Finland


Kemi, Finland
It's No "Love Boat". Breaks the Ice since 1961
Built to maintain waterways through the most extreme arctic winter, the icebreaker Sampo” fulfilled its mission between Finland and Sweden for 30 years. In 1988, he reformed and dedicated himself to shorter trips that allow passengers to float in a newly opened channel in the Gulf of Bothnia, in clothes that, more than special, seem spacey.
Lapland, Finland
In Search of the Fire Fox
Unique to the heights of the Earth are the northern or southern auroras, light phenomena generated by solar explosions. You Sami natives from Lapland they believed it to be a fiery fox that spread sparkles in the sky. Whatever they are, not even the nearly 30 degrees below zero that were felt in the far north of Finland could deter us from admiring them.
Hailuoto Island, Finland
Fishing for Truly Fresh Fish
Sheltered from unwanted social pressures, the islanders of Hailuoto they know how to sustain themselves. Under the icy sea of ​​Bothnia they capture precious ingredients for the restaurants of Oulu, in mainland Finland.
Inari, Finland
The Babel Parliament of the Sami Nation
The Sami Nation comprises four countries, which ingest into the lives of their peoples. In the parliament of Inari, in various dialects, the Sami govern themselves as they can.
Helsinki, Finland
A Frigid-Scholarly Via Crucis
When Holy Week arrives, Helsinki shows its belief. Despite the freezing cold, little dressed actors star in a sophisticated re-enactment of Via Crucis through streets full of spectators.
Rovaniemi, Finland
From the Finnish Lapland to the Arctic. A Visit to the Land of Santa
Fed up with waiting for the bearded old man to descend down the chimney, we reverse the story. We took advantage of a trip to Finnish Lapland and passed through its furtive home.
Helsinki, Finland
The Pagan Passover of Seurasaari
In Helsinki, Holy Saturday is also celebrated in a Gentile way. Hundreds of families gather on an offshore island, around lit fires to chase away evil spirits, witches and trolls
Kuusamo ao PN Oulanka, Finland
Under the Arctic's Icy Spell
We are at 66º North and at the gates of Lapland. In these parts, the white landscape belongs to everyone and to no one like the snow-covered trees, the atrocious cold and the endless night.
Inari, Finland
The Guardians of Boreal Europe
Long discriminated against by Scandinavian, Finnish and Russian settlers, the Sami people regain their autonomy and pride themselves on their nationality.
Saariselka, Finland
The Delightful Arctic Heat
It is said that the Finns created SMS so they don't have to talk. The imagination of cold Nordics is lost in the mist of their beloved saunas, real physical and social therapy sessions.
PN Oulanka, Finland
A Slightly Lonesome Wolf
Jukka “Era-Susi” Nordman has created one of the largest packs of sled dogs in the world. He became one of Finland's most iconic characters but remains faithful to his nickname: Wilderness Wolf.
Helsinki, Finland
The Design that Came from the Cold
With much of the territory above the Arctic Circle, Finns respond to the climate with efficient solutions and an obsession with art, aesthetics and modernism inspired by neighboring Scandinavia.
Hailuoto, Finland
A Refuge in the Gulf of Bothnia
During winter, the island of Hailuoto is connected to the rest of Finland by the country's longest ice road. Most of its 986 inhabitants esteem, above all, the distance that the island grants them.
Inari, Finland
The Wackiest Race on the Top of the World
Finland's Lapps have been competing in the tow of their reindeer for centuries. In the final of the Kings Cup - Porokuninkuusajot - , they face each other at great speed, well above the Arctic Circle and well below zero.
Helsinki, Finland
Finland's once Swedish Fortress
Detached in a small archipelago at the entrance to Helsinki, Suomenlinna was built by the Swedish kingdom's political-military designs. For more than a century, the Russia stopped her. Since 1917, the Suomi people have venerated it as the historic bastion of their thorny independence.
Porvoo, Finland
A Medieval and Winter Finland
One of the oldest settlements of the Suomi nation, in the early XNUMXth century, Porvoo was a busy riverside post and its third city. Over time, Porvoo lost commercial importance. In return, it has become one of Finland's revered historic strongholds.  
Oulu, Finland
Oulu: an Ode to Winter
Located high in the northeast of the Gulf of Bothnia, Oulu is one of Finland's oldest cities and its northern capital. A mere 220km from the Arctic Circle, even in the coldest months it offers a prodigious outdoor life.
Helsinki, Finland
The Suomi Daughter of the Baltic
Several cities grew, emancipated and prospered on the shores of this northern inland sea. Helsinki there stood out as the monumental capital of the young Finnish nation.
Kemi, Finland
An Unconventional Finland
The authorities themselves describe Kemi as “a small, slightly crazy town in northern Finland”. When you visit, you find yourself in a Lapland that is not in keeping with the traditional ways of the region.
Sampo Icebreaker, Kemi, Finland
Kemi, Finland

