Finland's most sought-after regions offer distinct advantages in natural phenomena, cultural immersion and Arctic access. From the ethereal wilderness of Lapland to the sophisticated urban elegance of Helsinki and the tranquil beauty of the lake districts, each area delivers a unique expression of luxury Nordic living.

Lapland

Lapland occupies Finland's northernmost territory within the Arctic Circle. The region provides optimal Northern Lights visibility from September through March, with minimal light pollution across vast uninhabited areas. Summer brings continuous daylight for weeks. The remote location of this area ensures complete privacy within luxury rentals. Sami guides provide cultural context and expertise in Arctic terrain.

Lapland's Chalet Utsu in Levi spans 3,229 square feet across four bedrooms, where floor-to-ceiling windows dissolve the boundary between interior warmth and snow-laden forest. Modern Nordic design and a traditional Finnish sauna anchor a serene stay in Finland.

Helsinki

Helsinki occupies a peninsula extending into the Baltic Sea, surrounded by an archipelago of hundreds of islands. The capital combines Nordic design heritage with contemporary architecture, evident in landmarks from the neoclassical Senate Square to the modernist Finlandia Hall. Design manifests throughout daily life—from Arabia ceramics to Iittala glassware found in homes and restaurants. The city's sauna culture thrives in both traditional wood-burning saunas and contemporary waterfront facilities. Markets sell fresh Baltic herring, cloudberries, and seasonal produce from Finnish farms.

Lake Regions

Finland's lake districts encompass 188,000 lakes connected by rivers and canals. The Saimaa region, Europe's fourth-largest lake, anchors this network. Dense forests meet rocky shorelines, with private islands accessible only by water. The landscape shifts dramatically between seasons, but the sauna culture remains constant. Traditional wood-burning saunas sit at the water's edge—positioned for the Finnish ritual of moving between intense heat and cold immersion, a practice that defines lakeside life here more than any recreational activity.

Finland's culinary landscape reflects its pristine natural environment and Nordic heritage, where Michelin-starred innovation meets authentic regional traditions. From Helsinki's sophisticated urban dining rooms to Lapland's intimate Arctic retreats and lakeside restaurants celebrating local ingredients foraged from forests, caught from crystalline waters, and sourced from local producers, Finland's finest establishments balance modern technique with deep respect for seasonal ingredients.

Palace

The Palace occupies the 10th floor of a modernist building overlooking Helsinki's harbor. Established in 1952 for the Olympic Games, it became Finland's first Michelin-starred restaurant in 1987. As of 2022, Palace is Finland's only restaurant with two Michelin stars. The kitchen integrates Japanese technique with Nordic ingredients, best exemplified by Danish hiramasa with kombu and gooseberry ponzu. The true balance of luxury and precision is seen in Norwegian langoustine prepared with Palace Reserve XO sauce. Chefs present courses tableside throughout the multi-course tasting menu.

Grön

Grön earned its Michelin star in 2018 and holds a Michelin Green Star for sustainability practices. Chefs Toni Kostian and Johan Kurkela emphasize plant-forward cooking while incorporating premium seafood and locally raised meats. The restaurant's signature tomato tartelette—made with dried tomato skin, house-made ricotta, ramson capers, and oregano oil—concentrates seasonal flavors into a single bite. Norwegian scallops prepared with Grön's signature XO sauce demonstrate the kitchen's approach to seafood. The open kitchen displays shelves of fermenting ingredients, many sourced from the restaurant's own garden. Chefs serve courses directly to the 24-seat dining room.

King Crab House

King Crab House in Levi specializes in Red King Crab from the North Norwegian coast while also offering vegan options. The restaurant serves crab dishes with three signature sauces, including coconut with chili-ginger and the original white wine preparation. Located in the Levi ski resort, the quality of Arctic ingredients and artistic presentation create an unforgettable culinary journey.

Ravintola Roka Street Bistro

Ravintola Roka Street Bistro focuses on traditional Lappish cuisine with contemporary technique. Sautéed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberries is a Finnish specialty, alongside local game and fish from Arctic waters. The 25-seat bistro maintains a warm, intimate atmosphere where cozy interiors invite guests to linger over hearty Arctic fare.

Restaurant Solitary

Restaurant Solitary ranked 9th best restaurant in Finland in 2025. Chef and owner Remi Trémouille sources exclusively from local farmers, fishermen, and hunters in the Rantasalmi area, building seasonal menus around whatever Lake Saimaa and surrounding forests provide at any given time. The surprise menu changes frequently—sometimes multiple times per week—based on ingredient availability. Pike and Dashi Ravioli demonstrate Trémouille's approach, incorporating Italian, French, and Japanese techniques with locally caught fish. The restaurant operates within Kuru Private Resort, an adults-only lakeside retreat.

