The cities and nature of Finland seem harsh, but at the same time, unusual and picturesque. Each city (the classification of settlements is peculiar here) has its own zest.

The concept of "city" in Europe and Finland is slightly different. In the first variant, this word denotes a settlement in which at least 50 thousand people live, and the population density is at least 500 inhabitants per square meter. If we take into account only such European parameters, then there are 6 cities in Finland: Turku, Lahti, Vantaa, Jyväskylä, Helsinki and Espoo. Strange, but according to these data, even Tampere, which is an industrial settlement, does not belong to the category of cities.

If we take into account the Finnish classification of cities (municipalities), then according to it, 108 settlements are registered in the country, which are considered cities. Interestingly, only 1,400 people live in the smallest of them. Most of the cities are located in the southern and western part of Finland.

Major cities in Finland: list in Russian

List of Finnish cities by region:

Western and Inner Finland: Akaa, Alavus, Alajärvi, Vaasa, Valkeakoski, Viitasaari, Virrat, Ikaalinen, Jyväskylä, Jämsä, Kangasala, Kannus, Kaskinen, Kauhajoki, Kauhava, Keuruu, Kokkola, Kristiynankaupunki, Kurikka, Lapua, Mänttä Vilppula, Nerpes, Nokia, Orivesi, Parkano, Pietarsaari, Saarijärvi, Sastamala, Seinäjoki, Tampere, Uusukaaolepyuu, Ähtari, Eenekoski, Yulejärvi.
Southern Finland: Vantaa, Imatra, Karkkila, Kauniainen, Kerava, Kotka, Kouvola, Lappeenranta, Lahti, Loviisa, Lohja, Yurimatilla, Porvoo, Raseborg, Riihimäki, Forsaa, Hamina, Hanko, Heinola, Helsinki, Hyvinkäa, Espoo, Järvenpää.
Eastern: Varkaus, Iisalmi, Joensuu, Kitee, Kiuruvesi, Kuopio, Lieksa, Michelli, Nurmes, Outokumpu, Pieksämäki, Savonlinna, Suonenjoki.
Southwestern: Guyttinen, Kaarina, Kankaanpyaa, Kokemäki, Laitila, Loimaa, Naantali, Paimio, Parainen, Pori, Raisio, Rauma, Salo, Somero, Turku, Ulvilla, Harjavalta.
North: Kalajoki, Kajaani, Kuusamo, Kuhmo, Nivala, Oulainen, Oulu, Pudasjärvi, Puhäjärvi, Raahe, Haapavesi, Haapajärvi, Ylivieska.
Aland Islands: Mariehamn.
Lapland: Kemijärvi, Kemi, Rovaniemi, Tornio.

Cities in Finland by population

Most of the inhabitants live in the Finnish capital of Helsinki - 574.5 thousand. The smallest number of inhabitants is in Kaskinen - 1480 people. You can learn more about the population of Finland from.

Number of cities in Finland:

From 100 thousand to 500 thousand inhabitants - 7.
50 - 99 thousand - 8.
30-50 thousand - 13.
10-30 thousand - 41.
5-9 thousand - 39.
Up to 5 thousand - 1.

Tourist cities in Finland worth visiting

In Finland, it is almost impossible to get into big gassed cities, because they are not here. You can only see crystal clear rivers and lakes, islands amazing in their beauty and vast areas of forest.

Lappeenranta. The city has recently become a famous resort, which lies on the shores of the largest Finnish lake. There are many vacationers from Russia, since the settlement is located on the Russian-Finnish border.
Porvoo - is considered the oldest Finnish city with unique wooden buildings and unusual cobbled streets, located on the river of the same name. The city is very colorful and original, built in the Middle Ages.
Vaasa is a student city, 3 universities are open here. Built in the 17th century. It is unique in that it was previously ruled by Russians, and most of the inhabitants were Swedes. Many old buildings have not been preserved, because the city was destroyed by fire, and then rebuilt again.
Savonlinna is located in the Saimaa lake region. An ideal holiday destination for those who love lakes and wildlife. The main attraction of the city is Olavinlinna Castle, which was built in the 14th century. The opera festival gathers many guests.

Noteworthy are such cities as Jyväskylä, Rauma (listed by UNESCO), Turku, Tampere, Rovaniemi, Helsinki.

Northern Finland is a harsh, but very picturesque and interesting region.

