Unique things to do in Finland

With Backpacker Helsinki Tour you will enjoy a perfect guiding hike in the National Park of Nuuksio or Sipoonkorppi. On our way, we will cross many different lakes and type of landscapes ! Nuuksio and Sipoonkorppi National Park reflect perfectly the spectacular beauty of the Finnish forest ! On our trip, I will share with you many informations about Finland. Depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to pick berries or mushrooms ! In the heart of the winter, when there is snow enough, possibility to practice snowshoes during the hike ! During the break in the middle of the Taïga forest, you will enjoy a delicious "Glögi" served with Finnish biscuits. I will propose you the perfect trek corresponding to your level of hiking. In the Laavu, the traditional Finnish fire camp, we will end by sharing an authentic home made Finnish soup (also vegetarian option) served with a traditional bread and beverage ! Duration: 4 h Transportation: By car. Meeting at the street Museokatu 8, near to the parliament. Group capacity: From 1 to 4 persons New ! Have a look at my experiences "Day trip in Torronsuo National Park" and "Ice fishing in Helsinki Region" ! Do not hesitate to ask for other dates than those on the calendar :)

Join this small-group walking tour to explore Helsinki, the capital of the happiest country in the world! Apart from sharing many fascinating stories about Helsinki's history, present, and future, I will be happy to answer your questions about the way of Finnish life and cultural habits. I was born and raised in Finland, and I want you to get a real feeling of Helsinki, not just the touristic one. You'll get to understand the unique Helsinki state of mind and a clear idea of our quite peculiar culture. After the tour, you'll also know the answer to the following questions: Why is sauna so important for Finns? What is the "Unicorn Block" of Helsinki? When do Finns gather at the Market Square to swim in the fountain? Why is there a statue of a Russian Czar in the most famous square of Helsinki? Is Finnish really that difficult to learn? How much is the biggest speeding ticket ever given in Finland? What did Napoleon have to do with Finland? Are we Finns really the happiest people in the world? The groups are small, maximum 8 people, so you'll have a chance to ask all of your questions. In the end, you'll receive a recommendation list of restaurants and things to do in Helsinki that includes all my personal favorites. Let's discover how unique Helsinki really is! My other tours: Other Side of the Bridge - Kallio Tour Smart City, Urban Nature & Helsinkian BBQ

Forget those pre-scripted, crowded, boring touristy tours! In my walking tours, I use my creativity and knowledge to adjust the tour according to your interests and preferences, the group size and the weather conditions; so you will get the best of Helsinki. We will walk together in and around the city center, discovering Helsinki's secrets, learning its history, culture and traditions. Why do Helsinki people have picnic on top of graves? What was the meeting point of the bohemian people of 1880s in Helsinki? How did they build a church inside a giant granite rock? Where did Lenin hide when he was running away from the Tsarist Russia? Which statue is the one that seagulls hate the most? Where did they bury thousands of bodies during the plague? Why is the largest Orthodox cathedral located in a Lutheran country? Where can you eat the best salmon soup of your life? Why Finnish people still cheer for the opponents of the Swedish national football team? How did a Finnish architect influence generations of American architects and skyscraper designs? We will find answers to all of these questions and more, while visiting each of these important locations in Helsinki. Other things to note Be prepared to walk 6-7 km and come with comfortable walking shoes and extra layers for warmth. Please remember to check your messages on your Airbnb account or Airbnb mobile app as that is the main communication tool. You can check out my website for various tours www.atamantours.com

We normally meet in front of Oodi, but if you wish we can come and meet you somewhere else too, for example by the Railway Station. We can get some coffee or tea before starting and get to know each other and find out what kind of photos you desire to have. Routes can vary depending on weather conditions and your hopes. Maybe you want to go to the harbour, or to some close by neighbourhoods? If you haven’t been in Suomenlinna yet, we suggest we hop on the ferry to get some amazing pictures while there. It’s all up to you what kind of pictures you want, but don’t worry if you are not sure, we’ll have plenty of ideas in our pockets. Our goal is to create a connection between us and our guests through photography. After we are finished and you guys are happy with the pictures, we’ll hand you a little souvenir to take home! It also wouldn’t be the first time when the photoshoot ends in all of us going to a restaurant or a bar to continue the night together! We can work on them the same evening and will email minimum of 25 photographs to you the very next day. We are welcoming locals as well as tourists and encouraging our guest to challenge us. The more accessories, costumes and ideas our guests bring, the better. Or if you need something from us, maybe even just a warm jacket, just let us know and well try our best to make it happen!

