What is the best city in Finland to visit? Where to go in Finland. The best ski resorts in Finland

No matter how Russian immigrants look at Finland, this country is close and even dear. At one time, Finland generally existed as part of Russia. Today the state has the status of a sovereign territory, and the living conditions of Finnish citizens can be envied even in Western Europe. A country with virtually no corruption really looks interesting for those looking for a new way of life. Like any country in the world, Finland has its pros and cons.

Migrants in Finland: numbers, growth

According to the latest statistics, the number of immigrants who have entered for permanent residence is 4% of the country’s population, which is about 240,000 people. In addition, approximately 160,000 foreign residents are present in the country temporarily or hold dual citizenship.

...More often than others, requests for a residence permit are sent by citizens of Russia. Common reasons for the request are: family connections (43%), employment (32%), education (22%)…

http://yle.fi/uutiset/vid_na_zhitelstvo_v_finlyandii_chashche_vsego_zaprashivayut_grazhdane_rossii/6736183

Migration increase in Finland last years increases. The average figure for this indicator is fixed at 500–600 immigrants for each year. A significant part of this figure is due to labor migration. Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Portuguese and, of course, Russians come to work for the Finns. However, at the same time, the number of emigrants is increasing rapidly.

Standard of living in Finland compared to Russia

If you look at the world ranking, the country has been in the TOP 20 in terms of living standards for many years (in 2018 - 15th place). Actually, this is already observed distinguishing feature country, when compared with Russia, which in 2018 took 49th place in the ranking of living standards.

The standard of living in Finnish is a peculiar phenomenon. On the territory of the country there are practically no reserves of hydrocarbon raw materials like in Russia. There is one wealth - the forest, which the Finns manage extremely wisely and rationally. Meanwhile, Finland is actively involved in high technology and has moved far ahead in this area.

Naturally, in such conditions, ordinary people - citizens of the country - can live conveniently and comfortably. The Finnish government actively supports and controls the life of citizens. For example, the quality of food products is assessed with the participation of 18 special expert commissions. For comparison: in Russia there are only 4 similar commissions.

Video: first impressions of life in Finland as an emigrant from Russia

The following moment looks random against the background of absolute Finnish prosperity:
…2014 was the last year for 789 Finns who committed suicide. The causes of suicide were poverty, unemployment, depression, alcoholism, and living alone. In 25 years, suicides have been reduced by half. The 1990 record was 1,500 suicides. The positive development is due to measures taken to make it easier for people with mental disorders to receive treatment and medication. IN better side The attitude of others towards the mentally ill has changed...

http://yle.fi/uutiset/v_finlyandii_napolovinu_sokratilos_chislo_samoubiistv_s_1990_goda/8631808

Educational field

The Finnish educational model is reminiscent of the Russian (more precisely, Soviet). This is not surprising, since, being in the past part of Russia, the Finns borrowed all the best from the field of Soviet education and, as a result, brought primary school to an exemplary level. Today the Finnish school (the prototype of the Soviet one!) is considered one of the best in the world.

Video: impressions of a Russian student about a Finnish university

Finnish education is free for all levels of study. Russian immigrants take advantage of this moment. A significant part of them arrive in the country specifically for the purpose of studying. Higher educational establishments countries are valued for the quality of their teaching. Universities that stand out in particular are:

Helsinki;
Turku;
Aalto.
Oulu;
Lappeenranta;
Finnish Academy of Arts.

All of the listed educational institutions, and, in particular, the last university on the list, are very popular among immigrants from Russia and other countries.

Analyzing the school and family environment, it is worth noting the peculiarities of raising school-age children. The rights of the child are jealously protected by the state. If parents cross the permissible threshold of upbringing, they thereby violate the rights of minors. And this is a serious article of the law, which is immediately applied by the authorities. There are no such rules in Russia. Whether this is good or bad is difficult to judge. But the difference in the lives of citizens of the two countries is obvious here too.

Work and salary

Working in Finland is as attractive a goal for Russian labor immigrants as studying is for students. High earnings of up to 3 thousand euros per month are a tasty morsel. The Finns pay decently even for the work of unskilled workers. Just get it Good work and earning a large income is quite difficult for an immigrant. The unemployment rate among Russian immigrants is 30%, while unemployed Finns are just over 8%.

A highly paid position requires a residence permit. Mandatory knowledge of the Finnish language is rule No. 1 for specialists. If the requirements are met, the Finnish side is happy to hire Russian immigrant professionals in the field of construction, Agriculture, Internet technologies. Russian immigrants without qualifications remain in demand as servants in the hotel sector and medical institutions.

