As Europe’s eighth-largest country, Finland has plenty to offer both city travelers and lovers of remote places. From foodie walks and husky sledding to hunting the Northern Lights, here are the best tours to take in Finland!
Traveling around Finland by train
The train is an easy and relatively cheap way to travel around Finland, especially if you have an Interrail or Eurail card in your pocket. The Finnish company’s rail network (called VR) covers most of Finland from Helsinki to the Arctic Circle. Just remember that Finland is not only one of Europe’s largest countries, but also the continent’s most sparsely populated area, meaning you’ll see plenty of forest scenery!
The railway takes you beyond the countryside to major cities like Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, Jyväskylä and Rovaniemi in the north. This eco-friendly way to travel around Finland allows you to relax and enjoy life. Take the train from Helsinki and in two hours you’ll be walking along the medieval streets of Turku on the west coast, take a day trip to the foodie town of Porvoo or head to Lapland.
Best Arctic Tours in Finland
Wintry Lapland is a magical land and one of the most memorable ways to see the vast white landscapes. You will sit on a sleigh pulled by beautiful blue-eyed dogs. There are many husky tours in Finland, such as Hetta Huskies or Hey Husky. A more traditional way to explore Lapland is on a reindeer sleigh. Wrap yourself under a blanket and let the snow fall on your face to enjoy the magical beauty of Lapland. In Finland, you can also book a snowmobile tour.
Serenity on a Slow Boat
Slow boats are one of the most unique and charming ways to explore Finland, especially in the Lakeland region of Lake Saimaa. Finnish Lakeland is Europe’s largest lake region. Many of the cities in Central Finland are dotted with interconnected lakes. You can take a slow boat tour to places like the historic town of Savonlinna or the charming harbor of Kuopio. You can even rent your own slow boat to sail right into the charming, pulsating heart of Finland. Starting from Savonlinna, there are about 4000 kilometers of marked waterways to explore, with over a hundred marinas with services and plenty of rural gourmet spots, as well as dozens of picturesque bays for a more secluded, independent cruise.
Best Chances to Spot the Northern Lights
The best time to see the Northern Lights in Finland is in spring and autumn. The clear, starry skies of Lapland mean that the colorful lights are visible almost every night. But to increase your chances of spotting the magical phenomenon, download the Auroras app to your phone or book a Northern Lights hunting tour. There are also plenty of hotels in Lapland that are designed to optimize your chances of spotting the Northern Lights.
A tour of Finnish culinary culture
To get acquainted with Finnish gourmet traditions and modern trends, try a food tour in Helsinki or any other major city in Finland. Tours will include visits to local market halls where you can find an abundance of typical Finnish flavors. Local guides will also help you understand the taste of salty sweets such as “salmiakki”. In the coastal city of Turku, you can also take your own walk with a visit to the special Turku Card. It costs 44 euros and allows you to visit five of the 10 restaurants included in the card.
Ice Tours to Finland
Finland has four seasons, with winter offering a variety of exotic activities for visitors. To impress your friends back home, why not try ice fishing or ice floe swimming. Picture this: a frozen lake with a hole in it, where you float on the icy water, wearing a bright orange suit. Finland just keeps getting cooler!
