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Finland in Winter: What to Do & Where to Go

First things first, it’s important to tell you that Finland in winter is rather magical. Snow, northern lights and Santa are just a few of the things you’ll love about it.

You can enjoy thrilling activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling and Arctic swimming when you visit Lapland in winter . As well as all the adventure, relaxing experiences await you in Finland too. Think steamy saunas, indulgent meals and trendy Nordic cafés.

That’s just the start of the story though. Discover all the best things to do and places to go in Finland in winter here. We've also answered frequently asked questions about what Finland is like in winter to help you prepare for your trip.

• Take a look at these Lapland tours  or Scandinavia packages for winter travel
• Sleep in an ice hotel or glass igloo
• Warm up in a Finnish sauna
• Hunt for the northern lights
• Enjoy activities on the snow and ice
• Meet Father Christmas
• Admire Helsinki’s architecture
• Learn about Sami culture
• Swim in the Arctic
• Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s
• Indulge in Finnish cuisine
• Santa Claus Village
• Kakslauttanen

How long is winter in Finland?

How cold is finland in winter, how to dress for finland winter, what shoes to wear in finland’s winter, how many hours of sunlight in finland in winter, can you see the northern lights in finland’s winter, best things to do in finland in winter, 1. sleep in an ice hotel or glass igloo.

Visit Finland in winter and you could experience an unusual kind of hotel stay: sleeping in a room made of snow and ice.

Imagine waking up to beautiful art carved into the snowy walls of your room, or dining in a frozen restaurant. The ice hotels in Finnish Lapland are built by hand each winter and are enchanting to behold.

If sleeping amidst the ice isn’t really your thing, you could always visit a frozen hotel then stay in a glass igloo instead. Cosy up under your duvet and admire a starry night sky through the transparent dome. On a clear night, you might get to watch the northern lights from the comfort of your bed.

• Explore these Lapland ice hotel tour packages
• Related: Glass igloos in Finland – Your guide

2. Warm up in a Finnish sauna

Winter is the perfect time to enjoy a classic Nordic spa tradition : the sauna. This is a popular ritual in Finland so you won’t need to look far to find one.

Whether or not you’ve spent the night in an ice hotel, you’ll probably want to get toasty in a Finnish sauna during your winter trip. It’s a great way to relax the muscles and activate blood circulation.

You are also encouraged to dip in a cold plunge pool, or just roll around in the snow. By exposing your body to extreme high and low temperatures, you boost your immune system and relax your muscles. Don’t be afraid of the cold – give it a go!

3. Hunt for the northern lights

If you’ve ever wanted to see the northern lights, also called aurora borealis, you can search for them in northern Finland. This part of the country lies within the Arctic Circle, which is a prime spot for aurora gazing as it’s close to the North Pole.

In fact, Finnish Lapland is situated in the “aurora zone” – located between 65 and 72 degrees north. This is where aurora frequency and intensity is at its highest. Come here for a winter trip and you’ll maximise your chances of seeing the northern lights in Finland .

Watching the aurora light up the sky in an enchanting display of bright green, purple, red or pink is as magical as it sounds!

• Chase the aurora borealis on one of these northern lights tours in Lapland

4. Enjoy activities on the snow and ice

Finland is a haven if you’re looking for fun winter activities. The best place to enjoy them is Finnish Lapland, where vast natural landscapes are carpeted in a blanket of snow.

Picture yourself zipping over the soft white powder in a dog sled or reindeer sleigh. This is a quintessential activity when you’re in Lapland and a fantastic way to see the snowy scenery.

Or how about snowmobiling through the wilderness? You could take an evening tour to drive over the snow while looking for the northern lights in the sky above.

Alternatively, consider going cross-country skiing or snowshoeing for some outdoor exercise in this part of Finland. There are also ski resorts you could visit, or perhaps you’d like to have a go at ice skating or ice fishing on frozen lakes.

5. Meet Father Christmas

You might already know that Santa Claus lives in Lapland. But did you realise that you can meet him in person in his hometown of Rovaniemi?

Visit Santa Claus Village in Finnish Lapland to have a personal encounter with the Man in Red. Children will love the experience, but remember you’re never too old to meet Father Christmas !

Plus, you don’t have to visit Lapland at Christmastime to catch him. Santa and his elves are here to meet you and have a chat year-round. There’s something really special about visiting him in winter though, so we recommend timing your trip for the snowy months – December to March.

• Check out these Santa holidays in Lapland

6. Admire Helsinki’s architecture

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is beloved for its outstanding architecture. You can take in the contrasts of this UNESCO City of Design , from the striking modernistic Finlandia Hall to the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral.

For a taste of the capital’s more traditional architecture, take a stroll through the centrally located Market Square and stop by Parliament House. Admire the colourful buildings lining the Old Town Pier, as well as the redbrick Uspenski Cathedral with its golden cupolas.

Then you can’t miss the contemporary architecture of Helsinki, for which the city gets much praise. Discover the impressive Oodi Library, the Kamppi Chapel of Silence or the Amos Rex contemporary art museum.

Another top architectural gem in Helsinki is the UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna. Hop on a ferry for a day trip to these fortress islands, where you’ll find museums, a church, tunnels, and buildings from the 18th century. 

• Visit Helsinki as part of a Scandinavian winter tour
• Related: Top 12 European Christmas markets

7. Learn about Sami culture

Visit Finnish Lapland and you could meet the Sami, the indigenous people who live in the northern parts of Finland, Sweden and Norway. The Sami have called this region home for thousands of years and have worked hard to maintain their customs.

On your winter trip to Finland, you could learn about the Sami’s way of life. Part of their culture is a strong connection with the land. You’ll discover how much the Sami rely on reindeer for their livelihood as well as nourishment.

Visit a reindeer farm to hear stories, ride in a sleigh and find out how the Sami are keeping their culture alive. You could also try the staple dish, Souvas, comprising smoked reindeer meat cooked over an open fire.

8. Swim in the Arctic

Yes, you read that right. Swimming in the Arctic is a thing and you can do it in Finland in winter!

You’ll get the chance to swim in the Arctic Gulf of Bothnia as part of the Sampo Icebreaker tour from Kemi. This icebreaker vessel was made to do just that – clear the frozen water to make way for ships.

Now the Sampo invites visitors onboard to learn about its history, enjoy lunch at the restaurant, and have a dip in the Arctic. Don’t worry, you’ll be wearing an impermeable flotation suit to protect you from the cold. You’ll be buoyant so relax and enjoy floating in the freezing water!

9. Celebrate Christmas or New Year’s

If you’re looking for the ultimate Christmas holiday, nothing beats a trip to Lapland – the home of Santa himself. Think Christmas markets, twinkling lights, snow all around and, of course, Santa’s grotto.

Kids in particular will be in Christmas heaven. Visit Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland to spend time in Santa Claus Village, where you can send postcards from Santa’s post office. The highlight is meeting Father Christmas and his elves, but you can also enjoy meals at cosy restaurants and visit a reindeer farm.

Let’s not forget about New Year’s Eve though. You could celebrate it in a winter wonderland, enjoying a festive dinner at a traditional cabin in the forest. At a fun Lapland party, join in with Finnish customs like tin casting (fortune telling) and baptisms by Sami shamans.

It wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without some fireworks. In this part of Lapland, near the Finnish-Swedish border, you’d get to watch the midnight display in Finland, then see Sweden’s fireworks an hour later. Ring in the new year with a bang!

• Check out these New Year packages or Christmas holidays in Lapland

10. Indulge in Finnish cuisine

We already mentioned Souvas, one of the dishes you could try while you’re in Finland. Reindeer meat is popular in Finnish Lapland given the local Sami traditions. As well as smoking it over a fire, you could have reindeer meat dried or sauteed and served with potatoes and lingonberries.

Other Lappish delicacies you should try are Arctic Char, fried “squeaky” cheese with flatbread, and pastries with cloudberry jam. Elsewhere in the country, you could taste Finnish meatballs, fish pie, or rice pies. For a sweet treat, you can’t resist a cinnamon bun or berry pie.

Would you give salty Nordic liquorice a try? It’s a Finnish favourite!

• Enjoy these Finnish experiences on a  Lapland winter tour

Best places to go in Finland in winter

1. rovaniemi.

Head to Rovaniemi for a quintessential winter wonderland experience in Finnish Lapland. Rovaniemi has everything you could wish for: an ice hotel, Santa Claus Village, and snow-covered landscapes. This makes it a great spot for dog sledding, snowmobiling, skiing, ice fishing, and other fun winter activities.

Rovaniemi is only 8 kilometres (5 miles) south of the Arctic Circle, so you have a good chance of seeing the northern lights in winter. Make your trip truly unforgettable by spending a night in the Arctic SnowHotel , where you can choose between sleeping in an ice room or glass igloo.

2. Santa Claus Village

Poised on the outskirts of Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village is as magical as you would hope. Stroll through the snow to explore charming handicraft shops where you can pick up some souvenirs. Visit the Christmas exhibition or send a postcard from Santa’s post office with the help of friendly elves.

You won’t want to miss the chance to meet Santa Claus in his Christmas House. You can help Mrs Claus make her traditional gingerbread biscuits at her Christmas Cottage and ride in a reindeer sleigh through the snow. There are also plenty of restaurants here so you definitely won’t go hungry!

• Related: Things to do in Santa Claus Village, Lapland

3. Helsinki

With its snow-dusted streets and cosy cafés, Helsinki is full of charm in wintertime. Go sightseeing to admire the capital’s beautiful architecture, a glorious fusion of classical and modernist buildings. Walk along the harbourfront and look out across the frozen sea.

The cold weather is a great excuse to bundle up in a café over a hot cup of coffee and cinnamon bun. You’ll also want to linger over a delicious Finnish meal – there are plenty of inviting Nordic restaurants to choose from.

Another way to beat the cold is by warming up in a Finnish sauna. Although there are many of them in Helsinki, the top pick is Löyly Sauna, positioned right on the water’s edge. Enter the beautifully designed wooden building and choose between a private or public sauna experience.

Good to know: You could visit Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Oslo as part of a winter Scandinavia tour . This is a great way to experience these Nordic countries in one trip.

If the idea of dog sledding, snowmobiling and chasing the northern lights appeals to you, then head to Kemi in Finnish Lapland. This town lies on the shores of Bothnian Bay, close to the border with Sweden.

There are also some more unusual things to do in Kemi if you have an adventurous spirit. Why not sleep in a frozen room at SnowCastle ? This ice hotel looks like something straight out of a fairytale. Walk through the fortress-style entrance and check out the incredible ice art on display.

Or how about some Arctic swimming? From Kemi you can cruise on the Sampo Icebreaker vessel before immersing yourself in the freezing water – wearing a thermal suit, of course. Not many people can say they’ve floated in this icy sea!

5. Kakslauttanen

Another great spot in Finnish Lapland you should consider visiting in winter is Kakslauttanen, home to Igloo Village . Not just home to snow igloos, this winter resort also offers glass igloos for you to hide away in.

It’s all about enjoying the snowy wilderness here, particularly with the beautiful Urho Kekkonen National Park in Finland nearby. Go ice fishing, snowmobiling, dog sledding or horse riding. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding or cross-country skiing. This is also a fantastic spot to hunt for the northern lights.

• Related: Best Lapland holidays for a winter getaway

Winter is usually 5 months long, lasting from November to March. Visit the northern regions, such as Lapland, and you’ll experience the snow from November to May.

It does get cold in Finland in winter. If you go to Helsinki, you’ll likely find the temperature hovers between 1 to -7°C (44 to 19°F). In Lapland it averages between 3°C (37°F) to -16°C (3°F), however these weather conditions are tempered by the dry, crisp air.

In terms of snow, Lapland usually gets up to 225 days of snowfall in winter.

• Read more about Lapland’s climate on our travel guide

To be comfortable in the cold, you should pack plenty of warm layers for your trip to Finland in winter. Note that if you have planned any activities in the snow, like dog sledding, you will be provided with proper thermal outerwear.

We recommend you pack wool clothing where possible as this material is great for keeping you warm. Think woollen socks, base layers, jumpers and gloves. Remember to pack insulated outerwear that’s also waterproof, as well as good sturdy shoes. Cosy hats, gloves and scarves are a must!

• For a complete Lapland packing list , check our travel guide

The last thing you want on your winter trip is to have cold, wet feet! That’s why you should bring waterproof shoes or boots that will keep you warm. If you’re visiting Finnish Lapland, you could consider packing snow boots to ensure your feet stay nice and toasty.

Finland has short daylight hours in winter, but just how many depends on where you go and what month you visit.

In Helsinki, located in the south of Finland, you’ll get 6 to 12 hours of daylight in winter. In Rovaniemi, on the other hand, you’ll have between 2 and 12 hours of daylight. That’s because it is situated further north, closer to the Arctic Circle.

The darkest days of the year occur around 21 December, the time of the winter solstice. However, in Lapland the white snow helps the days appear lighter than you might imagine.

Finland is a great place to visit if you want to see northern lights and winter is the best time to spot them. The aurora borealis appear at any time of year, but in winter the skies are darkest so you can see them really clearly.

For your best chances of witnessing the northern lights in Finland, head to Lapland. This is where auroral activity is strongest in the country.

• Read more about trips to Lapland in January , February , March and  December

As you can tell by now, Finland is a fantastic destination to visit in winter! Whether you want to experience the winter wonderland that is Finnish Lapland, or soak up the culture of Helsinki, there is so much to see and do.

You could experience Lapland in winter or visit Helsinki as part of a Scandinavian winter tour . Browse our travel packages to explore your options online or speak to a Finland expert who will craft an itinerary that suits you.

Get in touch with our Finland travel consultants and they will ensure you have an unforgettable trip.

Wanderlust has taken Emma across much of the world, but it was Scotland that she made her adopted home. Aside from enjoying countryside walks, campervan weekends and gigs in Glasgow, you’ll often find her writing about European travel and plotting her next trip.

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The Ultimate 7 Day Finland Itinerary for Winter

Last updated: April 17, 2024 . Written by Laurence Norah - 22 Comments

If you’re looking for the perfect winter wonderland destination, look no further than Finland.

We’ve had some incredible trips to Finland in winter. It was the first place I saw the Northern Lights , the snowy landscapes are spectacular, and there are loads of fantastic winter activities to choose from.

Finland is a fairly big country though, so you might be wondering how best to spend your time here when visiting in winter. Well, wonder no more. With our detailed 1 week Finland itinerary we’ve got you covered.

This itinerary will have you visiting many of the highlights of Finland, including Finnish Lapland and the capital city of Helsinki. It will take you deep into the Arctic Circle, give you the chance to sleep in a glass igloo, and even have you meeting Santa himself.

We’ve also put this itinerary together to offer you flexible transport options. Whilst we generally prefer to hire a car and self-drive, we appreciate not everyone will be comfortable driving in Finland in winter. So this itinerary can be done with or without a car.

In terms of time, we’ve put this guide together for around a week in Finland. We think this is a good length of time to visit Finland in winter.

Of course, you can visit for as long or short a time as you want, but if you are hoping to experience phenomenon like the Northern Lights, giving yourself a bit of extra time will significantly increase the chances of experiencing them.

Ok, that’s enough preamble. Let’s take a look at our detailed day by day itinerary for visiting Finland in winter.

Finland Itinerary for Winter

This itinerary covers a range of activities and sights in Finland. Obviously everyone’s interests will vary, so do please adjust it to suit your personal preferences.

Also, don’t forget that it can be very cold in Finland in winter, with temperatures likely to be well below freezing throughout your visit. We have a detailed guide to what to pack for Finland in winter , which we recommend taking a look at so you are prepared for your trip.

Day 1: Helsinki

We recommend that you spend your first couple of days in Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. There’s a huge amount to do in the city, which has a great many museums, restaurants, a historical sea fortress, and other attractions.

On your first day in Helsinki, we’d suggest getting acquainted with the city center and visiting some of the attractions. The city center of Helsinki is fairly compact, and you can get pretty much anywhere with public transportation and walking.

A great starting point is the Helsinki City Museum . Here, you will learn all about the history and development of the city. It’s free, and open every day.

Just near to the city museum is Helsinki Cathedral . This large white building is one of the more recognizable landmarks of Helsinki. It’s spectacular to view from the outside, but you can also go inside too of course. It’s open every day, and free to visit.

If you want a more in-depth overview of the history, culture and people of Finland, then we can recommend a visit to the National Museum of Finland . This covers a huge time period, from prehistoric times to the present day, and is an excellent way to learn a lot about the whole country. It’s open Tuesday – Sundays, and there’s an entry fee.

We could go on listing museums in Helsinki, as the city has a huge number to choose from, catering for almost every interest. From design , to contemporary art , to photography , to architecture , there’s really an incredible choice. There’s even a museum about hotels !

You won’t have time to visit all of these of course, but we can definitely recommend visiting a few during your time in the city. There are lots of choices, so you can just choose a few that appeal to you.

If you do plan on visiting a number of the museums or other attractions in Helsinki, consider investing in either a museum card or the Helsinki Card (buy the latter here ).

These cover a range of attractions, and the Helsinki card also includes transport around the city, which will save you walking around in the cold. The Helsinki card can be great value for money – see our full review of the Helsinki card to see if it’s worth investing in for your trip.

Of course, there’s also more to do in Helsinki than visit museums. We can suggest taking some time to go Christmas shopping (even if it’s after Christmas, you can stock up for the next one!).

If you do visit in December before Christmas, then you will also definitely want to check out the Helsinki Christmas market and try some traditional Christmas foods and drinks. These include Glögi (a type of mulled wine) and star-shaped Christmas pastries.