It's No "Love Boat". Breaks the Ice since 1961

Built to maintain waterways through the most extreme arctic winter, the icebreaker Sampo” fulfilled its mission between Finland and Sweden for 30 years. In 1988, he reformed and dedicated himself to shorter trips that allow passengers to float in a newly opened channel in the Gulf of Bothnia, in clothes that, more than special, seem spacey.
Northern Lights, Laponia, Rovaniemi, Finland, Fire Fox
Lapland, Finland

In Search of the Fire Fox

Unique to the heights of the Earth are the northern or southern auroras, light phenomena generated by solar explosions. You Sami natives from Lapland they believed it to be a fiery fox that spread sparkles in the sky. Whatever they are, not even the nearly 30 degrees below zero that were felt in the far north of Finland could deter us from admiring them.
Hailuoto Island, Finland

Fishing for Truly Fresh Fish

Sheltered from unwanted social pressures, the islanders of Hailuoto they know how to sustain themselves. Under the icy sea of ​​Bothnia they capture precious ingredients for the restaurants of Oulu, in mainland Finland.
Conversation between photocopies, Inari, Babel Parliament of the Sami Lapland Nation, Finland
Inari, Finland

The Babel Parliament of the Sami Nation

The Sami Nation comprises four countries, which ingest into the lives of their peoples. In the parliament of Inari, in various dialects, the Sami govern themselves as they can.
The Crucifixion in Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland

A Frigid-Scholarly Via Crucis

When Holy Week arrives, Helsinki shows its belief. Despite the freezing cold, little dressed actors star in a sophisticated re-enactment of Via Crucis through streets full of spectators.
Correspondence verification
Rovaniemi, Finland

From the Finnish Lapland to the Arctic. A Visit to the Land of Santa

Fed up with waiting for the bearded old man to descend down the chimney, we reverse the story. We took advantage of a trip to Finnish Lapland and passed through its furtive home.
Easter Seurassari, Helsinki, Finland, Marita Nordman
Helsinki, Finland

The Pagan Passover of Seurasaari

In Helsinki, Holy Saturday is also celebrated in a Gentile way. Hundreds of families gather on an offshore island, around lit fires to chase away evil spirits, witches and trolls
ala juumajarvi lake, oulanka national park, finland
Kuusamo ao PN Oulanka, Finland

Under the Arctic's Icy Spell

We are at 66º North and at the gates of Lapland. In these parts, the white landscape belongs to everyone and to no one like the snow-covered trees, the atrocious cold and the endless night.
Maksim, Sami people, Inari, Finland-2
Inari, Finland

The Guardians of Boreal Europe

Long discriminated against by Scandinavian, Finnish and Russian settlers, the Sami people regain their autonomy and pride themselves on their nationality.
full cabin
Saariselka, Finland

The Delightful Arctic Heat

It is said that the Finns created SMS so they don't have to talk. The imagination of cold Nordics is lost in the mist of their beloved saunas, real physical and social therapy sessions.
Era Susi towed by dog, Oulanka, Finland
PN Oulanka, Finland

