Finland consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world, and it’s not hard to see why. With its vast wilderness, thousands of lakes, and deep connection to nature, Finland offers the perfect backdrop for anyone seeking to clear their mind and reset their mental state. The Finnish concept of ‘sisu’ – a unique form of resilience and determination – permeates the culture and landscape, making Finland an ideal destination for those looking to rebuild their inner strength.
The Finnish approach to well-being centers around simplicity, nature, and mindfulness – elements that have become increasingly valuable in our hyperconnected world. Here is a list of 20 places in Finland where you can disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with yourself.
Lake Saimaa
Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake, stretches across the country’s southeastern part like a vast blue patchwork. The numerous islands and peninsulas create a maze of waterways perfect for kayaking or boating in solitude.
Renting a lakeside cabin here means waking up to misty mornings and the gentle sounds of water lapping against the shore – a kind of meditation offered by nature itself.
Nuuksio National Park
Just below half an hour’s drive from Helsinki lies Nuuksio National Park, arguably the simplest getaway from the busy city. It has well-marked trails through ancient forests and majestic clear lakes.
An overnight stay in one of the park’s wilderness huts feels surprisingly remote for its proximity to the capital – a day or two of total digital isolation.
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Utö Island
Utö, Finland’s southernmost inhabited island, sits at the edge of the archipelago sea, where time seems to slow down. The island’s lighthouse has guided sailors since 1753, and today, it watches over a small community of about 50 year-round residents.
The rhythmic sounds of waves crashing against rocky shores create a perfect backdrop for contemplation and regaining perspective.
Saariselkä Wilderness
In Finnish Lapland, Saariselkä offers some of the country’s most pristine wilderness. The rolling fells covered in pine forests provide hiking opportunities in summer and excellent cross-country skiing trails in winter.
The physical activity, combined with the breathtaking scenery, works like a natural antidepressant, triggering the release of endorphins while cleansing your mind of cluttered thoughts.
Koli National Park
The panoramic scenery from the summit of Ukko-Koli hill has inspired Finnish artists for centuries, among them composer Jean Sibelius and painter Eero Järnefelt. Standing on top of those old quartzite ridges overlooking Lake Pielinen fills one with instant awe.
The seasons change dramatically, transforming the scenery from summer’s green richness to winter’s snowy dreamscapes.
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Åland Islands
The Åland Islands comprise more than 6,700 islands in a chain between Sweden and Finland, with a special autonomous status and culture. Island-hopping between islands linked by tiny ferries is a physical sojourn that parallels the mental relaxation process.
The relaxed pace of life here, with sea traditions and special red granite coastlines, makes it easy to calm turbulent minds.
Inari-Saariselkä
The vast wilderness around Lake Inari serves as the cultural heart of the Sámi people, Finland’s Indigenous population. Spending time here offers natural beauty and insights into a culture that has maintained a harmonious relationship with nature for thousands of years.
Winter visitors might witness the northern lights dancing across the sky—a humbling reminder of our small place in the universe.
Helsinki’s Steam Baths
Sometimes, urban retreats offer a form of reset. Helsinki’s historic public saunas, like Löyly or Allas Sea Pool, combine traditional Finnish sauna culture with modern wellness approaches.
The practice of alternating between the hot sauna and cool seawater mimics the Finnish approach to life’s challenges—embracing contrasts and finding balance between extremes.
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Oulanka National Park
Oulanka’s torrential rivers, suspended bridges, and wooden trails provide an adventure playground that requires attention at every step. The 50-mile Bear’s Trail (Karhunkierros) is a world-renowned hiking route through Finland’s most spectacular canyon country.
The hike’s physical challenge is a metaphor for overcoming mental obstacles.
Rauma Old Town
Finland’s oldest port town, the Old Rauma district, is a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring more than 600 wooden structures. The cobblestone streets, which are only a few feet wide, form a maze that encourages wandering without a purpose, an activity the Finns may know as meditation.
