Finland holidays
A holiday to Finland is a magical experience — and not just because it’s the official home country of Father Christmas. Beyond legends and lore, you’ll find a nation packed with natural wonders and Nordic cool. From the winter thrill of the Northern Lights to summers idling on island beaches and lakeside resorts, one trip to Finland is never enough.
Top destinations in Finland
Helsinki
Welcome to your holiday to Helsinki, the capital of Finland, a UNESCO Creative City of Design and the perfect place to embark on a Nordic adventure.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is your portal to Finland’s Arctic Circle. Enjoy sleigh rides and chase the Northern Lights in winter, or explore the hiking and horseback riding trails in summer’s endless daylight.
Lapland
It may be the place Father Christmas calls home, but Lapland isn’t just for winter. By summer, its mystical snowscapes transform into verdant countryside with near-endless daylight.
Finland: fast facts
Language
Finnish, Swedish
Currency
Euro (€)
Time zone
UTC+2 (EET) and UTC+3 (EEST)
Finland holiday highlights
Visit a traditional sauna
One of the best things to do in Finland is to visit a traditional sauna, something that a majority of Finns do weekly. Let your stress slip away above the ‘löyly’ (vapour), and boost your circulation with a ‘vasta’ or ‘vihta’ (birch whisk). You’ll find saunas throughout the country, but the southern city of Tampere is considered the sauna capital of the world.
See the Northern Lights
Experiencing the Aurora Borealis as it lights up the night sky is a dream come true. Between September and April, the northern region of Lapland is one of the best places to witness this phenomenon, especially around the towns of Saariselkä and Utsjoki. Rovaniemi is also a great base, and it has the added gift of being the self-proclaimed hometown of Father Christmas.
Explore the lakes
Whether you want to relax or get active, the Finnish Lakeland region and its 188,000 lakes have something to suit you. Cycle around Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake, or see rare Saimaa ringed seals on a canoe or kayak excursion. For one of the country’s most famous views, hike up Koli National Park’s Ukko-Koli Hill and gaze out over Lake Pielinen.
Things to do in Finland
Top attractions
Finland’s natural beauty is one of its biggest draws, with national parks like Pallas-Yllästunturi offering every kind of outdoor activity, from skiing to hiking and biking. Chasing the Northern Lights? The Urho Kekkonen National Park is a great place to spot them. And the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is always a top stop for winter travellers.
Beaches
Finland might not seem like an obvious beach destination, but its coastline offers plenty of options for enjoying the sand and sea. Hanko’s sandy shoreline and rocky coves are a local summertime favourite. And just off the coast of Helsinki, Suomenlinna Beach houses a Swedish fortress. Searching for wildlife? Spot reindeer roaming on Ivalo Beach on Lapland’s Ivalo River.
Nature
Home to lakes, islands and 41 national parks, Finland is a prime destination for nature lovers. See reindeer, moose and eagles in Lapland’s Urho Kekkonen National Park. And explore the tiny villages and golden beaches of the Åland Archipelago. If you’re itching to hike, the Hetta–Pallas Trail in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park offers some of the country’s most picturesque scenery.
Cuisine
Finland’s cuisine is famous for its fresh, local ingredients and Swedish and Russian influences. Seafood is a staple here, whether it’s salmon soup, perch fillets or pickled Baltic herring. And you can expect to see ‘poronkäristys’ (sautéed reindeer) on menus in traditional restaurants in Finland. For dessert, try ‘leipäjuusto’ (bread cheese) or tuck into some ‘salmiakki’ (salty liquorice).
Culture and museums
Delve into Finland’s seafaring history at the Åland Maritime Museum in Mariehamn, and learn about Sámi culture at the Sámi Museum Siida in Inari. Architecture fans will love UNESCO-listed Old Rauma, known for its Nordic wooden buildings. Travelling with family? One of the best museums in Finland for all ages is the Moomin Museum in Tampere, which celebrates author Tove Jansson’s iconic characters.
Family friendly
Hands-on exhibitions entertain all ages at the Heureka science centre in Vantaa. At one of Finland’s oldest eco reindeer farms in Torassieppi, learn all about the animals and the rich culture of their Sámi herders. If you’re visiting in summer, step into the fairy-tale world of Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories at Naantali’s Moominworld theme park.
Find the best time to visit Finland
Weather in Finland
March – May: You can go skiing in Lapland or head south for spring festivals in Helsinki. Pack a coat and an umbrella for cool weather and the possibility of rain.
June – August: Temperatures are generally mild, with highs around 25°C. Take advantage of the Midnight Sun for outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking and night swimming.
September – November: This is an ideal time to witness the colourful ‘ruska’ (autumn foliage) and the season’s first Northern Lights. In Lapland, expect to see the first signs of snow.
December – February: This is the best time to visit Finland for winter sports like skiing, snowmobiling and ice fishing. After a day of freezing temperatures, warm up in a traditional sauna.
Events in Finland
Vappu (May): Finland’s biggest spring event sees students parading down streets in their graduation caps. It’s a tradition to head to the park to feast on treats like ‘tippaleipä’ (funnel cake) and ‘munkki’ (doughnuts).
Juhannus (June): Finns celebrate midsummer by heading to the countryside, lighting bonfires and spending time with friends and family. With 24 hours of sun in most parts of the country, you’ll find people enjoying outdoor activities like fishing and swimming at all times of the day and night.
Ruisrock (July): The oldest rock festival in Finland takes place on the island of Ruissalo in Turku. Previous headliners include Bon Jovi, Nirvana and Bob Dylan. EDM and pop performers are also regularly featured in the festival lineup.
Know before you go
Getting around Finland
Public transportation
Buses: Buses connect most of Finland’s cities, towns and villages. Choose between budget ‘vakiovuoro’ (regular )buses that make frequent stops and pricier ‘pikavuoro’ (express) routes serving larger cities. Matkahuolto, Onnibus and ExpressBus are the main long-distance bus operators.
Trains: Valtion Rautatiet (VR) operates InterCity and high-speed Pendolino trains serving Finland’s main southern cities, including Helsinki, Tampere and Turku. North of Oulu, the rail network shrinks considerably.
Boats: Ferries and water buses connect islands to the mainland and facilitate travel on Finland’s thousands of lakes. The most important sea ferry routes link Helsinki, Porvoo, Turku and Naantali. There are also ferry routes from the mainland to the Åland Archipelago, with connections to Stockholm, Sweden.
Domestic flights
Finnair flies to cities all over the country from its hub in Helsinki. Fares can be pricey, but flying is often the most convenient way to travel from Helsinki to the Arctic Circle. Book well in advance to get the best deals on tickets.
Driving
Driving is safe and easy in Finland, with well-maintained roads and no tolls. But be aware that journeys can take longer due to slow speed limits on local roads and highways, especially in winter. Snow tyres are required between November and March.
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