VisitFinland

🌲 Repovesi national park - National parks part 9 🌲 Welcome to Repovesi National Park, an outdoor paradise just a couple of hours from Helsinki! Here’s a glimpse of what you can do: 🚶‍♂️ Walking and hiking 🚶‍♀️ 45 km of trails, from the 5 km Ketunlenkki Trail to the 26 km Kaakkurin Kierros Trail. 🏞️ Sights and scenery 🏞️ Visit the 50-meter Olhavanvuori rock face. For panoramic views, head to Mustalamminvuori observation tower or climb Katajavuori. See prehistoric rock paintings in Löppönen Cave, Ruskiansalmi Sound, and Olhavanvuori Rock. 🛶 Canoeing and rowing 🚣‍♂️ Rent canoes or boats and explore the lakes. Popular routes include the 50 km trip from Mäntyharju to Repovesi. 🎣 Fishing 🎣 Enjoy hook and line fishing and ice fishing under Everyman's rights. Lure fishing requires a permit. Check Metsähallitus' online shop for permits. 🚴‍♀️ Cycling 🚴‍♂️ Cycle across the park on Kuismantie and test your fitness on the hilly terrain. 🏊‍♂️ Swimming 🏊‍♀️ Swim in Lake Tervajärvi, at the Määkijä and Lapinsalmi campfire sites, or in Kuutinkanava canal to cool off. 🌿 Other activities 🌿 Pick bilberries, lingonberries, and chanterelles. In winter, try skiing or snowshoeing. Join guided walking or canoeing tours for more hands-on guidance. 🚗 Getting there 🚗 Access the park through Tervajärvi and Saarijärvi parking areas, as Lapinsalmi entrance is temporarily closed. Plan your trip at www.nationalparks.fi/repovesinp 📸 : Trip to Repovesi National Park by @retkikuva #VisitFinland #nationalparks #repovesinationalpark #naturetravel #traveltips

Our top 3 places to visit in July: 1️⃣ Hanko, the sunniest city in Finland with plenty of beaches for summer fun. 🎥: @cri5uuuli 2️⃣ Kotka, a "city by the sea" known for its significance as a port town. 🎥: @visitkotkahamina 3️⃣ Rovaniemi, for the nightless nights and the perfect Lapland summer experience. 🎥: @roliveira33 Which one will you visit first? 😍 #VisitFinland #placestovisit #travletips #travel #Finlandsummer

Public city bikes, dedicated bike lanes, easy terrain, and pretty views. That's what biking is like in Finland 😍🚲 #VisitFinland #sustainabletravel #traveltips #biking #travel

Many studies suggest that spending time in a forest has scientifically proven health benefits 💙 From mood-related therapeutical effects to physical health, find out why you might want to spend more time in the forests below: 🌿 It is believed that spending time in forests can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression by lowering cortisol levels. 🌲 Some research indicates that natural settings can boost mood and cognitive function, making it hard not to be happy in the forest, with lasting effects. 🍀 Forests often provide space for activities like hiking, jogging, and biking, which are important for physical health. The uneven terrain may help you improve balance. 🌳 It is suggested that being in a forest can lower blood pressure and heart rate, improving cardiovascular health. 🌱 It is often said that forests purify the air and water for consumption. No wonder Finland is noted for having the best air quality in the world! 🫐 Nature provides antioxidant and vitamin-rich ingredients like bilberries, chanterelles, and nettles. When was the last time you visited a forest? For more information, check out the article on vf.com (link in bio). 📸: @cinemanssi, @alexandraerikas, @malminenmikko #VisitFinland #nature #foresttherapy #Finland #traveltips

☀️ The midnight sun is a curious, unique, and loved sight. We asked our community to share their most epic photos of it and here are our top picks! 1️⃣ @zulailaas was at the cabin and woke up at 2:30, and thankfully so! This beautiful sight of the sun rising up and fog covering the nature really makes one want to wake up this early every day. Thanks 😍 2️⃣ This aerial shot is from Oulu, featuring Tähtitorni café. The pink and red building really highlight the colors of the late-night sun, creating a beautiful snap. Thank you @villeweephoto ✨ 3️⃣ With endless sunlight, also many of the events can be organized at night. @seikkailumuikku attended the beautiful Midnight Sun Film Festival in Sodankylä, just one of the fun events best held under the midnight sun. Thank you for the pretty picture 🥳 4️⃣ The midnight sun is so magical, especially because it allows you to engage in daytime activities at any time of the day. Little hike on a fjell at 2am? Sounds good. @sanna.vaara changes her sleep schedule to enjoy the beautiful, cool nights during the summer. 🌄 5️⃣ @katruphotography captured Lake Saimaa during the beautiful pink and purple hues of the night. With nature open 24/7, we recommend you to enjoy the night in the forest with calm waters, birds singing and a light breeze. ☀️ 6️⃣ @jukkarisikko has taken this painting-like picture at 3 AM. The pastel-colored clouds reflect from the still river Lapua perfectly. Don’t you get the sense of peace and tranquility from the picture? 🖼️ Thank you for sharing your talent and magical moments with us 🤍 #VisitFinland #naturephotography #epicphotos #nature #traveltips

