Prepare to be surprised by the quirks and coolness of the land of a thousand lakes!
Fun Facts about Finland: When you think of Finland, what comes to mind? Reindeers, saunas, the Northern Lights, and perhaps Santa Claus? Sure, those are the classics—but Finland is a land full of hidden gems, surprising facts, and delightfully odd traditions that go beyond snow-covered forests and high-tech Nokia phones.
Whether you’re planning a trip or just love quirky cultural trivia, here are 10 fascinating things you (probably) didn’t know about Finland.
1. They Have More Saunas Than Cars
Let’s kick things off hot—literally.
Finland is the undisputed capital of saunas. With around 3.3 million saunas for a population of 5.6 million, that’s more than one sauna per household. In fact, there are more saunas than cars! Finns take their sauna time seriously—it’s not a luxury; it’s a lifestyle. (Fun Facts about Finland)
💡 Fun fact: There’s even a Burger King in Helsinki with a built-in sauna. Sauna + fries? Only in Finland.
2. It’s the World’s Happiest Country (Again)
For seven years in a row, Finland has topped the UN’s World Happiness Report. Yes, even with those dark, loooong winters.
What’s the secret? It might be their deep connection to nature, trust in their social systems, low corruption levels, and the Finns’ love for simplicity and contentment—something they call “sisu,” a uniquely Finnish concept that blends resilience, grit, and quiet strength. (Fun Facts about Finland)
3. You Can Mail a Letter to Santa (and Get a Reply!)
Santa Claus’ official hometown is in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland. And every year, over half a million letters pour in from children all over the world to Santa’s main post office, located right on the Arctic Circle.
📬 Address your letter to:
Santa Claus, Santa Claus Main Post Office, 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland
(Psst… include your return address. You just might get a reply stamped from the North Pole!) (Fun Facts about Finland)
4. The Language Is Wildly Unique
Finnish belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family, meaning it shares basically nothing with most European languages. No “bonjour” or “hola” here!
With no gendered nouns, no future tense, and words that can get seriously long (like “epäjärjestelmällistyttämättömyydellänsäkäänköhän”), Finnish is both a challenge and a linguistic marvel.
But don’t worry—most Finns speak excellent English, and they’re very chill if you mess up your “kiitos” (thank you).
5. They Celebrate “Wife Carrying” as a Sport
Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like.
The Wife Carrying World Championships takes place annually in Sonkajärvi. Men carry their wives (or someone else’s, with permission—seriously, it’s allowed) through an obstacle course of water, mud, and hurdles. (Fun Facts about Finland)
🎁 The prize? Your wife’s weight in beer.
Finland, you weird and wonderful place.
6. Finns Are Coffee Addicts (In a Good Way)
Finns drink more coffee per capita than any other country—about 12 kg per person per year. But don’t expect those syrupy Starbucks concoctions. Here, it’s all about light roasted filter coffee, often paired with a cinnamon bun (called korvapuusti, meaning “slap on the ear”—adorable and a little aggressive?).
☕ Bonus tip: Coffee breaks are a sacred ritual here—many workplaces even have a mandatory kahvitauko (coffee break).
7. Nature Is (Literally) Free for All
Thanks to “Everyman’s Right” (jokamiehenoikeus), everyone in Finland has the right to roam freely in nature—even on private land. That means you can hike, camp, forage for berries or mushrooms, and swim in lakes as long as you respect nature and leave no trace.
So yes, wild camping is legal and wildly encouraged. Just imagine sleeping under the Northern Lights—no permits, no fences, just nature.
8. Their Air and Water Are Among the Cleanest in the World
Breathing in Finland feels like a spa treatment.
According to the WHO, Finland boasts some of the cleanest air on the planet. Their lakes (all 188,000 of them) are crystal-clear, and tap water is so pure you could bottle it and sell it as artisanal hydration.
💧 Tip: Skip the bottled water. Just bring a reusable bottle and enjoy some of the freshest H2O you’ll ever taste. (Fun Facts about Finland)
9. They Take Silence Seriously
In Finland, silence is golden—and not awkward.
Finns are famously reserved, and silence is often seen as a sign of respect or deep thought, not discomfort. Don’t be surprised if your small talk attempts are met with… a peaceful pause.
This cultural trait has even made its way into Finnish tourism campaigns, branding silence as a luxury in an overstimulated world.
10. They’ve Mastered the Art of “Extreme Everything”
From air guitar world championships to mobile phone throwing contests and swamp soccer, Finland has a talent for turning the most random ideas into full-blown competitions.
It’s like the Olympics, but with more mud and silliness. And that’s what makes Finland so endearing—they don’t take themselves too seriously, even when diving into a frozen lake in February. (Fun Facts about Finland)
11. You Can Sleep in a Glass Igloo Under the Northern Lights
Want to watch the Aurora Borealis without freezing your eyelashes off? Finland’s got you covered—with glass igloos that let you sleep under the stars (and the green-dancing lights) in cozy, luxury comfort.
