Where to relax and what to see in Finland. Private guides in Finland. Tour to Savonlinna – sightseeing of ancient castles

If you are tired of holidays in hot, sunny countries, sandy beaches on the seashores no longer attract, and chic shopping is not a pleasure, you should think about a trip to Finland. This is a charming country that delights with its cathedrals and squares, festivals and concerts, restaurants and museums, walking and water routes, cozy city streets and legendary historical sites. In order not to waste precious time upon arrival in Finland, it is worth thinking in advance about what is best to see.

If you want not only to relax and have fun, but also to learn something new, we recommend visiting several famous museums. Among the three hundred museums of the country, the main ones are the following: the Suomi Sports Museum, the National Museum, the Ateneum Art Museum in Helsinki, the Satankunn Archaeological Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Tempera, etc. Excursions to such places will bring not only new impressions, but will leave an indelible positive mark in your memory. Turku Castle is once a residential, massive granite building, now turned into an interesting museum dedicated to the history of the city. But the port city of Turku is famous for more than one castle. The national sanctuary of the country in the form of the Cathedral annually attracts an increasing number of tourists. Next, it is worth visiting Helsinki, the delightful capital of no less delightful Finland. Among the architectural monuments, the Lutheran and Assumption Cathedrals, the Senate Building, and the monument to Alexander II claim the attention of tourists more than others. All these places have a deep, ancient and no less interesting history. Temppelinaukio Church is undoubtedly the most legendary attraction in Helsinki. It is skillfully carved into the rock and serves as a refuge for many organ concerts every year. Most of the territory of Finland is reserved for the park zone. Helsinki Central Park runs through the entire city. The Linnanmäki amusement park is suitable for families, and the zoo on the island of Korkeasaari can rightly be called one of the oldest and largest in the world. Rovaniemi is the birthplace of Santa Claus and the capital of magnificent Lapland. This is a legendary fairy tale place that is impossible to miss when in Finland. Christmas "Santa Park" can be the biggest miracle in the life of every child. Santa Claus Post Office, Lapland Museum, reindeer or dog sledding will give you a lot of fun and unusual emotions. Let's get back to more earthly things. Tango lovers will be able to visit the Suonenjoki Festival. Opera fans will appreciate the opera music festival in the ancient castle of Savonlinna. And the Chamber Music Festival welcomes guests in the northern provincial town of Kuhmo. In short breaks between bright, impressive excursions, do not forget to visit one of the many restaurants in Finland. The national cuisine is both simple and refined. Finnish chefs do their best to please every guest with magnificent culinary masterpieces.

To describe all the places to visit in Finland, you need to create a thick three-volume book. This country is so unusual and delightful. One thing is certain: there is everything that can give unforgettable pleasure and fall in love with Finland forever.

07/09/2013 1 Comments

Today we have a review of ten interesting places in Finland, which, in our opinion, should be visited by everyone who comes here. Of course, Finland has a lot of sights and interesting places in each region and, therefore, we invite you to continue this list in the comments. Tell us where you have been and what you recommend to see and where to visit in Finland. Taking into account your comments, we will compile reviews by city and region.

So: 10 most interesting places and attractions in Finland!

15 km west of Turku, in, is the fairy-tale world of the Moomin trolls, characters in the books of Tove Jansson. The valley where they live is located on an island with many routes and is open to guests all summer. You can visit them, see how they live and even chat with them. Unforgettable emotions and impressions await here for all children and adults who become children here again.

. This fortress is a bastion system of fortifications that protected Helsinki from the sea. Spread across 8 islands and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is one of Finland's most popular attractions. with a population of over 800 people. In a large area, in addition to the preserved bastions and forts, there is also an Orthodox church, an English park, a naval school, shops, a playground, museums, cafes and an information center.

The open-air museum, which contains about a hundred rural wooden houses and buildings of the 17th-19th centuries - houses, barns, boat sheds, mills, stables and saunas, which were brought to the museum from all over Finland. Some buildings of the 17th century. In the houses there are items of peasant life, giving an idea of ​​the life of Finnish families more than a hundred years ago.