Finland's nightlife reflects the country's distinctive blend of Nordic sophistication and Arctic wonder. Helsinki's cosmopolitan scene offers rooftop cocktail bars with sweeping city views and innovative craft cocktail lounges, while Lapland transforms nightlife into otherworldly experiences within frozen venues carved entirely from ice and snow. From elegant 13th-floor terraces to bars where drinks are served in glasses sculpted from ice, Finland's evening offerings combine refined urban culture with unforgettable Arctic spectacle.

Ateljee Bar

Perched on the 12th and 13th floors of the 1931 Solo Sokos Hotel Torni, Ateljee Bar sits 70 meters above Helsinki's city center. The rooftop terraces frame views over the capital, the Baltic Sea and the harbor, creating an atmosphere as rousing and free as an artist's atelier where inspiration becomes tangible.

The 13th-floor space, accessed via a cast-iron spiral staircase, features carefully selected cocktails, champagne and an impressive collection of Finnish gin-based drinks. Open year-round with both indoor lounges and outdoor terraces, this Helsinki classic attracts crowds seeking drinks with commanding views of the city, particularly stunning at sunset when city lights begin to twinkle across the urban landscape.

Arctic SnowHotel Ice Bar

Located thirty minutes from Rovaniemi on the shores of Lake Lehtojärvi, the Ice Bar inside Arctic SnowHotel serves drinks in glasses carved entirely from ice. The entire venue is carved into ice columns and intricate snow sculptures, creating a frozen wonderland atmosphere. Open from December 15 through March 31, this winter-only space offers cocktails and specialty drinks in surroundings that exist solely during the Arctic winter season.

Lapland Hotels SnowVillage Ice Bar

Situated between Levi and Ylläs ski resorts, SnowVillage's Ice Bar is rebuilt annually with changing themes. Open daily from December 25 through April 6, the venue is constructed from over 20 million kilograms of snow and 300,000 kilograms of natural ice, with every surface carved and sculpted into Arctic art. Guests enjoy hot beverages and drinks served in frozen shot glasses while surrounded by elaborate ice sculptures. The ice bar forms part of a larger complex that includes an ice exhibition, ceremony room, movie theater, and ice slide.

Kaiku

Kaiku occupies a former factory space in Helsinki's Kallio district. The club features a sound system that international DJs have ranked among Europe's best, drawing electronic music enthusiasts Thursday through Saturday until early morning. The spacious dance floor hosts local and international DJs playing techno, house and experimental electronic music. Open since 2013, Kaiku maintains an underground aesthetic where the focus stays on the music rather than commercial appeal.

Hullu Poro Areena

Hullu Poro Areena sits next to Levi's main slopes, hosting concerts, DJ sets and parties across two floors. The venue accommodates up to 1,700 guests with 10 bars and a large dance floor. Open since 2001, the arena features international and Finnish artists performing pop, rap, rock and electronic music.

Finland's cultural institutions reflect the nation's deep commitment to design, contemporary art and Arctic heritage. From Helsinki's world-renowned museums showcasing Finnish and international masterworks to Lapland's striking science centers exploring life above the Arctic Circle, the country's venues balance innovative architecture with thoughtful curation that reveals both Finland's artistic legacy and its relationship with the northern environment.

Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

Designed by American architect Steven Holl and opened in 1998, Kiasma houses Finland's contemporary art collection with approximately 8,500 works. The collection focuses on contemporary Finnish and Nordic artists, with about 100 new works acquired annually. Kiasma's name references the architectural concept of intertwining—curved forms that connect the building to surrounding landmarks including Finlandia Hall and Töölö Bay. Holl designed the galleries to capture Finland's distinctive horizontal light, which shifts dramatically with seasons and time of day. Located on Mannerheimintie in central Helsinki, Kiasma has welcomed over 5.6 million visitors since opening.

Ateneum Art Museum

Part of the Finnish National Gallery, Ateneum houses nearly 30,000 works spanning from the 1750s through the 1960s. The collection includes Finnish masters alongside Western European art, with pieces by Vincent van Gogh, Paul Cézanne and Edvard Munch. In 1903, Ateneum became the first museum in the world to acquire a Van Gogh painting. The building, designed by Theodor Höijer and completed in 1887, features a façade adorned with symbolic statues, including busts of Bramante, Raphael, and Phidias, and caryatids representing classical art forms. Permanent collections occupy the first and second floors and feature works such as Hugo Simberg's The Wounded Angel. The third floor presents rotating exhibitions exploring specific movements and artists.

Amos Rex

Opened in August 2018 beneath the historic Lasipalatsi building, Amos Rex features underground exhibition spaces crowned by curved domes that have become iconic gathering spots in Lasipalatsi Square. Named for Amos Anderson, a Swedish-speaking Finnish publisher and arts patron, the museum presents contemporary and modernist art in 2,200 square meters of column-free exhibition space. JKMM Architects excavated 13,000 cubic meters of rock to create the underground galleries. Five conical domes with skylights bring natural light into the space while creating an undulating landscape above ground where visitors can walk, climb and peer down into the museum. The design preserves the 1936 functionalist Lasipalatsi building while providing flexible space for large-scale contemporary installations. The museum attracts approximately 250,000 visitors annually.

