Finland

Though it’s the oldest city in Finland, there’s nothing outdated about the quaint city of Turku, two hours from Helsinki. Mostly destroyed by the Great Fire of 1827, it was rebuilt a few years later, introducing much of the charming architecture that makes it a must-visit destination today. It’s no longer the country’s largest city, but there are still plenty of diverting sights, great food and opportunities to shop. Here are the top seven reasons to visit Turku.

Come snow or shine, the Finns know the best way to relax is by stripping down and sweating it out in a little pine-clad room heated to 80°C (176°F), before taking a joyous leap into an icy lake just for the hell of it. Finland invented the sauna, and frankly, nobody does it better.

Let’s face it: Finland is expensive – unless you happen to be coming from Sweden or Norway, that is. But with some careful budgeting and clever planning, you can have an incredible trip that doesn’t cost a fortune. The good news is that many of the things that attract travelers to Finland in the first place are free or cost very little: From foraging walks to Northern Lights shows, chilly dips in the Baltic to lakefront saunas.

Finland has a deserved reputation for doing things at a human scale, and nowhere is this more apparent than on the country’s public transport system. From trains with onboard playrooms and efficient public buses to well-maintained highways and traffic-free cycle lanes, traveling around Finland is rarely stressful, though, like many things in Finland, it can be expensive.

When Salla National Park in eastern Lapland was established in early 2022, it was the 41st national park to open in Finland – not bad for a country of just 5.5 million people! Covering more than 10,000 sq km of the country’s landmass, these parks are Finland’s national patrimony, places of extraordinary natural beauty whose pristine landscapes and diverse ecosystems are proudly protected for the benefit of all.

Good news for travelers planning to visit the world’s happiest country: Finland’s short-term visa requirements are easy to navigate.