Finland Quick Guide

Finland is an incredibly beautiful Northern European country bordering Russia, Norway and Sweden. Its capital, Helsinki, takes on a peninsula surrounded by surrounding islands and harbour in the Baltic Sea. Helsinki is home to some of the most beautiful architectural ruins in Europe. The spectacular Northern Lights are also visible from the freezing cold country's Arctic Lapland region, an enormous wilderness with national Parks and vast skiing resorts. The stunning countryside offers tourists stunning landscape scenes.

Finland has a big chunk of coastline along its southern and eastern coasts, and this is where most of the tourist influx goes. Some of the most popular spots to see and explore include the city centre of Tampere and Helsinki, where there are exciting bars and restaurants to explore and plenty of shopping opportunities. Travellers also need to visit Rovaniemi, a small fishing village that offers visitors authentic aut sandy beaches and lots of interesting sights and activities. Tampere and Rovaniemi form a fantastic triangle, with many interesting locations for backpacking in Finland. Backpacking in Finland doesn't have to mean hiking and trekking through thick forest or ice-cold lakes!

Tallinn is another great destination for backpacking in Finland. It is a beautiful city with modern architecture and beautiful lake views. There are plenty of interesting shops and nightspots to explore while you're in town. If you enjoy boating, river cruises and cruising through lakes, Tallinn is a great city for boating, fishing and inland water sports. For those who love culture and history, it's worth taking a day trip up to the Erietshire archipelago, home to a ruined medieval castle and impressive Gothic cathedrals.

While there's plenty to do and see in Tallinn, one of the best things to do is get out and experience the area's wild and unspoiled wilderness. There's a wealth of hiking opportunities available in several remote areas, and many travellers find they develop an almost fanatical affection for the outdoors once they're on their travels. Finnish hikers even exist, and you can follow one of their trails from start to finish. Hiking is one of the most rewarding aspects of backpacking, and the experience may just motivate you to try harder and reach your backpacking goals.

Finland has some excellent lakes and natural wildlife, and you'll be in no shortage of places to photograph. Tallinn, of course, boasts some of the prettiest and most stunning lakes in all of Europe. lakes like Eero Aarnio, Katla and Hyropposenna have long been recognised as picturesque Finland travel guides, with plenty of spectacular scenery and perhaps the most photographed tourist destinations in the whole of the region. If you're keen to explore the other lakes and watch some fish take a dip, don't miss a trip to Viimau, the largest lake in Finland.

Finland has quite a few national parks, too. Take a drive to the south of the country and you'll see a range of impressive countryside and forested mountains. The biggest of these is Suomenojaakka, which boasts more than a hundred lakes and includes Saaremaari and Velavoja panoramas. Other lakes include Kaupangno, Epirjo and Velkokotkakka. A Finland travel guide will tell you which are the best, but it's worth taking a look and finding out for yourself just what these lakes can offer.

As well as the stunning countryside, Finland has plenty to offer in the way of modern culture and shopping. There's also plenty to do in the mountains, with plenty of opportunity for hiking, camping and river rafting. If you're into skiing, you'll find plenty of off-road tracks as well. But before you head out, be sure to take a look at a Finland travel guide to get an idea of how to prepare for your trip and what to expect when you get there.

One thing that you definitely won't want to miss out on is music. Finland has many talented musicians, many of whom have made a name for themselves in the international scene. So if you want to hear about local legends and current ones, listen to the radio or visit a folk festival. You'll be surprised by the variety of entertainment available and how easily you can get up to speed on any given day.

What vaccinations do I need?

Up to date information for vaccinations before you travel to Finland are available from the NHS Fit for Travel website.

Is it safe to travel?

Best time to visit?

Definitively the best time to visit Finland is during the summer months of June, July and August, when the climate is warmest, the days are longest and the blossoming landscape at its prettiest, and when tourist facilities and transport services operate at full steam.

Do I need a Visa?

If you hold a British Citizen passport, you don't need a visa to enter Finland.

See which forms you may need for entry into Finland.

What currency do i need?

The official currency of Finland is the Euro (EUR). If you're looking to transfer or spend money in Finland you can grab amazing Euro deals via Wise.com (GBP to EUR).

What about the wildlife?

These pristine and picturesque landscapes provide habitat for many wild animals and birds including magnificent bears, wolves, lynx, eagles, cranes and swans, as well as the world's rarest seal. Birdwatchers flock to Finland to find species that are hard to spot anywhere else in Europe.

What is the traditional food?

Finnish food? Rye bread is so beloved by Finns that it was voted the national food in 2017 (the same year Finland celebrated its 100th year of independence from Russia).

What Languages are spoken?

Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages of Finland You can learn some basic Finnish before you travel to Finland and really impress the locals!

How much do you tip?

The currency in Finland is the Euro (Normally tipping is not expected in Finland and a service charge is added in hotels and restaurants. Finnish people do tip only if they wish to appreciate good service or delicious food. It is not obligatory to give a tip to the taxi drivers.).

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Useful Numbers

  • Police: 112
  • Ambulance: 112
  • Fire: 112
  • UK Embassy: +358 9 22865100

Time Difference

The GMT time difference is 2 hours

Travel Apps

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Learn Finnish

Learn some Finnish before your trip to Finland


Finland Guidebook

Stay informed before, during and after your trip to Finland by buying a guidebook.