Gorgeous landscapes, historic buildings and a variety of attractions are all aspects of the Scandinavian country of Finland that attract millions of visitors each year. I can’t specifically pinpoint one reason why I am so attracted to Scandinavia but there is something about this part of the world that just entices me there every time I read something related to one of the Nordic countries.
Here are some of the most appealing reasons for visiting “Suomi”, the Finnish name for Finland.
Suomenlinna
A world renowned heritage site, Suomenlinna is a maritime fortress located off the coast of Helsinki, Finland’s capital. Work began on the construction of this masterpiece in the mid-18th century and was originally developed as a fortress, but nowadays is actually a district of Helsinki permanently housing around 800 residents.
National Museum of Finland
Finland’s National Museum houses a variety of permanent and temporary exhibitions that attract visitors from all around the world. Predominantly focused on Finnish history and ancestry, these exhibitions include such artifacts such as coins, medals and weapons in addition to archaeologically derived items. Finland prior to industrialization is displayed in several displays but possibly the most intriguing are the exhibits prior to the Ice Age.
Nuuksio National Park
If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life, a beautiful part of rural Finland can be found in the Nuuksio National Park. Activities such as cross-country trekking, nature trails and ski cross-country are all available within this beautiful park and is certainly a great way to relax for a few days before heading on to explore more populated regions.
Sibelius Monument
Dedicated to Finland’s famous composer, Jean Sibelius, ‘The Sibelius Monument‘ is located inside the confines of a park within the central area of Helsinki. Consisting of a series of more than 600 hollow, steel pipes, this piece of abstract art uniquely identifies Sibelius’ work as a prominent feature in Finland’s history.
Turku Castle
Turku Castle is a cultural and historical tourist attraction that is over 700 years old. It is one of the oldest living buildings still in use throughout Finland. One of the most visited museum’s throughout the country, it is undoubtedly an attraction worth exploring to learn more about Finland’s historic past.
***This post is part of the 2014 A to Z Blogging Challenge (#DreamDestinations #AtoZChallenge)***
