Discovering Finland
Discovering Finland
Finland is a hidden gem tucked into the far up North. It is a treasure waiting to be discovered. You will find thousands of reasons to fall in love with Finland; the people, arctic adventures and secrets. And four distinct seasons that continue to call you back. When you think you have seen and experiences it all, then it is time to explore Finland.
ABOUT FINLAND
It depends on what you’d like to experience: for plenty of snow and winter activities, December to March is the best time. For springtime sun and the revival of nature after the winter, April to May is the period. For long and warm summer days and plenty of events, opt for June, July and August. For autumn leaf color, visit in September-October.
Experience the Northern Lights
In northern Lapland the lights shine about every other clear night between August and April. In southern Finland they are visible on about 10-20 nights a year. Auroral activity peaks often occur at the beginning and the end of the season.
Visit Santa Clause
Each December you can travel through Finland to see Santa and his little helpers. The northern most part of Finland, Lapland, is the magical arctic region full of contrasts. In fact, contrasts are a key factor in the allure of Lapland where 24-hour sunlight in the summer replaces the dark winter days filled with Northern Lights.
Get inspired for your next trip
Experience the Elves' Hideaway Village
The Experience Hotel Taivaanvalkeat and the Elves’ Experience Village combined make a unique experience destination on the quiet riverbank of the Ounasjoki river. You can feel Lapland’s enchanting magic here and breathe the cleanest air in Europe.
The hotel is suitable for accommodation, special events and meetings. On the other hand, the courtyard offers unlimited possibilities for a variety of activities. This is an excellent place for groups, families or just for you when you want to experience something a bit different.
The Elves’ Experience Village is a well-known and attractive tourist destination based on stories and mythology, filled with fun activities and open all year round. The allure of the Elves’ Experience Village is based on stories, fairy tales, culture, fantasy and mythology. It is nature’s own amusement park. The destination combines two strong travel trends: nature and cultural tourism.
The Elves’ Experience Village is located in Lapland, 180km north of the Arctic Circle in Kittilä, in the Köngäs village only 8km from Levi. It’s easy to get here by car, plane, train or on a bus.
Step into Lapland’s living fairy tale!
FINLAND & THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
The thrill of witnessing the Aurora Borealis is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many. Some, however, get hooked and can never get enough of the blazing colors in the sky.
The Northern Lights dancing up above is such a powerful and unique natural phenomenon it changes lives down on Earth. Being one of the best places to spot the Aurorae, Finland has even received immigration because of them.
Finland Hotel On sale
FINLAND FACTS & FAQ
There are some things you might be curious about before coming to Finland. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one, and we’re here to help!
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT FINLAND?
It depends on what you’d like to experience: for plenty of snow and winter activities, December to March is the best time. For springtime sun and the revival of nature after the winter, April to May is the period. For long and warm summer days and plenty of events, opt for June, July and August. For autumn leaf colour, visit in September-October.
I DON’T SPEAK ANY FINNISH, WILL I MANAGE?
If you speak English, you should not have any difficulties as most Finns speak fluent (or at least understandable) English.
WHEN AND WHERE CAN I SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS?
In northern Lapland the lights shine about every other clear night between August and April. In southern Finland they are visible on about 10-20 nights a year. Auroral activity peaks often occur at the beginning and the end of the season.
HOW ABOUT THE MIDNIGHT SUN?
Also in Lapland. In Utsjoki, the very north of Finland, the sun stays above the horizon for more than two months between mid-May and late July. In southern parts of Lapland, the sun stays up constantly for a month in June-July. However, nights are white throughout the country for most of the summer.
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Practical Information for Travelers to Finland during Corona Pandemic
How late are bars and night clubs open?
Most bars stop serving at 1.30 am and close at 2 am. Night clubs stop serving at 3.30 am and close at 4 am at the latest.
What is the legal drinking age in Finland?
The sale of alcohol to persons under 18 years of age is prohibited by law. People over 18 can buy alcoholic drinks such as wines and beers containing at most 22 per cent alcohol by volume.
A person aged 20 can buy alcoholic drinks of any kind from an Alko (state monopoly) store. Customers may be asked to show a passport, identification card or driving licence as proof of age.
