2 min summary Map & highlights All our Finland guides

Finland short breaks travel guide

This Finland short breaks travel guide aims to show you just how much you can do in a few days in Finland, even if those days are short. From bear watching to snow shoeing, watching the Aurora from a glass bubble to discovering its quirky capital; the true test of a good short break is that it leaves you wanting more. We think you will.

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Finland short breaks travel guide

2 MINUTE SUMMARY

Let’s look at some of the things Finland has given the world. The fictional, white, hippo-esque Moomin; full permission to legitimately go mooning, while jumping from sauna to snow; a time when the moon is replaced by the midnight sun; and another time when the winter moon is upstaged by the ever effervescent Northern Lights. Oh, and a man who chases the moon on a sleigh pulled by a reindeer. And so, here’s a country where, on a short break, you can go a bit wild, have some magical moments, be they bear watching or hiking with huskies, chase the Northern Lights on your own sleigh, or just bliss out in a sauna in the middle of nowhere. Mooning is optional. Fun is guaranteed.

Read our Finland short breaks guide for more details.

Is a Finland short break for you?

Responsible Travel Recommends

Go on a short break to Finland if...

… you enjoy wilderness. With lots of water around. There is no shortage of lakes and rivers for playing in. And for winter wilderness, snow shoeing, cross country skiing or husky riding is second to none.

... you want to see the Northern Lights. With short breaks that take you up beyond the Arctic Circle, chances are high here. Combine it with some snowy activities to make it the best aurora ever.

... you want a half term trip with a difference for your children. Finland is all about nurturing through nature. Try snowshoeing, reindeer sledding, ice fishing and so much more.

... you want to see bears. Spend a night or two in a heated bear watching hide with expert naturalists and nothing but the sounds of woodland creatures all around.

Don't go on a short break to Finland if...

….you don’t like being outdoors. Finns like to sauna in winter and then roll naked in the ice. Getting out, or indeed letting it all out, is like a life force in Finland.

… you want to just fly in and fly out to meet Santa. We do offer holidays that meet the magical one, but also like to enjoy his other worldly landscapes while we're at it.

… you want a cheap getaway. Like all Nordic holidays, they come at a price. But their landscapes are priceless.

… you just want a city break. Even our trips to Helsinki encourage you to take in its exquisite environs such as small coastal villages or Repovesi National Park.

Hello.
If you'd like to chat about Finland or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.
Rosy & team.

01273 823 700

rosy@responsibletravel.com

Best time to go on a short break
to Finland

TIMING YOUR TRIP

Click on a location: Kuopio | Rovaniemi | Helsinki

Most short breaks in Finland take place during the winter, with people seeking out the Northern Lights, or going snow shoeing and cross country skiing, or simply enjoying the peaceful, frozen wilderness. In the Inari region, you have the highest probability of seeing the aurora borealis from Sep-Oct and again Feb-March. Summertime trips to go wildlife watching, for example, are usually May-Sep but benefit from the long days and midnight sun. Temperatures can vary, reaching as high as 30°C in summer and as low as -30°C or lower in the Arctic winters – so come prepared.

Our supplier, Riitta Kiukas, Founder of our leading short breaks supplier Skafur-Tour shares her insight into the best time to go to Finland on a short break:

“Finland is a very long country, which has eight seasons. Here are my recommendations for each one of them:

1. March-mid April is spring in Lapland but there is still skiing.
2. Mid April-May in the Western Archipelago is spring, with its fresh green colours of May. Great for cycling, when nature is waking up.
3. June-mid-July is light nights and the midnight sun in Lapland, giving an opportunity for taking all out of the long daytime and also lots of summer festivals for culture lovers.
4. Mid July-August is late summer, with swimming, boating and picking up wild berries and mushrooms anywhere in Finland.
5. September–mid October is autumn and the best hiking season all over the country as well as the Northern Lights.
6. Mid October-November is autumn going into winter, with the first snow late November in Lapland.
7. December-mid January is midwinter (polar night). Helsinki has cultural events, and I like the lighted streets, nice cafeterias and everything going on indoors.
8. Mid January - February is winter, with activities on lake ice in southern Finland such as tour skating, ice-fishing and cross country skiing.”

Photo credits: [Topbox: Steve K] [Temp: Miguel Virkkunen Carvalho]

Written by Catherine Mack

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