What is Finland famous for? Have you ever wondered what makes Finland a must-see part of the Nordic region? Famous around the globe for its incredible scenery, beautiful architecture, and amazing people, Finland deserves a spot on any bucket list. Here the most interesting facts about Finland…
Most people have their own opinions on the special features of Finland. For some, it’s the amazing landmarks in Finland keeping them going back year after year.
For others, the wonderful things to do in Finland, like checking out the breathtaking lakes of the Nordic will be the most exciting draw.
Don’t forget, the Finns are, like many of the Scandinavian folk, some of the happiest people in the world too!
To help you better understand what Finland is known for, we’re going to reveal 50 of the most interesting facts about Finland right here!
1. Unforgettable scenery
Probably the most common reason to fall in love with Finland is its unforgettable environment. The Scandinavian region of Finland also has the name “land of a thousand lakes”.
If you’re wondering “What is Finland known for?” the first thing you should know is it’s home to almost 200,000 lakes in total.
The pristine bodies of water around Finland are also incredibly eye-catching — contributing to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
Located around Finland’s lakes, you can also find a host of stunning lakeside and island properties allowing for amazing summer getaways.
Finland has more forest and water than anywhere in Europe.
Over 70% of Finland features amazing forest just begging to be explored.
2. Wonderful wildlife
With so many natural landscapes to check out, it’s probably no surprise Finland is also a great place to find some incredible wildlife. The 130,7000 square miles of land only comes with around 5 and a half million citizens — which isn’t as much as it seems.
This makes Finland a brilliant destination for animal lovers looking to check out Elk, reindeer, wolverines, bears, and more.
3. Saimaa ringed seal
Finland is home to a huge selection of animals you may not see anywhere else in the world.
One of the most amazing creatures to live in Finland is the Saimaa ringed seal, which is one of the rarest seals in the world, only found in Lake Saimaa.
These beautiful seals feature unique rings on their coats, which sets them apart from other species of seal. Conservation efforts are currently underway to protect these seals, as they’re at risk of going extinct.
4. Reindeer
While you can find reindeer all over the world, few countries have as many wild-roaming reindeer as Finland. Finnish forest reindeer are a rare sub-species of reindeer native to north-west Russia and Finland. These are some of the more unique reindeer in Finland.
Since Reindeer is a pretty popular food in Finland, there is quite a bit of hunting throughout certain seasons of the year — so you may want to avoid the forests during hunting seasons.
Reindeer are also present in Swedish Lapland, where they help to create a magical experience for people visiting Santa Claus.
5. Outdoor adventures
The Finnish absolutely adore the outdoors — and for good reason.
Living in one of the most beautiful places in the world is naturally going to inspire anyone to get outside. This is why the Finnish often engage in a lot of outdoor sports and activities, including hunting, fishing, and kayaking.
Hiking and trekking are common in Finland, as are mountain biking, climbing, and rafting during the summer months of the year.
6. Lakes
Sometimes referred to as the “land of a thousand lakes”, Finland is absolutely covered in beautiful lakes to explore. The moniker might sound dramatic, but it’s actually a massive understatement, as there are more than 188,000 lakes in Finland.
All the way around Lapland, the metropolitan area, and Helsinki, you can find a wide range of lakes, usually in shades of clear blue.
The largest lake in Finland is Lake Saimaa, home to the Saimaa ringed seal.
7. Right to roam
One particularly interesting thing about Finland is the country firmly believes in the concept of everyman’s right.
This essentially means people can walk freely in nature whenever they want, discovering all the unique smells, sounds, and tastes of the wilderness.
When it comes to impressive ways to interact with nature, and Finnish wildlife, you’re spoilt for choice. Finland is home to a host of popular outdoor activities, ranging from dog sledding in the winter, to cycling, hiking, and kayaking in the warmer months of the year.
You can even spend your summers boating between the various islands around Finland too.
8. Long and short days
Anywhere you visit in Scandinavia may be a shock to the senses when you realize how unusual the days can be. Thanks to the position of Nordic countries like Finland, there are days where the sun doesn’t set at all, and days when the sun might not rise.
You can check out the “Midnight sun” in Finland, where the sun doesn’t set for about 70 consecutive days. This can be an unusual experience for a lot of visitors.
Around a quarter of Finland’s territory north of the arctic circle doesn’t have any sun at all for some parts of the year.
9. Safest country in the world
Government reports show Finland to be the safest country in the world for all population groups and people. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll feel comfortable no matter where you live, Finland could be the place for you.