Imatrankoski - the famous waterfall on the Vuksa River, one of the main and oldest attractions of the city of Imatra. The natural waterfall Imatrankoski was formed about 5000 years ago, when the water masses of Lake Saimaa broke through the Salpausselka "stone barrier" and created a beautiful landscape creation. With the entry of Finland into Russia, the Imatra region became a favorite vacation spot for the Russian elite, and the Russian Empress Catherine II came to admire this seething natural wonder. Today, thousands of tourists from all over the world come to Imatrankoski to. Every day in the summer, at exactly 18:00, for 20 minutes, more than 500,000 liters of water per second from a height of 18 meters are thrown down through the dam to the music of Finnish composers and performers.

Restaurant Kuappi Iisalmi listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest restaurant in the world! It is located in the Finnish city of Iisalmi. The area of ​​the entire restaurant is 8 m2, and the dining room is 3.6 m2. Inside the restaurant there is a miniature bar counter, a table and two chairs. Outside, on the terrace there is another table for two persons. It works only in summer, from June to July, and places in it must be ordered in advance.

Built in 1969 inside a rock, this is one of the most important attractions in Helsinki. The church is a popular venue for concerts due to its excellent acoustics, so concerts of organ and violin music are regularly held here. More than half a million people visit the church every year.

In Finnish Lapland, in Rovaniemi, you can spend the night in a hotel made of ice! You will get an unforgettable experience by visiting this There you can sleep in warm sleeping bags and not be afraid of dark and cold winter nights.

Near Helsinki, in the city of Vantaa, there is the Heureka science and entertainment center, which will awaken or warm up the interest in science in both children and adults. There are several thematic interactive exhibitions with many exhibits, with the help of which you can try many natural phenomena (for example, an earthquake), conduct experiments, experience visual illusions, learn a lot of new things, visually familiarize yourself with the laws of physics and chemistry, study the structure of man. Everything here is informative and interesting for all ages.

Olavinlinna Fortress is the main attraction of the city of Savonlinna and the whole region. Olavinlinna is currently the northernmost stone castle of the Middle Ages. The construction of the fortress began in 1475 by order of the Danish knight Erik Axelsson Tott in order to protect the territory of the region from Russian troops, but later, in the 18th century, this fortress belonged to the Russians. Both the Swedes and the Russians left their mark on the fortress, including architecture. Now open to visitors all year round, the fortress is visited by tens of thousands of tourists every year.

Built in 1300, even before the division into Catholicism and Lutheranism, this cathedral differs in interior decoration from the traditional laconic decoration of Lutheran churches. The oldest parts of the cathedral were built in the 1230s-1260s on the site where the first parish church of Turku stood in the 12th century. B n in its medieval form, with the exception of a few fragments that survived in their original form after the Great Fire. This is one of the most valuable architectural monuments of the Middle Ages.

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Thanks to its luxurious nature, picturesque mountain landscapes and the possibility of active pastime, today Finland is very popular. In addition, the residence of Santa Claus is located here, which makes this country even more popular for tourists who travel with a child. If you are planning to go here, but do not know where it is better to go to Finland in 2015 inexpensively, we will definitely help you decide!

Climate

Finland has a temperate continental climate, and in the western part it becomes continental. The winter is cool with a lot of precipitation, the air temperature drops to -18…-20°C. In summer it is warm, as a rule, the temperature does not rise above +30°С, and the water warms up to +20…+23°С. The wettest month is August, while April and May are the driest months.

Money

Currency euro, (EUR, code 978)
The exchange rate of the euro against the ruble is about 57.3 rubles, for 1 euro, and against the US dollar - 1.09. Thus, in order to purchase 100 EUR, you need to pay 573 rubles or $109.
It is almost impossible to have a cheap vacation in Finland, because, as you know, all countries with the possibility of skiing require a lot of money from their guests. The cost of renting housing in Finland is quite high, especially if we talk about Helsinki, where a one-room apartment will cost about 15,000 rubles, and a two-room apartment will cost about 25,000. And this is not the limit. You can find more budget options in other regions.