Kankurin Tupa would be our recommended destination for Christmas shopping in Helsinki. This is a department store which specialises in Finnish items, and has a whole section dedicated to Christmas.

We can also recommend getting coffee and cake at one of Finland’s best known cafes, Ekberg 1852 . This has been in Helsinki since, you guessed it, 1852, and they have an excellent selection of Finnish delicacies which obviously include baked goods.

Finally, find somewhere for a delicious evening meal, and retire, having gotten your first day of sight-seeing in Finland under your belt.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

We have stayed at a number of accommodation options in Helsinki, including apartment rentals and hotels.

Some options we suggest you take a look at include:

• Hostel Diana Park
• Hellsten Helsinki Senate
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
• Hotel Katajanokka .

You can also see listings for Helsinki on Vrbo here .

Day 2: Helsinki

For your second day in Helsinki our suggestion is to head out to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress .

This is a UNESCO world heritage site, and in our opinion is a must-do attraction when visiting Helsinki.

There is a huge amount to see and do on the island, and you could easily spend from half a day to a full day here, depending on what you want to see and do.

First, you can explore the six islands that the fortress spans on foot, admiring the impressive fortress construction. As you’re visiting in winter, you will of course want to wrap up warmly and have good footwear. Be wary of icy ground which can make for slippery conditions.

There are also five museums on the island, although not all of these are open year-round. The ones that are open in winter are the Suomenlinna Museum and the Military Museum. I would definitely encourage you to visit the former at least, as this details the history of the fortress and the island.

Both of these museums have an entry fee, and they are also both included on the  Helsinki Card . Holders of this card also get ferry transport to and from Suomenlinna Fortress, which otherwise costs €5. Ferries run every day, and you can see the schedule here .

After Suomenlinna Fortress, you might still have time to fit in a few more sights. Some other attractions in Helsinki we would suggest which are near the ferry point from the island include the Helsinki Skywheel for great views across the city, Uspenski Cathedral and the Old Market Hall for food.

Finally, a really popular activity that you must try while you are in Finland is to take a sauna. This is one of the most traditional Finnish experiences you can have.

There are a few options when it comes having a sauna in Finland. Most hotels and even some apartments will come with a sauna, which will often be the easiest way. There are also public saunas in Helsinki.

You can also take a tour which includes a sauna. From Helsinki for example, take a look at this tour , which includes a traditional smoke sauna and the chance to do a cold icy plunge – if you’re feeling brave!

And that wraps up your second day in Finland and your last day in Helsinki. If you’d like some more ideas for what to do in the city, see our guide to things to do in Helsinki , which has many more ideas.

How to Get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki

Your next destination is Rovaniemi. You have a few options for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The fastest option will be to fly. There are a number of airlines offering flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, with the flight time being around an hour. Flights are relatively inexpensive and there are multiple departures a day.

If you fly, you can either depart on the evening of day 2 or early in the morning of day 3. You can check flight times and prices, and  book online here .

You can also take the overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This route is known as the Santa Claus Express, and the journey takes around 12 hours. If you choose to do this, you will need to leave on the evening on day 2. You can see timetables and book this train online  here .

It’s also possible to take a bus from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This takes around 13 hours. Just note that taking the bus will eat up quite a bit of your day so is the least time efficient option. Check bus times and prices, and book tickets here .

You can also drive to Helsinki to Rovaniemi. This is around a 9.5 hour drive of 500 miles / 800km. Again, this is a long journey and we’d advise against this as well as it will be a tiring journey that will use up your holiday. However, if you want to do this, you can compare car rental prices across a range of suppliers  on Discover Cars here .

If you are planning your own trip and booking your own transport, our recommendation for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi would be to either fly or take the overnight train.

If you’d rather not have to worry about planning your own transport, you might also consider taking a guided tour. These will generally cover your transport and accommodation as well as some meals and activities, leaving you to focus on just enjoying yourself.

There are a few tours we suggest that have similar itineraries and activities to our itinerary, and include Helsinki, Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle. Note that most tours from Helsinki use the overnight train service, and focus on activities in and around Rovaniemi.

• this 6 day tour which includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi, and a number of activities
• this 5 day tour which includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi
• this 7 day tour which also includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi

If you take one of these tours, they will arrange all your transport and connections for you during your trip, which is definitely an option to think about.

Day 3: Rovaniemi

Welcome to Lapland! Rovaniemi sits right on the edge of the Arctic Circle, the most northerly of the lines of latitude. Above this line you can experience the Midnight Sun in summer, as well as days in winter when the sun never rises at all!

Rovaniemi makes an excellent base for a wide range of winter activities in Finland . These includes Northern Lights viewing, ice karting, snowmobiling, husky sledding, reindeer sledding, sleeping in a snow hotel, ice fishing – the list goes on!

For this itinerary, which I’ve put together on the basis that you don’t need a car, the plan is to base yourself in Rovaniemi for three days and to do a number of winter activities from the city. There are also several attractions in and around Rovaniemi to visit.

This itinerary will of course also work perfectly well with a car. I’ve visited Rovaniemi in winter with and without a car on my two visits. If you plan to rent a car, you can arrange to pick up a rental car either at the airport or in the town center once you arrive. The only consideration if you do hire a car is to ensure that your accommodation includes free parking.

Now, on with the itinerary. Note that many of the museums and attractions in Rovaniemi are not open every day, with Monday being a popular day for them to close. So depending on your timings you might want to juggle this itinerary around a little bit.

First, I’m going to suggest you head to the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. This is around a 10-minute drive outside the city. If you’re arriving from the airport, it’s between the airport and Rovaniemi, so makes for a logical first stop if you arrive in the morning.

You can get to Santa Claus Village by driving, taking the   S anta’s Express bus , a local bus, or by taxi.

There’s a lot to do at the Santa Claus village, and it’s a great place to check off a few of your winter activities. First though, you’re going to want to actually meet the man himself.

Yep, as the name suggests, the Santa Claus village is actually home to Santa Claus himself. He lives here year round with his elves, planning for the big day, and sorting and reading all the mail he receives.

It’s free to visit Santa, although if you want a photo or video with him there’s a fee for that.

As well as visiting Santa, you can also visit Santa’s post office. A fun thing you can do here is mail a Christmas card that will be kept and posted at Christmas time. So even if you visit Rovaniemi in January, you can get all your Christmas cards mailed!

Beyond Santa, there’s plenty more to see and do at Santa’s Village. You can take a photo of you standing on the Arctic Circle marker, and can also arrange other activities such as a reindeer sled ride, a husky ride, or a snowmobile ride.

Of these, we’d suggest that a husky ride would be a great option. Bear Hill husky is our favourite husky operator in this region, and I actually took a two day husky safari with them. They operate a number of tours with pickup from Santa’s village, including this one .

You can also book an experience like this which includes your visit to Santa Claus and a snowmobile ride to a reindeer farm.

You can also do a longer 7 hour tour if you want a more complete experience.

Assuming you take the shorter tour, our suggestion for the rest of your day is to visit Rovaniemi and familiarise yourself with the town. There’s plenty to do here. We’d particularly recommend a visit to Arktikum .

This museum and science center is perfect for learning all about the people, history and culture of the area. There are a number of permanent exhibits here, with the content on life in the arctic being my favourite.

Once you have explored some of the highlights of Rovaniemi, you will likely want to have your evening meal.

If you’re still feeling adventurous, we can highly recommend scheduling some time to try and spot the Northern Lights. You can do this yourself by finding somewhere away from the city lights. If you don’t have a car, the area by Arktikum is a popular spot.

Alternatively, you can take a dedicated Northern Lights tour. Some of these also include other activities like snowmobiling or a traditional Finnish sauna. These are a good option because the Northern Lights are definitely not guaranteed, so doing another activity will ensure you are occupied and having fun, with seeing the Northern Lights as a bonus!

Some options to consider for seeing the Northern Lights from Rovaniemi are:

• This 5 hour tour where you look for the Northern Lights whilst having a traditional firewood sauna experience
• This photography-focused Northern Lights tour
• There are lots more Northern Lights tours from Rovaniemi to choose from, which you can see here .

If you want to get photos of the Northern Lights, you will need to read up a little in advance as they can be quite challenging to photograph. I have a complete guide to how to photograph the Northern Lights , which I can definitely suggest you take a look at so you are prepared.

I also recommend you download an app for your smartphone that will notify you of aurora activity. I have tried a few of these, and have settled on My Aurora Forecast Pro.

I have found it to be the most reliable app that doesn’t drain my phone battery, but has always reliably alerted me to aurora activity. This is available for both Android  and  iOS , and is available in both free (ad-supported) and paid versions.

We think that’s enough for your third day in Finland! Of course, you can schedule a Northern Lights tour for any of your days in Rovaniemi, but we recommend popping out every evening if you can to at least try and see them yourself, as they can be fickle. If you have a car, driving a little out of the city will afford you the best viewing experience.

Where to Stay in Rovaniemi

You’re obviously going to need somewhere to stay for your time in Rovaniemi. We’ve tried a few different accommodation options, and have shortlisted the following as our favourites.

• Hostel Cafe Koti – a well rated hostel with a good restaurant on site
• Guesthouse Borealis – convenient for the train station and great value
• Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus – centrally located well rated 3* hotel
• Arctic Light Hotel – boutique hotel in the centre of Rovaniemi
• Arctic Treehouse Hotel – unique accommodation just outside Santa Claus village

We can also recommend checking out the options for Rovaniemi on Vrbo here .

Day 4: Rovaniemi

We’re going to suggest a full day trip today out of Rovaniemi and down to the town of Kemi on the coast.

Here, you’re going to take a truly unique trip – a ride on an icebreaker boat!

Launched in 1961, the Sampo is a genuine icebreaker built for serious arctic conditions. She had a long and distinguished career in the Gulf of Bothnia, where for thirty years she kept the shipping lanes clear of ice.

In 1987, the town of Kemi bought the Sampo, and since 1988 she has been operating as a tourist attraction from the town port.

This was one of the most fun experiences that I had in Finland in winter. Riding an ice breaker across a frozen sea is a really amazing adventure that is quite unique. The sound of the breaking as the ship ploughs through it is incredible, and I could have just watched the ice breaking and the bow and the frozen sea stretching off to the horizon all day.

However, there’s more to a trip on the Sampo than just watching the ship do her thing. You can also don a full dry suit, and go for a swim in the frozen sea! The ship creates a hole in the ice, and the passengers then take it in turns to don full dry suits and bob around.

This was a lot of fun, although it was definitely less like swimming and more like floating. During this time, it was also possible to take a walk on the snow covered ice, which was also a unique experience.

All in all, I can highly recommend the trip on the Sampo icebreaker. The ship is also very comfortable, and there’s a restaurant on board. Depending on the ticket you choose, there’s an option which includes a buffet meal on board as well.

It’s worth checking the dates and times for the icebreaker well in advance of your trip as it doesn’t sail every day, so if this is something you want to do you will need to plan your trip around it. It also often sells out in advance. You can see times and prices here .

If you are driving, it’s around 90 minutes each way from Rovaniemi to Kemi. If you want to travel by train you can take the train from Rovaniemi to Kemi, and select shuttle pick-up from the Kemi train station to the harbor.

Or you can book a day tour which includes your round-trip transport directly from Rovaniemi to the ice breaker.

Day 5: Rovaniemi

For your last full day in Rovaniemi I’m going to suggest you have a full day of winter activities. After all, you came to Finland in winter to have a winter adventure!

There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to winter adventures, so I’ll just provide some options and let you decide what you might enjoy the most. Some of these activities are shorter, so you could do more than one if you wanted, whilst others are full day trips.

Hiking / Snowshoeing

One of the best way to experience winter in Finland is to get out into the countryside and take a walk!

Of course, walking in snow can be a bit challenging, as we tend to sink in. The solution? Snowshoes! These are large and wide devices which clip onto your shoes, and spread your weight out on the snow. This lets you walk without sinking in.

If you want to explore on your own, you can either buy a pair of snowshoes or rent them.

Another option is to take a tour. For example, this tour has you snowshoeing through the snow covered forests near Rovaniemi, before trying your hand at another popular Finnish winter activity – ice fishing!

There are some other great hiking tours you can take from Rovaniemi. I’d particularly recommend going hiking in the Korouoma National Park. This is found 160km from Rovaniemi, so will take a couple of hours to drive to. However, in winter the park is famed for its frozen waterfalls, of which there 14.

The best way to see these is to take a hike in the park. You can either drive yourself, or you can take a tour from Rovaniemi which should include an experienced guide and the correct outerwear and footwear.

We’d recommend either this half day hike or this full day hike .

Ice Fishing

A really popular activity amongst Finnish people in winter is ice fishing. This sport has you drilling a hole into the ice on a frozen lake or river, and then using special ice fishing equipment to try and catch a fish.

We have tried ice fishing a few times, and to be honest, we have never caught a fish.

That said, other people on the tours we’ve taken have caught fish, as has our guide, so it is definitely possible!

Even though we’ve never caught a fish, we’ve always had a lot of fun ice fishing. It’s a wonderful way to get out into the outdoors, and most tours include some kind of food or at least hot drinks cooked over a fire.

The best way to go ice fishing is definitely to take a tour. Whilst you could hire your own equipment and go yourself, it is definitely a lot safer to accompany a local expert when heading out onto frozen lakes and rivers!

There are a number of ice fishing tours that depart from Rovaniemi, including the following.

• A 2.5 hour tour which focuses on ice fishing – great if you just want to get an idea of what it’s all about without committing to a longer trip.
• This 4 hour tour includes both snowshoeing and ice fishing
• A 7 hour full day tour that includes ice fishing, a traditional Finnish sauna experience as well as a BBQ lunch – which will include your fish if you catch any!

You can also pair up an ice fishing experience with snowmobiling. For example, this is a 5 hour snowmobile and ice fishing day, whilst this is a half day tour with snowmobiling and ice fishing .

Snowmobiling

I love snowmobiling, and every time we’ve visited Finland I’ve done my best to go snowmobiling at least once.

Snowmobiling is, in my opinion, a huge amount of fun. It’s also a great activity to pair with other activities, such as watching the Northern Lights or going ice fishing. You use the snowmobile to get to where you are going, do the activity, and then ride the snowmobile back.

Of course, you can also have a “pure” snowmobiling experience too, where you just ride the vehicle.

Snowmobiles are nearly all for two people, so when you go on a snowmobile tour there will usually always be one person driving, and one person as the passenger. On all the tours I’ve been on the guides have always ensured that people swap so both can have the experience of driving if they want. Additionally, it’s usually possible to pay a supplement to ride on your own if you prefer.

If you are visiting Finland with children, you should be aware that most snowmobiles can’t be operated by children under 15 years of age.

Some children can ride as passengers, but this isn’t universal, so you will want to check the tour details and contact the company to be sure before booking. For example, this is a family friendly snowmobile tour.

Some snowmobiling tours from Rovaniemi to consider include the following.

• This tour which just has you snowmobiling and is a good way to get a feel for riding these machines.
• This half day tour which includes snowmobiling, a visit to a reindeer farm, and a husky and reindeer sled ride. If you want to experience a number of activities in one tour, this is a great option.
• This half day tour which includes snowmobiling, ice fishing, campfire, and lunch.
• This evening snowmobile tour to see the Northern Lights which also includes a traditional Lappish BBQ. This tour is family friendly, and would make a great evening out after doing other activities in the daytime. Plus you might catch the Northern Lights!

Hopefully this gives you plenty of ideas for the types of snowmobiling tours you can do from Rovaniemi.

Husky Sledding

If you prefer your snow transport to be bit more traditional but still lots of fun, then husky sledding is likely going to be something you’ll enjoy a great deal.

As the name suggests, husky sledding involves a team of huskies, and a sled. Huskies are a special breed of dog which are well adapted to long periods of intense activity as well as cold conditions. Put more simply, they love running in the snow.

Husky sledding has you harnessing a team of husky dogs to a sled. There are usually between six and eight dogs, and each sled will generally have a driver and a passenger. The driver will stand at the back of the sled to steer and brake, whilst the passenger relaxes and enjoys the view.

Husky sledding is a really popular activity when visiting Finland in winter, and one we highly recommend. I’ve written a whole post outlining my experience dog sledding in Lapland , which you should find useful.

Like most of the other activities on our list, there are lots of operators running husky sledding tours in Rovaniemi. We recommend and have used Bear Hill Husky, they really care about their dogs, and they have a range of sledding experience to suit everyone. Some examples to consider are as follows.

• The offer shorter tours which usually include 45 minutes of actual dog sledding over a 2.5 hour visit. As well as the sledding, you also get the opportunity to learn about and meet the dogs – and get plenty of photos. For example, see this morning tour .
• If you want a more immersive and complete experience, they also offer a longer full day tour which includes around seven hours of husky sledding as you cover a distance of 30-40km. This also includes a campfire lunch, hot juice, and cookies.

We think one of these options would be great for anyone looking for a wonderful husky sledding experience in Lapland.

Visiting an Amethyst mine

The final option we have on our list of things you could do on your last day in Rovaniemi is to visit an Amethyst mine .

There’s one working amethyst mine in Finland, and it’s found on the top of a hill in the Pyha-Luosto National Park .

This national park is home to the remnants of a mountain chain which is over two billion years old. It’s a popular place for a range of outdoor activities, including snowshoeing, hiking and skiing.

However, it’s the amethyst mine that I think you should visit. This is found in Lampivaara, and here you can learn all about amethyst mining, as well as having a go at mining for amethyst yourself!

If you have your own vehicle it’s around a 90 minute ride from Rovaniemi to Lampivaara. Here, there’s a tracked vehicle which ferries people up to the top of the mountain to visit the mine. This experience needs to be booked in advance, which you can do here .