In terms of wages, Finns are slightly behind the leading countries of the European Union. There is a significant difference in wages depending on the sphere and type of activity of enterprises. Thus, in state-owned enterprises, labor remuneration is often higher than in private firms. Surprisingly, staff over 65 years of age receive higher salaries compared to younger workers. Russian life here is different from Finnish.

A striking feature of the Finnish labor market is the small difference between the incomes of rich and poor. In Russia, a manager of some raw materials company earns a million rubles a month, and a mechanic at a factory earns 15 thousand. For Finns, figuratively speaking, a manager’s salary is 4 thousand euros, and a factory mechanic’s salary is 2 thousand euros.

...Finland does not allow sky-high income gaps. Company managers earn only two to three times more than ordinary workers. This factor has a strong effect on the crime rate, which in Finland is the lowest in the world...

http://forum.forvip.ru/

Pensions and benefits

The country guarantees a decent level of social protection for the poor, pensioners, children, the unemployed, and young mothers.

The list of social support is impressive:

supplement to earnings for each child;
lump sum benefit for the birth of children;
compensation for housing maintenance for pensioners;
disability payments;
benefits for unemployed people;
and a number of other positions.

Pension provision provides for the payment of a labor pension accrued based on the results of work activity. In addition to the labor pension, the following may be paid:

national pension;
pension payment to immigrants;
disability pension;
old age pension.

…The minimum pension (national pension) for single pensioners is 496 euros. Family pensioners are paid 436 euros (1st category municipality) and 400 euros (2nd category municipality). You can only receive a full national pension if you have lived in Finland for 40 years. Recently, a special resettlement allowance was established for elderly immigrants (over 65 years of age and having lived in the country for more than 5 years). The benefit amount is the same as the national pension...

ELE_alive
http://age60.ru/forum57.html

If a labor pension is assigned based on actual age - 63 years, then an old-age pension is assigned to persons whose age has reached 68 years. The average pension amount is 1,500 euros. In this case, pension accruals are taxed.

...Russian immigrant pensioners are paid the social minimum. True, the purchase of medicines is paid for by the social service. A pensioner goes to a pharmacy, buys medicines there at his own expense, and then the money is returned to him. Pensioners can have eye surgeries for free - cataracts, glaucoma, etc. Social services also help pay for housing if the pension is small...

Faina
http://age60.ru/forum57.html

Healthcare

Medical care in Finnish is clearly characterized by such an indicator as life expectancy (79.7 years). Another significant criterion for the quality of medicine is newborn mortality (1.3 per 1000 births). Both indicators indicate that Finnish medicine is at a high level.

The healthcare system is built on the basis of government institutions with the involvement of private doctors. Wherein private sector is under strict state control. Medical services are paid. True, going to public clinics provides compensation. Therefore, citizens spend no more than 20% of the total cost on treatment.

About Finnish tax policy

The country's tax policy is a clearly separate topic from the discussion of the social benefits of Finnish society. Separate because thanks to taxes, all the people's benefits of Finland are called into question. If in Russia the same pensioners are exempt from taxes on real estate or on vehicle, Finnish pensioners pay in full.

The amount of income tax is set individually for each category of commune (regional area). territorial division). It could be 20% tax or 36%. Any additional income received is taxed at a rate 1.5–2 times higher. Thus, compared to Russia, the Finns have also succeeded here, but not for the better.

How many Russian migrants live in Finland

According to official data, Russian migrants make up 1% of the country's total population. Just over 60 thousand people in digital equivalent. By ethnicity, it is the third largest community in Finland. There are two Russian communities, different in their principles of origin. One is the settlers of the old generation who settled on Finnish land until the 90s. The other is a new wave of migrants that began arriving in the early 1990s.

Until 1996, the flow of new Russian immigrants was practically unregulated. Immigrants from the sub-ethnic group “Ingrians” rushed into the country. According to available data, there are about 25 thousand of them today. Later, the Finns tightened the requirements for the criteria of Finnish origin, plus they introduced mandatory knowledge of the Finnish language. And today, Russian immigrants (with the exception of tourists) can no longer cross the border of Finland unless they pass the IPAKI test with level A2 (language test-exam).

Are Russians treated well today?

