iFinland is known to the world for three things: snow-dered igloos, the Northern Lights, and being recognized as the happiest country on the planet. The truth is, there are so many amazing things to do in Finland!
Your Finland vacation is sure to be filled with adventure. Portions of the country above the Arctic Circle and in this case, her location is everything, playing a big part in uncovering what to do in Finland. Here are the best things to do in Finland as well as many tips and facts to help you plan your Finland vacation.
Where is Finland? Getting the Lay of the Land
Where is Finland in Europe Map, Image by VisitFinland
Finland is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea in Northern Europe . To its east is Russia. To the west are Sweden and Norway. To the north there are the upper reaches of Norway, the Norwegian Sea, and the North Pole.
Finland’s southern and western coastlines stretch from the Gulf of Finland to the far end of the Gulf of Bothnia. This forms the largest archipelago in the world, dotted by over 50,000 islands and skerries (rocky islets).
Finland’s capital city is Helsinki, which is located on its southern shores. From Helsinki, it’s easy to hop over to the cities of Tallinn in Estonia; Stockholm, Sweden; and St. Petersburg, Russia, via daily ferry service.
Read our guide highlighti n g the best things to do in Helsinki on your family vacation .
When is the Best Time to Visit Finland
Any time is a great time to visit Finland because Finns embrace the gift of all their five seasons. Yes, you read that right. Finns have two seasons of winter. Regardless of the time of year, there are exciting things to do in Finland. When you choose to visit just depends on what you want to experience.
Winter in Lapland, photo by VisitFinland
Are you looking to see the Northern Lights, visit with Santa during the Christmas season, enjoy snow activities like ice-fishing, or stay in a real ice-igloo? Then you’ll want to visit Finland between December and March. Your daylight hours will be short and be prepared for temperatures to fall as low as -25 °C (-18 °F)
If you’re looking for longer days but still want to enjoy some snow activities, April and May are a good time to visit. There are also fewer crowds.
Summer in Finland Finland- Saimaa. photo by VisitFinland/Mikko Nikkinen
The summer months are June, July, and August. In the Land of the Midnight Sun, the sun never sets. In Helsinki, the sun is out until around 11pm. Temperatures, even in the summer, are never hot, hovering around 15-20°C (60-70 °F). This is the time to sample fresh strawberries, go on hikes, and enjoy time kayaking in the sea or lake.
Finland Lapland -Kakslauttanen, photo by VisitFinland
The autumn season is September to November. Temperatures are cool, around 5-10°C (40-50°F) during the day, and close to freezing point at night. Up in the Lapland area, the aspens are turning yellow and the maples orange and red. And everywhere, the forest is carpeted with berries and mushrooms.
Flights to Finland: How to Get There
Finnair at Helsinki Airport, Photo by LiLing Pang
All your adventures in Finland are likely to begin and end in the capital Helsinki.
Finnair currently operates non-stop direct flights from around the world to Helsinki. Did you know that FinnAir has a free stopover program in Helsinki? You can add a stop in Helsinki for up to 5 days for free enroute tween any city they fly between.
From the U.S – New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami.
From Europe – Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, London, Malaga, Milan, Paris, Prague, Stockholm, Vienna, Zurich
From Asia – Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore (over the north pole!)
From the Middle East – Dubai
Getting Around Finland
Road Trip in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, Photo by LiLing Pang
With a total area similar in size to that of California, seeing everything on our list of things to do in Finland will require more than one trip.
Fortunately, getting around Finland is eas y. Finnair operates domestic air travel. If you are heading to the Finnish Lapland, Finn Air operates flights to the cities of Kittilä, Ivalo, Oulu, and Rovaniemi.
The roads in Finland are good and so is the public bus and rail service. For families, renting a car may be the most convenient and economical option. In Finland, they drive on the same side of the road as in the U.S.
The streets are in good condition, and street signs easy to read (although the names of the roads are in Finnish). We found it easy enough to follow along with the Google Maps GPS app. Just be sure to download the Google Map to your smartphone before hitting the road if you have limited data service.
Getting around Helsinki by Tram, photo by LiLing Pang
VR is the train line that offers a night train to major cities, with additional “Train Bus” service to smaller Lapland cities. Check train routes and time tables for details. In the cities, you can get around quickly and easily without a car.
Public transportation is excellent and works on a zone system. It’s economical to purchase a day ticket for specific zones, and you can get on and off the buses as many times as you want.
A nice perk for traveling with a young child is that a child in a stroller and their accompanying adult get to ride public transportation for free.
The Best Things to do in Finland
Finland in the Winter -Ruka Kuusamo, photo by VisitFinland-Harri Tarvainen
“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing,” I was told on more than one occasion by local Finns.