Of course, there’s lots more to do be in Rovaniemi and surrounds beyond everything we’ve listed here, which is why we think it makes for a great base to explore. For more inspiration, see our guide to things to do in Rovaniemi .

Days 6 & 7: Head North

From Rovaniemi, my suggestion is to head further north into Lapland. This will give you even more chances to see the Northern Lights, as well as stay at some really unique and more remote locations.

You’ll also have more chances to do lots of winter activities including dog sledding, ice fishing, ice karting, seeing Santa, staying in ice hotels, spending time in a Finnish sauna, snowmobiling, and skiing.

As always, you have choices for where you decide to go! Here are our three suggested options for you to choose from, depending on your interests. Of course, if you are driving yourself, you can visit more than one of these options.

The first option you have is to head north to Saariselka. This is found 250km / 155mi north of the arctic circle, making this an excellent place to see the Northern Lights.

You can reach Saariselka by car or public bus from Rovaniemi. There’s also Ivalo airport , 25km to the north of the city, which has services to Helsinki and other European destinations.

When we visited Saariselka, we stayed in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort . This is one of the most popular places to stay in a glass igloo in Finland, and was where the concept of glass igloos first originated.

I stayed in a glass igloo at Kakslauttanen, and it was a night I will never forget.

Naturally there’s more to Kakslauttanen than glass igloos. The resort has a wide range of accommodation options, depending on what you are interested in. I can definitely recommend staying in a glass igloo for one night on your trip just for the experience. There’s also a range of winter activities available here.

You can see our full review of Kakslauttanen here .

Where to stay in Saariselka

Whilst we very much enjoyed our stay at Kakslauttanen, it’s not the only option in Saariselka. You might consider one of the following options:

• Wilderness Hotel Muotka & Igloos – A well reviewed and popular option with cottages featuring glass domed ceilings and a private sauna
• Log House Kuukkeli – if you’d prefer to stay in a more traditional property, this guesthouse is built in the traditional log cabin style and offers great value accommodation
• Northern Lights Village – features glass roofed cabins with private bathrooms and its own reindeer paddock.
• Saariselkä Kuukkeli Inn – a well reviewed more budget oriented option. Rooms have free-wifi, and shared bathrooms

During your time visiting Saariselka you’ll find plenty to do to keep you occupied. If there are any winter activities you want to take part in, you can of course do them, including snowmobiling, ice fishing, husky sledding, snowshoeing and more. Naturally, you’ll also want to spend time searching for the Northern Lights!

Most accommodation providers will be able to arrange these activities for you directly.

Another popular area you can visit from Saariselka, either as a day trip or overnight, is Inari. This is a little further north,  and is in fact home to Finland’s northernmost holiday resort.

This is a very sparsely populated region, and is a focal point of the Sámi culture. You can learn about this culture and people at Siida , home to the Sámi Museum and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre. This is open throughout the winter on every day except Monday, and there’s a fee to visit.

Another option is to visit the Kittilä region. This is a particularly good option if you enjoy skiing or snowboarding, as it’s home to Levi , Finland’s largest ski resort.

So if you want to get some skiing or snowboarding in on your trip to Finland, this would be the best place to do just that.

There’s lots more to do in the Kittilä area than skiing though.

The area is popular for a range of winter activities, with hiking and cross-country skiing in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park being a popular option. You can also go snowshoeing, ice fishing , ice karting, husky sledding and snowmobiling of course!

In Lanio, you’ll find the Lapland Hotels SnowVillage . This village is made every year from thousands of tonnes of ice and snow, and features a hotel, restaurant, bar, and even a chapel. There are also log cabins on site. You can stay here overnight or just visit for the day. The theme varies each year, with 2018-19 having a Game of Thrones focus.

Another excellent attraction that we enjoyed visiting in Kittilä was Samiland . This is found at Levi Summit, which you can reach by taking a lift from the ski resort.

Samiland features an indoor and outdoor exhibit space dedicated to the Sami people, and covers the history, culture and mythology of the people, as well as their traditional building and mythology. There’s a small entry fee which is well worth it.

You can reach Kittilä by car or bus from Rovaniemi. The distance is 150km / 93mi. Kittilä airport serves Kittila/Levi, with flights from Helsinki and a number of destinations across Europe.

Where to stay in Kittilä

There are a range of accommodation options in Kittilä. Some options to consider are as follows.

• Design Hotel Levi – perfect for those of you wanting to be able to ski from your door, this hotel is found right at the foot of the Levi resort ski lifts
• Lapland Hotels SnowVillage – if you want to live out your dream of sleeping in a snow hotel while in Finland, this is the place to come!
• Hotel Kittilä – 15 minutes from the Levi Ski resort, this is a great value option
• Guesthouse Golden Goose – found in the centre of Kittilä village, this is a well rated guesthouse with an on-site sauna
• Levi Northern Lights Huts – found on an old reindeer farm, this is the place to stay in Levi if you want the glass roof experience

Wherever you choose to go from Rovaniemi, we think that spending your last couple of days deep inside the arctic circle, chasing the Northern Lights and taking part in more winter activities, would be the perfect way to end your trip in Finland.

Then, you can return to Rovaniemi, drop off your hire car if you have one, and fly home. Alternatively, there are flights available from Kittilä or Ivalo airports.

That’s it for our winter itinerary of Finland! Now we want to share some practical advice to help you plan your trip.

Map of 7 Day Finland Winter Itinerary

To help you visualise this itinerary we’ve put together a map, which you can also see on Google Maps here .

Finland Itinerary Overview

Here’s an overview of this itinerary for quick reference:

• Day 1: Helsinki – Helsinki City Museum, Helsinki Cathedral, National Museum of Finland
• Day 2: Helsinki – Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Helsinki Skywheel, Uspenski Cathedral, Old Market Hall
• Day 3: Rovaniemi – Santa Claus Village, Husky Tour, Arktikum
• Day 4: Rovaniemi – Day trip on Sampo ice breaker, Northern Lights
• Day 5: Rovaniemi – Snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling, husky sledding, amethyst mine
• Day 6 & 7: North Finland – Saariselka, Kittilä

How to Get Around Finland in Winter

You might be wondering what the best way to get around Finland in winter is.

Well, you have a number of options.

For longer distances, such as the trip between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, we would recommend either taking the train or flying.

Flying will be the fastest option, and is likely to be the cheapest as well if you book well in advance. You can check flight times and prices, and  book online here . For the train, you can see timetables and book online here .

For shorter distances, such as exploring around Rovaniemi and getting between the sights on our itinerary, you have a couple of options.

First, you can rent a car and drive. We prefer to self-drive when we travel where possible as it gives us more flexibility with what we stop to see, where we go and when we leave.

Car rental in Finland is comparable to other parts of Europe. In winter, cars will come with studded tyres, and the roads are well maintained.

If you want to drive in Finland using this itinerary, we’d recommend hiring a car in Rovaniemi for pickup from the airport. You can compare car rental prices and book online here .

Of course, we appreciate that driving in the extreme winter conditions that Finland experiences is not going to be for everyone. With this in mind we have set this itinerary up so you don’t have to drive if you don’t want to.

By combining public transport and a variety of tours which include transport, you can absolutely experience Finland in winter without needing to hire a car or worry about driving.

Tours of Finland in Winter

If you love the sound of the trip I’ve put together, but don’t like the thought of planning it all out, booking activities, hotels and transport, then you might consider taking a tour instead.

There are of many tour options to consider, which we have summarised as follow.

• this selection of tours which includes a number of options in Lapland

Hopefully one of these works out for you if you choose to take a tour of Finland in winter.

You can see more tour options for Finland on TourRadar here , they list tours from a wide range of operators at various price points, so you can find the one you want. We have used TourRadar to book tours in destinations around the world and always had a good experience.

Further Reading for Visiting Finland in Winter

And that’s it for our one week winter itinerary for Finland. We hope it’s given you lots of ideas to help you plan your trip. Before you head off and start booking your adventure, we did just want to share with you some more resources we’ve put together on our time in Finland, to help you with your planning.

• We have a guide to things to do in Rovaniemi , to give you more inspiration for what to do in the town
• We have a comprehensive guide to all our favourite winter activities in Finland
• Finland is very cold in winter, and the key to a good trip is to pack appropriately! To help you out, we have put together a detailed guide to what to pack for Finland in winter
• If you’re looking for more destinations to visit in Finland, see our guides to visiting Porvoo , visiting Oulu and visiting Rauma
• Helsinki is the capital city of Finland, and one we definitely recommend you spend some time. See our guide to things to do in Helsinki , a suggested 1 day Helsinki itinerary , and our review of the Helsinki card to help you plan your time here
• Another of our favourite winter locations in Finland is Iso Syote. See our guide to visiting Iso Syote here .
• Want to try some unique accommodation? See our review of this famous glass igloo hotel in Finland
• It’s not all about winter – Finland is an awesome summer destination too! See our guide to visiting Finland in summer
• Finally, if you’re looking for a guidebook, you might checkout the Lonely Planet guide to Finland or the Insight Guide to Finland

And that’s it for our 7 day itinerary for Finland in winter. As always, we are happy to answer your questions – just pop them in the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

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There are 22 comments on this post

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Cyndi Puah says

8th March 2024 at 3:22 pm

may i know itinerary and the cost of the package

Laurence Norah says

8th March 2024 at 3:52 pm

The itinerary is laid out in the guide above, and it’s designed for people to follow themselves, it’s not a guided experience. If you’d like a guided tour of Finland, I can recommend checking out the options on TourRadar for Finland here , they have lots of tours at different prices from many operators, so you can choose one that suits your needs.

Have a great time in Finland!

19th June 2023 at 3:36 pm

Do you have any suggestions on extending this to Northern Norway. Perhaps a 10-14 day trip?

19th June 2023 at 4:13 pm

You absolutely could extend this trip to Northern Norway and that would make for a wonderful adventure. However as we’ve only visited southern Norway, we don’t have any specific advice for you. We hope you have a great trip though!

17th December 2022 at 2:10 pm

hi, thanks for the detailed blog. do you have any contacts for local private driver that we can engaged to bring us around or see northern lights?

18th December 2022 at 11:51 am

We don’t have any personal contacts for drivers, however, there are plenty of operators who can drive you to see the northern lights. Here is a list of some examples. So this is definitely a service you can book! If you wanted a longer tour, over multiple days, I’d suggest checking on sites like Viator or TourRadar to see what is available.

Pearlyn says

29th September 2022 at 6:00 am

Hi Laurence, this is really a great post that summarises what I need ! I’m planning to head to rovaniemi and lapland for 8 days ,would you recommend signing up tours from websites like nordic visitor etc? Do you have a recommended tour that covers both rovaniemi and lapland ? if the transport is included then that will really make it a lot more fuss free Thank you !

1st October 2022 at 5:47 pm

Hi Pearlyn!

Thanks very much! So I’ve not used Nordic Visitor before but I am aware of them and they get good reviews I believe, so that should be fine. What I would suggest is taking a look at the Finland tours on TourRadar here – they list tours from most of the companies who run tours, and you can filter by duration and price. So that should help you narrow down your options. For example, a tour like this might be an option, but there are quite a few to choose from 🙂

Have a great trip!

Shelly says

30th August 2022 at 1:56 am

Hi, So I’m really interested in the ice breaker tour but if I go in Dec. would the tour be mostly be in the dark? Would we be able to see the ice and things around us?

30th August 2022 at 11:14 am

Great question. So daylight hours in December are definitely limited. A great website is this one , where you can plug in a location and it will show you the sunrise and sunset times, as well as the dawk/dusk times (civil twilight).

For December it shows that you are looking at sunrise between 10am and 10.45 (depending on when in December), and sunset between 2.17pm and 2.50pm. Dawn and dusk add just under two hours to that, so it won’t be totally dark, but it will be definitely be darker.

So yes, you should be able to see the ice around you, and you will also get either a sunrise or sunset from the boat, depending on which cruise you take.

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Shelly Mcintosh says

30th August 2022 at 12:19 pm

Thank you so much! In your opinion what is the best time to go? What gives me the best chance to see the northern lights and also do all the wonderful winter activities. I was planning a trip in Nov but I see the ice breaker doesn’t start till dec and I see Dec has Limited daylight. By the way this was by far the best blog I have come across! So useful and informative.

30th August 2022 at 1:01 pm

My pleasure Shelly, and thanks! So we have visited Finland in December and the days are definitely quite short, especially in the northern areas. My favourite time is February, there is more guarantee of snow, the days are already a lot longer and there is still a good chance of seeing the northern lights. My best Northern lights experience was actually in February. So if that’s an option that would be my preference.

Have a wonderful trip, and feel free to ask any more questions as you plan!

20th April 2022 at 2:57 pm

Hi Laurence and Jessica,

This is amazing blog I have never come across. It’s so detailed and to the extend you’d brought me into Finland while reading. Phenomenal!

I am planning to make a December family trip with 3 children from age 11 to 15. Your itinerary definitely suit to my plan. I am wondering how easy of the public transportation like bus from point to point as you’ve mentioned? It’s unlike other EU countries where we can get train easily.

20th April 2022 at 4:36 pm

Thanks very much, we’re glad you found it helpful 🙂 So the public transport is pretty easy to use in Finland. You will just want to check schedules for where you plan on going. If you are following this itinerary, then the easiest option is to take the train (or fly) from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. If you plan on going further north, you’ll need to take a bus. We’ve taken a few long distance buses in Finland and they have all been fine. Let me know if you have any more questions!

Samir Patrawala says

12th October 2021 at 1:20 am

Dear Laurence,

I am Sameer from Explorus Travel, India. Just read your detailed itinerary for Finland in Winter. It’s a kind of encyclopaedia for me. Amazing!

I have a question: Most of the photos on this page are clicked in daylight (they are bright, sunny pics). But what I read is that Sun almost doesn’t rise at all in Dec / Jan in Rovaniemi. So how can one get an opportunity to click such sunny and bright photos in absence of sun light / day light? Isn’t the stay experience in Dec boring and dull in absence of light? I mean how much can one enjoy darkness without good photos? Or are your photos clicked during those two hours when there’s little day light?

Many thanks in advance.

Kind regards

12th October 2021 at 10:53 am

Great to hear from you! So these photos are from a few different visits, some in January and some in February. The experience of how much light there is will vary depending on where you are in Finland. In Rovaniemi, the darkest day of the year is the 22nd December, where there’s only 2.5 hours of sunlight. However, there is still sunlight. If you visit in mid-February, you get 8.5 hours between sunrise and sunset. So there is plenty of light. I would generally suggest not visiting over the very darkest days in December, but it quickly changes and the days get longer if you visit in February or even late January.

Hope this helps!

Sameer Patrawala says

12th October 2021 at 11:35 am

Thank you so much for your prompt and satisfactory response.

Would you recommend Northern Norway for Northern Lights in December last week or Rovaniemi Finland? I am asking in terms of maximum available day-light.

Kind regards Sameer Patrawala Explorus

12th October 2021 at 12:25 pm

My pleasure 🙂

So Northern Norway is way inside the Arctic Circle. In the last week of December, or in December at all in fact, you won’t get any sunlight. You can see sunrise and sunset times for a place like Tromso in Northern Norway here: https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/norway/tromso?month=12&year=2021

Rovaniemi is on the edge of the Arctic circle, which is why you don’t get the permanent darkness. If you are looking for the northern lights, then usually the further north you go the better your chances. However, I have seen incredible displays from southern Finland too, so it’s all just a question of luck really. If you want some sunlight though, northern Norway in December might not be the best option!

Trizzy says

26th September 2021 at 6:50 am

Hi Laurence and Jessica, First off, amazing and detailed itinerary! This is the type of blog I love to read when researching- keep it up! 🙂 Also, would you say early November is a good time to visit Finland and see the northern lights?

Many thanks again!

26th September 2021 at 10:36 am

Thank you very much Trizzy! So yes, November would be a fine month to see the northern lights. The only thing to bear in mind is that there might not be snow everywhere in early November (this changes each year of course), so if you wanted snowy landscapes as well as the northern lights, it’s something to keep in mind. Of course, there could also be lots of snow! But it’s not guaranteed.

I hope this helps!

Jessica says

9th April 2020 at 5:27 pm

I am following your travel blog for a while now. Love your content and photos. I am actually planing to visit Finland later this year as soon as this quarantine is over and I have one question. Do you recommend visiting smaller cities in Finland? For example this town Sastamala – I have friend there and don’t know what to expect as it is small town and there isn’t as much information online.

9th April 2020 at 6:50 pm

Hi Jessica!

Thanks very much. So the smaller cities in Finland are worth visiting, we have been to places like Oulu, Rauma and so on. There is usually something of interest in each town or city, and if you have a friend there they should be able to give you some advice as to what there is to do and see 🙂 So I would check with them and see what they say!

have a great trip when you get to go, and stay well!

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Savvy Travel Advice

Visiting Finland in Winter: Top 23 Winter Activities in Finland

Last updated: April 17, 2024 - Written by Jessica Norah 74 Comments

After two visits and spending several weeks in Finland in winter, Laurence and I decided to write a guide to things to do in Finland during winter. Most people tend to avoid Northern Europe during the winter and head to sunnier and warmer destinations, but there are so many reasons to travel to Finland in winter.

Yes, it is cold and there’s snow and the daylight hours get shorter, but there are also fewer tourists, surreal winter landscapes, and unique winter activities to be discovered throughout the country. You can go ice fishing, try dog sledding, take a traditional Finnish sauna, learn how to kicksled, drink cloudberry wine, sleep in an ice hotel, or go hunting for those mesmerizing Northern Lights.

