Home

destinations

europe

finland

Finland Tours & Trips

Name: Best of Scandinavia
Brand: Contiki
Price: 3875 NZD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.7 (260 reviews)

We're not running any trips to Finland right now

But on a brighter note, we've got 200+ trips to choose from across 75 countries worldwide. Browse all trips and book your next adventure!

View all trips

Other trips you might like

Best of Scandinavia

3 Countries

Best of Scandinavia & The Baltics

6 Countries

See all trips

Things to do in Finland

With vast tracts of unspoiled wilderness and a unique mix of European and Russian culture, Finland is a place with plenty to interest all comers. Read on for our pick of the top 5 Finland travel essentials.

See the Fortress of Suomenlinna

This UNESCO World Heritage listed fortress is one of the top attractions in Helsinki. Constructed in the late 18th century, it's an interconnected network of fortifications spanning six individual islands, located a short and scenic ferry ride from the bustling Market Square at Helsinki's South Harbour. A picturesque setting makes it a popular picnic spot for locals looking to escape the crowds of the city.

Visit Heureka, The Finnish Science Center

This excellent Science Center has been delighting visitors since its opening in 1989. Located in the town of Vantaa on the outskirts of the capital, it's one of the most popular Helsinki attractions, and is home to an excellent variety of temporary and permanent exhibitions, with highlights including its fantastic digital planetarium.

Ski or Snowboard Within The Arctic Circle at Levi Ski Resort

Located in Finnish Lapland, Levi is the largest and most popular resort in the country. Though it tops out at only 531m, its northerly Arctic latitude means it gets plenty of snow, and there are a variety of runs to cater for all levels of ability. Many of the slopes are floodlit (the sun doesn't rise here in December!) and there's a selection of halfpipes and terrain parks to help keep the daredevils busy.

Marvel at Olavinlinna Castle

With its stunning setting and three distinctive towers, this imposing castle is amongst the most beautiful buildings in the country. Situated on a rocky outcrop in a strait between two lakes near the town of Savonlinna, it dates back to the 15th century, and as well as being home to two excellent museums it's famed as the stunning setting for the annual Savonlinna Opera Festival.

Explore Helsinki

Finland's clean, modern capital is a fantastic blend of old and new, with beautiful scenery, interesting architecture and famously raucous nightlife. Here you'll find many of the country's most essential sites, including stunning Helsinki Cathedral, the Kamppi Chapel of Silence and the famous Temppeliaukio Kirkko, a church carved entirely from rock.

Top 5 Festivals in Finland

Funky Elephant Festival

Helsinki

This fixture of the Finnish festival scene is held each April at select venues around Helsinki. It features a program of live music from top-level Finnish and international artists.

Turku Music Festival

Finland's longest running music festival takes place each August, with a winning program of concerts covering everything from orchestral performances to chamber music and modern jazz. It hosted by several excellent venues including the famous Turku Cathedral.

Flow Festival

Helsinki

What better setting for a festival of urban music than a disused power station in the city outskirts? Held annually in August and known simply as 'Flow', it's one of the most keenly anticipated festivals in Helsinki.

Helsinki Festival

Finland's largest festival of culture takes place at various venues around Helsinki, featuring a diverse program of music, dance, theater and art. Many of the performances are free, and legendary names like Hermeto Pascoal and Steve Reich have entertained the crowds.

Turku Jazz

Finland has a buzzing jazz scene, and Turku Jazz festival is perhaps the best place to immerse yourself in it. Held annually in August, it features performances from the cream of Finland's contemporary jazz musicians.

Top 5 Museums & Galleries in Finland

Finland offers an excellent spread of fascinating museums and galleries, with something to cater for all tastes. Read on for our rundown of the Finnish top 5.

Mannerheim Museum

Helsinki

This popular Helsinki museum is dedicated to Baron Gustaf Mannerheim, a famed Finnish military leader and President. It's located in his former residence and features a collection of exhibits documenting his life and times.

Seurasaari Island And Open-air Museum

Helsinki

Located right by Wenceslas Square, this museum documents the communist regime in the former Czechoslovakia, covering everything from propaganda and censorship to labour camps and the various details of everyday life.

Luonnontieteellinen Museo

Also known as Luomus, Finland's natural history museum is located in downtown Helsinki. It's housed in a former Russian gymnasium and features a vast collection of exhibits ranging from fossils and minerals to dinosaur skeletons and taxidermied animals.

Kiasma

Helsinki

This contemporary art museum is part of the larger Finnish National Gallery. It's housed in a strikingly modern building in central Helsinki and features upwards of 8500 works by predominantly Finnish artists.

Kansallismuseo

Helsinki

Kansallismuseo is Finland's premier museum of archaeology and ethnography. It opened its doors to the public in 1916, and features a vast collection of exhibits documenting Finland's history from the Stone Age through to the present day.

Food in Finland

Finnish cuisine is typically Nordic, featuring a tantalising variety of preserved ingredients. Classics include smoked reindeer, a traditional food of the Sami people, as well as much-loved national favorites like smoked salmon and pickled herring. Finland is a land of many lakes, so it's no surprise that freshwater fish - pike, perch and vendace - are popular. Delicious dairy products, potatoes and dark, heavy rye breads make up the rest of the culinary picture.

Karelian Pasty

Finland's favorite snack is made from a thin crust of rye pastry with a delicious rice-based filling. You'll find them at bakeries throughout the country and clustered through Helsinki, with Konditoria Hopia being a renowned favorite.

Best eaten at
Konditoria Hopia, Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9

Lohikeitto

This creamy fish soup originated in Lapland but is popular all over the country. Simple and hearty, it's made from chunks of salmon with potatoes and leeks, flavoured with a generous helping of diced dill - perfect for a cold day of Helsinki sightseeing.

Best eaten at
Ravintola Aino Pohjoisesplanadi 21

Lihapyörykät

Meatballs are a standard feature of Scandinavian cuisine, but the Finnish take are bigger and heartier than most in the region. They can be made from beef, pork or reindeer and are commonly served with potatoes, lingonberry jam and creamy gravy.

Best eaten at
Kahvila Suomi, Pursimiehenkatu 12

Fried Baltic Herring

If there's one thing the Finns love, it's a herring. Smoked, salted, baked or pickled, it's a Finnish favorite and is enthusiastically consumed throughout the country. Try it fried with plenty of potatoes on the side, dished up to perfection at Helsinki's Kosmos.

Best eaten at
Kosmos, Kalevankatu 3

Poronkäristys

Sautéed reindeer is a typical food of the Sami people, and can be readily found in restaurants across Helsinki. It's thinly sliced then fried and usually served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber. One to sample if you can block out your fairy-tale image of Christmas.

Best eaten at
Lappi Ravintola Annankatu 22

About

Who We Are

Meet the Team

Reviews

Careers

Travel Interests

Travelling with us

My Contiki

FAQs

Travel Updates

Personal Security