My Summer In Finland
Written By:
Nina Dahlblom
Over three weeks, we managed to visit several summer cottages, explore charming “living rooms” of city life, and catch up with loved ones.
Our home base was comfortably close to the sea, right on public transit lines, giving us the freedom to enjoy both solo adventures and shared outings.
The Finnish cleanness, functioning public services, fully equipped grocery stores and fantastic high way eateries were a delight on our relaxed road trips to music festivals and historic destinations.
While family and friends are the heart of every trip for a Finn living in California, this time I’ll focus my words—and photos—on Finland itself, especially the summer gems of the Helsinki metropolitan area.
Photo: We stay in a charming boathouse right at the water’s edge, its big windows framing every glowing moment of the white night. The photo is taken after midnight.
Night in the Archipelago
In Finland, summer is always tied to water. If it’s not the sea, it’s a lake. If not a lake, then a pond. If not a pond, a river—and if it’s none of these, you’re probably not in Finland at all.
For us, the midnight sun in the archipelago, surrounded by nature, is the highlight of summer. Every July, we celebrate my mother-in-law Karin’s birthday on a tiny island called Limpgrund in the Inkoo archipelago.
Photo: The host’s flag is always raised when the family is in residence.
Slow motion
When you first arrive in Finland, you quickly notice that everything is clean and everything works. And that everything is pretty slowpaced, relaxed. A little bit like in Hawaii, but in a neater more European way. You notice this too when you have a conversation with people. They are content with what they have and put their private lives first.
Where as in San Francisco Bay Area we are used to having traffic chaos even in the middle of the night, the cars on Helsinki highways are few and they move very slow. At night there is literally zero cars when we drove from the airport to Espoo where we stayed during our visit.
Photo by Helsinki Airport
The milk packages are smaller and sustainability and health is thought out in every detail. Except the sweet section, the candy shelves – there you do have a myriad to choose from!
Photo: Finnish candy
The bottles come with caps attached, as well. If you are ok with it, you probably are a Finn living in Finland. It takes time to get used to it.
In comparison to the latest innovation by a Silicon Valley company I just recently discovered, the Finns have been recycling their bottles for ages and the automatic system is smooth, integrated to everyday life and easy to use. Not surprising that Finns are masters in turning waste to treasure, 90% of the beverage containers are recycled in Finland.
Finns are kind. The service during our visit was friendly throughout. It is admirable how well and intuitively everything is organized. It almost goes to extremes. When we are happy with our service at a restaurant and ask if we could tip the waiter, he answers firmly and with a weird pride in his voice: “You do not need to tip me, it is all included in the bill”.
Seaside Helsinki
Helsinki truly comes alive in summer. When the weather is warm, head for the water. This year, a friend who had visited us in California during the winter months took us on a stunning boat ride from Lauttasaari to Helsinki’s Market Square, and then out to Espoo’s Suvisaaristo (summer islands).
Even without your own boat, you can explore the capital region’s islands. Public ferries run all summer, taking passengers to various spots for the price of a bus ticket. Whether you’re into history, sunbathing, or dining by the water, you’ll find an island that fits the mood.
Photo: And yes, flying the Finnish flag from the stern is just good seamanship. The small emblem in the corner of the one we saw marks the local yacht club.
Feeling sporty? Try the kayak rental kiosks. With an app, we were able to unlock a kayak stocked with all the gear you need for a two-hour paddle. We paddled by Thorsvik, the farm of the richest man in Finland, Antti Herlin of Kone, all the way to Gloms in Soukanranta to enjoy ice creams by water with our nieces who live nearby.
Photo: Kayakomat was a pleasant experience.
Photo: After a good paddle, it is time to enjoy some, ice cream!
Metro & Public Transit takes you anywhere
Although we usually rent a car for longer trips, you can easily get around without one. Helsinki’s metro, buses, and trains are clean, safe, and efficient. The ticketing app makes planning routes and buying passes effortless. Makes you forget about driving…
Photo: Timeless inside view of Helsinki metro.
Summer Terraces in the City
Helsinki is brimming with great restaurants, wine bars, bistros, and rooftop terraces. Meeting friends often means enjoying sunset views with a glass of something special and a plate of excellent food.
One evening we sipped cocktails at Pier 4 near the Market Square, looking out over a wildflower meadow as the sky turned gold. Just next door, you can swim in the seawater pool at Allas Sea Pool.
Photo: Summer toast with a view at Kymppikerros RooftopTerrace at golden hour
Photo: At Restaurant TAR’s terrace near my old home, we caught up with good friends while viewing Helsinki’s famous icebreakers and teenagers diving from the old washing piers.
Photo: In Eiranranta, the locals jump into the sea as late as 11 p.m.—and in July, the sun still lingers.
Ice Cream Summer “Jäätelökesä”
I know I already mentioned ice cream, but I have to! In summer, Helsinki greets you with countless ice cream kiosks. Finns are ice cream eaters, consuming 14 liter of ice cream per capita. Ice Cream kiosks’ friendly staff is serving large variety of unique flavors of ice creams. While in Finland, my favorite flavors are cloudberry, blackcurrant, or the truly Finnish salty licorice varieties—you won’t find them in the U.S.