Attractions

It will also tell you about the five most interesting places in Finland that you must visit if you go on a trip to this wonderful country.

The Finns are very fond of this place, because there is a lot of entertainment here: hot tubs, cave saunas, water attractions and deep wave pools. You can ride a mountain car or go down the cable. With the onset of winter, skiers and snowboarders have many opportunities to show their skills, and a multidisciplinary ski school will not allow you to freeze in severe frosts.

In the north of Lapland is the mysterious mountain Korvatunturi, which is the habitat of Santa Claus. In its shape, it is very similar to an ear, so Santa has the opportunity to hear the wishes of all the kids in the world. The most interesting thing, especially for kids, is to meet Santa Claus and tell him about your dreams. Thanks to the presence of the Main Post Office, you can send a parcel, a note or a New Year's card with the original stamp of the Arctic Circle. There are also a lot of Christmas souvenirs and accessories.

Arboretum is a type of tree nursery in which many different species of trees and shrubs grow. Arboretum Hatanpää has as many as 3 parks with an area of ​​more than 11 hectares. The manor was erected in the 17th century and some plants have been preserved to this day. At the end of the 19th century, the Arborenum was improved under the control of the gardener K.J. Guffin. A stone fence was built around Hatanpää, new alleys and lawns were added. In addition, more than 900 fruit trees and about 1,500 shrubs were planted.

Finnish sauna is birch twigs, hot steam and energy boost for the whole day! It is worth noting that the Finnish bath is popular not only among visitors, since, according to statistics, every second Finnish house has its own steam room, so it is not at all surprising that it is considered the national symbol of the country.

Today Helsinki is a modern city with an active business and intellectual life. There are more than 65 museums and art galleries, theaters, an opera, and excellent concert halls. Having visited Helsinki, every vacationer leaves with rich impressions about the trip, especially people who are interested in art.

Hotel

Santa Claus Holiday Village, from 4840 rubles per night,
Santa's Hotel Santa Claus, from 3900 rubles per night,
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Rovaniemi, from 5100 rubles per night,
Scandic Rovaniemi, from 4400 rubles per night,
Rantasipi Pohjanhovi, 3560 rubles per night.
The budget option is to buy a hot tour to Finland, the cost of which is about $195 for 7 nights and $350 for 14 nights.

Beaches

In addition to the opportunity to ski and sleigh, visit the village of Santa, all vacationers have the opportunity to spend an unforgettable time on the cleanest and most picturesque beaches of Finland.

Top 5 best beaches in Finland

1. Hietaniemi,

5. Maryaniemi.


Best Resorts

Quite popular is the resort of Kuusamo. Tourists, having visited it, simply fall in love with its beauty and indescribably calm atmosphere. Amazing mountain landscapes, picturesque views of water bodies and incredibly fresh air will not leave anyone indifferent. This place is considered the entrance to Lapland. Here, each person will be able to choose a suitable activity for himself, both fans of active pastime and connoisseurs of beautiful nature and silence.

Located above the Arctic Circle, Levi is one of the most favorite places for tourists, despite the fact that the abundance of ski resorts in Finland is simply amazing. In addition to the traditional skiing holiday, you can also ride huskies and reindeer here. In addition, there is an opportunity to have a bite to eat in a cozy restaurant, plunging headlong into the Sami exotic!

This is a real paradise for families who come on vacation with a child! There is a mass of all kinds of entertainment for children of any age, games: swings, rides, racetracks, trampolines, as well as spacious computer rooms with all kinds of games.

The Ruka ski resort is the most popular among Russian vacationers, as evidenced by numerous videos of tourists on the net. The resort is considered the Golden Gate of Lapland. Ruka celebrated its 60th anniversary last year. With the help of equipment that provides artificial snow, as well as early frosts, Ruka opens its skiing season very first.

Himos is also very popular. Both beginners and professionals come here, because the conditions allow both of them to spend time with benefit. For beginners, there is a Russian-speaking instructor, thanks to which you can quickly and easily master the technique of skiing.

And finally...

