Finnish Lakes - places to go/things to do

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We are going to Finland next week. A couple of nights in Helsinki and then a week staying at 3 locations in the Finnish Lakelands. We have been putting together a bit of an itinerary and would appreciate tips on must sees as well as any general advice on Finland in the summer. I’ve heard mosquitoes are a problem. Also has anyone been to the theme park in Helsinki?
We are a family of 4, kids grown up (18 and 20). Thank you 🙂

I've never been but this sounds amazing!

We went to Finland in July a few years ago, further north than you are going. If you are anywhere near here this place was amazing for watching brown bears in the wild and also we stayed there canoed in their river and they had lovely homemade Finnish food and juices.

www.arolabear.com/

Have a lovely time.

We did not have too much issue with mosquitoes that I remember though take repellent and cover up. One thing did find it definitely plan everything in advance as you are doing as there were miles and miles of nothing. We also had a bit of a shock in the saunas that people were naked though my DD saw the sign and said its just orange swimming costumes that are banned so we are fine to go into the women's sauna in our non orange swimming costumes.

We also went white water rafting, loads of reindeer were we were including some white ones, and summer toboggan run but was further north. Beaches there to yourself.

It's a very long time since we went so things may have changed but the Sami museum at Inari was excellent and a ride in a sea-plane taxi used to be cheap as chips in what is an expensive company.

Company??? I mean country!

"my DD saw the sign and said its just orange swimming costumes that are banned so we are fine to go into the women's sauna in our non orange swimming costumes."

Eh? Do the Finns have some sauna-based feud with the Dutch or something?

Not sure Power but a big sign with an orange swimming costume with a X on it. I will need to buy another swimming costume if I go back as since I had breast cancer surgery the only reasonably priced costume could get was orange.

I suspect you misunderstood the sign. There's no issue with orange (although the thought is quite amusing). The issue is with swimsuits. Most saunas don't allow swimsuits in Finland as it's believed that the heat means swimsuits release chemicals into the air that can harm sauna users. In some saunas swimsuit wearing foreigners are tolerated but in most saunas swimsuits aren't allowed. If you don't want to be naked, covering up with a towel is more acceptable.

Following as this sounds amazing
Is it too early for the northern lights or would you have to be further north ?

Finland is wonderful in summer! They are currently experiencing a heatwave, this may still be the case next week!

Swimming costumes are definitely frowned upon at public saunas as they are deemed unhygienic. If you have your own private sauna then wear one if you wish so ( it is much more comfortable without one though).

When in Helsinki, I'd recommend visiting Suomenlinna www.suomenlinna.fi/en/ Which is an ancient island military base. It has a myriad of tunnels to explore, beautiful scenic spots and it's very popular with locals for picnics on sunny days. Take the public transport ferry there, not the overpriced tourist ones.

I wouldn't bother with the amusement park tbh. Your young adult DC might enjoy an evening at the Kallio neighbourhood, www.myhelsinki.fi/en/see-and-do/neighbourhoods/kallio-alppiharju-and-s%C3%B6rn%C3%A4inen/kallio

Find Santa Fe restaurant off Mikonkatu, the food is mediocre but the outdoor seating in the inner courtyard is hugely popular with locals (at least used to be!) and is great for people watching.

Mosquitoes - my DH is always eaten alive, me they tend to leave alone. No rhyme nor reason!

Alcohol - only beer and cider (so many cider flavours to choose from!) are sold in supermarkets, sprits and wine are sold in Alko, government controlled establishment. If you see one, stock up Alko closes early on Saturdays and is shut on Sundays, don't get caught out with that one .

Supermarkets have a kilometre long candy and ice-cream isles. Try some of the crazy flavours, licorice-lemon ice-cream is my favourite 😍

Oh and enjoy what's left of the midnight sun 😍The further north you go, the sun doesn't set until at about 11pm-12midnight.

Where in the lakes are you heading to?

F

That's an awful long way from the lakeland

Where are you dealing in lakeland. Tampere has some interesting museums including a Moomin museum.