The Ultimate Guide to Finland

Written by Campbell Wright – Biathlete

Located in Europe, Finland is one of the world’s most northern countries. Known as the land of a thousand lakes, Finland’s wild beauty is what attracts many visitors to this unique country.

If you’re planning on travelling to Finland, check out Campbell’s insider tips before you head off.

What is Finland’s Currency?

  • Currency: euro
  • Currency code: EUR
  • Currency symbol: € (euro)
  • Currency sub unit: c (cent)

Order euros for Finland



Finland's official currency is the euro (EUR).

Is tipping mandatory? No, tipping is not mandatory, but you will still see tip jars on coffee shop counters.

Is card or cash preferred? Card payment is the preference for most shops in Finland. If you do carry cash keep in mind some retailers won’t have small notes to give you change.

How Much Do Things Cost?

Large coffee €6 EURLarge pizza €30 EURTrain from Helsinki Airport €4.60 EUR
Dinner for two €60 EUR0.5 Litre Beer €7 EUR72hr Helsinki Sight Seeing Card €74 EUR

Finnish Food

Finland’s cuisine is centered around fresh produce and local ingredients. Fish is hugely popular in Finland due to its large number of lakes and proximity to the Baltic Sea. Another staple is the bread, often eaten for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! When in Finland, checking out a local bakery is a must, to sample the endless selection of sweet and savoury pastries.

If you’re eager to try a local delicacy, add Karjalanpiirakka to your list. These tasty delicacies are made from pastry and filled with rice, potato, or carrots. Traditionally, they are served with fresh butter or an egg and butter spread.

Campbell’s Insider Tip: “Don't eat potatoes in the weeks before coming to Finland because you will be fed potatoes with every meal.”

Finnish Food

Must-Sees in Finland

Winter sunrise in finland

Experience a Winter Sunrise

During Winter, the northernmost parts of Finland experience the “polar night” where the sun does not rise above the horizon at all. In southern Finland, the shortest day is about 6 hours long. During this time, seeing the sunrise is one of the most spectacular sights and locals try to make the most of every second of daylight.

Northern lights in finland

Marvel at the Northern Lights

Lapland in Finland is one of the best places in the world to experience the Northern Lights (also known as the aurora borealis). The Northern Lights are a natural atmospheric phenomenon where incredible waves of green, purple, and red light illuminate the sky. The aurora is formed when charged electrons and protons collide with gases in the Earth’s atmosphere, producing tiny flashes of colourful light.

Fortress in finland

Visit the Suomenlinna Fortress

Located a 15-minute ferry ride from Helsinki's Market Square, Suomenlinna Fortress is one of the largest sea fortresses in the world. The fortress was used as an active submarine base during World War II and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Comprising of 6 linked islands, Suomenlinna is rich in history with ramparts, tunnels, and museums to explore.



Seasonal Activities

Summer in Finland

Explore Finland’s National Parks: Finland is home to 41 nature reserves, all of which are free to enter all year round. Summer is the perfect time to enjoy Finland’s pristine nature, camp under the stars, and enjoy the inland waters. During the warmer seasons, berries and mushrooms can be found growing along the forest floors. Visitors are allowed to pick these for free if they are not a protected species.

Water Sports: As the land of a thousand lakes, water sports are one of Finland’s most popular summer activities. The country’s vast lake system makes kayaking, canoeing, and sailing the perfect way to explore the natural environment. For those seeking adrenaline, the Laguuuni Water Sports Centre in Keilaniemi offers stand-up paddle boarding, wakeboarding, and water trampoline hopping.

Autumn in Finland

Enjoy the light festival at Linnanmäki: Each year, the Linnanmäki Amusement Park holds a light festival to end the summer season. For 10 days the amusement park is filled with thousands of dazzling light displays as performers take to the stage. With rides, entertainment, and fireworks, the legendary festival draws in visitors from across Finland.

Enjoy the colours of nature: During Autumn, Finland’s forests turn to rich earthy tones of red, orange, and yellow. For nature lovers, September and October are the best months for hiking and camping. Berry picking is another popular Autumn activity with guided tours available for those wanting to forage for wild forest food.

Winter in Finland

Experience a White Christmas: Located a short distance from the Arctic Circle, Finland is the perfect setting to experience a white Christmas. Spending Christmas in Finland’s Lapland offers a truly unique experience. Travellers can stay overnight in a glass igloo, enjoy a reindeer-led sled ride, and visit the delightful Santa Claus Village.

Go skiing in Levi: As the largest ski resort in Finland, Levi is a true winter wonderland for those wanting to hit the slopes. With close to 40km of terrain, there are endless trails for skiers and snowboarders to explore. The resort also offers plenty of off-snow activities including snowmobiling, ice fishing, dog sledding, and hot-air ballooning.

Spring in Finland

Spot the Northern Lights: Seeing the Northern Lights is a must when visiting Finland and early Spring is one of the best times to spot them. The Aurora Borealis can be seen from September through to March, with March being one of the best months to see the lights due to intense solar activity. March is also said to be the month with the clearest skies meaning less cloud cover to ruin your chances of seeing the lights.

Admire the Cherry Blossoms in Helsinki: During Spring, Helsinki’s Roihuvuori cherry trees begin to bloom. Kirsikkapuisto, also known as Cherry Park, is home to 250 pink cherry blossom trees that bloom between the end of March and the beginning of May each year. Finland celebrates with their very own Hamani Festival, a traditional Japanese celebration where visitors enjoy a picnic under the cherry blossoms.

Get your Finland Currency

If you love the sound of a Finnish adventure, you're going to need euro currency!

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