Finland is an opportunity to enjoy beautiful nature, famous sights, as well as spend time interestingly in accordance with your tastes and preferences! Such an interesting pastime will not leave anyone indifferent! will not leave indifferent any vacationer!

Tourists come here for Baltic cruises, delicious fish, mountain holidays and a rich cultural program.

Country Finland – Top 5 places to visit as a tourist

When planning, you should choose a direction for the trip that meets the wishes of the tourist. This country is famous for its abundance of holiday destinations where you can spend time admiring the snow-covered landscapes, in the company of the local Santa Claus or surrounded by reindeer. Russians come to Finland because of the proximity of the border - the cost of the road is minimal. So where should a tourist go for the first time?

Holidays in Helsinki - features of the Finnish capital

It is better to start acquaintance with Finland by going to Helsinki - you can come to the capital both in winter and in summer. What to do here?

  • visiting parks and streets with incredible architecture;
  • relaxing on the lake or on the islands of the archipelago in the neighborhood;
  • entertainment - festivals and parties;
  • rest in local cafes with national cuisine;
  • shopping in boutiques and malls.

The easiest way is by bus from St. Petersburg, travel time is 6 hours, ticket price is about 23 euros. Also, planes depart daily from Pulkovo Airport, making a flight in 55 minutes.

Tours to Lapland for the New Year

When choosing where to go in Finland with children, tourists prefer Lapland. This is the residence of the Finnish Father Frost, similar to the one located in Veliky Ustyug. There are no architectural sights in Lapland, but you can see:

  • the village of Kilpisjärvi- located on the border with Sweden and Norway;
  • cultural center of reindeer herders Inari;
  • Ski Levi with a rich nightlife;
  • Luosto– recently opened, captivates with wild nature and clean air;
  • Saariselka– older people come here to ski, the atmosphere is calm;
  • the village of Santa Claus, where folk festivals take place at Christmas.

You can come by train, bus or car. True, in winter you should be careful - the roads are icy, it is more difficult to drive a car.

Tampere is the cultural capital of Finland

For those who prefer to visit Finland for educational purposes, the city of Tampere will be the best choice. In addition to attractions, you can visit over 20 unique museums here:

  • espionage;
  • the police;
  • contemporary art;
  • Lenin;
  • mummies and trolls.

Tampere is for the Finns to live, and if you like active things, you can visit the Särkänniemi recreation park.

Sights of Finland-the city of Turku

The oldest Finnish city is located in the southwest of the country. Why do tourists go to Turku?

  • to see the Cathedral and Abo Castle;
  • to visit the ethnographic open-air museum;
  • for Christmas festivities in the main square;
  • to visit the winter market;
  • to dine in restaurants overlooking the river;
  • to relax at the festivals held in the summer.

A trip to Turku can be combined with a visit to Sweden - cruise ships depart from this city straight to Stockholm.

Tour to Savonlinna – sightseeing of ancient castles

The country of Finland is famous for the beauty of its wild nature, and the province of Savonlinna is no exception. Here you can admire the lakes, visit the Kolovesi and Linnansaari National Parks - landscapes will captivate absolutely any traveler.

In addition, you will be able to see the ancient castles, including the fortress of Olavinlinna and Olafsborg, which are located on the banks of the river. Architectural delights are a rarity in Finland, since most of the buildings were destroyed during the retreat of the Germans, and those that survived are worth their weight in gold today.

Excursions to Finland - what is worth seeing?

Don't know where to go in Finland? Choose routes where there are many attractions. So, the following objects are popular with tourists:

  1. Fortress of Sveaborg– there are many monuments related to Russian history, the ticket price is 7 euros;
  2. Senate Square Helsinki– a beautiful cathedral and a monument to Emperor Alexander II are the pearl of this place;
  3. Assumption Cathedral in Helsinki- an Orthodox shrine built in the spirit of modernism;
  4. Cathedral of Saint Nicholas in Helsinki- impresses with the scale of construction, belongs to the Lutheran church;
  5. Veje Renkkenen Sculpture Park near the village of Parikkala - hundreds of figures with real teeth cause a storm of emotions. The park is located 1 km from the Russian border, admission is free.

However, one excursion to Finland will not be enough to see all the sights of this amazing country. Lakes, picturesque parks, entertainment centers, museums - the travel program has a busy schedule, and you definitely won't be bored.

A trip to Finland will be flawless if you follow simple tips and recommendations from more experienced travelers:

  • Finns understand English, so there will be no difficulties with communication; in large tourist centers, service is also provided in Russian;
  • it is better to move around the city by bicycle, its rent per day will cost 5 euros;
  • city ​​museums regularly hold open days - after reading the schedule, you can save on tickets;
  • a taxi in Finland is not a cheap pleasure, the minimum trip will cost 20 euros, and from the center of Helsinki to the airport you will be taken for 50 euros;
  • you can’t visit a northern country and not try fish dishes - delicacies from white wild fish are especially appreciated;
  • the water here is clean, so you can even drink it from the tap - it is not necessary to spend money on buying bottled drinks;
  • you can have an inexpensive lunch in all establishments that serve lounas, this is a business lunch, the price is about 12 euros, there are also many places where a buffet is open;
  • try to behave calmly and speak quietly - respect the national traditions of the country you are visiting.

A fabulous trip to Finland is not only a visit to the ski resorts and the birthplace of the local Santa Claus. And in summer this country is beautiful, and its nature and sights captivate at first sight.

Finland: where to go, what to see. List of the largest and most beautiful cities in Finland on the map.

Cities of Finland - where to go?

Finland is located in northern Europe between Sweden in the west and Russia in the east. Widely known for effective medicine and education that ranks among the best in the world. Finland is one of the most popular countries in Europe among travelers. People come here for the uniquely beautiful nature.

In this article, I have compiled a list of cities in Finland where you can go for a weekend or longer vacation with your family, child or alone, in winter or summer. Especially if you are going to Finland for the first time and don't know where to go.

Map of Finland with cities in Russian

Finnish cities to visit

Helsinki

City of Helsinki, Finland© iceninejon / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Helsinki is the main city of Finland, its capital and largest city. Neighboring in the Baltic Sea is an amazing archipelago of 330 islands. The best way to get to know Helsinki is on foot and by public transport.

It is best to come here in the summer, because there are a lot of beautiful places in the vicinity of Helsinki: parks, houses with beautiful architecture, lakes that are best visited when the weather is comfortable and warm. In addition, at this time, children go on vacation in all directions, and the city hosts many festivals and parties.

Like many other capitals, Helsinki has a lot to offer tourists. These are interesting excursions and restaurants where you can try unusual Finnish dishes. There are many restaurants in Helsinki that cook in the "grandmother's style", i.e. based on local culinary traditions. Where it is worth going shopping in Finland is in Helsinki.

Tampere


City of Tampere, Finland © snoopsmaus / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Another great option where to go in Finland is the city of Tampere. You will find it in the southern part of Finland, like a sausage in a dough, sandwiched between the two lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. These lakes are very popular with fishermen, where you can go boating and fishing. There are many public saunas nearby. And the sauna, as you know, is a favorite way of leisure for the Finns. In Tampere, it is also best to come in the summer.

Tampere is the second largest city in Finland and is known for its rich cultural life. There are a lot of museums here, one is even dedicated to Lenin. Tampere is popular with both tourists and locals. If you come here, be sure to go to the amusement park Särkänniemi, which is famous throughout the country. Especially if you are traveling with children, they will be delighted with the abundance of entertainment, slides and carousels.

Espoo

Espoo city, Finland © saadchdhry / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Espoo is another major city in Finland and can be easily reached from Helsinki. Espoo is home to the country's largest museum dedicated to contemporary art, the Espoo Museum Modern Art, and this is by no means the only museum in the city.

Travelers interested in outdoor activities who don't have time to explore the rest of Finland, apart from the capital and its surroundings, can come to Espoo for Nuuksio National Park.

In Espoo you will find 11 beaches by the sea and 10 by lakes, 165 islands, each of which can be explored.

