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Finland weather & best time to visit

The best time to visit Finland depends on what you're wishing to do as the winter season from December through to April is ideal for dog sledding and winter sports (Feb and Mar best time to go for daylight) whereas the arrival of the spring in May sees the sun making a welcoming return prior to the long hot summer days from June to August.

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Best time to visit Finland

Finland is a land of extremes; each month is wildly contrasting.

Finns describe their country as having eight seasons, and as the days swing from eternal midsummer sunshine to December darkness, it's clear this is a land of extremes where each month contrasts wildly. Our climate charts show typical averages but temps may soar to 30°C in summer, and plummet to -30°C or lower in the Arctic winters, so come prepared. Deciding what you want to do will help you pick the best time to visit Finland. Aurora and snow activities occur in winter, but consider how many hours' daylight you'll need. Equally, summer days are glorious for hiking and kayaking, but holidaying Finns and swarms of mosquitoes might make spring preferable.

Call us for the best time to go to Finland

Helsinki Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

-10

-4

FEB

-10

-3

MAR

-6

APR

-1

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

-2

DEC

-7

-1

Our Finland Holidays

Finland, month by month

December to mid January may seem like an idyllically festive time to be in Lapland, but with the sun nudging above the horizon for just a few twilit hours each day, you’ll be limited as to how much you can actually do. February and March are still snowy but with much longer days. You’re also more likely to spot the Northern Lights around the equinox (21 March). Read more about the best time to see the Northern Lights. Springtime varies wildly from north to south. Snow still lingers into April in the north, while wildflowers are emerging in the balmier south. 1st May sees Vappu celebrations across the country, welcoming the long awaited summer and the eternal sunshine of the June solstice. Mosquitoes don’t just live in the tropics. July sees swarms of the critters in Lapland; this is not the best time to visit Finland unless you fancy getting bitten – or stocking up on bug repellent. July = sunshine, warmth and Finnish holiday time, so many places will be busier with higher prices. Book well in advance if travelling at this time. Crowds ease off later in August. Read more about summer holidays in Finland . Photographers will relish the New England-style burst of autumnal colour in September and October, when prices are often be lower. However, this is low season so many tours and attractions are closed or have reduced hours, the summer warmth has ceased and the snow has not yet fallen – so for most travellers, this is not the best time to visit Finland. The Northern Lights arrive as early as September, but cloudy skies reduce your chances of seeing them at this time. Snow arrives in November – making for pristine, untouched landscapes. Warm up in a sauna after dog sledding or snow shoeing, and keep an eye out for the aurora once the long hours of darkness begin.

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Calling us from outside the UK?

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Best time to visit Finland

Aki Käräjäoja began working with sled dogs after he finished studying, and fell in love with them. He founded Routa Travel, one of our suppliers, as a way to be around the dogs and live the life he wanted. Here’s his best time to visit Finland: “The dog sledding season starts in December and ends in early April, but for this and other winter activities, February and March are the best times as there’s more daylight. If you come at the end of December it has its own mystical feel as it’s dark all the time, which can be really great – but I prefer the sunshine.”

Our culture pick: The summer solstice

Known as Juhannus, midsummer is celebrated on the Saturday between 20 and 26 June. Toast the midnight sun Finnish-style, with lakeside bonfires, cooking, drinking and saunas.

Festivals & events

Tangomarkkinat

As you’d expect, Finland hosts plenty rock and heavy metal festivals – but also the tangomarkkinat – the world’s biggest tango festival, in Seinäjoki each July. Up to 100,000 attend – although the 'tango-free zone' still has plenty of rock for non-aficionados.

Wife Carrying World Championships

“All participants must enjoy themselves” is one of the rules of Finland’s famous Wife Carrying World Championships. Believed to have originated in the 1800s when men would steal women from villages, the contest now attracts thousands of spectators each July. A lighter wife is not necessarily an advantage; the prize for the winner is the wife’s weight in beer.

The Annual Mobile Phone Throwing Championship

Finns proudly celebrate their best-known brand, Nokia, with the annual Mobile Phone Throwing Championship in Savonlinna each August. Open to individuals, teams and children, the phone thrown the furthest wins – although the freestyle competition also gets judged on the choreography of their throwing style

More about Finland

Finland travel guide

Our Finland travel guide lets you into long and light summer days, for trekking and kayaking, as well as Northern Lights watching, snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the snow covered, darker months of winter.

Finland map & highlights

Click on our interactive Finland map and highlights to discover some of the best places to visit in both summer and winter, whether you're seeking wolverines, wild bears, snowshoeing, Santa or Sami hospitality.

Things to do in Finland

It's hard to know where to start when planning a trip to Finland but we've picked out our top activities to get you started - from admiring the Aurora to mushing huskies, tracking wolverines and thawing out in a sauna.

Seeing Northern Lights in Finland

If you’re looking to put a bit of colour into the darker depths of winter there’s no better place to start than Finland and if you’re also looking for more info on the best time to go then read as you keep watching the skies.

Finland winter activity holidays

From snow shoeing and cross country skiing to husky safaris, Northern Lights and warming fires, Finland in the winter abounds with things to do so slip on your woolly socks, grab a glass of Glögi and read on for more info.

Finland Husky safaris

There’s no more exhilarating and rewarding way to discover the snowy Finnish wilderness other than on a husky safari, with a team of dogs pulling you through pure white landscapes and across vast frozen lakes.

Bear watching in Finland

You don’t need to travel to Alaska to see brown bears; the Wild Taiga region of Finland is home to these fascinating creatures and a supporting cast of other animals, too, from wolves and wolverine to elk and reindeer.

Summer holidays in Finland

If you think that Lapland is just about snow and Santa then think again as summer holidays in Finland help to create a far more accessible and affordable outdoor experience. including self-drive tours and hiking holidays.

Sami culture in Finland

Although traditionally semi nomadic reindeer herders, the Sámi are adapting to a changing world with responsible tourism playing a role in keeping alive the languages, music and folklore tales from around the Arctic Circle.

Fat biking in Finland

If you fancy fat biking in Oulanka National Park, these mountain bikes with big chunky tyres are a great way to enjoy some Arctic exercise and have fun as part of a small guided group without damaging the environment.

Responsible snowmobile safaris

The first eSleds have made their debut in Finland, and in the responsible travel stakes, electric beats traditional snowmobiles hands-down, but how can you make sure your snowmobile safari is good for Finnish Lapland?

Travelling in Finland with kids

Travelling in Finland with kids is a wonderful experience for families of any age, with snowshoeing and canoeing on the cards for older children, and snowmen, sledging and reindeer-nuzzling delights for younger ones.

Finland travel tips

Our specialist holiday companies and travellers have shared their Finland travel advice on everything from cross country skiing and the best time to see wildlife, to packing for the cold and eating locally sourced food.

Finland responisble tourism issues

It's hard to go wrong when travelling in this nature loving nation but there are a few things to be aware of including hunting, Sami rights and huskies vs snowmobiles; read our thoughts on responsible tourism in Finland.

All our Finland guides

Find all our Finland guides in one place, from Husky safaris to the Northern Lights and everything in between.

More relevant guides

Written by Vicki Brown

ABTA member P7085 so you are fully protected

Photo credits: [Page banner: Tero Laakso] [Intro: Tommaso Fornoni] [Aki Karajaoja advice: badamczak80] [Wife Carrying World Championships: Visit Lakeland]

Finland weather & best time to visit