thisisFINLAND

Why are saunas so dear to people in Finland?

Almost every building in Finland has a sauna. Two sauna enthusiasts tell what makes their favourite sauna so special.

Heads up for Helsinki’s urban overstory: Lions and gargoyles and bears, oh my!

If you elevate your gaze, Helsinki’s architecture contains surprising details. Mythical creatures, solemn figures and watchful animals perch high above street level.

Life & society Architecture

Lahti, Finland chooses most beautiful building as city celebrates 120th anniversary

Residents of the southern Finnish city of Lahti have selected a 19th-century manor house as their city’s most beautiful building.

Arts & culture Design

How Finnish glass design enchanted the world and keeps evolving

From kitchen cabinets to museum displays, Finnish glass design turns everyday objects into timeless art. Our reporter visits Finland’s last remaining glassworks and explores how a small country became a powerhouse of modern glass design.

Life & society Society

Trams carry the future in Helsinki and elsewhere in Finland

From the hum of the motor to the clatter of the tracks, people connect Helsinki’s trams with modern daily life and historical memories. This mode of transport will play a central role in the future of the capital and other cities in Finland.

Business & innovation Technology

Finland enjoys a golden age of Northern Lights

Sodankylä Geophysical Observatory might seem like a bunch of humble buildings in the middle of nowhere. Yet, there a team of top scientists works to unravel the mysteries of the Northern Lights. The director, space physicist Eija Tanskanen, has good news for aurora spotters: the active years have just started.

Business & innovation Fashion

Finnish workwear: Fashioned with purpose

Wearing Finnish design brings a touch of Finland to professional settings, where first impressions and lasting impact matter more than ever.

Business & innovation Innovation

How Finland’s snow storage is shaping the future of skiing

How does Finland manage to open ski slopes long before the first natural snowfalls? The secret lies in storing snow from the previous winter.

Life & society Nature

Nature photographers find a haven in Kuusamo, northern Finland

With its rugged fells, ancient forests and mirror-like lakes, Kuusamo offers nature photographers a front row seat to the magic of Finland’s wilderness.

Arts & culture Music

Spotlight on Vörå, Finland: the local impact of KAJ’s Eurovision success

The Swedish-speaking Finnish trio KAJ represented Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest with a cheerful sauna song that was the hot favourite to win the final last May. In the end, they came in fourth – but they went from local heroes to viral international phenomenon, transforming their home village in the process.

Arts & culture Film

Finland taps tragicomic film, 100 Litres of Gold, for Oscars

Teemu Nikki’s darkly comic drama is Finland’s official submission for the 2026 Academy Award for Best International Feature Film.

Life & society Cuisine

The taste of Finnish nature: Where forest meets fine dining

Fancy getting a taste of Finnish nature? Head to one of these restaurants!

Arts & culture Music

Rising stars: These young fiddlers carry on Finland’s pelimanni folk music tradition

In the small town of Kaustinen, a hotspot for Finnish folk music, two young musicians are making waves. Erkki Virkkala and Iikka Huntus are part of a new generation keeping the pelimanni (folk music) tradition vibrant, blending skill, creativity and a love of playing together.

Life & society Travel

Discover the charm of Tankar Lighthouse Island, off the Finnish coast

Tankar Lighthouse Island, off the western seaboard of Finland, blends centuries of maritime history with pristine nature, welcoming visitors to explore trails, wildlife and seafaring heritage.

Life & society Sports

Wolves, owls and lions: Why Finland names its national teams after animals

Wolves howl, owls swoop, lions roar – and so do Finnish national sports teams. In Finland, naming your team after a wild animal is part of the game.

Life & society History

Fly into history along Finland’s south coast, in a vintage DC-3

Join us to see the south coast of Finland from a rare vantage point: the country’s oldest airworthy DC-3 passenger aircraft, offering expansive vistas and a journey back in time.

Life & society Environment

How to sleep under the stars: 3 unforgettable stays in Finnish nature

Whether it’s a traditional night under canvas, a sleek eco-cabin on a remote island or a luxurious glamping tent on the edge of a national park, spend the night embraced by Finnish nature.