Helsinki Airport is the leading long-haul airport in Northern Europe, serving over 16 million passengers annually. Each year more passengers travelling to or from Asia stop there for just five hours or a couple of nights, enough time to look around and get to know Finland a bit better.
There’s lots to explore. Travel guide publisher Lonely Planet nominated Finland as one of the top three travel destinations for 2017. Lonely Planet notes that with the centenary celebrations in 2017 for the anniversary of Finland’s independence, the country is filled with interesting events happening in every region.
If your journey leads you through Helsinki Airport, take some extra time and stop overnight with StopOver Finland.
“Highlights include Jogging between Flights, in which travellers are invited to stretch their legs, enjoy some fresh air and see Helsinki’s main sites all at once, with an English-speaking running guide”, says StopOver Finland programme manager Kaisa Kosonen.
Kosonen also recommends Northern Lights in winter. A three-night stopover provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the natural phenomenon of Aurora Borealis, nature’s spectacular light show. Another fascinating way to spend your stop is Live like a Local, which offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy life like a genuine Finn. The package includes a compact introduction to the Finnish way of life, with dinner at a local home and many other unique experiences.
By Hannele Tavi, ThisisFINLAND Magazine 2017
