If you are a lover of nature and outdoor sports, you should consider a summer trip to beautiful Finland: hiking, biking and much more!
Summer in Finland it is an intense season, with long and bright days, sunshine (not always there but when it shines it warms exactly like in Italy) and with the contagious desire to be outside. Finland is a very green and sparsely inhabited country, where nature still gives the feeling of being the master. And the Finns in the summer need to always be outdoors and in nature, always filling up with light, light and more light.
If I think that the summers in our hot cities are instead a continuous search for shelter from the sun and the heat, I understand that between us Mediterranean people and the Finns the idea of summer is not exactly the same, but I assure you that in a few days you enter the spirit and you begin to appreciate all typically Finnish activities.
Here are what I think are the 5 things to do in Finland in summer, as long as the weather permits and the days are long.
1. Activities on the lake
All the guides say that Finland is a land of water, that the lakes are innumerable, from small to very large… and it's true!
There is a lakes region in the central part of the country, but lakes are everywhere. Bathing is possible - the water is really cold - but there are many other activities to indulge in.
I have experienced both the canoe and the kayak, which are rented in many campsites or towns on the water. They will provide you with life jackets and waterproof bags to store your things. You will live a beautiful experience of absolute peace, on the waters surrounded by trees (usually firs and birches) seeing here and there a little house by the water where Finns love to spend their holidays and weekends, as well as playful fish that love to jump out. from the water.
2. Rent a bike
Bike lanes are everywhere, often lining the main roads intended for cars. In the cities, then the bike paths are inserted in the parks, to fill up with oxygen and relaxing greenery. Finns ride bicycles in all weather conditions, but in summer you can see really crowds of people moving around, among other things often sharing the cycle path with pedestrians, in a very peaceful and tolerant way.
Renting a bike costs around 20 euros per day, but drops proportionally in the case of longer rentals. In big cities there are also i municipal bike sharing, for which it is necessary to download a dedicated app.
Particularly interesting is the short tour of theTurku archipelago, which can be covered by bike through the islands of Kaarina, Pargas, Nauvo, Rymattyla, Nantali. The Archipelago offers incredible views, a sea closed by islands and islets, often smooth as oil, but surrounded by lush nature.
3. Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki
Imagine a trio of swimming pools in the center, this is essentially the charm of a sports and wellness center that overlooks the city waterfront.
Allas Sea Pool offers a sea water pool suitably filtered and heated, two swimming pools in the traditional sense with water at 27 degrees, one of which is for children and lots of outdoor space for sunbathing. There are also three saunas.
On the other hand, the external structure made entirely of wood, with a large panoramic terrace and bar, recalls the deck of a ship.
4. Eat fried muikku in the square
Muikku is a typical lake fish, a typical dish. The fish are very small and are breaded in rye flour and fried, everything is eaten, as for our anchovies. They are served with boiled vegetables at a price ranging between 8 and 12 euros per plate in stalls that you will find on the market squares - Kauppatori - of many cities: Helsinki, Oulu, Savonlinna. Eating muikku outdoors, overlooking the sea or the lake, is an unforgettable experience, especially for the palate.
5. Trekking in a park
National parks are everywhere in Finland, I recommend Pyha Luosto, about 30 km north of Rovaniemi in Lapland. The visitor center of Pyha gives you all the instructions to walk in a few hours or more days perfectly equipped and marked paths in splendid forests; with clean toilets (yes, you read that right), spaces dedicated to barbeque, unforgettable views.
With the middle of September at these latitudes begins ruska, the autumn season of foliage with the hottest and most inflamed colors of the foliage. Finnish summer greets you!