Vaasa

City of Vaasa, Finland © timokoo / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

The city of Vaasa is called the sunniest city in Finland. This is not the most popular place among tourists, compared to other cities. But students from all over the world come here to get an education in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English. Just imagine this wild mix of students and the very noticeable influence of different cultures on a small town.

There are many national monuments in the center of Vaasa, this city suffered the most from the Russian invasion.

If you love active sports, then you have the opportunity to go mountain climbing, kayaking, canoeing and just take a walk on the local lake.

Vaasa is located north of the capital. You can get to this town by train from Helsinki in 4 hours, so you'd better find yourself a place to stay overnight so you can explore the city in peace.

Porvoo

City of Porvoo, Finland © krolchatina / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Porvoo is located on the southern coast of Finland, east of Helsinki. Porvoo is over 600 years old and is the second oldest city in Finland. Porvoo is a classic old town, a walk through the streets of which has a calming effect on every visitor. The best way to get to know the city is on foot or by bike.

One of the symbols of Porvoo is the pretty red houses located on the shore. You can buy a boat trip and admire them from the water. The spectacle is worth it. There are many cafes and restaurants in Porvoo. You can easily get here by bus. The journey will take only an hour and a half, and you will find yourself in a completely different atmosphere of the city, this is especially noticeable against the backdrop of noisy Helsinki.

Turku

City of Turku, Finland © salmiac / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Turku is the former capital of Finland. It is located at the mouth of the Aura River on the southwestern coast of Finland. It is the third largest city after Helsinki and Tampere. Turku has a very well developed network of urban transport, with which you can easily get to any corner of the city.

The main attraction of the city is Turku Castle - one of the main attractions of Finland. There are a lot of restaurants on the embankment of Turku where you can eat delicious food overlooking the river. It is best to come here in summer because of the pleasant weather and numerous festivals that take place from June to September.

If you want to capture Sweden as well, then there are luxury cruises from Turku to Stockholm.

Pori

City of Pori, Finland © [email protected]/flickr.com/CCBY 2.0

Pori is located on the west coast of Finland and is a major center of education in the country. In addition to science, Pori hosts many cultural events that are interesting for both local and foreign tourists. The most important of them is the annual jazz festival (Pori Jazz Festival).

Another place of attraction in Pori is Yyteri Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in Finland with good infrastructure.

Thousands of bird watchers come to Pori as they migrate through the river delta.

Mariehamn, Aland Islands

City of Mariehamn, Finland © infomastern / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Mariehamn is the capital of the Åland Islands, which are an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. This area is also known as the "Heart of the Baltic Sea". Once the Åland Islands were the world's largest fleet of sailing ships and was romantically called "the port of the last windmills." There are white sand beaches, rocky shores dotted with woolly flocks of sheep, a sea meandering among numerous islands, the ruins of old castles and green spruce groves everywhere.

Here you can go kayaking and hiking, like almost everywhere in Finland. In Mariehamn you will find several architectural wooden houses reminiscent of the history of Finland. It has a very calm atmosphere and is the perfect place for a family holiday.

An interesting fact about Mariehamn: despite the fact that it is officially part of Finland, 88% of the inhabitants of the island speak Swedish. The population of the Åland Islands does not pay taxes, here is the "duty free" zone.

Savonlinna

City of Savonlinna, Finland © yuenchiyan / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Savonlinna is a province in the southeastern part of Finland, surrounded by beautiful nature and lakes. It is notorious for its culture and environment, which makes Savonlinna extremely attractive for both local and foreign tourists. They come here to see the old castles, including the famous Olavinlinna fortress or Olafsborg near Lake Saimaa.

In addition to the castles, Savonlinna is known for two national parks, Kolovesi and Linnansaari.

Savonlinna is great for hiking, canoeing, diving, kayaking and cycling.

Rovaniemi, Lapland

City of Rovaniemi, Finland © johnlsl / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Rovaniemi is the main city in Lapland, Finland's northernmost province. It is here that the residence of the world-famous Santa Claus is located and the Santa Park was built. If you don’t know where to go to Finland in winter with children, choose Rovaniemi. The choice is obvious, many people come to Lapland in winter, especially for the New Year and Christmas holidays. Here, half a year is a polar night, when the sun barely rises from the horizon, and half a year is a polar day, when the nights are white, and the sun practically does not set below the horizon. People come to Lapland to see the northern lights. It shines for almost 200 nights a year.

