Have you already decided how you will spend the New Year holidays? Traditional entertainment, gift exchanges, and a festive table? Why not do something unusual this year and immerse yourself in the magical atmosphere of a winter fairy tale? Finland is the perfect place for this! This northern country, bathed in the glow of the northern lights and covered in a fluffy blanket of snow, has many amazing places that can give you unforgettable experiences. We invite you to discover the top 10 attractions in Finland.
- Veijo Renkkanen Sculpture Park: mysticism with a Finnish flavor
In the town of Parikkala, not far from the Russian-Finnish border, there is a place that will leave no one indifferent — the park of concrete sculptures by self-taught artist Veijo Renkkanen. Five hundred life-size figures frozen in different poses and with different facial expressions stand in the middle of a dense forest. Some of them even have real human teeth, provided by the sculptor’s dentist friends. According to tourists, the place is a little creepy, but very interesting.
- The Åland Islands: alone with nature
A picturesque archipelago is located between Finland and Sweden. Here, ten thousand small islands “huddle” around the main island of Åland. In the largest city of the islands, Mariehamn, there are regular folk festivals and a maritime museum.
A small but discerning number of tourists are attracted here by the stunning scenery, the opportunity to fish to their heart’s content, and to experience the authentic flavor of Scandinavia. You can book a fishing trip to the Åland Islands with us.
So if you need to recharge your batteries in a peaceful but atmospheric place, welcome to the Åland Islands. You can get here by ferry, car, or plane from Helsinki and Turku.
- Koli National Park: beauty at every turn
This is not just a national park, it is the quintessence of Finnish beauty! From the top of Mount Ukko-Koli, you can admire the fantastic view of the hills, Lake Pielinen, and the pine forests. It is said that this is where composer Jean Sibelius wrote the Finnish national anthem.
Thrill seekers can tickle their nerves by descending into a cave with the wonderful name “Devil’s Church.” And there’s no need to mention the hiking trails, barbecue spots, and fishing spots — you just have to see it with your own eyes! Head to North Karelia for beauty.
- Finnish Lapland: visit Santa Claus, elves, and reindeer
Most of the autonomous region is located above the Arctic Circle, which means you are guaranteed to feel like you are in a New Year’s fairy tale.
There are so many interesting things here that we don’t know where to start. Visit the world’s only official residence of Santa Claus, open all year round? Go on a reindeer or dog sled ride? Admire the northern lights? Go snowmobiling? The choice is yours! Or better yet, do it all at once!
The fastest and most convenient way to get to Lapland is by direct charter flight from Kyiv to Rovaniemi, offered by tour operators specializing in Scandinavia. View tours to Lapland
- Oulanka National Park: it has its own unique atmosphere!
We can’t stop admiring Finnish nature! Oulanka will leave you speechless: rugged cliffs, ancient forests, turbulent rivers — it’s like Alaska and Canada rolled into one.
The park’s highlight is the famous 80-kilometer Bear’s Circle hiking trail. It is designed for a 5-6-day hike. Get ready to encounter lynx, wolverines, or bears! Oulanka is located in northern Finland.
- Lake Saimaa: pure bliss!
Saimaa is Finland’s largest lake, connected by a canal to the Gulf of Finland. This canal is a popular cruise route. During the cruise, you can admire the cliffs and the smooth surface of the water, see the cities on the shores of Saimaa — Mikkeli, Savonlinna, and Lappeenranta — and watch the locks in action. One of the local curiosities is floating — swimming in the cold lake water in special wetsuits.
- Savonlinna: the Venice of Finland
40% of this city in eastern Finland is covered by water: it is surrounded by rivers and seas. History lovers will enjoy the colorful 15th-century Olavinlinna Castle.
The famous Savonlinna Opera Festival is also held here, so classical music lovers are sure to be inspired by the artistic atmosphere.
- Porvoo: chocolate, poetry, and old barns
Here you will stroll along narrow cobbled streets, gaze at huge barns along the river, painted scarlet, and think about how it was here in 1809 that Finland was proclaimed part of Russia, its Grand Duchy.
Oh, and one more little detail: you will be eating the famous Brunberg chocolates straight from the factory and reading poetry, because Porvoo has a museum dedicated to the famous Finnish poet Runeberg.
- Turku: the spirit of Christmas is born here!
This port city on the Archipelago Sea attracts tourists like a magnet with its well-preserved 13th-century castle, beautiful cathedral, and open-air museum of folk crafts, Luostarinmakki. Need more reasons to come here? Turku is the oldest city in the country. It also has amazing Christmas markets, and it is here that Finland’s main Christmas tree is erected.
- Helsinki: you can’t go anywhere without the capital!
The coldest capital in the world, a city standing on three hundred islands, the most festive city in Scandinavia — all this is Helsinki.
Travelers visit museums (Kiasma and Ateneum alone are worth it!), admire the Suomenlinna fortress, the Cathedral, the monument to composer Jean Sibelius made of metal tubes, and squeal with delight at the famous Linnanmäki amusement park. And in between all this, they drink delicious coffee with Faser chocolate or enjoy a venison steak.
And all tourists agree on one thing: Finland is definitely worth spending your vacation on. The country “charges” you with its luxurious nature, a skillful combination of traditions and innovations, the good nature of the locals, and most importantly, a belief in the Christmas miracle! Isn’t that what we all need?