Finland. Finland Entertainment and recreation

Finnish cities - small and large - offer tourists many opportunities for shopping, delicious food, interesting museums and excursions. From the border towns of Lappeenranta and Imatra to the larger cities of Tampere and Turku and, of course, the capital of Finland - Helsinki - in our guide you will find links to the most up-to-date information.

Cities of Finland - near the border

Many Russian tourists spend time in Finland close to the border. Lappeenranta, Imatra, Kouvola, Kotka, Lahti, Mikkeli, Hamina delight Russian tourists not only with shops and pure Finnish nature, but also with an abundance of interesting events, spas and water parks, museums and excursions.

Lappeenranta

If you come to stay longer, see where to stay on the page. The city and its surroundings offer a large number of entertainment and attractions.

Museum lovers will be interested in,.

Families with children and simply lovers of active recreation can have a pleasant time in the Rauha area in Lappeenranta.

Imatra

Imatra can offer many activities for every taste - from walks on and to a fishing park and just a wonderful place to relax on the Vuoksa River in Imatra -.

Kouvola

Kotka

In Kotka there are interesting museums and activities for both children and adults - excursions in and are also available in Russian.

Lahti

Lahti is famous for its annual ski championships. The Lahti Sports Center is located near the city center and includes a ski jump complex that is considered a symbol of the city.

Mikkeli

Mikkeli, or St. Michel, is named after St. Michael, and is a sister city of St. Petersburg.

This small city has two parks for active recreation - and.

Hamina

Cities of Finland - Capital Region

Helsinki

Helsinki is a city with a rich history and attractions for the most discerning tastes. Start with and delve into the details of the story and .

If you are a lover of walking, then we can offer you several options -, and.

If you get tired of walking, then in Helsinki there are even special ones.

For a more independent trip, rent one.

At the end of a busy tourist day, it’s always nice to sit down with a glass of wine or cold beer - see our recommendations and.

Those who travel on a budget will be interested in materials, and.

In Helsinki, you can choose from excursions in Russian - , .

Porvoo

Porvoo will be interesting for a day trip with the family - read and.

Espoo

Espoo is an integral part of the capital region, and although it is sometimes called Helsinki's bedroom community, there are many opportunities to spend time outdoors.

Read about the history of the city and attractions in.

Turku

Jyväskylä

Savonlinna

The history of the city of Savonlinna is closely connected with the ancient fortress of Olavinlinna. Today, Olavinlinna is the best-preserved military fortification in northern Europe. But it was used exclusively peacefully. Now the fortress building has been turned into a large museum. The exhibitions tell tourists about the history of the castle, about the stages of its development over many centuries. Every year in July-August, the voices of famous opera singers from all over the world are heard on an indoor stage built in the courtyard of the ancient fortress.

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 the northern part of Europe between Sweden in the west and Russia in the east. Widely known for effective medicine and education, which is 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 a longer holiday 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

Cities worth visiting in Finland

Helsinki

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

Helsinki is the main city of Finland, its capital and largest city. Next door in the Baltic Sea lies an astonishing archipelago of 330 islands. The best way to get to know Helsinki is on foot and 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, which are best visited in comfortable warm weather. In addition, at this time, children go on vacation in all directions, and many festivals and parties take place in the city.

Like many other capitals, Helsinki has a lot to offer tourists. These include interesting excursions and restaurants where you can try unusual Finnish cuisine. There are many restaurants in Helsinki that serve “grandmother’s style” food, i.e. drawing on local culinary traditions. Where you should go for shopping in Finland is 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, sandwiched like a sausage between two lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. These lakes are very popular with fishermen and offer boating and fishing opportunities. There are many public saunas nearby. And the sauna, as you know, is a favorite way of leisure among Finns. Tampere is also best visited in 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 Särkänniemi amusement park, 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

City of Espoo, 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 far from the only museum in the city.

Travelers interested in active holidays and who don't have time to explore the rest of Finland beyond the capital and surrounding areas 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 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 receive education in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English. Just imagine this wild mix of students and the very visible influence of different cultures in a small town.

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

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

Vaasa is located north of the capital. You can reach this town by train from Helsinki in 4 hours, so you'll want to find somewhere to stay overnight to 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 explore 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 southwest coast of Finland. It is the third largest city after Helsinki and Tampere. Turku has a very well developed public transport network, with which you can easily reach 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 Turku embankment where you can eat delicious food overlooking the river. The best time to visit here is in the summer due to the pleasant weather and numerous festivals that take place from June to September.

