For many foreigners, Finland, which, by the way, the Finns themselves call “Suomi,” is the birthplace of Santa Claus, who lives on Mount Korvatunturi in Lapland. However, most tourists do not come to Finland to meet Santa Claus - they are primarily interested in Finnish nature, fishing, and first-class Finnish ski resorts.
Geography of Finland
Finland is located in Scandinavia in northern Europe. Finland borders Sweden in the west, Norway in the north, and Russia in the east. The Gulf of Finland separates Finland from Estonia. In the west and south, Finland is washed by the Baltic Sea.
86% of Finland's territory is occupied by forest, which is dominated by pine, spruce and birch trees. The Finnish landscape is mostly plains and hills with some mountains. The largest peaks in Finland are Mount Halti (1,328 m) and Mount Ridnitsohkka (1,316 m).
Finland is a country of “a thousand islands and lakes”. Indeed, this is a true statement, because Finland has 179,584 islands and 187,888 lakes. The largest Finnish lake is Saimaa.
Most of the Finnish islands are located in the southwest of the Turku archipelago, and further from the coast are the Åland Islands.
Capital
The capital of Finland is Helsinki, which is now home to about 600 thousand people. Helsinki was founded by the Swedes in 1550.
Official language
Finland has two official languages – Finnish and Swedish. The Sami language has a special status in the country.
Religion
More than 78% of Finns are Lutherans (Protestants), belonging to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. More than 1% of the Finnish population consider themselves Orthodox Christians.
Government structure of Finland
According to the Constitution of 2000, Finland is a parliamentary republic, the head of which is the President, elected by direct universal suffrage for a 6-year term.
Legislative power belongs to the unicameral Parliament (Eduskunta), consisting of 200 deputies. Members of the Finnish Parliament are elected for 4 years.
The main political parties in Finland are the Social Democratic Party, the Real Finns Party, the Center Party, the Union of the Left, and the Green Party.
Climate and weather
Finland is located at the same latitudes as Siberia and Greenland, but in this Scandinavian country the climate is much milder due to air flows from the Atlantic. The climate in Finland is continental and maritime in coastal areas. Winters in Finland are cold with a lot of precipitation (snow), and summers are warm.
The warmest month in Finland is July (average air temperature +22C), and the coldest months are January and February (average air temperature -9C).
average temperature air in Finland:
- January – -8C
- February - -7C
- March - -5C
- April - +3C
- May - +11C
- June - +9C
- July - +14C
- August - +17C
- September - +15C
- October - +11C
- November – 0C
- December - -4C
Sea in Finland
In the west and south, Finland is washed by the Baltic Sea. The Gulf of Finland separates Finland from Estonia, and the Gulf of Bothnia separates Finland from Sweden. The temperature of the Baltic Sea largely depends on warm current Gulf Stream. The average water temperature of the Baltic Sea off the coast of Finland in winter is about 0C, and in summer - +15-17C.
Rivers and lakes
Finland is a country of “a thousand islands and lakes”. There are 179,584 islands and 187,888 lakes in Finland. The largest Finnish lake is Saimaa.
Many tourists come to Finland to go fishing. Finnish rivers and lakes contain large quantities of grayling, rainbow trout, pike, perch, and whitefish. There are a lot of salmon in the rivers of Lapland. To fish in Finland you need to get special permission(you need to pay a certain amount of money for this).
But, of course, fish in Finland are also caught in the Baltic Sea (perch, sea trout, salmon, whitefish).
History of Finland
People appeared on the territory of modern Finland back in the Stone Age. Around 5000 BC. people on the territory of modern Finland already knew how to make pottery. In 2500 BC. Agriculture appeared in the coastal areas of Finland. In the Bronze Age, the inhabitants of Finland had contacts with various tribes of Scandinavia, which is confirmed by archaeological finds.
Although Finland is located in Scandinavia, the ancestors of modern Finns can hardly be called Vikings. Historians include the military squads of the ancestors of modern Danes, Swedes and Norwegians as Vikings.
In 1155, the first missionaries from Sweden arrived in Finland, and the country became part of the Kingdom of Sweden.
