guardian travel finland

Finland holidays

10 of the best European activity breaks with a spirit of adventure

November 2023.

‘A delirious deco dream’: former TB sanatorium is now Finland’s most unusual holiday let

Salmon, saunas and sopranos: Finland’s opera festival with a difference

August 2022.

Rail journey of the month Rail route of the month: gliding past Finland’s pristine forests and lakes

A local's guide A local’s guide to Helsinki, Finland: delicious seafood, islands to explore and a dash of Arctic cool

Away from it all: island hopping around Finland’s Turku archipelago

Helsinki's huge VR gig hints at the potential of virtual tourism

What the Moomins creator can teach us about small worlds

Swimming under the ice: 'There's nothing. You are completely alone'

September 2019, a local's guide a local’s guide to helsinki, finland: 10 top tips.

City break in Turku – where the Finnish started

November 2018.

Seasonal city breaks: 10 of the best pre-Christmas European getaways

Shortcuts Let’s visit Lordi’s Square: what to do if you’re stuck in Lapland with no snow this Christmas

October 2018.

Five of Europe’s best wildernesses for spotting big beasts

August 2018, 20 of the best baltic beach holidays.

20 of the best Nordic summer holidays

November 2017, world view it's a husky's life, finnish lapland: travel photo of the week.

New Moomin museum opens in Finland

Serene summer in finland’s centenary national park.

Free world Silence, serenity and sparkling wine at Finland's Valamo Monastery

• Europe holidays
• Scandinavia holidays
• Cultural trips
• Helsinki holidays
• Adventure travel

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Finland country guide: Everything you need to know before you go

This trendy nordic nation packs in an outdoorsy design capital, tiny islands and serene lakes with cabins and pines ‒ not to mention lapland’s snowscapes and northern lights, article bookmarked.

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The “odd one out” of the Nordic nations – by virtue of its unique and tricky-to-learn language and relatively isolated location – Finland ’s prime asset is its plentiful landscape. Made up of pristine lakes and forests, it draws nature lovers to its meandering archipelagos and rugged northern wilderness. Access to all of these is served by an efficient transport infrastructure and a handy range of accommodation, spanning rustic shoreside cabins and secluded luxury hotels.

The Finns are known for their design and architecture, a fondness for saunas, their high-tech savvy (this was the birthplace of Nokia phones) and their prolonged status as “World’s Happiest Country” – they’ve won the accolade five years running . Post-pandemic, this nation is prouder than ever of its vast, unspoilt environment, with tour operators emphasising the potential for outdoor adventure travel combined with imaginative accommodation. At the same time, Finnish restaurants up and down the country are discovering exciting new ways to combine local fresh ingredients.

• Finland voted world’s happiest country for fifth year in a row

Travel restrictions and entry requirements

Showing proof of vaccination or taking a Covid-19 test is no longer required before or after arrival in Finland. When travelling from non-EU and non-Schengen countries, you should be aware of the post-Brexit EU passport rules .

Best time to go

Come in the brief but light-filled summer (late May to late August) to experience Finland at its most convivial, life-affirming best. This is when that “happiest nation” label is at its most convincing: sleepy small towns spring to life with top-class international festivals of jazz, opera, dance and film, while the Helsinki Festival is the zenith of the capital’s cultural calendar, supplemented by major rock festivals such as Flow and Sideways. Winters, especially in Lapland above the Arctic Circle, have their own appeal, including the prospect of seeing the Northern Lights and trying winter sports in unspoiled snowy landscapes.The country’s northern fells and forests are ideal for autumn hikes, where you’ll follow well-marked trails against a spectacular backdrop of yellow, red and orange foliage – a phenomenon known as ruska .

• Apps, VR and utopian neighbourhoods: Why Helsinki is Europe’s smartest city

Top cities and regions

Most visitors rightly make a point of including the vibrant capital on their itinerary, finding an expanding range of cool hotels to cushion their landing. Many of the city’s attractions, including the fabulous, historic Suomenlinna sea fortress, Korkeasaari Zoo and the Seurasaari Open Air Museum, are located on easily-reached islands scattered around the coastal city centre. Some are accessible by pedestrian and road bridges, others reached on short, pleasant voyages by scenic harbour ferry and water bus excursions. This waterfront lifestyle means seaside parks and cafes abound; in summer, colourful outdoor markets and sun-kissed restaurant terraces are a highlight.