We’ll share our tips for visiting Finland in winter as well as share our top 23 winter activities in Finland to help you put together your own trip to this magical winter wonderland.

Table of Contents:

Tips for Planning your Trip to Finland in Winter

If you have never lived or traveled to a place with winter snow and below freezing temperatures or driven on snowy roads, Finland can be a bit of a shock and some visitors come unprepared.

Finland was the first place that Laurence truly experienced freezing temperatures, winter driving, and lots of snow. It was a bit of a shock to him, but luckily we both did a bit of research and came prepared (well mostly anyway).

We’ll share our tips on planning, packing, driving, and even protecting your camera in preparation for your trip to Finland in winter.

When is the Best Time to Visit Finland in Winter?

If you have a choice of when to visit, the best time will depend on the sort of activities you are most interested in doing and which regions you want to visit. So if you want to ski or go dog sledding for instance, you’ll need to visit at times when you are pretty guaranteed to find snow, such as in January and February in northern Finland.

A visit around Christmas can be magical if you want to visit Santa Claus in Rovaniemi, do holiday shopping, or enjoy the holiday spirit in the capital city of Helsinki . However, the holiday season can also be the most expensive time to visit Finland since it is the most popular.

When choosing your dates, you might want to take into account the temperatures and length of daylight hours as well. We’ve visited in January and February where the amount of daylight hours, particularly in northern Finland, were quite short. However, if you come towards the end of winter, say March or early April, you can still enjoy the winter atmosphere with much longer daylight hours.

Where Should I go in Finland during the Winter?

This again really depends on what you want to see and do. You can roughly break Finland into four large regions: Lapland (all of northern Finland), Helsinki region (capital and south), Coast & Archipelago (western coast and islands), and Lakeland (southeastern Finland).

For a trip that is one to two weeks in length, you’ll probably want to try to concentrate on one or two regions, whereas those planning a longer trip can leave room for more exploration.

Finnish Lapland in the north is probably most tourists’ dream of a Finland winter wonderland with snow-covered trees, the chance to partake in all sorts of winter cold-weather activities (dog sledding, ice fishing, skiing, snowmobiling, etc.), and the opportunity to meet Santa Claus. Lapland is also the region where you have the best chance to see the Northern Lights.

Helsinki is always a popular place to visit despite the season and is the largest city in Finland with a number of cultural opportunities and great transportation links. Most international flights come into Helsinki so you’ll likely begin and end your trip to Finland here. You can see our guide to things to do in Helsinki to help plan your time there.

The Coast and Archipelago and Lakeside regions undergo major changes from summer to winter. Many of the lakes and coastal waters become frozen and kayaking and swimming spots become popular places for ice fishing, kick sledging, and ice skating arenas. Summer cottages are popular along the coast and in winter can be rented out for lots of fun winter activities and many come with private saunas.

If it is your first visit to Finland and you have a week or less, we recommend spending a couple days exploring the attractions in Helsinki and then heading up to Lapland for snow winter activities. Lapland is a winter wonderland between December and March normally, but depends on the weather.

For outdoor winter activities, we can particularly recommend the northern town of Rovaniemi . It probably offers the widest variety of winter activities, from husky sledding to snowmobiling to ice fishing to snowshoeing and many more. Click here to see an idea of all the activities and tours available in Rovaniemi.

How to Get Around Finland?

Finland has a good countrywide transportation system. You can travel around Finland by bus, train, plane, car, or via a guided tour.

The main international airport in Finland is in Helsinki, and this airport is likely where you will arrive and depart the country. There are also many smaller airports within Finland that makes it easy to visit some regions by plane, regional airport locations include Rovaniemi, Oulu, Turku, Tampere, Kemi, and Ivalo.

Within Helsinki, it is easy to get around without a car by using public transportation, sightseeing buses, and/or taxis. From Helsinki, you can also take a bus or train to many of the major towns and cities throughout the country.

The best way to travel between Helsinki and Lapland is to fly, take an express train, or take an overnight train as the distance is large and it is a long bus ride or drive unless you have stops you want to make along the way.

For train travel, the country’s train service is run by VR, and you can check out timetables and rates here . Overnight trains must be reserved in advance.

Public buses are cheap, efficient, and cover most of the country. Recommended for shorter journeys for everyone, and these are also the cheapest way to get around Finland for those on a tight budget. You can see routes and prices here .

Tips for Driving in Finland in Winter?

It is fairly easy to rent a car in Finland and Finland has a good road network, but make sure you understand the winter road regulations and know how to use everything in your car before you leave the rental lot, especially if you are not experienced in driving in winter conditions.

For instance, you might find a large thick electrical cable in your glove box or trunk which is used to plug your car into outdoor electrical sockets to power the engine-block electric heater which makes cars easier to start and reduces fuel consumption.

During the winter months, all vehicles must have winter tires, preferably studded, and these should be in place when you rent the car but it doesn’t hurt to double check. Unlike in some countries where roads are salted, cindered, or gritted, the roads in Finland are generally maintained by snowplows.

Other regulations of note are that vehicles must legally have their headlights on at all times, winter or summer, and there is a reduced general speed limit throughout Finland in winter to 80 km/h.

We found that the roads were quite well-maintained and while we had to slow down in certain places, we never had any major issues even when driving on snow-covered roads. But road conditions can get bad in winter, especially off the major roads, so be sure to check weather and road conditions each day if you decide to drive.

Winter Finland Tours?

Many people travel to Finland during winter as part of a guided tour. There are both guided tour options as well as trip options that are not guided but include all your transfers, lodging, and several activities. Most focus on visiting Finnish Lapland and many also include some time in Helsinki.

If you are considering a tour here are some options:

• This 6 day trip  includes some time to explore Helsinki and 3 full days in Rovaniemi. This is not a guided tour but includes all your transport and accommodation as well as included activities.
• This five day tour includes Helsinki and Rovaniemi as well as a number of activities and attractions

You can see more ideas for tours in Finland on Viator here and on GetYourGuide here .

Lodging in Finland in Winter?

There are lots of lodging options in Finland, and these range from budget hostels and apartments to pricey luxury hotel options. We were always able to find good value lodging options in any larger town or city.

We booked most of our accommodation in Finland using Booking.com , which has a good range of options. We have also used apartment rental sites like Vrbo . These often have many good value options from private rooms to forest cottages.

Some unique experiences for places to stay in Finland in the winter are snow hotels and ice hotels, which are constructed each winter and last for about 4 months before they began to melt in the Spring. The majority of these are located in Lapland.

A couple of examples of snow hotels are the SnowHotel in Kemi and the Arctic Snow Hotel in Rovaniemi. You can also stay in a traditional snow igloo such as this .

Although not specific to winter, glass igloo hotels are very popular in Finland during the winter months. These are glass-enclosed igloos that allow you to stare up into the sky for a comfortable aurora viewing opportunity from the privacy of your own bed. A few examples of these are Snowman World Glass Resort in Rovaniemi, Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselkä, and Arctic Fox Igloos in Rauna.

These speciality lodging options can be expensive, but can be worth it for a unique experience during part of your trip to Finland. We loved our stay at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselkä, and you can see our full review of Kakslauttanen here .

How to Pack for Finland in the Winter?

A good way to ensure you enjoy your winter holiday in Finland is to come prepared by packing and dressing properly. It is cold, especially if you plan to visit northern Finland where temperatures can easily drop to -25 degrees Fahrenheit (-32 degrees Celsius), and you need to bring proper winter clothing to be able to enjoy outdoor activities.

Most activity tours and ski resorts provide or rent out things like gloves, hats, ski boots, goggles, ski gear, and ski suits, but you’ll still need to come prepared with your own winter clothing or buy it once you are in Finland. Prices for clothing and gear are fairly expensive in Finland, and options are often limited outside of Helsinki, so it is probably best to buy and pack the main things you’ll need before you come.

Luckily, we have written a full Finland packing list for winter that includes information about all the clothing and gear you’ll need plus contains a printable packing checklist you can use. But just let us know if you need any more information or recommendations as we are happy to try to help!

How to Protect Your Camera in the Winter?

Laurence and I typically travel with at least two cameras, a travel tripod , and other photography equipment so taking care to protect our equipment in the cold winter temperature was very important in Finland.

This was the first time Laurence ever had the camera begin to freeze to his nose! And our camera batteries died much quicker than usual in the freezing temperatures.

Whether you plan to bring a simple point-and-shoot camera , action camera , mirrorless camera , or a professional DSLR camera , you want to take a few steps to protect your camera and equipment. These might include bringing spare batteries to carry on your person, having a rain/snow cover for your camera, storing gear in a backpack or bag, and having an airtight plastic bag with you that fits your camera.

Take a look at our guide with winter photography tips about how to best protect your camera gear and capture winter scenery, such as how to adjust your exposure for snow scenes. You can also check out our tips for photographing the Northern Lights .

Need More Help Planning your Trip to Finland?

Finland’s official tourism board, Visit Finland, has an excellent website and is a great resource for finding articles about visiting Finland in winter, exploring attractions, and planning an itinerary. 

If you are visiting Lapland, you might want to check out Lapland’s website for travelers . For figuring out train, plane, and bus connections within Finland, you can check out the Finnish Transport Agency website .

Visiting Finland in Winter: Top 23 Winter Activities

As in any country, there are numerous things to do, foods to try, and attractions to visit in Finland. But traveling to a place like Finland, you’ll find that the winter versus summer activities can be vastly different.

Laurence visited Finland for the first time during the summer and you can read about his summer outdoors adventures in Finland  here and here . During our first visit during winter, he said it was almost like visiting another country as the weather, scenery, and available activities change a lot!

We’ve tried to sift through everything and find those activities that we think are either unique to winter or are very well-suited for a winter visit. We hope these suggestions will serve as a great guide to helping you plan and piece together your own Finland winter trip itinerary.

So here are our favorite things to do while visiting Finland in winter, listed in no particular order:

1. Skiing or Snowboarding

Finland enjoys a long snow season with snow beginning around November and lasting until May in northern Finland, making it a perfect place for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. The main ski season is between December and March.

It is not as well known as other countries for skiing and doesn’t have any giant mountains, but there are plenty of opportunities in Lapland and it is not nearly as busy as ski resorts in countries better known for skiing. The main ski season is between December and March.

Lapland has four major ski resorts: Levi , Ylläs , Pyhä-Luosto and Ruka  with slopes from about 1,640 to 2,300 feet (500 to 700 meters) above sea level with lengths up to 9,800 feet (3 kilometers).

There are actually over 70 ski resorts in Finland, but most of these are fairly small in size with limited amenities. So tourists are recommended to stick to the bigger ones that offer more slopes and services. While neither of us are big skiers, we’ve been to two of Finland’s ski resorts: Iso-Syöte and Levi. 

Iso-Syöte is Finland’s most southernmost fell and an area that receives a lot of snow. Iso Syöte is a great spot for both beginner and intermediate level skiers, and a good location for those not wanting to travel too far north. If you go here, we recommend staying at Hotel Iso-Syöte , which also offers lots of other winter activities. You r ead a full review by Laurence of our experience at Iso-Syöte .

We’ve also visited Levi, which is the largest alpine ski resort in Finland and located much further north well above the Arctic Circle. The resort has slopes suited for beginner to advanced skiers, and offers a ski school for those who want to take lessons. The resort also offers a range of other winter activities. Good hotels for skiers here include Levi Panorama and Break Sokos Hotel .

The country also has a lot of cross-country skiing opportunities. You can rent your own gear and find a good track, or you can join a tour like this one .

If you are planning on doing a ski or snowboarding trip to Finland, you may want to check out our guide to what to pack for a ski trip for packing advice and a suggested packing list.

2. Snowmobiling

Riding on a snowmobile is a great way to experience the outdoors in Finland and they can be ridden by one or two people at a time. This was by far one of  Laurence ’s favorite activities in Finland as it was not only a fast and efficient way to get from one place to another, but it also allows you to go fast and take in gorgeous scenery along the way.

It’s a lot of fun and isn’t too hard to learn the basics, but do be careful as you can get it stuck in a snowdrift and the machines can tip so do pay careful attention to safety instructions and go only as fast as you (and your partner) feel comfortable. On our first trip, Laurence ran us into a snowdrift and our guide had to help dig us out, but luckily no damage was caused! 

It can be really cold going on the snowmobiles and most companies will outfit you in extra winter gear on top of your own clothing and coat. Laurence really loves the machines with self-warming handle bars which are common in Finland.

Be sure to note snowmobile restrictions and rules before booking. Most require driver to have a valid driver’s license and may have additional requirements.

Children under 15 years of age usually cannot drive snowmobiles, and there are also restrictions for younger children being passengers. We recommend that those with children, look for snowmobile activities specially designed for families such as this tour .

We did most of our snowmobile riding at  Hotel Iso-Syöte and near Rovaniemi. You’ll find tons of snowmobile tours offered in Rovaniemi (see a list here ), but you can rent snowmobiles or take snowmobile tours in any area of Finland where there is a lot of snow. There are even tours you can do from Helsinki.

Here are some snowmobiling tours to consider, depending on where you plan to travel in Finland:

• Helsinki : This 3.5 hour tour takes place just outside Helsinki and includes hotel pick-up and drop off from Helsinki. Tour also includes a campfire lunch and hot drinks. Perfect for those wanting to do a fun winter activity while staying in the capital.
• Rovaniemi : This 2 hour tour gives you a great introduction to snowmobiling.
• Rovaniemi : This half day tour includes snowmobiling, a reindeer farm, huskies, and sled rides.
• Rovaniemi : This 5 hour tour includes snowmobiling, ice fishing, campfire, and lunch.
• Kemi – This 7 hour tour takes you into nearby forest and allows you to have hours of fun exploring the wilderness on your snowmobile. Includes lunch, coffee, and snacks. A great tour for those who really want to spend some time on a snowmobile.
• Kemi : A 4-5 hour Northern Lights safari by snowmobile that includes a campfire and hot drinks.

3. Kicksledding

Kicksledding, or kicksledging, is a unique mode of transportation that is primarily done in Norway, Finland, and Sweden and was invented in this region.

Kicksledding is pretty straight forward. You’ll need a kicksled and a large surface covered in either ice or hard-packed snow, after which you stand at the back of the sled on the runners, and kick to provide forward motion. 

We gave kick sledging a go in Rauma , and it had unfortunately just snowed, which made it more difficult as kicksledding works best on unsalted ice or hard packed snow. Loose snow tends to be a bit sticky and makes the process a lot harder on your legs. But we still had a lot of fun even if it was quite a workout!

After the hard work of kicksledding, we relaxed on a small island and helped our host build a fire. Then we enjoyed sausages, pulla (Finnish sweet roll), beer, and coffee which made for a nice break after the cold workout. A perfect ending.

If you are looking for a tour, these tours (departures from either Rovaniemi or Kemi) combine several winter activities in one, including kick sledding, ice fishing, and snowshoeing.

4. Dog Sledding

Ever dreamed of dog sledding after watching the Iditarod or the movie Balto ? Finland is a perfect place to make that dream a reality.

Dog sledding does require a minimum amount of effort, but mostly we found that the dogs seemed to know what they were doing in terms of direction and so on. The main thing to do is to hold on and learn how to operate the brake to stop the sled, because the huskies like to run and they often won’t stop unless you make them!

We did a shorter husky sledding experience at  Hotel Iso-Syöte .  Laurence has also done a   2 day husky safari in Rovaniemi   with Bear Hill Husky Safaris, which was a very hands-on experience that included an overnight cabin stay and feeding and cleaning up after the dogs.

You’ll find husky dog sledding companies throughout Lapland and we recommend carefully reading reviews beforehand to avoid booking companies that show any signs of mistreating their dogs.

Here are some tours to consider:

• Helsinki: This half day trip includes husky sledding, an opportunity to feed reindeer, and hotel transport to and from Helsinki. Good option to consider for those who are not heading to northern Finland.
• Rovaniemi: This evening tour includes husky sledding for 6 miles in the forest, hunting for the Northern Lights, and tea and snacks.
• Rovaniemi : This 4 hour tour from Rovaniemi includes snowmobiling, a husky sled ride and a reindeer sleigh ride.
• Saariselkä: This 2 hour tour includes a 6 mile husky sled ride and ends with a campfire and traditional snacks.

5. Enjoy the Finnish Sauna Experience

Someone told us that the only Finnish word commonly used in the English language is “sauna” and we don’t pronounce it correctly (it’s “sowna” not “sawna”). Saunas are an integral part of Finnish culture and historically were the place where many major life events would take place from birth to death. 

Today sauna houses are still popular places for Finns to meet friends, visit with family, meditate, and even hold business meetings. Traditionally, most people visited public saunas, but now many Finns have their own private saunas in their homes or summer cottages.

There are three major types of saunas: smoke sauna (savusauna), wood-heated sauna, and electric sauna. The smoke sauna is the most traditional type of sauna, the wood-heated sauna are the most common in the countryside, and the electric saunas are the least traditional but most abundant in the cities and apartment complexes .

It would really be a shame to visit Finland without experiencing a traditional sauna, and it is an experience that is fairly easy to arrange no matter what part of Finland you are visiting.

Saunas are usually done in the nude and they are normally sex segregated or done as a family. When done in a mixed sex scenario with non-family members, people generally wear a swimsuit or towel. Finns generally go to saunas in the nude, but if you feel uncomfortable being naked, you can wear a swimsuit or towel. 

Birch branches (a native tree) are often brushed or hit against the skin during a sauna. This is believed to be good for the skin and circulation. You can read this informative article for more about the basics of Finnish sauna etiquette.

For the full winter sauna experience, you should consider doing a sauna next to a lake so you can cool off with a plunge into the icy water. It’s invigorating as Laurence found out, but not for the faint of heart! Having roasted sausages and cold beer is a very typical Finnish after-sauna experience. 