In the 16th century, Swedish was the main language among the Finnish nobility, and Finnish was spoken by local peasants. During the Protestant Reformation, Finns gradually became Lutherans. In 1640, the first Finnish university was founded in Turku.
In the 18th century, as a result of two wars between Sweden and Russia, the territory of modern Finland was occupied by Russian troops.
In 1809, as a result of another war between Sweden and Russia, the lands of Finland became part of the Russian Empire.
On December 4, 1917, after the October Revolution in Russia of 1917, the Finnish Senate signed the Declaration of Finnish Independence, which was approved by Parliament on December 6. Thus the Republic of Finland was formed.
From November 1939 to March 1940, the Finnish-Soviet war continued, as a result of which Finland had to return part of its territory to the USSR. Wanting to return lost lands and acquire new territories, Finland entered the war against the USSR on the side of Germany in 1941. However, in 1944 Finland emerged from the war and made peace with the USSR.
In 1955, Finland became a member of the UN, and in 1991 it was admitted to the EU.
Culture
Finland is the birthplace of Santa Claus (aka Joulupukki, in Russia and Ukraine he is known as Father Frost). Every Finnish child is sure that Santa Claus lives on Mount Korvatunturi in the city of Savukoski in Lapland. There are a lot of reindeer in Lapland. In fact, why shouldn't Santa Claus live where his reindeer come from?
Finns celebrate Christmas from December 24th to 26th. A traditional Christmas dish is rice pudding.
Now Finnish Christmas traditions have already been borrowed from more than 140 different countries, and every year they become more and more popular.
Finnish cuisine
The main products of Finnish cuisine are fish, meat, mushrooms, potatoes, rye bread, vegetables, and dairy products. Swedish, German and Russian culinary traditions have had a noticeable influence on Finnish cuisine.
- Mammi – oven-baked porridge with milk and sugar;
- Kalakukko – fish baked in bread;
- Mustamakkara – blood sausage with lingonberry jam;
- Mykyrokka – soup with dumplings;
- Lihapullat – salmon fish soup;
- Perunamuusi – mashed potatoes;
- Leipäjuusto – cow cheese;
- Hernekeitto – dried pea soup;
- Kaalikääryleet – cabbage rolls with beef or pork.
Traditional alcoholic drinks in Finland are Lakka (berry liqueur), Kilju ("homemade" Finnish vodka), and Sahti beer.
Sights of Finland
The Finns have always been very careful about their history. Therefore, we advise tourists in Finland to definitely see:
Cities and resorts
The largest Finnish cities are Helsinki, Tampere, Vantaa, Espoo, and Turku.
Finland is known for its magnificent ski resorts. Every winter, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Finland to ski in this Scandinavian country. In our opinion, the top ten best Finnish ski resorts include the following:
- Levi
- Ruka (Hand)
- Pyha
- Yllas
- Talma (Talma)
- Himos (Himos)
- Tahko (Tahko)
- Pallas
- Ounasvaara
- Luosto
Souvenirs/shopping
Tourists from Finland usually bring products made of wood, glass, antlers and skins of deer, scissors, clothes, dishes, glassware, Sami hats with national ornaments, children's slippers from Lapland, Lapland folk dolls, Lapland sweaters and pullovers, plaid made of reindeer wool, Santa Claus figurines, Sami beads and bracelet, Finnish knives, Finnish fishing set, Finnish berry liqueur.
Office hours
The Republic of Finland is a good neighbor of Russia, Norway and Sweden and is located in northern Europe on the Scandinavian Peninsula. To the question of which sea washes Finland, there is only one answer - the Baltic. At the same time, the sea itself and its two bays – Bothnian and Finnish – participate in the formation of the country’s water boundaries.
Land of a Thousand Lakes
This is how numerous travel guides call Finland. In total, there are 190 thousand lakes in the country, which occupy almost 10% of the territory of the republic. There are almost two thousand rivers flowing into the lakes and seas of Finland.
