Typical Finnish things you should try

Enjoy peace and quiet, and your personal space

Compared to hectic metropolitan holidays, you’ll find peace and quiet in Finland even in bigger cities. We’re proud of our nature and fresh air – both of which can be experienced in our beautiful forests covering more than half of Finland's surface area. You won't experience cramped space in more urban conditions, either. With a population of only 5.6 million people on 390,908 square kilometres, there definitely is room and space for everyone.

But you can also find peace and quiet in surprising places – even on public transport. After all, we Finns love our personal space.

Pick berries and mushrooms

Thanks to the clean air and fresh water, you can eat many wild berries and mushrooms straight from the forest. As autumn approaches and the days grow shorter, many Finnish families head to the woods and pick the fresh forest delicacies – local food at its very best.

Go pick blueberries, lingonberries, cranberries and cloudberries, a true pearl of the swamps, and enjoy the stunning scenery around you. This is all possible as in Finland we have public access rights, so-called everyman’s rights which allow you to pick almost anything you desire from the forest. Just remember to respect the environment and others while enjoying your public access rights.

Relax in a sauna

There are 5.6 million inhabitants in Finland and more than 3 million saunas. This means one sauna per household on average! You can find saunas in private apartments and on the shores of Finland’s countless lakes. Many companies have their own saunas, some saunas float on water and there is even a sauna gondola at the Ylläs Ski Resort in the Finnish Lapland!

Try some of Finland’s most unique saunas: the modern Löyly in Helsinki, Kiilopää smoke sauna in Saariselkä, or the wonderful snow sauna in Rovaniemi. Yes, you read that correctly, the sauna is made from snow and ice and the only thing made of wood are the benches.

Drink tap water

In Finland, the water that comes straight out of the tap is pure and healthy. In fact, it ranks among the highest quality worldwide. On top of that, it might be the most tasteful water you have ever drunk! In Finland, tap water is available for everyone. Many Finns carry their own reusable bottle with them and when thirsty they simply fill them from the tap.

Adventure the outdoors

Finland is a true treasury of unique, unspoiled wilderness and fantastic national parks. Not to forget about stunning lake views and the world’s largest archipelago. Try hiking and mountain biking, as there are many trails available around the country all year round. Lakeland and the coastal area provide a great setting for maritime activities like canoeing, paddling, sailing, and fishing. 

In winter, Finns’ favourite activities are cross-country and downhill skiing, snowshoe hiking, swimming in a hole of ice and ice skating.

Unique dishes – karjalanpiirakka and salmiakki

Finland offers a wide range of dishes and flavors unique to the country. One of the most famous Finnish dishes is karjalanpiirakka, Karelian pies in English. They originate from the Karelia region and consist of a rye crust filled with rice porridge with egg butter as the topping. Finns love them so much that they eat them for breakfast and snacks and even serve them at events from business meetings to weddings.

Finns love different kinds of sweets and the wide selection in Finnish stores often amazes foreigners. One of our favourites is Salmiakki – salty liquorice in English – a type of liquorice with a distinct salty flavor, as the name suggests. Typically, it is eaten as candy, but you’ll find other delicacies like ice cream, chocolate and alcohol with the taste of salmiakki. Salmiakki might not be for everyone but give it a try and see what you think! If you want to give it a try, you can also buy liquorice on our flights. Our Nordic Kitchen Onboard menu features two different sweet bags containing salmiakki.

Campfire coffee & sausage

When Finns go hiking, the essential part of outdoor recreation is making a campfire, which often crowns the whole experience. Sitting by a campfire, enjoying the tranquility of the forest with a warm cup of campfire coffee in your hand is everything you need to feel relaxed. Combine your coffee break with a sausage grilled over a campfire, topped with mustard and ketchup, and you have one of the most Finnish experiences you can enjoy.

Just keep in mind that in Finland’s national parks, campfires are only allowed in designated spots – and only if there are no grass or forest fire warnings. When you leave, take all your belongings and any litter with you to help protect the environment and to leave the spot clean and ready for the next visitors.