Category: Visit Finland

What is the Hottest City in Finland?

If you want to find the hottest places, where should you go?

Summer weather in Finland isn’t usually very hot, but pleasently warm. By the statistics, the coastal towns are the sunniest in Finland, but not always the warmest. If you want to find the hottest places, where should you go?
What is the hottest city in Finland?

The Highest Temperature – City of Joensuu

Temperature in Finland is rarely above 30 °C (86 °F), and very rarely above 30 °C (95 °F). The highest temperature ever recorded in Finland was 37,2 °C (99 °F). This record was made in the city of Kouvola on July 29th, in 2010.

The Hottest Heat Wave – Village of Nellim

Summers in northern Finland are usually not as warm as in southern Finland. But sometimes the temperatures turn upside down, and it might be warmer in Lapland than in southern Finland. Especially the summer of 1972 was very warm in Lapland. Temperatures were over 30 °C (86 °F) in many places, including in Utsjoki, which is the northernmost place in Finland. But the hottest heat wave was experienced in a Village of Nellim, where the daily maximum temperature was over 30 °C for ten (10) consecutive days between June 30th and July 9th.

The Highest Number of Hot Days – City of Kouvola

Summers aren’t usually very hot in Finland. Usually there are just 10-15 days when the temperature is above 25 °C (77 °F). These hot days are called “hellepäivät” in Finnish. But there have also been summers, when the number of hot days have been much higher. In 2010, in the city of Kouvola, there were 48 hot days. This is the highest number of hot days ever recorded in Finland. So Kouvola has recorded the highest number of hot days, but also some other cities in Finnish Lakeland region have come quite close. City of Lahti had 47 hot days in 2010, city of Heinola 46 in 2018, city of Mikkeli 44 in 2018 and city of Lappeeranta 42 in 2014.

What is the Hottest City in Finland?

So what is the answer to our question. By the statistics, it looks quite simple. If you want to experience the highest number of sunny days, visit Finnish Coast and Archipelago. If you want to have the most number of hot days, visit Finnish Lakeland. Or if you are dreaming that the hot heat wave returns, visit Finnish Lapland. But no matter which you choose, you have made a great choice!

Amusement Parks in Finland

What a better way to spend a summer day in Finland than a visit to an amusement park

Amusement parks are great family fun destinations as there is always something to do for the whole family. In addition to the rides, there are usually many fun activities for visitors of all ages. So what a better way to spend a summer day in Finland than a visit to an amusement park. There are four amusement parks in Finland to choose from…or why not visit all of them.

These are the 4 Amusement Parks in Finland

Linnanmäki, Helsinki

Probably the best known amusement park in Finland is the Linnanmäki in Helsinki. Opened in 1950, it is the oldest amusement park in Finland. Linnanmäki’s best known attraction is an old wooden roller coaster called “Vuoristorata” (which is a Finnish word for a roller coaster). Although the Vuoristorata is almost as old as the amusement park itself, it is still the most popular ride, and one of the must-to-do things in Linnanmäki. In total there are about 40 rides for visitors of all ages. And in addition to the rides, there are also games, cafes and restaurants. And another interesting destination, the Sea Life Helsinki aquarium is located right next to Linnanmäki.

Address Tivolitie 1, Helsinki
Visit Linnanmäki’s website for more information

Särkänniemi, Tampere

Särkänniemi is the number one attraction in the city of Tampere. Located on a beautiful place by the Lake Näsijärvi, Särkänniemi is a real family fun destination. In addition to the amusement park, there is also a petting zoo, aquarium and Särkänniemi’s best known landmark, an observation tower which offers great views of the city of Tampere. Of course, the Särkänniemi amusement park is worth a visit alone with about 30 rides for visitors of all ages

Address Laiturikatu 1, Tampere
Visit Särkänniemi’s website for more information

PowerPark, Alahärmä

PowerPark in Alalahärmä, in Ostrobothnia is the latest and the largest amusent park in Finland. In total the PowerPark covers an area of 160 hectares. The amusement park has over 40 rides, including 8 roller coasters. But PowerPark is much more than just an amusement park. You can experience the 5D movie theatre with special effects, go racing on an international-level karting circuit, try minigolf, play games in the arcade center, or visit the wonderous troll village. So the PowerPark isn’t just an amusement park, it is called Funland PowerPark (Huvivaltio PowerPark in Finnish)

Address Puistotie 3, Härmä
Visit PowerPark’s website for more information

Tykkimäki, Kouvola

Tykkimäki is located on top of a hill in the city of Kouvola. Tykkimäki amusement park has almost 40 amusement parks as well as cafes and restaurants. On a hot day, you might also want to visit the water park and cool off on wild water rides. Luckily, there is one just around the corner. The Tykkimäki water park is located on the shore of a lake, within walking distance from the amusement park. You can visit these parks separately or both at the same time. There is also a beach and a nature trail by the lake, which are open to everyone.

Address Kanuunakuja 2, Kouvola
Visit Tykkimäki’s website for more information

These are the Seven World Heritage Sites in Finland

Did you know that there are seven World Heritage Sites in Finland? If you love history, you’ll might find these very interesting!

Did you know that there are seven World Heritage Sites in Finland?
These are Suomenlinna, Old Rauma, Petäjävesi Old Church, Verla Groundwood and Board Mill, Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age Burial Site, Struve Geodetic Arc and Kvarken Archipelago. Kvarken Archipelago is the only natural heritage site, all the others are cultural heritage sites.

World Heritage Sites in Finland

1. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna sea fortress is sometimes called the “Gibraltar of the North”. Construction of this mighty sea fortress began in 1748. Built on group of islands, there are about 200 buildings in an area of 80 hectares. The total lenght of the defensive walls is about six kilometres. Suomenlinna became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991.