As a visitor, there are a few ways you can enjoy a Finnish sauna. You can visit a public sauna (there are several in Helsinki), you can get invited by someone to their family sauna, you can stay at a hotel with a sauna (a large number of hotels in Finland have saunas), or you can join a tour that includes a visit to a sauna.

If you are looking for a traditional public sauna in Helsinki, the Kotiharjun Sauna has been around since 1928.

We had our first sauna experience together at a lovely cottage owned by a local family on the shore of a lake near Rauma. This was a perfect place for winter sauna and since it was located next to a frozen lake, Laurence of course had to do the icy plunge! A Finnish cottage is a great place for discovering the Finnish outdoors at any time of the year.

If you want to experience a traditional sauna experience with a tour, there are a couple of tours offered from both Rovaniemi and Helsinki that include the chance to learn about and experience a typical Finnish sauna.

For example, this tour from Rovaniemi includes a typical Finnish sauna, ice swimming, a Lappish dinner, and chance to see the Northern Lights. This tour from Helsinki gives you the option to try out a traditional Finnish smoke sauna and you’ll also have a chance to do an icy plunge in winter.

6. Sail on an Ice Breaker Boat

For a unique experience, consider a ride on an ice breaker boat. From the town of Kemi in the north of Finland you have the chance to sail on the  Icebreaker Sampo .

Formerly owned by the Finnish government, today the Icebreaker Sampo is used to give visitors an idea of what an operational ice breaker is capable of doing. There is also the option of taking a swim  and floating in the sea while wearing a full survival dry suit!

This is a unique and fun activity to try in the area. You learn about the history of the boat, get to see it in action as it smashes through the ice, and then get to swim (or just lay back and float) in the freezing water! We did the shorter trip (3 hours), but the longer trip also includes a 3 course buffet meal as well.

Be sure to book your icebreaker tickets in advance. Tickets also include free entry into the SnowCastle (January to April) in Kemi, which is a castle that is made of snow and ice that is built each winter. There is also the new SnowCastle365 which is a year-round snow and ice themed attraction.

If staying in Kemi, two unique places to stay nearby are the Snow Hotel and the Seaside Glass Villas , both which are part of the large Snow Castle Resort.

7. Ice Fishing

If swimming in a frozen lake doesn’t appeal to you, how about fishing in one? Ice fishing is considered a public access right in Finland, which means that you don’t need a license to go ice fishing.

The top of the lake may be frozen, but if you can drill down through the ice you’ll find water and fish. Perch, the national fish of Finland, and pike are two of the common types of fish in the lakes. 

Although we recommend doing it as a tour unless you have prior experience, you could do it on your own if you rent or have access to the fishing equipment. You’ll need an ice drill, fishing pole, bait, and very warm clothing.

You’ll also need some patience as ice fishing is a fairly solitary quiet activity well-suited for deep thought and meditation, and people seriously intent on catching fish usually stick it out for several hours. Read this fishing article for more information and tips on ice fishing in Finland.

We did a tour, like this one , that included snowmobiling out to a lake, ice fishing, and then having lunch at a campfire. There are several tours from Rovaniemi that include ice fishing and most include other experiences like snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and meals. 

We, somewhat unexpectedly, had a lot of fun ice fishing. We weren’t that good at it and didn’t catch any fish, but enjoyed the snowmobiling through the forest and time on the frozen lake. The post ice-fishing campfire with coffee and sausages were also a real highlight of the experience!

8. Snowshoeing

If skiing or snowboarding is a little fast paced for you, or you just want to try something a bit different, then maybe you should give snowshoeing a go. This involves strapping oversized “shoes” onto your feet and then wandering the snowy landscape.

The wide snowshoe allows you to walk over snow without sinking very far in as the shoe helps distribute your weight more evenly over a wider surface. These are recommended for winter hiking as they cause less damage and erosion on trails than walking in regular boots.

Walking comfortably in them can be a little tricky to master at first, as suddenly you find yourself with what feel like clown shoes on, but we both got used to it fairly quickly. It’s a different way to get around, and it allows you to see landscapes and locations that you might not have otherwise accessed without the shoes.

We wore snowshoes several times in Finland, during tours that also included snowmobiling, ice fishing, or Northern Lights hunting. It seemed easy, but is much more tiring than we imagined!

You can experience snowshoeing in a number of regions in Finland, and you just need a thick layer of snow. You can rent snowshoes in many Finnish towns and resorts during the winter, or you can take a guided tour.

Here are some snow shoeing tour options:

• Rovaniemi: This 3 hour guided tour from Rovaniemi includes hiking, snow shoeing, and a campfire BBQ.
• Rovaniemi: This 4 hour tour includes snowshoeing, ice fishing, and snacks by a campfire.
• Rovaniemi :This 3 hour evening hike includes snowshoeing with the chance to see the Northern Lights.
• Levi: This 2 hour tour includes a guided snowshoeing hike up Levi mountain.
• Kemi: This 6 hour tour includes snowshoeing, ice fishing, and a BBQ lunch by campfire.
• Kemi: This 7 hour tour includes a day of snowshoeing in the wilderness to search for beautiful winter scenery and to try to spot local wildlife, including birds, snow hares, Arctic foxes, and reindeer..

9. Sleep in an Ice Hotel, Snow Hotel, or Igloo

One experience on many people’s lists to do in Finland is to stay in a snow hotel, ice hotel, or igloo. A number of places in Finland provide the opportunity to stay in a snow hotel or igloo.

There are also seasonal ice hotels and restaurants where everything from the beds to the walls are made of snow and ice! This also means that each year the hotels are a bit different than the year before.

Ice hotels in Finland normally open each year in December and close at the end of March or beginning of April.

• Arctic Snow Hotel – This snow hotel is located in Sinettä outside Rovaniemi and offers individually decorated rooms made of ice and snow. On-site facilities include a snow sauna, an ice bar, and 3 lakeside restaurants.
• SnowHotel – This ice hotel is part of the larger Snow Castle complex in Kemi and offers uniquely decorated and sculpted ice rooms. There is also a heated lounge area for guests to relax in before going to sleep. There is also the Snow Castle, a restaurant, a snow chapel, exhibition, and other amenities on site. We’ve stayed here.
• SnowVillage Hotel – This snow hotel is located in the town of Kittilä near Levi. Each year, the SnowVillage decorates itself based on a different theme, and for the 2018-2019 season it was based on the Game of Thrones TV series. There are also 2 restaurants and 2 bars on site.

There are also the traditionally-constructed igloo’s, made out of snow, that you can spend the night in. These are often made by regular people in Lapland, or are offered as part of a much larger winter resort as an extra experience for a one-night stay.

We’ve stayed at the Lucky Ranch , a horse ranch where a handful of snow igloos are built each year in Pyhätunturi within the Pyhä-Luosto National Park. This was a great experience with breakfast included and a heated extra room with beds set up in case guests get too cold overnight in the igloos.

Just note although these sound awesome, the temperatures here are kept just below freezing to keep the snow and ice from melting. To be able to stay warm and sleep, you’ll want to wear a hat, thermals, and wrap up in the provided thick furs and heavy-duty sleeping bags.

Even with all the blankets, it can still be quite chilly for some guests. If you are sensitive to cold, we’d only recommend booking for one night at a time. Alternatively, most snow hotels allow you to visit and tour the rooms for a small fee.

If you’d rather build an igloo than sleep in one, you can also build your own igloo ! A great unique experience for families.

10. Visit Santa Claus

You may have thought that Santa Claus lives at the North Pole. Or in Indiana. Well, according to the Finns, you’d be wrong.

Santa Claus actually lives in the Finnish town of Rovaniemi, just inside the Arctic Circle, where he spends the year chatting with visitors, posing with them, and of course, replying to all the mail from children (and the young at heart).

In fact there is a whole Christmas village in Rovaniemi, the Santa Claus Village . This is the official home of the Santa Claus post office, which receives over half a million letters a year from people all over the world. Visitors can write and mail their very own letter to Santa from here.

It’s a fun place to visit, and it is actually free to visit and see Santa, although if you want a photo of yourself with Santa you do have to pay a small fee. There are also restaurants and shops here.

For those with kids, you may also want to visit the nearby SantaPark . It is an amusement complex built within a cave that includes ice sculptures, games, exhibitions, elf school, gingerbread baking demonstrations, and a train. 

There are family-oriented tours from Rovaniemi, like this one , that include visits to the Santa Village and Santa Park as well as reindeer sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and lunch.

If you are not visiting Rovaniemi, you can still find Santa Claus in many other locations in Finland during the holiday season.

11. Meet the Reindeer

Although wild reindeer used to be found across most of Finland, today there are only a small number of wild reindeer left in Finland. These are the Finnish forest reindeer , which can be found living in herds in Kainuu in central Finland and the Suomenselkä area in western Finland. They are rarely seen.

However, there is a large number of semi-wild and domesticated reindeer in Finland that are mainly kept for food and tourism. Some are fenced and some are free roaming, but almost all are owned by someone. We actually had two reindeer wander out into the middle of the road while we were driving.

If you want to see reindeer, there are lots of opportunities and you might visit a reindeer farm, wildlife park, or do a reindeer safari with reindeer pulling a traditional sled. There are a few opportunities to see reindeer from Helsinki, such as in Nuuksio Reindeer Park ,  and many opportunities to see reindeer in Lapland.

You can see a list of reindeer tours and activities here .

Reindeer is a traditional meat in Finland, especially the northern part of the country and you’ll find it on quite a few menus if you are interested in trying it. It is commonly served with mashed potato and lingonberry sauce.

12. Try Hearty Finnish Foods (and Drinks)

Finnish cuisine was not something either of us knew a lot about before visiting Finland, but we were pleasantly surprised, both by the quality, and the use of fresh, local ingredients.

Staples of Finnish cuisine include meats such as pork and beef (often in sausage form), mushrooms, berries (blueberries, raspberries, lingonberries, cloudberries, sea buckthorns, bilberries, etc.), potatoes, rye bread, porridge, and fish (salmon, zander, pike, perch, Baltic herring). A common treat eaten with coffee is pulla which is a sweet roll.

Meats such as reindeer, elk, and bear are also served.  A popular lunch item at many Finnish restaurants is traditional sautéed reindeer with mashed potato and lingonberry sauce.

Lunch is often served cafeteria style at many local Finnish restaurants which often includes a main dish such as meatballs and mashed potatoes, cooked vegetables, bread, a dessert, coffee, and water. 

We also really developed a taste for cloudberries , which are berries high in Vitamin C. These orange berries are a local delicacy and are used in all sorts of ways, even being eaten with heated leipäjuusto (a local cheese), cream, and sugar. Cloudberries also make for good wine and liquor, and you can find local alcohol made from these and many of the other local berries.

We’ve had many great meals in Finland. These include modern Finnish inspired meals in Helsinki,  value-priced Finnish cafeteria-style food such as at Hanna Maria in Porvoo, meals in the ice restaurant at the SnowHotel in Kemi, tasty home-cooked meals and campfire meals we had on several winter activity tours, and the fabulous traditional Finnish dinner in Oulu we had at Sokeri-Jussi Kievari located in an atmospheric old timber storehouse in Pikisaari.

For those who enjoy food tours, you might consider this city food tour in Helsinki that includes tastings of several traditional Finnish foods and treats.

13.  Celebrate Christmas in Helsinki

Helsinki has been nicknamed the “Christmas City” and it is no wonder that it is a popular city to visit during the month of December.

Highlights include shopping along Aleksanterinkatu street with its festively decorated shop windows, exploring the handicraft stalls and local food vendors in the open-air St. Thomas Christmas market, and listening to church recitals in the city’s many beautiful churches.

A number of stores and markets sell special Christmas gifts, decorations, and Christmas tree ornaments. You can still purchase Christmas ornaments and decorations year round at the Kankurin Tupa flagship store.

One common and traditional Christmas decoration is that of the tomtenisse , which is a figure from Nordic mythology that is associated with Christmas and the winter solstice. The tomtenisse is usually depicted as a small older male figure with a long beard and conical red hat. A bit like a Christmas gnome or elf.

Another reason to visit is that the city is illuminated with lights and there is a decent chance for snow by Christmas giving the city that special Christmas winter glow. You’ll also find local parades and celebrations going on throughout the month of December, such as the St. Lucia Day celebrations.

Traditional Finnish Christmas food and a glass of Glögi, a traditional Christmas drink made from warm spiced wine with a sprinkling of almonds and raisins, will help get you into that holiday spirit!

If you are not visiting Finland in December, and still want to find some Christmas spirit, the best place to visit is Rovaniemi, where you can visit Santa Claus and find Christmas related activities year-round.

14. Take in a Local Hockey Match

A great way to get absorbed into the local culture in many places is to go to a local sporting match, and Finland is no exception. Whereas pesäpallo , a game similar to American baseball, is the national sport of Finland, the most popular sport is ice hockey.

Attending a local ice hockey game (or pesäpallo, harness racing, or Formula One racing event) is a great way to do something different and see locals doing their thing.

We had the chance to attend a local hockey game in Rauma with the local professional team Lukko . This  particular game happened to be against the local rival team and it was a very engaged and energetic audience. Laurence spent a lot of time trying to figure out the rules (his first hockey game), and it was also a great place for sausage eating (typical hockey game food) and people watching.

You can read more about our visit to Rauma here , which also happens to be an UNESCO heritage city, and is a great town to explore.

But you can find ice hockey games and tournaments throughout Finland in the winter. The ice hockey season begins in September and runs until the beginning of April. Just check locally for your options.

15. Spend Time Indoors Exploring Local Museums and Churches

Visiting museums, churches, and other indoor attractions is not unique to the winter, but sometimes you’ll need a break from all the cold weather activities or you are liable to turn into an icicle!

Helsinki is the cultural heart of Finland, and here you’ll find a large number of churches and museums in Helsinki. You’ll likely find at least a couple of museums that will match your interests whether it is history, photography, art, design, science, or local Finnish history. See our guide for loads of suggestions for what to do in Helsinki .

Although attractions in Helsinki can be pricey, some museums are free or have free days each week or month so you can visit even if you are traveling on a tight budget.

If you are going to be spending more than 1 day in Helsinki, we recommend checking out the Helsinki Card which is a discount card that gives you free entry to a number of museums and attractions in Helsinki and the surrounding area. It also includes a sightseeing bus, ferry travel, and unlimited public transit within Helsinki.

But we also enjoyed the smaller speciality museums that you can find in just about any larger Finnish town. For instance we learned about maritime history at the Rauma Maritime Museum , local Arctic life at the Arktikum in Rovaniemi, lace making in Old Rauma, Sami life at the Sami Museum in Inari, and got to do hands-on science learning at the family-friendly Tietomaa in Oulu.

16. Chase the Northern Lights

One of the reasons many people come to Finland in winter is to see the Northern Lights, or Aurora Borealis. This gorgeous natural phenomenon is caused by solar activity, and results in an amazing display of light and color in the night sky. 

Although the Northern Lights are sometimes viewable across Finland, the further north you go, the better your chances of seeing them. Ideally you want to be inside the Arctic Circle and away from any unnatural lights or pollution. Then, you need to have luck, patience, and of course, clear skies.

So unless it is a really strong display, you’ll need to be outside of a town or city to see it clearly. If you have a car, you can drive or you can take a Northern Lights tour which are offered in towns throughout Lapland.

Or you can choose a lodging option outside of a town and there are many places designed with large glass windows or glass igloos that are ideal for viewing the Northern Lights.

We are pretty unlucky when it comes to seeing the Northern Lights, going weeks traveling with no Northern Lights sightings despite being in ideal viewing locations. But we haven’t been totally unlucky!

Laurence first got to see the green glow of the Northern Lights while outside Rovaniemi one evening while snowmobiling with Lapland Safaris . This was a weaker display that was more of a green glow but still amazing. The second time was in Kemi and this was a very strong display with powerful waves of green and red throbbing across the sky for a few hours.

If you are looking for a Northern Lights tour in Finland, there are lots of them, here are some to consider:

• Rovaniemi – There are lots of Northern Lights tours that leave from Rovaniemi, including ones that look for the Northern Lights while ice floating , having a sauna and hot tub experience , by sleigh , or as part of a small group photography tour . You can see more tours here .
• Kemi : This 4 hour tour includes snowmobiling, a Finnish BBQ dinner, and a chance to see the Northern Lights.
• Saariselkä : This 5-hour tour takes you out into the wilderness for the best chance to see the Northern Lights. Includes BBQ dinner.

Be sure to check out our tips on how to photograph the Northern Lights to get the best photos of this beautiful natural phenomenon.

17. Go Ice Karting

Ice karting is a fun way to enjoy the winter as you race around the ice on a go-kart designed for the slippery ice circuits. You can race around trying to beat your own time or compete with others at the track.

For ice-karting sessions, there usually needs to be at least 2 people booked for each time slot. Check guidelines for children, but some places offer mini ice karts for younger children over age 5.

Ice karting is offered during the winter at Access Lapland in Rovaniemi, and Icekarting Levi in Levi.

If you are looking for several hours of fun winter activities, you might consider this family-friendly half day tour from Rovaniemi that includes ice karting, ice fishing, snowmobiling, and a campfire picnic.

18. Mine for Amethyst

Looking for something unique to do in Finland? Consider digging for amethysts (a pretty purple gemstone) at the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine located within Pyhä-Luosto National Park. This is one of the only gemstone mines in the world that welcome visitors.

The tours from the visitor center include a “snow train” ride to the mine, then you learn about amethyst and the mining process, visit the mine, and have your own chance to find an amethyst gemstone. You get to keep anything you find that fits within your closed fist. You also get a glass of warm berry juice to give you a little warm up.

