Finland tourism is on the rise. As word gets out about all that Finland travel has to offer, this relatively quiet European country is beginning to make a lot of noise in the international travel market. Regardless of when you choose to visit Finland, the variety of Finland attractions is sure to please, and though summertime is the peak Finland travel season, you’re bound to have a good time in the spring, fall, and winter as well. There has arguably been no better time to enjoy a Finland vacation, so plan yours today, and see for yourself what Finland is really all about.
From the Finland national parks to the many great museums, there is something for everyone here. Some of the best cathedrals and castles in Finland are also museums, and they are certainly among the top Finland attractions. In Helsinki alone, the Helsinki Cathedral and the Uspenski Cathedral beg a visit, and any trip to Savonlinna is worth it just to see the Olavinlinna Castle. Of course, one can not leave out the attractive city of Turku when considering the Finland castles, as the main one here was the administrative hub of the country when it was under Swedish rule. Finland was part of Sweden from the thirteenth century up until the early 1800s, when Russia assumed control after winning the Finnish War. The Finnish people managed to hold on to their identities and overall culture through both Swedish and Russian rule, and today, Finns are proud of their heritage and their history. Finland declared its independence from Russia in 1917, and today, Finnish citizens enjoy a quality of life that is almost without compare. Old traditions are slowly giving way to modern technology, of which Finland is at the forefront.
Travel in Finland is aided by the efficient and complete Finnish transportation network, which includes planes, buses, boats, and trains. Using these means of transportation, you can visit the Finnish archipelago in the south, explore the vast and scarcely-populated Lapland region in the north, or stop in the central part of the country to enjoy the lakes and rolling, forested hills. Each of these regions offers unique landscapes, and there are enough Finland national parks spread throughout the country to satisfy a number of outdoor sightseeing pursuits. While enjoying the national parks in Lapland, you will arguably see the most wildlife, as this is a land of bears, lemmings, wolves, wolverines, and reindeer. Yes, some 300,000 reindeer can be found in Lapland, and it is also the home to Santa Claus, according to many. Just outside of the Lapland provincial capital of Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village attracts scores of Finland vacationers, and it’s easily among the top Finland attractions. Anyone traveling with young kids will definitely want to consider a trip to Santa Claus Village, as it is almost priceless to see children’s faces when they meet Jolly St. Nicholas.
The Lapland region is a good place to enjoy another of the top Finland attractions—the Finnish Northern Lights. Best viewed in the winter, when the sun barely rises and an almost complete darkness settles in, the Finnish Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis, is a phenomenon that many visitors try to include on their Finland vacation itinerary. There are some unique Finland tours that include attempts at seeing the Finnish Northern Lights, and though you are never guaranteed to see them, your chances are pretty good up north. The opportunities to see the Northern Lights on a Finland vacation decrease in the summertime, which as opposed to winter, sees an unusual amount of daylight. In fact, come midsummer, 21 hours of daylight is the norm, so you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities long into the night when you enjoy Finland travel in the summer. Teeing it up for a round of Finnish golf at midnight in the summer is a golfing experience that you are not soon to forget.