I will welcome you in my home in the design district, Punavuori. The plan for the evening is to create together a traditional Finnish meal consisting of a starter, a main course and dessert. You will get your hands dirty with peeling, chopping and kneading. Sounds like a lot? Finns like to keep things uncomplicated in all aspects of life - including cooking - so we will finish prepping on time. An example menu looks like: Lohikeitto (salmon soup) Lihapyörykät (Finnish meatballs) Korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls) THE MENU WILL CHANGE ACCORDING TO SEASON AND THE REQUEST OF GUESTS THAT SIGNED UP. While we are preparing dinner together, you will have the chance to learn about various exotic Nordic ingredients from the seas and forests exclusive to this region. At the dinner table we can then discuss the latest gossips of the Finnish gastro scene, and you can ask me for tips and recommendations where to eat next. You will also take home a printed version of the recipes with you, so you can share them with your friends and family when your vacation is over. I have vegetarian, vegan, lactose- and gluten-free menu options too. Just ask.

With Backpacker Helsinki Tour you will enjoy a perfect guiding hike in the National Park of Nuuksio or Sipoonkorppi. On our way, we will cross many different lakes and type of landscapes ! Nuuksio and Sipoonkorppi National Park reflect perfectly the spectacular beauty of the Finnish forest ! On our trip, I will share with you many informations about Finland. Depending on the season, you will have the opportunity to pick berries or mushrooms ! In the heart of the winter, when there is snow enough, possibility to practice snowshoes during the hike ! During the break in the middle of the Taïga forest, you will enjoy a delicious "Glögi" served with Finnish biscuits. I will propose you the perfect trek corresponding to your level of hiking. In the Laavu, the traditional Finnish fire camp, we will end by sharing an authentic home made Finnish soup (also vegetarian option) served with a traditional bread and beverage ! Duration: 4 h Transportation: By car. Meeting at the street Museokatu 8, near to the parliament. Group capacity: From 1 to 4 persons New ! Have a look at my experiences "Day trip in Torronsuo National Park" and "Ice fishing in Helsinki Region" ! Do not hesitate to ask for other dates than those on the calendar :)

A warm and friendly welcome to my home at Helsinki/Viikki! Cooking class of Finnish traditional food and culture is not only about cooking but also having fun doing it, get to know some Finnish ingredients and together in group with simple recipes make delicious and healthy meals. Be prepared for hand on Finnish traditional food a 3-course meal twisted by you and me which you might not experienced before. Starter: Karelian Pastry/Fish Cook/ Soup Main: Meatballs/Salmon/Finnish style Pie Dessert: Blue-Lingonberry pie, Oven baked Pancake, Cinnamon Roll Upon the guests requests any type of Finnish style food is possible to make also without mushrooms! Vegetarian/Vegan/Pescatarian/lactose-gluten free also Keto/Dairy diet Please let me know in advance the kind of food you might like to cook/learn! Welcome to make food with love and passion!

