Interesting cities in Finland for tourists. Amazing Finland - all the pros and cons of the foreign life of Russian migrants. Industrial center of Finland

Finland is one of the most mysterious countries in the whole world. With its endless forests, thousands of lakes, stunning northern nature, hot sauna and fish cuisine, it attracts everyone every year more tourists and lovers of ski resorts. Vacationing in Finland will be interesting for both large groups of friends and family. Some of the most beautiful cities in Finland and must-see places include:

1. Helsinki;

3. Åland Islands;

4. Hämeenlinna;

5. Jyvaskyla;

6. Lemmenjoki National Park;

7. Sights of Oulu;

9. Lake Savonlinna;

10. Tammisaari Archipelago;

11. Tempere.

Each of the above-mentioned cities and vacation spots has its own characteristics, subtleties of architecture and landscape, but they are all united by hospitable residents and a mass of hitherto unknown corners of nature that will amaze you to the core and will certainly leave behind an unforgettable impression.

Helsinki - the capital of the “Land of a Thousand Lakes”

First on our list of attractions in Finland is rightfully its heart - the capital of Helsinki. Lively northern city will amaze with untouched nature, but at the same time very developed infrastructure And a huge amount historical and cultural monuments. It is difficult to say exactly what is the hallmark of Helsinki, since each of the cultural monuments is interesting and beautiful in its own way, but we can note such places as the National Museum, the Gallery rich in masterpieces, as well as three huge theaters. In the suburbs of the city, connoisseurs of antiquity can visit several churches made of gray stone. In Helsinki there is the largest Assumption Cathedral in Western Europe and the Lutheran Church, which was built in the Temppeliaukio rock. The church is equipped with a glass ceiling, so during the day during services in the temple, a lot of light gets inside and you can watch the play of shadows. It is very difficult to convey in words the beauty of what is happening during the liturgy; you really need to see it with your own eyes.

The Åland Islands, untouched by modernity

The Åland Islands have their own unique and very interesting story. Today the island is home to 27,500 people. The entire industry of the island consists of shipping, as the Shipbuilding Museum and Marine Square remind tourists of. There is another one nearby interesting corner- Jan Karlsgarden Museum. It clearly depicts all the nuances of the old island farm that existed in 1890.

Hämeenlinna - a village that honors its famous residents

When talking about the most beautiful cities in Finland, one cannot fail to mention the city of Hämeenlinna. It is located on a lake called Vanajavesi. In this city, there is a famous landmark of Finland - the Red Brick Castle. Nearby is located beautiful park named after the composer Jean Sibelius, who was once born here. Locals value their famous fellow countrymen, so they honor their memory. Also, in Hämeenlinna there are museums named after composers, and a church with a bust of another resident of the city - the poet Paavo Kajander.

Industrial center of Finland

Jyväskylä combines several features - it is considered the fundamental transport hub, as well as an industrial appendage, where most of the woodworking and metallurgical industries are concentrated. The city is famous for its festivities and the combination of medieval stone buildings and wooden dwellings. In Jyväskylä you can see the old neo-Gothic City Church, the Municipal Theater, a couple of monuments to Finnish poets and Government Offices.

Northern Lights inspiring poets

If you have already had the opportunity to visit the country where Father Frost or Santa Claus lives, as he is called there, then take a look Northern lights, you simply must. For modern people, seeing this spectacle is a dream, but residents of the country see it quite often. IN winter period, all tourists are guaranteed a show of lights. Many hotels are being built so that guests of the country can observe this miracle.

Lake Saimaa and Savonlinna

This part of the country has more water than land in its possession. Hills, shores, lakes and pine forests are the main features of the city of Savonlinna. This is a resort town located on one of the islands. Having visited this village, you will immediately be struck by such a landmark of Finland as Olavinlinna Castle. Many halls will immerse tourists in the world of unknown antiquity and tell about cultural heritage Finnish people. Wedding ceremonies and religious events are often held in the Castle Chapel; if you are lucky enough to take part in them, you will remember it for a long time. For lovers of boat trips, there are excursions around the lakes in neighboring cities countries that will also delight you with a lot of new impressions.

Picturesque spots that are also worth visiting

In addition to the places listed above, there are many more beautiful cities in Finland and its attractions. For connoisseurs wildlife It will be interesting to visit Lemmenjoki National Park, the largest park in the country; untouched forests cover 1000 square meters. km. Hundreds of paths for travelers, compact cottages with a fireplace and a hot Finnish sauna will surprise the most demanding travelers. In Lemmenjoki Park, you can find big variety wild animals.

It is also worth visiting such beautiful cities of Finland as Turku - the oldest city in Finland and Vaasa with a giant nature reserve, an indoor water park and a crater from a once fallen meteorite.

The cultural attractions of Finland are not limited to these cities; you can think over your own route and move to those places that will be interesting for you and your family. In any case, you will definitely be glad that you chose this country for your holiday.