The largest cities in this area are:

Oulu is located near the Gulf of Bothnia and is considered a kind of bridge to the world of Northern Finland, which is located almost 700 km. Here, amazing landscapes are not only near the bay, you can also meet mountains, a harsh, but surprisingly beautiful forest area, and unusual polar vegetation. This is the land of Santa Claus and his fabulous helpers.
Kuusamo is the city where most of the tourists marked the most interesting routes. They are located along the Oulanka River (National Park), river valleys, which are clearly indented by nature itself. Also on the way there will be gorges and abysses. For tourists who conquer walking routes for the first time, they will offer an easy route to the Kitkanjoki River.
The region of Tornio and Kemi is northern harsh Finland, which makes it possible to feel the breath of the sea. Tourists here love boat trips on the Tornionjoki River and in the Gulf of Bothnia (the most popular places for fishermen in Finland and Norway), safaris and salmon fishing spots. You can learn about the region itself at the Museum of Sami Culture and the Art Museum.
Rovaniemi is especially popular with tourists during the Christmas and New Year holidays. Vacationers are attracted by snow-white winter and white nights. In addition to the main types of recreation that are found throughout the northern part of the country, visiting the Ounasvaara fell and visiting reindeer farms is especially popular. Just 9 km from the city is the world-famous country of Santa Claus. You can see it there almost every day. Nearby is the Ranua Zoo.
Saariselka - located beyond the Arctic Circle, among the hills. It is imbued with a real polar spirit. Despite the harsh conditions, lively life is in full swing here all year round. Routes of any complexity are prepared for tourists. You can ride on skis, reindeer, dog sledding, snowmobiles. You can also go fishing, panning for gold, book a mini kayak tour (in summer).

The main attraction of Finland is its amazing nature, where national parks are the best place to relax. Travelers with children and anyone in search of colorful Nordic backdrops for a photo shoot usually rush to Urho Kekkonen, overlooking the Korvatunturi fell, where, according to rumors, the Finnish brother of the Russian Santa Claus lives. You can take part in a husky safari, go skiing and snowboarding, go down into a real mine and arrange a social competition to collect lingonberries in Pyhä-Luosto. People usually come to Linnansaari to kayak through narrow straits and skate a free program on lakes bound by a dense layer of ice. Oulanka Park, located almost on the border with Russia, is worth a look if you are interested in the nature of North Karelia, but it is recommended to look for fabulous hills and inspiring panoramas of Lake Pielinen in Koli Park.

As part of the cultural program, Helsinki is ahead of all. The Finnish capital is quiet and good-looking, unlike other European megacities, which makes it even more conducive to leisurely excursions. Of the iconic places of the “daughter of the Baltic”, it is worth highlighting the Senaatintori Square, the Sveaborg citadel, the Temppeliaukio mountain church and the Tuomiokirkko Cathedral. An indelible impression is made by the island of Seurasaari, which attracts travelers with its open-air ethnographic museum and winding forest routes.

Numerous parks and ancient forts made a good advertisement for the surroundings of the port city of Kotka. Be sure to look for the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker here, whose exteriors in the style of Russian classicism copy the architecture of St. Petersburg churches to the smallest detail. The oldest city in the country, Turku, also has something to catch the eye. The head of the short list of attractions of the ancient port is Abo Castle, which was built as a military fort, but later became famous not for heroic defense, but for knightly revels. By the way, if you have several hundred euros lying around in your pocket, the palace halls can be rented for a fun banquet or a pompous wedding ceremony.

Bypassing local museums will also bring a lot of impressions. Those who know a lot about avant-garde trends and ordinary lovers to criticize the creations of contemporary artists have a direct road to the Kiasma Museum. To see the paintings of Shishkin, Repin and Van Gogh, buy a ticket to the Ateneum Museum. A visit to the open-air exposition "Karelian House" is usually recommended to anyone interested in ancient life. The Tsar's House Museum, whose building was built specifically for Alexander III, also has an interesting fate: it was here that the Russian autocrat fished while European ambassadors languished in anticipation of his audience.

You can also roam from city to city by bus. Several major carriers operate in Finland, united in the ExpressBus company. The cost of tickets is quite reasonable, in addition, there is a pleasant system of discounts for children, pensioners and students. Those who want to ride around the provinces and save a little can purchase a Bus Pass (150 EUR - a weekly option, 250 EUR - a two-week one). For more information on bus routes, tickets and discounts, please visit the expressbus.fi website.

A fairly common way of communication between port cities is ferry crossings. The same transport is convenient to get to the Aland Islands. You can find out about ferry routes and schedules on the website finferries.fi.

Within the Finnish capital, it is convenient to travel by bus, tram, metro and taxi. Tickets here are universal and operate in any type of public transport: you can limit yourself to a one-time option (about 2-2.7 EUR), or you can take a daily (8 EUR), three-day (16 EUR) or five-day (24 EUR) travel card.

A free taxi in Helsinki is identified by a yellow light on the top of the car. Payment is made at the counter, through the cash register installed in the cabin. On average, landing costs from 5.3 to 8.3 EUR, and a kilometer of the way - from 1.4 to 2 EUR.

The most active and indefatigable will be able to rent a bike without any problems: for only 2 EUR, CityBike parking lots in the capital will provide you with a serviceable “two-wheeled horse”. In other cities, the tariffs are higher: 10-15 EUR per day of vehicle operation.

Car rental in Finland

The roads in Finland are excellent, and the most interesting sights are scattered throughout the country, so it is definitely worth renting a car here. The only thing that can slightly spoil the impression of the trip is the local prices for gasoline. For a liter of diesel fuel at Finnish gas stations, they demand from 1.13 EUR, the 95th goes for 1.34 EUR, but a liter of the 98th will cost 1.41 EUR.

