Finland family holiday map & highlights
Finland’s long winters are no barrier to travel. Active winter breaks to Lapland of four days and longer are possible using direct flights or domestic connections up from Helsinki. Once here, travel under your own steam, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, or using husky power. Activities for young children are kept to a manageable length – think a 5km husky drive or an hour’s snowshoeing, rather than all day. In summer, self drive holidays are a flexi option, on excellent, quiet roads. Pick a holiday planned specifically for families where drive times are shortish, with plenty of fun stop offs.
Our Finland family Holidays
Log cabin holiday in Finland, with activities
Experience cosy log cabins and exciting activities
From
£1115 to £1510
8 days
inc UK flights
Winter cottage holiday in Finnish Lapland
Log fires, lakeside trails & a range of winter activities
From
£1845 to £1995
8 days
inc UK flights
Northern lights family holiday, tailor made
A mix of Lapland family activities and a relaxing Spa hotel
From
£1155 to £1365
4 days
inc UK flights
Family winter adventure in Finland
Great range of activities in Lapland's winter wilderness.
From
£1340 to £1785
4 days
inc UK flights
Northern Lights family holiday in Finland
Lapland family hunt for the Aurora at New Year
From
£2135
8 days
inc UK flights
Family winter activity holiday in Finland
A combination of activities, cottages & snowy landscapes
From
£1845 to £1895
8 days
inc UK flights
Christmas in Finland, log cabin stay
Family friendly activity holiday with Santa Claus visit
From
€932 to €1066
5 days
ex flights
Self drive family holiday in Finland
A self-drive holiday in Finland for families
From
€545 to €900
9 days
ex flights
Finland and Helsinki family holiday by train
Active holiday for naturelovers in lake district of Finland
From
€1922 to €2035
11 days
ex flights
Family Northern Lights break
Cozy log cabin and fascinating snow adventure for each day
From
€1328 to €1643
5 days
ex flights
Helsinki and Rovaniemi Christmas holiday with Santa
Atmospheric Christmas with Santa Claus in Lapland
From
€2200
7 days
ex flights
Family holiday to Finnish Lapland, the best of Kuusamo
Family holiday with winter activities
From
£1695
5 days
inc UK flights
Family multi activity holiday in Finland with Santa
Winter activities and a visit to Father Christmas
From
£2135 to £2235
5 days
inc UK flights
Family holiday in Finnish Lapland, pick and mix activities
Pick and mix family activity holiday in Ruka, Finland
From
£1255
8 days
inc UK flights
Family self-drive tour in Finland
Active summer holiday in Moominworld, Åland and Helsinki
From
€3700 to €4900
10 days
ex flights
Family holiday in Finland
Comfortable family summer holiday by lake with Moomin World
From
€2849 to €4898
8 days
ex flights
Family summer holiday in Finland
An active family holiday week in Finland
From
€670 to €900
7 days
ex flights
Northern Lights Family Christmas in Lapland
Winter 'Santa free' Lapland adventure for families
From
£2090
8 days
inc UK flights
Finnish family winter adventure holiday
See the Northern Lights in Finland
From
£1899 to £2299
8 days
inc UK flights
Family winter holiday to Lapland, Finland with log cabin stay
Stunning landscapes and first class activities
From
£995 to £1225
4 days
inc UK flights
1. Helsinki
2. Hossa National Park
3. Kumho
4. Lake Inari
5. Luosto
6. Oulanka National Park
7. Oulu
8. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
9. Rovaniemi
10. Torassieppi
2. Hossa National Park
3. Kumho
4. Lake Inari
5. Luosto
6. Oulanka National Park
7. Oulu
8. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
9. Rovaniemi
10. Torassieppi
Helsinki
1. Helsinki
The capital Helsinki sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its Art Nouveau architecture is well preserved, and the city has a laidback feel, especially in summer when Finns head outdoors to soak up the sun. Families are well catered for, with trams and ferries to ride, excellent museums and the island fortress of Suomenlinna, plus kids under six travel free on public transport.
Hossa National Park
2. Hossa National Park
A popular destination in summer for families, Hossa has gentle kayaking on pretty lakes and rivers, plenty of easy, short hikes and bike rides along well marked trails, plus the prehistoric Värikallio rock paintings. Stay in lakeside accommodation with the obligatory sauna, visit nearby Hossa Reindeer Park and try lasso throwing and from here, you can head towards the Russian border for bear watching.
Kumho
3. Kumho
Kumho is a great base for discovering Finland’s wildlife en famille. Visit Petola Visitor Centre to learn about the local bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine, then head into the Wild Taiga to track and spot bears, canoe rivers in search of beavers and hang with huskies, grooming and even massaging them! Everyone can muck in with conservation work, too, building bird boxes, hides and husky kennels.
Lake Inari
4. Lake Inari
Finland’s third largest lake is the centre of Sámi culture, home to the Siida Sámi Museum and the Sámi parliament. In winter, active families can cross country ski or snow shoe through silent forests, with the chance to see nature’s greatest light show – this region is famously good for the Aurora. Nearby, the isolated herding village of Menesjärvi is a peaceful base for family breaks.
