Cottages Finland
If you want to escape from city life, Finland is the place to go. The whole land is a wild expansion of nature with seemingly no traces of civilization, almost like one big nature reserve. Venture out in this not-so-known marvel and get a real sense of Finland's scenic beauty. Choose one of our Finnish holiday homes: cottages, chalets, villas and more, are the perfect way to enjoy and relax not only while exploring this beautiful country, but also when you go back after an exhausting and adventurous day!
Finland is the place to be for nature lovers as it offers many different sorts of experiences. The word to perhaps describe the country’s nature would be contrast, with the most obvious differences between the seasons. The lake where you used to swim and sail in in summer has turned into a magnificent winter wonderland perfect for ice skating. Most of the country’s population is located in the south, whether in the north you will find vast unpopulated forests and high barren landscape of artic Lapland. When visiting Finland, finding lakes and unspoiled nature will never take you long.
Diversity all year round
Within Europe, Finland is one of the most diverse countries when it comes to nature and fauna. You can technically see it as one big nature reserve. Almost nowhere in Europe is nature this exuberant and contradictory. One thing is certain when you book your trip to Finland and that is that with its natural wonders, it will be an incredible experience.
With over 180,000 lakes, in the Land of Thousands Lakes, you can expect to find water everywhere you go: blogland, shallow lakes, open waters broken down by small islands etc. This makes Finland an attractive fishing destination, just like Norway. About 65% of the country consists of coniferous forests with fairy-tale like views. Chiefly pine, spruce and birch are the most significant flora of Finland but in total there are more than 1,100 species of higher plants.
Approximately a quarter of the country lies above the Arctic Circle, and so in Finland you can encounter animals typical of both Central Europe and the North Pole, although there's not a large number of species. About 75% of all the fauna in Finland consists of insects. In the wild you can spot bears, wolves, lynxes, minks, martens, ermine foxes and the lemming. Furthermore, Finland harbors several species of reptiles, frogs and snakes of which only one is poisonous.
The abundance of water in Finland also attracts many different bird species, which makes it a great destination for bird spotting! There are over 350 different species of birds, of which 230 are migratory. Some of the most interesting species are the eagle, different kinds of owls, black and wood grouse and the snow grouse. Other species include, Siberian jay, pied wagtail, and many other seabirds which nest on the coastal islands or inland lakes.
What to do in Finland?
When going on holiday in Finland, you first need to decide if you are coming in winter of summer because it makes all the difference. Not only in landscapes but also in which kinds of activities you can undertake. The winter is characterized by snow and darkness and the summer by extreme light. Also, the range of activities depend on your location. Finland can be divided in four areas: Helsinki area, Lapland, Lakeland, and Archipelago.
There's plenty of activities for everyone, whether you like to walk in the wilderness, go for an adventurous mountain bike ride or just want to go for a picnic to take in all the beauty around you. In winter you can go ice skating, skiing, ride with a reindeer in Lapland, watch the Northern Lights, or visit father Christmas at Santapark. Summer, on the other hand, is the perfect season for hiking, biking, canoeing, swimming, and much more. As the temperature rarely goes above 30 degrees in summer, it is the ideal location for sports.
The presence of thousands of lakes makes it easy to find places in Finland to go canoeing, fishing, ice skating, or swimming during your holiday. A popular way of fishing here is fly fishing, where you use a little fake insect as bait to catch fish such as salmon or trout.
Natural highlights
Nuuksio National park
Visiting the national park Nuuksio is the perfect way to explore the Finnish wilderness on a day trip from Helsinki. Here you find far stretched coniferous forests and many blue lakes. Throughout the park there are a lot of well-marked hiking trails; you can not only hike, it also provides the opportunity to cycle, kayak, swim, riding horses, and it is the perfect picnic location. Nuuksio national park is also home to one of the largest flying squirrel populations in Finland, which is why it has been chosen as the emblem species of the park. Tons of threatened species of animals, fungi and plants inhabit the park such as the European nightjar and the woodlark.
Koli National park
Koli National park overlooks lake Pielinen and is one of the most gorgeous natural sights. The lake is situated in Northerland Karelina in the east of Finland and borders Russia. On the highest hill of the park, Ukko-Koli, you can experience the magnificent view. This park preserves the agricultural heritage of the area and you can spot cows and sheep grazing in the meadows. Throughout the park, at least 4,000 species have been found which is the largest number of any Finnish natural park. It is a park which, with its views, has inspired many artists and musicians. The park offers around 80 km of marked hiking trails. In winter, Ukko-koli turns into a ski resort for advanced downhill skiing, the ski slopes go up to 1,500 meters long.