Any driver over the age of 18 who has an international driver's license, own credit card and a driving experience of 1 year or more can rent a car in Finland. Tariffs of rental offices usually depend on the period for which the car is taken. For example, a day of renting an economy class car will lighten your wallet by as much as 70 EUR. For those who rent a vehicle for a longer period, the prices are more pleasant - about 120 EUR for 3 days of rental. Payment is due on the day you pick up the car, however, if you plan to book a car in advance, be prepared to make a partial prepayment. As for fines for traffic violations, information about them is usually sent to the rental office, which automatically debits the required amount from the deposit blocked on your card.

Connection

The big three Finnish carriers are DNA, Elisa and Sonera. To connect to any of them, it is enough to look into the company salon, supermarket or R-kioski stores, where for 6-18 EUR you will be quickly accepted into the ranks of subscribers. The most economical tariff plans are offered by Elisa and DNA: SMS and calls for 0.07 EUR, Internet - 0.99 EUR / day, while buying a DNA SIM card costs a couple of euros more. Sonera has slightly higher rates: 0.08 EUR for local calls and 0.16 EUR for a minute of communication with a foreign country.

Such a disappearing form of communication as a payphone is still popular in Finland. You can find the treasured booth with a retro machine on the street, in the subway, hotels and post offices. Calls in them are paid for with cards sold in R-kioski shops, the minimum cost of a call within the country is 0.5 EUR.

With the Internet in the homeland of the Moomins, everything is more than safe. The guests of most hotels receive free and unlimited access to the World Wide Web, while the rest can join the similar benefits of civilization in restaurants and cafes. In Helsinki, you can find a Wi-Fi access point right in the city center: the main post office, city hall building, shopping centers, libraries generously distribute traffic to everyone.

Finland for children

Finns adore children as much as their Swedish neighbors, so the range of entertainment for young travelers here is simply fabulous. The village of Joulupukki and Santa Park (Rovaniemi) continue to hold the palm among the most desirable attractions in Finland. Here your tomboy will be met by the Finnish Santa Claus (the same Joulupukki), elf helpers, reindeer teams and cheerful carousels sparkling with Christmas garlands. Kids and adults who are nostalgic for the wonderful fairy tales of Tove Jansson can ride to the city of Naatali, in the vicinity of which the Moomin trolls, Snufkins and other incredible inhabitants of Moumidol live. It is better to bring young experimenters to the Eureka Popular Science Center, or even “forget” them there for a couple of days (there is a camp for teenagers at the museum) in order to have fun in some adult institution.

beach holiday

The number of well-groomed and top-notch beaches in the Land of a Thousand Lakes is difficult to count, so the tourist always has the opportunity to show off, choosing the very best of them. The coziest and prettiest stretches of the coast usually belong to hotels or are attached as an additional bonus to tourist houses, but there is no shortage of public places for swimming. In the same Helsinki, you will find about 30 beaches, where you can wallow for free.

Among the most developed and visited resorts in Finland is Yuyteri (Pori city): as many as 6 kilometers of the cleanest sandy coast with campsites, spas, extreme entertainment and excellent beach infrastructure. Families with children and lovers of splashing in shallow water are usually recommended to look into Oulu and Tampere, as well as take a closer look at the beaches of lakes Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi. You can swim in the Åland Islands, but you will have to look for a suitable place with a convenient descent: the coast here is rocky.

Skiing

The mountains, or rather the hills of Finland, are not aimed at ski gurus, but rather at beginners and those who have just learned the basics of this sport. With the same success, you can slide down their gentle slopes on a sled or a cheesecake: there is a minimum of risk, but pleasure and adrenaline are the opposite. By the way, local trails are equipped with the latest technology.

Resorts of a more advanced level should be looked for in Lapland. In particular, if you want to hang around among the Finnish business elite, save money for a ski pass in Saariselkä. In Levi, the people are simpler: the complex is famous for its variety of tracks and the cable car, the only one in all of Finland. Families with children, snowboarders and cross-country skiers have chosen Vuokatti, for whom first-class tracks are equipped here. But skiers from the northern capital prefer not to delve too deeply into the Finnish wilds, mastering the slopes of border resorts like Friska, Myllymäki and Uuperinrinteet.

Fishing in Finnish waters is possible only with a license in hand. Fishing with an ordinary fishing rod without a reel and spinners is possible without obtaining documentary permission. To obtain a license, a tourist needs to acquire, firstly, a certificate of payment of the state fee for fishing (can be bought at a bank, post office, R-kioski network and on the official website), and secondly, a receipt for payment of a local license (purchased gas stations, shops). Each of the documents is valid only on the territory of one province, that is, if you are going to arrange a fishing tour in all the lakes of Finland, you will have to acquire a fresh license in each area.