If you also want to take in Sweden, there are luxury cruises from Turku to Stockholm.

Pori

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

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

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

And thousands of bird watchers who migrate through the river delta come to Pori.

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”. The Åland Islands were once the world's largest fleet of sailing ships and were romantically called "the port of the last windmills." There are white sand beaches, rocky shores dotted with shaggy herds of sheep, a sea winding through numerous islands, ruins of old castles and green spruce groves everywhere.

You can go kayaking and hiking here, just like almost everywhere else in Finland. In Mariehamn you will find several architectural wooden houses reminiscent of Finnish history. It has a very relaxed atmosphere and is an ideal place for a family holiday.

Interesting fact about Mariehamn: despite the fact that it is officially part of Finland, 88% of the island's inhabitants speak Swedish. The population of the Åland Islands does not pay taxes; it is also a duty free zone.

Savonlinna

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

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

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

Savonlinna offers great hiking, canoeing, diving, kayaking and cycling.

Rovaniemi, Lapland

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

Rovaniemi is the main city in Lapland, the northernmost province of Finland. It is here that the residence of the world-famous Santa Claus is located and Santa Park was built. If you don’t know where to go in Finland in winter with children, choose Rovaniemi. The choice is obvious; many people come to Lapland in winter, especially during the New Year and Christmas holidays. Here there is a polar night for half a year, when the sun barely rises from the horizon, and for half a year there is a polar day, when the nights are white and the sun practically never sets below the horizon. People come to Lapland to see the northern lights. It shines almost 200 nights a year.

People come here for the wildlife, skiing at the numerous resorts, or sledding with reindeer or huskies, hiking near the border with Sweden and visiting the 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, local residents come here on weekends to go skiing, snowboarding and various sledding, sometimes with huskies, sometimes with reindeer. People come here both in winter and summer. If you are going in winter, I advise you to take a good steam in the sauna and dive into a cold lake with the Finns (if your health allows, of course).

Jyväskylä

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

Jyväskylä 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 created by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto.

Kemi

Kemi city, 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 - the largest snow structure in the world, where you can even spend the night.

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

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

Kuhmo

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

Kuhmo is an ideal place to explore Finnish wildlife. The city has become famous for the annual Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, which lasts two weeks. Kuhmo also has a record number of lakes - as many as 600, 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 very center 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. This is an adventure you will definitely never forget.

Oulu

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

Oulu is Finland's oldest city, located in the northern part of the country and takes great pride in being the best place to go to explore the Arctic. You can easily get here 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 the First and is the capital of Karelia. The city is located in southeastern Finland. The best time to come here is in the 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 will take your breath away.

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 manor houses, rowing boats and village houses are designed to show the traditional Finnish way of life. Besides 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 back to the Gulf of Bothnia. Locals often have picnics here and simply relax in a beautiful place.

Levi

City of Levi, 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 alpine skiers. There is even a special park for snowboards.

That's all. I have listed all the interesting cities in Finland that are worth visiting. For better guidance, read what is at the beginning of the article. If you have anything to add, welcome to the comments)

The main attraction of Finland is its amazing nature, for which national parks are the best place to relax. Travelers with children and anyone looking for a colorful Nordic backdrop for a photo shoot usually flock to Urho Kekkonen, overlooked by the Korvatunturi hill, where the Finnish brother of the Russian Father Frost is rumored to live. You can take part in a husky safari, go skiing and snowboarding, go down into a real mine and organize a social competition to pick lingonberries in Pyhä-Luosto. People usually come to Linnansaari to kayak through the narrow straits and skate a free program on lakes bound by a dense layer of ice. Oulanka Park, located almost on the border with Russia, is worth a look if you are interested in the nature of North Karelia, and it is recommended to look for fabulous hills and inspiring panoramas of Lake Pielinen in Koli Park.

In terms of cultural program, Helsinki is ahead of everyone else. The Finnish capital is quiet and pleasant, unlike other European cities, which makes it even more conducive to leisurely excursions. Of the iconic places of the “daughter of the Baltic,” it is worth highlighting Senaatintori Square, Sveaborg Citadel, Temppeliaukio Mountain Church and Tuomiokirkko Cathedral. The islet of Seurasaari makes an indelible impression, attracting travelers with its ethnographic open-air museum and winding forest routes.

