“Can I please just stay seated in the aircraft?”
That was my very first thought as I stepped off the plane in Helsinki… while snow was aggressively hitting my face, my hands went instantly numb, and I was trying not to slip down the airplane stairs like a cartoon character fighting gravity.
For context: I’m from Cyprus. An island. Snow is something I usually see in movies… not something that personally attacks me at the airport.
❄️ Me vs. Snow (Round 1)
I was not prepared. At all.
I had come from Mexico, so my luggage situation was giving:
- one hoodie
- short sleeves
- t-shirts
- a single “cute date jean”
- and my emotional support beanie
That’s it. That was the winter collection.
Walking on snow? Traumatic.
Every step felt like I was auditioning for “grandma learning how to walk again”. Thankfully, my Finnish guide (yes, the girl 👀) took pity on me and lent me proper shoes & jacket… because apparently, I was doing so bad she was THIS close to giving me snow spikes.
To this day, I still don’t fully understand why those exist, but I respect them.
Walking on snow like my grandma after leg day
🏳️🌈 The Reason I Froze for a Week
So yes — I flew to Finland to meet a girl.
A very cute, very gorgeous, very anonymous Finnish girl.
We had met while traveling, but seeing her in her own environment? Completely different experience. It was like unlocking a new version of her — her routines, her local friends, her everyday life compared to my chaotic nomadic one.
And honestly… that was the most special part.
Not just the “big moments”, but the small ones:
- going to the gym together
- movie nights
- cozy evenings
- random sunny walks
- learning how to build a snowman… and a snow donkey (yes, I chose a donkey, I’m an islander, respect the culture 😅)
I even had the honor of naming him: Mitsios.
Mitsios 😍😍😍
Snow animal: Donkey!!!!
🇫🇮 Cultural Shocks I Was NOT Ready For
Finnish people are… QUIET.
No, like… really quiet.
On the way from the airport, nobody was talking. Not a sound. Silence.
Meanwhile, I’m there like:
“Am I too loud? Am I the problem? Is this a social experiment???”
My guide kept explaining that Finnish people are more introverted but I was not mentally prepared for that level of silence.
Also — and I need to talk about this —
People go from sauna → frozen lake → back to sauna.
On purpose.
Voluntarily.
🧖♀️ Sauna Experience (aka Survival Mode)
I decided to be brave. To embrace the culture. To grow as a person.
I lasted… 5 minutes.
Five.
I didn’t panic externally. Internally? I was writing my will.
At one point I genuinely thought I was about to experience a heat stroke. Turns out… it helps if someone actually explains how saunas work before you go in (my guide conveniently forgot that part 😌).
And no, I did NOT jump into the frozen lake.
Let’s be realistic. I need exposure therapy first. Then we can revisit my life choices.
📚 The Unexpected Highlight: Libraries?!
One thing I absolutely loved about Finland?
The libraries.
I didn’t expect this at all, but they’re not just about books. The one I visited was small and cozy but had:
- books (including a good selection in English)
- queer books (!!)
- board games
- CDs
- movies
- even crafting spaces
We borrowed board games, books and honestly… it felt so wholesome.
Now I’m genuinely curious to explore bigger libraries in Finland because if this was a “small” one??? I’m sold.
💸 Budget Travel Hack (Save This)
Finland = expensive. No surprise there.
BUT getting there doesn’t have to be.
Here’s how I did it:
- Amsterdam → Brussels: €17 (Eurocity train)
- Brussels → Charleroi Airport: €19 (Flibco bus)
- Flight (Ryanair) → Helsinki: €23
Total: way cheaper than flying direct from Amsterdam.
You’re welcome.
🌞 The Plot Twist: Sunshine
On my last day… the sun came out.
And suddenly Finland looked completely different.
Still freezing. No heat whatsoever (I’m convinced the sun in northern countries is just there for emotional support 😂), but visually? Stunning.
Everything was glowing. The snow, the trees, the houses — it felt like I had stepped into a movie.
That moment genuinely changed how I felt about the whole experience.
The sun was out but emotionally it was still -15°C.
Update: Her response to my blog & I quote:
“It was not -15, it was +1. You haven’t experienced -15 yet.
Does she want me to die? 😂
The SCARIEST thing you can say to an islander.
See you in Mexico in the winter 😉
💭 Final Thoughts
Would I go back?
Absolutely.
I want to see Finland in different seasons. I want to experience it again, maybe slightly more prepared… or maybe not.
Because if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s this:
Travel even if you’re not prepared.
Actually — especially when you’re not prepared.
The best moments? They don’t come from perfect planning.
They come from chaos, spontaneity, slipping on snow, building questionable snow donkeys, and flying across Europe for a girl you don’t even name in your blog.
And honestly?
I wouldn’t change a thing.
If you’re planning a trip to Finland in winter, especially for the first time, expect cold temperatures, unique cultural experiences like saunas and frozen lakes, and higher travel costs. However, with the right mindset (and maybe better shoes than mine), Finland can be an unforgettable destination. This guide shares my personal experience visiting Helsinki in winter, including budget travel tips, cultural surprises and what it’s really like seeing snow for the first time.