Beer and cider is sold in supermarkets and other food stores until 9 pm every day. Wines, liquors and spirits are sold in Alko stores.
Most Alko stores are open from Monday to Friday between 9 am and 8 pm, and 9 am to 6 pm on Saturdays.
What documents do I need to enter Finland?
You need a valid national passport or other equivalent official document that satisfactorily establishes your identity and nationality. If you aren’t a citizen of Finland or another European Economic Area (EEA) country, you may also need a visa. Please check with your local Finnish Embassy.
Do I need to get vaccinated before entering Finland? Finland is one of Europe’s safest countries in terms of health and hygiene. No vaccinations or inoculations are required before arrival.
Finnish pharmacies are well stocked with all the basic medicines, but note that some medicines that are available in stores and supermarkets in other countries such as Aspirin and various ointments are only available in pharmacies in Finland.
What about temperatures & how cold does it get and will there be snow?
During the winter months, temperatures can drop as low as –35 degrees Celsius. Luckily, this is not the norm: regular winter temperatures fall somewhere between 5 and 15. In the summer, it gets as hot as 30 degrees Celsius, sometimes even more. Normal summer temperature is a bit over 20 degrees.
In Finland, it is common to have up to a 70 degree difference in temperature between January and July. During January and February, there is almost always snow in northern and eastern Finland. Even if there’s little snow in Helsinki, there’s often up to a meter or more on the skiing slopes of Lapland. The snow season in northern Finland begins in November and lasts at least until April-May.
In the inland regions of southern and central Finland, the first snow falls at the beginning of December and melts during March.
What should I wear?
If you are planning a winter visit, get a warm, padded winter jacket. Thermal underwear, a warm hat, thick socks and gloves help out a lot when temperatures drop below freezing. If you have trouble finding winter gear where you come from, don’t worry everything can be purchased in Finland.
Warm clothing is included in guided safaris and other winter excursions. In the autumn and spring, waterproof footwear comes in handy if you intend exploring the outdoors.
In the summer, casual wear is pretty much the same as in other parts of northern and central Europe light trousers, shorts, tee-shirts and so on.
What are the Everyman´s Rights I’ve heard of?
One of the great concepts in Finland is called “Everyman’s Rights”. This gives you the right to roam freely in natural areas like forests, fells, lakes and rivers, without permission from landowners.
The concept has evolved over time and started as an unwritten code created by a sparse population living in a vast, densely forested country. Some guidelines: you can pick wild berries and mushrooms, but not someone’s apples or plums.
You can go canoeing and camping, but not too close to someone’s house. In many areas, fishing requires a permit. Don’t leave litter, and leave the place the way you found it.
Simply put: Enjoy the great outdoors, but be responsible and respect nature as well as other people and their property. More details on Everyman’s Rights
Can I shop tax free in Finland?
Anyone permanently resident outside the EU and Norway can shop tax free in Finland, thus saving about 12 (max. 16) per cent on purchases of over 40 e.
Only stores with “tax free shopping” signs will provide customers with a check covering the VAT refund; this can be cashed upon leaving the last EU country visited.
What are the common shopping hours?
Most shops are open until 6 pm or 8 pm on weekdays and close between 3 pm and 6 pm on Saturdays. Some are open until 6 pm on Sundays, while others are closed.
Bigger supermarkets are open until 9 pm and smaller ones until 11 pm on weekdays, and 6 pm and 11 pm on weekends, respectively. Exceptions occur on public holidays, bank holidays etc.
What credit cards are accepted in Finland?
American Express, Diner’s Club, Eurocard, Access, Master Card and Visa are accepted in hotels, restaurants, larger shops, and department stores. Visa Electron is also accepted in many shops and department stores.
I’ve heard there are some nasty mosquitoes in Finland, is it true?
Finnish mosquitoes are a nuisance rather than a hazard, but there can be quite a few at times during the summer.
There are practically no mosquitoes in cities, as they mostly bother you in the countryside in the northern parts of the country. The mosquitoes are not dangerous, and repellent is available in shops, supermarkets and pharmacies.