To people living in the Arctic Circle, this isn’t just a casual saying; it’s a mantra to live by. This Finnish attitude frames their relationship with nature.
The Finns have found a way to embrace every season, and in fact, winter is their highest travel season. When trees are massively laden with snow, and the lakes freeze over, Finns go ice-fishing, fat biking, dog sledding, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing.
During the long days of summer, you’ll find locals foraging in the forest, camping, boating, and kayaking. And of course, in all seasons, Finns sauna.
Magic of Nuuksio Folklore Hike with Nuuksion Taika, photo by LiLing Pang
For those of us who step into her sacred forests and row across her glassy lakes, we can experience the same spirit of Finland. All we need to do is to stop rushing around like tourists and embrace the simplicity of being, savoring, and observing.
While hiking in Nuuksio National Park , Annu, one of the co-owners of Hawkhill Villas and Cottages made an excellent suggestion,
“In Finland, we have peace and tranquility. Take a few days, turn off your phone, and watch. Wake up when you feel you’ve slept enough, eat when you feel hungry, let nature guide your day. You’ll feel free!”
Finland Lake Huakalampi – Nuuksio, Photo by Shellie Bailey Shah
So before mapping out a packed itinerary, I would encourage you to pick a handful of experiences and not try to squeeze too much in. Fully embrace the most beautiful gift that Finland has to offer – peace, tranquility, and freedom.
See the Northern Lights from an Igloo Hotel
Season: Autumn and Winter Where: Lapland
Northern Lights in Finland – Rovaniemi, Photo by LiLing Pang
In Finnish Lapland, you have a chance of seeing the Northern Lights over 200 days in a year. The Aurora Borealis dances across Finland’s night sky from September to April.
During these cold winter nights, temperatures in Lapland can drop to -25 °C (-18 °F) . You’ll be grateful to wait inside the comfort of a glass igloo hotel for the Aurora Borealis to show up. Plus, it’s cool staying in one of these glass-domed igloo hotels, which have become quite synonymous with Finland!
Really want to see the Northern Lights in Finland? Here are all the Best Glass Igloo Hotels in Finland
Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Sea Fortress
Season: Year-round Where: Helsinki
Helsinki Suomenlinna Sea Fort, Photo by LiLing Pang
Finland has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites . Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is the most famous, and is a short ferry ride from Kauppatori (Market Square) in Helsinki.
While under Swedish rule, Soumelinna was the pride of its military, which first built the sea fortress to protect its territory from Russian advances. Suomenlinna continued to serve as an essential defense even under the Grand Duchy of Russia.
Suomenlinna’s fortress walls span six islands. Kids will love exploring the bastion walls, discovering tunnels, and counting the dozens of canons found about the fortress.
The visitor’s center has a short film on the history of the fortress and offers walking tours. There are also six museums on Suomenlinna. Kids are likely to enjoy the Military Museum , the WWII Submarine Vesikko , and the Toy Museum . The fortress is also a popular place to enjoy a picnic on the beach or dine at one of the restaurants.
Hang Out with Reindeer Herders
Season: Year-round Where: Lapland
Finnish Lapland Reindeer, photo by LiLing Pang
The population of Finland is only 5.5 million. Reindeer outnumber people 2:1 in the Finnish Lapland!
Although it looks like the reindeer are roaming wild, each is tagged and belongs to a reindeer herding family. Reindeer are the livelihood of the Sami people, who have been native to the area for over 5,000 years.
Rovaniemi: Meeting a Reindeer Herder and Craft Workshop, photo by LiLing Pang
There are places in the southern part of Finland such as the Helsinki Zoo or the Reindeer Park in Nuuksio National Park, where you can see reindeer.
But to truly understand what the reindeer mean to the Sami people, you’ll want to spend an afternoon at Atelier Kangasniemi. It’s an unforgettable, meet-a-local kind of experience at the home and workshop of Ari and Irene Kangasniemi.
When you arrive at their home and workshop, Irene and Ari show you the wide variety of items they make using reindeer horns, fur, and leather- shoes, chandeliers, knives, musical instruments, and jewelry. Then you get to make some of your own jewelry using reindeer horns to take home.
After you complete your masterpiece, you’re ushered into their cozy home for a spread of Finnish cinnamon buns and coffee. Irene and Ari are very excited to share their Sami heritage and lives with visitors through their stories and warm hospitality.
