Irresistible Finland
Koli national park (Image: Hernan Patino)
Finland is an all-around holiday destination! From skiing to the midnight sun, from canoe camping trips to dog sledding. The 'land of a thousand lakes' offers fantastic opportunities for anglers, canoeists, hikers, and mountain bikers. Culture, nature, and history are at your fingertips (with 7 UNESCO heritage sites!).
Finland is almost synonymous with outdoor sports.
The diversity and stunning natural beauty never cease to amaze.
Whether you're heading to Finland with your partner, family, or club, there are winter sports, summer activities, and the richness of nature and culture close to home. You're bound to find things you like, whether it's an activity, cultural insights, or natural beauty.
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Aurora Borealis (Northern Light or Polar Light)
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Watch this video about Finland (1:40)
Why book with Bharte-reizen? Because Bharte-reizen has over 50 years of experience in travel, including Finland. Knowledge from firsthand experience allows me to personally tailor your travel proposal.
Whether you're traveling with your partner, family, or sports club, with or without a wheelchair: Bharte-reizen provides customized trips tailored to the customer's preferences. This way, you save time and inconvenience.
At the northeastern border of Finland, you can enter via Sweden and Norway. Equally adventurous is the route through Germany, Poland, and the Baltic states. For the final leg from Tallinn (Estonia) to Helsinki, you'll take the ferry.
By Ferry
You can also drive to a ferry port from Central Europe home and cross the Baltic Sea to Finland. From Travemünde (Germany), you can sail directly to Helsinki daily. Alternatively, drive to Sweden and depart from Stockholm on a daily departure. Taking the ferry means less driving and more relaxation.
By Air Helsinki-Vantaa, near the capital, is the country's largest airport and offers numerous connections to and from other parts of the country and abroad. Besides Helsinki, there are a handful of domestic airports, such as Rovaniemi and Kittilä in Lapland, offering direct international flights. Feel free to ask me about the possibilities.
The South
For city breaks and cultural trips, the best time is between March and October. Before or after that, it's often too cold for leisurely strolls or sitting at a terrace. Active holidays with plenty of movement are possible all year round. Water sports are excellent from April to September; die-hard enthusiasts have more flexibility. For winter sports, head north. Finland is not a sun destination, although it can get quite warm (20-25 degrees) in the southern regions in July and August.
Central Finland
This mainly refers to the lake district and the region towards the Gulf of Bothnia. Active holidays are great here from April to October. The 'nicest' season for city breaks and cultural trips is from May to August, while in January and February, you can also ski in the northern part of Central Finland.
Finnish Lapland
Active holidays (except for winter sports) are best done between May and September. Beyond that, you need to be well-prepared and have experience with cold conditions. Ski vacations (and other snow-related activities) are at their peak from December to March. The highlight is from mid-February to the end of March; the days become longer, there's still plenty of snow, and the cold starts to wane.
Savonlinna in winter (image: Visit Savonlinna)
Not to miss in Finland!
How about 7 UNESCO heritage sites: from a Bronze Age burial site to a wooden town center with 600 houses. A fortress built on 6 islands, now a museum. Visit one of the 6 buildings used to determine the size and shape of the Earth in the 18th century. Or explore the 19th-century wood and cardboard mill in Verla with its matching residential area from the same era. Not enough? Then visit Helsinki or Oulu and immerse yourself in history and contemporary vibrancy. Check around 10 p.m. if you can catch the Northern Lights. Experience the lake district around Jyväskylä... Regardless of your interests, Finland has it for you. And often in abundance or in various places. That's why people come back repeatedly.
In Finland, there are thousands of opportunities for kayaking. (photo: Visit Lahti)
For a road trip in Finland (10 minutes) on video, click here.
Image below: Maija Astikainen
However, Finland is an outdoor sports and activities country all year round. Here are some examples below.
