Finland regions
Special regions in Finland
In this section of Scandinavia.eu we present special regions in Finland in more detail.
From the autonomous Aland Islands in the southwest to the Arctic wilderness of Lapland in the north, Finland's regions differ greatly in landscape, climate and character. The Lake District dominates the interior, while the southwestern coast is lined with thousands of small islands. Each region rewards a different kind of traveler.
Lapland
Finnish Lapland covers the entire northern third of the country, above the Arctic Circle. In winter, the polar night brings weeks of darkness lit only by the northern lights. In summer, the midnight sun does not set for more than 70 days. Lapland is home to 13 ski resorts, including Levi and Yllas, and is the main region for husky safaris, reindeer sleigh rides and ice fishing. Rovaniemi, the regional capital, sits right on the Arctic Circle and houses Santa Claus Village.
Finnish Lake District
The Lake District stretches across central and eastern Finland and contains the bulk of the country's 188,000 lakes. Lake Saimaa, at 4,370 km2, is the largest in the system and fourth largest in Europe. The region is the heart of traditional Finnish summer life: lakeside cottages, saunas, rowing boats and berry picking. Linnansaari and Kolovesi national parks protect old-growth forests and the endangered Saimaa ringed seal.
Southwestern coast and Aland Islands
The coast between Helsinki and Turku features Finland's most densely settled area, historic towns like Porvoo and Hanko, and easy access to the Aland archipelago. The Aland Islands consist of over 6,500 islands, with Mariehamn as the capital. Swedish is the main language on Aland. Ferries connect the islands to both Turku and Stockholm, making them a natural stopover between Finland and Sweden.
Frequently asked questions about Finland's regions
Which Finnish region is best for summer?
The Lake District is the top summer destination. Water temperatures reach 20 to 24 degrees in July, and cabin rentals line every major lake. The Helsinki coastal area and the Aland Islands are also excellent between June and August.
Which region should I visit for the northern lights?
Lapland offers the best chances. Northern lights are visible on roughly 200 nights per year above the Arctic Circle. The prime viewing season runs from September through March. Inari, Saariselka and Muonio are popular spots.
How many national parks does Finland have?
Finland has 41 national parks managed by Metsahallitus. They are free to enter and cover landscapes from coastal archipelagos in the south to Arctic fells in the north. The most visited parks include Nuuksio near Helsinki and Pallas-Yllastunturi in Lapland.
More regions in Finland
Sergej Gerber
I am an absolute Scandinavia fan and have been traveling to the beautiful Scandinavian countries for over 12 years. Here I share my experiences and tips about the Scandinavian countries and the Baltic Sea region.