Meet Santa in Lapland
Season: Year-round, but Best in Winter Where: Lapland
Finland – Santa’s Lapland, photo by: VisitFinland-Riku Pihlanto
Did you know Santa’s home isn’t really in the North Pole? Just think about it, there aren’t reindeer living in the North Pole are there? Santa actually lives in the winter wonderland of the Finnish Lapland! If your kids are at the right age, a visit to Santa’s home turf can be absolutely magical.
Santa has many “homes” in Lapland. Depending on where you meet him, it can be quite a different experience. In Rovaniemi, you’ll find an entire Santa’s Village . It is open year round.
At Santa’s Village, you can feed reindeer, take sleigh rides, mush huskies, and see Santa’s post office . He actually receives thousands of letters year-round from all around the world. The attraction is highly touristed and has a theme park feel to it.
If you’re looking for a hand-on experience with Mr. and Mrs. Claus, check out Santa Park instead . Here you can make crafts, bake cookies, and go to “elf school”. Alternatively, you can book a private intimate Santa experience in Santa Claus Secret Forest for a private group.
Forage for Mushrooms and Berries and Drink from a Stream
Season: Summer and Autumn Where: Nuuksio National Park, Espoo
Foraging for Mushrooms in Nuuksio National Park, photo by LiLing Pang
Finland’s forests are some of the most magical and pure places in the world. Here you can drink unfiltered water from a stream. In the summer and autumn season, the mossy forest floor is covered with lingonberries, bilberries, blueberries, and cloudberries. There are also mushrooms everywhere.
Anyone is free to forage on public and private land according to the law known as “Every Man’s Right.” We’ve been told that every Finnish child has spent countless hours foraging in the forest for berries .
If you’d like to forage for mushrooms too, be sure to go with a guide. Many mushrooms need a special preparation or are poisonous. Take a short drive from Helsinki is Nuuksio National Park, where there are berries and mushrooms galore for the taking.
Experience a Finnish Sauna
Season: Year-round Where: Everywhere in Finland
Sauna at Hawkhill Cottages in Finland, Photo by LiLing Pang
In Finland, it is estimated that there is one sauna for every two people (that’s 2.3 million saunas!). You really can’t come to Finland without experiencing one.
There are saunas on boats, by the lake, in a hotel room, on a Ferris wheel, even in Burger King if you can believe it! So whichever way you decide strikes your fancy, when in Finland, you shall sauna.
The typical way locals go to a Finnish sauna is in the nude with family or a group of friends of the same gender. In a public sauna, there is typically a sauna for men and a sauna for women. You are free to wear your bathing suit, but be prepared to see others bare.
For Finns, sauna time is hangout time. The experience is punctuated by jumping into the snow or plunging into an icy lake or into the frigid ocean to cool off. The idea is to be ready to get right back into the sauna again. We recommend that you at least give it a try.
Stay in a Lakeside Cottage
Season: B est in Summer and Autumn Where: Nuuksio National Park, Lakeland Region
Finns value punctuality to a tee, but they are just as good about taking time to get away from everything. With thousands of lakes, there is nothing more quintessentially Finnish than to get away to a lake cottage for a few days. In fact, most families have their own lake cottage, but surprisingly few rent them out on Airbnb or VRBO.
In Nuuksio National Park, we found Hawkhill Villas and Cottages on the shores of Lake Kaitlampi. Their log cabin cottages have been hand-built by the family. Each is unique and special. If you’re looking to center and connect with your family and yourself, parking yourself at a Lakeside Cottage is quintessential nature therapy.
Glide Across a Lake in a Rowboat
Season: Summer, Autumn, and Spring Where: Lakeland Region
Finnish Lake at Nuuksio National Park, photo by LiLing Pang
There are 188,000 lakes in Finland. You’ll find lakes in every shape, size, and color in the Lakeland region. I’ve never seen so many perfectly glassy lakes in my entire life.
And where there is a lake, there is a rowboat. You can’t just get into any rowboat. But if you rent a lakeside cottage for a couple of nights, you can bet it comes with a rowboat. Regardless, you’ll certainly find opportunities to rent a canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard just about anywhere.
Stay on a Secluded Island in a Lighthouse
Season: Any Season Where: In the Finnish Archipelago
Finland Archipelago Söderskär Lighthouse, photo by VisitFinland
With over 50,000 islands in the Finnish Archipelago, there are many to visit. There are also a plethora of lighthouses. There are even a few lighthouses you can actually spend the night in – Kylmäpihlaja Lighthouse, Bengtskär Lighthouse, Söderskär Lighthouse, and Tankar Lighthouse.
After the daytrippers leave these secluded islands in the Baltic sea, you’ll discover an exuberant solitude. With few distractions, you’ll hear every lapping wave, smell that savory seaweed, and see each streak across the rocks.