World Travel

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17.10.18 09:54

Endless forests, picturesque islands, turquoise lakes and clear rivers - Finland is fabulously beautiful! You won't find polluted, noisy cities here; Finland's delightful cities and towns are located in the middle of waterways, from where you can reach natural wonders Suomi countries. Luxury shops and fashion boutiques dot the avenues tourist cities Finland, and the Arctic Circle promises real adventures, it’s not for nothing that the patrimony of Santa Claus flourishes here. The historical centers and their ancient wooden buildings are magnificent, the museums are famous for their interesting exhibitions, and the influence of Russian and Swedish architecture is amazing. Here are the most beautiful cities in Finland that are worth visiting.

Magical islands, eclectic architecture: the delightful cities of Finland

Lappeenranta: fortress and resort

Lying on the shores of the largest lake in the country, Lappeenranta was originally a garrison town but has gradually developed into a charming resort. It belonged to the Swedish Empire, and then for some time our compatriots ruled here. The huge fortress, the magnificent Lake Saimaa, its picturesque shores (Lappeenranta is part of South Karelia), wonderful cafes and the harbor make the Finnish city a tasty morsel for tourists. And since it is located close to Russian border, there is no end to our vacationers here.

Porvoo: a kaleidoscope of wooden houses

The oldest (after Turku) city Finland Porvoo is famous for its historical center - with unique warehouse buildings lining the banks of the river of the same name and wonderful cobbled streets. Porvoo was founded in the Middle Ages, and its proximity to Helsinki makes the city a great day trip option from the country's capital. Colorful wooden houses, excellent culinary scene, unique cultural events– that’s why it’s worth visiting Porvoo.

Vaasa: Mecca for students

Vaasa, formed at the beginning of the 17th century, is home to many Swedes (the neighboring Scandinavian country is located on the other side of the Gulf of Bothnia, less than 80 kilometers away). The former name of the city in Finland was Nikolaistadt, since the Russians ruled here. Old city heavily damaged by fire, so much of Vaasa is relatively modern. In general, this is a city of young people - it is home to three universities and many inexpensive bars and restaurants, which have long been favored by students. The nearby Norra-Kvarken Strait is stunning and offers plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Savonlinna: St. Olav's Castle

Savonlinna is located in the center of the Saimaa lake region, borders Russia and occupies several small beautiful islands. This is an attractive destination for lovers of wildlife and spectacular lake views. The indisputable advantage of the city of Finland is dramatic castle Olavinlinna of the 15th century (or St. Olaf's fortress), erected by the Swedes. It has hosted a fantastic opera festival every year for more than a century. Be sure to take a walk around the harbor, check out its cafes and market square.

Jyväskylä: popular rally

Another Finnish city located between two lakes (they are called Keitele and Päijänne), Jyväskylä is the largest locality in the Lakeland region. Stunning architecture, noisy night life(there are many teenagers in the city), proximity to the magnificent lakes on which good beaches, - these are the “trump cards” of Jyväskul. This is a relatively young city, founded by Emperor Nicholas I in 1837. Since the early 1950s, car rallies have been held here, and during this “hot” time, the streets of Jyväskuli are filled with visitors.

Rauma: historical center protected by UNESCO

The old town of Rauma with its rhythmically beating “heart”, market area, and atmospheric streets full of wooden buildings - the largest in Scandinavia, since 1991 it has been included in the list World Heritage UNESCO. In addition, Rauma is an important port of the Gulf of Bothnia. The pride of the city is lace; a week-long annual festival, held since 1971, is dedicated to this craft and its craftswomen. Not far from the coast there are several small islands - in summer there are hiking trails. tourist routes, and when the ground is covered with snow, they flourish winter views sports.

Turku: former capital

Turku, the former capital of Finland, is beautiful and has plenty of places to spend time! In addition, it is the oldest (and sixth largest) city in the country. An impressive castle and cathedral grew up in Turku before the 13th century. Their ancient atmosphere combines perfectly with a lively young “aura”: Turku is full of students, as well as nightclubs and cute bars. This is cultural and science Center Finland, a large port, the gateway to the West, from Turku it is easy to get to Stockholm and St. Petersburg (on the E18 highway). The beautiful Aurajoki River flows through the city (here it flows into the Archipelago Sea). In winter, Turku becomes the main city of Christmas with its stunning festive tree.

Tampere: rapids and galleries

Rich cultural and artistic scene, two huge lakes, picturesque parks leading to tree-lined streets, rapids running through the bustling center - Tampere is not without reason considered one of the most beautiful cities in Finland. Once there was a large industrial power plant here, then the old buildings were repurposed to house galleries, museums, and cinemas. Sculptures, interesting shops, restaurants are scattered throughout the city, and locals and tourists enjoy spending time at night parties.

