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The Very Best Places To Visit In Finland

Despite cold temperatures, Oulu is a popular Finland travel destination in the winter.

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Why is Finland consistently ranked as the world's happiest country? Plan a trip to the Nordic nation and find out for yourself what makes Finns tick.

From the innovative design capital of Helsinki to peaceful Arctic wilderness, Finland is packed with diversity. The same is true for experiences, whether it's staying in glass igloos waiting for the northern lights to appear or exploring historic towns.

Whether seeking adventure, connection with nature, or relaxation, Finland's varied regions promise new experiences and a taste of why Finns hold the title of the happiest people on earth.

Helsinki

Finland's compact yet vibrant capital city is the obvious starting point for those seeking a city break in Finland. Visiting Helsinki offers a unique blend of Nordic design heritage and natural beauty.

Helsinki is a UNESCO Design City, acknowledging the city's commitment to incorporating design into everyday life.

In addition to novel public spaces, the Finnish capital boasts design schools, innovative architecture, creative industries, and unique design shopping opportunities. Noteworthy sites include the wooden Oodi Library and the rock-hewn Temppeliaukio Church.

Helsinki's Oodi Central Library is a wonderful example of Finland's focus on design.

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Despite its urban setting, Helsinki's seaside location and nearby archipelago provide a maritime ambiance and outdoor activities, making it a standout destination in Finland.

Easy Day Trips From Helsinki

Short on time? Helsinki offers several day trip opportunities for those with limited time but who are still keen to explore Finland's rich landscapes and cultural heritage.

Porvoo

One of the oldest towns in Finland, Porvoo is known for its picturesque old town with cobblestone streets and colorful wooden houses. A visit to the Porvoo Cathedral, which dates back to the 15th century, is a must for history enthusiasts.

Aside from its visual charm, the town's many boutiques and galleries offer unique Finnish designs and handmade goods, making Porvoo a perfect blend of historic charm and contemporary culture.

Nuuksio National Park

Just a short drive or public transport ride from Finland's capital, Nuuksio provides a quick gateway into forested, lake-filled wilderness for those staying in or visiting Helsinki.

Hiking, bird watching, berry and mushroom picking, canoeing, and camping are just a few activities visitors can enjoy. The park offers a chance to encounter Finnish wildlife, including elk, deer, and a variety of bird species, in their natural habitat.

Hämeenlinna

For a deeper dive into Finnish history, a day trip to Hämeenlinna offers the chance to explore the imposing 13th-century Häme Castle. Surrounded by beautiful nature, the town is also a base to travel to the Iittala Glass Factory Museum, providing insights into Finland's design industries and cultural heritage.

Turku

The oldest city in Finland offers insights into the medieval era with attractions including Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral, the oldest buildings in Finland still in regular use.

The Aura River, central to the city's layout, is flanked by dining establishments and significant historical landmarks, enhancing the city's scenic appeal. Turku is also known for its dynamic arts scene, with an abundance of galleries, museums, and cultural events.

Old Rauma

Old Rauma, a vibrant historic area and UNESCO World Heritage site, boasts over 600 colorful buildings housing boutiques, cafes, and restaurants, along with Finland's narrowest street.

The old wooden city center of Rauma is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular tourist attraction ... [+] in Finland.

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This unique living museum is inhabited by about 800 people. Visitors can admire exquisite murals in the 15th-century Church of the Holy Cross.

A trip to Rauma also offers the chance to explore another UNESCO site. The nearby Bronze Age Burial Site of Sammallahdenmäki is the largest complete Bronze Age burial site in the Nordic region.

Finland's Lake Region

Finland's southeastern region, near the Russian border, is rich with lakes and islands. While the exact number of lakes is unknown due to the challenge of defining a lake, there are over 55,000 bodies of water wider than 650 feet. Regardless of definitions, that's a lot of water.

The area is sprinkled with summer cottages, many owned by Finns for seasonal retreats, with some available for rent. Start planning your itinerary with the enjoyable lakeside views along Route 62 from Mikkeli to Ruokolahti.

This region is ideal for experiencing the quintessentially Finnish tradition of enjoying a sauna followed by a refreshing dip in an ice-cold lake.

Tampere

Nestled between two lakes, Tampere has evolved from its industrial origins into a vibrant hub of education, culture, and technology, boasting major universities and research institutes.

The city attracts international visitors with events at Tampere Hall congress center, which also houses the Moomin Museum, celebrating Tove Jansson's timeless characters.

Vapriikki Museum Center, located along the riverside, offers insights into Tampere's industrial history and diverse exhibitions, from natural history to gaming.

Arctic Finland

The northern region of Finland is a year-round destination, offering endless daylight in summer for hiking and wildlife watching, and stunning northern lights alongside Arctic landscapes in fall, winter, and spring.

Arctic Finland is a prime spot for viewing the northern lights, despite the cold. For comfort, consider staying in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Even if the northern lights elude you, a winter visit remains a memorable one with activities like husky sled rides, exploring Sami culture, and sauna.

