Step out of the airport in eastern Finland and you may not notice it immediately. There’s no dramatic moment, no obvious sign welcoming you into one of the cleanest countries on Earth.
But after a few hours walking through Finland’s boreal forests, breathing deeply beside crystal-clear lakes and listening to the silence of the wilderness, many visitors begin to notice something different. The air simply feels… cleaner.
It’s one of the comments we hear time and time again from guests joining our wildlife holidays:
It isn’t your imagination. Finland is internationally recognised for having some of the cleanest air anywhere on the planet, particularly within its vast boreal forests.
Finland consistently ranks among the countries with the cleanest air on Earth. Across much of the country, particularly in rural regions such as Kainuu, Kuhmo and Finnish Lapland, levels of airborne pollution are exceptionally low.
Unlike densely populated urban areas, much of Finland is characterised by:
The result is air containing significantly fewer fine particulate pollutants than many other parts of Europe. For visitors arriving from large cities, the difference can feel surprisingly noticeable.
One of the biggest reasons Finland enjoys such outstanding air quality is its forests. Around 75% of Finland’s land area is covered by forest, making it one of the most heavily forested countries in Europe.
These forests aren’t simply beautiful—they’re constantly working. Every tree acts like a natural filtration system:
Multiplied across millions upon millions of trees, the result is one of the world’s largest natural air purification systems. Standing within Finland’s boreal forest isn’t simply pleasant—you’re surrounded by an ecosystem that has been quietly cleaning the atmosphere for thousands of years.
One of the most fascinating aspects of Finland’s forests is something you can’t even see. Trees naturally release tiny organic compounds called phytoncides. These natural oils help protect trees against insects, fungi and disease, and the distinctive scent of pine and spruce forests largely comes from these compounds.
When you take a deep breath during a forest walk, you’re inhaling tiny quantities of these natural molecules. Research over the past two decades has suggested that spending time in forests rich in phytoncides may be associated with a range of wellbeing benefits, including:
Scientists are still exploring exactly how these compounds interact with the human body, but there is growing interest in the role natural environments may play in supporting both physical and mental wellbeing.
Many first-time visitors struggle to describe the scent of a Finnish forest. Fresh. Earthy. Slightly sweet. Rich with pine resin. Hints of damp moss. Warm sun on spruce needles.
After rainfall, the aromas become even more pronounced. As moisture rises from the forest floor, the scents of pine, birch, fungi and rich organic soil combine to create an atmosphere unlike almost anywhere else in Europe.
For many people, this becomes one of the most memorable parts of their holiday—and long after returning home, that unmistakable forest scent often remains one of the strongest memories.
Finland is one of Europe’s least densely populated countries. Despite covering a vast area, it has a population of only around 5.6 million people, much of it concentrated in the south.
The further north and east you travel, the more the landscape opens into immense stretches of uninterrupted wilderness. Large areas of eastern Finland contain more trees than people, which means:
All of these factors contribute towards maintaining exceptionally clean air. It’s one of the reasons many wildlife enthusiasts describe Finland as feeling wonderfully peaceful—the silence and the clean air often go hand in hand.
Finland is often called “the Land of a Thousand Lakes.” In reality, it has closer to 188,000. These vast freshwater systems work alongside surrounding forests to create remarkably healthy local environments, helping to regulate temperature, maintain humidity and support thriving ecosystems filled with plants, insects, fish and birds.
Many of our wildlife holidays take place beside these beautiful lakes, where still mornings are accompanied by crystal-clear reflections and air so fresh it’s difficult not to pause simply to appreciate it.
Healthy forests create healthy wildlife. Clean air doesn’t just benefit people—it benefits every species living within the boreal ecosystem.
Ancient pines support fungi. Fungi enrich the soil. Healthy soils support wildflowers and berry-producing shrubs. Bilberries feed brown bears. Trees provide nesting sites for birds. Lichens sustain reindeer.
Everything is connected. That’s one of the reasons Finland supports such rich biodiversity despite its harsh climate—the health of the ecosystem begins with the forest itself.
It’s a difficult question to answer scientifically, because everyone’s experience is different. But after years of guiding wildlife holidays throughout Finland, we’ve noticed something remarkably consistent.
Guests slow down. They breathe more deeply. They spend longer simply sitting quietly outside. Many comment that they feel unusually relaxed after only a day or two immersed in the forest.
Perhaps it’s the clean air. Perhaps it’s the silence. Perhaps it’s the absence of traffic and constant distractions. More likely, it’s a combination of all three. Whatever the reason, Finland has a remarkable ability to encourage people to reconnect with nature.
There’s something wonderfully humbling about standing beneath centuries-old Scots pines while breathing some of the cleanest air in the world. No engines. No crowds. Just birdsong, the gentle rustle of leaves and the scent of sun-warmed forest carried on a cool northern breeze.
It’s easy to understand why so many visitors return year after year. The boreal forest offers something increasingly rare in modern life: space, silence, clean air, and a chance to slow down.
Kyle has worked extensively with brown bears across Finland for the past decade and has successfully guided hundreds of nature enthusiasts of all ages and nationalities through the country’s diverse Nordic seasons. His knowledge of the best locations for bear photography throughout Finland is second to none.
Having grown up in Norway, Roger developed a lifelong appreciation for bears. For over 30 years, he has dedicated his career to photographing bears in Finland and is widely recognised for his work with these remarkable animals. His images have appeared in numerous European publications, and he has collaborated with broadcasters including the BBC on the acclaimed series Wild Scandinavia. In 2024, he published two books: The Bear – the Strongest in the Country and The Wolf – the Smartest in the Forest.
At Natures Thrill, we’ve spent years guiding small groups through some of Finland’s most pristine boreal forest landscapes.
Whether you’re joining us to photograph brown bears, wolves and wolverines, searching for playful bear cubs during our Summer Bear Special, or exploring the spectacular colours of autumn, every itinerary has one thing in common: you’re immersed in one of the cleanest and most beautiful natural environments on Earth.
Along the way, you’ll discover that Finland’s wildlife is only part of the story—the forests themselves are every bit as extraordinary.
Yes. Finland consistently ranks among the countries with the cleanest air globally, particularly in rural and forested regions where levels of air pollution are exceptionally low.
The scent comes from a combination of pine, spruce, birch, moss and naturally occurring compounds called phytoncides, which trees release as part of their normal biological processes.
It’s certainly part of the picture. Clean air, healthy forests, abundant freshwater and relatively low human disturbance combine to create ideal conditions for a wide range of wildlife, including brown bears, wolves, wolverines and countless bird species.
Quite simply, spend time outdoors. Walk through the boreal forest, sit beside one of Finland’s thousands of lakes, or enjoy a quiet evening watching wildlife. The slower you move, the more you’ll appreciate everything this remarkable landscape has to offer.
When people think about Finland, they often picture snow-covered forests, the Northern Lights or brown bears wandering quietly beneath towering pines. All of those images are deserved.
But one of the country’s greatest treasures is something you can’t easily photograph: the air. Invisible, yet unforgettable. It’s a reminder that some of nature’s greatest gifts aren’t always the ones we can see—sometimes, they’re the ones we simply breathe.
And after spending time in Finland’s boreal forest, it’s something you’ll never take for granted again.
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