Holidays on the islands
One of the most popular tourist destinations In Finland, holidays are considered to be on an archipelago located in the Baltic Sea. These islands are called Åland and represent real paradise for fans of fishing and solitude. You can get here by ferry from the capital, and a fishing license is usually ordered when booking a cottage for accommodation. Fishing on the Åland Islands in the Finnish Sea is possible in any season, the only difference is in the types of fish that bite or not depending on the time of year.
When asked what kind of seas are in Finland, experts will certainly answer - clean. In general, everything is in order with the environment in the northern state, the reason for which is strict state control over enterprises and production, and high consciousness local residents.
- Capital Åland Islands, Mariehamn is the third largest port city in the country.
- The long warm autumn in the archipelago is due to the fact that the Baltic Sea slowly releases the heat received in the summer months.
- In the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia, the salinity of the water is so low that freshwater fish live freely here.
- The length of the Gulf of Bothnia exceeds 700 km, and the width reaches 240. At the same time, the maximum depth is almost 300 meters, which makes it one of the deepest in Europe.
- The bottom of the Gulf of Bothnia in its northern part has risen by almost a meter over the last century. Scientists suggest that at this rate it will turn into a lake over the next 2000 years.
- IN Gulf of Finland There are two species of fish that are not found anywhere else in the world's water. We are talking about Baltic cod and herring.
- The average water temperature in the Gulf of Finland in the Helsinki area is +15 degrees in mid-summer and about 0 in winter.
Finland is located in Northern Europe.
In the north, the state borders with Norway, in the northwest with Sweden, and in the east with Russia.
The coasts of Finland are washed by the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Bothnia and the Gulf of Finland in the west and south.
On December 6, 1917, Finland became independent. In 2012, it was recognized as the “most stable country in the world” by the American Fund for Peace.
The smallest administrative unit in Finland is the municipality (or commune, or commune). In 2011 there were 336. Every year the number of municipalities is reduced due to their mergers.
The communities are united into 19 regions (or regions, provinces), which are governed by regional councils.
Next level administrative division- provinces that were governed by governors until 2010, and since 2010 have been under the jurisdiction of regional management agencies.
The most big cities in Finland - Helsinki, Tampere, Espoo, Vantaa, Oulu, Turku.
Capital |
Helsinki |
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Population |
5,408,917 people |
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Population density |
16 people/km 2 |
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Finnish, Swedish |
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Religion |
kuteranism, orthodoxy |
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Form of government |
mixed republic |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Internet domain zone |
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Electricity |
Some areas of Finland for the most part skerry boats, closed to the public and used for the needs of the navy.
Finnish steel companies - Outokumpu, FNsteel and others - are the largest suppliers of stainless steel in the world.
Climate and weather
The climate in the north of Finland is continental, in the rest of the country it is transitional from maritime to continental, temperate. Wherein Atlantic Ocean brings warm air masses to the country. All year round, westerly winds with cyclones blow across the country.
Winter in Finland is harsh. But the average temperature in winter and summer on Finnish territory greatly exceeds the temperature in eastern regions at the same latitudes. Precipitation is observed throughout the country throughout the year. In February, the average air temperature is -6 ºС, and in Lapland - -14 ºС. The average temperature in July is +14 ºС in the north and +17 ºС in the south.
Nature
The main part of Finland is lowland, but in the northeast there are mountains of medium height, reaching 1000 meters. The most high point Finland is located in the Scandinavian mountains in Lapland - Halti fjeld 1324 meters high.
Almost all Finnish rivers flow into the Baltic Sea. Only a few rivers in northern Finland flow into the Arctic Ocean. Finland is called the “land of thousands of lakes”: there are more than 190 thousand of them, and they occupy 9% of the entire territory. Mainly small lakes depth 5-20 meters. The most large lakes Finland - Päijänne (depth 93 meters), Saimaa, Oulujärvi, Inari.
There are about 2000 rivers in the country. Most local rivers are short in length, but they are full of waterfalls and rapids. The largest of them are Oulujoki, Tornionjoki, Kemijoki- located in the north.
In the direction from north to south, dense coniferous, mainly pine, forests in the center give way to sea coasts with a large number of medium-sized rocks and islands. In the very north are the almost treeless hills of Lapland.
