What comes to mind when you think of Finland? The Northern Lights, saunas, Joulupukki, or top-notch education, standard of living, and a strong passport? It has all of that and more. Finland is also a cold northern country where temperatures can drop to minus 40°C in winter. Year after year, it ranks among the happiest countries in the world. Now we will tell you why Finland is so amazing.
Safety
If you are a novice traveler with little experience and many fears, but you want to go somewhere alone, choose Finland. This country is completely safe for tourists: 11 out of 12 lost wallets are returned to their owners, and locals do not always lock their homes and cars. Keep in mind that people will approach you and offer help even if you don't ask for it, but simply stand somewhere looking lost — this is something that practically all of Scandinavia is famous for. So if you're not afraid of changeable weather, you won't find any other reasons to be afraid there.
Northern Lights
Hunting for this rare phenomenon often becomes the number one quest for avid travelers. If you consider yourself one of them, Finland is waiting for you. You can see the Northern Lights in winter from almost anywhere in Lapland (sometimes even in Helsinki, if you are lucky and arrive there in the right weather).
But you will have a much better chance of seeing the aurora if you travel away from cities, somewhere in open terrain or in the countryside. You need a cloudless sky and darkness without any light pollution. The best time to hunt for the northern lights is from February to March and from September to October. So wait for autumn. The Finns recommend watching the lights in Kilpisjärvi, as well as in Saariselkä, the village of Nellim, and Sodankylä.
Saunas
It's part of the cultural code, no doubt about it. Saunas, baths, and spas of all kinds are everywhere and in any quantity. The Finnish sauna is the hottest and driest of all. The temperature in it can reach 130 °C. Finns are convinced that saunas help with everything, they even have a saying: "If tar, vodka, and a sauna don't help, then nothing will." There is one sauna for every three people, which puts the Finns in first place in the world in terms of this parameter. Many deals and negotiations are even conducted in the sauna. Supposedly, this is because without clothes, you become as sincere and genuine as possible — you have nothing to hide or embellish.
Unusual competitions
Finns know very well how to have fun and how to get others involved. Judge for yourself: Finland hosts annual world championships in mobile phone and boot throwing, wife carrying, air guitar playing, swamp soccer, ant hill sitting, winter swimming, and much more. By the way, while we are used to calling people who swim in icy water "walruses," the Finns refer to them as "seals," "otters," or "nerpas." What exotic competition would you like to participate in? Write your answers in the comments.
Drinking water
Tap water in Finland is one of the cleanest in the world, and you can drink it safely almost everywhere. There are drinking fountains everywhere, and you can drink water from the tap or ask for it in a restaurant. Finland ranks among the world's leaders in terms of drinking water purity every year.
Service without tips
It is not customary to leave tips in Finnish establishments. Of course, no one will be offended if you offer, but most likely you will be refused, albeit with a broad and sincere smile. In Finland, all service staff are very friendly and empathetic; people may even get upset if they haven't helped you enough — I speak from personal experience. So forget about sour faces at cashiers and salespeople; in Finland, you'll want to smile at everyone you meet.
Finnish rock
Finland is considered the world leader in terms of the number of rock and metal bands per capita. The musical Finnish language combined with deafening heavy music creates something completely unique. It is not surprising that dozens of different concerts and rock festivals are held in the country every year, most of which take place outdoors in the summer. The most popular festivals are Ruisrock, Pori Jazz, Provinssirock, Tuska, Ilosaarirock, Ankkarock, and Sonisphere.
No ice on the sidewalks
The Finns have solved this problem. You can walk in winter without fear of slipping. For example, in the central part of Helsinki, many sidewalks and boulevards are free of snow and ice because the granite slabs are heated from below. The first sidewalk with electric heating appeared in the Finnish capital in 1998. There is no ice there even on the coldest days of the year: snow falls on the paving stones, turns into water, and flows into the city sewer system. Heating pipes are laid under the tiles, and their heating is regulated depending on the outside temperature. ⠀
Skates
It is believed that the prototype of modern skates was invented in what is now Finland about 5,000 years ago. Ancient people made them from sharpened animal bones or stone. Today, "winter skating trips" on the ice of rivers and lakes are popular in Finland. It looks like this: a group of people equip themselves with backpacks and special sticks and set off on skates across natural ice for long distances. Of course, this is only possible if the weather and ice thickness allow it.
Easter in a cup
Bonus topic — since it's Easter season right now. In Finland, cottage cheese Easter desserts are packaged in plastic cups like yogurt cups. The dessert is called "Pasha" — a delicate cottage cheese cream, usually with citrus and raisins added. It seems that only the packaging has changed, but it's still surprising. And the religious holiday itself is celebrated in Finland not only in churches or at the family table: concerts, exhibitions, and other festive events are held throughout the country.
So if someone tells you that Finland is a boring country, don't worry, you now have a dozen counterarguments for that case.
P.S.: What would you add to our selection?
