Finland · FOOD
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 12 food experiences worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Join David from Backpacker Helsinki Tour for a 4.5-hour trip from central Helsinki to Nuuksio National Park. Walk forest trails, spot berries, mushrooms, trees, and animal tracks, try snowshoes in winter, and enjoy homemade soup, glögi, biscuits, and berry drink.
“Great guide, excellent knowledge of plants and tree, good to have a day away from the city and explore the Finish countryside.”
Join a Finnish or English-speaking guide at the Arctic SnowHotel near Rovaniemi. See snow-built rooms, ice sculptures, the Ice Bar, and Ice Restaurant, then eat by an open fire in a warm log restaurant. Transfers, sledding access, and a three-course dinner are included.
“We loved the experience. The coach arrived at Santa Hotel in time and the trip was comfortable. The guide met us at the SnowHotel and explained how the hotel is built and left us free to go around the rooms by ourselves, which was nice as everyone has got their own path. The SnowHotel is beautiful and really worth the visit. We also went to the ice bar and ordered a lovely shot in a ice glass. We then went for dinner at the Roka restaurant which was an incredible experience. We ate right next to the fire, the atmosphere was very calm and romantic. We were very glad we…”
Walk Helsinki with a local guide such as Lara, Larisa, or Anastasia, visiting Senate Square, the harbor, Old Market Hall, Esplanadi, and two cathedrals. Along the way, sample salmon, reindeer, herring, caviar, cheese, pastries, soft drinks, and chocolate. This is sightseeing with tastings, not lunch.
“Anastasia was an excellent guide. It was fun to learn from her about Helsinki and some of it’s food traditions. The tour started with an overview of the city and its history and then transitioned to trying a wide variety of local foods like salmon, prawns, reindeer, herring, bear, squeaky cheese and cloudberry jam in the oldest food hall of Helsinki. Then a little more walking to try a few more items like a traditional breakfast rice pie pastry and some chocolates.”
From Safartica in central Rovaniemi, you’ll ride a two-person snowmobile through snowy forests and frozen rivers, learn the basics of ice fishing, and eat hot Lappish soup in a heated tent. Winter clothing, equipment, drinks, and instruction are included.
“The company is excellent, guides are awesome! They provided all the gear and really focused on safety. I travelled with my 12 year old son and did not feel Very comfortable driving so one guide took him and the other one took me. Very nice! We had soup for lunch and it was delicious!!! I highly recommend this tour!!!”
Walk central Helsinki with a local guide such as Lara, then taste Finnish fish, smoked reindeer, rye bread, pastry, cheese, caviar, and Blue Chocolate at the Old Market Hall. This 2.5-hour private or small-group tour joins city sights with a generous introduction to local food.
“Lara is an excellent tour guide! She told us about the history of Helsinki and Finland. She is friendly and kind and is a professional tour guide which makes me love the city more! Highly recommended this tour !”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Helsinki’s Old Market Hall for a two-hour walk through Finnish food and culture. Expect reindeer, sausages, fish, squeaky cheese, cloudberry jam, Fazer sweets and advice on Finnish drinks, with guides such as Olga, Cornelia, Christina and Artem leading the way.
“A great way to taste key dishes which are native to Finland. Our guide was knowledgeable both about food, but also the history of Helsinki. She took us into 4 different venues where we tasted fish, bear, reindeer, soup and dessert. This was a private tour so we were able to ask many questions”
Walk central Helsinki with an English-speaking guide such as Lara or Larisa, sampling Finnish salmon, herring, caviar, reindeer, Lapish cheese, pastries, chocolate, and coffee or tea. The two-hour route ends with a drink and city views at Monkey Rooftop Bar. Maximum group size: eight.
“We got to try different traditional meats, sweets, and tastes traditional to Finnish culture. It was so nice to end at the rooftop bar that overlooked Helsinki, which was absolutely breathtaking. I read some reviews that stated for the price they were looking for full meals, but I think this price was reasonable for the various different meats/fish/caviar and other treats we got to taste during the experience in addition to the drinks at the end. We had a really great time and it offered the opportunity to see and hear more about Helsinki and the Finnish culture.”
Meet guide David outside Storyville in Helsinki and ride to Bodom Lake for a five-hour small-group ice-fishing outing. You will learn to drill through the ice, use a pilkki, and finish with grilled makkara, vegetarian food, glögi, piparri, and a campfire at a traditional laavu.
“Expérience hors du commun avec un guide GÉNIAL ! Rien à dire, c était magique et à refaire. De plus il est très prévenant : bottes supplémentaires, gants au cas où votre tenue ne serait pas adaptée ! Prévoyez des bottes hyper waterproof + des vêtements de ski bien chauds ! Pour couronner le tout, à la fin de l'activité, le guide propose de griller des saucisses avec du pain traditionnel accompagné d'une boisson chaude finlandaise et des réglisses + petits biscuits. 10/10, rien à dire !”
Explore Helsinki’s Jugend Hall, Old Market Hall, and Market Square with guides such as Larisa or Anastasiya. Taste Finnish seafood, reindeer, bread, pastries, chocolate, and coffee or tea, then enjoy a rooftop drink and practical food tips. Tours last 2 to 2.5 hours.
“Very knowledgeable guide and lots of interesting foods to try. Would recommend.”
Join local guide Maddalena for a private 3.5-hour walk from Helsinki’s Old Market Hall to Hakaniemi Market Hall. You’ll sample Finnish fish, berries, game meats, fruit, coffee, dessert, and other seasonal treats while seeing Senate Square, Oodi, Töölö Bay, and key city sights.
“Tour was fantastic! Maddalena is so fun and knowledgeable and was great with our 10 year old son. She clearly loves what she does and loves Helsinki and Finland.”
Join Kiia of Taiga Times for a 3-hour-15-minute private outing from Cafe Carusel to Pihlajasaari. Ride a scenic waterbus, walk two linked islands, learn about Finnish nature and food, then share a picnic of salmon, reindeer mousse, rye breads, pastries, desserts, and blueberry juice.
“We started off our trip to Finland with this awesome excursion and we couldn’t have chosen better! My husband and I attended the last Baltic Bites tour of the season and were the only ones which made this even better. Kiia was a wonderful guide and taught us how to pick berries as we hiked around the iskand and gave us great recommendations in and around Helsinki, including restaurants, food from the market, and public saunas to try! The picnic lunch was delicious and was a perfect introduction to Finnish food. Would highly recommend this tour - we only wish we had more time for other Taiga Times tours!”
Meet your English-speaking guide at Cafe Carusel for a 15-minute waterbus ride to Pihlajasaari. Walk its beaches, rocky shores, and coastal forest, then enjoy Finnish sapas with reindeer, fish, bread, dessert, and blueberry juice. Guides have included Kiki and Kia.
“The tour was AMAZING! Kiki led our group to the ferry for the short commute to a beautiful island where we leisurely walked around learning about history, wildlife and nature. Then she presented us a delicious spread of native food and we had a fantastic picnic and conversations. Great way to spend a couple of hours in Helsinki.”
Pick a town, a machine, or a fire to sit beside.
