6 Reasons Finland Should Be on Your Family’s Bucket List

Finland often gets overlooked in favor of trending travel destinations like Portugal, Japan and Croatia, but that just means one of the most amazing countries in the world simply has more to share with family travelers who know what’s what. This Scandinavian gem is a haven for families, and if you’re not sure, read on to discover why it should be on your travel bucket list.

No Crowds
When it comes to crowds, in Finland there simply aren’t any. Not when you compare the destination to places like Rome where you won’t be able to get a shot of any of the country’s iconic attractions without thousands of other tourists sharing the spotlight.

Northern Lights
Seeing the northern lights are a bucket-list item for many travelers, and Finland makes seeing them incredibly easy. Thanks to its extreme northern location, long hours of darkness during aurora season (August through April), and minimal air and light pollution, visitors have a pretty good chance of catching a glimpse of this beautiful natural phenomenon.

Friendly People
Finland often gets the distinction of being the happiest country in the world, and its people are some of the nicest. One of the reasons families love visiting the country is the warm welcome they get from the locals — nothing will sour a family vacation quite like getting a rude and unpleasant reception.

Sauna Culture
Teaching kids about good health habits is an important part of parenting, and travel lets you educate them about techniques favored in other cultures. Finland has a strong sauna culture that embraces the benefits of a steam bath, like softer skin and improved circulation, and its something Finnish families often do together. Visiting a sauna isn’t just good for your health, but also a way to experience Finland like the locals.

Safety
Finland ranks repeatedly as one of the safest countries in the world and is known for its extremely low crime rate, which makes it an extremely popular option for families. While you still have to be aware of your surroundings and take precautions against things like pickpockets, especially in heavily touristed areas, you can devote more of your attention to things like having fun with the family than you would in places with higher crime rates.

Nature and Wildlife Experiences
The capital, Helsinki, is such a beautiful city to explore, with lovely European architecture, that you could spend an entire trip just exploring its history and culture, but heading out into the wilds of Finland will give you amazing nature experiences the family won’t soon forget. You can go dogsledding, sleep in an igloo and even have encounters with local reindeer. Don’t forget about winter sports, either, like snowmobiling in Lapland where there is snow on the ground at least six months a year or visiting the endless lakes of Finnish Lakeland where you can go kayaking, canoeing and more.