The surroundings of the port city of Kotka have been well advertised by numerous parks and ancient forts. Be sure to find the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker here, whose exteriors in the style of Russian classicism copy the architecture of St. Petersburg churches to the smallest detail. The oldest city in the country, Turku, also has something to catch your eye. The short list of attractions of the ancient port is headed by Abo Castle, which was built as a military fort, but later became famous not for its heroic defense, but for its knightly revelries. By the way, if you have a few hundred euros lying around in your pocket, the palace halls can be rented for a cheerful banquet or a pompous wedding ceremony.

A visit to local museums will also bring a lot of impressions. Those who know a lot about avant-garde trends and ordinary lovers of criticizing the creations of contemporary artists have a direct route to the Kiasma Museum. To look at the paintings of Shishkin, Repin and Van Gogh, buy a ticket to the Athenaeum Museum. A visit to the open-air exhibition “Karelian House” is usually recommended for everyone interested in ancient life. The “Tsar’s House” museum also has an interesting fate, whose building was built specifically for Alexander III: it was here that the Russian autocrat fished while European ambassadors languished in anticipation of his audience.

You can also travel from city to city by bus. There are several large carriers operating in Finland, united to form the ExpressBus company. Ticket prices are quite reasonable; in addition, there is a pleasant system of discounts for children, pensioners and students. Those who want to travel around the province to their heart's content and save a little money can purchase a Bus Pass (150 EUR - weekly option, 250 EUR - two-week option). It is recommended to look for more complete information about bus routes, tickets and discounts on the company website expressbus.fi.

A fairly common method of communication between port cities is ferry crossings. The same transport is also convenient for getting to the Åland Islands. You can find out about ferry routes and schedules on the website finferries.fi.

It is convenient to travel within the Finnish capital by buses, trams, metro and taxi. Tickets here are universal and valid for any type of public transport: you can limit yourself to a one-time option (about 2-2.7 EUR), or you can take a daily (8 EUR), three-day (16 EUR) or five-day (24 EUR) pass.

An available taxi in Helsinki is identified by a yellow light on the roof of the car. Payment is made by meter, through a cash register installed in the salon. On average, landing costs from 5.3 to 8.3 EUR, and a kilometer of travel costs from 1.4 to 2 EUR.

The most active and tireless people will be able to rent a bicycle without any problems: for just 2 EUR, the capital’s CityBike parking lots will provide you with a working “two-wheeled horse.” In other cities, tariffs are higher: 10-15 EUR per day of vehicle operation.

Car rental in Finland

The roads in Finland are excellent, and the most interesting sights are scattered throughout the country, so renting a car here is definitely worth it. The only thing that can slightly spoil the impressions of the trip is the local gasoline prices. For a liter of diesel fuel at Finnish gas stations they demand from 1.13 EUR, the 95th goes for 1.34 EUR, and a liter of the 98th will cost 1.41 EUR.

Any driver over the age of 18 who has an international license, his own credit card and at least 1 year of driving experience can rent a car in Finland. Tariffs of rental companies usually depend on the period for which the car is rented. For example, renting an economy class car for a day will lighten your wallet by as much as 70 EUR. For those who rent a vehicle for a longer period, the prices are more favorable - about 120 EUR for 3 days of rental. Payment is made on the day you receive the car, however, if you plan to book the car in advance, be prepared to make a partial prepayment. As for fines for traffic violations, information about them is usually sent to the rental office, which automatically debits the required amount from the deposit blocked on your card.

Connection

The big three Finnish telecom operators are DNA, Elisa and Sonera. To connect to any of them, just look into a company salon, supermarket or R-kioski stores, where for 6-18 EUR you will be quickly accepted into the ranks of subscribers. The most economical tariff plans are offered by Elisa and DNA: SMS and calls for 0.07 EUR, Internet - 0.99 EUR/day, while purchasing a DNA SIM card costs a couple of euros more. Sonera rates are slightly higher: 0.08 EUR for local calls and 0.16 EUR per minute of communication with foreign countries.

Such an endangered form of communication as the payphone is still popular in Finland. You can find the treasured booth with a retro device on the street, in the subway, hotels and post offices. Conversations there are paid for with cards sold in R-kioski stores; the minimum cost of a call within the country is 0.5 EUR.

