Things to do in Uusimaa, Finland: The Best Walking Tours

What do Finns eat? Get familiar with the local ingredients and seasonal specialties on this private 2-hour walking tour in Helsinki. Hear the stories on the development of the Finnish food scene from the simple porridge-eaters to Michelin Star cuisine of today. For a drink, you will have the finest products of the local microbreweries.

Inclusions: Food tasting, Lunch, Limited beer, wine and soft drinks

Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified

Helsinki is a gem for architecture enthusiasts. It is difficult, if not possible, to find another urban space that houses a wide range of architectural styles like Helsinki; neoclassical, gothic revival, (largest collection of) Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Nordic classicism, modernism, functionalism, and contemporary styles in a compact city centre. Different historical periods left their marks on Helsinki, however it is easy to miss these great works of world renowned architects, from Engel to Saarinen, from Aalto to Siren and Revell in ordinary city tours. Join us in a great architecture tour with a small group to visit and enjoy the architectural wonders Helsinki offers, such as the National Library of Finland, Central Railway Station, new public library Oodi, Chapel of Silence, Kiasma modern art museum, The Rock Church, Finlandia Hall and more.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities

This guided foraging tour from Helsinki immerses us into the forest and the magical world of fungi. Bright oranges, golden yellows, and deep reds decorate the forest floor. We are in search of Finland's most delicious and prized edible mushrooms, the chanterelle. It is also a personal favourite here at Taiga Times. However, as the name suggests, it is a hunt! We will not always find what we are looking for, and although most of the mushrooms are harmless, there are many poisonous ones too. But not to worry, for your guide will able to show you which are edible and is always available to explain about the different fungi you have found. Highlights: • Forage with a professional guide in a national park • Learn how to identify specific edible mushrooms • Help prepare and cook your wild fungi finds • Enjoy a Finnish-style lunch and coffee by the campfire

Inclusions: Coffee and/or Tea, Finnish-style lunch over the campfire, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Raincoat

Exclusions: As a sustainable company we don't provide plastic bottles and we highly recommend you to take a reusable water bottle with you.

We will walk together in and around the city center for three hours, discovering Helsinki's secrets, learning its history, culture and traditions. Why do Helsinki people have picnic on top of graves? What was the meeting point of the bohemian people of 1880s in Helsinki? How did they build a church inside a giant granite rock? Where did Lenin hide when he was running away from the Tsarist Russia? Which statue is the one that seagulls hate the most? Where did they bury thousands of bodies during the plague? Why is the largest Orthodox cathedral located in a Lutheran country? Where can you eat the best salmon soup of your life? Why Finnish people still cheer for the opponents of the Swedish national football team? How did a Finnish architect influence generations of American architects and skyscraper designs? We will find answers to all of these questions and more, while visiting each of these less known yet important locations in Helsinki.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities

If you have time between flights, don’t waste it at the airport, grab the tour. By the private car, we will pick you up from Helsinki (Vantaa) Airport and return you back after the tour, according to your flights. We will visit Senate Square, Railway Station square, Aleksander street, Church of Silence, Oodi library, Cathedrals and more. Your guide will be happy to answer any questions you have.

Inclusions: Private transportation, All Fees and Taxes

Exclusions:

We will walk together in and around the city center for three hours, discovering Helsinki's secrets, learning its history, culture and traditions. Why do Helsinki people have picnic on top of graves? What was the meeting point of the bohemian people of 1880s in Helsinki? How did they build a church inside a giant granite rock? Where did Lenin hide when he was running away from the Tsarist Russia? Which statue is the one that seagulls hate the most? Where did they bury thousands of bodies during the plague? Why is the largest Orthodox cathedral located in a Lutheran country? Where can you eat the best salmon soup of your life? Why Finnish people still cheer for the opponents of the Swedish national football team? How did a Finnish architect influence generations of American architects and skyscraper designs? We will find answers to all of these questions and more, while visiting each of these less known yet important locations in Helsinki.

