Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year, and Christmas in Finland is a unique and special event I hope everyone can experience at least once in their lives. I’ve spent most of my life—and most of my Christmases—in this Scandinavian country, and I was brought up in its culture.
If you ever get the chance to visit, here are my top five places and things to enjoy during the winter holiday season in Finland.
1. Helsinki
Christmas lights, decorations, events, and markets are all around Helsinki in December, making it the liveliest time of the year for both its citizens and visitors. Our biggest Christmas market is full of treats, drinks, and many shops and restaurants, which can be found on Senate Square, right in front of the beautiful Helsinki Cathedral.
2. Glögi (mulled wine)
My favorite drink during winter is definitely glögi. There are several different types of glögi, such as non-alcoholic, mild and strong variants. The most common spices used in the Finnish mulled wine are cloves, cinnamon, and ginger. Glögi is usually served with some gingerbread cookies or with blueberry pie.
As this is one of Finns’ most loved beverages, you can easily find it at every Christmas market and bar in Helsinki. One of my favorite places to get it is at Zetor. This is a unique Finnish restaurant and bar, with traditional food and drinks. I encourage you to check it out, as it’s known as the “Tractor Bar.”
It’s the perfect place to go in case you’re feeling a little bit cold, just pop in for a cup of mulled wine— the best way to warm up. It’s even become a tradition to go out and have glögi after work or after some winter sport activities.
3. Joulutorttu (Christmas pastry)
To me, joulutorttu is one of the most delicious traditional Finnish Christmas pastries, made from puff pastry and prune jam. We make them in the shape of a star, and put the jam in the center. The word “joulutorttu” means “Christmas tart,” as these pastries have been part of the Christmas experience in Finland for decades.
If you visit the country during the holiday period, you will surely find joulutorttu in almost every cafe in town. I recommend you to go to Cafe Regatta, which has an authentic look and differs from other cafes in Helsinki. Its location by the sea and great Christmas atmosphere make it one of the best places to enjoy a cup of mulled wine and pastries.
4. Santa Claus Village****, Lapland
If you visit during Christmastime, you won’t want to miss a trip to Lapland and our very own Santa Claus Village. Here you can take a picture in front of the famous sign of the Arctic Circle, which tells you that you are now officially on the North Pole. Make sure to also stop by Santa’s Post Office, where children and adults can send their letters to Santa Claus. Come during office hours, and you might have the chance to meet Santa himself!
Another popular attraction to try in the village are reindeer and husky sled rides. Looking at the snow white scenery while enjoying the ride is one of the most unique experiences.
Last but not least, if you’re lucky, you might even see the northern lights here, as they are very likely to appear during winter.
5. Finnish sauna
The Finnish Christmas experience is not complete without enjoying a traditional sauna, which is a substantial part of the culture. We love our saunas so much that we have over 3.5 million saunas in Finland, even in our apartments.
The sauna experience begins with warming yourself up in an about 80-90 degrees Celsius hot sauna cabin, occasionally beating yourself with birch branches with leaves to relax your muscles. When it gets too hot, it’s time to roll in the snow or dip into the icy lake outside to cool down, and enjoy a cold beer on the porch. Once you’ve refreshed, you get back inside the sauna and the cycle begins again.
I recommend you try Löyly, voted as one of the top public saunas in Helsinki for 2018. It’s located by the sea, and there is a restaurant as well. The sauna offers a direct path to the outdoor seating area and the possibility to have a swim.
What is Christmas like in your country? Share your photos and experiences in the comments below.
Superb all photos,
Pozdrawiam