The attitude is quite favorable. However, there are problems of discrimination against Russian-speaking immigrants in terms of their employment. This topic was raised even at the level of the Council of Europe. The European Commission of Human Rights noted serious violations. The Finnish authorities quickly responded to the comments and even initiated the creation of a Fund for the Support of Russian Culture. Nevertheless, it is impossible not to notice the pronounced Russophobia among the indigenous inhabitants of the country.

...The Finns don’t understand why Russians think that over the last 10-15 years they have become beggars? Has anyone seen Russians with their hands outstretched on the Finnish porch? Finland and Russia are brought closer together by their neighborhood, but existing stereotypes force us to perceive our neighbors inadequately...

http://e-finland.ru/info/culture/otnoshenie-finnov-k-russkim.html

Travelers will definitely enjoy Finland. Before you go there, it’s worth finding out where popular resorts and various amusement parks are located, as well as their operating hours. If you go at random, with the intention of figuring it out on the spot, it won’t be the same at all.

First of all, since you are going to Finland, visit the Finnish part of Lapland and start from its capital - Rovaniemi. We remind you that Lapland is the birthplace of Santa Claus, and therefore there is a Santa Park here, which begins its work in the summer on June 18.

Rovaniemi is considered the unofficial birthplace of Santa, and therefore the most famous winter resort Finland. If you want to learn more about nature and life within the Arctic Circle, in the capital of Lapland you have the opportunity to visit a scientific research center, with fascinating exhibitions and intelligent guides.

Next you can go to the city of Kuusamo. This city gained fame due to the fact that it is located in the large national reserve Oulanka. More than five thousand ponds and lakes and a large number of other natural attractions make this reserve a paradise for nature lovers.

If you are a ski lover, twenty kilometers from Kuusamo there is the Ruka resort. Here you can try about thirty slalom slopes, as well as special trails equipped for beginner skiers and children. The season starts in October and ends in May. Forty-one kilometers of ski slopes out of three hundred and sixty are illuminated at night, providing the opportunity to enjoy the descent without unnecessary fuss in dark time days when the highways are empty.

Don't forget about the capital of Finland - Helsinki. Three large museums are open to the public here.

"Atheneum" - here is a collection of Finnish and foreign art period of the eighteenth-twentieth centuries. You will see a huge amount of Western European painting, porcelain and silver objects in the Sinebryuchov Museum of Fine Arts. And if you want to get acquainted with the work of Finnish artists of the sixties of the twentieth century, welcome to the Kjasma Museum of Contemporary Art.

In fact, you can talk about Finnish attractions and vacation spots for a very long time. This cold, northern country always welcomes tourists. Many comfortable hotels in any, even the smallest town, are ready to welcome visitors and accommodate them with maximum comfort, because the Finns, although phlegmatic, are very hospitable. Finland is not the only country where you can see beautiful snow-covered landscapes, there are many other destinations: .

Travel beckons us with new acquaintances and adventures. However, in order to make it as comfortable as possible, the traveler needs to find out as much as possible about the place of the upcoming trip. Today in our article we will talk about amazing city Helsinki. About which hotel in Helsinki will be beneficial for an elite tourist and which for a budget tourist, what vacation spots are there, what...

I want to relax both in summer and in winter, when the ground is covered with snow and the air temperature drops below zero. Finland is equally suitable for holidays at any time of the year; guests are always received here with great pleasure. The main value of this country is unique nature, which is guarded with all responsibility and presented to tourists in all its glory….

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 Europe among travelers. People come here for a unique experience 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 – main city Finland, its capital and most Big 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's best to come here in summer, because there are a lot of... beautiful places: parks, houses with beautiful architecture, lakes that 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 recreation, and who do not have time to get to know the rest of Finland other than the capital and surrounding areas, can come to Espoo for the 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 south coast 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 Get to know the city 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 – former capital Finland. It is located at the mouth of the Aura River in the south- west coast 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.

Most main force The 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. major center education 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 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”. Once upon a time Åland Islands were the world's largest park sailing ships and was 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. There is a very calm atmosphere here and it perfect place for family holidays.

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 its 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 people come here on weekends local residents, to go skiing, snowboarding and various sleds, 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 the perfect place to explore wildlife Finland. 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 great variety 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 the oldest city in Finland, it is located in the northern part of the country and is very proud to be the best place to go 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 botanical gardens Botania, where you will find exotic plants and butterflies, the beauty of which will take your breath away.