Halti
Halti is a fell at the border between Norway and Finland. With a peak of 1,324 meters, it is the highest point in the country, which makes for a fantastic view of the surrounding below. Halti is the only true mountain range in Finland: in the warmer months you can easily hike up the mountain but the weather conditions in winter make it a bit more difficult.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is the third largest national park of Finland and is located in the Lapland area. With its high fell, it is the perfect place to see some artic species. Most of the park consists of primeval forests and multiple types of muskeg. In the park there are over 350 km of hiking trails. Furthermore, you can mountain bike, paddle, ski and snowshoe in the park. Typical plants in the treeless areas include low-growing plants like crowberry, dwarf birch and pincushion plants. The park also has many streams, ponds and lakes. Try to spot some of the animals that live the area, such as reindeer, hares, foxes, weasels, lemming, bears or the lynx. In winter, the park experiences polar nights with temperatures reaching -30 degrees. On clear nights, stars, planets and the northern lights can be seen.
Utsjoki, Finnish Lapland
Utsjoki is the most northern municipality of Finland. It is a very quiet area, but this does not mean there is nothing to do. The lack of people means unspoiled landscapes which offer the perfect place to discover nature. Here you will find breath-taking Arctic landscape, surrounded by national parks and nature reserves. It is a place for outdoor fans and nature lovers. Explore the snow-covered environment by snowmobile, a husky sled or snowshoes. It is also a prime spot to see the Northern Lights from late August until early April.
Unmissable destinations
Rovaniemi, Lapland
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland and the hometown of Santa clause. In winter it is the perfect spot to go and see the Northern lights and there are therefore many trips organized to spot the auroras. You can also go on a snowmobile excursion or discover the (snowy) wilderness. Part of the great taiga forest which stretches across North of Scandinavia and Russia are in the heart of Rovaniemi. In summer it is perfect for hiking and cycling activities, or swim in the rivers. Up for an adventure? Hop on a jet ski and enjoy the midnight sun. For both seasons, Rovaniemi offers great adventures with amazing landscapes in the middle of Lapland.
Ranua, Lapland
Even though it is only a small town, Ranua does not lack in its natural beauty. Just east of the town, lake Ranuajärvi stretches out where there are a lot of fishing and watersport activities. There are also many river rapids and bogs. In Ranua, you find the famous wildlife park which is home of the only polar bears living in Finland, as well as wolverines, otters, snow owls, elk, and other arctic animal species. There are also some very unique ways to explore the Finnish nature: take a ride in a carriage pulled by Finn horses through the majestic forests, or a reindeer sleigh ride.
What is the weather like?
Most of Finland lies so far north that it has the same latitudes as Siberia and Alaska and approximately 25% of the country is north of the Artic Circle. This means that in winter all the water is frozen and snow covers the landscapes for several months. In summer, the sun can stay above the horizon for more than 70 days which is also known as the midnight sun. Even Helsinki, the capital of Finland, then has 24 hours of daylight because the sun just dips under and then rises again. From September to March, you also have the opportunity to see the famous Northern Lights marvel in the sky.
Finland is a country where there are major contrasts between the four different seasons and they can greatly influence your holiday. Predominantly, Finland has a subarctic climate with cool summers, the southern coast having more mild summers; winter is the season that lasts the longest, it starts around October and can last until mid-May. Winter is also characterized by the polar nights, which are around 50 days where the sun does not rise above the horizon and it is completely dark all the time. It is so cold that all the lakes freeze completely, and even parts of the sea are frozen. Temperatures are pushed below -20 degrees and in northern Lapland this can even become -50 degrees. Summers tend to be rather short. As the sun does not rise in the north during winter, the sun does not set here in summer. Temperatures vary from 20 to 30 degrees. Rainfall is moderate throughout the year with a peak in August. Half of the precipitation in the North falls as snow.
The best time to visit Finland is from June to mid-August, with warm temperatures which are perfect for outdoor activities. But if you are a snow lover, March is the perfect time for you as the amount of daylight is improving and there still is plenty of snow. Finland also faces multiple weather hazards such as snowstorms, avalanches and floods, so always look at the forecast to make sure you plan your holiday well and in safety!
Cozy up in a nature house
With is contrasting nature, Finland is a must visit holiday destination for all nature lovers. For those who want to experience a real winter wonderland with frozen lakes, majestic snowy scenery, go ice skating or skiing, or want to go on a ride with huskies, the country offers it all when you pay it a visit in winter. But also, in summer Finland is the perfect destination for your trip as the summers are rather mild. Perfect for hiking, cycling, horse riding, and many watersport activities. With your stay in one of our nature houses in Finland, an unforgettable experience in nature is guaranteed.
No matter where or when you are going, the location of the houses is going to bring you as close to nature as possible. You can choose a house by the water, in the woods, near the sea, or even in the middle of nowhere. All of the cottages in Finland offer you everything you need from your holiday house. Do you want extra comfort? Choose a house with a pool, a jacuzzi or a fireplace. So, what are you waiting for? Book your stay in a nature house for the perfect Finnish holiday in perhaps the most authentic way! It is the perfect way to withdraw yourself from the hustle and bustle of the cities and just relax and enjoy nature.