Five Compelling Reasons
to Visit the Jyväskylä Region
Thousands of Lakes and Four National ParksThe Jyväskylä region is nestled in the heart of Finland's most stunning lake district and is part of Europe's largest continuous lake area. With over 3,700 lakes, the largest of which is Lake Päijänne, also Finland's longest lake, the waterways not only offer breathtaking scenery but also a myriad of activities, including cruises, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming. Furthermore, the Jyväskylä region boasts four national parks: Leivonmäki, South Konnevesi, Pyhä-Häkki, and Salamajärvi, each with its own unique charm.
Image: Business Finland
The handprint of the internationally renowned and respected architect and designer Alvar Aalto is more visible in Jyväskylä than anywhere else in the world. There are a total of 29 significant architectural complexes designed by Aalto. Like the Alvar Aalto Museum, the Muuratsalo Experimental House, and the Säynätsalo Town Hall, which is considered one of Aalto's major architectural achievements. View and experience Aalto's creations, either independently or through guided tours.
Old Townhall Säynätsalo (Image: Tero Takalo-Eskola/Business Finland)
Region with Two UNESCO Sites
The Jyväskylä region is home to two of Finland's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The charming old Petäjävesi Church and the breathtaking view of Lake Päijänne from the Puolakka Triangulation Tower atop Oravivuori Hill, atop the Struve Geodetic Arc.
Pätajaväsi church (Image: Eemeli Nättinen/Business Finland)
In the Jyväskylä region, the sauna capital of the world, you can enjoy the sauna's gentle warmth year-round. Experience unforgettable sauna moments like the world's largest smoke sauna, the Sauna Village, or on the floating saunas that sail across Lake Jyväsjärvi. The summer is crowned by the annual Sauna Region Week.
Sauna (Image: Julia Kivelä/Business Finland
Annually, in the Jyväskylä region, over 5,000 events take place, ranging from pop-up gatherings to world championship-level competitions. The Rally Finland, an FIA World Championship event held every year between July and August. In the fall, the stunning Light City event draws visitors to enjoy light art installations. Jyväskylä also boasts over 100 permanently lit locations and installations, including bridges, public artworks, and building facades that shine brightly during the dark autumn and winter evenings.
Jyväskylä events (Image: Toni Ollikainen-AKK Sports Oy/Business Finland
Or how about
Oulu and Surroundings
Oulu is situated halfway along the Gulf of Bothnia in Finland. The city provides a range of accommodations, restaurants, and shops to suit all budgets. Start your day with breakfast or lunch at Café Makia (Otto Karhin Park) and explore the city from there. The Lapland Hotel offers a fantastic culinary experience in addition to beautiful rooms (also wheelchair accessible). Alternatively, you can enjoy lunch at the Lasaretti Art Hotel, a former hospital where you can also appreciate art.
Architecture
The cathedral, the Oulujoki Church, the Tähtitorni observation tower, or the historic industrial complex of the Brothers Åstrom tannery are noteworthy buildings awaiting exploration or a visit. The first science center in Finland is housed here: the Tietomaa Science Centre. The tower next to the complex features an observation deck at a height of 35 meters, providing a splendid view.
Oulu hosts an art museum. Not surprising considering Oulu's long tradition in visual arts. Numerous professional artists work in the city, making it the home to many internationally acclaimed artists.
The Tietomaa Science Center is the perfect place to learn, enjoy, challenge your brain and body, or simply spend time with entertaining explorations for all ages.
Activities
Oulu is brimming with activities year-round, both within the city and its surroundings. Some include rafting, canoeing through the city, on the sea or on the lakes and rivers, fishing, mountain biking, hiking, fat biking, and cross-country skiing. Just outside the city, you're amidst forests and hills. Reindeer and moose call this place home, making them a regular sight.
These are just 2 regions in Finland ideal for a complete vacation. A round trip introduces you to multiple regions with their highlights and hidden gems. Bharte-reizen is happy to arrange your superb Finland vacation. During your customized holiday, you can enjoy all the goodness and beauty that Finland has to offer with your partner, family, or group. Even if you are in a wheelchair.