• The green guide to visiting Helsinki

The capital’s two cathedrals – the majestic white Lutheran and the red-brick, onion-spired Orthodox – are harbourside reminders of Finland’s turbulent history as a meeting point between east and west. Its residential neighbourhoods feature well-preserved, fanciful Jugendstil and Art Nouveau architecture, while ongoing developments mean a wide network of designated cycle tracks hug the scenic coastline, also heading into the surrounding countryside. Drop in to the enormous Oodi Central Library, unveiled in 2018, an extraordinary rethink of what a library should be. Meanwhile, out-of-town day excursions might include the exquisite cobbled lanes and old wooden town of Porvoo, an hour’s drive to the east, or mushroom-picking in the woods of Nuuksio National Park, to the west.

• Taking the plunge: Ice swimming and sauna rituals in Finland

Lapland’s provincial capital, Rovaniemi, is a magnet for Christmas family visits (Santa’s “official” residence is just out of town, bang on the Arctic Circle). The rest of this area, the homeland of the indigenous Sámi people, offers the opposite excitements of Midnight Sun in summer and the moody enigma of the half-lit kaamos in winter, when the sun barely peeps above the horizon. Autumn and spring are best for viewing the Northern Lights, which – weather permitting – you have a good chance of seeing from your glass-roofed igloo or from a wilderness campfire on the edge of a frozen lake.

Finnish Lakeland

There are lakes everywhere in Finland, but the eastern Lakeland regions of Karelia and Savo, stretching towards the 1,300 kilometre border with Russia, are especially well-endowed. Here, seemingly endless, extremely beautiful inland waterways are linked by pine-trimmed ridges. Go in summer to enjoy a steamboat cruise or rent a lakeside cottage, where you can idle away a week of blissful sauna-bathing, boat-rowing and berry-picking. The central city of Tampere is often referred to as “Finland’s Manchester” by virtue of its redbrick mill and factory buildings, many converted imaginatively to waterside restaurants, shops and museums. It’s also home to the world’s only Moomin museum.

• Tampere: Finland’s less obvious city break

The Baltic archipelagos

The southwest Baltic archipelagos – including the rustic, Swedish-speaking and autonomous Åland Islands – are dotted with red-barn farms, wildflower meadows and charming guesthouses, plus restaurants serving rich, dark breads and smoked fish. Traversed by ferries and bridges, it’s ideal for island-hopping and cycling adventures, as well as birdwatching. The riverside city of Turku, with its riverboat bars, castle and 14th-century cathedral, was Finland’s capital until Russian rulers took over from Sweden here in 1809. Now it’s a port for daily ferries to and from Stockholm.

Best under the radar destinations

It may be known as “shark island”, but don’t be put off visiting Hailuoto, in the Baltic’s far north – the feared, finned creatures don’t reside in these Finnish waters. What you will find are some beautiful secluded sandy beaches to stroll along, and a fine hotel and restaurant at the foot of the lighthouse on the island’s western tip. Hailuoto has its own eponymous brewery and bar housed in a barn, and twitchers are drawn here by virtue of its location on the route for migratory birds, and proximity to Liminganlahti nature reserve. Regular car and bus ferries make the short crossing from just outside the city of Oulu.

This harbour town towards the eastern border is the home of Vellamo, the national Maritime Centre and an absorbing museum of Finland’s seafaring heritage. The town is also proud of its well-tended parks, with rhododendrons providing an explosion of early summer colour. A short bus ride from the centre of town takes you to the Langinkoski rapids on the river Kymijoki – don’t miss the handsome wooden villa, now a museum, that served as the Imperial Fishing Lodge of Tsar Alexander III in the days of Russian rule.

Tertti Manor, seven kilometres east of Mikkeli, on the edge of Finland’s eastern lakes, is an elegant former country house transformed into a destination boutique hotel, with its own organic farm, restaurant, cafe and shop. It makes a pleasant stop for a few hours on the drive to the lakes or as an overnight base for regional forays. Sustainable travel fans are lured by the restaurant’s menu, using local ingredients from lake, river and forest.

