What if I told you there is a country where nature is open to everyone by law, and silence is something people value, not avoid?
Welcome to Finland! A place that plays by its own (very cool) rules. It is not just the land of reindeer and snow. It is a country where people actually enjoy sitting in complete silence… together.
Where every citizen has the right to roam freely in forests, pick wild berries, and swim in any lake, even if it is on someone else’s land. Sounds dreamy. Along with the freedom to roam freely, there are several other unique things that you’ll find in Finland. In this article, I am going to discuss the top 10 of these things. Let’s start.
10 Unique Things You Will Only Find in Finland:
Finland is an exceptional country. There are a lot of interesting things about it. Some unique things you’ll only find in this country are discussed below:
1. Everyman’s Right: Free to Enjoy Nature’s Bounty:
Imagine you are walking into a forest and freely picking berries or mushrooms without asking anyone. It feels like a dream, right? In Finland, this is a legal right of every person, which is known as “Everyman’s Right” (jokamiehen oikeudet).
Most area of Finland is covered by forests, and over 80% of Finns take advantage of this right each year to gather nature’s bounty. This law lets people enjoy nature, as long as they don’t destroy it. It is one of those laws that only in Finland laws that makes exploring nature an everyday adventure.
2. Sauna Culture: More Than Just Steam
Did you know Finland has about 3.2 million saunas for its 5.6 million people? That means almost one sauna for every home.. For Finns, sauna time is a part of everyday life.
Most Finns visit a sauna weekly. It is a place to relax, clear your mind, improve heart health, and share moments with others. Some offices even have their own saunas. The Finnish Parliament also has one.
3. The Baby Box: A Gift That Changed Childhood:
Since 1938, Finnish parents have received a baby box filled with essentials like clothes, diapers, blankets, and more. This program has a huge impact, helping keep generations of babies healthier and safer.
Millions of baby boxes have been given out since the program started. It is one of those unique things in Finland that shows how much the country cares for its people, and it has helped keep generations of babies safe and healthy.
4. Finns valuing personal space and silence:
Finns really value personal space and quiet. In public, people give each other plenty of room and avoid unnecessary noise. You won’t see strangers standing too close in a line or talking loudly on a bus. It is not about being unfriendly. It is about respecting each other’s comfort.
Silence is perfectly normal here, and no one feels the need to fill it with small talk. This respect for space and peace is part of everyday life in Finland, and it makes public places feel calm and relaxed.
5. Crystal Clear Tap Water:
You can pour yourself a glass straight from the tap without a second thought, and most Finns do exactly that every day. The water comes from natural places like underground springs and clean lakes, and it is regularly checked to make sure it is 100% safe to drink.
So, no need for filters, no chlorine tastes, just fresh, crisp water anytime you want it. For visitors, it is one of the only luxuries in Finland that surprises them the most.
6. Glass Igloos and Snow Castles: Arctic Experiences that You’ll Never Forget:
If you ever visit Finland’s Lapland, you can spend the night in a glass igloo and watch the Northern Lights from your bed through a clear roof.
Every winter, Lapland also makes amazing snow and ice castles that bring in millions of visitors. These experiences blend nature and creativity in a way that makes Finland special and unforgettable.
7. Heavy Metal and Wife-Carrying Competitions:
Finland has more heavy metal bands per person than any other country in the world. Music festivals for this genre are held often and attract thousands of fans every year.
The country is also famous for its wife-carrying races. Yes, people actually run while carrying their spouses on their backs. It is an old Finnish tradition that started from a local legend, but now it is a global event with real prize money. People travel from all over the world to be part of it. These funny traditions are unique things in Finland that bring people together from around the world.
8. Etiäinen: Finland’s Unique Folklore:
Etiäinen is a Finnish belief where you sense or see something like a shadow or a feeling before a person actually arrives, almost like a strange early warning. It is a special part of Finland’s old stories and traditions, which shows a link between the spiritual world and the physical world. You won’t find it in most travel guides, but it is still a valued piece of culture for many Finns.
9. Christmas Peace Declaration: A Medieval Tradition that is Still Alive Today:
Every year in Turku, Finland marks the start of Christmas is marked with the Christmas Peace Declaration, a tradition that started in the 1300s. Thousands of people come together or watch it live as the message is read, calling for peace and calm during the holidays.
It is one of Finland’s oldest traditions and a beautiful reminder of the country’s respect for history and community.
10. Pikkujoulu: The Little Christmas Parties:
Before Christmas, Finns celebrate something called Pikkujoulu, which means “little Christmas.” These are casual parties where friends and coworkers get together, share good food and drinks, and enjoy the holiday mood before the big day. My Finns join a Pikkujoulu each year, making it a fun and important part of Finnish holiday traditions.
Conclusion:
So, what makes Finland unique? It is not only the beautiful views or the Northern Lights. It is the small things, the freedoms, the traditions, and the fun customs that together create a culture like no other.
You can walk freely in huge forests, relax in your own sauna, enjoy traditions that go back hundreds of years, or join lively modern parties. Finland shows us how to live fully and freely. These are the Finland experiences that will stay with you forever.
If you want a place that respects nature, values personal space, and still knows how to have fun in the most unusual ways, Finland is the place to be. This country will surprise you again and again, and this is why these 10 things are only the beginning of what makes it so special.