Chances are you’ll be coming back with a tiny amethyst, like us, but it was a fun to learn about the history of mining, see how mining is done by hand here, and have a chance to find a gemstone of our own.

Tours are normally offered twice a day in winter, and are given in both English and Finnish. There is also a cafe that serves food and drinks and a gift shop here.

This attraction is open year round. In the winter, the road to the mine becomes blocked by snow and ice, so you can either walk to the mine from the parking area (35 – 45 minutes each way) or take the snow cat / snow train.

If you have your own transportation, you can buy tickets in person at the Visitor Center or you can book advance tickets directly online here . If you are wanting to come from Rovaniemi or elsewhere, you can check out tour possibilities here .

19. Eat in an Ice Restaurant

Looking for a unique winter venue to have a meal? Bundle up for a meal at an ice restaurant or have a drink in an ice bar.

There are a few seasonal ice restaurants that are built in Finland, and these normally operate between December and March. Most are operated as part of a large snow complex that also includes a snow hotel and winter activities.

This normally include the Ice Restaurant & Bar at Snowman World in Rovaniemi, the Ice Restaurant at the SnowHotel in Kemi, Ice Restaurant and Bar at Arctic Snow Hotel , Ice Bar & Restaurant at the Northern Lights Village , and the Ice Restaurant & Bar at the SnowVillage Hotel in Kittilä. But be sure to check ahead of time to make sure they are operating during your visit.

This is also a great alternative for those who don’t want to sleep in an ice hotel. Instead of spending the night, you can just have lunch or dinner instead. Or it is a great added experience to a night in a snow hotel.

20. Go Ice Floating

It can be hard work trying to swim in icy water, so you may want to just lay back and float instead! Several adventure companies in Finland offer the chance to do just that.

You are taken to a frozen lake or body of water where a large area of ice has been broken. You wear your own warm clothing and then are outfitted in a full body high-quality rescue suit which keeps you completely dry.

It was a bit scary to jump into the freezing water, but the suit does keep you dry and the trapped air allows you to float above the water. You float along like the broken ice. A refreshing way to clear you body and mind.

If this sounds like something you want to try, you can see available ice floating tours here . Although most of the ice floating tours are located in the northern part of Finland, the activity can now be done even from Helsinki, and you can see that tour here (includes ride in a Hovercraft).

21. Cross the Arctic Circle

The Arctic Circle is the northern polar circle, and is the most northern circle of latitude. Above this line lies the Arctic region which consists of only about 4% of the earth’s surface. A relatively small number of people live above the Arctic Circle.

The Arctic Circle only runs through 8 countries, one of them being Finland. The Arctic Circle actually runs just north of the town of Rovaniemi Finland.

One thing we learned in Iceland is that the Arctic Circle is not fixed and fluctuates slightly over time, so actual markers and signs are often not entirely accurate but they are close enough for most of us!

The line runs at approximately 66° N of the equator (currently 66°33′47.6), and you can look up the exact coordinates online (currently 66°34′N   23°51′E ) for where it crosses Finland.

But the best place to “cross” the Arctic Circle is to head to Santa Claus Village as there are markers, signs, and a painted line you can cross. You can also get an official Arctic Circle crossing certificate here to commemorate the crossing. Not to mention you can meet Santa Claus here!

22. Learn about Sámi Culture

The Sámi, or Saami, are an indigenous people who lived across large parts of what is today Norway, Sweden, northern Finland, and the Murmansk Oblast of Russia. In Finland, the Sámi originally lived primarily within the region now known as Lapland.

The Sámi survived and sustained themselves in the harsh environment by fishing, fur trapping, hunting, sheep herding, and reindeer herding. The Sámi across the different regions developed their own languages and cultures.

Forced and voluntary cultural assimilation, discrimination, technological advances, economic marginalization, governmental policies, and other factors led to the lose of many traditional Sámi cultural practices and ways of life over the centuries.

Today, there are less than 10,000 people who identify as Sámi in Finland, but there is a great interest by many to protect the traditional culture. Three Sámi languages are still spoken in Finland.

The town most associated with the Sámi in Finland is Inari. Here you’ll find the Finnish Sami Parliament , a cultural center, a language center, and the Sámi Museum Siida.

The best place to learn more about the Sámi is probably the Sámi Museum Siida , which is the national museum of the Finnish Sámi. Here you’ll find a beautiful museum that talks about the Arctic and explains the history of the Sami and other Arctic peoples.

The museum contains a number of artifacts, art, documents, and temporary exhibitions. In the summer months, there is also an open air museum where former Sámi dwellings are open to the public and the Skolt Sámi Heritage House in Sevettijärvi.

The Northern Lapland Nature Centre is also located in the same building as the Sámi Museum Siida and it focuses on the natural environment. There is also a restaurant and gift shop located here.

SamiLand in Levi focuses on educating visitors on the history, culture and mythology of the Sámi people. There are also outdoor exhibitions and during the winter, there are reindeer kept here. The center is part of the UNESCO Observatory Cultural Village Program.

A third museum is the Arktikum in Rovaniemi, which is a science center and museum. It focuses on Lappish culture, nature, science, and history. The museum is not specifically focused on Sámi people but includes lots of information on the Sámi. Definitely a museum to consider visiting if you are going to Rovaniemi.

If you are looking for a tour activity from Rovaniemi, there is  this small group tour that visits Inari and the Sámi Museum Siida.

23. Stay in a Glass Igloo in Finland

If an ice hotel or igloo sounds a bit cold then you might like to try one of the glass igloos, which are optimized for viewing the Northern Lights. These offer full glass ceilings in an igloo style, whilst still being fully heated so they are warm and cosy! 

Most are to be found in Lapland near or within the Arctic Circle, which offers the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights. They all vary a bit in construction and amenities.

The best known of these is Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselkä which was one of the first, but there are now lots of opportunities to stay in glass igloos in Finnish Lapland.

Here is a list that includes the majority of the glass igloo hotels in Finland:

• Snowman World Glass Resort in Rovaniemi
• Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi
• Arctic Glass Igloos in Sinettä
• Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort in Saariselkä
• Northern Lights Village in Saariselkä
• Wilderness Hotel Muotka in Saariselkä
• Northern Lights Huts in Levi
• Golden Crown Levin Iglut in Levi
• Santa’s Hotel Aurora in Luosto
• Arctic Fox Igloos in Rauna

Most of the hotels that offer glass igloos also offer other types of accommodation as well. So many people spend a few days at the same place trying a couple different types of lodging.  

So that’s our guide to visiting Finland in winter and a long list of all our favorite things to do in Finland during winter. Obviously, we did a lot and enjoyed a wide range of fun activities! If you don’t mind the cold, it is a great winter time destination.

If you are planning a trip to Finland, you might want to PIN this post to Pinterest to be able to read it later:

What do you think about planning a visit to Finland in winter? What activities would you enjoy the most? If you have visited Finland in winter, feel free to share about your own experiences and your own favorite winter activities.

If you have any questions about visiting Finland in winter or about visiting Finland in general, feel free to ask us in the Comments section below.

** Disclosure: During one of our visits to Finland, we were hosted by Visit Finland and various local Finnish tourism boards during our stay which provided most of our meals, accommodation, and activities during our stay. We have also visited Finland on our own and paid for all our own expenses. As always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our  Ethics Code  about how we accept work.**

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Levi Post author

July 10, 2020 at 4:50 am

Great Blog, so many helpful tips for things to do in Finland during a winter holiday

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

July 11, 2020 at 4:43 am

Glad you found it useful and good luck planning your winter travels to Finland. Just let us know if you have any questions.

Best, Jessica

Maria Post author

November 12, 2019 at 10:25 am

Finland is a magical place to spend Christmas. I love how you wrote this article and the photos are simply gorgeous.

November 13, 2019 at 3:49 am

Hi Maria, Glad you enjoyed Christmas in Finland and thanks for taking the time to comment! Best, Jessica

Christian Eissele Post author

August 27, 2018 at 9:24 pm

Wow! I love these ideas! I lived in Finland for 5 years and haven’t done enough of these… I’m headed back there to spend December with my girlfriend’s family (from Vaasa). We’re going to try some of these! 🙂

Also, I love your blog! I’m a new blogger and am trying to build my audience a little more. Any advice? 🙂

August 28, 2018 at 8:27 am

Hi Christian,

Yes, there are a lot of fun things to do in Finland during the winter from kicksledding to skiing to chasing the Northern Lights! I hope you get a chance to do more of these fun winter activities in Finland in December on your next trip.

Thanks, and it takes a combination of passion, work, and patience to create a good blog and build an audience. Usually years. I’d recommend trying to attend a conference on travel blogging (or other general blogging conference) that has content geared to new travel bloggers such as TBEX or TravelCon and go to the programming that fits with what you want to learn. We don’t have much content on blogging, but here is an article Laurence wrote on becoming a professional travel blogger that might be useful.

Enjoy your winter trip to Finland! Jessica

Pasquale Johnson Post author

May 15, 2018 at 9:43 pm

Visiting finland anytime of year is nice, but we believe you should visit Finland this winter or any winter. There’s something about the quiteness and mystery of this season that is absolutely magical.

May 16, 2018 at 12:48 am

Hi Pasquale, Thanks for taking the time to comment. Yes, we totally agree. Finland can be a great destination year round but there is something special about Finland in the winter months! Best, Jessica

Mary Lee Post author

April 17, 2018 at 8:08 pm

I love all your pictures and your trip definitely sounds fantastic!! I’m thinking of spending Christmas (arriving on 22 Dec and leaving on 29 Dec) in Finland, experiencing a Finnish Christmas, checking out the northern lights, visiting Santa, snowmobiling, visiting the huskies … in all other trips that we’ve been to, I have been driving but I’m just not confident enough to drive in icy roads & conditions. As such, I’m thinking of taking their public transports to go from one place to another .. will that be easy? Could you suggest what sort of route I should take since I’ll be travelling with just my daughter alone … thanks so much …

April 17, 2018 at 11:51 pm

Hi Mary, The public transportation in Finland is really good to most parts of the country so if you stick to main towns and cities, you should not have a problem traveling there without a car if you don’t want to drive. Based on what you said, I’d recommend spending some time in Helsinki (Christmas) and Rovaniemi (Santa Claus village, lots of opportunities for snowmobiling, husky, and Northern Lights tours from here). Christmas is probably best in Helsinki as there will be the most happening and the most businesses open in the capital. But you’ll want to be in the far north around the Arctic Circle for the best chances to see the Northern Lights and do the winter activities. In the north, I’d recommend basing in Rovaniemi as there are regular bus, train, and plane connections there and you can visit without a car. I’d book guided tours here in advance for all the winter activities you want to do and you can even do overnight trips (including husky sledding tours) if you are interested in longer tours. If you decide to head from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (or vice versa) by train, car, or bus, I’d recommend picking a town or two to stop in and explore to break up the long journey – such as Rauma, Kemi, and/or Oulu. Hope this helps! Jessica

Wanda Klusowska Post author

January 23, 2018 at 5:35 am

Hello from Poland! Such an ispiring loooong-long post! I have a ONEBIGDREAM: to try dog sledding in freezing cold snowy Finland. I adore those tons of snow and all that stuff. And I adore dogs. Why not uniting it all? So I booked my tickets spontaneously as they were not that expensive. And then I realized, how my actions were opposite from smart, cause tickets were for the end of April. I was in a littlev hurry, you know:)). And now I desperate. In addition these sites like http://www.visitfinland.com/article/finland-facts-faq/ which keep telling me about the start of a springtime and simultaniously irritate me . I found an information about dogsledding that said that this activity is possible from December through April. WHOLE APRIL? Really? Am I saved? Please, tell me I am)) Tell me, can I hope for at least a small amount of snow during my trip?

January 23, 2018 at 7:26 am

Hi Wanda, I am sorry to hear about your situation but I think things will be OK. Yes, I would have suggested that you would have booked your trip to Finland in the winter months (December to March); however, the “winter weather” season in northern Finland often begins in November and often doesn’t end until early May. The weather changes each year and is difficult to predict which is why you are finding inconsistencies across different websites as it really depends on the temperature and snowfall.

You will want to head up north to the Lapland region in Finland for the dogsledding and to have better chances of finding snow. Chances are good that you will find snow in places like Iso-Syote (highest snowfall) and above the Arctic Circle (Rovaniemi and further north) in April. Now the chances of it actually snowing in late April are not as high but it could happen. But chances are you will still find some snow on the ground and be able to go dogsledding. I would book your accommodation and dog sledding activity now so that you have those scheduled.

Now in the chance that there is little or no slow, don’t despair. Even if the sleds can’t go out, most of the husky dog businesses have activities year-round where visitors can still interact with the dogs. These include farm visits, obstacle courses, cart rides, hikes, etc. so no matter what you’ll still be able to find dog related activities in Finland.

Hope this helps, and wishing you a great trip to Finland!

Erin Post author

October 31, 2017 at 2:09 pm

Wow, this place looks amazing and so many fun things to do. Definitely visiting Finland this winter!

November 1, 2017 at 1:45 am

Hi Erin, Yes, Finland is a fun place if you are looking for a cold weather location for winter! There are cultural activities in the cities and lots of fun winter activities throughout, especially in the northern part of the country. Best, Jessica

Azlina Post author

May 12, 2017 at 8:19 pm

Hi Jessica. Thank you for the wonderful post & sharing. Planning to go to Finland in December. We have only about a week. But we would like to do activities such as snowboarding, catching the Northern lights, staying in the ice hotel, dog sledding & ice fishing.. Any recommendations the places to go where we can do all these without travelling much?

May 13, 2017 at 12:46 pm

Hi Azlina, Glad you found our tips useful.There are many places you could do many of these activities during the winter in Finland; however, for snowboarding you’ll need to be at one of the ski resorts and for the Northern Lights, the further north the better chance of seeing them (they are far from guaranteed!). You’ll likely fly or train into Helsinki depending on where you are coming from, and I would maybe spend at least one day in the capital to at least see some highlights, and then you can take a bus, train, fly, or drive up north to spend the rest of your vacation in the Lapland area (the northern part of Finland). Lapland has 4 major ski resorts (links are above in article) and I would choose to spend a few days at one of them for snowboarding and they will also likely offer many of the other activities as well (e.g., dog sledding, ice fishing, Northern Light tours, chance to stay in an igloo or ice hotel). Rovaniemi is a good spot for general winter activities, dog sledding, ice hotel, and Northern Lights and the further you head north, the better your chances. So maybe 1 day in Helsinki, 3 days in a ski resort town, and 3 days in Rovaniemi (or further north)? Hope this helps and hope you enjoy your trip to Finland in December! Jessica

Konsta Suomalainen Post author

February 28, 2017 at 8:07 am

Suomenlinna is nice place to visit any time. I have recorded a video from Suomenlinna in winter. It’s really beautiful with the snow and everything. I really recommend visiting Suomenlinna Fort if you are visiting Helsinki.

February 28, 2017 at 12:36 pm

Hi Konsta, Suomenlinna is indeed a great place to visit in winter or anytime as you say! Laurence has been to the Suomenlinna Fortress in winter and took a helicopter ride overhead a couple years ago and had a great experience. Glad you got a YouTube video of it! Best, Jessica

Dennis L. Ward Post author

February 14, 2017 at 1:41 am

Ice fishing is great. It amaze me to catch fish through a narrow hole in ice. Thanks for sharing your list.

February 14, 2017 at 12:17 pm

Hi Dennis, ice fishing is fun although can be a cold wait for a bite! Good luck if your travels taking you to Finland in winter, there are so many fun winter activities to try! Best, Jessica

Deepa Subramanian Post author

December 25, 2016 at 11:17 pm

Hi would the landscape in March be as snowy and beautiful like it looked in your pictures? I am visiting Rovaniemi, Kemi and Kakslauttaten in March.

travelcats Post author

December 26, 2016 at 5:54 am

Hi Deepa, It will depend of course on the weather, but you should still find snowy landscapes in the north of Finland in March. Temperatures should still be around freezing at that time of year with snow on the ground, but there will be less new snow falling at that time of year. Best, Jessica

Alice Post author

December 22, 2016 at 1:45 am

I am a vegan and was wondering about the opportunity to find vegan food especially in the Rovaniemi area. Thanks a bunch!!

December 22, 2016 at 10:16 am

Hi Alice, We are not vegans and I don’t know of any specific vegan restaurants in Rovaniemi, but I think there are several restaurants where you can find vegetarian/vegan friendly dishes like Cafe Bar 21 . I think just checking menus first will help you decide. You can also check into the Punnitse ja Säästä (Weight & Save in English) food stores which sell stock bulk health and vegan food options, which would be great for snacks or if you are planning on cooking. Sorry I can’t be of more help! Best, Jessica

Peeta Bhattacherjee Post author

November 29, 2016 at 10:32 pm

WOw your trip looks amazing. It has been my DREAM to see the Northern Lights and I heard the best place to see it is North Finland. I am OK with the cold as long as the experience is amazing. My husband and I are planning to go in January. Please let me know if there are specific companies you recommend for the activities.