• Five things to do in Lapland when there’s no snow

Best things to do

Walk on water.

The inlets in and around Helsinki’s Baltic coastline often freeze up in winter, extending the city with a surreal and dazzling “ice park”, frequented by skiers, skaters, cyclists, dog walkers, ice-hole fishermen and kite flyers. For safety reasons, always check with the locals before venturing onto the ice.

Tuck in at Helsinki’s fine-dining restaurants

The Finnish capital now has seven Michelin-starred restaurants – one of which has two stars – each mining fresh, seasonal Finnish ingredients for inspiration. But these fish, berries, mushrooms, foraged herbs and fresh vegetables, are not exclusive to the gourmet venues: you’ll find a huge choice of affordable, informal dining spots, too.

Cycle the Espoo coastal route

One of the most beautiful urban cycle routes in the world, this path takes you west from the capital, hugging the coast for more than 20km of jaw-dropping scenery as it takes you to Kivenlahti. Pick up a City Bike at one of hundreds of bike stations to take the ride.

Explore Finland’s newest National Park

Salla, on the southern edge of the Lapland province, has fell-top views across the border into Russia, and is home to snowshoeing adventures and husky safaris in winter, fat bike treks in summer, and wilderness autumn hikes.

Wildlife-watching near the Russian border

Spend the night whispering excitedly to fellow tourists as brown bears and wolves cavort in forest clearings outside your hide. You are almost guaranteed sightings of these wild animals through the spring and summer months in areas such as Wild Taiga and Kuhmo.

• How Nordic wines became the latest trend

Getting around

Finnair provides air links to several domestic airports from Helsinki, including Rovaniemi and Ivalo in Lapland, Oulu at the northwest tip of the Baltic, and Kuopio in the northeast. The railway network extending from Helsinki includes InterCity trains to major towns and cities such as Tampere, Turku, Kuopio, Rovaniemi and Jyväskylä, which are also served by more occasional, faster Pendolino trains.

How to get there

Booking well ahead on Finnair (flying from Heathrow and Manchester), Norwegian (Gatwick) or Ryanair (Stansted) to Helsinki is usually the cheapest option, as well as fastest and most direct. You’ll need a few days in order to come overland and by sea, taking the train via Amsterdam, Hamburg, Copenhagen and Stockholm, then a ferry from Stockholm to Helsinki or Turku.

Money-saving tip

Get yourself a tourist discount card when staying in one of the cities. The Helsinki Card , for instance, gives you unlimited travel on the capital’s local trains, buses, trams, Metro and ferries, as well as free entry to some museums and attractions.

What’s the weather like?

Finland is a great place to enjoy the four distinct seasons. Spring comes suddenly in these northern regions, with snow cover giving way to explosive foliage growth and temperatures suitable for cycling and hiking. Bring light clothing for summer days, with a jacket or jersey for sitting on those outdoor bar terraces in the evenings. Summers, which usually kick in early- to mid-May in Helsinki and the southern part of the country, are comfortably mild and conducive to outdoor activities. Autumn comes in early September, often with stormy wet weather along the southern coasts and brilliantly colourful foliage displays in the north, making this a popular time for wilderness hiking in Lapland. Permanent snow cover returns before Christmas in Lapland in the far north, while the sea might start to freeze along the southern inlets in late January, when Finns get out their skates and skis.

What time zone is it in?

Finland is two hours ahead of the UK, year-round.

Which currency do I need?

What’s the language.

Finnish and Swedish are both official languages. Sámi is also spoken in Lapland. Tourists will find English is widely spoken, especially in urban areas.

Are there polar bears in Finland?

No! Try Alaska, Canada, Russia, Greenland or Svalbard, Norway.

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Finland holidays

10 of the best European activity breaks with a spirit of adventure

November 2023.

‘A delirious deco dream’: former TB sanatorium is now Finland’s most unusual holiday let

Salmon, saunas and sopranos: Finland’s opera festival with a difference

August 2022.