Seurasaari

Seurasaari is located just west of Helsinki. It is a green and calm island in the Baltic Sea. Here is perhaps the most famous museum in Europe. open air. 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

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

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 everything interesting cities Finland worth visiting. For better guidance, read what is at the beginning of the article. If you have anything to add, welcome to the comments)

When deciding where to go on holiday in Finland, determine what you want more. This country provides many opportunities for celebrating the New Year, for a relaxing holiday in any season, and for recovery in sanatoriums and spa resorts.

You will find here most interesting excursions and good ski resorts. In addition, Finland is good for fans of fishing and hunting, and that’s why people come here too. Let's take a closer look at different vacation destinations in Suomi.

Excursion cities of Finland

The excursion cities of Finland are known throughout Europe. Nordic country famous not only for its natural parks and Moomins, but also for some serious attractions.

Tampere
Turku
Vantaa
Porvoo

Thermal resorts in Finland

Thermal spas are also well known, although Finland is not considered a specialized country in matters of balneological sanatoriums. However, saunas, massage rooms and various spa treatments are available in almost every hotel in the country. Most often people come to these cities for a sanatorium holiday:

Vuokatti
Imatra
Naantali

Beach holidays in Finland

Not in Finland sea resorts, A beach resorts concentrated on the shores of the country's lakes. Here they fish, barbecue, sunbathe and swim. There are hotels and cottages located along the recreation areas, so you don’t have to go far. Beach season opens in June, but the water temperature at this time does not exceed +18°C.

In July it warms up to +19-21°C. As for the Baltic Sea coast, beach holiday We don't recommend it there. Due to strong cold underwater currents, only extreme sports enthusiasts can swim in the Finnish Baltic. But if you are one of them, then you may like the sea and lake beaches in the following cities:

Helsinki
Tampere
Åland Islands
Lappeenranta

We will tell you about holidays in Finland on the water in this section.

The best ski resorts in Finland

Finland cannot boast of a large selection of black pistes, high slopes and interesting descents, but they are comfortable and well equipped ski resorts There are a lot of them with affordable prices in the country. There are about 80 ski centers in Finland. We will list the ten best of them.

Vuokatti
Kuopio
Kuusamo-Ruka
Pagliacca
Saariselka
Tahko
Ukkohalla
Ellivuori

Read more about ski holiday in Finland in this section.

By the way, a quarter of Finland’s territory is located beyond the Arctic Circle, where the sun does not rise above the horizon during certain parts of the year. The northern lights are observed here 200 times a year. The season lasts from August to April.

But you are most likely to see it in clear weather from October to March. There are several ways to view the northern lights, but one of the most romantic is through a glass igloo hotel in Lapland. By the way, there is a belief that children conceived during the glow of the auroras will have a happy fate.

Visit the Åland Islands, a fishing mecca. Sea fishing is also very popular. Many people stop for fishing in Imatra, near Lake Saimaa.

You can always find the most profitable offer flights and accommodation in any city in Finland on.

World Travel

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17.10.18 09:54

Endless forests picturesque islands, turquoise lakes and clean rivers– Finland is fabulously beautiful! You won't find polluted, bustling cities here; Finland's delightful cities and towns are nestled amid waterways, within easy reach of the natural wonders of Suomi. Luxury shops and fashion boutiques dot the avenues of Finland's tourist cities, and the Arctic Circle promises real adventures; it's not for nothing that the patrimony of Santa Claus flourishes here. The historical centers and their ancient wooden buildings are magnificent, the museums are famous for their interesting exhibitions, and the influence of Russian and Swedish architecture is amazing. Before you are the most beautiful cities Finland worth visiting.

Magical islands, eclectic architecture: the delightful cities of Finland

Lappeenranta: fortress and resort

Lying on the shore itself big lake in the country, Lappeenranta was originally a garrison town, but gradually developed into a charming resort. It belonged to the Swedish Empire, and then for some time our compatriots ruled here. A huge fortress, the magnificent Lake Saimaa, its picturesque shores (Lappeenranta is part South Karelia), wonderful cafes and a harbor make the Finnish city a tasty morsel for tourists. And since it is located close to Russian border, there is no end to our vacationers here.

Porvoo: a kaleidoscope of wooden houses

The oldest (after Turku) city in Finland, Porvoo is famous for its historical center - with unique warehouse buildings lining the banks of the river of the same name and wonderful cobbled streets. Porvoo was founded in the Middle Ages, and its proximity to Helsinki makes the city a great day trip option from the country's capital. Colorful wooden houses, an excellent culinary scene, unique cultural events - this is what makes Porvoo worth visiting.

