A friend invited me on a winter trek for Valentine’s Day weekend. Since she didn’t have much experience with winter camping yet, she was looking for a more seasoned companion to join her. I loved the idea immediately—of course we’re going! Article by Jonna Viitaniemi The forecast for the weekend promised biting cold, with temperatures […]
Located right next to Sipoonkorpi National Park, you’ll find a unique lakeside environment perfect for a quick nature fix or a more intimate day at the beach. Despite the modest size of the lake itself, the Lake Kuusijärvi outdoor recreation area holds the title of Vantaa’s largest beach and is a popular recreational site owned […]
At the Saivo sauna of the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia in Nuuksio National Park, you can now enjoy a relaxing sauna session guided by a professional host, our very own Master of Sauna. The Silent Sauna is a two-hour, holistic, multi-sensory, and deeply soothing experience in which the host’s carefully conducted steam ritual and the […]
Finland offers countless nature destinations where you can experience an authentic Finnish sauna. You’ll find saunas deep in the wilderness as well as in green areas close to cities. At the end of this article, we list nature saunas our team members have personally enjoyed around the country. There are many more, of course — […]
In Finnish Christmas traditions, going to the sauna — joulusauna a.k.a. the Christmas sauna — has long been one of the most important rituals. Old folk beliefs were filled with elves and spirits, and various charms were performed to ensure a good harvest in the coming summer. Most modern Finns no longer have flax fields […]
Finnish sauna culture is full of colourful expressions that may sound mysterious—or even a little startling—to someone from abroad. Many of these sayings reflect the long-standing Finnish relationship with heat, steam, and the sense of wellbeing that the sauna provides. This article breaks down the meanings and background of common phrases, helping readers from outside […]
Experience an authentic Finnish Dry Sauna at the gateway to Nuuksio National Park, just a short 35 min journey from Helsinki. In Saivo’s private sauna at the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, you can unwind, enjoy traditional sauna rituals, and immerse yourself in the tranquillity of Finland’s beloved natural landscapes. Is there anything I should take […]
When you long for a nature-inspired experience with an authentic Finnish twist, you don’t have to travel far – just half an hour from the centre of Helsinki or Helsinki Airport, and you’ll find yourself at the gateway to Nuuksio National Park. There, nestled within the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, awaits a real Finnish sauna: […]
Looking for an easy way to immerse yourself in Finland’s forests and lakes without travelling far from Helsinki? Choose Nuuksio National Park and, at its heart, the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia. Haltia is the ideal gateway to the park: you can arrive by public transport, get personalised advice at the information desk, rent outdoor gear, […]
Why Does Sauna Bathing Feel So Good? How Does the Sauna Relax Us? Great questions! We’ve gathered here a few interesting ways in which being in a hot Finnish sauna affects your body. Where exactly the feeling of wellbeing comes from, however, we still do not know for sure. This article is based on the […]