Join this small-group walking tour to explore Helsinki, the capital of the happiest country in the world! Apart from sharing many fascinating stories about Helsinki's history, present, and future, I will be happy to answer your questions about the way of Finnish life and cultural habits. I was born and raised in Finland, and I want you to get a real feeling of Helsinki, not just the touristic one. You'll get to understand the unique Helsinki state of mind and a clear idea of our quite peculiar culture. After the tour, you'll also know the answer to the following questions: Why is sauna so important for Finns? What is the "Unicorn Block" of Helsinki? When do Finns gather at the Market Square to swim in the fountain? Why is there a statue of a Russian Czar in the most famous square of Helsinki? Is Finnish really that difficult to learn? How much is the biggest speeding ticket ever given in Finland? What did Napoleon have to do with Finland? Are we Finns really the happiest people in the world? The groups are small, maximum 8 people, so you'll have a chance to ask all of your questions. In the end, you'll receive a recommendation list of restaurants and things to do in Helsinki that includes all my personal favorites. Let's discover how unique Helsinki really is! My other tours: Other Side of the Bridge - Kallio Tour Smart City, Urban Nature & Helsinkian BBQ

Finland might be the happiest country in the world, but it's for sure not due to these local delicacies we are about sample on this experience. You think the most bizarre food in Finland is our black candy? Let me tell you, you are only scratching the surface. There is a whole universe of exotic drinks, bizarre food pairings and oddly flavored desserts waiting to be explored. On my dinner extraordinaire we will be preparing several tapas sized appetizers, mains and desserts made out of seasonal ingredients from all over the country, that you won't find anywhere else, but here, the land of weird candies and odd competitions. Join me for this unusual experience, where even a harmless looking slice of bread has a unexpected twist to it. WARNING. Gastronomically challenging content. Not for all audiences Other things to note Finishing some of the dishes will might take some willpower, but the shock factor of Finnish cuisine comes mostly from unusual pairing of common ingredients. So there will be something to try for everyone, nobody will leave my place hungry.

See Helsinki through my lens. I am a Chinese who have been living in Finland for ten years. I have my own interpretation of this country specifically it’s capital city - Helsinki. Join me for a photo walk where you will need seeing place only local goes and dine at. I will capturing you as what I am good at - street photography. By the end of the photo walk, you will be getting your memories unfold by getting the digital version of the photo. In return I will be sharing high resolution raw pictures to you via cloud drive. (around 30-50 pictures depends on the occasion)

I will lead you to a relaxing and joyful experience in nature to truly find your connection with forest. During this forest bathing experience you learn how to use nature to increase your health and wellbeing. This activity is in Uutela trail which is the largest and most naturally diversified recreational area in East Helsinki. We will meet at the cafe Kampela in Uutela (Uutelantie 1, 00990 Helsinki) and from there go to the forest together. In Uutela trail we are walking in a forest and you will experience rugged rock formations, coastal scenes bordered by flood meadows and alder trees & forest. The focus on our tour is to engage all our senses with nature. Touch, smell, feel and taste a pure nature and forest. I will tell you some facts how nature can positively impact your overall health and wellbeing. I also teach you simple but effective meditation, mindfulness and forest yoga practises. At the end of the tour we enjoy healthy snacks from local small producers such as spruce or herbal tea, nettle pesto, hummus, fruits or berries and porcini salt with crispbread. Other things to note: This activity is outside so remember to dress acccordingly depending of the weather so you can enjoy as much as possible.

We go ice fishing at the great Inari lake, which is also known as the Sami Ocean. The lake is so large, that every human on earth could stand on it's ice and still have room to rise their elbows up. Also by it's average depth Inari lake holds more water in it than all the other lakes in Finland together. The deepest hole is more than 100m deep. Our fishing spot is right besides the Inari village and a lot of fishes are attracted to come there due to the near by river. Atte drives the snowmobile and you sit comfortably in the sledge for up to 4km on the lake ice. Your fishing guide Atte Ikkala has all the latest ice fishing gear and he also produces some custom made ice fishing gear and ties his own fishing flies. You are in some of the best fishing hands of Lapland.