There are a number of factors contributing to the safety level of Finland, including some of the most trusted police in the world, an independent judicial system, and a sound selection of banks.
Citizens also enjoy a high level of personal freedom and choice.
10. Getting naked
Nudity is a pretty common thing in Finland.
You’re likely to find a number of people engaging in public swimming sessions with no clothing on, as the Finns believe this is good for their health.
The most common place to see nudity in Finland is in the many saunas around the country. Although Finns don’t require visitors to go nude, it’s common to simply relax naked.
Find out more about Finns and nudity here.
11. Finnish folklore
Like many Scandinavian countries, Finland is big on its folklore.
Finnish folk tradition includes references to everything from trolls to the yule goat during Christmas. Many people in Finland believe in Norse mythology, as well as a range of fairytale creatures and mystical beings, like the Tietaja, or witch.
Finland has endless stories of mythical creatures like the HIISI, Haltija, and Will-o-wisps.
Find out more about Finnish folklore here.
12. Sami people
The Sami people are a significant part of Finnish culture. Indigenous Finnish people living in the more Northern parts of the country, these “Lapps” or “Laplanders” as some people call them are very traditional and have a strong heritage.
The Sami have their own language, and they currently have a population of around 80,000 people in total, spread across countries like Finland, Norway, Sweden, and even Russia.
13. Women’s rights
Finland is a forward-thinking company, with a focus on equality.
One of the best things about Finland is it was among the first countries in the world to grant women the right to vote. Today, the country continues to lead the world for ensuring women get an equal set of opportunities to men.
Finland has been voted second in the world for reducing the gender gap in women’s rights. The country also made martial rape illegal in 1994.
14. Directness
Finland has a very important saying which translates to something like “only ugly people need to dress up”. If this sounds harsh, you might have a tough time in Finland.
While the Finnish might seem a little “shy” or reserved according to tourists, but in Finland, it’s more polite to be silent than to strike up a conversation. When they do talk, Finnish people will be quite blunt and honest — which can be difficult to some people to get to grips with.
15. Finnish Midsummer
The Swedes are often the people most associated with midsummer in the Scandi region — but Finland has its own version of the celebration too.
Finnish Midsummer happens on the 25th of June, and like Sweden, the locals celebrate the summer solstice with huge family meals and plenty of dancing.
The national holiday generally involves spending time away from the city where possible, and it can also include lighting bonfires and relaxing in saunas.
Find our more about Finnish Midsummer here.
16. Wife carrying competitions
We’ll mention quirky sports quite frequently in this article of things to know about Finland. One of the most interesting sports of all is the wife carrying contest.
A popular sport in Finland, wife carrying involves having male competitors race while carrying a female teammate. It doesn’t have to be your wife — but local competitions often request this.
The objective is for the man to carry the woman through a special obstacle course as quickly as possible — and it’s far from easy.
17. Santa Claus village
Visiting Finland during the winter months might be cold — but it can also be incredibly magical, thanks to Finnish Lapland, reindeer, and of course, Santa Claus village.
Located in Finland Lapland, the Santa Claus village is a Rovaniemi amusement park w-here children can meet Santa, explore beautifully decorated locations, and even say hi to Santa’s reindeer. There’s also a range of amazing activities, like dog sledding.
18. Clean air
Finland is widely regarded to have one of the healthiest atmospheres in the world.
A comprehensive study by the World Health Organization found Finland had the cleanest air in the world during 2018. This means Finns can largely avoid the debilitating sickness often caused by air pollution around the world today.
If you’re planning on moving to Finland, you can rest assured you’ll be breathing easy with your entire family.
19. Helsinki
We can’t write an article about things Finland is famous for without mentioning the capital city.
Helsinki is a wonderful place, packed full of amazing architecture and wonderful people. The region has its own dog swimming pools, as well as a host of islands to explore.
Helsinki has some of the freshest tap water in the world, which trickles form the mountain springs in Finland. It’s also worth noting the pavements are free from snow in the winter, because the government heats the sidewalk slabs.
20. Unique food and drink
If you ever plan an epic trip around Scandinavia, it’s a good idea to carve out plenty of time to check out the delicious foods and beverages you can find in the region.
Finland has always been a massive fan of local and seasonable produce. The country takes advantage of what the land can give in a big way, so you’re sure to experience new dishes year-round.
Some meals are more of an acquired taste than others — like the ammonium chloride liquorice
which is a surprisingly popular Finnish food. However, you can also find plenty of home-cooked and simple staples, like smoked fish, reindeer, sausages and potatoes, and meatballs.
