Five Reasons Why Finland Should Be At The Top Of Your Travel List

Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or a foodie, Finland has so much to offer beyond the usual tourist spots. Of course, the Finland you experience will depend on the season you visit, but whatever the month, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

1. Hike through Finland’s nature parks

There’s nothing like taking in the fresh air (Finland has the third cleanest air in the world!) and hiking is made all the more possible when snow isn’t involved. The clear paths and moderate temperatures create opportunities for less serious hikers to take in all that nature has to offer.

Top tip: Check out Nuuksio National Park – a mere 45 minutes from Helsinki where even an hour-long hike along one of the main trails lets you experience the feeling of being in the wilderness. Or if you’re game to venture further out, try Koli National Park – atop Ukko-Koli hill is where you’ll find one of the most gorgeous views of Finland and one that has inspired many Finnish artists.

2. Bask in a sun that never sets

If you’ve ever wanted to bask in the glow of the sun all day long, you’ll be able to in Finland. In Helsinki, the sun doesn’t set for 24 hours, leading the Finns to coin it ‘the midnight sun’. While the Finns love their winters, summer holds a special place in their hearts too from mid-June to early July, where never-ending days aren’t just a dream – they’re a reality.

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3. Enjoy a sauna (or two)

To truly understand how to live life like a Finn, you'll have to visit a sauna. Regardless of the season, saunas are such a big part of Finnish culture and it’s an activity that can’t be compared to anything else.

Top tip: Try the Allas Sea Pool – a new spa complex inspired by the historic spa heritage of the Baltic Sea, or check out the Löyly Design Sauna – another incredibly aesthetic location that’s just a short walk from the city centre.

4. Eat Finnish delicacies that are almost impossible to pronounce

Finns are passionate about their food and they know how to celebrate it. In Finland, market stalls everywhere overflow with seasonal produce and local delicacies. Some of Finland’s most iconic foods include the Karjalanpiirakka, also known as Karelian pies that are made with rye flour and filled with potatoes, rice or carrots. A Finnish summer is also not complete without the Grillimakkara – thick, juicy sausages that are traditionally eaten with mustard and washed down with beer.

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5. Catch a glimpse of the northern lights

The thrill of witnessing the Aurora Borealis (also known as the northern lights) is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and in Finland between the months of September and March you’ve got a great chance of seeing them. The further north you go the better and try steer clear of bright lights and buildings. Also, hilltops and lake shores make good vantage points.

Finnair currently flies daily from Singapore to Helsinki non-stop and connects 19 cities in Asia with over 100 destinations in Europe on the fast Northern route, which is the shortest way between Europe and Asia.

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