Everything is more than fine with the Internet in the homeland of the Moomins. Guests of most hotels receive free and unlimited access to the World Wide Web, while others can experience similar benefits of civilization in restaurants and cafes. In Helsinki, you can find a Wi-Fi hotspot right in the city center: the main post office, city hall, shopping centers, and libraries generously distribute traffic to everyone.

Finland for children

The Finns adore children no less than their Swedish neighbors, so the range of entertainment for young travelers here is simply fabulous. The village of Joulupukki and Santa Park (Rovaniemi) continue to hold the crown among the most desirable attractions in Finland. Here your little one will be greeted by the Finnish Santa Claus (the same Joulupukki), elf helpers, reindeer sleighs and merry carousels sparkling with Christmas garlands. Kids and adults, nostalgic for the wonderful fairy tales of Tove Jansson, can take a ride to the city of Naatali, in the vicinity of which live the Moomins, Snufkin and other incredible inhabitants of Moomidol. It’s better to take young experimenters to the Eureka Popular Science Center, or even “forget” them there for a couple of days (there is a camp for teenagers at the museum) in order to have fun in some adult establishment.

Beach holiday

The number of well-groomed and top-quality beaches in the Land of a Thousand Lakes is difficult to count, so tourists always have the opportunity to be capricious, choosing the best one from them. The most cozy and attractive areas of the coast usually belong to hotels or are attached as an additional bonus to tourist houses, but there is no shortage of public places for swimming. In Helsinki, too, there are about 30 beaches, where you can lie on for free.

Among the most developed and visited resorts in Finland is Yyteri (the city of Pori): as many as 6 kilometers of pristine sandy shore with campsites, spa complexes, extreme entertainment and excellent beach infrastructure. Families with children and those who like to splash around in shallow waters are usually recommended to visit Oulu and Tampere, as well as take a closer look at the beaches of lakes Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi. You can also swim in the Åland Islands, but you will have to look for a suitable place with a convenient descent: the shores here are rocky.

Skiing

The mountains, or rather the hills, of Finland are not aimed at ski gurus, but rather at beginners and those who have just learned the basics of this sport. With the same success, you can slide down their gentle slopes on a sled or cheesecake: the risk is minimal, but the pleasure and adrenaline are the opposite. By the way, local tracks are equipped with the latest technology.

Resorts of a more advanced level are worth looking for in Lapland. In particular, if you want to mingle among the Finnish business elite, save up your money for a ski pass to Saariselkä. In Levi the people are simpler: the complex is famous for its variety of trails and its cable car, the only one in all of Finland. Vuokatti is popular with families with children, snowboarders and cross-country skiers, for whom there are first-class trails. But skiers from the Northern capital prefer not to go too deep into the Finnish wilds, mastering the slopes of border resorts like Friski, Myllymäki and Uuperinrinteet.

You can fish in Finnish waters only with a license. Fishing with a regular fishing rod without a reel and spoon is possible without obtaining a documentary permit. To obtain a license, a tourist must obtain, firstly, a certificate of payment of the state fishing fee (can be purchased at a bank, post office, R-kioski network and on the official website), and secondly, a receipt for payment of a local license (purchased at gas stations, in stores). Each of the documents is valid only in the territory of one province, that is, if you are planning to organize a fishing tour on all the lakes of Finland, you will have to acquire a new license in each region.

As for the catch, it will be equally rich everywhere, differing only in species diversity. For example, for salmon and grayling it is better to go to the Lapland rivers Näätämejoki, Simojoki, Tenojoki and Tornionjoki. Pike are most often caught in lakes Kemijärvi and Porttipahta, and for brown trout you will have to ride to Inari and Vätäri. The coolest place in eastern Finland is the Kuusamo region, in particular the Tornio River. You should come here for salmon, as well as pike and perch, which flood the surrounding lakes.

In the west of the country you can get hold of trout, grayling and the same salmon (the rivers Kiiminkijoki, Simojoki, Iijoki), but for whitefish it is worth looking at the lakes and rapids of the Savo region, which has gained fame as the most ecologically clean corner of Finland.

Where to stay

Traditional Finnish hotels do not have stars, which does not affect the level of their service. For those who are used to traveling on a grand scale and prefer apartments in the “expensive-rich” style, we can recommend such options as, Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa (Helsinki), Arctic Light (Rovaniemi).

