Holidays and short stay

In Finland we have a variety of accommodation possibilities for tourists. Whether your trip is in the heart of winter or in the heat of summer, there is always something to meet your needs. 

Hotels / youth hostels

There is a variety in pricing and in quality, when it comes to hotels in Finland. At the cheapest, you can get a room in a hostel for less than 20 €. For luxury living, prepare to cough up 140 € or more for a night. (Prices in 2008)

Camping

If you’re on a tight budget, or just like to take it back to nature, try camping in the wild. There is a traditional legal concept in Finland called Everyman’s right, which allows free acces to land and waterways, and doesn’t require landowners permission.

Everyman's right in brief

You may:
• walk, ski or cycle freely in the countryside, except in gardens, in the immediate vicinity of people’s homes, and in fields and plantations which could easily be damaged
• stay or set up camp temporarily in the countryside, a reasonable distance from homes
• pick wild berries, mushrooms and flowers, as long as they are not protected species
• fish with a rod and line
• row, sail or use a motorboat on waterways, with certain restrictions;  swim or wash in inland waters and the sea
• walk, ski and fish on frozen lakes, rivers and the sea

You may not:
• disturb other people or damage property
• disturb breeding birds, or their nests or young
• disturb reindeer or game animals
• cut down or damage living trees, or collect wood, moss or lichen on other people’s property
• light open fires on other people’s property, except in an emergency
• disturb the privacy of people’s homes, by camping too near them, or making too much noise, for example
• leave litter
• drive motor vehicles off road without the landowner’s permission
• fish or hunt without the relevant permits

There are also official campsites around the country in beautiful locations, where you can (for a reasonable price) set up your tent, park your caravan or rent a cottage.