Oulu

Known as the gateway to Arctic Finland, Oulu is a city known for its technology sector and vibrant cultural scene, featuring music festivals, museums, and art galleries.

Oulu's position by the Baltic Sea makes it ideal for bird watching. Winter in Oulu brings plummeting temperatures but great opportunities for ice skating and cross-country skiing.

Rovaniemi

Known as the 'official hometown of Santa Claus', Rovaniemi lies directly on the Arctic Circle. This city is a magical destination for families, offering visits to Santa Claus Village all year round.

Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Finland, is a year-round tourist attraction.

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Beyond this festive appeal, Rovaniemi serves as a hub for Arctic adventures, including snowmobile safaris, reindeer sleigh rides, and aurora hunting.

Cultural highlights include the Arktikum museum, which provides comprehensive insights into Arctic nature and the history of Finnish Lapland.

Ivalo and Inari

In the far north, Ivalo and Inari offer insights into indigenous Sami culture, with attractions like the Siida Museum and opportunities to explore the Arctic wilderness.

Inari is home to the Sami Parliament and serves as a cultural center for the Sami people, offering visitors an authentic look at the traditions and way of life of the Nordic region's indigenous people.

Åland Islands

This Swedish-speaking archipelago at the entrance to the Gulf of Bothnia offers peaceful natural beauty, maritime attractions, and outdoor activities.

The Åland Islands are known as a summer vacation spot, popular with both Swedes and Finns for the sandy beaches, historic sites, scenic cycle paths, and quaint villages.

Mariehamn, the charming capital, serves as the heart of Åland's 30,000 residents, offering a glimpse into the islands' maritime heritage with attractions like the Åland Maritime Museum and the Pommern sailing ship.

The Most Underrated Tourist Attraction In The World Is In The Caribbean — And It Has Gorgeous Gardens, Wildlife, And Stunning Ocean Views

Some landmarks simply do not get the recognition they deserve. But Wingie, a flight booking site, is hoping to change that with its new rankings of the most underrated tourist attractions in the world. 

To figure out which spot is the most underrated of them all, the team looked at 40 keywords and phrases indicating whether an experience was perceived as underrated relative to the total number of reviews, including "underrated," "value for money," "awe-inspiring," and "better than expected" across Tripadvisor reviews. It then narrowed the list to places with more than 100 reviews and then gave each landmark an "overrated" and "underrated" score, calculated as the percentage of reviews that contain a relevant keyword.

After looking at the data, the team named Ahhh Rasnatango Gallery and Garden in Montego Bay, Jamaica, the most underrated tourist spot in the world.

"It received the highest proportion of underrated mentions compared to the number of reviews of any other landmark worldwide," Wingie shared in the finding. "Of 357 reviews, there were 712 underrated keywords or approximately two compliments per review. The eco-tourism tropical retreat, perched 2,000 feet above sea level, was called 'beautiful by over two-fifths (45 percent), with other top mentions including 'amazing,' 'breathtaking,' and a 'must see.' According to its profile, it has a perfect five-star rating and ranks top among all things to do in Montego Bay." 

The gorgeous tropical destination was far from alone in its underrated status. It was followed by the Irish National Stud and Gardens in County Kildare, Ireland, which received 2,713 compliments from surprised visitors who called it "interesting" more than 350 times.

It was joined on the list by Al Noor Island in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, in third, which people called "amazing" 151 times; the Cabot Trail, in Cape Breton Island, Canada, in fifth, which received 244 "breathtaking" compliments; and Stone Hall Castle, in Regina, Canada, rounding out the top five with the term "must-see" mentioned 141 times.

The rest of the top 10 included Stetson Mansion in Florida, United States, in the sixth spot; Graceland, Elvis Presley's estate in Memphis, Tennessee; Kiambethu Tea Farm in Kenya, Newcastle Memorial Walk in Australia; and Skypoint Climb in Australia. 

"Tourists use sites like TripAdvisor to find out which attractions are worth it. Visitors want to feel their ticket was good value for money, especially during the cost-of-living crisis when holidays become less affordable," Nihan Çolak Erol, COO of WEG, shared in a statement provided to Travel + Leisure. "By studying traveler sentiment, we can reveal which experiences visitors raved most about. The key to creating a good experience is ensuring that it exceeds expectations. Visitors should understand the value and uniqueness of each experience, so they leave feeling their money was well spent."

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The World's Most Generous Tourist Visas For Americans

American tourists can stay in Palau for up to a year without applying for a visa.

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With digital nomadism taking off around the globe, people are wondering where they can travel—and stay—without having to apply for a visa.

Most countries allow U.S., Canadian, and British citizens (along with many others) to enter countries for a maximum of 90 days at a time on their automatically granted tourist visa.

Long-stay visas, on the other hand, can come with administration fees, require advance application, background checks, and proof of funds, and generally entail more administration and hassle than many travelers want to deal with.

When it comes to going overseas, unless you're very sure of where you want to be long-term, these visas aren't worth the bureaucracy they require.