As for the catch, it will be equally rich everywhere, differing only in species diversity. For example, for salmon and grayling, it is better to go to the Lapland rivers Näätämöjoki, Simojoki, Tenojoki and Tornionjoki. Pike is most often caught in lakes Kemijärvi and Porttipahta, and for brown trout you will have to ride to Inari and Väsari. The coolest place in eastern Finland is the Kuusamo region, in particular, the Tornio River. You should come here for salmon, as well as pike and perch that flooded the surrounding lakes.

In the west of the country, you can get hold of trout, grayling and the same salmon (rivers Kiiminkijoki, Simojoki, Iijoki), but for whitefish you should look at the lakes and rapids of the Savo region, which has gained fame as the cleanest corner of Finland.

Where to stay

Traditional Finnish hotels do not have stars, which does not affect the level of their service. For those who are used to traveling on a grand scale and prefer apartments in the “expensive-rich” style, we can recommend options such as Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa (Helsinki), Arctic Light (Rovaniemi).

Incorrigible misanthropes, the last romantics and couples looking for solitude will suit wooden cottages scattered across the most secluded and picturesque corners of Finland:,. Almost all houses are built from ecological materials and equipped with fireplaces and saunas. By the way, such apartments are in demand in ski resorts.

You can relax with your body and soul in spa complexes that have recently flooded the shores of Finnish lakes and rivers (, Cumulus Rukahovi, Ruissalo, Santa "s Resort & Spa Hotel Sani). If the tourist budget is bursting at the seams and there is not enough money for a decent hotel , it is worth looking into local hostels and campsites.

Despite the fact that Finland is considered to be an expensive country, housing prices here are very mixed. If in pretentious hotels the most modest room will cost 75 EUR, then in hotels of a lower rank there will always be a room for 50 EUR. In hostels, the situation is even more positive - up to 45 EUR per room. The most ridiculous (by European standards) rates in campsites: from 3 to 20 EUR per night. The owners of eco-cottages have not yet decided on prices, so you can rent a nice house for a week for either 250 or 800 euros.

shopping

Global shopping in Finland can cost a pretty penny, so travelers planning to stock up on branded items should better time their trip to Christmas or Juhannus (the Finnish equivalent of Ivan Kupala Day), when large-scale sales start in all malls in the country. You can understand that the store has begun to liquidate the collection by the signs “Alennusmyynt” and “Ale”.

The most suitable places for acquiring a stylish European outfit in Finland are showrooms and outlets in Helsinki, Turku and Tampere. Do not neglect local textile products, which will cost an order of magnitude cheaper than their French or English counterpart. In particular, the youth brand Jack & Jones, sports equipment manufacturer Luhta and exclusive designer clothes Halonen have gained a good reputation. It is best to look for original children's things, toys and vintage accessories at the Kirputoria flea markets. If the second-hand does not cause negative associations, in such places you can save a lot.

Those who like to buy memorable souvenirs should save up a certain amount on their account in advance: the assortment of funny little things and gift products in Finland is luxurious. Here you will find national dolls, and deer skins, and Moomin figures, and elite Lapponia Jewelry, skillfully stylized as handicrafts, locally produced porcelain and ceramics, Scandinavian puukko knives, as well as a bunch of all kinds of things that will warm you up if you own them. soul, becoming a material reminder of the trip. Gourmets usually bring smoked fish, berry liqueur, cheeses, Fazer chocolate, Salmiakki licorice candies, Piparkakkuja biscuits and Mintu mint liqueur from Finland.

tax free

VAT on most goods in Finland is as much as 22%, so looking for a store that supports the Tax free system is by no means a whim, but a real way to save on purchases. As practice shows, you can return from 12 to 16% of the cost of the goods, but only if the amount of your purchases exceeded 40 EUR. And one more thing: go on a shopping tour with your passport, as the store employees will definitely require you to present it before filling out the check.

You can get part of your money back at Helsinki Airport, as well as at return points located on the Finnish-Russian border: border crossings Valimaa-Torfyanovka, Imatra-Svetogorsk, Nuijamaa-Brusnichnoye, Niirala-Vyartsilya and others. To apply for Tax free, you must first “stamp” the goods with customs officers (in no case open the package), after which you can safely go to any of the nearest offices involved in the return of funds.

Shop opening hours

Small shops and boutiques are open on weekdays from 9:00 to 18:00, while large shopping centers serve visitors until 20:00-21:00. On Saturday, all outlets work on a reduced schedule, until 15:00. On a holiday, you won’t be able to buy anything, since except for the R-kioski chain pavilions, all stores in the country are closed.

Holidays and events

In Finland, you can celebrate both classic religious holidays like Christmas and Easter, and take part in all kinds of festivals that go on in this country in an endless series. Of the winter holidays, the New Year, the Day of the Sami people and the Day of the Kalevala, the Karelian-Finnish poetic epic, are considered especially significant. In the spring, crispy brushwood is baked everywhere in the country for May Day (Vappu) and stocked with bouquets and gifts for Mother's Day, which is celebrated on the second Sunday of May.