Rail journey of the month Rail route of the month: gliding past Finland’s pristine forests and lakes

A local's guide A local’s guide to Helsinki, Finland: delicious seafood, islands to explore and a dash of Arctic cool

Away from it all: island hopping around Finland’s Turku archipelago

Helsinki's huge VR gig hints at the potential of virtual tourism

What the Moomins creator can teach us about small worlds

Swimming under the ice: 'There's nothing. You are completely alone'

September 2019, a local's guide a local’s guide to helsinki, finland: 10 top tips.

City break in Turku – where the Finnish started

November 2018.

Seasonal city breaks: 10 of the best pre-Christmas European getaways

Shortcuts Let’s visit Lordi’s Square: what to do if you’re stuck in Lapland with no snow this Christmas

October 2018.

Five of Europe’s best wildernesses for spotting big beasts

August 2018, 20 of the best baltic beach holidays.

20 of the best Nordic summer holidays

November 2017, world view it's a husky's life, finnish lapland: travel photo of the week.

New Moomin museum opens in Finland

Serene summer in finland’s centenary national park.

Free world Silence, serenity and sparkling wine at Finland's Valamo Monastery

• Europe holidays
• Scandinavia holidays
• Cultural trips
• Helsinki holidays
• Adventure travel

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Finland debating stop to tourist visas for Russian citizens

Other neighbouring Schengen zone countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have already restricted visas

• Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates

Finland is debating whether to stop issuing tourist visas to regular Russian citizens, a move that would bring it into line with its Baltic neighbours but has already prompted Moscow to threaten a “very negative reaction”.

Russians have long crossed their country’s 830-mile border with Finland to holiday, shop in border stores and travel onwards to other European destinations – and Helsinki remains the only EU member to routinely grant tourist visas.

But Moscow’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and Finland’s subsequent application to join the Nato defensive alliance have led many Finns to question whether the practice can any longer be justified, while others say a blanket ban would be unfair – and costly.

“It can’t be possible that Finland is allowing Russian tourists to take their holidays and spend their money here while Russia is destroying Ukraine and killing its citizens indiscriminately,” the tabloid Iltalehti said in an editorial.

“It’s morally unacceptable … Estonia , Latvia and Lithuania are not accepting tourist visa applications. Closing our borders would send a clear message to Russians about the consequences of ignoring war crimes and supporting Russia’s war of aggression.”

The broadsheet Helsingin Sanomat, however, said the issue was “not so clearcut. Restrictions must be in line with our own values and goals. Sanctions should not be imposed on the basis of nationality, but according to a person’s actions or inaction.”

Russia lifted Covid travel restrictions in mid-July, leading to a sharp rise in tourist numbers. Travel firms in St Petersburg are again offering coach trips, and more Russians are travelling to southern European resorts through Finnish airports to evade the EU’s ban on Russian flights through its airspace.

According to the Finnish foreign ministry, 10,520 new tourist visas were issued to Russian nationals in the first three weeks of July alone. A cross-party majority in Finland’s parliament, however, has voiced strong support for tighter restrictions.

The acting prime minister, Aki Lindén, of the ruling Social Democrats, said on Tuesday he was “personally of the opinion it needs to be stricter”, although the high number of existing visas – about 100,000, many valid for up to five years – complicated the issue. No decision would be made until ministers returned from summer holiday, he said.

An MP from the opposition conservative National Coalition party, Jukka Kopra, told Agence France-Presse the situation was “unbearable … Ukraine’s citizens are being killed, civilians, women and children, and Russians are spending holidays in the EU”.

Other Schengen zone countries that share a border with Russia such as Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Poland have already restricted Russian visas. Estonia’s interior minister, Lauri Läänemets, said this week an EU-wide solution was needed.

Current rules did not allow Estonia to deny entry to people granted a visa by another Schengen zone state, Läänemets said. While Estonia itself is issuing visas to Russians only in exceptional circumstances, he said, “Russians holding other countries’ visas are increasingly coming to Estonia and often using it as a transit country”.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday Moscow “would, of course, react very negatively” to any decision by Finland to introduce restrictions on Russian tourists. “All such actions against Russian citizens would require countermeasures and a response – this should be understandable and expected,” Peskov said.