Rovaniemi: Santa's wonderful house

On far north country, near the Arctic Circle, the most fairytale city Finland - Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland and home of Santa Claus. This is the most popular tourist destination– who among us wouldn’t like to go visit Santa or bring our children here? The city was practically destroyed during the Second World War, so outside the village of Santa Claus, Rovaniemi is not the most attractive place with banal standard houses. But if you drop by to see the winter wizard (of course, during the holiday season), you will ride on a reindeer sleigh, take photographs near elegant buildings and fir trees winking with multi-colored illumination. And in cultural center Arktikum you will learn a lot about the Sami culture and local traditions.

Helsinki: eclectic architecture and Baltic charm

Of course, our list of the most beautiful cities in Finland cannot be imagined without the country’s capital, the magnificent Helsinki, located on the Baltic. There is remarkable architecture here, reflecting both the rich heritage of Finland and the influence of the Russian Empire - churches and cathedrals, wooden houses, Art Nouveau buildings, boutiques, galleries, shopping centers. Shopping in Helsinki is excellent, as is the menu of the restaurants here. There are fantastic cafes for gourmets, there are eateries with healthy food and national dishes. Islands, forest edges, beautiful beaches - the nature of the surrounding Helsinki has prepared a lot of pleasant impressions and charming surprises for travelers, which can be found in any season, be it golden autumn, bright spring, snowy winter or warm summer.

No matter how Russian immigrants look at Finland, this country is close and even dear. At one time, Finland generally existed as part of Russia. Today the state has the status of a sovereign territory, and the living conditions of Finnish citizens can be envied even in Western Europe. A country with virtually no corruption really looks interesting for those looking for a new way of life. Like any country in the world, Finland has its pros and cons.

Migrants in Finland: numbers, growth

According to the latest statistics, the number of immigrants who have entered for permanent residence is 4% of the country’s population, which is about 240,000 people. In addition, approximately 160,000 foreign residents are present in the country temporarily or hold dual citizenship.

...More often than others, requests for a residence permit are sent by citizens of Russia. Common reasons for the request are: family connections (43%), employment (32%), education (22%)…

http://yle.fi/uutiset/vid_na_zhitelstvo_v_finlyandii_chashche_vsego_zaprashivayut_grazhdane_rossii/6736183

Migration increase in Finland last years increases. The average figure for this indicator is fixed at 500–600 immigrants for each year. A significant part of this figure is due to labor migration. Spaniards, Italians, Greeks, Portuguese and, of course, Russians come to work for the Finns. However, at the same time, the number of emigrants is increasing rapidly.

Standard of living in Finland compared to Russia

If you look at the world ranking, the country has been in the TOP 20 in terms of living standards for many years (in 2018 - 15th place). Actually, this is already a distinctive feature of the country when compared with Russia, which in 2018 took 49th place in the ranking of living standards.

The standard of living in Finnish is a peculiar phenomenon. On the territory of the country there are practically no reserves of hydrocarbon raw materials like in Russia. There is one wealth - the forest, which the Finns manage extremely wisely and rationally. Meanwhile, Finland is actively involved in high technology and has moved far ahead in this area.

Naturally, in such conditions ordinary people- citizens of the country - to live conveniently and comfortably. The Finnish government actively supports and controls the life of citizens. For example, the quality of food products is assessed with the participation of 18 special expert commissions. For comparison: in Russia there are only 4 similar commissions.

Video: first impressions of life in Finland as an emigrant from Russia

The following moment looks random against the background of absolute Finnish prosperity:
…2014 was the last year for 789 Finns who committed suicide. The causes of suicide were poverty, unemployment, depression, alcoholism, and living alone. In 25 years, suicides have been reduced by half. The 1990 record is 1,500 suicides. The positive development is due to measures taken to make it easier for people with mental disorders to receive treatment and medication. The attitude of others towards mentally ill people has changed for the better...

http://yle.fi/uutiset/v_finlyandii_napolovinu_sokratilos_chislo_samoubiistv_s_1990_goda/8631808

Educational field

The Finnish educational model is reminiscent of the Russian (more precisely, Soviet). This is not surprising, since, being in the past part of Russia, the Finns borrowed all the best from the field of Soviet education and, as a result, brought primary school to an indicative level. Today the Finnish school (the prototype of the Soviet one!) is considered one of the best in the world.

Video: impressions of a Russian student about a Finnish university

Finnish education is free for all levels of study. Russian immigrants take advantage of this moment. A significant part of them arrive in the country specifically for the purpose of studying. The country's higher education institutions are valued for the quality of their teaching. Universities that stand out in particular are:

Helsinki;
Turku;
Aalto.
Oulu;
Lappeenranta;
Finnish Academy of Arts.

All of the listed educational institutions, and, in particular, the last university on the list, are very popular among immigrants from Russia and other countries.

Analyzing the school and family environment, it is worth noting the peculiarities of raising school-age children. The rights of the child are jealously protected by the state. If parents cross the permissible threshold of upbringing, they thereby violate the rights of minors. And this is a serious article of the law, which is immediately applied by the authorities. There are no such rules in Russia. Whether this is good or bad is difficult to judge. But the difference in the lives of citizens of the two countries is obvious here too.