Summer in Finland is the holiday of Ivan Kupala (Juhannus), a military parade on the Day of Defensive Forces, a daring Flow Festival and a gay pride that is unchanged for all European countries. The heavy rock festival Tuska Open Air in Helsinki also falls in the summer months: an amazingly large and equally deafening event is held in the industrial zone of the capital and gathers up to 30,000 spectators at its venues. In October, all tourists and metropolitan gourmets flock to the Helsinki Market Square to celebrate Herring Day, and at the same time try all varieties of this truly Scandinavian delicacy.

Visa information

To obtain permission to enter Finland, tourists from Russia and the CIS will have to apply for a visa. The procedure for issuing a pass can be completed at consulates or visa centers. In this case, a standard all-Schengen package of documents will be required: a passport with a validity period of at least three months after the end of the trip, a color photo 36 × 47 mm, a completed online application form, hotel reservation confirmation, copies of round-trip air tickets and medical insurance covering expenses from 30,000 EUR.

In some cases, the consulate may require the tourist to confirm financial solvency and a certificate of employment. When traveling with children under the age of 14, a copy of the birth certificate must be provided, as well as a notarized copy of the permission to leave from the mother/father if the child is traveling with only one of the parents.

Customs

Without the need to fill out a declaration, only 1500 USD can be brought into Finland. As for hand luggage, its cost should not exceed 430 EUR. Age restrictions apply to the import of alcohol:

for persons under the age of 18 and tourists whose stay in the country will be less than 3 days - a complete ban;
for tourists aged 18 to 20 years - drinks are not stronger than 22 °.

In total, you can carry 16 liters of beer, 4 liters of wine and up to 1 liter of strong alcohol (over 22 °) or 2 liters of other drinks with a strength of less than 22 ° without paying a fee. Restrictions on tobacco products are the same as in other European countries: 200 cigarettes / 50 cigars / 250 g of tobacco. A more detailed list of limits applicable to the import and export of certain categories of goods can be found on the official website of the Finnish Customs Administration: tulli.fi.

How to get there

Airplane. You can fly from Moscow to Helsinki without transfers with Aeroflot and Finnair. Travel time - 1 hour 50 minutes. Norra offers direct flights from the northern capital (time in the air - 1 hour 10 minutes), and it is better to look for options with transfers from Rossiya, Aeroflot and AirBaltic (flight duration from 3 hours 30 minutes).

Train. Every day, from the Leningradsky railway station in Moscow, the branded train "Leo Tolstoy" departs for Helsinki, which residents of St. Petersburg can also get on. The entire journey of the locomotive takes no more than 14 hours. A more efficient option is the Allegro high-speed train from the northern capital, which will take a tourist to Finland in just 3 hours and 40 minutes.

Bus from St. Petersburg. Buses to Helsinki depart from Vosstaniya Square. The trip usually takes about 6 hours.

Ferry. Fans of sea cruises can sail to Finland on the ferries "Princess Maria" and "Princess Anastasia", departing from the Marine Station of St. Petersburg. The duration of this trip is 14 hours.

Finland is a European country. It is located between Sweden and Russia and is popular among tourists of different nationalities. The cities of Finland are distinguished by cleanliness, a lot of sights and beautiful nature. The Finnish country is famous for good medicine and quality education.

10 major cities in Finland

Helsinki is the largest city in Finland, next to which is a unique archipelago of 330 islands in the Baltic Sea. A social survey showed that it is better to visit Finnish cities in the summer. There you can walk in the parks, swim in the lakes, visit the famous festivals and parties.

In all cities of Finland, you can visit many excursions, have a bite to eat in chic restaurants that prepare mainly Finnish dishes from natural products.

Many Russians go there not only for a rich holiday, but also to replenish their wardrobe. Consider the largest cities in Finland, where it is worth shopping between viewing beautiful places.

The largest cities in Finland:

- the largest settlement, which was founded in 1550. The population exceeds 630,000 people.
Espoo - founded in 1458. Now there are about 270,000 inhabitants.
famous for its Cathedral. Founded in 1229. The population is 190,000 people.
great place for shopping. There are many shopping centers and trendy clothing stores on its territory. Founded in 1649, but the population is small, only 72,000.
The small town of Kotka was founded in 1979. Only 54,000 people live there. There are many estates, museums and parks in Kotka.
Imatra is a tiny city that appeared in 1948. The population is only 28,000.
Tampere is a fairly large settlement with a population of 225,000. It was formed in 1779. The famous museum center "Vapriiki" is located there.
Mikkeli is loved by fashionistas. There are many boutiques and shops. Founded in 1838. Almost 55,000 people live there.
Kuopio is famous for its large Fontanella water park. Founded in 1775. The number of 112,000 people.
Kouvola is one of the youngest cities, founded in 1922. About 85,000 Finns live there. This place can provide the tourist with an extensive program of excursions and shopping.

Important! Transport links are well developed in Finland. Therefore, if the vacation is long, you can have time to visit most of the beautiful places.

Population and features of mentality

Despite the friendliness of the inhabitants, Finland is a harsh land. In the past, they managed to curb the ice element and create a real paradise out of the place. Overcoming difficulties is in Finns' blood.

Despite this, they are very slow, it has its own charm. They live in a measured way and do not rush a new day. Someone will think that they may miss the brightest moment, but for the Finns it is caution and sedateness. They make sense of their every action and every step.

Finns are very punctual and laconic. Every resident of Finland lives according to a strict daily routine and schedule for the future.

It is difficult to meet a true Finn who talks a lot. They read and write to each other more than exchange verbal information.

Finns are responsible and care about their personal freedom. The inhabitants of this northern country never throw words to the wind. Some representatives of this nation are a little closed and do not immediately let people into their territory. Everyone can envy willpower and endurance.

The Finnish nation is very hardworking, but never overworked. They are easy going and love being active. Despite the love of travel, the Finns are very economical and devote their free time to sports or other useful activities. Money loves an account - this expression is just about this nation.

shopping

The cities of Finland can be arranged in a large alphabetical list, but each of them allows you to organize a fruitful and exciting shopping experience.

The most frequent shopping guests are residents of St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region. This is due to the fact that they are close to each other, and the Finns are much less valuable for some goods.

Most often, tourists in Finland purchase:

Cloth.
Shoes.
Ski equipment.
Cosmetics and vitamins.
Meals and alcoholic drinks.

Remember! A discount does not always mean that anyone can buy this product. Sometimes on the price tag it is written in small print that a buyer who has a discount card can get a discount.

Shopping centers

Shopping department stores in Finland are open every day, seven days a week. Some are open even on the first day of the new year.

The most popular shopping centers where not only Finns, but also tourists from Russia like to shop:

Shopping and entertainment center Ideapark
Sampokeskus
Kamppi
Veturi
Finlayson Center
Karisma
jumbo

On the territory of each of these giants there are many shops, bistros and entertainment complexes. Each will take at least 1 day.

The shops

Sales in Finland occur strictly 2 times a year. In winter after December 25 and in summer after June 19. At this time, you can make purchases with crazy discounts of 5070, or even 90%. There is also a chain of Stockmann department stores that have their own sales in April and October.

There are at least 50% discounts. Sokos stores are not far from them - their 3 + 1 promotion also takes place twice a year, in spring and autumn.

On a note! The city on the border with Finland is St. Petersburg, and it is from there that all Russian fashionistas come to get on sale.

outlets

Finns always look very well-groomed. Perhaps the reason lies in the fact that, despite the small size of the country, there are a lot of outlets. Moreover, unlike other countries, salon services are lower.

List of the most popular places:

Brand Outlet Center
Warehouse
Megamyynti Areena
H Store Outlet
Luhta Outlet
Outlet Stockmann
Jesper Junior Outlet

Many of these complexes are located very close to the Russian border. Here you can not only visit a hairdresser and get a manicure, but also make a purchase of things and other household items.

Attractions

What Finland is famous for, in addition to countless shops, is parks, galleries and museums. The architecture in Finland is very beautiful.

Cities and local attractions that every tourist must visit:

Helsinki. There are many parks, architectural structures and lakes.
Tampere. Many fishing spots, museums, entertainment towns for children and carousels.
Espoo is famous for the largest museum Espoo Museum Modern Art. Lots of beaches by the sea and lakes. 165 islands.
Vaasa is the sunniest and student city in Finland. There are a lot of monuments there. It can be reached from Helsinki in just 3 hours.
Turku is the former capital of Finland and offers tourists an exciting vacation. The most famous castle is located there.

And, of course, one cannot fail to note the beautiful nature of each city.

Art gallery

What to see in Finland for art lovers are art galleries and museums. List of galleries:

FORUM BOX
GALERIE ANHAVA
GALERIE FORSBLOM
HELSINKI CONTEMPORARY
SORBUS
LOCAL
PHOTOGRAPHIC GALLERY HIPPOLYTE
EXHIBITION LABORATORY

Museums

There are a lot of cities in Russia and almost every one has a museum. Finland also boasts beautiful complexes that store many works of art:

Spy Museum.
Museum of Lenin.
Mannerheim Museum.
Seirasaari Open Air Museum.
National Museum.
Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova.
Sinebryukhov Museum.

Economical vacation

Any trip involves decent expenses, but if you remember that the Finns are an economical people, then there are a few nuances that will help make your vacation cheaper:

If a tourist is under 26 years old or over 60, then you can get a 30% discount on visiting attractions.
For a different age category, you can purchase a "museum card". It will provide a discount, at least 10-20%.
You can get to the museum night, in which tourists are allowed into the buildings for free.

Before the trip, you should familiarize yourself with all the promotions that Finland provides and, based on this, make a tour.

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is Helsinki's most famous landmark. Translated from Finnish "fortress".

This is one of the districts of the capital, where only 800 people live, and earlier it was a bastion fortification located on the islands that protected Helsingfors from the sea. This is probably the main building that every tourist should see.

Interesting video: walking around Helsinki

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Finland: where to go, what to see. List of the largest and most beautiful cities in Finland on the map.

Cities of Finland - where to go?

Finland is located in northern Europe between Sweden in the west and Russia in the east. Widely known for effective medicine and education that ranks among the best in the world. Finland is one of the most popular countries in Europe among travelers. People come here for the uniquely beautiful nature.

In this article, I have compiled a list of cities in Finland where you can go for a weekend or longer vacation with your family, child or alone, in winter or summer. Especially if you are going to Finland for the first time and don't know where to go.

Map of Finland with cities in Russian

Finnish cities to visit

Helsinki

City of Helsinki, Finland© iceninejon / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Helsinki is the main city of Finland, its capital and largest city. Neighboring in the Baltic Sea is an amazing archipelago of 330 islands. The best way to get to know Helsinki is on foot and by public transport.

It is best to come here in the summer, because there are a lot of beautiful places in the vicinity of Helsinki: parks, houses with beautiful architecture, lakes that are best visited when the weather is comfortable and warm. In addition, at this time, children go on vacation in all directions, and the city hosts many festivals and parties.

Like many other capitals, Helsinki has a lot to offer tourists. These are interesting excursions and restaurants where you can try unusual Finnish dishes. There are many restaurants in Helsinki that cook in the "grandmother's style", i.e. based on local culinary traditions. Where it is worth going shopping in Finland is in Helsinki.

Tampere

City of Tampere, Finland © snoopsmaus / flickr.com / CC BY 2.0

Another great option where to go in Finland is the city of Tampere. You will find it in the southern part of Finland, like a sausage in a dough, sandwiched between the two lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi. These lakes are very popular with fishermen, where you can go boating and fishing. There are many public saunas nearby. And the sauna, as you know, is a favorite way of leisure for the Finns. In Tampere, it is also best to come in the summer.

Tampere is the second largest city in Finland and is known for its rich cultural life. There are a lot of museums here, one is even dedicated to Lenin. Tampere is popular with both tourists and locals. If you come here, be sure to go to the amusement park Särkänniemi, which is famous throughout the country. Especially if you are traveling with children, they will be delighted with the abundance of entertainment, slides and carousels.

Espoo

Espoo is another major city in Finland and can be easily reached from Helsinki. Espoo is home to the country's largest museum dedicated to contemporary art, the Espoo Museum Modern Art, and this is by no means the only museum in the city.

Travelers interested in outdoor activities who don't have time to explore the rest of Finland, apart from the capital and its surroundings, can come to Espoo for Nuuksio National Park.

In Espoo you will find 11 beaches by the sea and 10 by lakes, 165 islands, each of which can be explored.

Vaasa

The city of Vaasa is called the sunniest city in Finland. This is not the most popular place among tourists, compared to other cities. But students from all over the world come here to get an education in three languages: Finnish, Swedish and English. Just imagine this wild mix of students and the very noticeable influence of different cultures on a small town.

There are many national monuments in the center of Vaasa, this city suffered the most from the Russian invasion.

If you like active sports, then you have the opportunity to go mountain climbing, kayaking, canoeing and just take a walk on the local lake.

Vaasa is located north of the capital. You can get to this town by train from Helsinki in 4 hours, so you'd better find yourself a place to stay overnight so you can explore the city in peace.

Porvoo

Porvoo is located on the southern coast of Finland, east of Helsinki. Porvoo is over 600 years old and is the second oldest city in Finland. Porvoo is a classic old town, a walk through the streets of which has a calming effect on every visitor. The best way to get to know the city is on foot or by bike.

One of the symbols of Porvoo is the pretty red houses located on the shore. You can buy a boat trip and admire them from the water. The spectacle is worth it. There are many cafes and restaurants in Porvoo. You can easily get here by bus. The journey will take only an hour and a half, and you will find yourself in a completely different atmosphere of the city, this is especially noticeable against the backdrop of bustling Helsinki.

Turku

Turku is the former capital of Finland. It is located at the mouth of the Aura River on the southwestern coast of Finland. It is the third largest city after Helsinki and Tampere. Turku has a very well developed network of urban transport, with which you can easily get to any corner of the city.

The main attraction of the city is Turku Castle - one of the main attractions of Finland. There are a lot of restaurants on the embankment of Turku where you can eat delicious food overlooking the river. It is best to come here in summer because of the pleasant weather and numerous festivals that take place from June to September.

If you want to capture Sweden as well, then there are luxury cruises from Turku to Stockholm.

Pori

Pori is located on the west coast of Finland and is a major center of education in the country. In addition to science, Pori hosts many cultural events that are interesting for both local and foreign tourists. The most important of them is the annual jazz festival (Pori Jazz Festival).

Another place of attraction in Pori is Yyteri Beach - one of the most beautiful beaches in Finland with good infrastructure.

Thousands of bird watchers come to Pori as they migrate through the river delta.

Mariehamn, Aland Islands

Mariehamn is the capital of the Åland Islands, which are an autonomous territory under Finnish sovereignty. This area is also known as the "Heart of the Baltic Sea". Once the Åland Islands were the world's largest fleet of sailing ships and was romantically called "the port of the last windmills." There are white sand beaches, rocky shores dotted with woolly flocks of sheep, a sea meandering among numerous islands, the ruins of old castles and green spruce groves everywhere.