Any border closure to Russian tourists, who before the pandemic were Finland’s largest source of foreign tourism revenue, would deal the country an economic blow, particularly in border towns where a whole industry has grown up to cater to them.

“What do they gain from isolating normal Russian citizens?” Mohamad Darwich of the Laplandia Market supermarket, a few minutes from the border, told AFP. Restrictions would cause “a huge problem for the local people and business,” he said.

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Getting help

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Finland

Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

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At a glance: travelling around Finland by caravan and motorhome

Author: Freeontour, Header image: Pixabay

Last update:  April 11, 2024 

Entry into Finland The most important traffic rules for motorhomes and caravans in Finland Gas bottle exchange Toll roads in Finland Petrol stations in Finland: opening times and payment methods General traffic rules in Finland Important addresses and telephone numbers for holidaymakers in Finland

Entry into Finland

Entry requirements for EU citizens:  when visiting Finland as tourists, EU citizens need a (temporary) passport, a (temporary) ID card or a child passport. The documents must be valid for the entire travel period. 

Entry requirements for British citizens: when visiting as tourists, British citizens need a (child) passport that has at least three months of validity after you plan to leave and is not older than ten years when entering the country. You will not need a visa if you stay up to 90 days every 180-day period. Visits to Schengen countries within the previous 180 days before you travel count towards your 90 days. Stays of more than 90 days will require a visa.

Entry requirements for children:  minors (under 18 years of age) travelling with you, e.g. friends of your children, should carry a valid ID card/passport and a declaration of consent from their parents or legal guardian, which should also state the period of travel.

Entry requirements for pets:  the EU regulations apply to the entry of pets such as dogs or cats – but with additional stipulations: the pet must be at least three months old. You must have a pet passport (or an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) if travelling from Great Britain) and the animal must have identification (a readable tattoo before 3rd July 2011) or a microchip. It must also have a valid rabies vaccination that is at least 21 days old. You can easily take up to five animals with you to Finland. If you exceed this number, you will need to observe the regulations for commercial importation. Since Finland is one of the very few tapeworm-free countries in Europe, there are still very strict rules: dogs must be treated against tapeworm 24 to 120 hours before entering Finland. This must be noted in the pet passport or AHC by a vet, preferably with the date and time of the treatment.  Please note:  if you are entering the country directly from a country that is also tapeworm-free, e.g.  Norway , then your dogs do not have to be treated again against tapeworm.

The most important traffic rules for motorhomes and caravans in Finland

Speed limits on Finnish roads for cars, campervans and motorhomes

*  Only motorhomes that have manufacturer approval for 100 km/h are allowed to drive 100 km/h.   ** Car/caravan combinations with a light caravan up to 750 kg are allowed to be driven at 100 km/h. Speeding fines: speeding violations in Finland can result in high fines. If you exceed the speed limit by 20 km/h, you will have to pay a fine of €200; by 50 km/h, you will be facing a fine of at least 14 days, based on the driver's income. The following also applies to caravans: vehicles towing a caravan must have a rear-view mirror on both sides.

Gas bottle exchange

It is prohibited to fill up foreign gas cylinders in Finland. However, should it be necessary, you can rent gas bottles, e.g. the national AGA rental gas bottles, BP lightweight gas bottles or gas cylinders from Tehokaasu.

Toll roads in Finland

Road use in Finland is free of charge at all times – there are no tolls. Even ferries, which cover short distances inland and are called Lossi in Finnish, are toll-free as they are considered part of the road network.

Petrol stations in Finland: opening times and payment methods

Most Finnish petrol stations are open from around 7 am to 9 pm, often earlier on Sundays. Some motorway service stations also offer a 24-hour service and there are automated petrol pumps in many places. There are fewer petrol stations in northern Finland and in rural areas, so you should fill up well in advance. You can pay by credit card or cash, sometimes the Maestro card is also accepted. When paying in cash, you need to know that 1 or 2 cent coins are not in circulation or accepted in Finland. Prices will be rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. This rule does not apply to card payments. Incidentally, the Finns are in the habit of not paying straight after filling up – instead, they park their vehicle away from the pump to make room for the next customer and then they go inside the petrol station to pay. Please note that foreign gas bottles cannot be exchanged at Finnish petrol stations.