Inclusions: Local guide

Exclusions: Food and drinks, Transportation to/from attractions, Gratuities

This day trip from Helsinki takes you to one of Finland’s oldest national parks, Liesjärvi. Our trips are exclusive since they never exceed 8 persons. Highlights: • Experience genuine silence only found in a winter forest • Very few visitors during the winter season • Traditional Finnish-style lunch inside Winter Kota (traditional Finnish hut) • Feel the calming effect of the forest in the winter Winter allows us to witness the forest in its mystic grandeur. Snow gently falls and blankets the entire forest, embracing the trees and creating a peaceful silence throughout the woods. It would seem as though the forest is asleep during these frigid months, but with care, you are able to see tracks of the animals such as the red fox, mountain hare, and moose. Our winter wonderland hike is perfect for those who want to escape the city. We will take you for an adventure into the forests of Finland, providing a high-quality guided experience.

Inclusions: Finnish-style lunch over a campfire, Coffee and/or Tea, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: As a sustainable company we don't provide plastic bottles and we recommend you to take a reusable water bottle with you.

Experience the best of both worlds! A relaxing hike and lunch in a Finnish national park and an afternoon stroll through the enchanting old town of Porvoo. It's your vacation so let us take care of the details. Visiting a national park is a MUST when travelling to Finland. Lucky for you, we have a professional wilderness guide who will tell your group many fascinating facts about Finnish nature and culture. During your time in the national park, you will have time to take photos, explore the forest and lake, and enjoy lunch. After a refreshing taste of nature, we continue to the magical old town of Porvoo. A small and colourful village lined with cobblestone streets. We will visit the Porvoo cathedral, walk through the idyllic town square and handicraft stores, visit Porvoo's famous chocolate shop and take photos from the picture-perfect bridge overlooking the old town and river. During this tour, you will get a truly authentic experience of Finnish nature and culture!

Inclusions: Lunch, Snacks, Bottled water, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Professional guide, Raincoat in case of rain

Exclusions: Personal souvenir shopping

Exploring an off the beaten path destination is now more important than ever! Join us on this full-day private excursion to Liesjärvi National Park and walk a path very few international visitors will ever have the chance to experience. Our walk starts upon the parks main attraction, a winding and ancient esker trail which lays between two pristine freshwater lakes. From the other side of the esker trail, we will enter into a forest that can only be described as enchanting. The taiga forest is full of surprises, many of which we can see for ourselves during each and every season. Our lunches in the national park will always be made from fresh Finnish ingredients and inspired by local twists and traditional recipes. Most often, we will be cooking with fresh smoked salmon but are completely adaptable to dietary restrictions and food preferences. This will be a truly unique and high-quality experience for you and it will be our pleasure in showing you the Finnish ways of the forest!

Inclusions: Finnish-style lunch with dessert, Coffee and/or Tea, Private transportation, Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board, Raincoat in case of rain

Exclusions:

Explore one of Helsinki's best-kept natural secrets and join us on this half-day privately guided hike in the Archipelago where the forest meets the sea. One of our most popular hikes last year was upon the coastal trails of Helsinki's archipelago. A walk into the coastal forests brings us on a maintained nature trail with countless smaller trails made by deers, foxes, moose and more! Around our trail, we will visit an ancient burial cairn dated back to the Nordic bronze age and Soviet-era bunkers which have since been reclaimed by nature. Our time in the archipelago will be about experiencing nature first-hand and using our senses. The aroma of the forest, the sounds of the sea, the colours of the season, our feet upon the undisturbed ground, and a delicious lunch overlooking the baltic sea. We believe that nature heals. Surrounded by natural wonders and incredibly diverse habitats this half-day in the archipelago will leave you wanting to rekindle your love for the outdoors.

Inclusions: Lunch with dessert, Coffee and/or Tea, Private transportation, WiFi on board, Air-conditioned vehicle, Raincoat in case of rain

Exclusions: