Top Finland Culture

Begin your magical Lapland adventure at Santa Claus Village, one of the region's most iconic attractions. Meet Santa Claus in his official office, cross the Arctic Circle, and receive your official Arctic Circle Crossing Certificate. Enhance your visit with an optional 400-meter reindeer sleigh ride (operated on wheeled carts when snow conditions are limited) and a husky ride ranging from 800 meters to 2 km during the snowy season, or 500–1,000 meters on wheeled carts when there is insufficient snow. Whenever possible, we aim to offer the longer 2 km husky ride. From 6 December to 15 March, you can also visit Snowman World, where you can enjoy ice slides, ice skating, snow activities, and winter fun for all ages. Perfect for families, couples, and friends, this unforgettable Arctic experience captures the true magic of Finnish Lapland.

Join us to visit a real urban shelter underneath the city to see how it would feel like to live in a shelter in case of an emergency. Is Finland well-prepared for a war? The tour program is a secret, and you may not be able to visit this place on your own. So don´t hesitate to book this tour to see a mysterious yet advanced part of the city. Notes: * NOT SUITABLE FOR: People with difficulties in walking, Wheelchairs, baby Strollers, Claustrophobic people, pets * Children below 12 are not permitted * Taking pictures and videos aer strictly forbidden in the shelter. * Please make sure your profile is complete with full name and WhatsApp number * A good English language level required Tour commentary and route ©Finntastic Tours. Trademark protected.

Our small group public walking tour of Helsinki will take you through the city’s most iconic landmarks and hidden corners, blending history, culture, and stunning Nordic design. Discover fascinating stories behind the Finnish way of life, the country’s independence, and the evolution of Helsinki from a modest town to a vibrant capital by the sea. The must-see highlights of the tour include the grand Senate Square, the striking white Helsinki Cathedral, the bustling Market Square, and the impressive Uspenski Cathedral. You’ll also explore the charming Esplanade Park, Kamppi Chapel of Silence, and get insider tips on the city’s lesser-known gems, such as the secret courtyards and quirky sculptures hiding in plain sight. What To Keep In Mind Our tours operate in all weather conditions, so please dress accordingly. Wear comfortable shoes suitable for walking, and don’t forget a rain jacket or umbrella just in case—it’s all part of the authentic Helsinki experience!

Porvoo is Finland’s second oldest city, located just about 50 kilometers from Helsinki—making it the perfect choice for a day trip! The Old Town and Porvoonjoki River Valley are recognized for their outstanding historical and cultural value, even listed among Finland’s National Landscapes. You’ll love strolling through the well-preserved streets lined with 18th- and 19th-century buildings, and the 15th-century Porvoo Cathedral is a must-see landmark. Your guide will lead you on a relaxed walk through Porvoo Old Town, sharing fascinating stories, interesting facts, and insider tips about this charming town’s medieval roots. After the guided portion, enjoy some free time to explore at your own pace—stop by cozy cafés, browse unique shops, snap photos, or simply soak up the local atmosphere. When it’s time, your guide will accompany you back to Helsinki to wrap up your tour. With personalized attention and a friendly local guide, you’ll enjoy a memorable and convenient day out!

Go beyond surface-level sightseeing and understand Helsinki through its culture, design, and daily life. This walking experience introduces both key landmarks and lesser-known areas not typically covered in guidebooks, guided by a PhD student. It’s an ideal way to quickly orient yourself while gaining local insight that helps you explore the city more confidently and intricately on your own.

Admire Helsinki and her islands from the water on a relaxing 1.5-hour sightseeing cruise. Hop aboard a comfortable sightseeing boat, settle on deck or inside the cozy cabin, and absorb the key sights of Helsinki’s shorelines and surrounding archipelagos of beautiful islands. Cruise by top Helsinki attractions such as the mighty UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress; see Finland’s fleet of gigantic icebreaker ships; sail into the scenic Degerö Canal, and hear all about Helsinki’s eventful past from the informative onboard commentary. Free WiFi is available on-board for your comfort.

One of the best ways to learn the ins and outs of a new place is to take a tour with a local expert. On this tour of Helsinki you’ll be guided by a city planner, who knows an incredible amount about the city. Visit the must-see and some lesser-known attractions, and learn the culture and history behind them. You’ll learn much more than you could if sightseeing independently.

Finland is world-renowned for architecture that blends modernism with connections to the natural world. Get an insider’s perspective on Helsinki’s architecture, without getting lost, on this small-group walking tour through the city center led by a PhD student. Stroll past the city’s top landmarks, such as Senate Square and the railway stations, as well as hidden gems, and gain insight into their historical and cultural significance.

Immerse yourself in Finland’s history and culture on this tour to the charming town of Porvoo. Make the most of your time on your trip and skip the need to plan logistics with hassle-free roundtrip transportation from Helsinki or Vantaa. Avoid crowded group tours and enjoy a more personalized experience with a maximum tour size of 6 people.

Enjoy the magic of Rovaniemi in winter during an unmissable Lapland activity: visiting a reindeer farm and riding on a reindeer-pulled sleigh. Santa Claus doesn’t get all the fun. Leave your camera or phone somewhere safe as you don’t need it: a professional photographer captures the experience and provides you with edited photos after, for a personal souvenir of your time in the Finnish Arctic.

Oodi, Helsinki’s award-winning central library, is a striking showcase of Finnish design and innovation. On this tour, you’ll explore this stunning building with its flowing wooden curves and crisp white roof, and experience firsthand how Finnish culture comes together here. The tour begins on the bustling ground floor, where floor-to-ceiling glass walls symbolize Finnish transparency and openness. You’ll discover how this architectural gem earned its name (”Ode” in English) through a public competition, and why it was crowned the world’s best public library in 2019. As you explore, I’ll share insights into Finnish values and cultural quirks – with a touch of my characteristic dry humor. You’ll make your way through all three of Oodi’s delightfully distinct floors, each with its own personality. You’ll ascend to the book-filled third floor where 100,000 volumes in over 80 languages share space with living trees, art installations, and breathtaking views of the Finnish Parliament.

If the kids want to do it all (or maybe it’s the adults!), check out this all-in-one day tour that combines three of Lapland’s essential experiences: thrilling husky sledge rides, traditional reindeer sleighs, and a visit to Santa Claus Village—with hotel pickup to boot. And with an English-speaking guide making the day easy, you’re free to create epic memories of your time in the Arctic Circle.

Welcome to Helsinki, a small city with a magical atmosphere! The happiest country has its controversies and those make it quite interesting. Our society peacefully operates under many contradictory ideas and we are proud of it. Join our walking tour, discover the vibrant nature of a seaside city with iconic structures, beautiful islands, and a great, green urban city! We promise you a memorable experience, presenting sites and stories that are intriguing, enthralling, and unconventional that make the city unique. We provide an honest local view of the city and make our guests feel at home on ours! We are committed to having a positive impact on nature, society, and economy leaving a low ecological footprint and honoring local cultures.

On this self-guided walking tour, you'll stroll through the cultural heart of Helsinki in search of legends and landmarks. Helsinki Tours will show you around the city, share insights into its historical ties to Sweden and Russia, and fill you in on Finnish culture. On this tour, you'll learn how to decode the symbolism hidden in the Alexander II sculpture, taking in the impressive Allas Sea Pool and SkyWheel, and strolling through the most famous park in Finland, Esplanade Park, which serves as the green heart of Helsinki. Additionally, explore the "Kappeli" restaurant, beloved by poets, writers, and artists in the 1900s, and learn about Johan Ludvig Runeberg, a renowned Finnish author, poet, and priest with Swedish roots. This immersive, self-tour is perfect for anyone who wants to experience Finnish history while enjoying a glorious stroll in the heart of Helsinki!

Increase your chances of admiring (and photographing) the elusive northern lights with this high-energy tour that will go to all lengths so you get the show of a lifetime. With maximal time and distance limits, this excursion will take you far and wide to catch the aurora borealis and almost guarantees a glimpse—if the night ends with no photos, you will be refunded.

Swap the city for the forest for a few easy hours. Your own English-speaking driver-guide picks you up in Helsinki and drives you about 45 minutes to Nuuksio, by the national park. You hand-feed the reindeer with lichen and hear how people in Lapland live with them. They are gentle and eat from your hand, though they don't like to be petted. Then warm up by the fire in a Lappish kota with campfire coffee, tea or juice and a freshly baked cinnamon bun (gluten-free available). In December: glögi and gingerbread. The car and guide are just for your group, so the pace is yours. Why travelers love it: 1. Door-to-door private car and guide 2. Hand-feeding reindeer in a Finnish forest 3. Campfire drinks and a bun in a kota 4. Reindeer without flying to Lapland 5. Easy and family-friendly Local tip: the forest feels colder than the city, so bring a hat and gloves.

A major highlight of traveling to Finland in the winter is viewing the northern lights. On this convenient tour you’ll get the best possible chance of seeing them, as you’ll be taken to a very dark area that’s free of light pollution. Drive around and stop wherever is best for seeing the lights. You’ll be advised on how to take effective photos of the phenomenon. Also enjoy a barbeque dinner in a cozy tent, from which you can look out for the lights.

Berries and mushrooms grace many Finnish dishes but foraging for them is difficult without a guide to ensure you locate the best spots and only edible specimens. Start this tour from Rovaniemi, hike into an Arctic forest to find and pick everything from mushrooms to cloudberry, blueberry, cranberry, and lingonberry. Savor the pure air, birdsong, and untouched nature; and finish with a campfire barbecue.

Focus on getting the best possible photos of Riisitunturi National Park on this full-day excursion from Rovaniemi. With a professional photographer guide in the lead, you'll visit the most scenic spots and get advice on how to make the best shots. This is a private tour for just you and your party, so the itinerary is flexible and you'll get plenty of personalized attention.

We will travel 20 minutes from Rovaniemi by minivan and take a short walk to reach the lake. The location is our own private place away from the crowds in the middle of the peaceful nature. The main activity is of course fishing itself, but the frozen lake also offers an ideal setting for landscape and wildlife photos. Once we reach the lake, we will teach you the basics of ice fishing and enjoy a pleasant afternoon fishing and photographing. We will also set up a campfire in traditional Lappish Teepee and enjoy some hot drinks and snacks – and of course fry our catch of the day!

This day tour to Porvoo is easy, informative, and chilling that welcomes everyone! Porvoo, the beautiful medieval locates on the south coast of Finland, served as the capital of the former Eastern Uusimaa region. It has its own unique vibrance of culture, history, and humanities. This tour is especially for you if you would like to know more about Finland. In addition to the current capital Helsinki, if time allows, spend a day with us to Porvoo and go deeply into the stories behind the country.

Maximize your chances of seeing the northern lights on a small-group wilderness tour from Rovaniemi, accessing remote viewpoints easily with included round-trip transfer from your hotel. Admire the Finnish landscape by night, hear local insights by a fire, and enjoy Finnish snacks and hot drinks as you watch for the natural phenomenon.

We offer you a unique Sauna and Sightseeing Experience along the beautiful Helsinki archipelago. During the cruise we are passing the main attraction sights along the Market Square and Helsinki Cathedral area and heading over to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress archipelago that is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Along with sightseeing our guests have the option to enjoy our panoramic sauna bathing during the entire cruise. We will also seek a protected anchor site for swimming and SUP-boarding at the Baltic Sea in the vicinity of the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. Our unique sauna tradition is also listed under UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.