21. Finnish liquorice
Although not the most popular treat in other regions of the world, liquorice has found its tribe within the Scandinavian region over the years.
No matter where you visit in Scandinavia, you’re sure to find a version of licorice you can enjoy. The most common kind of licorice in Finland is Salmaikki, which is a kind of salted licorice.
Found in practically every candy variety bag of sweets sold in Finland, Salmaikki is absolutely everywhere. You can also find the flavor used in chocolate, liquor, ice cream, and a range of other foods too.
22. Locally sourced food
Finnish people, like many of their Scandinavian neighbors, believe in being as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. This usually means making the most of locally sourced food to help improve the economy and reduce importing greenhouse gasses.
The locally sourced food market in Finland is huge, with most consumers preferring to stick to home-grown produce than anything they can find elsewhere.
The Finnish government even encourages its locals to eat as much locally-sourced food as possible, with plenty of investments into regional groups.
23. Finnish pancakes
Finland is known for its pancakes, among other traditional treats.
Ridiculously easy to make, and deliciously light and fluffy, Finnish pancakes are a staple of breakfasts and desserts alike. You can also make Finnish pancakes with meatballs if you’re looking for a more savory option.
Finnish pancakes may look similar to crepes, but they’re often a lot crispier around the edges. There’s also the addition of butter to the recipe.
24. Coffee
For those with a sweet tooth, one of the most interesting facts about Finland is the country loves its coffee and candy. If you want to check out some delicious treats, make sure you stop by a local café for a pastry and a dose of caffeine.
Finland is one of the countries best-known for consuming coffee in the world. In 2020, Finnish people consumed around 9.3 kg of coffee per person. Over the last decade, the average coffee consumption per person has been around 10kg each year.
25. Vodka
If you’re looking for something a little stronger, Finland competes with Russia in strength for its sensational vodka. This clear spirit is a favorite among the locals, and often drunk in a single shot.
Finnish vodka is one of the most popular drinks in the country. There’s even a special “tar flavored” vodka available in the country which generally isn’t popular among visitors.
26. Alcohol consumption
Speaking of vodka, the overall consumption of alcohol in Finland is pretty high.
According to statistics, in 2020, Finnish people consumed around 7.8 litres of alcohol per capital, measured in “pure alcohol”.
Finns are world-renowned for their alcohol fondness, and they have a unique way of “getting drunk” which involves simply drinking as much strong alcohol as possible, as quickly as possible.
Find out more about Finnish drinking culture here.
27. Happy people
Finland has been named the happiest place in the world for about four years running by the World Happiness Report.
Happy people aren’t exactly unusual in the Scandinavian region. The majority of people in this part of the world are ranked among the top happiest citizens, thanks to things like excellent work/life balance and low levels of corruption.
Finland has excellent levels of social support, personal freedom, and GDP, according to the report, which all contribute to happier people.
28. High suicide rates
Despite being one of the happiest places on earth, Finland has a surprisingly high suicide rate.
According to reports, Finland has around 11.6 suicides per 100,000 people, compared to around 10.1 per 100,000 in the US. Although it might seem unusual, a lot of psychologists even attribute these high suicide rates to the pressure of living in the world’s happiest country.
It’s also worth noting the long nights and dark days can be difficult to handle for some Fins.
29. National sleepy head day
National sleepy head day is a yearly celebration in Finland observed around July 27th.
The holiday is related to the legend of the seven sleepers of Ephesus, which might make it seem like a religious festival, but it’s more of an informal event for a lot of people.
The sleepy head day involves naming the person who sleeps latest in the household the “laziest” person. In Naantali, a Finnish celebrity is also through in the sea from the city’s port each year.
30. Difficult language
Many of the languages in the Scandinavian region are relatively simple to learn, thanks to their connection to the North Germanic tongue.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with Finnish. The Finnish language has a full 15 grammatical cases, which makes it one of the more challenging languages in the world. According to experts, learning Finnish would require around 2,200 hours of study time.
Find out more about the Finnish language here.
31. Winter wonderlands
One of the best things about Finland for a lot of visitors is its approach to winter and seasonal holidays. The town of Rovaniemi in Lapland was also rumored to be the home of the very first St Nick.
If you’re checking out landmarks in Finland with the family, make sure you check out Santa’s actual grotto.
A trip to Finnish Lapland will treat you with everything from picturesque snow-laden trees, reindeer, and hotels built entirely from ice. There’s even an address where you can send a letter to Santa and get a response back too!
