The Country of White Lilies

• In Finland, the sun refuses to set! The non-set of the sun is a kind of natural phenomenon that takes place in the North and South polar circles. This natural phenomenon causes the sun not to set for 24 hours during the summer season in Finland. Especially in the Lapland region of the country, this situation can last for over two months, in other words, you can sit and watch the sun at midnight in the summer months.
• In winter, temperatures even drop to around -30 degrees. In summer, on the other hand, it is around 20 degrees at most.
• Fruits and vegetables in the markets are weighed in litres, not kilos.
• Consideration is given to the construction of saunas as a common-use area in the apartments and sauna is a pretty significant cultural element for Finns.
• The level of education in the country is very high. Following Swedish, Finnish, and English in primary school, they learn an additional optional language in high school and usually graduate with four languages.

Three Must-See Cities in Finland:

1. Helsinki

Successfully maintaining its place in the top five every year in almost all surveys regarding the question “Which is the best city to live in the world?”, Helsinki was founded in 1550 and has been the capital of Finland since 1812. Today, the capital is the gateway to one of the countries with the highest “Human Development Index” around the world.

Situated on the Baltic coast, Helsinki hosts boutiques, shops, and galleries displaying fashion, furniture, and textiles. You can stroll through the forests of Helsinki and sail around the nearby islands (There are 315 islands in Helsinki). Despite the developed metropolitan structure where greenery and sea are preserved with care, you can find all the natural beauties Finland has to offer together and on the same trip, in the city known as the “White City of the North”. Helsinki was also selected as the “Design Capital of the World” in 2012.

• Foreign and domestic tourists from all over the country visit the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. Here you can witness authentic old Finnish houses, traditional clothing and the traditional details that make Finland the country it is today.
• You can enjoy your time on the sandy beaches of Pihlajasaari, a popular summer destination mostly preferred by locals.
• In Korkesaari, known for hosting Helsinki’s largest zoo, you can meet 200 species of animals.
• Visiting the walls in Vallisaari, one of the popular islands of the city, will be very enjoyable as well.

2. Lapland

Located in the northernmost part of Finland, Lapland is at a point where many world-famous natural phenomena are experienced in unison. Since this region is located within the Arctic circle, one can witness reindeer, fascinating husky dogs and the northern lights offering a unique experience through their unique visuals in this region. Through these features, Lapland offers the impression of a place out of a fairy tale.

Since it is very close to the polar region, the temperature from December to April is -40 degrees in the region and heavy snowfall is experienced. Even in spring, temperatures in the region can only reach a maximum of 10 degrees, and a maximum of 20 degrees in summer. You can witness the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) unique to Lapland with the naked eye here. Lapland is considered the joint territory of Sweden, Norway, and Finland. For this reason, even if you miss the northern lights in Lapland, you can enjoy finding yourself in these 3 countries at the same time. You can also come across tourists in Lapland trying to swim in the Atlantic sea.

3. Oulu

Being a developed city, Oulu consists of several islands connected through small bridges. The population of university students livens up the atmosphere of the city. The oldest science centre in Finland, Tiedeskus Tietomaa, is located in this city. Multimedia content and physical objects related to many scientific subjects are found here.

In Rotuaari, you can rent a bike and tour like the locals, watch a play in the historical Oulu Kaupunginteatteri city theatre, and visit Oulu Linna Castle.

Four Must-Do’s in Finland:

1-) Witnessing the northern lights;

2-) Trying out the Finnish bath;

3-) Making an island tour through ferries;

4-) Visiting Santa’s house…

What to Eat in Finland?

The fact that Finland is a country facing the sea results in Finnish people preferring fish in almost every meal, from bread to soup.

Cabbage rolls (kaalikääryleet), game food such as deer, duck, rabbit, etc., fried freshwater sea bass, Hernekeitto – Pea Soup, Salmon Soup (Lohiketto – This soup, whose main ingredient is salmon, is served with potatoes, carrots, bay leaves, and dill), and fish between bread “Kalakukko” (fish and vegetables are stuffed into the dough and baked in the oven to make fish bread.

Nilsu Emre

Travel Writer