35 created in Finland national parks, the largest of them are National Park Urho Kekkonen, Coastal Islands and Lemmenjoki.
Finland has a “everyone’s right to nature,” according to which every person is allowed to move freely within the national park.
Finnish forests are inhabited by foxes, moose, squirrels, otters, and muskrats. In the east there are lynx, wolf and bear. More than 250 species of birds live in Finland, including partridge, wood grouse, hazel grouse, and black grouse.
Attractions
The most attractive cities for tourists and rich in attractions in Finland are: Helsinki, Rauma, Turku, Kristinestad.
In the center of Helsinki you will find the famous Senate Square, surrounded by high majestic buildings, which together with the area make up a single architectural ensemble in the Empire style. On the square there is a monument to Emperor Alexander II, there is also Lutheran Cathedral and the University of Helsinki. A few steps from Senate Square is located Kauppatori - Market Square- the most crowded and lively place in the Finnish capital. Also worth a visit in Helsinki Assumption Cathedral, Sibelius monument, Finlandia Palace and carved into the rock church on Temppelinaukio square.
In the first capital of Finland - Turku - you will find Luostarinmeki- the only building preserved from the old city. In the north of Turku is the national tomb of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, built in the 13th century.
Old City Rauma was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The most interesting places for guests in Rauma are the Market Square, house museums and a Franciscan temple from the 15th century.
Worth to visit Olavinlinna Castle, built in 1475. Visiting the castle is only permitted under the guidance of a guide; excursions take place every day. From Helsinki you can get here by train, plane or bus.
In the ancient city Kristinestad, whose foundation dates back to 1649, is located Church of Ulrika Eleonora 18th century. Also worth a visit walled city of Suomenlinna, located in the center of Helsinki on an island.
Nutrition
Any National dish Finland has retained the imprint of Finnish history. Finns love simple and hearty dishes. The main thing that should always be on the table is fresh bread.
The main product in Finland is fish. The most common dishes made from it are salmon in its own juice. ("graavi suckers"), herring salad ("rosolli"), freshwater fish caviar with onion and sour cream ("mati"), dried fish soup (“maymarocca”)
Classic meat dishes They are most often prepared from game and venison. Among them - Karelian meat in a pot "karyalanpaisti" lamb stewed in a wooden bowl "syarya", roast venison with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes.
Finns are very fond of milk products. The most popular of them are yogurt, various types of cheese, and “viili” - an unusual sweet and sour product added to a large number of dishes.
Traditional Finnish dessert consists of buns "pulla" with yeast, jelly and berries.
Finland ranks first in the world in coffee consumption. Another traditional drink is “coticaglia” beer, a kind of kvass. Popular varieties of vodka are Finlandia and Koskenkorva Vinna. Finnish berry liqueurs are very famous - “puolukkalikeri”, “lakkalikeri”, “karpalolikeri”, “mesimarialikeri”. Sparkling wines are even made from the berries - "Elissi" and "Cavlieri".
Accommodation
In Finland you can stay in motels and hotels, tourist villages, holiday houses and even on farms.
Finnish hotels are always equipped with the most modern equipment and provide high level service. They almost always have a sauna and a swimming pool. In the summer, student dormitories are turned into hotels. The level of service in them is no worse than in other hotels, but the prices are lower.
In a tourist village you can stay in a house on the shore of a lake, river or sea. Each house has its own shore and its own boat. One house accommodates from 2 to 5 people. Many villages welcome guests all year round, making them ideal for winter holidays. Here you can practice winter sports, hold business meetings and conferences. In addition, in a tourist village, as a rule, there is a hotel and a restaurant for those who do not want to cook their own food.
You can rent a private holiday house. There are about 5,000 such houses in Finland. The choice is very wide: from luxurious log cottages on the shore of a reservoir to unassuming fishing huts. Such a house has electricity, everything necessary for heating, a bathhouse, and often a boat. Only you must bring your own towels and sheets.
Lovers extreme recreation can choose from 150 farmsteads in Finland, most of which are located in Eastern and Central Finland, and some on the Åland Islands. The farms provide full board.