Work and salary

Working in Finland is as attractive a goal for Russian labor immigrants as studying is for students. High earnings of up to 3 thousand euros per month are a tasty morsel. The Finns pay decently even for the work of unskilled workers. Just get it Good work and earning a large income is quite difficult for an immigrant. The unemployment rate among Russian immigrants is 30%, while that of unemployed Finns is just over 8%.

A highly paid position requires a residence permit. Mandatory knowledge of the Finnish language is rule No. 1 for specialists. If the requirements are met, the Finnish side is happy to hire Russian immigrant professionals in the field of construction, Agriculture, Internet technologies. Russian immigrants without qualifications remain in demand as servants in the hotel sector and medical institutions.

By level wages Finns are slightly behind the leading countries of the European Union. There is a significant difference in wages depending on the sphere and type of activity of enterprises. Thus, in state-owned enterprises, labor remuneration is often higher than in private firms. Surprisingly, staff over 65 years of age receive higher salaries compared to younger workers. Russian life here is different from Finnish.

A striking feature of the Finnish labor market is the small difference between the incomes of rich and poor. In Russia, a manager of some raw materials company earns a million rubles a month, and a mechanic at a factory earns 15 thousand. For Finns, figuratively speaking, a manager’s salary is 4 thousand euros, and a factory mechanic’s salary is 2 thousand euros.

...Finland does not allow sky-high income gaps. Company managers earn only two to three times more than ordinary workers. This factor has a strong effect on the crime rate, which in Finland is the lowest in the world...

http://forum.forvip.ru/

Pensions and benefits

The country guarantees a decent level of social protection for the poor, pensioners, children, the unemployed, and young mothers.

The list of social support is impressive:

supplement to earnings for each child;
lump sum benefit for the birth of children;
compensation for housing maintenance for pensioners;
disability payments;
benefits for unemployed people;
and a number of other positions.

Pension provision provides for the payment of a labor pension accrued based on the results of work activity. In addition to the labor pension, the following may be paid:

national pension;
pension payment to immigrants;
disability pension;
old age pension.

…The minimum pension (national pension) for single pensioners is 496 euros. Family pensioners are paid 436 euros (1st category municipality) and 400 euros (2nd category municipality). You can only receive a full national pension if you have lived in Finland for 40 years. Recently, a special resettlement allowance was established for elderly immigrants (over 65 years of age and having lived in the country for more than 5 years). The benefit amount is the same as the national pension...

ELE_alive
http://age60.ru/forum57.html

If a labor pension is assigned based on actual age - 63 years, then an old-age pension is assigned to persons whose age has reached 68 years. The average pension amount is 1,500 euros. In this case, pension accruals are taxed.

...Russian immigrant pensioners are paid the social minimum. True, the purchase of medicines is paid for by the social service. A pensioner goes to a pharmacy, buys medications there at his own expense, and then the money is returned to him. Pensioners can have eye surgeries for free - cataracts, glaucoma, etc. Social services also help pay for housing if the pension is small...

Faina
http://age60.ru/forum57.html

Healthcare

Medical care in Finnish is clearly characterized by such an indicator as life expectancy (79.7 years). Another significant criterion for the quality of medicine is newborn mortality (1.3 per 1000 births). Both indicators indicate that Finnish medicine is at a high level.

The healthcare system is built on the basis government agencies involving the practice of private doctors. Wherein private sector is under strict state control. Medical services are paid. True, going to public clinics provides compensation. Therefore, citizens spend no more than 20% of the total cost on treatment.

About Finnish tax policy

The country's tax policy is a clearly separate topic from the discussion of the social benefits of Finnish society. Separate because thanks to taxes, all the people's benefits of Finland are called into question. If in Russia the same pensioners are exempt from taxes on real estate or on vehicle, Finnish pensioners pay in full.

The amount of income tax is set individually for each category of commune (regional area). territorial division). It could be 20% tax or 36%. Any additional income received is taxed at a rate 1.5–2 times higher. Thus, compared to Russia, the Finns have also succeeded here, but not for the better.

How many Russian migrants live in Finland

According to official data, Russian migrants make up 1% of the country's total population. Just over 60 thousand people in digital equivalent. By ethnicity, it is the third largest community in Finland. There are two Russian communities, different in their principles of origin. One is the old generation of migrants who settled on Finnish soil before the 90s. The other is the new wave of migrants that began arriving in the early 1990s.

Until 1996, the flow of new Russian immigrants was practically unregulated. Immigrants from the sub-ethnic group “Ingrians” rushed into the country. According to available data, there are about 25 thousand of them today. Later, the Finns tightened the requirements for the criteria of Finnish origin, plus they introduced mandatory knowledge of the Finnish language. And today, Russian immigrants (with the exception of tourists) can no longer cross the border of Finland unless they pass the IPAKI test with level A2 (language test-exam).