Explore the Finnish Archipelago in an incredible nature reserve where the forest meets the sea. Pick berries, learn about wild mushrooms, throw snowballs, or watch great migrations of birds all while never seeing another tourist! This off-the-beaten-path destination is our favourite place to explore in every season and share with travellers from all over. One of our most popular guided experiences at Taiga Times. This hike has it all! We will walk along forest paths, rolling rocks and the beautiful coast, where we have the perfect place for a break, overlooking the Baltic Sea. Your guide will prepare a delicious lunch to enjoy while you freely explore wonderful landscapes and find your peace in nature. Our Finnish-style tasting menu includes for example locally sourced fish, Karelian rice pies and blueberry pie for dessert! Nam Nam! Highlights: • A magnificent nature reserve with diverse habitats • Fantastic photo opportunities along the coast • An easy and rewarding walk for all levels of fitness • Prepared lunch and coffee/tea with seaside view We treat all our guests, employees, and locals in a respectful and equal manner regardless of their cultural background, sexual orientation, gender expression, political interests or religion. We love to learn from different cultures and respect every walk of life around the world. Feel free to request alternative tour dates!

A unique bicycle tour is waiting for you: we cycle and walk in less known areas. It's a not 'a classic touristic tour' but a sportive discovery of local culture & nature. Instead of the touristy city center, we go for the hidden gems. QUIZ: Who has been one of the most prominent and controversial personages in Finland? We will discover it together! THIS TOUR IS A GREAT IDEA FOR A GIFT! DO TOUR AS YOU ARRIVE IN HELSINKI. For solos, couples, groups, teams, and it's great for team-build too. You will discover: Nature (parks: Keskuspuisto & Seurasaari) Food (vegetarian/vegan bites) Sauna (like a Finn) Iconic spots (that you may not find otherwise) WE WILL: Smell pure air, Taste Finnish food, Touch the trees & stones that made Finland's landscapes unique, Talk about Finnish and Nordic history, Have quizzes, Enjoy the discovery! I offer one e-bike & standard bicycles. We will cycle three routes, each of about 7 km. We take two long stops, one for the BBQ and another for the sauna (nudity possible). The road may be sometimes uphill, but no mountains! The tour ends at the same place as the start: Huopalahti station. If you want, after the sauna, you can keep the bikes for the day and bring it back in the evening or the next morning. Flying back home? We can store bags too and the train there gets you to the airport in 30m No tour scheduled? I can rent you out bikes

We will walk around the most famous spots in Helsinki historical center, starting from Senate Square, proceeding to the Market Square, and finishing our tour in a historical café. I'll tell you plenty of interesting stories about Helsinki's past and present, its architectural creations, and the cultural influences that made Helsinki so unique. You will learn about traditional Finnish food and get important tips about varieties of nowadays food in Helsinki. Famous Finish Blue chocolate will make the sweet end of the journey! The tour takes around 2,5 hours. Other things to note: Dress comfortably and warm enough to accommodate for changing Finnish weather.

The Journy start from the Helsinki city center (Rautatientori) coming by bus to the direction of Vantaa/Sipoonkorpi National Park, Am usually waiting at the bus stop/meeting location close to the national park. The schedule of the tour depends on the bus timetable and bus trip is not included in estimated time. we walk together until we reach the forest trails. Walking/Hiking at the park is about two hours to discover some wild mushrooms and berries, collecting edible mushrooms and learning about different species and types of mushrooms. Founded edible mushrooms are possibly grilled, frightened and distributed among the guests. We will have a break at the fire place with the beautiful view of Bisa lake and having somthing to drink and eat. Please let me know in advance about your dietary references. Please consider at least two hours of walking from the bus stop to the national park and back to the bus stop. Also to wear proper shoes and clothes for the forest and let me know in advance, if, you have to get back on specific time or coming by car.

I will welcome you in my home in the design district, Punavuori. The plan for the evening is to create together a traditional Finnish meal consisting of a starter, a main course and dessert. You will get your hands dirty with peeling, chopping and kneading. Sounds like a lot? Finns like to keep things uncomplicated in all aspects of life - including cooking - so we will finish prepping on time. An example menu looks like: Lohikeitto (salmon soup) Lihapyörykät (Finnish meatballs) Korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls) THE MENU WILL CHANGE ACCORDING TO SEASON AND THE REQUEST OF GUESTS THAT SIGNED UP. While we are preparing dinner together, you will have the chance to learn about various exotic Nordic ingredients from the seas and forests exclusive to this region. At the dinner table we can then discuss the latest gossips of the Finnish gastro scene, and you can ask me for tips and recommendations where to eat next. You will also take home a printed version of the recipes with you, so you can share them with your friends and family when your vacation is over. I have vegetarian, vegan, lactose- and gluten-free menu options too. Just ask.

