Finland is in Northern Europe, bordering Sweden, Norway and Russia. The capital is Helsinki, which occupies a peninsula and some islands in the Baltic Sea. Finish culture combines its indigenous heritage; for example, there are two national languages, Uralic Finnish and Germanic Swedish. The sauna is another big part of the culture, in common with the other Nordic countries. Finland has been influenced by Finnic and Baltic culture, due to its geographic location and Sweden and Russia were former dominant powers. Built on simple values; Finnish culture is all about a love of nature, egalitarianism and ideals around self-sufficiency. Many Finnish people own a summer cottage, out in the countryside, where they spend holidays enjoying nature and doing sports.

History

Wars with Russia and Sweden characterise Finnish history. Between 1100 and 1200, the crown of Sweden started to incorporate Finland. However, Novgorod, now part of modern Russia, also attempted to gain control. Several wars were fought between Sweden and Novgorod and later Muscovy and Russia between 1400 and 1700. In 1721 Swedish dominance ended in the Baltic region but in 1809 and Finland became annexed to Russia. From 1809 to 1917, Finland was part of the Grand Duchy with the Russian Czar as its monarch. Then a political group, the Fennomans, bolstered Finnish identity and culture and famously expressed ‘Swedes we are not, Russians we do not want to become, let us, therefore, be Finns’.

As a reaction to these years of invasion and oppression from their neighbours, the Finns have become quite militarily defensive, and this is demonstrated no more clearly than in the vast subterranean bunkers they constructed below the metro stations in Helsinki. Known as civil defence shelters; these spaces protect people against armed attacks, collapsed buildings, ionising radiation and toxic substances, intended for situations where military force is used. This massive network of tunnels contains enough space to house the city’s entire population, but under normal conditions space is used a car park and recreational facility.

If you are looking to explore the less cautious and more fun-loving side of subterranean life in Helsinki, then head straight for Formula Centre Helsinki; the only underground go-kart track in the world! Founded in 1995, they can cater for up to 32 drivers racing at the same time, so your group of friends can have a mini Grand Prix while visiting Helsinki, then have a sauna and a meal together, all beneath the city streets.

Ferries to Finland

Find your ferry to Finland on the NetFerry website, here you will also find all of the information you need about boats all over Europe. Our ticket booking site is the most up to date place to find out about the latest deals, prices, timetables and ferry operators. We also have a bunch of helpful and informative destination and port guides, so you know what to expect when you arrive.

NetFerry: a sea of ferries await you!