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Hei From Finland

Hei From Finland
Your local guide to Finland
  • 5 Things First-Timers Ask About Finnish Summer Cottages

    5 Things First-Timers Ask About Finnish Summer Cottages

    August 1, 2026August 1, 2026 Local Culture & Traditions

    I’ve spent over 30 summers at a Finnish summer cottage and I’m still not bored with it. You might be thinking: “After all that time, doesn’t it get old?” But here’s the truth: summer cottages in Finland aren’t about doing exciting things. They’re the places where most Finns…

    Read More 5 Things First-Timers Ask About Finnish Summer CottagesContinue

  • Why I think every Finland trip needs a summer cottage

    Why I think every Finland trip needs a summer cottage

    July 18, 2026July 27, 2026 Seasonal Experiences, Local Culture & Traditions

    And with that I mean, No electricity. No running water. An outdoor toilet in the woods. Sounds like a nightmare? Or does it sound like the adventure of a lifetime?I really hope it’s the second one, because I genuinely think every Finland trip should include a traditional summer…

    Read More Why I think every Finland trip needs a summer cottageContinue

Hei, I'm Sofia! A Finnish local helping you discover a side of Finland most travelers never get to experience. From hidden gems and unique stays to seasonal adventures and local tips, you'll find everything you need to plan an unforgettable trip.