Are Russians treated well today?

The attitude is quite favorable. However, there are problems of discrimination against Russian-speaking immigrants in terms of their employment. This topic was raised even at the level of the Council of Europe. The European Commission of Human Rights noted serious violations. The Finnish authorities quickly responded to the comments and even initiated the creation of a Fund for the Support of Russian Culture. Nevertheless, it is impossible not to notice the pronounced Russophobia among the indigenous inhabitants of the country.

...The Finns don’t understand why Russians think that over the last 10-15 years they have become beggars? Has anyone seen Russians with their hands outstretched on the Finnish porch? Finland and Russia are brought closer together by their neighborhood, but existing stereotypes force us to perceive our neighbors inadequately...

http://e-finland.ru/info/culture/otnoshenie-finnov-k-russkim.html

You know, there are such picture cities that somehow miraculously appear in our minds by themselves. A certain collective image from illustrations for children's books, frames from vintage commercials, episodes of famous films, old postcards and photographs...
But there are real images of such cities. They are the ones who end up in all these drawings, frames, episodes and postcards. And when one day you find yourself in such a place and your memory begins to pull out small visual fragments from its bins, you begin, without noticing it, to be delighted.
Perhaps this is the pleasure of contemplating, seeing, being among all that was once only visual images.
I screwed it up, I’m surprised myself)
In fact, all these lyrics arise in the head for a reason. It’s just that quite recently I visited a very beautiful place, which I personally singled out for myself as the most beautiful city in Finland.
This is the town of Porvoo, the oldest city in the country after Turku. There is an absolutely stunning old district here, in which time has stood still for at least 100 years. Old wooden houses and warehouses, vintage shops and cobblestone streets... even some cars and people from the middle of the last century.
Porvoo is a ready-made backdrop for classic films, some of which, by the way, were filmed on these streets. I wonder if you can guess the most famous of them?
At the very end of the post I will name it)

2. You may have seen the city of Porvoo more than once in photographs or postcards. This is the view: the river and red wooden buildings on the shore. They are business card Vorvoo is the most famous cityscape.
These are former port barns. Once upon a time, back in the late 18th century, they were painted red in honor of the arrival of King Gustav III of Sweden in the city.

3. The city of Porvoo was founded almost 800 years ago. As I already said, this is the oldest city in Finland after Turku. Somehow it happened that Porvoo became something of a bohemian corner of Finland. IN different time Many famous Finnish artists and poets lived and worked here, including Johan Ludwig Runeberg, author of the Finnish anthem.
Porvoo is located 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. In summer, a small steamboat sails here from the Finnish capital. Porvoo is not a coastal city in the true sense of the word. It is located on the banks of the Porvoonjoki River, several tens of kilometers from the place where the river flows into The Gulf of Finland. The river runs right through the center of the city and along one of its banks and lies this very old Porvoo, which is suspended 100 years in time.

4. Historically, Porvoo was important shopping center, therefore, in its coastal barns goods and exotic delicacies brought from distant countries were stored, and in numerous shopping shops on the streets you could buy something that could not be bought in the rest of Finland

5. Many of these shops have survived to this day. And you can still buy things there that you can’t buy in the rest of Finland. True, now these are not overseas goods but local vintage goods and souvenirs

6. Virtually every old house on the streets historical district Porvoo - a trading shop or restaurant. True, not all of it, but part of it. The owners live in another part of the house. This area did not become exclusively popular, but remains an ordinary residential area. Today its population is about 700 people and many houses have “Private” signs hanging on them so as not to be disturbed by tourists.

7. Trade shops are adjacent to the most ordinary ones residential buildings and this has its own charm - you don’t feel like you’re in an ethnopark.

8. Showcase of a chocolate store.

9. Toy store display

10. Of course, they sell Moomins here...

11. ... and simple souvenirs

12. I really like the design of local souvenir shops!

13. Coffee shop. By the way, coffee shops and restaurants are another calling card of this old area.
In general, for food lovers, Porvoo is the number one city in southern Finland. Back in the 19th century, residents of Helsinki specially came here to taste delicacies in local cafes and restaurants.

14. Every street is a texture, every gateway is a paradise for a photographer

15.

16. Old Porvoo is one big museum under open air. Residential area, there is not a single shop or tavern here

17. And this is the main square of old Porvoo. Here, on the contrary, everything is commercial and offers delicious food. But it was the same 100 years ago. Area is area

18.

19. As I already said, there are many private households here that are guarded by “Private” signs and gentle little dogs.

19. It is interesting that in Porvoo a large percentage of residents are Swedes, which is eloquently evidenced by the names on the door signs. There are even some signs in two languages - Finnish and Swedish.

20. In the courtyard of one of the houses

21. Have you guessed yet what famous film was filmed in these places? Remember)

22. Summer in Finland

23. Figures on residents’ windows

24. And in the yards

25. Stone residential building. Awkward, but beautiful in its own way

26.