Arktikum

Located in Rovaniemi along the Ounasjoki River, Arktikum houses both the Arctic Centre of the University of Lapland and the Regional Museum of Lapland within a building featuring a 172-meter glass corridor. Exhibitions explore Arctic wildlife, indigenous Sámi traditions, climate change impacts, aurora borealis phenomena and Lapland's transformation from prehistory through modern times. The architecture itself tells a northern story—exhibition spaces are built underground, mimicking how Arctic animals burrow beneath snow for protection, while the glass corridor frames views of changing seasons. Local materials, including Perttaus granite flooring and Lapland pine, create an authentic sense of place.

Korundi House of Culture

Housed in a mail truck depot completed in 1933 and expanded in 2009-2010 by architect Juhani Pallasmaa, Korundi combines contemporary art museum and concert hall functions. The building is one of the few structures in Rovaniemi that survived World War II destruction. The venue presents Finnish contemporary art through rotating exhibitions. The Lapland Chamber Orchestra, the northernmost professional chamber orchestra in the European Union with 19 full-time members, performs regularly under the artistic direction of John Storgårds, who has led the ensemble since 1996. The orchestra's repertoire spans classical works to contemporary compositions and the 340-seat concert hall is noted for its acoustics.

Finland's event calendar spans extremes—midnight sun festivals in summer to Northern Lights gatherings in winter. Events range from international music and film festivals to distinctly Finnish celebrations rooted in seasonal traditions.

Helsinki Festival

Held annually for approximately 17 days from late August through early September, Helsinki Festival is the Nordic region's largest arts festival. Founded in 1968, the event features music, dance, theater, film and visual arts. Venues range from historic concert halls to repurposed industrial spaces and outdoor locations throughout the city. Night of the Arts opens the festival with a citywide celebration and hundreds of venues that stay open late into the evening.

Savonlinna Opera Festival

In 1475, Erik Axelsson Tott built Olavinlinna Castle, Finland's northernmost medieval stone fortress. Savonlinna Opera Festival takes place at this castle on Lake Saimaa and runs throughout July. Founded by soprano Aino Ackté in 1912, the festival presents world-class productions in the castle courtyard, transforming it into one of Europe's most atmospheric opera venues. The month-long festival and 2,264-seat auditorium attract approximately 70,000 visitors annually.

Flow Festival

Founded in 2004 as a small jazz and soul club event, Flow Festival has grown into one of Europe's premier contemporary music gatherings. Held annually in mid-August at the former Suvilahti power plant in Helsinki, the three-day festival attracts approximately 90,000 visitors. The industrial setting provides a distinctive backdrop for 150 artists performing across 10 venues. Musical genres span electronic, indie rock, hip-hop and experimental sounds. The festival emphasizes sustainability alongside art installations, design and culinary offerings.

Midnight Sun Film Festival

Founded in 1986 by Finnish filmmakers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki, Midnight Sun Film Festival takes place in Sodankylä, 120 kilometers above the Arctic Circle, during the second week of June. The five-day festival screens approximately 100 films continuously across four venues. The non-competitive festival attracts 15,000 to 30,000 visitors annually. Past guests have included Francis Ford Coppola, Wim Wenders and Jim Jarmusch. The informal atmosphere encourages interaction between filmmakers and audiences.

Solstice Festival

Held at Rukatunturi fell during midsummer, Solstice Festival takes place at 500 meters elevation near the Arctic Circle. The three-day gathering features international and Finnish artists performing house, techno and experimental electronic music across three stages. The intimate scale and commitment to musical quality and environmental experience have established Solstice as a favorite among electronic music enthusiasts. Access to the summit is by ski lift or stairs.

Finland offers experiences that connect visitors with Arctic wilderness and cultural traditions. Customized expeditions provide exclusive access to remote locations inaccessible by standard routes. Options range from helicopter aurora charters to private wilderness camps and archipelago yacht cruises.

Private Helicopter Aurora Expeditions

Private helicopter charters provide access to remote Arctic locations for Northern Lights viewing. Pilots navigate to sites with minimal light pollution, landing on frozen lakes or mountain summits to witness the aurora borealis dancing across the Arctic sky. Multi-hour charters can include professional photography services and gourmet catering in wilderness settings.

Wilderness Expeditions

Multi-day wilderness expeditions offer access to Finland's remote regions. Options may include helicopter or snowmobile transport to backcountry locations, with customized itineraries tailored to individual preferences.

Private Yacht Charters

The Finnish archipelago offers cruising through thousands of islands. Private yacht charters can be arranged for multi-day exploration of coastal waters and secluded locations.

Culinary Expeditions

Private dining experiences may be arranged in remote wilderness settings. Options can include locally sourced Nordic ingredients prepared in exclusive locations.

Backcountry Skiing

Helicopter access to remote terrain provides skiing opportunities in areas without resort infrastructure. Private guides can be arranged for backcountry expeditions.