Finland Travel Guidelines: Discovering The Happiest Country in the World

Finland is a pristine paradise for adventurers with a richness of extraordinary beauty and a distinctly separate ambiance, from the spectacular scattering of islands in Europe's largest archipelago to the steep terrain of Finnish Lapland. This country is a terrific tourist destination for anyone who is searching for something remarkable. The rewards of experiencing Finland are infinite, check out the Finland travel guidelines below and find out the best things to do when you visit this country.

Quarantine rules for Finland

Good news from Finland government is that travelers arriving in Finland are no longer required to hold vaccination or COVID-19 test certificates, and pre-pandemic practices including COVID-19 tests are not carried out at border crossing points. Although many quarantine rules for Finland have been removed, in Finland travel guidelines, the Finnish Institute of Health and Welfare recommends that all people travelling abroad obtain full vaccine protection against COVID-19 before travel.

Finland travel requirements

It is important to check the current Finland travel requirements for entry to this country.Travellers arriving from non-EU and non-Schengen countries must still have normal travel documents, i.e. a passport and a visa. Finland is a country in the Schengen area. The requirement of the Schengen countries is that people entering this area must have international travel insurance. Therefore, it's mandatory to have travel insurance before you travel to Finland.

The Finland travel insurance package from Travelner with total payment and liability compensation is up to 50,000 USD will protect you against unpredictable risks and reimburse you for expenses incurred due to trip delays, trip interruptions, baggage loss, illnesses or injuries that may necessitate medical attention while abroad.

Travel insurance is a mandatory condition for travelers entering Finland

Best time of year to travel to Finland

Given its northern latitude, straddling the Arctic Circle, Finland experiences winters which are extremely cold, and there's heavy snowfall, including in metropolitan areas. As Finland is the home of Santa Claus, Christmas is a magical time making December become the best time of year to travel to Finland to see “Santa's home” and experiencing winter activities in Rovaniemi such as: cross country skiing, snowmobiling and the magic of a reindeer ride, steaming sauna. Despite the freezing temperatures and these areas experiencing fairly heavy snowfall, this month attracts many visitors.

As Finland is a hometown of Santa Claus, Christmas is a magical time

Otherwise, the best time of year to travel to Finland is the summer months from June to August. And in sharp contrast with the winter months, the summer days are longer, the weather is warmer and the landscapes are at their best – everything in full bloom. Making the most of the pleasant weather, tourists head outside to go hiking and bicycling, swimming and boating, fishing and foraging for wild foods.

Also, festivals and cultural events abound during the summer, with Juhannus being the largest of them all (Midsummer). Finns celebrate the midnight sun with lakeside bonfires, dining, drinking, and lots of sauna action on the Saturday between June 20 and June 26. If you're visiting Finland during this wonderful time, join in the local activities for the best Nordic trip.

Best places to visit in Finland

Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital, best places to visit in Finland and one of the most popular cities as a touristic zone in Northern Europe.This magnificent city has a distinct atmosphere thanks to its modern architecture, rich surroundings, and lively city energy. There are many places in Helsinki to see from historic buildings and lush parks to modern sculptures and neo-classical style cathedrals including White Cathedral, Lutheran Cathedral, Church Rock.

View of a marina in the Kruununhaka district of Helsinki

Moreover, you can easily access the castle by a ferry ride in 20 minutes to Suomenlinna - the castle, which has a magnificent view, attracts the attention of local and foreign tourists. Also, taking a boat trip or sample some traditional Finnish cuisine in Helsinki's Market Square or walking along the street in Senate Square will be exciting activities, somehow reminding you of the past centuries of Finnish history.

Lapland

Lapland is the northern-most region of Finland, known as the land of the indigenous Sámi people and the homeland of Santa Claus. In Lapland, the sun never sets in the summer, while in the fall, winter, and spring from late August to early April, the nightly Aurora Borealis illuminates throughout the sky. Observing the incredible colorful aurora shimmering for a once-in-a-lifetime is in the wishlist of millions of travellers.

The nightly Aurora Borealis illuminates throughout the sky in Lapland

If you take a trip to Lapland during the winter, there are a lot of activities that suggested in Finland travel guidelines you absolutely shouldn't miss such as: visit Rovaniemi in December, make a stop at Arktikum Museum presents and provides information on Arctic issues and tells stories about Lapland, taking a Husky ride or sleeping in a snow hotel. If you visit this magic land in the summer, don't forget to contemplate Punkaharju’s breath-taking scenery really is one of the most beautiful parts of Finland. This place is also ideal for spending time outdoors, either hiking, biking, or boating.

Porvoo

Porvoo is a well-known tourist spot in Finland and is less than an hour's drive from Helsinki. Old Porvoo is a historic urban setting that is highlighted for its ochre waterfront boatsheds, colorful wooden buildings, medieval cobblestone alleyways, and lovely local shops.

Beautiful city landscape with idyllic river and old buildings in Porvoo

Porvoo is definitely one of the best places to visit in Finland for sweet tooth with the exquisite cafés and restaurants. After you have seen the sights of Old Porvoo, keep an eye out for The Art Factory, The Brunberg Chocolate Factory, which has traditions dating back to 1871, and the Sinne Bistro on the west bank of the river, which has a menu based on locally produced ingredients and follows the Finnish gastronomical calendar.

Turku

Turku, the oldest city in Finland and a main entrance to the West, is a vibrant city with a diverse cultural heritage. The most well-known attractions in this city are perhaps Turku Cathedral and Turku Castle, the biggest remaining medieval castle in all of Scandinavia. Nearly 20 museums are to be discovered in Turku, including the Kylämäki Village of Living History and the Sibelius Museum, the only Finnish museum entirely dedicated to music. Another fantastic vacation spot close to Turku is the sunny beach village of Naantali. When you're exploring this historic city, make sure to stop by one of these which satisfies all senses!

Fall color forest in Ruissalo island, Turku archipelago

Finland is one of those rare locations that has remained untouched and pristine beauty. If you want to experience everything in the happiest country in the world, remember to take note of Travelner’s Finland travel guidelines and plan your vacation to this arctic country right away!