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I don’t even want to say this… but sadly, summer i I don’t even want to say this… but sadly, summer is coming to an end 😭 And if we’re being real right now, I honestly feel like it hasn’t even started yet. Mainly because it has been one of the coldest summers in Finland in a while. This makes me sad every single summer. I’ve kept saying this all summer long: Finnish summer is so damn magical and I think everyone should experience it. You might be tired of hearing me say that by now, but… I’m not wrong 😉 This summer was pretty great for me. I continued exploring Finland and discovered some new places, like Seili and Herrankukkaro, revisited some old favourites like Kurala and Rauma and even made a little trip to Moominworld, a place I hadn’t visited in years 😁 And looking back at all these photos, I think I need to accept that summer actually did happen. Even if it still feels like it should be June 🥲 💬 Which one of these places would you want to visit? Finnish summer, summer in Finland, Finland travel, Finland destinations, places to visit in Finland, Finland itinerary, Finland travel tips, Finnish Archipelago, Turku Archipelago, summer in Turku, things to do in Finland, Finland vacation, Finland trip
If you're looking for a unique place to stay in Fi If you're looking for a unique place to stay in Finland… this might just be as unique as it gets 😍 Because you can stay in a BIRDHOUSE! 🐦 Just like we did and it was such a cool and peaceful experience. Hosted stay with @herrankukkaronaantali ☀️ A few things to know about Herrankukkaro and what makes it worth a visit: 📍 Herrankukkaro is located in Rymättylä, in the Turku Archipelago, about 40 minutes from Turku. 🐦 They have several accommodation options, including different birdhouses, which makes for a pretty unique place to sleep. I mean… how often do you get to say you slept in a birdhouse? 😍 🪵 Sauna is a big part of the experience here. They have the world’s largest smoke sauna and even as a Finn, it felt so different from the small, traditional wooden saunas I’m used to. 🔥 You can also book an evening meal by the fire, where you get to cook the food yourself. I thought this was such a fun experience! Sitting around the fire, cooking our own meal and just enjoying the surroundings made the whole evening feel really special. 🌿 I also really loved how much nature is part of the whole experience. The place is right by the water, surrounded by the Finnish archipelago, so you really feel like you’re getting away from everything for a little while. So if you're looking for somewhere that feels very Finnish and a little different from the usual hotel stay, I'd definitely put this one on your list 💯 📌 Save this post so you can come back to it when planning your Finland trip! I’ve also written a full guide to Herrankukkaro on my blog with more information about the stay, what you can do there and what to know before visiting. Comment 'BIRD' and I'll send you the link 🥰 Would you stay in a birdhouse? 🐦😍 unique places to stay in Finland, unique accommodation Finland, birdhouse accommodation Finland, Finnish sauna experience, smoke sauna Finland, Turku Archipelago, Finnish Archipelago, places to stay near Turku, things to do in Turku Archipelago, Finland itinerary
Finland is a country of forests, lakes and endless Finland is a country of forests, lakes and endless opportunities to be outdoors 🌲 And for me as a local, that's one of the things I appreciate most about living here. When I was a kid, nature was basically my playground. We built little houses from rocks and sticks, played hide and seek in the forest and spent hours outside without really thinking about it. I don't exactly play hide and seek in the forest anymore 😄 but nature has stayed just as important to me 🫶🏼 These days, it's where I go when I want to be alone. When I need to unplug. When my head feels a little too full and I just need some quiet. And that's why you'll always hear me say this: When you visit Finland, don't skip the nature 🌲🌼🌿 Yes, come for Helsinki. Visit the cute towns. Eat all the cinnamon buns you possible can. But please, please leave some time to get outdoors too. Because Finnish nature isn't just beautiful. It's such a huge part of what makes Finland... Finland 🥹 Tomorrow is Finnish Nature Day, so you can bet your ass I'll be spending at least part of the day somewhere outdoors, appreciating the gorgeous nature we have here 🫶🏼 (posting this today already because I won't be online tomorrow ✌🏼) And I hope you'll get to experience it too someday 🥰 Finland travel, Finland travel tips, Finland itinerary, Finland guide, Finland summer, Finland hidden gems, Finnish summer, Finland bucket list, Things to do in Finland, summer in finland, finnish nature, nature in finland #finnishnatureday @outdoorfinland @suomenluonnonpaiva
If you didn't know by now, I was born and raised i If you didn't know by now, I was born and raised in Turku, so the Baltic Sea has always been just a short trip away 🌊 I grew up spending my summers by the water, going on walks with the sea beside me, swimming more times than I could ever count and spending time at our summer cottage on the coast 🥹🫶🏼 The sea has been part of so many of my favorite memories growing up. And even now, whenever I need to clear my head, feel grounded or simply feel like myself again, I find myself wanting to be by the water ✨️ I've always loved the sea, but there's something especially special about the Baltic Sea to me ⛵️🌊 Maybe because it's been there my whole life. It has been part of my childhood, my summers, my everyday life and so many little moments in between 🥰 So today, on Baltic Sea Day, I just wanted to appreciate the sea that has always felt like home 🥹 HAPPY BALTIC SEA DAY 💙 Finland travel, Finland travel tips, Finland itinerary, Finland guide, Finland summer, Finland hidden gems, Finnish summer, Finland bucket list, Nordic travel, Things to do in Finland, Explore Finland, summer in finland, finland archipelago, finnish archipelago #balticseaday @saaristo_finland
I think Finnish cottage life is one of the most un I think Finnish cottage life is one of the most underrated ways to experience Finland 🇫🇮 And maybe I'm biased after spending my summers on a Finnish island since I was basically in diapers 🤭 but I genuinely think there's something special about spending a few days with nothing on the agenda 🫶🏼 No sightseeing checklist. No rushing to the next place. No “what should we do today?” Just coffee, swimming, sauna, food, nature and way too much time spent sitting outside. And honestly? That's the kind of Finland I want to show you here 🥹 Not just the places you can tick off your itinerary, but the experiences that actually make you slow down and feel like you're somewhere completely different ✨️ If you've never stayed at a Finnish summer cottage before, I really think you should try it at least once. I've put together a free Finnish cottage guide with everything you need to know to make it happen, including how to find and book a cottage, what to pack, what to expect and more 🥰 ➡️ Grab the free guide through the link in my bio or comment 'MOKKI' and I'll send you the link! 💬 And now tell me: would you choose a Finnish cottage or a hotel? And careful with your answer… you might upset a local here 😂 finnish summer cottage, mökki, finland summer, nordic summer, cottage life finland, summer in finland, finnish lifestyle, finland travel, finnish nature, finland hidden gems
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