General traffic rules in Finland

Alcohol limit in Finland: The permitted alcohol limit is 0.5%. Violations are very expensive and you will have to pay a daily fine: if your blood alcohol level is higher, but not over 1.2%, you could receive up to 120 days and a driving ban, but you risk imprisonment if it measures more than 1.2%. Mobile phone use in vehicles: You may only use a mobile phone in a vehicle with a hands-free device while driving. Light requirements: In Finland it is illegal to drive without your headlights on, regardless of the time of year or day. So, always switch on your dipped beam or daytime running lights depending on the light and weather conditions. Winter tyres: Winter tyres are compulsory in Finland between 1st November and the end of March for all motor vehicles up to and over 3.5 t if the road conditions demand use of winter tyres. This obligation also applies to trailers with brakes. In the northern Finnish region of Lapland, winter tyres are compulsory from mid-October to the end of April. The minimum tread depth is generally 3 mm, but at least 5 mm is recommended. This also applies to all-season tyres marked with the snowflake symbol or the M+S symbol. Snow chains are not common in Finland, but can be fitted to winter tyres if necessary. Studded tyres may be driven in Finland between 1 November and the first Monday after Easter.  High-visibility vest requirement: High-visibility vests are not mandatory in Finland. Nevertheless, every person that has to leave the vehicle after an accident or breakdown has to wear a high-vis vest. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to have enough safety vests with you in the vehicle. Incidentally, pedestrians also have to wear reflective clothing or high-visibility vests when not in a built-up area.

Caution, deer crossing: Pay attention to the deer crossing warning signs! Reindeer and elk often cross the roads at dusk, so you need to be extra vigilant, especially in rural areas. This also applies even more so to the months of May, June, October and November. If you are involved in a wildlife accident, notify the police immediately (112).

Important addresses and telephone numbers for holidaymakers in Finland

European emergency number: 112 Ring this central emergency number to get help from the local police, fire brigade, emergency doctor or ambulance. Calls are free from a landline and mobile phone, no area code is needed.

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Many of us are looking for ways to tread lighter as we explore the world’s many amazing sights, natural wonders and fascinating cultures. The question of how to travel more sustainably is complex but at its heart is a commitment to reduce the negative impacts of travel, from carbon emissions to plastic waste, and enhance the positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. With this in mind Guardian Holidays is making it easier for you to find our more sustainable trips  - where you see the ‘More sustainable option’ badge you can be confident that the holiday has been designed with sustainability in mind. Partners such as Exodus Travels and Wild Frontiers plan trips which support the communities they visit through the use of local guides, hotels and restaurants where possible and adhere to stringent animal welfare standards. Some of these trips include flights but our partners are committed to reducing carbon emissions across transport, accommodation and food waste and eliminating single use plastics.  If your preference is to avoid flying completely we also have a growing range of UK and European holidays which offer a no fly option.  From independent trips by train with Railbookers to classic tours and river cruises, these trips allow you to travel completely flight free.    We will continue to monitor our partners’ sustainability policies and aim to bring even more sustainable travel options to you in the future. Plus, every trip you take with Guardian Holidays helps support the Guardian’s independent journalism.

flight free holidays

Flight free

Paris was, is and always will be, something rather special. So if you have an anniversary to celebrate, a family get...

Medieval buildings, romantic squares, pretty canals, world-class art; Bruges is a lavish feast for the eyes. This being...

Highlights of the Cornish Coast

Experience three of Cornwall’s most charming seaside resorts on this relaxing holiday by train. Your first stop is the...

Solo travel

Bruges for solo travellers

Bruges is renowned for being one of the most picture-perfect towns in Europe, propelled to the spotlight by the dark...

Andre Rieu Christmas Concert in Maastricht by Eurostar - 4 days

Highlights of Normandy: Monet’s Garden, Rouen and Honfleur

William the Conqueror, D-Day, atmospheric Honfleur, medieval Rouen immortalised by Monet plus delightful Bayeux. This...