27.

28. At the top of the city hill, a local landmark is the cathedral. It was built in the 15th century. In 1809, it was here, in the Porvoo Cathedral, that the Borgo Diet was held. At a meeting of the Sejm in the presence of the Russian Emperor Alexander I, the broad autonomy of the Grand Duchy of Finland was approved. Over its long history Cathedral burned five times. The last fire was quite recently, in 2006. After reconstruction, the cathedral reopened in 2008.

29. Monumental bell tower of the cathedral

30. These are the cars you see on local streets.

31. A hill with an arboretum rises above old Porvoo.

32. From here it opens panoramic view to Porvoo. It is this view that is depicted in many famous paintings by Finnish artists.

33. Bank of the Porvoonjoki River

34. Boats near former port hangars

35. Now there are restaurants and just residential buildings

36.

37. Yes, you didn’t remember the movie?
"For Matches" by Leonid Gaidai. In the film, the city is called Joki, and its real prototype is the Eastern Karelian city of Joensuu.

Finland is a harsh northern country. Ecotourism is popular among travelers coming to this country. Finland is famous for its nature - numerous lakes, water canals, National parks. All this creates an excellent ecology in the country. The country's climate allows tourists to travel all year round. In summer, tourists prefer to visit amusement parks and open-air museums. And in the snowy winter, driving ski resorts or to the residence of Father Frost.

Many interesting places are located in cities. Museums, fortresses and castles, ancient religious buildings - the choice is incredibly large. Sights are located not only in the capital. In the historical centers of small towns such as Rauma and Porvoo, you can explore ancient buildings. Many of them are magnificent examples of Scandinavian architecture.

The best hotels and inns at affordable prices.

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What to see and where to go in Finland?

The most interesting and Beautiful places for visiting, photos and a short description.

1. Senate Square and Cathedral (Helsinki)

2. Esplanade Park (Helsinki)

The park is 400 meters long, with linden trees planted along the perimeter. Founded in the 1830s. The undoubted decoration of the park are the beautifully decorated luxurious flower beds. The park contains many monuments to famous and historical figures. Cultural entertainment is provided by the Swedish Theater, as well as one of the oldest restaurants, Kappeli. Artists of different genres perform on its stage every day.

3. Sveaborg Fortress (Helsinki)

The impregnable bastions of the fortified city of Sveaborg are located on rocky islands near Helsinki. This place is under UNESCO protection. The fortress houses a large number of museums of various subjects - a military museum, a customs museum, a weapons museum, and a toy museum. There are guided tours of the submarine that took part in World War II. On two islands you can see the remains of military fortifications.

4. Olafsborg Fortress (Savonlinna)

The first fortress in Finnish military affairs, which was built taking into account protection from artillery fire. Its construction began in 1475. It's currently popular tourist place, there are several museums on different topics – from the history of the castle to Orthodox icon painting. Opera festivals are held within the walls of the fortress every year. The event lasts about a month and is attended by approximately 60,000 people.

5. Abo Castle (Turku)

One of the most ancient castles in the country, located in, founded in the 13th century. The impressive dimensions, as well as the durable construction materials - granite and brick, made it possible to use the castle not only for defense, but also as a prison or storage facility. The castle looks like a stern military fortification and has a medieval atmosphere. But inside its walls a solemn atmosphere has been created; the halls of the castle are often rented out for events.

6. Old Rauma

The historical center of Rauma. The city was founded in the 15th century, but the very first buildings of Old Rauma date back to the 18th century. Most of the ancient wooden buildings burned down in fires. Interesting wooden buildings are the Sailor's House Christie and the House of the Shipowner Marel. They house museum exhibitions. Rare stone structures represented by the Church of the Holy Cross and the City Hall.

7. Porvoo Old Town

A popular area of the city with buildings from the 18th century. New buildings were erected here after the fire of 1760. Travelers are attracted by the medieval flavor in the cozy small courtyards and narrow cobbled streets. Particularly interesting is a walk along the embankment of the Porvoonjoka River, surrounded by small brown-red wooden houses. Porvoo Cathedral is one of the most popular religious buildings in Finland.

8. Monument to Sibelius (Helsinki)

Dedicated to one of the most revered composers in Finland - Jean Sibelius. Sculptor Eila Hiltuten worked on the monument project for almost 10 years. It is a composition of 600 steel pipes. The music created by the wind creates an image of nature, which was often heard in the compositions of Sibelius. The ambiguity of the monument is often criticized, yet it is one of the most visited places by tourists.

9. Temppeliaukio (Helsinki)

One of the most unusual churches in the world. Its interior is carved out of the rock, and natural light enters it through glass domes. Rough and untreated rocks create unusual acoustics in the church. The church organ has 3001 pipes. One of the church's masses in 2016 was celebrated with heavy rock music. About half a million people visit the church every year.