Incorrigible misanthropes, ultimate romantics and couples seeking solitude will find wooden cottages scattered throughout the most secluded and picturesque corners of Finland: , . Almost all houses are built from environmentally friendly materials and equipped with fireplaces and saunas. By the way, such apartments are in demand at ski resorts.

You can relax your body and soul in the spa complexes that have recently filled the shores of Finnish lakes and rivers (, Cumulus Rukahovi, Ruissalo, Santa's Resort & Spa Hotel Sani). If the tourist budget is bursting at the seams and there is not enough money for a decent hotel , it's worth checking out the local hostels and campsites.

Despite the fact that Finland is considered to be an expensive country, housing prices here are very varied. If in pretentious hotels the most modest room will cost 75 EUR, then in hotels of a lower rank there will always be a room for 50 EUR. In hostels the situation is even more positive - up to 45 EUR per room. The most ridiculous (by European standards) prices for campsites: from 3 to 20 EUR per night. The owners of eco-cottages have not yet decided on prices, so you can rent a nice house for a week for either 250 or 800 euros.

Shopping

Global shopping in Finland can cost a pretty penny, so travelers planning to buy branded items should better time their trip around Christmas or Juhannus (the Finnish equivalent of Midsummer Day), when large-scale sales start in all the country's malls. You can tell that the store has started liquidating the collection by looking at the “Alennusmyynt” and “Ale” signs.

The most suitable places to get a stylish European outfit in Finland are showrooms and outlets in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere. Do not neglect locally produced textile products, which will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than their French or English counterparts. In particular, the youth brand Jack & Jones, sports equipment manufacturer Luhta and exclusive designer clothing Halonen have gained a good reputation. The best place to look for original children's clothes, toys and vintage accessories is at kirputoria flea markets. If second-hand shopping does not cause negative associations, you can save a lot of money in such places.

Those who like to buy memorable souvenirs should save up a certain amount in their account in advance: the range of funny little things and gift products in Finland is luxurious. Here you will find national dolls, reindeer skins, Moomin figurines, elite Lapponia Jewelry, skillfully stylized as handicrafts, locally produced porcelain and ceramics, Scandinavian puukko knives, as well as a bunch of other things that will warm you up. soul, becoming a tangible reminder of the trip. Gourmets usually bring smoked fish, berry liqueur, cheeses, Fazer chocolate, Salmiakki licorice candies, Piparkakkuja cookies and Mintu mint liqueur from Finland.

Tax free

VAT on most goods in Finland is as much as 22%, so searching for a store that supports the Tax free system is not a whim, but a real way to save on purchases. As practice shows, you can return from 12 to 16% of the cost of the goods, but only if the amount of your purchases exceeded 40 EUR. And one more thing: go on a shopping tour with a passport, since store employees will definitely require you to show it before filling out the receipt.

You can get part of your money back at Helsinki Airport, as well as at return points located on the Finnish-Russian border: border crossings Valimaa-Torfyanovka, Imatra-Svetogorsk, Nuijamaa-Brusnichnoe, Niirala-Värtsilä and others. To apply for Tax free, you must first “stamp” the goods from customs officers (under no circumstances open the packaging), after which you can safely go to any of the nearest offices that handle refunds.

Store opening hours

Small shops and boutiques are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00, while large shopping centers serve visitors until 20:00-21:00. On Saturday, all retail outlets are open with reduced hours, until 15:00. On a holiday, you won’t be able to buy anything, since except for the R-kioski chain pavilions, all stores in the country are closed.

Holidays and Events

In Finland, you can celebrate both classic religious holidays like Christmas and Easter, and take part in all kinds of festivals, which are an endless series in this country. Of the winter holidays, the New Year, the Day of the Sami People and the Day of “Kalevala” - the Karelian-Finnish poetic epic - are considered especially significant. In the spring, crispy brushwood is baked throughout the country for May Day (Vappu) and stocked with bouquets and gifts for Mother's Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

Summer in Finland is the holiday of Ivan Kupala (Juhannus), a military parade for the Day of Defense Forces, a daring Flow Festival and gay pride, which is unchanged for all European countries. The heavy rock festival Tuska Open Air in Helsinki also falls in the summer months: a stunning and equally deafening event is held in the industrial zone of the capital and attracts up to 30,000 spectators at its venues. In October, all tourists and metropolitan gourmets flock to Helsinki Market Square to celebrate Herring Day and at the same time try all varieties of this truly Scandinavian delicacy.