Plus, staying long-term can trigger consequences that you may not be aware of and, in many cases, that you'd rather avoid—things like trigging local tax residency and being required to file more IRS forms. They can also require you to stay in the country, depriving you of the freedom to leave when you wish for as long as you'd like, even to go back home.

The only administration hassle you might encounter with some of these long-stay tourist visas is that your foreign driver's license may not be valid for the entire length of the visa. Panama, for example, allows tourists to stay for 180 days, but they won't be able to legally drive on their home country's license for more than 90 days. If you're planning to drive a car in the country in question, this is something to verify.

If you're looking for commitment-free travel while you explore the globe—be it for retirement, investment, or just enjoying the great wide world—there are only a handful of places in the world that fit the bill.

Automatic Entry For A Year—Or Even Two

With the most generous tourist visa allowances in the world, most citizens can come to the following countries and stay for a year without doing any paperwork. Plus, to get another year-long stay, all you have to do is exit and re-enter.

Albania

On the Adriatic, this beautiful country boasts many of the same assets that neighboring Greece and Montenegro offer, but at a fraction of the cost.

Unfortunately, Albania's year-long tourist visa is only available to Americans.

Georgia

It's not on the mainstream travel path, but Georgia is a culturally rich country that offers some great offshore and business advantages, including the fact that you can simply enter the country and stay for a year.

Palau

An archipelago of over 500 islands, you can enter and spend up to a year island-hopping in this oceanic paradise.

Easy Six-Month Entry

It doesn't get any easier than in the following popular countries, where you can enter and stay for six months without worrying about administration.

Costa Rica

The latest country to allow for six-month tourist visas, Costa Rica just announced the change from 90 to 180 days in September 2023 for "Group One" countries (which includes the United States, Canada, the U.K., and most of Europe).

Technically, granting it is at the immigration officer's discretion—so mind your Ps and Qs—but there shouldn't be any reason you won't be given the 180-day visa.

You can request an extension of an additional three months or exit and re-enter to get another six months.

Mexico

Ever popular and right next door, famous for its sunshine and laid-back culture, Mexico has long offered six-month visas to tourists—all the better to explore this massive, diverse country. You need to leave the country before that time is up, but simply re-enter to get another six-month stay granted automatically.

Panama

One of my favorite countries, my home for half the year, the base of my business, Live and Invest Overseas, and a noted retirement haven, Panama offers 180-day tourist visas. To reset the clock, simply leave the country and re-enter.

Extend For A Total Of Five-Plus Months

While the following countries only allow for three months off the bat, you can easily extend your stay while in the country for an additional two to three months, giving you a total of five to six months (possibly more) in that country without formalizing your residency.

Cambodia

Blessed with beautiful lakes, rivers, mountains, and forests, not to mention its enticing cost of living and its wonderfully welcoming people, Cambodia makes it easy to stay long-term on its regular visa (not a tourist visa, which is only renewable for a total of a two-month stay). For US$35, you'll be granted a 30-day visa, which can be renewed monthly for up to a year.

Chile

With fine wines, endless coastline, and modern cities, Chile offers the highest standard of living in Latin America. Even better, you can stay for three months automatically and extend that for an additional three months (for a fee).

Colombia

Offering the best health care in Latin America and diverse lifestyle opportunities, including the Caribbean and the Andes as well as cosmopolitan cities, Colombia is South America's best-kept secret. Stay for three months (granted automatically) and extend for an additional three months. Just beware; you can only spend six months per calendar year in the country.

Guatemala

Boasting extraordinary nature, welcoming locals, and picturesque colonial towns, come to Guatemala for an automatic three-month stay and extend for an additional three months at no cost.

Akin to the rules of Europe's Schengen Area, the Central America-4 Border Control Agreement, which includes Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, allows free travel between member countries. However, it also means you'll need to exit the entire region once your tourist visa expires.

Malaysia

A global hub for trade and business with breathtaking beaches, visit for three months (granted automatically) and extend for an additional two months.

Seychelles

With crystal-clear waters, pristine beaches, and unless sunshine, you can explore this 115-island archipelago in the Indian Ocean for three months and extend that for three-month periods for up to a year (for a fee).

You'll need proof of onward travel, accommodation, and funds to cover expenses while in the country (US$150 per day).

Border-Run Bonus

To leave a country and re-enter immediately for no other reason than to get a new tourist visa is known as a visa or border run.

This used to be a common practice in many regions of the world and still is in some. Certain countries, like Thailand, for example, have come to frown on this practice and have taken measures to prevent it. Some will only grant a certain number of visas per calendar year; some require you to be out of country for a specified time before you'll be allowed to re-enter for a new tourist visa.

The following countries all allow for border runs, essentially allowing 180 days of entry, as long as you exit the country once before the first 90 days is up.

Argentina

Enjoy the good life in this wine country with a low cost of living and excellent health care for 90 days. You can either extend this in the country for an additional 90 days or just do a border run to reset the tourist visa.

Taiwan

Taiwan boasts tropical forests, delicious cuisine, and helpful locals. Citizens of most countries can enter Taiwan and stay for 90 days. You'll need to leave the country before the tourist visa expires, but you'll be allowed right back in.

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