A Slightly Lonesome Wolf

Jukka “Era-Susi” Nordman has created one of the largest packs of sled dogs in the world. He became one of Finland's most iconic characters but remains faithful to his nickname: Wilderness Wolf.
Sirocco, Arabia, Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland

The Design that Came from the Cold

With much of the territory above the Arctic Circle, Finns respond to the climate with efficient solutions and an obsession with art, aesthetics and modernism inspired by neighboring Scandinavia.
Boats on ice, Hailuoto Island, Finland.
Hailuoto, Finland

A Refuge in the Gulf of Bothnia

During winter, the island of Hailuoto is connected to the rest of Finland by the country's longest ice road. Most of its 986 inhabitants esteem, above all, the distance that the island grants them.
Reindeer Racing, Kings Cup, Inari, Finland
Inari, Finland

The Wackiest Race on the Top of the World

Finland's Lapps have been competing in the tow of their reindeer for centuries. In the final of the Kings Cup - Porokuninkuusajot - , they face each other at great speed, well above the Arctic Circle and well below zero.
Vesikko submarine
Helsinki, Finland

Finland's once Swedish Fortress

Detached in a small archipelago at the entrance to Helsinki, Suomenlinna was built by the Swedish kingdom's political-military designs. For more than a century, the Russia stopped her. Since 1917, the Suomi people have venerated it as the historic bastion of their thorny independence.
Porvoo, Finland, warehouses
Porvoo, Finland

A Medieval and Winter Finland

One of the oldest settlements of the Suomi nation, in the early XNUMXth century, Porvoo was a busy riverside post and its third city. Over time, Porvoo lost commercial importance. In return, it has become one of Finland's revered historic strongholds.  
Oulu Finland, Passage of Time
Oulu, Finland

Oulu: an Ode to Winter

Located high in the northeast of the Gulf of Bothnia, Oulu is one of Finland's oldest cities and its northern capital. A mere 220km from the Arctic Circle, even in the coldest months it offers a prodigious outdoor life.
Lutheran Cathedral overlooking and at dusk Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki, Finland

The Suomi Daughter of the Baltic

Several cities grew, emancipated and prospered on the shores of this northern inland sea. Helsinki there stood out as the monumental capital of the young Finnish nation.
Masked couple for the Kitacon convention.
Kemi, Finland

An Unconventional Finland

The authorities themselves describe Kemi as “a small, slightly crazy town in northern Finland”. When you visit, you find yourself in a Lapland that is not in keeping with the traditional ways of the region.

Mapa


How to go


VISA AND OTHER PROCEDURES

Portuguese citizens only need to show a citizen card to enter Finland. Brazilian citizens must be in possession of a passport but do not need a visa.

HEALTH CARE

No vaccine or prophylaxis is normally considered indispensable for Finland. 

If you are visiting Finland – and especially Finnish Lapland – during the dead of winter, make sure you are physically fit and have the necessary clothes and equipment. On the coldest days in Finnish Lapland, temperatures easily drop below -30°C.

Take your European Health Insurance Card with you so that you can enjoy healthcare at a reduced cost and with special conditions, in case you have any unexpected problems.

For more information on traveling health, see the Health Portal of the Ministry of Health and Tropical and Traveler Medicine Clinic. In FitForTravel find country-specific health and disease prevention advice (in English).

TRIP TO FINLAND

A TAP (tel: 707 205 700) flies several times a week directly from Lisbon to Helsinki for €200 round trip. 

Must Do's


  • Helsinki and Porvoo
  • Inari: Culture Sami, End of Reindeer and Lake Races inari
  • Kemi: Snow Castle and Sampo Icebreaker Trip
  • Oulanka National Park
  • Northern Lights Sighting
  • Saariselka and Urho K. Kekkonen Park
  • ​Oulu and Hailuoto Island
  • Kuopio
  • seal lakes
  • Koli
  • savonlinna
  • Turku
  • Rauma
  • Tampere
  • Aland

Explore


INTERNAL FLIGHTS

The main company for Finnish domestic flights is Finnair which have normal high prices for their routes. Finnair also launches Happy Hours in which flights considerably decrease in value with massive discounts for children – up to 70% – and teenagers. At Happy Hours they take place well in advance of the date of travel and last for a short time.