10. Kamppi Chapel of Silence (Helsinki)

The shape of the chapel resembles a wooden bowl without a handle. The interior walls are made of black alder, the exterior facades are made of spruce strips, and the furniture is made of ash. Silver altar cross. There is not a single window in the chapel. There are no services held there; its purpose is to meet and talk in silence, far from the bustle of the world. Psychological assistance to parishioners is provided by both chapel ministers and social service employees.

11. Assumption Cathedral (Helsinki)

The height of the cathedral is 51 meters. Built in late XIX century. The red brick walls are crowned with 13 gilded domes. The interior of the cathedral is made in traditional Byzantine style. The columns are made of solid blocks of granite; arched vaults decorated with paintings rest against them. The main design is made on the upper part of the vault and above the altar. The Holy Spirit is depicted in the middle, and the starry sky is around.

12. Turku Cathedral

Lutheran Church, built in the 13th century gothic style. The building survived a strong fire, several reconstructions and rebuildings. Currently, the height of the vault of the main nave is 24 meters, and the height of the cathedral tower is 101 meters. The walls of the cathedral are decorated with frescoes, and the chapels are decorated with stained glass windows. The landmark of the cathedral is the organ with 81 stops. There is a museum at the church dedicated to the history of the Cathedral.

13. Arktikum (Rovaniemi)

Modern architectural complex, which includes a museum and science center. A special feature of the building is a 172-meter-long glass atrium. It is called the “portal to the Arctic.” The tunnel is located on the embankment of the Ounasjoki River. Its design uses natural materials typical of the region. Various exhibitions tell visitors about the culture and history of Lapland, nature and Arctic exploration.

14. Athenaeum (Helsinki)

Art Museum with the largest art collection in the country. The museum contains more than 20,000 exhibits different types art - sculptures, graphics, paintings. The works of masters from the mid-18th century to the mid-20th century are presented. In total, more than 4,000 paintings and about 700 sculptures are exhibited. The museum's collections contain paintings by famous artists - Repin, Van Gogh, Levitan, Chagall, Shishkin.

15. Seurasaari (Helsinki)

An open-air museum island. The houses and buildings of the museum are designed to introduce visitors to the way of life and traditions of the Finnish people. 87 buildings were collected from all over the country. Among them there are also examples of rural architecture XVII century, and the estates of wealthy peasants of the 19th century. The oldest building of the museum is a wooden church from the village of Karuna, built in 1686. Every year the museum is visited by several tens of thousands of visitors.

16. National Museum of Finland (Helsinki)

Built at the beginning of the 19th century in the style of romanticism of national architecture. The decoration of the building is a high cone-shaped tower. The museum's exhibitions tell the story of the history of Finland - from the Stone Age to the present. Most of the exhibits were found during archaeological excavations. The museum's collections are extensive in subject matter - coins, weapons, orders, jewelry; they tell about the culture and traditions of the country.

17. Kiasma (Helsinki)

Modern Art Museum. Considered one of the most visited in Finland. It was opened in 1998 and to date has collected a collection of works by contemporary masters from 4,000 exhibits. Paintings, photographs, video installations, and spatial art objects are presented. The building itself attracts attention no less than the exhibits within its walls. Its architecture is interesting with curved lines, mirrored windows reflect the sun's rays.

18. Turku Art Museum

Located in a Romanesque style castle with gray walls. The building was built on Puolalanmäki hill. The museum contains a rich collection of art objects - paintings, graphics and sculptures, works of foreign and Finnish masters. There is an exhibition of wooden sculptures from the Middle Ages, a collection of weapons, coins and ancient toys. Objects of art belong to different historical periods - from the Stone Age to the present day.

19. Helsinki Central Station

A world-famous example of Finnish architecture. The building was built in the Nordic Art Nouveau style and was designed by architect Eliel Saarinen. The station opened in 1919. The practical architecture of the modern building was decorated with interesting details. The clock tower is almost 50 meters high. Walls restaurant hall decorated with paintings. Sculptures with lanterns in their hands were installed at the main entrance.

20. Old Indoor Market (Helsinki)

Founded in 1815, located on the embankment near Trade area. Attracts the attention of not only tourists, but also gourmets of Helsinki. Gastronomic stalls offer a large selection of dishes - both traditional products and delicacies from Lapland. In total, there are about 40 retail outlets in the market. Recently, for large-scale reconstruction, the market was closed for more than a year.

21. Wood processing factory in Verl

The industrial village of Verla has a unique atmosphere. The wood processing factory there was founded in 1872 and is a UNESCO protected site. Now it is a real industrial museum. In it you can learn the history of the development of the country's timber industry. The original factory buildings, factory machines and workers' houses have been preserved. Cardboard produced at the factory was supplied to different parts of the world, even to South America.