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Amsterdam & the Dutch Bulbfields by Eurostar

Bordeaux & Saint-Émilion

The sand-coloured streets of Bordeaux's historic centre beg to be explored, with 362 historic monuments to uncover - some...

Enchanting Rhine and Yuletide Markets River Cruise - MS Oscar Wilde

Discover the magical ambience of Germany's traditional Christmas markets with their host of unique, inspired gift ideas,...

more sustainable adventures

Small group

Georgia: Land of Myths and Mountains

from £1,780

Georgia’s beauty is legendary and takes many forms. From the cobbled streets and hidden squares of old Tbilisi to the...

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Marrakech & the Sahara

from £1,049

Experience the grandeur of the Sahara as we journey from Marrakech across the High Atlas Mountains to the palm groves of...

Mt Toubkal Long Weekend

from £1,149

Mount Toubkal, known locally as Jebel Toubkal, stands 13,671ft (4,167m) above sea level and commands superb panoramic...

India's Golden Triangle

from £1,345

Discover the Golden Triangle – a classic route linking Delhi, Agra and Jaipur – on a pulsating tour that takes in...

Highlights of Morocco

from £1,445

Experience the very best of Morocco, from mazey medinas and lively souks to the broad-shouldered Atlas Mountains and...

Sierra de Aitana Trek

from £1,449

Although close to the Costa Blanca, the dramatic massif of Sierra de Aitana has remained a secret from all but a few...

Walking in Northern Albania - Into the Accursed Mountains

from £1,545

Extending across vistas liberally scattered with deep river valleys, alpine lakes and national parks, the towering...

Walking The Amalfi Coast - Summer Edition

from £1,549

With some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in Europe and mountainsides adorned with vibrant lemon groves, our...

Walking the Amalfi Coast

Walk the Amalfi Coast, where cliffs rise sharply from the Mediterranean Sea and pastel-coloured fishing towns nestle in...

The Best of Japan

More From Forbes

The countries with the cleanest air in the world, ranked in new report.

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Coastal wind turbines outside Copenhagen. These iconic turbines, which can be seen from most places ... [+] within this capital city, are a symbol of a future with green cities and sustainable energy in Denmark.

Looking for a place to breath the cleanest air on a daily basis? A global update on “The Air We Breathe” by the World Population Review ranks the countries with the cleanest air and lowest emissions—and Europe leads the pack, topped by Estonia.

The report, based on the Environmental Performance Index (EPI), considers among other factors CO2, methane, greenhouse emissions, achievements on carbon-negative status, implementation of environmental policies and sustainable practices and the extension of forests, rainforests and renewable energy sources.

Developed collaboratively by the universities of Yale and Columbia with the World Economic Forum , the EPI ranks 180 countries based on 40 indicators across 11 categories, focusing on ecosystem vitality, climate change and environmental health. These categories include air quality, water and sanitation, biodiversity and habitat, and sustainability.

Lahemaa national park forest in Estonia

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The 10 European countries with the highest global EPI are Estonia (75.3), Luxembourg (75), Germany (74.6), Finland (73.7), United Kingdom (72.7), Sweden (70.5), Norway (70), Austria (69), Switzerland (68) and Denmark (67.9).

In fact, Estonia, Denmark, United Kingdom, Finland, Sweden, Luxembourg, Austria, Norway and Switzerland have held spots on the list of the world’s cleanest countries since 2020.

The next 12 on the list are also European countries: Greece (67.4), Netherlands (67.2), France (67.1), Belgium (66.79), Malta (66.6), Ireland (65.7), Czech Republic (65.6), Slovakia (65), Poland (64.4), Iceland (64.3), Spain (64.2) and Lithuania (63.9).

Shanghai's skyscraper view from above in the light of early morning

CO₂, Methane And Greenhouse Emissions

The global list of the highest polluters of CO₂ emissions paints a stark picture of the planet’s environmental challenges.

At the top is China with a staggering 12,667 million tons of CO₂ due to the massive scale of its industrial and energy sectors.

The United States follows with 4,854 million tons, reflecting its substantial energy consumption and automobile reliance.

India, at 2,693 million tons, shows the environmental cost of rapid economic and population growth. Russia spews 674 million tons, driven by heavy industries and energy production.

