Finland is known as the home of Santa Claus, but it also offers many other attractions. Let’s take a look at the 15 most beautiful places!
It shares land borders with Sweden, Norway, and Russia, and sea borders with Estonia. It is referred to as „the land of a thousand lakes”, though it actually has much more, around 180,000 lakes.
Table of Contents
The most beautiful places in Finland
Helsinki
Located on the Baltic Sea, it encompasses an archipelago of over 300 islands.
Helsinki is considered a stronghold of Neoclassicism. After being declared the capital in 1812, it was designed to model Saint Petersburg. The classical architectural ensemble around Senate Square includes the Helsinki Cathedral, built between 1830 and 1852, the old building of the Senate, and the central building of the University of Helsinki.
Art Nouveau also significantly marks the cityscape. Numerous examples can be discovered among the residential buildings of Katajanokka, Kruununhaka, or Eira. Some representative buildings, such as the Helsinki Central Station, the Finnish National Museum, or the Kallio Church, were constructed in the national romantic Art Nouveau style.
Famous attractions also include the Sibelius Monument and the Suomenlinna sea fortress, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rovaniemi
A city located on the Arctic Circle in Lapland, known as the official home of Santa Claus.
Eight kilometers from the city center, you can meet Santa Claus at Santa Park and even post your Christmas cards from Santa’s official post office.
Rovaniemi is an excellent starting point for husky and reindeer sleigh rides. The phenomenon of the northern lights also attracts numerous visitors, observable here up to 200 times a year, compared to just 20 times in Finland’s more southern regions.
Porvoo
Finland’s second oldest city, not far from Helsinki, is known for its beautiful old town.
One attraction is the well-preserved red wooden houses along the Porvoo River. These were once warehouses, now converted into comfortable apartments.
Another significant sight is the cathedral, initially built from wood and later from stone. Over time, it has been the venue for several significant events, such as the first Finnish Diet.
Åland
An archipelago in the Gulf of Bothnia belonging to Finland consists of over 6,500 islands, but about 60 are inhabited.
Tourism plays a significant role. The Kastelholm Castle is a well-preserved medieval fortress, and open-air museums, such as Jan Karlsgården, offer insights into the region’s history and cultural heritage. The Åland Islands are known for their fine local foods and drinks, among which local beers and ciders stand out.
Åland is connected to Sweden, Finland, and Estonia by regular ferry service. You can travel between the islands for free by ferry, and Sund can also be reached by bus or bicycle.
Rauma
Especially famous for two things: its well-preserved old town of wooden houses and its long and rich maritime and trading history.
Old Rauma, part of the World Heritage, has more than 600 historic buildings along narrow, winding streets. It is the largest and most uniform medieval wooden town in the Nordic countries.
The Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age burial site, also on the UNESCO World Heritage List, is worth mentioning.
Culture cannot be overlooked. The Rauma Art Museum showcases Finnish and international art. The city’s two well-known events are the Rauma Blues festival and Raumanmeren Juhannus (the Rauma Midsummer celebration).
Oulu
In the city located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Bothnia, you can find the world’s northernmost university.
One of the most well-known museums is also located here. Tietomaa („land of knowledge”) is a science museum featuring interactive exhibitions, making it interesting and entertaining for children as well. It was formerly a leather factory that has been cleverly converted.
In addition to many small beaches in the city, Nallikari Beach is particularly interesting. Here you’ll find the Eden Hotel, which includes a water park. Oulu is a popular wellness destination.
Every year, the Air Guitar World Championships are held here. If nothing else, this event certainly makes the city well-known. 🙂
Lemmenjoki National Park
Finland’s largest national park covers over 2,850 square kilometers and is one of Europe’s largest untouched wilderness areas.
Named after the Lemmenjoki River, which traverses the area, providing an important habitat for many wild animal species. The landscape is characterized by diverse terrain, vast forests, expansive marshlands, as well as numerous lakes and rivers.
Its special attraction lies in the Sámi culture and the traditional Sámi way of life. The Sámi, Europe’s northernmost indigenous people, have used this area for reindeer herding for a long time.
Kuopio
A city spread along the shores of Lake Kallavesi, serving as the capital of the North Savonia region.
Kuopio is the cultural center of Eastern Finland, boasting numerous museums, art galleries, and theaters. Significant cultural events include the dance festival and the wine festival.
When visiting, make sure to go up to the Puijo tower, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the city and the surrounding lake.
Hämeenlinna
One of the country’s oldest settlements, located on the shores of Lake Vanajavesi.
Its most significant historical attraction is the Häme Castle, a well-preserved medieval fortress built in the 13th century. It serves as a museum today, where visitors can learn about the region’s history and culture.
The Hämeenlinna Art Museum exhibits the works of Finnish and international artists. The city is the birthplace of Jean Sibelius, Finland’s greatest composer, whose memory is preserved by the Sibelius Birthplace Museum.
Turku
Finland’s oldest city was founded in the 13th century. For a long time, it was the country’s largest settlement and even served as the capital.
In its downtown, the cathedral stands as one of the most important symbols of the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Church. Another significant historical attraction is the castle, built in the 1280s, and one of Finland’s best-preserved medieval buildings.
Due to its location, it plays a vital role. It has excellent connections with several Western European countries, especially since 1940 with Stockholm across the Gulf of Bothnia.
Jyrävä Waterfall
Not among the tallest waterfalls, but its spectacular cascade and the surrounding wild landscape make it truly special.
Located in Oulanka National Park on a section of the Oulanka River, where the water’s powerful flow plunges into a deep gorge. Its height is about 9 meters and it continuously narrows as it reaches the bottom.
The waterfall is along the Pieni Karhunkierros trail. This popular hiking spot allows for an easy trek to discover the park’s other attractions as well.
Saimaa
The Saimaa lake system is located in the southeastern part, and it’s Europe’s fourth-largest freshwater lake system.
It spans over 4,400 square kilometers, with countless bays, islands, and canals, creating a unique natural environment. It’s popular among hikers, fishermen, kayakers, and sailors.
Punkaharju
This part, located within the Saimaa lake system, definitely deserves special mention.
The long, narrow ridge stretches for 10 km between the lakes, where Highway 14 and a railway line also run. Therefore, we can admire this beautiful area while traveling.
Tampere
The third most populous city after Helsinki and Espoo. Due to its industrial past, Tampere is often referred to as „the Manchester of Finland”.
Among its cultural attractions, the most famous is the country’s best-known open-air theater, Pyynikin kesäteatteri, located in Pyynikki Park. The revolving auditorium always moves parallel to the stage.
The Näsi Castle houses one of the country’s oldest museums, the Häme Museum, featuring local history and ethnographic materials alongside a Biblical history exhibition. Another interesting site is the Lenin Museum, in the building where he met with Stalin.
Yyteri
One of Finland’s most popular seaside resorts, located on the Gulf of Bothnia.
It has a continuous 6 km long sandy beach, which is one of the country’s longest and most spectacular coastlines. Near the shore, there are dunes of various shapes, worth taking a walk through.