🌲 National Parks Series Part 8 - Urho Kekkonen National Park 🌲 🚶‍♂️ Discover Finnish Lapland's wilderness in this 2,550 sq km park full of fells, lakes, and canyons, including Korvatunturi Fell, Santa Claus's home! Accessible from Ivalo or Rovaniemi by coach. Activities: 🥾 Day trips or multi-day treks on marked and unmarked routes. 🚵‍♂️ Scenic bike trails. 🎣 Fish in clear waters (permits at eraluvat.fi/en). 🔭 Spot golden eagles, Siberian jays, and more. 🏕️ Stay in wilderness huts or designated areas. 🍄 Forage cranberries, bilberries, and mushrooms. Find out more at: https://www.nationalparks.fi/urhokekkonennp/ 🎥: @atenalrn #UrhoKekkonenNationalPark #VisitFinland #VisitLapland #natureadventure #UrhoKekkonen #nationalpark

🌈 Pride and joy in Finland 🌈 Welcome to Finland, the happiest country in the world! We proudly celebrate diversity and the LGBTQIA+ community. From Helsinki's vibrant energy to Lapland's serene calm, our country is a gem for everyone. Whether you're joining us for lively Pride parades or exploring our peaceful landscapes, you are welcomed, valued, and celebrated here. Happy Pride! 🌈✨ 📸 : Svante Gullichsen, Mika Ruusinen, Teraj & Barry, Gabi & Shanna #Pride #VisitFinland #CelebrateDiversity #pridemonth #travel

🌸 Happy Midsummer! 🌸 It's that special time of year when the sun barely sets, and we celebrate the magic of midsummer in Finland. Today we are lighting bonfires, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying nature, summer, and long days. How are you celebrating midsummer? 📸: @niiloi, @petekarttunen, @mirkes_pics, @annamatildavalli #VisitFinland #Midsummer #summer #celebration #Finland

During Midsummer in Finland, it is believed that the boundary between our world and the spiritual realm is at its thinnest. It’s a time of folklore, romance, and magic! Here are some fun spells to try: Flower under the pillow 🌸💤 Collect 7 different flowers in silence and place them under your pillow before sleep. Legend says you’ll dream of your future spouse. Water spells 💧🪞 Look into a well or pond on Midsummer night to see a glimpse of your future partner. Rolling on the fields 🌾🌀 Roll down a hill or field without clothes to find a spouse within a year or gain the landowner's favor. Sauna vihta throwing 🌿🏠 After a sauna, throw your birch branch over the roof. If it stays, you’ll have good luck in the coming year. Bonfires 🔥🔥 Light bonfires to ward off evil spirits and ensure a good harvest. The flames symbolize the sun’s peak power. Cuckoo bird's call 🕊️🌳 Listen for the cuckoo bird on Midsummer night. The number of calls tells how many years until you find true love. Which ones will you try? 📸: @gratefulcoconut, @laurilohi, @eevamakinen, @aamuomenatarhassa #Folklore #VisitFinland #Midsummer #Spells #Mythology

Whether you're in the city or the forest, Finland's wildlife is amazing! Here are a few highlights: Elk 🦌🌲: Keep your eyes open in the forest, as the largest land mammal in Europe is notoriously hard to spot. Squirrel 🐿️🌳: Found everywhere, from city parks to green spaces, these agile acrobats are always up to something fun. Beaver 🦫🏞️: Near lakes and streams, these nature's engineers build impressive dams and les. Barn Swallow 🐦🌍: A sign of summer, these migratory birds can be seen in both cities and forests. Have you spotted any of these animals yet? 📸 : @soosseli, @luonnonhelmet, @maaritvaahteranoksa, @jukkaharberg #Finland #VisitFinland #Summer #Wildlife #nature

☀️Sunshine at 11 pm?☀️ Yes please! Enjoy the endless daylight and make the most of this magical time of the year. 🤍 What would you do under the midnight sun? #VisitFinland #midnightsun #Finnishsummer #traveltips

What a wonderful Helsinki Happiness Hacks week behind us! This journey was a pathway to getting a bit closer to your inner Helsinkian and understanding how happiness can be hacked in an urban city environment. Thanks to our 14 wonderful participants for putting yourself out there and bravely exploring happiness with us 💙 Stay tuned and follow along to discover your inner Helsinkian later this year! #HelsinkiHappinessHacks #VisitFinland #VisitHelsinki