When to Visit Finland
- Danielle Dybiec
- 13 minutes ago
- 5 min read
This is my second summer in a row coming to the Arctic Europe, and I can attest to the fact that late August and September are fantastic months to visit and to see the Northern Lights too. Skies are clearer, and if you don't like the cold, you'll find the temperatures are really pleasant ranging from comfortably warm to crisp and cool. But if winter wonderlands are your thing, Finland offers lots of fun activities in the snow too!
5/1/2024 article produced by Virtuoso with Visit Finland can be found here.
Spoiler alert: All four seasons promise nature-filled wonder.
Sure, Finland is one of the world’s northernmost countries – and Finnish Lapland is a capital for snowy pursuits and northern lights sightings – but this Nordic gem’s diverse offerings go way beyond its Arctic appeal, offering up a seasonal range of year-round activities.
The country, just about the size of Montana, encompasses some of northern Europe’s most varied terrain and multicultural history. About 70 percent of Finland is covered in pristine, primeval forest, but in between those lush landscapes, travelers will discover an array of plentiful surprises: ultra-modern cities, charming coastal villages, and thousands (upon thousands) of lakes. There’s no bad time of year to visit Finland – let these seasonal highlights showcase what you can expect on your first (or next) getaway to the country.
Helsinki in Spring: Sunny Terraces and May Day Fetes
Nothing beats springtime in Helsinki, Finland’s capital city. From March to May, temperatures rise, snow melts, and urban parks and gardens bloom, bringing city dwellers outside in droves. The first signs of spring appear in Helsinki’s downtown green lungs, where locals congregate for picnics. Seaside Sibelius Park fills with baby strollers and bikes, bringing bustle to the paths and lawns around the Sibelius Monument (a striking abstract sculpture designed by Eila Hiltunen that resembles a set of organ pipes) and the park’s other temporary and permanent art installations. True to the park’s namesake – Jean Sibelius, Finland’s most influential composer – buskers and bands strike up a chord here as the weather warms.
Elsewhere, Helsinki’s outdoor saunas and restaurant terraces come to life in springtime. Old-world Finnish-style coffee shops, such as Café Succès, set out outdoor seating for families and travelers to snack on cinnamon rolls alfresco, while shoreside summer kiosks such as Café Compass serve the year’s first ice-cream scoops. Downtown haunts – including Apotek, a pharmacy turned wine bar – welcome cool crowds with seasonal specials.
The main springtime attraction in Helsinki is Vappu, a festival celebrated every year on May 1 to mark winter’s “official” end with picnics, parades, and parties. Travelers are of course welcome to join in the revelry – be sure to seek out a few traditional Vappu treats, such as sima (lemon mead) and munkki, Finnish fried cardamom doughnuts.
Finland Summers: Island-Hopping in the World’s Largest Archipelago
Exploring coastal Finland during summer is an adventure in windswept beaches, ferry jaunts, and some of northern Europe’s mildest temperatures and longest, sun-kissed days. It’s a two-hour drive west from Helsinki to Turku, Finland’s maritime capital and a gorgeous coastal stretch encompassing verdant forest, soft-sand beaches, dramatic crags, and quaint heritage villages where the country’s past Swedish and Russian rule remains culturally relevant.
Turku is also the gateway to the world’s largest archipelago, comprising some 80,000 islands. After spending a few days in the city exploring its medieval architecture, trendy bistros, and bar terraces along the Aura River, take your pick of one of the many islands and island groups you can set sail for: Houtskär is known for its endless hiking, cycling, and birding; Korpo is home to the best foraging and hidden swim spots; Kustavi’s myriad beaches are great for stand-up paddleboarding and fishing adventures; and you’ll find the best smoked salmon ever on Nagu.
With only about 40,000 residents spread across the archipelago’s few hundred inhabited islands, travelers can expect plenty of remote outposts to explore. And even though the islands’ population is small, their residents are easy to get to know, especially during the summer farmers’ markets and festivals they host. The best part: Finland’s well-connected ferry routes and infrastructure promise breezy port callings.
Finnish Lapland in Autumn: Local Traditions and Fewer Crowds
Crisp air, golden afternoons, and leaves in yellows, oranges, and reds make autumn in Finnish Lapland a sleeper hit. While this far northern region – almost all of Lapland lies above the Arctic Circle – is most famous for its winter recreation, the shoulder season is arguably locals’ favorite time of year. It promises calm, pleasant outdoor immersion before the arrival of winter’s freezing temps (which usually only climb to around 5 degrees Fahrenheit) and high numbers of visitors (more than 1 million annually, compared to 180,000 residents).
Here in the Finnish Arctic, the colorful autumn foliage is so cherished that it has its own word: ruska. The forests surrounding Lapland’s capital, Rovaniemi, beckon hikers, foragers, and fishers, who venture out with locals on relaxed excursions. Fall is also an excellent time to head to Inari, the de facto capital of the Indigenous Sámi people, to witness their ancestral traditions. Winter preparations include reindeer herding and stocking food preserves. Travelers can see how the region’s freshly harvested produce, including lake fish and cloudberries, takes center stage in gourmet dishes at restaurants including Aanaar and Aurora.
The farther north travelers head in Lapland, the more likely they are to be treated to the region’s first snowfall. And in late August or September, the northern lights begin blessing the skies – in the fall, travelers can witness the spectacle with milder weather and quieter fanfare.
Lakeland in Winter: Ice Skating and Peak Sauna Culture
For an authentic, lesser-known perspective on true northern winter, head to Finland’s eastern Lakeland. In the colder months, the region – responsible for the country’s “Land of a Thousand Lakes” nickname – boasts postcard-worthy snowcapped forests and cozy lakeside accommodations. Ask your Virtuoso travel advisor to book a log cabin or glass igloo for easy wildlife viewing and peeks at the northern lights.
Beyond savoring the region’s heartwarming cottage life, snowy activities range from ice fishing to ice skating, and national parks such as Kolovesi and Linnansaari are beloved for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Lakeland is also the authority on Finland’s thousand-year-old sauna culture. Even the smallest, most modest cottages have their own saunas, and public lakeside facilities reign supreme. For the perfect post-adventure wind down, ask your travel advisor to point you to one of the region’s best – and don’t forget the icy-cold plunge into the lake after!
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Start planning inspired travel and read more about me and what I can do for you!
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Founder & President
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