Finland is an exciting country with a lot to explore, regardless of whether you like nature, culture or city life. Here are some easy tips for the best travel tips in Finland oh hotels in Helsinki:
You can also read about Helsinki in the May edition by Reis.
Visit Helsinki:
The capital of Finland is a great city with a lot of history and culture. Here you can visit Helsinki Cathedral, Suomenlinna Fortress and the famous design district.
See hotel overview below.
Explore Lapland:
Lapland is the northern part of Finland, and here you can experience real wilderness, northern lights and visit Sami villages. You can also visit Julemanndalen, where Santa's home is located.
Experience Finnish sauna:
Sauna is an important part of Finnish culture, and you should definitely try a Finnish sauna while in Finland. There are many public saunas and spas throughout the country.
Visit the ice hotel:
The famous ice hotel is located in the small town of Kittilä, and is a wonderful experience to visit. The hotel is built of ice and snow, and offers accommodation, a restaurant and a bar.
Take a trip on a Finnish lake:
Finland is known for its beautiful lakes, and there are many activities you can do on the lakes, such as canoeing, fishing or taking a boat trip.
Try Finnish food:
Finnish food is not as well known as other European food cultures, but there is much to experience. Try local specialties such as saimaa trout, venison or smoked salmon.
Go skiing:
Finland is a great place to ski, with many ski resorts and cross-country trails to choose from. Levi and Ylläs are two popular ski resorts.
Experience the midnight sun:
In summer you can experience the midnight sun in northern Finland, and it is a wonderful experience to see the sun never set.
Visit Ranua Zoo:
Ranua Zoo is one of the largest zoos in northern Europe, and you can see many arctic animals such as polar bears, reindeer, wolves and lynx.
Explore the Åland Islands:
Åland is a group of islands between Finland and Sweden, and is a great place to explore. You can visit old castles and cathedrals, cycle or paddle around the islands, or just enjoy the beautiful beaches.
Hotel and accommodation in Helsinki
Helsinki has a wide range of hotels and accommodation to choose from, depending on your preferences. Here are some of the best hotels and accommodations in Helsinki:
Hotel Haven:
Located in the heart of Helsinki's historic centre, this five-star hotel offers luxurious rooms, modern facilities and a fantastic harborside location.
Hotel Kämp:
This historic hotel has been one of Helsinki's most exclusive accommodations for over a hundred years. The hotel has elegant and spacious rooms, a first-class restaurant and a fantastic location in the city centre.
Klaus K Hotel:
With a unique design inspiration from Finnish mythology, this boutique hotel offers modern and trendy rooms, a first-class restaurant and a great location in the center of Helsinki.
Hotel St. George:
This luxury hotel has an elegant design and a fantastic location in the heart of Helsinki, close to Esplanadi Park and the famous design district. The hotel also has a first class restaurant and a spa.
Scandic Grand Marina:
This four-star hotel is located next to the harbor in Helsinki and is in a great location for exploring the city on foot or by public transport. The hotel offers modern and comfortable rooms, a restaurant and a gym.
Hotel Fabian:
Located in the trendy design district of Helsinki, this boutique hotel offers modern and cozy rooms with a relaxed atmosphere. The hotel also has a popular breakfast buffet and a great location close to many restaurants and shops.
GLO Hotel Art:
Located near Helsinki's main railway station, this stylish and modern hotel offers comfortable and well-equipped rooms, a popular restaurant and a great location for exploring the city.
Hotel Lilla Roberts:
Located in the heart of Helsinki's design district, this boutique hotel offers elegant and contemporary rooms, a first-class restaurant and a relaxing atmosphere.
Hotel Indigo Helsinki – Boulevard:
This boutique hotel is located in a historic building in central Helsinki and offers unique and trendy rooms with a cozy atmosphere. The hotel also has a popular restaurant and a great location close to many sights.
Forenom Aparthotel Helsinki City:
This apartment hotel offers modern and well-equipped apartments in the heart of Helsinki, in a great location close to many shops, restaurants and sights.
Eating places in Helsinki
Helsinki has a wide selection of restaurants and eateries, and the city is known for its rich and varied food culture. Here are some of the best restaurants and eateries in Helsinki, with specialties:
Savotta:
This restaurant serves authentic Finnish cuisine, specializing in classic dishes such as reindeer, elk, salmon and local berries and mushrooms. The restaurant also has a great atmosphere, and is decorated with traditional Finnish furniture and objects.
Jury:
This restaurant serves modern Finnish cuisine with a twist, specializing in small dishes perfect for sharing. Try their famous "sapas", which are Finnish tapas with local ingredients and flavors.