Entertainment and relaxation
One of the most popular sports in Finland is skiing. There are ski slopes of varying difficulty throughout Finland. If you love high-speed skiing, you need to go to the Ruka resorts in Kuusamo and Koli in North Karelia, as well as to Lapland.
Between June and September is the best time to go to hiking. In the north there are many tourist lodges located along hiking trails. The doors in such houses are not locked; inside there are beds, cooking facilities, dry brushwood, and a telephone. The best and most picturesque hiking routes are Lemeneki, Karhunkneros, Ruunaa in Karelia.
Another way to have a good time in Finland is boating. But if you want to go for a ride near the Turku archipelago, you will need good boat handling skills. You can go canoeing near the Åland and Turunmaa archipelagos.
The most popular holiday in Finland is Johannes. It runs from June 20 to 24. At this time, song festivals, concerts of folk ensembles, and folk festivals around huge “kokko” bonfires are organized. Another holiday often falls at this time - Finnish Flag Day.
Very popular in Finland music festivals. They take place almost every weekend. Many of these festivals are well known in other countries, e.g. Provinssirock, Ruisrock, Tuska, Ilosaarirock, Raumanmeren, Ankkarock and others.
Purchases
In Finland, as in many countries, there are seasonal sales. Summer sales run from Midsummer (June 22-24) until the second ten days of August. Christmas sales last from December 27th until the end of January.
Finnish shops are usually open from 9:00 to 18:00, some until 20:00. On Saturday, stores open at 9:00 and close at 16:00. Private shops usually work longer hours and are open even on Sundays in the summer. On holidays, almost all stores are closed.
Transport
Finland has a very developed transport infrastructure. Air, bus and rail connections are particularly well developed. By plane you can reach more than 20 cities, including the city of Ivalo, located on far north. Railroad tracks in Finland extend almost to the Arctic Circle.
The roads in Finland are of excellent quality and cover the country in a dense network. It is prohibited to overtake in a car on turns, at intersections and on hills. IN winter time Winter tires are required. Take advantage vehicle registered in Finland will only be possible if you have valid Finnish insurance.
The largest airlines in Finland are Finnair and Finncomm. The second deals only with domestic transportation. Main airport countries - Helsinki. Both companies have frequent ticket sales. During such promotions, you can get from one end of the country to the other for 25-30 euros. There are also flight coupon systems. After purchasing such a coupon, each trip will cost you 25-40% less.
Almost every city in Finland can be reached by bus. Intercity buses in Finland are punctual. By bus you can make long trips from Turku to Rovaniemi (15 hours) and from Helsinki to Oulu (9 hours).
Connection
Finland has a huge number of Wi-Fi hotspots. Stationary Internet access can always be obtained in numerous Internet cafes. If you are not going to long term, it will be more profitable for you to connect international roaming with your operator.
From any telephone booth you can call directly to another country. Calls are made using telephone cards (you can buy them at the post office, in a store or at a newsstand) or using coins. In order to call abroad, you need to dial 00, 990, 994 or 999, then the country code, city code and the direct number. To connect within Finland, you need to dial the combination 8 - beep - 10 - 358 - city code and direct number.
Safety
If you go on a trip to the Åland Islands, you need to remember that ticks are often found in this area. Therefore, it is better to wear long sleeves and trousers. Before a long trip, it is better to get vaccinated against encephalitis.
In Finland, the crime rate is very low everywhere, so ensuring security here comes down to ordinary vigilance in financial matters and avoiding all sorts of conflict situations.
Business climate
Finland has fairly high taxes. Such a high level of tax rates allows us to ensure a high level of security, as well as excellent quality of services in education and healthcare.
Any income in Finland is subject to tax. When applying for a job, you need to take a taxpayer card from the tax office and give it to the employer. Otherwise, 60% will be deducted from your salary.
If you are in Finland for no more than 6 months and work, 35% will be deducted from your salary. If your stay in the country is more than six months, you should obtain a Finnish personal code from the local magistrate. You will then be given a personal tax card.
Real estate
Renting housing in Finland is carried out by construction companies, funds, banks, insurance companies, municipalities and private individuals. You are unlikely to be able to buy an apartment that is constantly rented out.
