Finland eSIM

Finnish sauna is a way of life, not a wellness option. Every Finn goes to sauna regularly — at home, at a cabin or in public saunas. Lakeside saunas are quintessential Finland: sweat, then jump into the lake regardless of water temperature. In Helsinki there are public saunas like Löyly and Kulttuurisauna.

Lapland in winter offers Northern Lights, reindeer safaris, husky sled rides and a visit to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. January to March is best for Northern Lights. The village in Rovaniemi actually runs year-round — in summer you can meet Santa Claus in the middle of the midnight sun.

The Finnish lake district is dreamily beautiful in summer. By rental canoe or motorboat you can paddle through the lakes for days. The area around Savonlinna, Punkaharju and Saimaa is especially beautiful. Mökki holidays (cottage by the lake) are what real Finns do in summer.

Finnish food is simple and delicious. Try karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies with rice filling and egg butter), salmon soup with cream and dill, reindeer steak or goulash in Lapland and mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie). Coffee culture is huge in Finland — the country drinks more coffee per capita than almost anywhere else.

Helsinki is one of Europe's greenest and most design-conscious capitals. Suomenlinna fortress island is reachable by ferry and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The Market Square (Kauppatori) by the harbour is the city's heart in summer. Scandinavian design shops cluster around the Design District Helsinki.