People come here for wildlife, to go skiing in numerous resorts, or on sleds with reindeer or huskies, go hiking near the border with Sweden and get acquainted with ancient wooden churches.

If the romance of the north beckons you, then Lapland is one of the best places in the world to experience it in person.

Salla

City of Salla, Finland © raoulvanwijk / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Salla is a municipality in Lapland. Usually, locals come here for the weekend to go skiing, snowboarding and various teams, sometimes with huskies, sometimes with deer. People come here both in winter and summer. If you are going in the winter, I advise you to take a good steam in the sauna and dive with the Finns into a cold lake (unless, of course, health allows).

Jyväskylä

City of Jyväskylä, Finland © [email protected]/flickr.com/CCBY 2.0

Jyväsklä is a university town in central Finland. Also known as the "Athens of Finland". This is the only place in the world where you will see many buildings designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto.

Kemi

City of Kemi, Finland © artofbackpacking / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kemi is another city in Lapland. Here is one of the most popular tourist attractions - the Ice Castle - this is the world's largest structure made of snow, where you can even spend the night.

The world's only Arctic icebreaker Sampo is also located here, which takes tourists on cruises.

The rest of the entertainment here is not particularly original, all the same hunting for the northern lights, skiing and sledding.

Kuhmo (Kuhmo)

City of Kuhmo, Finland © wwwwolf / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kuhmo is the perfect place to explore Finnish wildlife. This city has become famous thanks to the annual Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, which lasts for two weeks. Also in Kuhmo there is a record number of lakes - as many as 600 pieces, which offer a wide variety of water activities for tourists. You can explore the city by swimming from one lake to another.

Kajaani

City of Kajaani, Finland © yourbartender / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Kajaani is located in the heart of Finland. This place is popular among fishermen who come to Lake Oulu. In addition to fishing, there is a wonderful Kajaani castle and peaceful safaris, during which you can watch bears. You will definitely never forget such an adventure.

Oulu

City of Oulu, Finland © krolchatina / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Oulu is the oldest city in Finland, it is located in the northern part of the country and is very proud that this is the best place to go to explore the Arctic. It can be easily reached from any corner of the country, which is what all nature lovers do, who love hiking and hunting for the northern lights.

In winter, Oulu is covered with a thick layer of snow, which creates excellent conditions for all winter sports.

Joensuu

City of Joensuu, Finland © hsivonen / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Joensuu was founded by the Russian emperor Nicholas I, it is the capital of Karelia. The city is located in the southeast of Finland. It is best to come here in summer. Thanks to its young citizens, Joensuu has acquired several interesting places, one of which is the botanical gardens of Botania, where you will find exotic plants and butterflies, the beauty of which is breathtaking.

Seurasaari

City of Seurasaari, Finland © bertogg / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Seurasaari is located just west of Helsinki. It is a green and calm island in the Baltic Sea. Here is perhaps the most famous open-air museum in Europe. Wooden barns, carved manors, rowing boats and village houses, designed to show the traditional Finnish way of life. Apart from the museum, the island is also known for its secluded beaches (hello nudists).

You can stay overnight at.

Hameenlinna

City of Hämeenlinnu, Finland © kmoliver / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

People come to Hämeenlinna to see with their own eyes the old Swedish castle, built as early as 1200 to provide trade routes on the way back to the Gulf of Bothnia. Locals often have picnics here, and just relax in a beautiful place.

Levy (Levi)

Levi city, Finland © eirikso / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

If you don't know where to go to Finland in winter, take a closer look at Levi - this is the northernmost and largest ski resort in Finland. There are as many as 43 slopes of varying difficulty, 230 km of trails for cross-country skiers and special trails for skiers. There is even a special park for snowboarding.

That's all. I have listed all the interesting cities in Finland that are worth visiting. To better navigate, study what is at the beginning of the article. If you have something to add, please comment)