There are special apartments for young people and students, as well as apartments equipped for the elderly and disabled. It is possible to sublease the property.
Information about rental housing is usually posted in newspapers, on bulletin boards, and on the Internet.
Currently, rental housing prices in Finland are rising. Renting an apartment or house in Finland will now cost about 5% more than last year. In Helsinki 1 sq. a meter of rented apartments costs 19.5 euros in a one-room apartment and 14.6 euros in a two-room apartment. Real estate prices are also rising. Now an apartment in the Greater Helsinki area costs 2% more than last year, in other areas of the country - by 0.6%. 1 sq. a meter of real estate in Finland costs an average of 2,127 euros.
In order to feel comfortable in Finland, you should know the basic rules of behavior and customs of this country. It is completely normal for a Finnish woman to go to a bar or cafe alone. It is not considered shameful for a woman to choose her own dance partner. For an indecent joke addressed to a woman, you can end up in the police and get a fine.
Finns don't smile much, but if you ask them on the street for help, they will be happy to help you. Finns do not like to call their interlocutor by name; the usual address is “Listen!” If you call your interlocutor of the opposite sex by name too often, he may think that you are hinting at the possibility of an intimate relationship.
Finns do not like to tell their friends about their personal problems; only doctors and social workers know about them. When talking with friends, it is common to talk about pleasant things.
The local population greatly values cleanliness in their cities and successfully maintains it. You will rarely see stray dogs and cats on the streets, but squirrels calmly walk around them. Cities are buried in flower beds.
You can import foreign and national currency into Finland in unlimited quantities. It is also not prohibited to import alcohol and cigarettes in limited quantities: up to 2 liters of aperitifs and up to 1 liter of strong alcohol, up to 200 cigarettes and 50 cigars.
It is prohibited to import meat, meat products and poultry eggs, and dairy products.
Each police department has its own lost property office, so you can contact them if necessary.
Visa information
Finland is one of the members of the Schengen Agreement, and citizens of the CIS and the Russian Federation require a Schengen visa to stay on its territory. When applying for it, you must provide a foreign passport (it must be valid for at least 3 months after the end of the trip), one color photograph and two copies of a personally completed application form.
On the territory of the Russian Federation, visas are issued to:
- Embassy of Finland in Moscow (15 Kropotkinsky lane, office 17);
- Consulate General in St. Petersburg (Preobrazhenskaya sq., 4)4
- Consulates of Murmansk (Karl Marx str., 25a);
- Petrozavodsk (Gogol str., 25);
- and also in visa centers Finland in Kazan, St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Residents northern countries and the regions really lack sea and warmth. 11 months a year we look forward to summer, dreaming of the opportunity to go to the sea. And the sea is very close, just as salty, endless, caressing and calming, with incredible views and fabulous beauty in places. Welcome to the Finnish seaside!
Photo: VisitFinland.com. Yyteri beach
The Baltic Sea may not immediately come to mind in summer dreams, but believe me, this northern sea can surprise and give unforgettable experience from summer holiday on the coast. Moreover, it is so easy to get to it, even for a short weekend vacation, and have a small picnic on the shore, bask on the hot stones or soak up the white sand.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
So let's dream a little about summer and imagine the perfect seaside holiday in Finland.
1. COTTAGE BY THE SEA |
The coast of the Gulf of Finland and the Baltic Sea is literally strewn with beautiful, cozy cottages and dachas. Some of them are rented out to tourists. This is surprising, but for many Finland is associated with lakes, but the Finns themselves love their sea with all their hearts and every summer they try to spend a short vacation on the coast, or at least have a picnic on the shore several times during the summer.
Photo: VisitFinland.com. Island KLOVHARUN.
This small hut on the island of Klovharun is the secret place of Tove Jansson, the famous Finnish writer and creator of the Moomin tales. Here she hid for the summer, on a stone island in the middle of the sea, surrounded by breathtaking scenery. Here was everything she needed to inspire her. The island is currently open to tourists for a very long time. a short time in the summer due to weather conditions, bird nesting season, and also because this place is reserved most of the time by artists as a residence for inspiration.
