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Winter Travel in Finland
Everyone loves summer, but if you are in Finland during the winter, you can still find things to do. Here are some lovely winter destinations in Finland that you might be interested in visiting!
Oulu, Kajaani and Tampere
There are ice holes for polar plunging all over Finland, but if you are on an Erasmus exchange in Oulu, you can find a quality polar plunge in Tuira, on the banks of the Oulujoki River. It is worth to note that the changing room is heated. The Kajaani Kylmäkaraistuskeskus, or chich translates into something like cold-hardiness center has a wonderful sauna. I highly recommend it. You can also take a dip in the polar plunge ice hole in the center of Tampere, at Laukontori Kuuma. Tampere is also a fabulous winter destination in itself.
Porvoo and Rauma
Porvoo is a beautiful town of wooden houses, just like Rauma. In both, you can spend a nice weekend taking pictures of cute winter wooden houses, stopping by for a hot cocoa in one of the cafes and eating lunch or dinner in the restaurants. If you are traveling to Rauma by car, you can go ice skating on the long-distance track on the ice of Köyliönjärvi!
Kemi
Kemi is home to the world's first original ice castle, which has been built annually since 1996. Many winter towns now carve ice castles, but Kemi has the original! In Kemi, you can also enjoy a mini cruise on the Icebreaker Sampo and even float on ice in a winter floatation suit!
Helsinki
The Finnish capital is sure to have something for everyone. But I will mention at least one special one here, namely Suomenlinna. Guided tours are organized on the island every weekend, even during the winter, and there are also several restaurants and cafes where you can stop for a bite. The fortress's main museum, the Suomenlinna Museum, is also open to visitors all year round.
Joensuu
If you are in Joensuu, you can take a day trip to Koli to go skiing, snowshoeing or a husky safari, or relax to your heart's desires in a spa. In the Botania Winter Garden, you can admire the ice sculptures and, as a counterbalance, warm up indoors among the plants in a tropical climate.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi has a spa, but it also has Santa Claus Land and many husky safaris to choose from. You can also ski in Ounasvaara in Rovaniemi! Don't forget Arktikum, a museum that presents the history and life of the Arctic region all the way to Siberia and Greenland.
Minna, OLS Community Manager – Finnish