Visa information

To obtain permission to enter Finland, tourists from Russia and the CIS will have to apply for a visa. The procedure for obtaining a pass can be completed at consulates or visa centers. A standard Schengen package of documents will be required: an international passport valid for at least three months after the end of the trip, a color photo 36×47 mm, a completed online application form, confirmation of a hotel reservation, copies of round-trip air tickets and medical insurance covering expenses from 30,000 EUR.

In some cases, the consulate may require the tourist to provide proof of financial solvency and a certificate of employment. When traveling with children under the age of 14, you must provide a copy of the birth certificate, as well as a notarized copy of the travel permit from the mother/father if the child is traveling with only one of the parents.

Customs

Without having to fill out a declaration, you can bring only 1,500 USD to Finland. As for hand luggage, its cost should not exceed 430 EUR. Age restrictions apply for the import of alcohol:

• for persons under 18 years of age and tourists whose stay in the country is less than 3 days - a complete ban;
• for tourists aged 18 to 20 years – drinks no stronger than 22°.

In total, you can carry 16 liters of beer, 4 liters of wine and up to 1 liter of strong alcohol (over 22°), or 2 liters of other drinks with a strength of less than 22°, without paying a duty. Restrictions on tobacco products are the same as in other European countries: 200 cigarettes/50 cigars/250 g of tobacco. A more detailed list of limits applicable to the import and export of certain categories of goods can be found on the official website of the Finnish Customs Administration: tulli.fi.

How to get there

Airplane. You can fly from Moscow to Helsinki without transfers with Aeroflot and Finnair. Travel time – 1 hour 50 minutes. Direct flights from the Northern capital are offered by Norra (air time - 1 hour 10 minutes), and it is better to look for options with transfers from Rossiya, Aeroflot and AirBaltic (flight duration from 3 hours 30 minutes).

Train. Every day the branded train “Lev Tolstoy” departs from the Leningradsky station in Moscow to Helsinki, which residents of St. Petersburg can also get on. The entire journey of the locomotive takes no more than 14 hours. A more efficient option is the Allegro high-speed train from the Northern capital, which will take a tourist to Finland in just 3 hours 40 minutes.

Bus from St. Petersburg. Bus services towards Helsinki depart from Vosstaniya Square. The trip usually takes about 6 hours.

Ferry. Fans of sea cruises can sail to Finland on the Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia ferries departing from the St. Petersburg Marine Station. The duration of such a trip is 14 hours.

The cities and nature of Finland seem harsh, but, at the same time, unusual and picturesque. Each city (the classification of settlements here is unique) has its own flavor.

The concept of "city" in Europe and Finland is slightly different. In the first version, this word means a settlement in which at least 50 thousand people live, and the population density is at least 500 inhabitants per square meter. If we take into account only such European parameters, then there are 6 cities in Finland: Turku, Lahti, Vantaa, Jyväskylä, Helsinki and Espoo. It’s strange, but according to these data, even Tampere, which is an industrial settlement, does not belong to the category of cities.

If we take into account the Finnish classification of cities (municipalities), then according to it, 108 settlements are registered in the country, which are considered cities. Interestingly, the smallest of them is home to only 1,400 people. Most of the cities are located in the southern and western parts of Finland.

Large cities in Finland: list in Russian

List of Finnish cities by region:

• Western and Inland Finland: Akaa, Alavus, Alayarvi, Vaasa, Valkeakoski, Viitasaari, Virrat, Ikaalinen, Jyväskylä, Jämsä, Kangasala, Kannus, Kaskinen, Kauhajoki, Kauhava, Keuruu, Kokkola, Kristiinankaupunki, Kurikka, Lapua, Mänttä Vilppula, Nerpe s, Nokia, Orivesi, Parkano, Pietarsaari, Saarijärvi, Sastamala, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Uusukaaolepyu, Ehtäri, Äänekoski, Ylejärvi.
• Southern Finland: Vantaa, Imatra, Karkkila, Kauniainen, Kerava, Kotka, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Lahti, Loviisa, Lohja, Jurimatilla, Porvoo, Raseborg, Riihimäki, Forsaa, Hamina, Hanko, Heinola, Helsinki, Hyvinkää, Espoo, Järvenpää.
• Eastern: Varkaus, Iisalmi, Joensuu, Kitee, Kiuruvesi, Kuopio, Lieksa, Michelli, Nurmes, Outokumpu, Pieksämäki, Savonlinna, Suonenjoki.
• Southwestern: Guittinen, Kaarina, Kankaanpää, Kokemäki, Laitila, Loimaa, Naantali, Paimio, Parainen, Pori, Raisio, Rauma, Salo, Somero, Turku, Ulvilla, Harjavalta.
• Northern: Kalajoki, Kajaani, Kuusamo, Kuhmo, Nivala, Oulainen, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Puhäjärvi, Raahe, Haapavesi, Haapajärvi, Ylivieska.
• Åland Islands: Mariehamn.
• Lapland: Kemijärvi, Kemi, Rovaniemi, Tornio.

Cities in Finland by population

The largest number of residents live in the Finnish capital Helsinki – 574.5 thousand. The smallest number of inhabitants is in Kaskinen - 1480 people. You can learn more about the population of Finland from.

Number of cities in Finland:

• From 100 thousand to 500 thousand inhabitants – 7.
• 50 – 99 thousand – 8.
• 30-50 thousand – 13.
• 10-30 thousand – 41.
• 5-9 thousand – 39.
• Up to 5 thousand – 1.

Tourist cities in Finland worth visiting

In Finland it is almost impossible to get into large polluted cities, because they are not here. You can only see crystal clear rivers and lakes, amazingly beautiful islands and huge areas of forest.

• Lappeenranta. The city has recently become a famous resort, which lies on the shores of the largest Finnish lake. There are many vacationers from Russia, since the settlement is located on the Russian-Finnish border.
• Porvoo is considered the oldest Finnish city with unique wooden buildings and unusual cobbled streets, located on the river of the same name. The city is very colorful and original, built in the Middle Ages.
• Vaasa is a student city with 3 universities. Built back in the 17th century. Unique in that it was previously ruled by Russians, and most of the inhabitants were Swedes. Many old buildings did not survive, because the city was destroyed by fire and then rebuilt.
• Savonlinna is located in the Saimaa lake region. An ideal holiday destination for those who love lakes and wildlife. The main attraction of the city is Olavinlinna Castle, which was built in the 14th century. The opera festival attracts many guests.

Cities such as Jyväskylä, Rauma (listed by UNESCO), Turku, Tampere, Rovaniemi, and Helsinki also deserve attention.

Northern Finland is a harsh, but very picturesque and interesting region.

The largest cities in this area include:

• Oulu is located near the Gulf of Bothnia and is considered a kind of bridge to the world of Northern Finland, which is located almost 700 km away. There are amazing landscapes here not only near the bay, you can also find mountains, harsh but amazingly beautiful forest areas, and unusual polar vegetation. This is the land of Santa Claus and his fabulous helpers.
• Kuusamo is the city in which most tourists noted the most interesting routes. They are located along the Oulanka River (national park), river valleys, which are clearly indented by nature itself. There will also be gorges and abysses along the way. For tourists who are conquering walking routes for the first time, they offer an easy route to the Kitkanjoki River.
• The region of Tornio and Kemi is the harsh northern Finland, which gives you the opportunity to feel the breath of the sea. Tourists here enjoy boat trips on the Tornionjoki River and the Gulf of Bothnia (the most popular fishing destinations in Finland and Norway), safaris and salmon fishing spots. You can learn about the region itself at the Museum of Sami Culture and the Art Museum.
• Rovaniemi is especially popular among tourists during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Vacationers are attracted by snow-white winters and white nights. In addition to the main types of recreation, which are found throughout the northern part of the country, visiting the Ounasvaara fell and visiting reindeer herding farms are especially popular. Just 9 km from the city is the world-famous country of Santa Claus. You can see him there almost every day. Nearby is Ranua Zoo.
• Saariselkä is located beyond the Arctic Circle, among the hills. It is imbued with a real polar spirit. Despite the harsh conditions, life here is vibrant all year round. Routes of any complexity have been prepared for tourists. You can go skiing, reindeer sledding, dog sledding, or motor sleigh rides. You can also go fishing, pan for gold, or book a mini kayak tour (in summer).