From the endless daylight in summer to the dark and silent days of the polar winter, Finland is a country of contrasts.
- Capital: Helsinki.
- Currency: Euro.
- Official language: Finnish and Swedish.
- Religion: Christianity.
- Government: Parliamentary Republic.
- Time zone: UTC + 2:00.
- Main cities: Helsinki, Tampere, Turku and Oulu.
Discover Finland
Finland isn't really Scandinavian, not part of the Baltic countries, or even part of Eastern Europe. It is considered to be the black sheep of Northern Europe. Famous for Santa Claus, Nokia and saunas, Finns really like to sit in a heated box and, upon reaching the boiling point, run outside and roll in the snow.
They are crazy about sports and produce some of the best functional designs in the world. Considered quiet and reserved, the closer you are to a Finnish person, the more you discover that you are a warm, sincere and hospitable person.
Although known for technological advances and progressive urban solutions, most Finns like to be close to nature, taking advantage of the nearly 200,000 lakes. Outdoor activities are not lacking!
Culturally, Finland is a unique mix of East and West. Society moves to a Western beat, spicing it up with oriental tones. Here, hip hop and balalaikas, rock & roll and army choirs, as well as cellos and heavy metal, should merge. Because there's nothing like Finland.
When is the best time to visit Finland?
It depends on the experience sought. For many winter and snow activities, between December and March is the best time to visit. For a less cold period, the visit between April and May, with the spring sun and the rebirth of nature, can be spectacular. To take advantage of the long and hot summer days with many events, it is best to choose the trip in June, July or August.
Among the winter months, the month of March is the most suitable for visiting, when the country is still covered with snow, but the temperature is milder and the days are longer than in the other winter months.
At the height of winter, between December and February, visitors will find very short days (during the Christmas period the sun doesn't even rise in the north), with intense cold.
Summer isn't endless in Finland, but there are nearly endless summer days. In the middle of summer, at ten o'clock in the evening, the sun still shines in Helsinki and in Utsjoki, Lapland, a single summer day lasts more than two months. The sun just doesn't set!
Weather in Finland
Finland's climate is characterized by long, cold winters and short, mild and moderately rainy summers. Among the Scandinavian countries, Finland has the coldest climate, due to its proximity to Russia.
Winter is long and cold all over the country, lasting almost five months, even in Helsinki, which is in the extreme south. The temperature almost always stays below zero between November and March.
In Lapland, the northernmost part of Finland, the climate is cool for most of the year, with a short and intense summer. Winter (which in the Nordic countries is the season in which the temperature stays below zero) lasts seven months, from October to April.
What makes Finland special:
- Aurora Borealis
- Midnight Sun
- Finnish sauna
- Clean lakes
- Wild nature
- Ski resorts
- Finnish design
- Santa Claus
Top cities and attractions to visit in Finland
Helsinki
Helsinki is a modern city where more than 450 years of history and tradition are perfectly combined with design and contemporary trends. Cozy and compact, Helsinki is relaxed and relaxed compared to large European metropolises. Most tourist attractions and points of interest are within walking distance of each other. A third of the city is covered by green areas. In addition to sports, these areas offer great possibilities for outdoor activities.
Influences from the East and the West are present in the daily life of the city. Architecture, cuisine, design, and even local slang are evidence of a past under Russian and Swedish rule. Located on the Baltic Sea, Helsinki's coastline is about 100 kilometers long and has about 300 islands.
Lapland
Finnish Lapland in winter refers to an enchanted land, with snow activities, the Northern Lights and Santa Claus's house being its main attractions. Snow is guaranteed in Lapland and stays on the ground for up to six months a year. On clear winter nights, the green waves of the Northern Lights dance across the night sky in an unforgettable spectacle!
Have you ever thought about meeting the real Santa Claus? Discover the answer while visiting Santa Park in Rovaniemi and Santa's Resort in Saariselka.
Aurora Boral
One of Finland's most notable features is light. When the endless summer sun gives way to dark winter, the magical northern lights illuminate the sky.
The farther north, the greater the chances of spotting the Aurora Borealis. In Finnish Lapland, the Aurora Borealis can appear on 200 nights a year. In Helsinki and the south, Aurora can be seen in about 20 nights, only in winter and away from the city lights.
Midnight Sun
In Lapland, the midnight sun compensates for the light that the polar night lost during winter. In the Arctic Circle, where the capital of Lapland, Rovaniemi, is located, the sun graces the horizon from the beginning of June to the beginning of July. At Nuorgam, the northernmost tip of Finland, the sun stays in the sky for over 70 days.
Sami culture
The Sami are the only indigenous peoples in the European Union area. In Finland, the Sami population is approximately 9,000 people, and the preservation of their endangered language and culture is governed by an autonomous parliament in Inari, Finland. The Sami have a rich cultural heritage and are known for their close connection to the land in which they live.