These futuristic igloos can be found in places like Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and Levin Iglut. You get all the vibes of winter magic without having to pee in the snow. ✨
12. There’s a National Day for Failure (And They Celebrate It)
Finland literally celebrates National Failure Day on October 13th every year.
The idea? To promote resilience, entrepreneurship, and the understanding that failure is part of success. People share their biggest flops and what they learned.
Imagine a whole country saying: “You tried, you messed up… and that’s awesome.” 💪🔥
Now that’s some serious sisu (inner grit). (Fun Facts about Finland)
13. Angry Birds Was Born Here
Before it became a worldwide mobile gaming obsession, Angry Birds was created in Finland by the game studio Rovio Entertainment in 2009.
It started as a humble project and flew (flung?) into global fame. Today, there’s even an Angry Birds Activity Park in Finland, because of course there is. 🐦💥
Next time you’re rage-tapping your screen on a flight, thank the Finns.
14. You Can Drink “Long Drink” — Finland’s Own Boozy Lemonade
Forget Aperol spritz—Finland’s summer drink of choice is the “Lonkero” (aka Long Drink), a pre-mixed cocktail made of gin and grapefruit soda.
Originally created for the 1952 Helsinki Olympics to serve drinks faster to tourists, it’s now a staple of Finnish chill-time. Light, fizzy, and slightly dangerous because it goes down way too easily.
🍹 Want to blend in with the locals at a summer cottage? Just crack open a Lonkero and head for the sauna. (Fun Facts about Finland)
15. Finns Compete in Sitting in the Coldest Lake… On Purpose
Not only do they run into frozen lakes in the middle of winter—they do it competitively.
Welcome to ice swimming season, where people cut holes in frozen lakes and jump in wearing just swimsuits. There are even organized winter swimming competitions and clubs across Finland.
😱 Don’t worry, there’s a sauna waiting right after. (Always. It’s basically Finnish law.) (Fun Facts about Finland)
🦟 BONUS: The Mosquito Army of the North
Ah yes… you thought Finland was all peaceful lakes and serene forest vibes. And it is—until the sun starts setting and the mosquitoes roll in like an airborne army with nothing to lose.
During summer, especially in Lapland and near lakes (which is basically all of Finland), mosquitoes are a serious presence. We’re not talking about the occasional buzz—we’re talking clouds of them. The kind that laugh at your repellent and coordinate group attacks at dusk.
💡 Survival tip:
- Bring the strongest mosquito repellent you can legally acquire.
- Wear long sleeves and light colors.
- Get one of those funky-looking mosquito head nets. Yes, you’ll look like a beekeeper on vacation. But you’ll be a comfortable beekeeper.
Despite this, Finns handle it with their usual chill attitude—and maybe a few extra sauna sessions to recover from the itch. (Fun Facts about Finland)
🧭 Final Thoughts: Why You Should Visit Finland (Like, Now)
Finland is a land of contrasts: wild yet peaceful, quirky yet refined, ancient forests beside futuristic tech. Whether you’re soaking in a lakeside sauna, chasing the Aurora Borealis, or trying to pronounce “Ruisleipä” (rye bread), Finland has a unique way of sticking in your heart.
So next time you’re planning a trip that’s off the beaten path, head north—and let the Finns charm you with their icy cool and warm hearts.
📌 Quick Travel Tips for Finland:
- ✅ Best time to visit: Summer (for Midnight Sun) or Winter (for snowy magic)
- ✅ Currency: Euro (€)
- ✅ Don’t skip: Lapland, Helsinki, and a lakeside sauna retreat
- ✅ Pack for: Layered clothing—even in summer, nights can be chilly
If you enjoyed this post, check out our Scandinavia travel tips or watch our “Frozen Adventures in Finnish Lapland” vlog on YouTube! ❄️🇫🇮
Got a fun Finland fact of your own? Drop it in the comments—we’d love to add it to our list!
📍 Visit Finland Tourism Website for more information.
- 10 Best Cafes in Oslo: A Local & Traveler’s Guide to the Capital’s Coffee Culture
- 10 Best Hotels in Stockholm for Every Budget
- 10 Best Sightseeing in Oslo: A Local and Traveler’s Guide to Norway’s Cool Capital
- The 10 Best Cafes in Terengganu You Must Try (2025 Guide)
- 5 Powerful Reasons Why Flexiroam eSIM is the Best Way to Stay Connected Abroad
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you
[Fun Facts about Finland – Travel to Finland – Finland Travel Blog – Roman and Fizah – Travel to Helsinki – Helsinki Travel Blog]