32. Northern Lights
While you’re enjoying the wonders of winter in Finland, make sure you pick a night to go hunting for the Northern Lights too. Like many locations in Scandinavia, you can sometimes see the Aurora Borealis from Finland.
The country even has glass igloos, glass treehouses, and other incredible hotels where you can spend the night and wait for the lights to shine.
According to experts, Finland’s Northern Lights are visible around 200 nights a year — or every other clear night if you’re visiting Lapland.
Find out more about the Northern Lights in Finland here.
33. Ice hockey
Finland is pretty well-known for its quirky approach to sports, which often involves spending a lot of time in the cold and snow. Ice hockey is a huge pastime in the region — similar to skiing.
Finland seems to have a specific rivalry with Sweden when it comes to ice hockey, and competition between the two countries is fierce. Finland actually won the ice hockey championship for the third time in 2019, and the national team (The Lions) are ranked third in the world.
34. Quirky sports
While the Finnish have plenty of “traditional” sporting teams for things like ice hockey and football, they’re often better-known for some quirkier sports, like wife-carrying, or swamp football.
Many of the unique sports in Finland are all about challenging the locals, other than beer floating, which involves floating down a river drinking beer in a hand-made raft.
There’s also milking stool throwing, where you do your best to throw a stool used for milking cows as far as possible. And ant-nest sitting, which just seems like a terrible idea if you want to avoid bites.
35. Summer music festivals
While Finland is most commonly associated with cold days and long winters — it does have a summer.
During the summer, the country is home to some of the biggest music festivals in the world. There’s the Tuska Metal Festival in Helsinki Finland, where you can ruck out to some major bands, or the “Finland Rockfest” for a similar experience.
Provinssi and the Sideways Festival are two other extremely popular options for music lovers looking to spend a few days enjoying the limited sunlight in Finland.
36. Heavy metal
You can find all kinds of musicians and artists in Finland, but the most popular type of music in the country has to be heavy metal.
Known for having some of the biggest death metal bands around, Finland is the go-to place for hardcore music fans. Finland has one of the highest numbers of metal bands per capita in the world, and it’s home to bands like Children of Bodom and Impaled Nazarene.
If you’re a death and heavy metal fan, you’re going to love Finland.
Find out more about Finnish metal bands here.
37. Skiing
Speaking of the colder weather in Finland, the skiing season here lasts long over 6 months, depending on where you visit.
During the darkest winter days, you can check out the slopes with their unique pre-lit tracks. In the spring, the sun can also shine through the evening, late into the night.
For fans of winter sports, Finland is a must-see destination, with hundreds of kilometers worth of locations to discover. Indeed, this is one of the most comprehensive skiing locations in Europe, if not the entire world.
38. Saunas
After you’ve put your skills to the test on the Finnish slopes, you can warm up again with one of the most popular places in Finland — the sauna. Heading out to relax in a sauna is a rare treat for most people. However, for Finns, it’s something that happens daily.
The Finnish gather at saunas in the same way people from the UK meet friends for a drink at the pub.
Locals regularly sweat out their worries in a sauna, contemplating life with friends and families. Finland is, therefore home to various different kinds of sauna, ranging from modern infrared options to wood-heated saunas and a cable car sauna too!
Find out more about Finnish sauna culture here.
39. Architecture
We mentioned above one of the best things about Finland is its people.
The locals are incredibly happy and welcoming people — with a wonderful creative streak. You’ll see it for yourself in the fantastic architecture. The town of Porvoo, located just an hour from Helsinki, makes for a wonderful destination for a day trip.
Here, you can check out traditional Finnish architecture, with plenty of colorful wooden houses to catch your attention. You can also explore the Kamppi Chapel and the Sibeliustalo.
40. Education
It’s no wonder that the Finns have created so many incredible places when you consider the country’s world-class approach to education, of course.
Schools in Finland rank towards the top of the list for the world. Interestingly, children don’t go to school until the age of 7 here, yet most leave with a deep knowledge of at least two different languages.
Find out more about studying in Finland here.
41. Mammi
At first glance, the Finnish delicacy, Mammi might not look like much. However, this Easter food is a must-have for a Finn. This delicious dessert is made of syrup, malt, and rye flour, giving it a consistency similar to porridge.
Usually served with cream or milk, Finns eat their Mammi on Good Friday, but you can also find some families indulging around the year. You can also add custard or vanilla ice cream to Mammi if you have more of a sweet tooth.
42. Nokia
One of the most famous Finnish brands, Nokia is a company frequently mentioned in Finland by locals referring to the technical innovation of the country.
