar of cultural events and festivals add to the attraction of exploring Finland’s smaller towns and cities. Cultural festivals of every conceivable kind, held right across the country, are the perfect creative supplement to Finland’s prime asset – its expansive, unspoiled natural environment. Many festivals also use lakes, forests and seasonal extremes as an exciting backdrop.

Thanks to our Centennial celebration there will be no lack of cultural happenings and events across Finland.
Finnish Theme Days

Finland is an innovative country where creativity meets proactivity. A great example of this is our globally known Restaurant Day, when anyone can set up a restaurant, anywhere. This means ordinary people get to play chefs and sommeliers for a change, resulting in a whole lot of fun for everyone.

We also welcome newcomers to the Finnish theme day scene, Sauna Day and Nature Days.

Activities

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Autumn and Spring – the Best Aurora Seasons

Even though many people associate the aurora with cold and snowy winter scenery, the most active seasons are actually autumn and spring when the earth’s orientation towards the sun maximises the probability of solar flares interacting with the planet’s magnetic field to generate this phenomenon.

Celebrating with a Finnish Twist

Whether it is Easter, Midsummer or the 1st of May Finns always put a special touch to their national holidays. You're welcome to celebrate with us!

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The Official
Travel Guide of Finland

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17 Reasons to Visit Finland in 2017