Luosto
5. Luosto
This little village, in the middle of Lapland, is a popular base for winter holidays, with husky safaris, reindeer sledding, ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing on the doorstep. Kids will love digging for gems at the local amethyst mine and in summer, nearby Pyhä-Luosto National Park is ideal for exploring on foot, discovering sacred Sámi sites and pretty picnic spots.
Oulanka National Park
6. Oulanka National Park
Oulanka is known for its 80km Karhunkierros hiking trail, but junior hikers can easily tackle its shorter walks, looking out for wildlife and birds. Rivers plunge through the pine forests and teens will love rafting here. In winter, snowshoe or husky sled through the snowy landscape, eyes peeled for the Northern Lights. The winter activity hubs of Ruka and Kuusamo lie just to the south.
Oulu
7. Oulu
Northern Finland’s biggest city, Oulu has lots to appeal to families, from its museums and cafes, to its numerous parks, including Mannerheim and Hupisaaret Islands. Teens will appreciate the free WiFi in the city centre and the Air Guitar World Championships held each August. In summer, start a circular self drive holiday here, heading east through the Wild Taiga, up to the Arctic Circle and back.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
8. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Powered by tasty Lappish food and reportedly the cleanest air in Europe, children will love the wilderness fun on offer at Pallas-Yllästunturi. On the border between north and south, this is one of Finland’s largest and oldest parks. Its 1,000km2 of boreal forest, high fells and hiking trails are a treat in summer; in winter, husky safaris and cross country ski lessons are on the activity menu.
Rovaniemi
9. Rovaniemi
The capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi is just 5km south of the Arctic Circle. This lively university city is the departure point for winter activities and Northern Lights tours and it’s also the home of Father Christmas, who welcomes visitors year round. Once the kids have seen Santa, check out Arktikum, a science center and museum with exhibitions on Finnish Lapland’s culture and history.
Torassieppi
10. Torassieppi
Torassieppi sits on the edge of the Pallas Yllästunturi National Park. A reindeer farm was established here in 1847 and it’s now the place to learn about these special creatures and their role in everyday Lappish life. Kids can try lassoing or take a reindeer sleigh safari, while lunch in the ice restaurant at the Winter Village is – ahem – pretty cool.
Our top Finland family Holiday
Winter cottage holiday in Finnish Lapland
Log fires, lakeside trails & a range of winter activities
From
£1845 to £1995
8 days
inc UK flights
Small group travel:
2020: 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 15 Mar, 29 Mar, 5 Apr
2020: 1 Mar, 8 Mar, 15 Mar, 29 Mar, 5 Apr
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Finland family or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Sample itineraries
Winter activity small group holiday (7 days): fly to Kittilä > Jeris > husky safari and Northern Lights > cross country skiing and snowshoeing > Torassieppi winter village and reindeer farm > ice fishing and snowmobile safari > free day
Family summer self drive holiday (9 days): Oulu > Vuokatti (Angry Birds Activity Park) > Kuhmo > Hossa National Park > Rovaniemi > Oulu
Husky safari, for children aged 12 upwards (5 days): fly to Ivalo > three nights in wilderness hotel > two day husky safari > one night in wilderness cabin > Inari
Sample travel times
Helsinki – Oulu: 9.5 hours by road
Oulu – Rovaniemi: 2.5 hours by road
Helsinki – Rovaniemi: 13.5 hours by road
Rovaniemi airport – Luosto: 90 minutes by road
Kittilä airport – Jeris: 45 minutes by road
More about Finland family
School holidays and Finland go together well, with deep winter and August two of the best times to travel for a memorable family escape.
Finland is growing in popularity as a family holiday destination and we’re not surprised, with its unique regions offering different treats and activities for families of all ages, throughout the year.
Finland family holiday activities vary with the seasons, from winter breaks that offer a pick and mix of exciting outdoor activities, to self drive summer holidays, exploring forests, lakes and family attractions.
Finland’s high standard of living, relaxed and safe cities and quiet roads make it a welcoming and approachable destination for a family holiday, but any parent planning a trip here will still have questions.
Like hidden veg in a child friendly spaghetti Bolognese, the unique lessons and learning that come with a family holiday to Finland are tucked in stealthily amongst all the fun and exploration.
Our Finland family travel advice includes recommendations and insights from our specialist Finland holiday companies, plus tips from travellers who have already taken their kids there.
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Photo credits: [Page banner: Visit Lakeland] [reindeer sleigh: Timo Newton-Syms ]
[Helsinki: Henri Sivonen]
[Hossa National Park: Saruwine]
[Kuhmo bear: iphoto]
[Lake Inari: Richard Mortel]
[Luosto: Ray Garcia ]
[Oulu: Honza Soukup]
[Oulanka National Park - Lake summer : Heather Sunderland ]
[Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park - huksy rides : Thomas Hubauer ]
[Rovaniemi: iphoto]
[Torassieppi - reindeers : Heather Sunderland ]
[OR Sample travel times - snowy long road : flightlog ]
[Livaari: Guillaume Baviere]
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