The main Low Cost airline is bluexnumx. At the time of this text, he was flying from Helsinki to Kuopio, Oulu, Rovaniemi and Vaasa.

With sufficient advance notice, in certain periods, it is possible to buy the Helsinki-Rovaniemi section for just €50 or €60, cheaper than a train ticket.

TRAIN

Finnish trains Valtion Rautatiet VR they are modern, functional, punctual and an excellent alternative to airplanes. They work with 1st and 2nd class, with sitting compartments and bed. A return ticket costs an average of €20 and €14 per 100km respectively in 1st and 2nd class. Children under the age of 17 pay half-ticket and under the age of 6 free of charge but without their own seat.

TRUCK

Like trains, buses are fast, comfortable, functional and more convenient than trains for traveling between small towns. Tickets for long-distance and express buses are operated in a very functional way by the company Courier

SHIP

It mainly applies to crossing rivers and lakes, and just look at the Finnish territory on the map to see that Finland is full of them. Hundreds of boats with routes connecting various villages on the banks of these lakes also allow foreign visitors who so wish to travel through a large part of the country's territory. The most emblematic routes are Tampere-Hämeenlinna, Savonlinna-Kuopio, Lahti-Jyväskylä and Joensuu-Koli-Nurmes.

Various types of ferries connect different villages and islands – especially around Turku – and the province of Aland. Other important sea routes are the very short Helsinki-Suomenlinna, Turku-Naantali and Helsinki-Porvoo.

CAR RENTAL

Renting and driving a car in Finland is as simple as it is expensive. A small utility vehicle costs from €60 per day with 100km included and, as a rule, a value in cents for each extra km traveled or €80 to €90 with unlimited km. In Finland, it pays off to share the rental with more travellers. Even with the roads completely icy, the ever-increasing sophistication of snow and ice tires makes – sudden braking aside – driving in Finnish winter easier than it sounds. 

When to go


Finland is a destination for most of the year. An exception will have to be made for the period between late November and mid-March when the cold is at its worst – down to -40°C in Finnish Lapland, almost guaranteed to be below 0°C in Helsinki. The daily light period is the shortest, with darkness setting in at 15 pm in Helsinki and lasting 20 to 22 of the 24 hours in the much higher latitudes of Rovaniemi and mainly Inari.

The equinox months of September and March are considered the best months to admire the Northern Lights above the Arctic Circle but you can always see them in August and late April.  

Finnish autumn includes another period – short and usually without snow – very interesting to visit the country, the golden-yellow foliage days that the Finns call ruska. Depending on the latitude in the country and weather conditions it can take place anywhere from September to mid-autumn.

The end of spring and summer bring warmer temperatures. In a very different way, these are other good times to explore Finland.

More information on Finish Meteorological InstituteAuroras Now e Aurora Service

Money and costs


The currency of Finland is the Euro (EUR). Finland is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, even if not as expensive as its Scandinavian neighbors to the west. ATMs are plentiful and credit and debit card payments are widespread.

ACCOMMODATION

The cheapest hotels and hostels cost €50 per night for a double room, average hotels start at €100 per night, campsites charge from €10 to €20 per tent per night. At the opposite pole, Finnish Lapland's best ice hotels charge many hundreds of euros a night.

FOOD

Food is on par with accommodation. Wherever you are, you will have a hard time paying less than €25 – €30 for a full meal. Food in supermarkets is expensive.  

INTERNET

Fast and very functional even in the desolate extremes of Finnish Lapland. It is very likely that there are free connections all over the place including almost every public library in the country. Internet cafes are not common in a country where people always have Internet at home, at work and on their phones.