When the cold sea breeze blows, take a jaunt to warm up in the sauna. This simplicity, mindfulness, and connection to nature are how locals have lived on islands across the Finnish Archipelago for centuries. Meet Paula the Lighthouse keeper .
Sleep in the Trees in a Tentsile Tent
Season: Summer Where: Nuuksio National Park and other Tentsile locations .
Finland Tentsile Experience at Nuuksio Eco-Camp, photo by LiLing Pang
Have you heard of a Tentsile tent? It’s a zero-footprint hammock tent that can be suspended from three supporting trees over land or water. It’s a delightful way to sleep in the trees for a couple of nights.
I’m not surprised that Finland has embraced the Tentsile experience more than any country in the world, because Finns love nature and are environmentally conscious.
There are currently seven official Tentsile Experience Camps in Finland, more than in any other country in the world. So, when in Finland, why not give Tentsile camping a try? At Nuuksio National Park, everything you need for the night is provided.
Spy on Brown Bears
Season: Summer Where: Eastern Lake Region – Hosaa National Park and the town of Kuhmo
Finland has the highest concentration of brown bears in Europe. And you have the best chance of seeing a bear in Hossa National Park where different operators offer tours. You’ll observe the bears and other wildlife, such as wolves and wolverines, from inside log cabin hides in the late afternoon.
During the winter, bears hibernate and give birth to cubs, but from June to August, they emerge from their slumber with their little ones.
June is the start of the mating season. The following operators offer bear safari experiences: Boreal Wildlife Center , Arola Bear , Martinselkosen Wilds Centre , and Hossan Karhut .
Be a Husky Musher for a Day
Season: Any Season Where: Rovaniemi, Lapland
Husky Dog Sledding at Bearhill Huskies, photo by: LiLing Pang
Although sled dog racing isn’t traditional to Finland, it’s become a favorite among winter visitors. It’s even possible to experience riding in a dog sled near Helsinki during the winter, but the place to go is Lapland.
At Bearhill Husky in Rovaniemi, you can enjoy the thrill of being a husky musher even in the summertime, when the huskies stay fit by pulling four-wheeled carts. It’s something kids who are mature enough can do as well. Teens can mush in the snow if they are 16 and up and heavy enough to engage the brake.
If you’ve never been pulled by a team of huskies, you are in for a treat. They are bounding with energy and eager to interact with their mushers. It’s a thrill to ride the forest trails with your team of huskies.
Snowmobile Over a Frozen Lake and Go Ice Fishing
Season: Winter Where: Lapland
Lapland Snowmobiling Saariselka_moottorikelkat, photo by: VisitFinland/Rob Smith
During the winter months, most of Finland’s 188,000 lakes freeze over . This means there are lovely wide open fields of snow to race snowmobiles across. In the northern Lapland region, fishing happens year-round too. When the fish are under a sheet of ice, you drill a hole with special tools, sink a line, and pull up your fish.
In the Arctic Circle, winter temperatures are well below freezing. But to experience Finland like a local, put on a fur coat, jump on a snowmobile, and go catch some dinner. Our friends at Kidtripster have some essential tips for families who are interested in an ice-fishing snowmobile safari.
Appreciate Finnish Design and Architecture
Season: Any Season Where: Helsinki
Helsinki – Academic Bookstore by Alvar Alto, photo by LiLing Pang
Finnish architecture of the 19th century has made a mark in the world for its influence on Jugendstil (Art Nouveau), Nordic Classicism, and Functionalism. The two most notable Finnish modern architects are Alvar Aalto and Eliel Saarinen.
Wood construction has been the staple of Finnish buildings since its most primitive structures. But in recent times, Finnish architecture has pushed the boundaries of wood construction in technique and elevated its elegance.
Helsinki Oodi Central Library, photo by: Reid Fuller
If you’re a fan of modern architecture, here are a few outstandingly beautiful buildings to visit. The capital city of Helsinki is the largest city in Finland and naturally is a prime spot to find examples of beautiful Finnish architecture.
Finlandia Hall, Helsinki Oodi Library, Helsinki Music Hall, Kamppi Chapel of Silence, and The Rock Church are all must-sees. There are also several design stores in town selling home goods with Finnishe style so that you can take a piece of Finland home with you.
Visit a Church Built Inside a Rock
Season: Any Season Where: Helsinki
Rock Church
The Finns seem to have an appreciation for the unusual. Temppeliaukio Church, nicknamed, The Rock Church, is one magnificent example.
It took 60 years for the design to be accepted for this Lutheran Church in Helsinki. Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen proposed turning the idea of a church building completed upside down and inside o
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