COTTAGES ON THE COAST OF THE GULF OF FINNISH AND THE BALTIC SEA IN FINLAND:
2. BEACHES ON THE COAST OF FINLAND |
The sea coast stretches along Finland for many hundreds of kilometers. There must be great beaches here, right? That's right! And there are beaches for every taste.
Want to stone, harsh, northern beaches, which heat up under the rays of the sun and on which it is so pleasant to warm up after swimming? Please, there are a huge number of such beaches in the eastern part of Finland and the Gulf of Finland.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
Do you want clean ones? sandy beaches with a gentle entrance into the water? Beaches surrounded by pine forests? Please, starting from the city of Hanko and further west, the Baltic Sea coast in many places turns into long strips of sand and dunes. Even the city of Helsinki has some great sandy beaches for sea lovers.
Photo: VisitFinland.com. (c)_Jussi_Hellsten
3. ISLANDS, ISLANDS, ISLANDS... |
The Finnish coastline boasts the largest archipelago in the world. According to some estimates, there are about 70,000 islands in Finland. There are so many islands here! There are islands inhabited and completely wild, stone without a single tree, or islands with lush forests. Islands favored by seals or birds. Islands that people have chosen and set up small campsites, restaurants and recreation areas on them. There are islands that can be reached by ferry, and there are islands that can only be reached by boat. And there are such amazing islands as.
So you can relax on the islands not only in the Maldives, but also in Finland! Moreover, in Finland you can choose either an island for a luxurious holiday or a more modest option, like Tove Jansson.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
4. LIGHTHOUSES |
There are approximately 50 lighthouses along the Finnish Baltic Sea coast. About a third of Finnish lighthouses are currently open to tourists and are a maritime attraction. On islands with lighthouses there are restaurants, cafes, saunas and accommodation options, usually in a lighthouse hotel. The unique location of the lighthouse islands in the sea guarantees guests peace and quiet, the pristine sounds of the sea and unity with the natural elements.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
It's truly an incredible feeling. On a sunny day, it’s nice to walk around the island, take a swim, climb to the top of the lighthouse and imagine sailors peering into the distance in the hope of seeing a signal light.
And on a bad day, when the elements are raging, driving waves onto the shore, the sea is agitated and bubbling, the wind is whistling around, a person understands what a grain of sand he is against the powerful forces of nature. And it becomes a little creepy, but at the same time it’s so nice to realize the safety and support under your feet, being at such moments on solid ground and not in the sea.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
5. FERRIES |
Finland has a very developed network free sea ferries(or "sea movable bridges"). In the Turku archipelago, many islands are connected by similar platform car ferries. You can also get to some islands with attractions by such a ferry.
For the Turku archipelago you can make circular route around the islands and visit all the most important natural attractions and interesting places. On the ferry you can travel by car, by bicycle or simply on foot.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
If there is no free ferry to the island of the archipelago you are interested in, then most likely you can find a route on a ferry of a slightly different design and for a not very large fee. In any case, no matter which route around the islands is chosen, exceptional views and unforgettable experiences are guaranteed.
6. MARINE COASTAL CITIES |
The ancient wooden towns and fishing villages along the coast add a special charm to the Finnish coast of the Baltic Sea. Life here, especially in summer, is amazing and soulful: small craft markets with handmade products, where you can find unique items, small cafes and restaurants with local cuisine and pastries, rural shops and souvenir shops, local events, holidays and small festivals, - all this creates an amazing atmosphere that cannot be found in any other part of Finland.
Photo: VisitFinland.com. Photo (c)_Jussi_Hellsten
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
7. SUNSETS AND SUNRISES. STORM AND CALM |
Incredibly beautiful sunsets can only be seen on the sea coast. Every day the sunset will be different, but always beautiful and mesmerizing.
It’s also nice to meet the dawn on the shore, listening to the sounds of the sea, which whispers what the coming day will be like. A cup of hot aromatic coffee with a fresh bun will only complement this harmony.