The town’s slower pace and maritime heritage provide insight into life’s paths and destinations.
Savonlinna Castle
Set on a small island, the medieval Olavinlinna castle in Savonlinna provides a powerful symbol of resilience. Built in 1475, it has weathered centuries of turbulent history yet still stands proudly.
Visiting outside the summer opera festival season allows for quiet contemplation among ancient stones that have witnessed countless human dramas unfold.
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Hossa National Park
Finland’s newest national park celebrates the country’s centennial with ancient rock paintings dating back thousands of years. These red ochre images on lakeside cliffs connect visitors to the earliest human attempts to make sense of existence.
The park’s clear-water lakes and pine heathlands provide pristine environments for reconnecting with simpler needs and pleasures.
Ylläs Fell
In winter, the seven fells of the Ylläs area transform into Finland’s largest ski resort, but its restorative power truly shines during the quieter seasons. Autumn brings Ruska’s colors, blurring the landscape in reds and golds.
The 22-mile hiking trail between Ylläs and Levi fells offers a physical journey that parallels the mental clearing process.
Iso-Syöte National Park
Finland’s southernmost fell, Iso-Syöte, becomes a winter wonderland when snow-laden trees transform into bizarre sculptures locals call ‘tykky.’ These natural snow formations create an otherworldly landscape that shifts perspective and transports visitors out of ordinary thinking patterns.
The absolute silence of a snow-covered forest here offers a rare acoustic cleansing for the mind.
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Petäjävesi Old Church
This UNESCO-listed wooden church represents the height of Nordic wooden architecture. The simple yet profound craftsmanship reflects Finnish values of functionality and respect for natural materials.
Sitting in the church’s spare interior, illuminated only by natural light, creates a meditative space where complexity falls away and thoughts naturally clarify.
Bengtskär Lighthouse
On a tiny, remote island in the outer archipelago, Bengtskär is Finland’s tallest lighthouse. Staying overnight in this isolated outpost means experiencing the raw power of Baltic storms or the magic of endless summer sunsets.
Either experience forces a confrontation with natural forces that puts daily worries into perspective.
Pyhä-Luosto National Park
The ancient forest in Pyhä-Luosto has trees up to 400 years old, creating an environment where time seems to operate differently. The park’s name, ‘Pyhä,’ means ‘sacred’ in Finnish, reflecting the area’s spiritual significance for the Indigenous Sámi people.
Walking through these forests feels like stepping into a natural cathedral where worries diminish against the backdrop of centuries-old growth.
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Rovaniemi Arktikum
While technically a museum, the Arktikum in Rovaniemi offers a different kind of reset through understanding. The museum’s thoughtful exhibitions on Arctic indigenous cultures and environments provide context for human resilience in extreme conditions.
With its 560-foot glass tube structure, the building creates a meditative corridor between human knowledge and the northern landscape.
Suomenlinna Fortress
Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Helsinki, this sea fortress sprawls across connected islands, offering historical perspective and natural beauty. Built in 1748, the fortress witnessed the transition of power from Sweden to Russia and then to independent Finland.
Walking its walls at sunset, watching the Baltic Sea stretch toward the horizon, naturally puts personal challenges into perspective.
Riisitunturi National Park
In winter, Riisitunturi creates perhaps Finland’s most surreal landscape. Moisture from a nearby lake freezes onto trees, creating sculptures that defy imagination. This natural phenomenon transforms the forest into an immersive art installation.
The complete alienness of the environment jars visitors out of normal thought patterns, creating space for new perspectives to emerge.
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The Enduring Finnish Spirit
Finland’s landscapes are particularly effective for mental resets because they are connected to the Finnish mindset. These places embed the country’s history of overcoming challenges through perseverance, innovation, and community support.
Visitors don’t just experience beautiful scenery but absorb something of the Finnish spirit that has enabled this small nation to consistently rank among the world’s happiest despite long, dark winters and historical hardships.
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