Olo:
This restaurant is known for its innovative and creative approach to Finnish food, serving everything from local vegetables and seafood to game meat and berries. Olo also has an extensive wine cellar with many local and international wines.
The Cock:
This restaurant serves modern and international cuisine with a Finnish twist, and specializes in high-quality meat and seafood. Try their famous "The Cock Burger", which is one of the best burgers in town.
Farang:
This restaurant serves Asian cuisine with a Finnish twist, specializing in Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian cuisine. Farang also has a great cocktail bar and a cozy atmosphere.
B-Smokery:
This restaurant serves American-style BBQ with a Finnish twist, specializing in slow-cooked meats such as ribs, brisket and pulled pork. B-Smokery also has an extensive cocktail menu and a great outdoor terrace.
Sushi bar + Wine:
This restaurant serves Japanese sushi and sashimi with a Finnish twist, and specializes in fresh seafood and local ingredients. The restaurant also has a wide selection of wine and sake.
Yes Yes Yes:
This vegetarian restaurant serves innovative and creative dishes with a local twist, specializing in vegetables and plant-based ingredients. Yes Yes Yes also has a great cocktail bar and a cozy atmosphere.
Fat Ramen:
This restaurant serves Japanese ramen with a Finnish twist, specializing in broths made from local ingredients and fresh noodles. Fat Ramen also has an extensive drinks menu with sake, beer and cocktails.
Street Gastro:
This restaurant serves international street food dishes with a Finnish twist, and specializes in burgers, tacos and other small dishes. Street Gastro also has an extensive beer menu with many local and international beers.
Lapland
Lapland is a large area in northern Finland, and there is much to explore here. Here are some ideas for activities and places to visit in Lapland:
Rovaniemi: This is the capital of Lapland, and is a great city to explore. Visit Santa's village, located just outside the city, and experience a magical Christmas atmosphere all year round. You can also visit the Arktikum museum, which provides an insight into life and culture in the Arctic area.
Levi: This is a popular skiing destination in Lapland, and here you can ski or snowboard in beautiful surroundings. Levi also has many other activities, such as snowmobiling, dog sledding and Northern Lights tours.
Ranua Wildlife Park: This animal park is located approx. 1 hour's drive from Rovaniemi, and here you can see the animals that live in Lapland, such as bears, wolves, reindeer and lynx.
Santa Park: This is another Christmas themed park in Rovaniemi and is a great attraction to visit with the kids. Here you can experience magical winter landscapes, meet Santa Claus and his elves, and take part in fun activities such as toboggan runs and snowmobile driving.
Urho Kekkonen National Park: Located in the eastern part of Lapland, this national park is a great destination for nature lovers. Here you can hike in beautiful forests and mountain areas, fish in rivers and lakes, and watch wildlife such as reindeer and moose.
Gold Prospector Museum: Located in the town of Tankavaara, this museum provides an insight into the history of gold mining in Lapland. Here you can learn about the old gold diggers and their life and work.
Northern Lights: Lapland is one of the best places in the world to see the Northern Lights, also known as the Aurora Borealis. The best times to see the Northern Lights are from September to April, and there are many tours and activities offered to see this spectacular natural phenomenon.
Kemi Snow Castle: This is a snow castle that is built every year in Kemi, and is a great attraction to visit in the winter months. Here you can explore ice rooms, take a ride on the ice slide, and even spend the night in an ice hotel.
Finnish sauna
A Finnish sauna is one of the most famous and traditional experiences in Finland. Saunas are an integral part of Finnish culture, and there are about as many saunas as there are residents in Finland. Here are some tips for experiencing a Finnish sauna:
Find a sauna: There are many public saunas and hotels in Finland that offer sauna experiences. Ask the locals if they have any recommendations for places to visit.
Dress appropriately: In Finnish saunas it is common to be naked, so if you are not comfortable with this, you can wear a towel or swimwear. Bring a large towel or bathrobe to cover yourself with after the sauna.
Drink water: It is important to stay hydrated when you are in the sauna, so drink plenty of water before, during and after the sauna.
Take a shower: Before entering the sauna, it is important to take a shower to wash off any body oils or dirt.
Take breaks: You can go out and take a break from the sauna at any time if you feel uncomfortable or overheated. Some saunas also have cold water or snow to cool you down with after the sauna.
Repeat: Many people find it relaxing to repeat sauna sessions, with breaks in between, to get the maximum effect.
Indulge in a dip in the lake: After the sauna, you can try taking a dip in a lake or river to cool off. This is a traditional Finnish practice, and can be a refreshing experience.
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