Helsinki is a gem for architecture enthusiasts. It is difficult to find another urban space that houses a wide range of architectural styles like Helsinki; neoclassical, gothic revival, Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Nordic classicism, modernism, functionalism, and contemporary styles in a compact city centre. Different historical periods left their marks on Helsinki, however it is easy to miss these great works of world renowned architects (from Engel to Saarinen, from Aalto to Siren and Revell) in ordinary city tours. We will start with the old center of the city, visiting Helsinki Cathedral and National Library of Finland designed by Engel, the most influential architect in Helsinki in the first half of 19th century. We will then visit 3 important works of world famous architect Alvar Aalto (Stora Enso HQ, Academic Bookstore and Rautatalo). We will continue with Eliel Saarinen's Central Railway station. On our way, we will stop by two important libraries, KaisaTalo (Anttinen Oiva) and Oodi (ALA) and I'll explain the unique library culture in Finland. Strolling through important buildings such as the Music Hall (LPR), Kiasma (Holl), Finlandia Hall (Aalto), National Museum of Finland (Saarinen), we will make up our way to The Rock Church (Suomalainen). On our return to downtown, we will head to The Glass Palace (Revell), Amos Rex (JKMM) and Chapel of Silence (K2S). Other things to note We will walk around 6 km, please come with comfortable walking shoes, extra layers for warmth and umbrella for rainy days. Please check out my website for various tours www.atamantours.com

Embark on this exciting walking tour around Helsinki and learn many fascinating things about the city, the country of Finland and its people from a local guide! Explore hidden trails that not even most locals know about. We will start our tour from the historical and architectural centre of Helsinki, the Senate Square, and, while taking your wishes and weather conditions into account, visit the following: - Market Square & Central Harbour - The Grand Central Railway station - Oodi library - The Church in the Rock (ticket included) - Sibelius monument & Cafe Regatta - Huvilakatu - the most photographed street with Jugend/ Art Noveaux architecture - The waterfront including stunning sea views from a hilltop in Kaivopuisto park. We may get a taste of Finnish cuisine with creamy salmon soup and traditional cinnamon rolls with coffee along the way. As someone who spent years studying and working away from Finland, I can share plenty of insights into Finnish history and culture both as local as well as an outsider making it more relatable to you. Why Finns love sauna so much? What makes Finnish education system one of the best in the world? Why is there a church carved into a granite rock? What common beverage Finns are the biggest consumers of in the world and why? All these questions and more you will get the answers to on our tour. Welcome! Other times available on request

Forget those pre-scripted, crowded, boring touristy tours! In my walking tours, I use my creativity and knowledge to adjust the tour according to your interests and preferences, the group size and the weather conditions; so you will get the best of Helsinki. We will walk together in and around the city center, discovering Helsinki's secrets, learning its history, culture and traditions. Why do Helsinki people have picnic on top of graves? What was the meeting point of the bohemian people of 1880s in Helsinki? How did they build a church inside a giant granite rock? Where did Lenin hide when he was running away from the Tsarist Russia? Which statue is the one that seagulls hate the most? Where did they bury thousands of bodies during the plague? Why is the largest Orthodox cathedral located in a Lutheran country? Where can you eat the best salmon soup of your life? Why Finnish people still cheer for the opponents of the Swedish national football team? How did a Finnish architect influence generations of American architects and skyscraper designs? We will find answers to all of these questions and more, while visiting each of these important locations in Helsinki. Other things to note Be prepared to walk 6-7 km and come with comfortable walking shoes and extra layers for warmth. Please remember to check your messages on your Airbnb account or Airbnb mobile app as that is the main communication tool. You can check out my website for various tours www.atamantours.com