In the Middle East, Iran and Saudi Arabia mark significant footprints with 686.42 and 607.91 million tons respectively, indicative of their oil-centric economies.

Indonesia, straddling the line between developing and industrialized status, emits 692.24 million tons, a reflection of its burgeoning energy demands and deforestation issues.

The order of the ranking of methane emissions—a potent greenhouse gas that has varied sources, including energy production, agriculture, and waste management—is similar, with China in the lead at 1,186,285 kilotons, followed by the U.S. emitting 748,241 kilotons, India at 697,655 kilotons, Russia at 617,227, Brazil at 449,214 kilotons and Indonesia at 333,995 kilotons.

Carbon Negative

“Human-induced global warming is arguably the most significant environmental concern in mankind's history,” warns the report. “Caused largely by the burning of fossil fuels such as oil (and gasoline), coal and natural gas, global warming can permanently reshape coastlines, transform both local and global weather patterns, and disrupt entire ecosystems.”

In an attempt to mitigate the impact of global warming, many of the world's countries have begun making efforts to minimize carbon emissions and become either carbon-neutral or carbon-negative.

Nations that have achieved or are close to achieving carbon-negative status, meaning they sequester more carbon than they emit, are few.

Bhutan, with more than 70% of its territory forested, leads the way, utilizing its vast green cover and hydropower. It’s currently the only country that has achieved the carbon-negative status. Other nations are still pending.

Suriname follows, with an impressive 90-97% forest cover, balancing its mining industry's emissions with its extensive forests.

Panama, with 56.8% of its land under forest, is on track with ambitious reforestation plans and a shift towards cleaner energy.

Comoros, Gabon and Guyana are promising carbon-negative candidates. Comoros, despite its dense population, maintains large forested areas aiding in carbon sequestration.

Gabon, with 91.3% forest cover, stands out in Africa for its commitment to maintaining its lush landscape. Guyana's 93.6% forest cover is also a significant carbon sink.

The forest along Tamolitch Falls trail in Blue Pools, Oregon

Forests And Rainforests

Suriname and Guyana lead the list of countries with extensive lush forests covering 97.4% and 93.6%, respectively.

Micronesia, with its 92% coverage, illustrates the Pacific's dedication to preserving verdant landscapes amid blue waters.

In Europe, Finland stands out with 73.7% of its land cloaked in boreal forests, offering a serene retreat for individuals from industrialized regions.

Sweden, with a forest cover of 68.7%, is a prime choice for nature enthusiasts.

On the flip side, countries such as Egypt and Qatar unsurprisingly have negligible forest cover.

The United Kingdom and the United States, with 13.2% and 33.9% forest coverage respectively, reflect the varying degrees of urbanization's impact on natural spaces.

Macawa in the Amazon Rainforest, state of Acre, Brazil

As for rainforests , those planet's ecological marvels are spread across diverse nations, each contributing uniquely to global biodiversity and carbon sequestration.

Only 53 countries can boast having at least one rainforest.

The largest tropical rainforest, the Amazon, spreads to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Venezuela. It serves as home among others to some 2.5 million kinds of insects.

About 40,000 plant species and approximately 1,300 different birds also live in the Amazon Rainforest. On land, an estimated 427 unique mammals roam while in the water, there are an estimated 3,000 fish species.

Other large tropical rainforests include Congo’s, with more than half consisting of primary forest that existed since ancient times and remains undisturbed by humans.

Indonesia has an impressive tally of six distinct rainforest regions, including the renowned Borneo Lowland and the captivating Kayan Mentarang National Park. ​

Australiasia, the third-largest tropical rainforest in the world, covers New Guinea and Northeastern Australia. It also stretches across strings of smaller islands that were connected during the Ice Age.

The United States has four rainforest regions, including the vast Tongass National Forest and the Pacific Temperate Rainforest, revealing the country's rich ecological diversity.

Argentina and Malaysia have three rainforest regions each, highlighting the ecological wealth of South America and Southeast Asia.

Countries including China and Vietnam are home to just one rainforest region each, such as the Indo-Burma in China and the Cardamom Mountains Rainforest in Vietnam.

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