While relaxing on the sea coast of Finland, you can observe the natural elements with the curiosity of a researcher: storms, cyclones, winds, calms, clouds.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
8. BIRD AND SEAL WATCHING |
The Finnish Baltic Sea coast is an ideal nesting place for birds. Many migratory birds return here year after year. In summer they nest on the islands of the archipelago and breed their offspring.
The barnacle goose is especially popular in Finland. This large bird can be seen in large numbers on the streets and parks of Helsinki, as well as on all nearest islands.
When walking around Helsinki in May-June, be careful! If a large black and white goose approaches you, menacingly flaps its wings, sticks out its tongue and hisses, and also tries to pinch your leg, you know that its spouse is hatching eggs somewhere nearby and it is better to stay away from this place.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
The Baltic Sea is inhabited by the cutest creatures - seals. Many small rock islands of the archipelago are favorite habitats of seals on land. A small island from afar may seem alive and moving, but if you look closely, you’ll be surprised how every centimeter stone island busy with these funny creatures. By the way, the seal is quite curious and can swim up to the boat and examine the fisherman, as well as climb onto the island next to people if they do not make a lot of noise.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
9. SEA FISHING |
And of course, fishing in the Gulf of Finland and sea fishing in the Baltic Sea is a must-have attribute of a holiday in Finland on the coast. There are many companies in Finland that organize sea fishing on equipped boats with all the necessary gear. You can try your fishing luck yourself, both from the shore and from a boat. Your own sea catch! What could be nicer? Perhaps only a cooked aromatic dinner from freshly caught fish.
Photo: VisitFinland.com.
If they tell you that in Finland there is no sea holiday, believe. In principle, it is not customary to come here for a brown tan and white sand. For this there are Spain, Greece and Bulgaria. You are unlikely to buy a special tour to Finland with a vacation at sea. But pay attention - there are beaches here. Including sea ones. And they rest on them.
Holidays on the beaches of Finland are designed for tourists who prefer a mild climate without aggressive sun and frankly cool water. The beach season lasts from June to September. People mostly sunbathe here, although many take the risk of swimming.
There are 300 beaches in Finland. Of these, 29 are located in and 4 are located on the banks of the Vantaa River. Crowds of tourists and Finns themselves flock here to the capital's beaches every year. All places designated for swimming are thoroughly checked for compliance with European standards and regulations and are distinguished by accuracy.
Hietaniemi Beach is located in the center of Helsinki. It's worth a visit for many reasons. Firstly, it's easy to get here by car. public transport, on foot or by bike. Secondly, concerts are regularly held here for vacationers. In the evenings, picnics are organized on Hietaniemi, a bar with an outdoor terrace is open all summer, and there are all conditions for playing volleyball and football.
Best vacation on the Finnish sea near Pori, on Cape Yuteri. Sandy beaches extend for several kilometers, the seabed here is flat and smooth. Lovers active rest They will also find something to their liking: beach volleyball, surfing and others aquatic species sports. Towards the end of summer, the sea water warms up to + 20°C. There is even surfing here, and beginner surfers are given lessons here. In summer, surfers, both professionals and beginners, can be found on the beach.
The beaches of the Åland Islands are more rocky and partly wooded. This archipelago has more than 6,500 islands, the largest cluster in the world. True, they live here only on 60 islands. The best among these beaches are Karingsand, Sandviken and Degersand. On the western side of the beach there are several beautiful old villages.
Hanko Beach near the village of Hanko in Uusimaa has 130 km of coastline with beautiful sand dunes and is ideal for windsurfing.
Built between two lakes, Näsijärvi in the north and Pyhäjärvi in the south, the beaches of Tampere are popular in summer. They are shallow and receive a lot of shade from the forest.
Most popular public beach Lappeenranta is considered Myllysaari beach and clean waters Saima. The Myllysaari coastal sauna is located nearby.
Municipal beaches in Finland are free to visit. During the swimming season, on each beach, a special stand provides information about the sanitary condition and water temperature. It is prohibited to bring or drink alcoholic beverages on the beaches. It is not customary to have picnics. You cannot put up tents; there are campsites or specially designated areas for this. Garbage must be placed in special containers.