Vaasa: Mecca for students

Vaasa, formed at the beginning of the 17th century, is home to many Swedes (the neighboring Scandinavian country is located on the other side of the Gulf of Bothnia, less than 80 kilometers away). The former name of the city in Finland was Nikolaistadt, since the Russians ruled here. Old city suffered greatly from the fire, so most of Vaasa is relatively modern. In general, this is a city of young people - it is home to three universities and many inexpensive bars and restaurants, which have long been favored by students. The nearby Norra-Kvarken Strait is amazing, with plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Savonlinna: St. Olav's Castle

Savonlinna is located in the center of the Saimaa lake region, borders Russia and occupies several small beautiful islands. This is an attractive destination for lovers of wildlife and spectacular lake views. The undeniable advantage of the Finnish city is the dramatic 15th century Olavinlinna Castle (or St. Olaf's Fortress), built by the Swedes. It has hosted a fantastic opera festival every year for more than a century. Be sure to take a walk around the harbor, check out its cafes and market square.

Jyväskylä: popular rally

Another Finnish city located between two lakes (they are called Keitele and Päijänne), Jyväskylä is the largest locality in the Lakeland region. Stunning architecture, noisy night life(there are many teenagers in the city), proximity to the magnificent lakes on which good beaches, - these are the “trump cards” of Jyväskuli. This is a relatively young city, founded by Emperor Nicholas I in 1837. Since the early 1950s, car rallies have been held here, and during this “hot” time, the streets of Jyväskuli are filled with visitors.

Rauma: historic center protected by UNESCO

The old town of Rauma, with its rhythmically beating “heart”, market square, and atmospheric streets full of wooden buildings, is the largest in Scandinavia, since 1991 it has been included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. In addition, Rauma is an important port of the Gulf of Bothnia. The pride of the city is lace; a week-long annual festival, held since 1971, is dedicated to this craft and its craftswomen. There are several small islands just off the coast that offer hiking trails in summer and winter sports that thrive when snow covers the ground.

Turku: former capital

Turku, the former capital of Finland, is beautiful and has plenty of places to spend time! In addition, it is the oldest (and sixth largest) city in the country. An impressive castle and cathedral grew up in Turku before the 13th century. Their ancient atmosphere fits perfectly with a lively young “aura”: Turku is full of students, as well as nightclubs and cute bars. This is the cultural and scientific center of Finland, a large port, the gateway to the West, from Turku it is easy to get to Stockholm and St. Petersburg (on the E18 highway). The beautiful Aurajoki River flows through the city (here it flows into the Archipelago Sea). In winter, Turku becomes the main city of Christmas with its stunning festive tree.

Tampere: rapids and galleries

With a rich cultural and artistic scene, two huge lakes, picturesque parks accessed by tree-lined streets, and rapids running through the bustling centre, Tampere is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Finland for good reason. Once there was a large industrial power plant here, then the old buildings were repurposed to house galleries, museums, and cinemas. Sculptures, interesting shops, restaurants are scattered throughout the city, and locals and tourists enjoy spending time at night parties.

Rovaniemi: Santa's wonderful house

On far north country, near the Arctic Circle, the most fabulous city in Finland was built - Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and the home of Santa Claus. This is the most popular tourist destination– who among us would not like to visit Santa or bring our children here? The city was practically destroyed during the Second World War, so outside the village of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is not the most attractive place with banal standard houses. But if you drop by to see the winter wizard (of course, during the holiday season), you will ride on a reindeer sleigh, take photographs near elegant buildings and fir trees winking with multi-colored illumination. And at the Arktikum cultural center you will learn a lot about Sami culture and local traditions.

Helsinki: eclectic architecture and Baltic charm

Of course, our list of the most beautiful cities in Finland cannot be imagined without the country’s capital, the magnificent Helsinki, located on the Baltic. There is remarkable architecture here, reflecting both Finland's rich heritage and the influence Russian Empire, – churches and cathedrals, wooden houses, Art Nouveau buildings, boutiques, galleries, shopping centers. Shopping in Helsinki is excellent, as is the menu of the restaurants here. There are fantastic cafes for gourmets, there are eateries with healthy food and national dishes. Islands, forest edges, beautiful beaches - the nature of the surrounding Helsinki has prepared for travelers a lot of pleasant impressions and charming surprises that can be discovered in any season, be it Golden autumn, bright spring, snowy winter or warm summer.