November 30, 2016 at 2:39 am

Hi Peeta, Finland is a magical place in the winter, very different than in the summer. For the best chance to see the Northern Lights, head as far north as you can, Rovaniemi or further is a good place to see them. You may see them much further south but the chances are less good. We did a self-drive and fly trip so we only worked with companies for very specific things like the dog sledding and such. We booked most of our activities through our hotel in Iso-Syote (Hotelli Iso-Syote), which were offered either by the hotel directly or via local companies. These included skiing lessons, snowmobiling, reindeer sleds, dog sledding, igloo overnight stay, campfires, Northern Light treks, and snowshoeing. In Rovaniemi, Laurence did a 2-day dog sledding trip with Bearhill Husky Tours and really liked that company. In Rauma, we booked activities with recommendations from the local tourism board. Best of luck on your trip to Finland in January! Best, Jessica

harrison Post author

October 13, 2016 at 3:00 pm

After reading your article, i totally fall in love with Finland. i love all the stunning photos. I would love to visit Finland this December but i have no travel partner who to travel with this year. Do you think it is safe for a girl to explore Finland by herself? Thank you in advance.

October 14, 2016 at 10:06 am

Hi there, Glad you enjoyed our article about things to do in Finland during the winter! Yes, I do think that Finland is safe enough for you to travel on your own as a single woman. Finland is a relatively safe country and it is easy to connect between cities and towns using buses and trains (or flights). I think it really just depends on whether or not you like to travel by yourself or not? Finland is a great winter wonderland and have a fun time exploring it! ~ Jessica

Sneha Shenoy Post author

September 1, 2016 at 5:09 am

Hey, your blog was so so cool to read. I’ve been wanting to go to Finland for the longest time! And your blog mentions all the things I’ve been wanting to do. I too can go only in early Jan, and was wondering the probability of seeing the Northern Lights then. Also if I have only 2 weeks, I should do Helsinki and Northern Lapland right?

September 3, 2016 at 7:22 am

Hi Sneha, I think with 2 weeks, you could spend a week of time in Northern Lapland exploring that area and searching for the Northern Lights. The probability of seeing them if you are there for a week in January is good, but many people of course don’t see them but the further north you go, generally better your chances. It varies by year and depends on weather conditions, etc. There are aurora predictions online that you can follow once you are in the area so you know the best times to go outdoors and look for them. With 2 weeks in Finland, you might also spend 3-4 days in Helsinki and then maybe pick one other city to spend a couple days in (e.g., Porvoo, Rauma, Oulu) or consider some day trips from Helsinki (e.g., Porvoo). Public transit and train services are quite good in the country so it is quite easy to travel to most place in Finland without a car. Good luck! ~ Jessica

December 17, 2016 at 1:34 am

I finally did book my tickets for February, and have booked for 5 days at the Iso Syote. I have another 4 days left, so was planning to go to Rovaniemi, and was wondering if you could recommend a budget hotel there?

December 17, 2016 at 5:50 am

Hi Sneha, Oh that’s wonderful, glad you are going to spend part of your winter in Finland. You’ll have fun at Iso-Syote, there are a lot of activities you can book or you can just go out and enjoy the snow on your own. Hopefully you see the Northern Lights. In Rovaniemei, there are relatively limited budget options, but you can compare them, just put in your dates and it will find you the best deals across hotel booking websites here My guess is that you can get a hotel for about USD $ 70 – 80/night on the lower end. Good luck! Jessica

Annette Post author

May 10, 2016 at 10:48 pm

Thanks for your post. It was really informative. We are off to Finland in December this year. We’re from Australia so have no experience with snow or cold weather at all but that’s not going to stop us. In fact we’re pretty excited about it. The prospect of seeing the Aurora is what prompted us to take this trip in the first place. We’re travelling with our 2 sons who will be 18 & 15 when we go and we hope it will be something they remember for the rest of their lives. I think the highlight for us will be staying in the glass igloos at Kakslauttanen Resort for Christmas.

Your post has just made me more excited to go.

May 11, 2016 at 4:24 am

Hi Annette, Thanks for your nice comment. I am glad the article got you more excited about your trip. Yes, I was in living in California prior to heading to Finland in January and it was quite an adjustment at first! Just be sure to buy (or rent) proper winter clothes and equipment. But you get used to the cold after a few days, the limited sunlight is probably the hardest so making sure to get outside and explore during those hours is important and then it is great to do indoor activities when it is dark out. Enjoy your winter adventures in Finland and I hope you see the Northern Lights! ~ Jessica

Finland tours Post author

April 12, 2016 at 7:28 am

One of the greatest country i have ever been at! Pure nature!

April 12, 2016 at 12:43 pm

Glad you love Finland and there are so many outdoor activities no matter what time of the year. In the winter, it is not very green but Laurence visited in summer and had a totally different experience exploring the coastlines and archipelageo near Rauma and Helsinki!

Arijus Post author

February 29, 2016 at 2:53 am

I want to travel to Finland! I want to go so bad!! Not that I needed convincing before, but now I want to go more than ever!

February 29, 2016 at 3:42 am

Hi Arijus, I think traveling comes down a lot of to just making a decision to do it and planning it in advance. Once someone decides on the dates and buys the plane, train, or tour tickets, everything comes easier from that point. I hope you get to travel to Finland in the winter sometime soon! There is no time like the present! Happy travels, Jessica

Allan Phelps Post author

December 21, 2015 at 12:00 am

Just Wow!!! Here you have shared some amazing photos of your Finland trip which i have never seen before. It looks like your trip was full of fun and excitements because here you have mentioned all the things in a really beautiful way. I just want to say that, “I want to definitely experience all these things”. Really thanks to you for sharing this informative post here.

December 21, 2015 at 1:53 am

Thanks Allan, I hope you get the chance to experience some of these things in Finland some day! ~ Jessica

Yeo Post author

November 10, 2015 at 12:59 am

I am planning to go Finland in early March. Lapland is where I would like to cover to see the Northern Light, trying dog sledding, reindeer ride as well as snowmobile.

Can you please share with me how you move from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. How to reach Santa Claus Village from Rovaniemi. I would like to have my activity take place at Rovaniemi too like your princess.

Hope you can share with me on this. Thanks

November 10, 2015 at 3:52 am

Hi Yeo, Happy to hear that you are planning a trip to Finland. Lapland is a good place to do all those sorts of winter activities. The Northern Lights are best viewed here on clear nights between late August and late March, so I would try to go as early as possible in March or even end of February to have the best chance to see them. There should still be plenty of snow in March for dog sledding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling and other fun snow activities. You can get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki by flying (there is a local airport in Rovaniemi), by train, or by car. Flying is the way Laurence got there and the quickest and most convenient if starting in Helsinki. There is a airport shuttle service from the airport that can take you to several locations in Rovaniemi. Once in the town, it is pretty small, and there is a local bus service that can get you to The Santa Claus Village or you can take a short taxi ride. For more information I would check out the great Visit Rovaniemi Finland website which should help you further plan your trip. Another place in Lapland that we enjoyed was a stay in Iso-Syote which offered skiing, dog sledding, ice fishing, and lots of other winter activities. Please let us know if you need any more information and have a great trip to Finland! ~ Jessica

Gladis Post author

September 19, 2015 at 1:26 am

I love traveling Europe over the winter! The Christmas markets are easily one of my favorite things about Europe in general!

September 21, 2015 at 12:28 pm

Yes, I have actually never been in Europe during Christmas but look forward to it as I’ll be there this year!

Priyanka Mishra Post author

April 16, 2015 at 3:56 am

Hi I am excited for my trip to Finland in Winter after reading your beautiful article. Images are awesome. I also read and liked your recent post African Safari Experience in Sonoma California

April 21, 2015 at 10:18 am

Hi Priyanka, I am so glad you enjoyed these articles, and I hope you have a great trip to Finland! Let me know if you have any questions.

Christian Post author

April 9, 2015 at 6:05 am

I’ve been longing to visit Finland since I mostly traveled to tropical countries these days. You have very nice photos of Finland and it makes me wanna pack and go there immediately. 🙂 I like the Northern Lights shot. It looks like telling a bedtime story.

Thanks for sharing your experience!

April 10, 2015 at 9:34 am

Yes, that is such a great photo taken by Laurence:) It is definitely an experience to be able to travel through the Northern countries in winter, very surreal landscapes and some great winter activities.

AwesomelyOZ Post author

April 2, 2015 at 8:33 pm

Oh this is sooo beautiful!! I would LOVE to visit Finland – I’d love to hear a version of things to do during the summer months there or even Fall. I’m not great at tolerating cold but would love to go during their warmer months. Love all the photos, especially of Santa Claus = looks legit! Thanks for sharing and sounds like a wonderful trip! Have a great one Jessica -Iva

April 3, 2015 at 6:04 pm

Yes, going in the summer would be a totally different experience! Not as surreal but lots of great outdoor activities, like hiking, kayaking, biking, boating, etc. You can check out Laurence’s blog, Finding the Universe , for some of this past posts of his time in Finland during the summer. So different!

Adelina Post author

March 27, 2015 at 3:06 pm

What a great overview of everything to do in Finland during the winter. You also have some stunning photos here too. Usually I like to stay far far away from such coldness, but it looks like a lot of fun!

March 27, 2015 at 4:22 pm

I have to say that I agree that I tend to lean towards warmer destinations as well, but it was really fun and unique to visit a place in the middle of winter!

Andrea Post author

March 26, 2015 at 2:28 pm

Your trip looks amazing! I think it would be much more fun to visit there in the winter…especially with all the neat activities based around that time of year. The photos are stunning. Every single one of them. Very informative and helpful info…thanks for sharing!

It was fun winter trip for sure! Thanks Andrea, Laurence gets the credit for taking most of those photos (and editing them all!).

Rouven Post author

March 25, 2015 at 8:17 am

I always love to read an article on Finland, especially on Finland in winter. It’s really an underrated country for traveling. I’ve only been there in autumn (which was awesome because of the ruska colors), but visiting in winter is definitely on my bucket list. Your first picture is reason enough 🙂 Thanks for the post!

March 27, 2015 at 4:17 pm

Sounds like I need to return to Finland in Spring or Summer to witness all the differences:) I do think Finland makes a great winter destination for all the bucket list activities you can do here.

Madaline Post author

March 25, 2015 at 6:53 am

Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Seeing the lights is my number one must do right now. I’ve never really thought about Finland as a destination but your pictures make me want to go next winter for sure…

March 27, 2015 at 4:12 pm

Yes, I think Finland is not on most traveler’s radars (U.S. travelers anyway), but it is a great place for Northern Lights viewing as well as all the fun winter activities you can think of:)

Rachael@safari254 Post author

March 24, 2015 at 2:56 am

Your photos are amazing. I don’t know if I would ever want to visit Finland in winter, I just don’t do very well in cold climates. I would probably want to stay indoors next to the heater.

March 27, 2015 at 4:11 pm

The surreal winter landscape in Finland made for some fantastic photography. Yes, I think traveling during the winter to cold destinations like Alaska, Norther Europe, Siberia, Antarctica, etc. are definitely not for everyone. The cold was a bit tough on me, but the part I had the most trouble with was actually the lack of sunshine and daylight hours as I kept wanting to go to sleep around 4pm or 5pm.

Kim J Post author

March 23, 2015 at 9:36 am

Wow, comprehensive post! I would love to go to Finland someday. Travelling is in the blood now!

March 27, 2015 at 4:04 pm

Traveling is so much fun and it is contagious:)

Corinne Post author

March 23, 2015 at 8:14 am

After living in Alaska, you would think I’d never want to see snow again, but I love doing all the things that you mention above. Great tips!

March 27, 2015 at 4:03 pm

Thanks Corinne! If you do decide to plan a Christmas 2015 trip to Finland, please feel free to ask Laurence or I for tips!

Seana Turner Post author

March 23, 2015 at 4:22 am

What a beautiful scene. At the moment, I”m kind of ready to say goodbye to snow and see some grass, but it is hard to argue with the natural beauty there. I’ve never done kick sledding- sounds fun! Snowmobiling really is fun:) I have to say -25 is pretty darn cold. I’ve never seen those kind of deer before, but as I type this, a family of deer is crossing my back yard– eating all of my shrubbery!

Haha, yes, I can imagine you ready for Spring! Living in California snow was a bit of a novelty while traveling in Finland.

Jess Post author

March 22, 2015 at 5:01 pm

I could have used those cold-weather photography tips before my last visit to Fairbanks – I was trying to take pictures at -20 and I was worried I was going to kill my camera!

March 22, 2015 at 9:48 pm

Yes, I had read up on some of these tips prior to our Kilimanjaro climb so that info came in very handy in Finland. Well, at least now you have the tips and it is great that there are ways to protect camera gear in such cold conditions!

SJ Post author

March 22, 2015 at 11:41 am

I have never been, but top of my list of these suggestions would simply be to stay in an igloo… sign-me-up!!

March 22, 2015 at 9:47 pm

We chickened out on the traditional snow igloos, although it was an option at the Hotel Iso-Syote where we were staying. It just looked too cold:) But I am sure it would be quite an interesting experience. I would however love to sleep in one of the heated glass igloos!

Margherita Ragg Post author

March 22, 2015 at 3:34 am

I didn’t get to go to Finland this winter, and now I’m thinking…. I missed out for sure! Thanks for the great, comprehensive guide and for so many ‘cool’ (indeed!) tips on what to see and do. I think I’d opt for husky safari and chasing the Northern lights for sure!

March 22, 2015 at 9:45 pm

Yes, we missed you at NBE but hopefully you’ll get a chance to explore a Finnish winter soon:) I really want to return to see the Northern Lights!

Phoebe @ Lou Messugo Post author

March 22, 2015 at 2:51 am

Oh my there are some seriously stunning photos here! I love the idea of a full-on winter holiday like this. Living on the Mediterranean I’m excited to go north and happy to feel cold every now and then! I’ve been to Finland once, in June, so it never got dark. We stayed in a summer hut on a lake and spent lots of time in the sauna, and running naked into the lake. It was absolute heaven and high time I went back and explored more.

March 22, 2015 at 9:44 pm

Thanks Phoebe, Laurence is responsible for most of the camera work and all of the photo editing for these pics:) Sounds like you had a great trip to Finland during the summer and it would be great to go back in winter as the experience is dramatically different!

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Finland in January: A Winter Wonderland of Adventure and Beauty

Discover the enchantment of Finland in January with its gorgeous snowscapes, exhilarating winter activities, captivating Northern Lights, and distinctive cultural celebrations. Indulge in a wide range of activities throughout this wonderful winter month.

Enjoy Finland’s marvels in January, a mesmerizing month when this Nordic beauty is draped in a dazzling white blanket of snow. Finland gives visitors an exceptional winter experience with its spectacular natural beauty, exhilarating outdoor pursuits, and vibrant cultural events. There is something for everyone to enjoy in this winter wonderland, from the mesmerizing Northern Lights flashing across the sky to exhilarating snow sports and cosy saunas. So, huddle up and get ready for an exciting voyage as we explore the magical activities Finland has to offer in January.

Witness the Enigmatic Northern Lights in Finland in January

Finland’s dark, clear winter skies in January make for the ideal backdrop for the breathtaking Northern Lights to dance and enchant onlookers. The greatest places to see this celestial display are in Lapland, where quaint towns like Saariselkä and Rovaniemi are located. Numerous local tour companies provide escorted Northern Lights trips that take you to the best viewing locations away from light pollution. You will be in awe as the ethereal green, pink, and purple hues delicately swirl and ripple across the Arctic firmament as you look up at the night sky.

Consider taking a reindeer sleigh ride or going on a husky safari to further enhance the beauty of your Northern Lights encounter. Experience the rush of mushing through snowy terrain with a pack of energetic huskies, whose howls blend with the stillness of the Arctic night. Alternately, go on a tranquil sleigh ride through the winter forests with the reindeer herders while hearing engrossing tales about the rich Sami culture and their strong ties to nature. Your heart will be warmed for years to come by the memories you will have of the Northern Lights combined with these classic Arctic experiences.

Thrilling Winter Sports Adventures

Finland in January is an amazing playground for thrill seekers and fans of snow sports. Cross-country skiing is a popular activity among both locals and visitors due to the huge snowy landscapes’ limitless options. Travel through the charming national parks, such as Urho Kekkonen and Pallas-Yllästunturi, while being surrounded by trees covered in snow and the tranquilly of the great outdoors.

Put on a pair of ice skates and glide across frozen lakes to experience the joy of skating amidst breathtaking frosty scenery if you’re looking for a new kind of thrill. Take a snowmobile safari and travel far into the Arctic wilderness if you’re looking for even more adrenaline. As you travel through the winter wonderland, cross frozen rivers, dash through snow-covered woodlands, and experience the chill of the air against your face. Snowmobile trips with a guide are available from several tour companies, guaranteeing your safety and an exciting encounter.

Cultural Delights and Finnish Traditions

Experience the warmth of Finnish culture in January by participating in the special holiday known as “Helsinki Restaurant Day.” On this unique day, folks throw open their doors or erect food stands on the sidewalks to serve excellent homemade fare to both locals and tourists. Join in the fun as you indulge in a range of cuisines, socialise with welcoming locals, and take in the festive ambience of this gastronomic event. Don’t forget to sample some traditional Finnish cuisine, particularly the wonderful karjalanpiirakka, a pastry filled with mashed potatoes or rice pudding.

After indulging in some traditional Finnish cuisine, check out another local custom by going ice swimming. Taking a swim in the frigid waters of a frozen lake, river, or sea, followed by a warmup in a relaxing sauna, is this fascinating and energising sport. This is not only a unique experience, but it is also said to improve blood circulation and strengthen the immune system. Numerous towns and cities have dedicated sites for ice swimming, and some saunas even have access to natural ice holes for a refreshing dip.

Husky Safari and Reindeer Encounters

By going on a husky safari excursion, you may discover Lapland’s authentic essence. As your pack of enthusiastic and amiable huskies joyfully pulls you across the pristine Arctic landscapes, you will become closer to them. The huskies’ unbridled excitement and eagerness will rub off on you, and the memories of gliding through the snowy wilderness with these amazing animals will last a lifetime.

