Summer Trip All Around Finland: Igniting the “Suomen Kesä” Vibe

One spring day, Nadia impulsively suggested to travel around Finland with a Holiday Ticket. This ticket allows unlimited city-hopping on train trips within 7, 9, 14, or 30 days. What an excellent way to explore Finland, especially during the summer holidays! If you're planning a trip, be sure to check out the details of the Holiday Ticket.

When it comes to transportation, there are several options for getting around. Each city has its own bus app. In larger cities like Helsinki and Tampere, buses and trams are integrated into a single app for convenience. In other cities, we often relied on e-scooters or simply walked.

In Kuopio, we visited Puijon Torni, an iconic observation tower 75 meters tall, to enjoy the 360 degrees landscape of Kuopio surrounded with breathtaking views of Kallavesi Lake and Puijon Hill. Then, we roamed the city by e-scooter to save time and energy exploring the city in a day. Renting one is easy through mobile apps, and the good news is that almost all the cities we visited had e-scooters readily available. So, no need to worry about transportation options! We stayed in a vintage 120 y.o. accommodation, a typical mökki or cottage design in Finland.

In Tampere, we explored the city by rented city bicycles. It operates similarly to e-scooters—you can easily rent one through an app with clear instructions. During our exploration, we even got separated at one point, but it turned into a memorable adventure. Following our instincts, we rode through the streets, stopping here and there to take pictures and enjoy the moment. It was a wonderful way to experience the city and create lasting memories.

Finland, often called the "Land of a Thousand Lakes," is home to countless national parks and we visited Koli National Park. What truly amazed, was the deep respect for nature embodied in Everyman’s Rights—a unique Finnish tradition granting everyone the freedom to roam, hike, and enjoy nature responsibly. We witnessed a genuine respect for nature and sensed the care given to preserving the wilderness. One information board even detailed the historical journey of how national parks came to be, gave us the impression that this attitude didn’t happen by chance but was shaped by a deep concern for preserving livelihoods and the environment.

Have you ever hiked above the Arctic Circle? This summer, we did that in Kilpisjärvi, Finland. The 16-kilometer hike was long but absolutely worth it. But let me warn you about Finland’s worst summer enemy—more on that later.

We kicked off our journey by renting a car in Oulu and driving to Kilpisjärvi. From the harbor, a boat took us across the lake so we could hike back. The trails here are brilliantly marked with color-coded stones—just follow the colors, and you’re good to go. Our first stop was the iconic Treriksröset, the world’s northernmost three-country cairn. Standing there, surrounded by Finland’s, Sweden’s and Norway’s mountains, was surreal. We even spotted patches of snow in the shadows of the mountains—in mid-June! In less than 10 seconds, you can cross into three different countries. How cool is that?

Continuing along the Malla Trail, we were lucky enough to encounter a Sámi reindeer herd. These majestic creatures are vital to Sámi culture, and seeing them felt like a rare blessing, we snapped a few pictures (from a safe distance—always respect wildlife) and moved on, hearts full of gratitude.

The trail also offered waterfalls, drinkable rivers (yes, we tried it!), and breathtaking views. But then came the mosquitoes. Oh, the mosquitoes! These relentless creatures that become Finland's worst enemy in summer made their presence known despite our repellents. Pro tip: bring a mosquito net hat—it’s a lifesaver.

The highlight of the trip was reaching the end of the trail at midnight, only to find the sun still shining. The midnight sun feels almost magical—it’s as if time stops, urging you to savor every moment. This hike, with its blend of stunning landscapes and unforgettable experiences, is stuck in our memory forever.

If you’re planning your own Arctic adventure, here are a few tips:

1. Prepare for Mosquitoes: Bring repellent and a mosquito net hat.
2. Stay Hydrated: The rivers are safe to drink from, but a water bottle is handy.
3. Follow the Colors: The trail markers are foolproof.
4. Savor It All: From reindeer sightings to the midnight sun, take it all in.

Kilpisjärvi is a must-visit for any summer adventurer. Just don’t let the mosquitoes crash your journey!

Overall, our journey left us with a deeper appreciation for Finland’s culture. We witnessed the core values of inclusivity, care for nature, and accessibility reflected in both the people and the environment. Immersing ourselves with the locals and the natural world gradually shaped a nuanced yet liberating understanding of Finnish culture—one that will stay with us long after the trip.

A song, Suomen Kesä by Olli Halonen, perfectly captures our emotions, evoking vivid memories of Finland’s summer. We hope our story offers you a glimpse of Finland’s serene beauty.