For many people, Nokia delivered the first introduction to a “mobile phone” or cell phone we ever saw. Nokia earned a fantastic reputation for producing some of the most reliable and durable devices on the market too.
Nokia also has a strong reputation in Finland for selling more than just phones. The iconic rubber boots from Nokia are still revered today.
43. Racing drivers
There has been a total of nine Formula One drivers from Finland who have taken part in races since the start of the championship in 1950.
Of the total 9 Finnish drivers to appear in the World Driver’s Championship, three have won. The first champion was Keke Rosberg, who took the title in 1982. After this, Mika Hakkinen won the title in 1998 and 1999, and Kimi Raikkonen won in 2007.
Other well-known drivers include JJ Lehto, and Valterri Bottas.
44. The Moomins
The Moomins are among the better-known characters to come from Finland. If you’re looking for things to know about Finland, the Moomins were first created by Tove Jansson, a Finnish illustrator.
For those who aren’t familiar, the Moomins are a family of round, white fairytale creatures similar in appearance to a hippopotamus. Although the Moomins might look like animals, they’re actually a kind of troll, according to the creator.
45. Angry Birds
Whether you count this as one of the best things about Finland or not will depend on your love of mobile games. Angry Birds, the video game, was created by Rovio Entertainment, and has since evolved to become an entire franchise.
Rovio Entertainment, based in Helsinki, Finland, started life in 2003, and now operates studios in Stockholm, Montreal, Espoo, and Copenhagen. The Angry Birds game is currently ranked as one of the best games in the world.
46. Lampivaara
Incredible natural landmarks in Finland are part of what makes the country so appealing. Not only are the landscapes beautiful to look at, but they can be quite lucrative too.
Finland is home to Lampivaara, an amethyst mine which warmly welcomes visitors once a year. You can come and explore some of the incredible caves in Finnish Lapland, then spend some time checking out the surrounding snow and scenery.
47. Suomenlinna
Speaking of amazing landmarks in Finland, it’s definitely worth taking a trip to Suomenlinna if you ever have a chance. This world heritage site is a cultural treasure in Finland.
Suomenlinna is an inhabited sea fortress built across 8 islands around four km southeast of Helsinki — the Finnish capital. The location is popular with locals and tourists, who enjoy visiting the iconic pinic and relaxation spots around the islands.
The Swedish crown commenced the construction of the original fortress back in 1748, as part of a strategy to protect against Russian expansion.
48. Olavinlinna
Another of the best things about Finland is Olavinlinna, otherwise known as St Olaf’s Castle.
This fifteenth century three-tower castle in Finland is built on the Kyronsalmi strait island and is the most northern medieval fortress still standing today.
More than just a beautiful place to visit when you’re exploring Finland, the castle also hosts the Savonlinna Opera Festival, launched for the first time in 1912. According to historians, the fortress was originally founded by Erik Axelsson Tott in 1475.
49. Kiasma museum
The Kiasma contemporary art museum is located in Mannerheimintie in Finland. The name, “Kiasma” alludes to the conceptual idea of the original architect of the building, Steven Holl.
Kiasma is a part of the Finnish National Gallery, housing the gallery’s collection of contemporary art. The collection was originally housed in Ateneum, before an architectural design competition was held in 1992 to create a building for the new contemporary art museum.
Today, the Kiasma museum is an excellent insight into the art culture of Finland, and the country’s dedication to supporting and showcasing contemporary artists.
50. An original internet browser
Most people wouldn’t automatically assume the dawn of the internet began in Finland.
After Tim Berners-Lee introduced the world to the WorldWideWeb browser, and CERN created a reproduction of its formative content, the Finns got involved with their version of the internet browser.
Erwise was created by four Finnish college students in 1991 and released officially in 1992. Today, Erwise is credited with being the first internet browser with a graphical interface. It was also the first internet browser capable of searching for words on pages.
What are the Finnish known for?
There are tons of Finnish things to explore during your trip to Scandinavia. The region is a beautiful location, packed full of natural wonders and amazing scenery.
Whether you’re taking a trip to the ski slopes, or you’re relaxing in a Sauna, you’ll find your own corner of Finland to fall in love with.
Of course, the best things about Finland are the memories you’ll make when you’re there.
If you want to discover the incredible experiences Finland is known for yourself, then you should start planning your trip.
Remember to check out the other articles here on Scandification for more insights into the Nordic region, and the incredible country of Finland.
Scandification: Discovering Scandinavia.