Photo: The real surprise this summer was the ice cream boat, docked at Suomenlinna, where you can buy a cone right from the water. Saara Mansikkamäki, HS
Confirmation Celebrations
Summer is also the season for weddings and confirmation parties. In Finland, 15-year-olds often attend a week-long confirmation camp, creating a shared rite of passage with their peers.
Our goddaughter attended a sports-themed camp in Kuortane, and we were lucky to celebrate her big day together with family.
Photo: Confirmation camp bonfire
Visiting Historic Sites & Ironworks Villages
It was lovely combine meetings with friends to shared activities. We explored the history and art and crafts of Bilnäs ironworks area, the stately Mustio Manor, Raseborg Castle, and the charming seaside town of Loviisa. Between sightseeing, we enjoyed wonderful meals and met friends for example for coffee at Ekkulla Café, leaving with a gift bag of biodynamic vegetables for our evening’s dinner hosts in Helsinki.
Photo: One of the old buildings of Bilnäs Ironworks Village with restaurant and green space
Photo by Cafe Ekkulla: Freshly baked sweet cakes with tiny wild flowers on top
Photo: Beautiful lake with waterlilies in Mustio
Summer Dinners
A classic Finnish summer meal includes smoked salmon, new potatoes, and a crisp salad. Dessert might be rhubarb pie or strawberry meringue cake made with berries from the garden.
This year, we brought smoked salmon and skagenröra (shrimp spread) from a local fishmonger to our traditional potluck reunion with about 20 old friends. Add good conversation, music, sauna, and a late-night campfire sausage, and you’ve got the perfect summer evening.
Photo: Sausages being grilled by the young barbecue master Frans Lehtipuu. Photo by Kirsi Siilin.
Summer Theater
No Finnish summer is complete without open-air summer theater. Within an hour of Helsinki, there are plenty to choose from. This year, we joined 21,000 others at Raseborg’s summer theater for We Will Rock You and sat in the rotating grandstand at Lurens to watch Fame in Loviisa. These productions are true community efforts. Intermission treats include coffee with cinnamon buns—or even a cup of boiled hot dogs for the entire family.
Photo by Raseborg Summer Theatre
Housing Fair
The annual Asuntomessut Housing Fair is a celebration of Finnish design and living. A brand-new neighborhood is built and opened to the architecture drawn public, with homeowners welcoming visitors inside. Attendance runs between 100,000 and 200,000 each year. It’s a summer tradition for us—and in 2026, it will be closer to Helsinki in Lempäälä, then in Pickala in 2027.
Photo by Asuntomessut.
Music Festivals
Finland is a festival lover’s paradise—rock, pop, folk, chamber music or opera—there’s something for everyone. Porin Jazz is one of the biggest, turning the whole city into a jazz venue. We relaxed and danced on the grass with friends listening to Finnish acts like J. Karjalainen and Ultra Bra plus Gregory Porter and Sting, and had a pleasant stay in a local resident’s beautiful home. No trip to Pori is complete without a stop at Yyteri’s stunning sand beaches.
Photo: Happy toast to music and summer with friends at Pori Jazz
Berries from nearby forests
When staying with my in-laws in Sipoo summer cabin by the calm Hemisvik bay, I baked a pie of the Finnish forest blueberries picked by my Mother-In-Law that very morning. She did not have to go far as the fresh ripened berries were waiting right on the property. You might find chanterelles and cloudberries in the nearby woods and she knows all the secret places where to find them.
Activities in Nature
In summer, Finns in Helsinki Metropolitan area walk and cycle along waterfront trails dotted with cafés and restaurants. The beautiful walking and bicycling route is called “Rantaraitti” and it is 25 miles long.
Photo: Outdoor gyms along the route make it easy to keep up your strength training.
Photo: The Pedestrian and bicycle roads look like this in Helsinki. Photo by Maiju Rihtniemi.
After a workout or hike, why not sauna? Konttisaunas—portable container saunas—sit right by the beach, available for private bookings or drop-in sessions.
We had a beautiful visit to the local novelty called Hype Areena, a hybrid areena with sun deck & pool and sauna, gym, ice rink, concert venue and amazing restaurants. This brand new venue has it all for a gym goer or for a corporate event organizer.
Photo by Portable Public Container Sauna
Finally, sadly, our beautiful visit to Finland had came to its end. A morning swim started our last the day in the most peaceful way, with swans gliding by and swallows skimming the water.
A passing swimmer called the water “warm as bird’s milk.” That’s Finnish for “perfect”.
Fortunately, Finland’s summer has a way of staying with you. The light, the laughter, the water—every moment pulls you back, long after you’ve left.
Thank you Finland, and all our nearest and dearest for having us.
Photo: Swimming dock in Kivenlahti Beach in Espoo.
Photos from article writer’s private album unless mentioned.