Here you can go kayaking and hiking, like almost everywhere in Finland. In Mariehamn you will find several architectural wooden houses reminiscent of the history of Finland. It has a very calm atmosphere and is the perfect place for a family holiday.

An interesting fact about Mariehamn: despite the fact that it is officially part of Finland, 88% of the inhabitants of the island speak Swedish. The population of the Åland Islands does not pay taxes, here is the "duty free" zone.

Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a province in the southeastern part of Finland, surrounded by beautiful nature and lakes. It is notorious for its culture and environment, which makes Savonlinna extremely attractive for both local and foreign tourists. They come here to see the old castles, including the famous Olavinlinna fortress or Olafsborg near Lake Saimaa.

In addition to the castles, Savonlinna is known for two national parks Kolovesi (Kolovesi) and Linnansaari (Linnansaari).

Savonlinna is great for hiking, canoeing, diving, kayaking and cycling.

Rovaniemi, Lapland

Rovaniemi is the main city in Lapland, Finland's northernmost province. It is here that the residence of the world-famous Santa Claus is located and the Santa Park was built. If you don’t know where to go to Finland in winter with children, choose Rovaniemi. The choice is obvious, many people come to Lapland in winter, especially for the New Year and Christmas holidays. Here, half a year is a polar night, when the sun barely rises from the horizon, and half a year is a polar day, when the nights are white, and the sun practically does not set below the horizon. People come to Lapland to see the northern lights. It shines for almost 200 nights a year.

People come here for wildlife, to go skiing in numerous resorts, or on sleds with reindeer or huskies, go hiking near the border with Sweden and get acquainted with ancient wooden churches.

If the romance of the north beckons you, then Lapland is one of the best places in the world to experience it in person.

Salla

Salla is a municipality in Lapland. Usually, locals come here for the weekend to go skiing, snowboarding and various teams, sometimes with huskies, sometimes with deer. People come here both in winter and summer. If you are going in the winter, I advise you to take a good steam in the sauna and dive with the Finns into a cold lake (unless, of course, health allows).

Jyväskylä

Jyväsklä is a university town in central Finland. Also known as the "Athens of Finland". This is the only place in the world where you will see many buildings designed by the famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto.

Kemi

Kemi is another city in Lapland. Here is one of the most popular tourist attractions - the Ice Castle - this is the world's largest structure made of snow, where you can even spend the night.

The world's only Arctic icebreaker Sampo is also located here, which takes tourists on cruises.

The rest of the entertainment here is not particularly original, all the same hunting for the northern lights, skiing and sledding.

Kuhmo (Kuhmo)

Kuhmo is the perfect place to explore Finnish wildlife. This city has become famous thanks to the annual Kuhmo Chamber Music Festival, which lasts for two weeks. Also in Kuhmo there is a record number of lakes - as many as 600 pieces, which offer a wide variety of water activities for tourists. You can explore the city by swimming from one lake to another.

Kajaani

Kajaani is located in the heart of Finland. This place is popular among fishermen who come to Lake Oulu. In addition to fishing, there is a wonderful Kajaani castle and peaceful safaris, during which you can watch bears. You will definitely never forget such an adventure.

Oulu

Oulu is the oldest city in Finland, it is located in the northern part of the country and is very proud that this is the best place to go to explore the Arctic. It can be easily reached from any corner of the country, which is what all nature lovers do, who love hiking and hunting for the northern lights.

In winter, Oulu is covered with a thick layer of snow, which creates excellent conditions for all winter sports.

Joensuu

Joensuu was founded by the Russian emperor Nicholas I, it is the capital of Karelia. The city is located in the southeast of Finland. It is best to come here in summer. Thanks to its young citizens, Joensuu has acquired several interesting places, one of which is the botanical gardens of Botania, where you will find exotic plants and butterflies, the beauty of which is breathtaking.

Seurasaari

Seurasaari is located just west of Helsinki. It is a green and calm island in the Baltic Sea. Here is perhaps the most famous open-air museum in Europe. Wooden barns, carved manors, rowing boats and village houses, designed to show the traditional Finnish way of life. Apart from the museum, the island is also known for its secluded beaches (hello nudists).

You can stay overnight at.

Hameenlinna

People come to Hämeenlinna to see with their own eyes the old Swedish castle, built as early as 1200 to provide trade routes on the way back to the Gulf of Bothnia. Locals often have picnics here, and just relax in a beautiful place.

Levy (Levi)

If you don't know where to go to Finland in winter, take a closer look at Levi - this is the northernmost and largest ski resort in Finland. There are as many as 43 slopes of varying difficulty, 230 km of trails for cross-country skiers and special trails for skiers. There is even a special park for snowboarding.

That's all. I have listed all the interesting cities in Finland that are worth visiting. To better navigate, study what is at the beginning of the article. If you have something to add, please comment)