What to see, what to do Finland?

Generally speaking, museums are open every day, and close earlier on Sundays. Many museums offer free admission on certain days of the month, so check their websites for details.

In Helsinki, most museums open at 11 a.m. and close around 6 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on Sundays. Closing days vary from museum to museum.

On the whole, there is no need to book in advance for visits in Helsinki (except for a few particular attractions, such as the Observatory) or in Finland. Museums do not require reservations, as do all monuments.

Tourist attractions often offer free admission on certain days of the month, so don't hesitate to check out the relevant websites. There are also many discounts for students, young people, the elderly... And if you'd like to discover Finnish museums, find out more about the Museum card pass on www.museot.fi.

Museums in Helsinki often charge around €15. The cheapest is the Helsinki Card(www.helsinkicard.com), whose prices range from €48/day without transport to €86 for three days, transport included. It offers free access to almost 30 attractions, including the most popular tourist attractions. Don't hesitate to order it via their website, as there are often special offers.

Religious holidays. New Year's Day, Epiphany (January 6), Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost, All Saints' Day (November¹ ), St. Lucia's Day on December 13, Christmas (December 24 and 25) and St. Stephen's Day (December 26).

The Finnish year is also punctuated by national days. Most buildings proudly display the Finnish flag. All these days generally celebrate a high point in Finnish history or the birthday of a Finnish artist. May^1st(vappu) is a major student and workers' festival, also celebrating spring. People drink a type of mead called sima and eat doughnuts while picnicking together outside. Graduates often wear their white bachelor's hats on this day. Independence Day, known as Itsenäisyyspäiväa, is celebrated on December 6. In Helsinki, students march in procession, torches in hand, from Hietaniemi to Senate Square. People light candles in their windows. But that's not all! Valentine's Day is transformed into the Festival of Friendship (Ystävänpäivä ) on February 14, when you can give flowers or send postcards to your friends. The Runeberg festival on February 5, given in honor of the great Finnish poet, is famous for its eponymous cakes. Father's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in November, and Mother's Day on the second Sunday in May. Mardi Gras, also known as laskiainen, when sledging (the tradition of napakelkka) and cream-filled buns are the order of the day. St. John's Day (Juhannus) at the end of June celebrates the summer solstice, and most Finns head off to their country homes to light a bonfire or even plant a tree. Of course, New Year's Day is also a public holiday, with fireworks all over the country. The Finns clearly have a highly developed sense of celebration!

The school vacations start on June¹ and end in mid-August. During the school year, students enjoy a week's vacation in October, around ten days at Christmas, a week at the end of February/beginning of March, and a week at Easter. Vacations are a big part of Finnish life, with a short-lived summer between June 15 and July 15.

They also have two weeks off at Christmas, a week for skiing (late February and early March), and another at Easter. At weekends, city dwellers desert the city for their second homes in the countryside(mökki), which often include a sauna by the water.

There's always something going on in Helsinki. Most museums regularly offer new temporary exhibitions. Don't hesitate to look directly at their websites for the agenda. The My Helsinki website (https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/see-and-do/events) is packed with information: museums and exhibitions, concerts, events..

In Helsinki

The famous red double-decker buses are also present in the Finnish capital. Don't hesitate to try one of their tours(www.stromma.com).

Archtours(www.archtours.com) specializes in architectural tours for enthusiasts and amateurs. Don't hesitate to contact them for rates and planned tours.

If you're tempted by a bike ride, don't hesitate to ask HEL tours, who offer very local tours.

Happy Guide Helsinki(www.happyguidehelsinki.com) is an association offering guided tours on foot, by bike or by public transport. All in a great atmosphere.

Helsinki Cityride(www.helsinkicityride.com) lets you discover the city in a thousand ways, including Nordic walking (dynamic walking with specially designed poles). With several tours to choose from, it's a great way to combine sport and culture, as the guide will introduce you to the city and the Finnish way of life. Tours can be conducted in French. Other excursions include sailing and even hot-air ballooning! They also offer trips to Lapland.

In summer, let yourself be tempted by a night cruise around the archipelago or near the fortifications of Helsinki with Iha Lines(www.ihalines.fi).

From May to September, rediscover tramway rides with Tramway Sparakoff (https://www.raflaamo.fi/en/restaurant/helsinki/sparakoff), a tramway transformed into a pub! Fancy a ride on an old-fashioned streetcar from the early ^20th century? It's possible in summer in Helsinki, with this streetcar that gives the impression of stepping back in time. Following the tracks of today's streetcars, it offers a new way of discovering the city center and the seaside, Stadin Ratikat(www.stadinratikat.fi), for €6/person (seasonal and subject to cancellation nonetheless).

And for your excursions outside Helsinki, I'd like to recommend BioGeo Traveller(www.biogeotraveller.fi)! Mikhail is adorable and will pass on his passion for Helsinki's surroundings, flora and fauna.

As in most places, smoking is strictly prohibited inside public tourist areas.