22. Pyynikki observation tower (Tampere)

Located on the territory of a nature reserve in the city of Tampere. The tower was built on the top of the ridge in 1929. The height of the tower is 26 meters, so its Observation deck is located at an altitude of 180 meters above sea level. It opens from it beautiful view to the city and two lakes. There is a cafe on the ground floor of the tower. It sells delicious donuts, and local artists hold exhibitions of their paintings there.

23. Lemmenjoki

The largest park in Finland and one of the largest national parks in Europe. Its area is 2850 km². Most of the park is occupied by impenetrable forest. There are more than 60 hiking trails in accessible places for tourists. Trails lead to the main attractions of the park - Ravadasköngäs waterfall, Lemmenjoki river valley, Ukonsaari Island. You can also try your hand at gold mining - there are gold mines in the park.

24. Urho Kekkonen

Picturesque national park in northern Finland. The main excursions start in the village of Saariselkä. About 180,000 tourists visit the park annually. Including families with children - for them at the border park area furnished resort areas, where you can even go skiing. An unofficial attraction of the park is the Korvatunturi hill. As local legends say, Santa Claus lives on this hill.

25. Coastal Islands

The national park was founded in 1938 and is part of the UNESCO reserve. Its peculiarity is its unusual landscape - several thousand islands and rocks. On large islands there is a permanent population. Among the fauna, interesting representatives are moose; seals and seals live in coastal waters. The islands have a number of attractions - stone and wooden churches, lighthouses and fortifications.

26. Lake Saimaa

The most big lake Finland is formed by eight bodies of water connected to each other. The area of the entire water surface is more than 4000 km². There are about 13,000 islands of different sizes in the waters of the lake. Among the abundance of inhabitants are the rare salmon and the endangered Saimaa seal. Dense coniferous forests grow along the banks. This perfect place for outdoor recreation.

27. Saimaa Canal

A 60 km long water canal connects the Gulf of Finland and Lake Saimaa. It has eight locks, three of which are located in Finland, the rest in Russia. Both river and sea vessels. Boat trip Saimaa Canal popular with tourists. This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the nature of the coast, historical sites, monuments and attractions.

28. Sapokka Water Park (Kotka)

A picturesque and well-kept park in , beautiful at any time of the year. The flowers are planted in it so that their blooms replace each other. The main feature of the park is the use of water as the main element of landscape design. Ponds, streams, waterfalls create a special atmosphere. Natural stone is also used to decorate the park. Original compositions from it have repeatedly received awards at international competitions.

29. Imatrankoski (Imatra)

30. Yyteri Beach (Pori)

A sandy beach in the west of the country about 6 km long. Popular not only with local residents, but also among travelers. Large areas of shallow water warm up well, and entry into the water is smooth. This is especially appreciated by vacationers with small children. For lovers of surfing and kiting, Yyteri Beach is one of best places in the country. The waves here are not particularly high, but stable, which is especially valuable for beginners in these sports.

31. Särkänniemi (Tampere)

An amusement park of incredible size - its area is 50,000 m². There are 34 attractions for any category of visitors. There are small ones for kids play areas, for adult extreme sports enthusiasts - 30-meter slides. A separate entertainment area is based on the game Angry Birds. In addition to the attractions, Särkänniemi Park has a planetarium, an aquarium, a mini-zoo and the country’s highest observation tower.

32. Linnanmäki (Helsinki)

An amusement park located in the capital of the country. It has 43 attractions, slot machines, oceanarium, observation tower, cafes and restaurants. Popular Finnish artists perform on the outdoor stage in summer. The annual number of visitors to the park is more than a million people. The most popular attraction is the wooden roller coaster. The park still operates the carousel that was installed in Linnanmäki in 1896.

33. Joulupukki village (Rovaniemi)

The village of Joulupukki (Santa Claus, or Father Frost) is located in Lapland, inside the Arctic Circle. It is traditionally believed that this is where the Finnish Father Christmas permanently resides. This place is one of the most visited by tourists. There is a lot of entertainment at Joulupukki Residence. There is a fabulous post office, a snowmobile museum, and a reindeer farm. Guests are attracted to the area " Ice world Snowman" with slides and ice sculptures.

34. Veijo Rönkkönen Sculpture Park

The park is located in a thicket of forest. All 500 concrete sculptures in the park were created by self-taught artist Veijo Rönkkönen. The sculptor spent about 50 years creating the works. He depicted people, animals and fairy-tale creatures. Cartoon figures evoke different emotions in visitors. Some people admire them, others call them ugly and creepy. But no one remains indifferent. Entrance to the park is free, this is the wish of Veijo Rönkkönen himself.

35. Moominland (Naantali)

One of the best theme parks in the world where you can immerse yourself in a fabulous atmosphere. In it you can meet your favorite characters and look at their lives. The park is located on an island and represents the image of the Valley of the Mummy Trolls. It has a Moomin house and houses of other characters, a laboratory, and talking trees. Artists portraying characters from Tove Janson's books play with the children. Performances are held on the stage several times a day.

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