In a world where my brain feels constantly switched on, I’ve found myself craving escapes that prioritise peace. To my surprise, Finland's summer months offer exactly that: a tranquil remedy to the daily grind that I never saw coming.
Finland wasn't the first destination that sprang to mind when planning a getaway. My knowledge of the country barely extended beyond glass igloos and reindeer sleigh rides – visuals that left me completely unprepared for what the summer had in store. I arrived with zero expectations, which left endless room for them to be exceeded.
From the moment I stepped off the plane at Helsinki Airport, the tranquillity I was searching for simply found me. I cycled along the crowd-free streets of Helsinki, walked along Turku's beloved canal and discovered the archipelago, each offering something I desperately needed. Everything, including my mind, became still. The biggest disturbance I came across was the peaceful chirping of birds. The days stretched out thanks to the midnight sun, which created a dreamlike reality where time lost its usual grip.
Food became an unexpected central theme, too. In Turku, Finland's oldest city, I quickly became acquainted with its culinary scene that favours local ownership over chains, with dishes prepared with the freshest ingredients. I began to adore the harmonious blend of city life, nature, and gastronomy, which are all accessible within a short city break. To experience the best of it, I recommend focusing on the Helsinki and Turku regions, just 1.5 hours apart. Here are some of my top experiences that make a summer in Finland unforgettable.
The best things to do in Finland in the summer
Set sail around the world's largest archipelago
Just 20 minutes from central Turku, Finland’s archipelago awaits – a sprawling network of over 40,000 islands scattered throughout the region. Whether gliding on a classic sailboat or bouncing across on an RIB, the only sound you’ll hear is the wind cutting through the silence.
Brightly painted summer cabins peek through the dense forest, their bold reds and yellows creating bursts of colour against the endless green and blue. Stay overnight at Villa Wolax, one of the archipelago’s gateways, for the ultimate retreat: post-sailing indulgence includes traditional wood-burning saunas, unwinding in an outdoor jacuzzi and grilling fresh catch while soaking in unobstructed sea views.
Address: Villa Wolaxin tie 40, 21620 Kuusisto, Finland
Website: villawolax.fi/english.php#
Experience a unique fusion at Nomad Food & Wine
Based in the heart of Helsinki, Nomad Food & Wine tells Senegalese chef Paco Ndiaye's story through food, blending three culinary worlds into one compelling fusion narrative. His African heritage, classical Italian training, and Finland's seasonal produce create deeply personal, inventive dishes that absolutely work, like jollof-style arancini with velvety tomato sauce or fufu-gnocchi with spinach and vegetable stew.
The beige-hued dining room is lined with colourful art, softened by ambient lighting and anchored by an open kitchen. Mbalax, among other contemporary sounds, play gently in the background. The five-course surprise menu is essential, paired with either curated wines or distinctive hibiscus cocktails.
Address: Lönnrotinkatu 18, 00120 Helsinki
Website: nomadfoodandwine.com
Sweat it out in a Finnish sauna
You can't visit Finland without experiencing the sauna – it's not just wellness here, it's a way of life. Most locals have one at home or at their summer cabin, making it a daily ritual worth experiencing to understand what makes Finns tick. Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki offers the perfect initiation to this: a waterfront complex where locals and travellers gather for the traditional cycle of sweat, plunge into the 9°C sea pool, repeat. Surrounded by the sea, their wood-scented sauna features a panoramic sea view. For private sauna sessions elsewhere, bring along a Long Drink, Finland's beloved tinned gin cocktail that's practically a national treasure – you can’t go wrong with the pineapple flavour.
Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2 a, 00160 Helsinki, Finland
Website: allaspool.fi
Cycle through Helsinki like a local
Helsinki’s flat terrain and unusually calm roads lend themselves to its cycling culture. Take a HELtour guided ride and cruise along the seafront on sleek black bikes, each handcrafted with a single gear, making it easy for all to enjoy. Sociable and friendly founder Riku leads you through the city’s highlights and local favourites, including the striking Helsinki Central Library Oodi, with its wooden façade and soaring glass interior that is an energetic hub for toddlers to pensioners. Between attractions, Riku also makes stops to explain Finnish history and contemporary culture. Request a detour to Blue Villa Café for buttery Finnish pastries by the water, and if you're adventurous, try the nostalgic tar-flavoured ice cream, a quirky but beloved local classic.
Address: Hotel F6, Fabianinkatu 6, 00130 Helsinki, Finland
Website: heltours.com
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Dine alongside Turku’s Aura River
Turku’s tree-lined Aura River, commonly known as Turku Canal, gently cuts through the heart of the city, becoming the ultimate local hangout every summer. As daylight stretches past 10pm, the waterfront becomes an open-air gathering where locals wine, dine, and socialise, making it ideal for people-watching and soaking up Turku’s relaxed summer energy. Restaurants and cafés line the water’s edge, with most sourcing their ingredients from nearby farms and forests, reinforcing Turku’s reputation as Finland’s food capital. Tinta is the go-to for casual dining with standout dishes like Korean-style beef pita with house kimchi or the Finnish beef skewer with horseradish aioli. For something more elevated, head underground to Smör, a Michelin-recommended restaurant serving seasonal Nordic tasting menus bursting with creativity.
Smör address: Läntinen Rantakatu 3, 20100 Turku, Finland
Website: smor.fi
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Stroll through and dine at Hakaniemi Market Hall
Step inside this two-level red-brick building, where exposed steel beams and arched windows set the tone for a market steeped in tradition. You’ll find stalls selling everything from fresh fish to flaky Finnish pastries. Don’t leave without trying a warm Karelian pasty — rye crust filled with rice porridge—or sampling the country’s love-it-or-hate-it liquorice. Upstairs, grab a table at Kirsikka, a laid-back restaurant and bar where sunlight floods in through wide windows and chefs greet you with a wide smile from the open kitchen. The minute steak with truffle butter and fries is a crowd favourite, best enjoyed from a window seat as the outdoor market comes to life in summer.
Address: Hakaniemen kauppahalli, Hämeentie 1, 00530 Helsinki
Website: hakaniemenkauppahalli.fi