Visit the Suomenlinna website for more information

2. Verla Groundwood and Board Mill

The Verla Groundwood and Board Mill (Verlan puuhiomo ja pahvitehdas in Finnish) is a well-preserved example of small-scale rural industrial settlement. The Groundwood Mill was established in 1872 and the Board Mill in 1882. Production ended at the mill in 1964, and in 1972 the Verla Mill became Finland’s first factory museum. It became a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Visit the Verla Mill Museum website for more information.

3. Petäjävesi Old Church

Petäjävesi Old Church (Petäjäveden Vanha Kirkko in Finnish) is a representative of the architectural tradition of wooden churches in northern Europe. The church was built between 1763 and 1765 and has been preserved as a monument since the 1950s. It was added to the World Heritage List in 1994. You can visit this unique building in Petäjävesi, about 30 kilometres from Jyväskylä.

Visit the Petäjävesi Old Church website for more information.

4. Old Rauma

Old Rauma is a typical Scandinavian wooden town. It forms a unified area of historical, single-storey buildings, a partly medieval street network and a viable urban community. Old Rauma became a World Heritage Site in 1996.

Visit Old Rauma website for more information.

5. Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age Burial Site

About 20 km from Old Rauma is located another World Heritage Site. The Sammallahdenmäki Bronze Age Burial Site (Sammallahdenmäen pronssikautinen hautaröykkiöalue in Finnish) forms the largest and most varied burial site on the Gulf of Bothnia. In the area there are 36 burial cairns at the rugged and rocky World Heritage Site.

Visit the Sammallahdenmäki website for more information.

6. Struve Geodetic Arc

The Struve Geodetic Arc is a chain of survey triangulations stretching 2820 km from Norway to the Black Sea. They were laid between 1816 and 1855 under the direction of German astronomer Friedrich Georg Wilhelm Struve, with the aim of determining the size and shape of the Earth. This marked an important step in the development of earth sciences and topographic mapping. In Finland there are six station points. These are located in Pyhtää, Lapinjärvi, Korpilahti, Tornio, Ylitornio and Enontekiö.

7. Kvarken Archipelago

The Kvarken Archipelago is the only natural heritage site in Finland. As the land uplift in the Kvarken is very intense, the archipelago is constantly changing shape. This is the best place in the world to experience and understand the land uplift phenomenon caused by the last Ice Age.

For more info about the World Heritage Sites in Finland
visit Finnish Heritage Agency’s website
Image of Suomenlinna by Jussi Hellsten / Visit Finland

What is the Sunniest City in Finland?

Finnish Meteorological Institute have been gathering data on how many hours sun shines in certain places in Finland. Based on this data, cities like Helsinki, Kotka and Parainen have quite good rankings on “sunny hours”

Okay, first a little let down. Although there are places in Finland which call themselves the sunniest, we don’t really know which actually is the sunniest city in Finland. But thanks to the data provided by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, we can make a pretty good guess.

Finnish Meteorological Institute have been gathering data on how many hours sun shines in certain places in Finland. Based on this data, cities like Helsinki, Kotka and Parainen have quite good rankings on “sunny hours”. Unfortunately data isn’t gathered in every city, so making an accurate list is not possible. However, it is known, and what the data also suggests, there is usually there a better chance to get to enjoy sunshine in coastal cities compared to the inland cities.

So if we are going to make a list of the sunniest cities in Finland, we should pick up some coastal towns. So here you go. The (unoffical) list of the sunniest cities in Filand.

The 10 Sunniest Cities in Finland, perhaps…

  • Kotka
  • Helsinki
  • Hanko
  • Turku
  • Naantali
  • Parainen
  • Oulu
  • Vaasa
  • Rauma
  • Pori

Source:
Finnish Meteorological Institute

These are Finland’s 10 Biggest Cities

Finland’s population of just 5.4 million means that even the biggest cities in Finland are fairly small. The biggest one is Finland’s capital Helsinki with a population of over 650 000.

Finland’s population of just 5.4 million means that even the biggest cities in Finland are fairly small. The biggest one is Finland’s capital Helsinki with a population of over 650 000. The capital region, which includes 3 out of 5 biggest cities in Finland (Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa) is home for about 1.2 million people. Other “big” cities in Finland, with a population of over 100 000, are Turku, Tampere, Oulu, Jyväskylä, Kuopio and Lahti.

Finland’s 10 Biggest Cities by Population (31.12.2021)

1. Helsinki

Helsinki is Finland’s capital and the biggest city.
The population of Helsinki is 658 457.
Here are 10 fun facts about Helsinki!

2. Espoo

Espoo is located right next to Helsinki, and is part of Helsinki region.
Population of Espoo is 297 132.

3. Tampere

Tampere is Finland’s third biggest city. It is located about 180 km of Helsinki.
The population of Tampere is 244 223.

4. Vantaa

Vantaa is located north of Helsinki, and is part of Helsinki region.
The population of Vantaa is 239 206.

5. Oulu

Oulu is the fifth largest city and the northernmost of these big ten.
The population of Oulu is 209 551.

6. Turku

Turku is the oldest city in Finland, and the old capital before Helsinki.
The population of Turku is 195 137.
Here are 10 fun facts about Turku!

7. Jyväskylä

Jyväskylä is the seventh biggest city in Finland.
The population of Jyväskylä is 144 473.

8. Kuopio

Kuopio is eight biggest city in Finland.
The population of Kuopio is 121 543.
Here are 10 fun facts about Kuopio!

9. Lahti

Lahti is located about 100 km of Helsinki.
The population of Lahti is 120 027.

10. Pori

Pori is located on the west coast of Finland.
The population of Pori is 83 482.

Source:
Statistics Finland
Map by Finland Toolbox (edited)