Visit a reindeer farm and take a reindeer sleigh ride for a more genuine and culturally immersed experience. As they lead you through the winter woodlands with their hooves delicately treading on the snow, let yourself be mesmerised by the grace and serenity of these lovely animals.

Chasing the Elusive Midnight Sun

While Finland normally has long periods of darkness in January, the farthest northern parts go through a phenomenon known as “Kaamos” or the Polar Night, which is the exact opposite. Because of the sun’s prolonged descent below the horizon during this time, the entire day is characterised by a lovely twilight atmosphere. For a chance to witness this ethereal beauty, travel to the Arctic settlements of Inari or Utsjoki, where the sky is painted with shades of purple and blue, creating a special and serene mood.

Every traveller may find something amazing to do and see in Finland in January, which is a veritable winter paradise. This Nordic jewel has it all, whether you’re looking for exhilarating outdoor pursuits, cultural events, or a chance to see the ethereal Northern Lights. So bring your warmest clothing, enjoy the magic of Finland’s winter , and make lifelong memories.

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The 7 Best Places to Visit in Finland During Winter

From the snow-blanketed fells to the magical Northern Lights to the Santa grottos, it is no surprise that Finland boasts a reputation for being a winter wonderland . With charming scenery and even better activities like dog sledding, snowmobiling, and Arctic swimming, visiting Finland in the festive season is a no-brainer. 

However, seeing as it’s over three times the size of South Korea, settling on which places to visit can be a bit challenging. Fear not, we’ve curated this list with all of the best Finnish winter getaway spots to help you the most out of your visit. 

We’ll cover everything from the untouched wilderness, to cosmopolitan cities with endless charm. After all, if you’re like us, you’ll want your Scandinavian winter escape to be as unforgettable as possible, and with all that Finland has to offer, it won’t be hard. Let’s get into it. 

Table of Contents

Kicking off our list, we have the bustling capital city of Helsinki, undoubtedly one of the most popular to visit in Finland. From the gorgeous UNESCO-inscribed Suomenlinna fortress to the colorful craft stalls of Market Square, this city offers a host of unique experiences, even better experienced during the frosty magic of winter. 

The renowned sea fortress is a great place to start. You’ll find everything from bunkers, to fortress walls, picturesque nature trails, and a WWII-era submarine to explore. The saunas dotted all over the city are also a great place to be when temperatures drop, but you could push the boat out and do anything from taking a helicopter ride over the frozen city, to feeding reindeer at Sea & Mountain Adventures. 

Another magical activity is to ice skate at Helsinki Ice park, which operates from December until March and is set up in the heart of the capital opposite the Ateneum Museum. Skates, helmets, and sleds are easy to rent, and you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate and festive snacks after the Ice Park cafe, boasting panoramic amazing city views of the twinkling Christmas lights.

There are also many walking tours in Helsinki, as long as you’ve bought the appropriate covering some of the most memorable sights from the white facade of Helsinki Cathedral to the Government Palace. Don’t forget to savor the Finnish culinary scene in one of several exceptional restaurants surrounding the square for some unbeatable comfort food.

Besides boasting a slew of mid-century architecture dating back to the Second World War, Rovaniemi is a place for Santa-themed experiences, being the official hometown of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Pick up stamps from the Santa Claus Post Office and even visit a Santa-themed underground amusement park, you can’t get much more festive than that. 

Still, there’s a wide selection of other activities to choose from if you aren’t quite feeling the Christmas spirit. An increasingly popular activity with tourists during the winter months is ice fishing, which involves drilling a hole into a frozen lake or river, and then using specialized fishing equipment to catch fish. 

Other attractions in Rovaniemi include the artsy Korundi House of Culture, and the immersive Pilke Science Center, where you can learn about the impact our actions have on nature. We recommended booking a husky sled for a snowy adventure while you’re there too and you could even undertake a Northern Lights safari. 

Most safari companies offer these tours seasonally from September to April. Another option is staying at an Arctic Snow Igloo, where you can sleep underneath the stars in your glass-roofed cottage and potentially spot the Northern Lights from your bed.

At the northern end of the Gulf of Bothnia, you’ll find Kemi, frequently described as the pearl of Finland’s northernmost region and home to the world’s biggest snow castle. Located less than a mile away from downtown Kemi, this icy treat is constructed entirely from ice and snow and offers year-round tours through its snowy halls. It’s home to a first-rate restaurant, and lodge as well, should you want to make the castle a bigger part of your trip.

Seeing as Kemi is located close to the Arctic Circle, it’s also a gateway to one of the last great, untouched wildernesses of Europe. You won’t find any shortage of luxury accommodation, historic buildings, or magnificent landscapes to explore here. As a bonus, it’s easy to get around, since there are many options for public transport, taxis, and private car rentals, despite the remote location. 

Don’t miss out on Kemi’s incredible four-hour arctic icebreaker boat cruise that travels in search of breathtaking icebergs. You’ll be supplied with a bright red thermal suit that allows you to bathe in the freezing water, and have the incredible experience of floating with blocks of ice. You could even undertake a snowmobile safari over unbroken ice.

Strangely often compared to Chicago, Lahti has a history as a major hub wood and meat hub, much like the US city. It’s a vibrant industrial mecca with over 100,000 inhabitants, but that hasn’t stopped Lahti from winning the prestigious European Green Capital Award in 2021 and it is a great winter destination.

There’s really no shortage of things to do or see, and just 20-minutes from the city center, you’ll find incredible ski resorts and sports stadiums, with dense forest offering recreational trails. The city also hosts several skiing competitions a year and exploring Lahti’s well-regarded berry wine scene, luxurious resorts, and captivating sculpture parks, come highly recommended too. 

In recent years, the city has given way to a thriving coffee and culinary scene as well, but there’s a host of gorgeous national parks to explore too, and many offer scenic boat cruises. You’ll find a variety of first-rate restaurants and cafés scattered along the harbor, but its highlight has to be the architecturally impressive, Sibelius Hall, which frequently hosts concerts, and cultural events. 

If you want to get closer to nature while you are here, the Päijänne National Park on Kelvenne island is one of the best places to visit, and a firm favorite among locals for hiking, skating, and cross-country skiing on activities on frozen lakes.

Located over 600 miles away from the electric Helsinki, Saariselka is a quaint village in the heart of the Finnish Lapland. Nestled in a valley with no shortage of esteemed hotels or luxury holiday cottages, it’s also one the best places to experience the great Finnish outdoors. 

You’ll find a wealth of outdoor activities to keep you occupied, including snowmobiling, ice fishing, husky sledding, snowshoeing, and even Northern Light safaris. Typically, the staff at the hotels and lodges are more than happy to arrange these activities for you directly. Tobogganing is another increasingly popular activity here, which involves sliding down snow-covered slopes and on a runner-less sled called a toboggan. The charming Kaunispää hill is a great place to try it and slide down a perfectly groomed trail that will bring back your youth. 

You should also pay a visit to Inari, situated a little further north. It’s sparsely populated, and a hub of the vibrant Sámi culture, which is known for its unique fishing technique, as well as sheep and reindeer crafts and herding skills. One of the best places to learn about their culture is in Siida, which houses the Sámi Museum and the Northern Lapland Nature Centre.

While most tourists understandably hone in on Helsinki, they often miss out on the gorgeous landscapes and unforgettable cities of places like Tampere in the process. Offering a completely different experience to the capital, one of the best things about Tampere is its compact layout, meaning you don’t have to travel far to enjoy all its attractions.

Tamper is located in southern Finland and is actually the most populous inland city of all the Nordic countries. The city definitely isn’t the only draw to this area either. The surrounding regions and gorgeous countryside are well worth exploring too, especially in the snow.

Tampere sits between Lake Pyhäjärvi and Lake Näsijärvi Lake. During winter when the Tammerkoski rapids freeze over, Tampere is an excellent location to enjoy cross-country skiing or ice fishing. There are also plenty of Lakeside saunas you could relax in to escape the winter chill.

Another must-visit attraction is the Näsinneula Observation Tower, the highest tower in the Nordic region standing at 560 feet tall. The tower serves as the unofficial symbol of the city. Besides the jawdropping panoramic views from the top, you’ll also find a revolving restaurant with highly rated food, a planetarium, an aquarium, and even an art museum on site.

If it’s a secluded retreat you’re after, look no further than Salla, the family-friendly, ecological travel destination in remote Finland. This breathtaking spot sits in the east of the country, close to the Russian border, and about 90 percent of it is uninhabited, which means a unique outdoor experience is guaranteed. 

It’s one of the oldest skiing hotspots in the world, and the oldest ski in existence was reportedly discovered here. Salla Ski Resort in Sallatunturi is one of the most popular places to do this, despite its isolation, and it boasts around 15 slopes and 6 ski lifts. 

It’s a brilliant location for winter hiking as well, with the pastel-streaked skies and invigorating snowscapes making it particularly memorable. The Iso-Pyhätunturi trail offers an especially meditative experience, where you’ll have the opportunity to meander through forest vegetation, and rock-strewn heights. Wildlife is plentiful, and you might even catch a glimpse of a snow-white mountain hare, pale willow grouse, the capercaillie, or the elusive elk. 

You could also visit the Salla Museum of War and Reconstruction, where you can learn about the region’s fascinating history from the beginning of the 1900s to the 1960s. It’s also a great place to learn about how the people in the remote part of Finland live, like their cultural practices and foraging methods. As a bonus, you’ll find plenty of local herbs, canned foods, herbal salts, and ointments made from local ingredients at their museum shop as well.

Reece is the creator and editor of Travel Snippet. He has visited more than 38 countries over a 10-year period. His travels have taken him through the majestic mountains of Italy, into the cities of central Europe, across the islands of Indonesia, and to the beaches of Thailand, where he is currently living. He is passionate about travel and shares his expertise by providing the best travel tips and tricks to help you plan your next adventure.

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Finland in January: Winter Activities and Exploration

• ~ mins read

With the northern parts of Finland located inside the Arctic Circle, the country is a winter holiday heaven in January. From dog-sledding expeditions, and steamy saunas in traditional log cabins, to cold-water dips in the Arctic Ocean or Lapland lakes, you can find plenty of things to do in Finland in January. And if the winter condition gets too harsh for you, there are also plenty of indoor attractions around the country to keep you engaged and entertained to make your Finland holiday memorable.

• Wisam Al Badr

Finland Weather in January

Finland’s weather varies depending on where you are. Winter in the north is extreme, with shorter days, heaps of snow, and frigid temperatures. In Lapland, the temperature regularly plummets to -12℃ at night, with an 81 percent chance of snow on any given day in January. Helsinki benefits from the city’s proximity to relatively warmer waters of the Gulf Stream. However, the city’s daily temperature average is still cold, ranging between -1℃ and -6℃. It gets colder towards the month’s end when the daytime high barely exceeds -2℃.

For a seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Finland .

Weather in Finland in January - Rainfall and Temperatures

Why visit finland in january.

Finnish infrastructure is geared to function during the cold winter weather. So getting around won’t be a problem, although some tourist facilities close for the winter. Still, there are several reasons why you should visit Finland in January . Here are some:

• The Northern Lights: January is the best month to view the aurora borealis. The sun sets at around 2 PM in Lapland and does not rise until 10 AM. These long nights and clear skies make viewing this natural phenomenon easy. The town of Saariselkä, close to the Russian border in eastern Lapland, is a popular base for viewing the Northern Lights.
• Sleep in an Igloo Hotel: The hospitable Finnish people know how to make visitors feel warm and welcome. Their ice hotels are built by hand every winter to provide guests with the unique experience of sleeping on a bed of furs in a room carved out of solid ice. You can also sleep in a glass igloo where you will have a perfect view of the stars in the January sky.
• Winter in Helsinki: If you travel to Helsinki in January, you will find a city of bright lights and frozen waterways. When it is cold outside, Helsinki has plenty of indoor draws to keep you warm. The fortress island of Suomenlinna has several intriguing museums and galleries. These include the Museum of Contemporary Art and the quirky art museum, Amos Rex. Saunas are a Finnish invention; there is one for every person in the country. The Finland capital is a great place to have a Finnish sauna experience.
• Ski Your Heart Out in Lapland: The town of Äkäslompolo is the base for skiing adventures in the Yllästuntui ski resort. In January, the resort is in full swing. You can find 330 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails and 61 alpine ski slopes accessed by 29 lifts here.

Where to Go and What to Do

Plan your travel around the icy attractions mixed with indoor escapades if you are visiting Finland in January. Many of Finland’s lakeside and coastal summer resorts become winter playgrounds, and you can rent a cottage as a base for dog-sledding, ice-fishing, and ice-skating adventures.

If you travel to Kuusamo , up in Lapland, the nearby Ruka Ski Resort is one of the largest in Finland. The Kuusamo region has thousands of small lakes perfect for ice-skating. You can also explore the snow-clad forests from the comfort of a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Likewise, the Holy Cross Church in Kuusamo contains a pair of ancient bells saved during WW2 by the actions of some German soldiers and the city’s Kaamos Gallery houses a collection of superb Finnish artworks.

Further north, the Lappish city of Rovaniemi – the traditional home of Santa Claus — sits on the edge of the Arctic Circle. Here you can also witness the Northern Lights . Numerous tour operators offer guided aurora-viewing trips from the city. If you have your transport, you can escape the lights of downtown into the dark wilderness of the woods. Rebuilt after WW2, Rovaniemi is laid out in the shape of a reindeer’s head.

The Finnish people embrace the cold January weather with joy and exuberance. A visit to Finland in January will let you experience their distinctive culture and embrace the country’s unique natural environment in a way that is entirely different from the summer months. And what is more, there is abundant fun and activities if you are a snowsport enthusiast.

Reach out to our local travel experts if you need help planning a customized trip to Finland. You can also check out our guide on how many days to spend in Finland for a detailed itinerary suiting your need. Or, browse through our Finland trips in January for inspiration.

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Visiting Finland in Winter: What To Do & Practical Tips for Your Trip

Finland in winter is a magical place – brimming with the promise of the Northern Lights, Santa and snowy adventures. Discover the best things to do in Finland in the winter months with this guide. 

Most people avoid the Nordic region during winter because of the freezing temperatures but don’t let a few inches of frost and snow stop you. I’m here to tell you that there are so many things to do in Finland in winter, and they’re worth the cold.

Winter is the best time to see the northern lights , Santa Claus comes to town, and there is heaps of fun to be had in the snow. Check out my list of the top things to do and things you definitely can’t miss while in Finland below.

Brilliant Things to do in Finland in the Winter

Play in the finnish winter snow.

With five months of winter and snow in Finland, it’s no wonder many Finns’ main activity is dashing through the snow.

There are many incredible ways to enjoy the snow beyond making snow angels and building a snowman. Over here, it is common to see locals going dog sledging, skiing, kick sledging, snowboarding, or ice fishing.

While there are over 70 ski resorts in the country, the biggest one, Ylläs, is in Lapland. This resort has 63 slopes, 18 lifts, and many snow-themed activities. Whether a beginner or a pro, you’re welcome here.

Another fun activity that you don’t find every day is dog sledging. You can find many tours like this one throughout the country, but you’ll have a better chance of these in Lapland, where you’ll also get the opportunity to do some reindeer sledging.

Chase the Northern Lights

You’ve probably seen pictures of these brightly painted night skies in all rainbow colours. Well, this is the place to see them with your own eyes.

The best place and time to see northern lights or aurora borealis is in Lapland between December and March. Northern Lights hotels fill up fast as the colourful display of lights is a big draw, with millions of tourists visiting to capture the natural phenomenon. 

Take a tour with a BBQ meal to see the dancing sky for yourself. While it is a great activity on its own, many people enjoy accompanying it with adventure sports like sledging or riding a snowmobile for an added rush.

Take a Dip in a Sauna

Finns love a good steam in the sauna, so what to do in Finland but join them? This is part of Finland’s culture, with over 3 million saunas all over the country. So you won’t have to go far before bumping into one. Some people even go to have personal saunas in their homes and offices.

There are three types of saunas: a wood stove sauna, an electric sauna, and a smoke sauna. A wood stove sauna is the most popular in the country and probably the one you’ve seen the most in the media. Don’t get shocked to find the local people enjoying the heat nude. But, if you’re not comfortable yet bearing it all, swimsuits and towels are also acceptable.

Tip: Remember to stay hydrated while in the sauna. The heat can easily make you dehydrated and drowsy.

Learn About Sami Culture

The Sami people are the indigenous people of the country that inhabit Sampi (Lapland). Although they stretch over areas known today as Norway, Sweden, and Russia, they are a big part of the area’s heritage and culture. 

You can still hear three Sami languages used to this day in Finland. Take a trip to Inari or Lapland to learn more about these incredible people and their heartbreaking past at the Sámi Museums. 

Spend Christmas with the Elves

If you’re visiting Finland in December, you cannot miss out on Lapland. While legend has it that Santa Clause was born in Turkey, he has since found a home in the most northwestern region of Finland.

He lives in Korvatunturi (also known as “Ear Fell”), but you can find him in Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village. Yup. That’s right. A whole village dedicated to St Nicholas, his elves, and the merry holiday. While the village is open to visitors 365 days a year, the best time to visit is during Finland’s winters.

A few activities to get you into the holiday spirit include reindeer rides in the snow, a visit to the postal office, and Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Cottage. There are a few places to grab a bite, but I’d suggest having a seat in Snowman World’s ice restaurant (more on this later). Take this Santa’s Village tour to Santa’s Village to make the process easier.

Visit the Design District Helsinki

Did you know that Unesco awarded Helsinki as a Creative City of Design in 2014? This is because the Finnish capital has an eye for design that is not only eye-catching but functional too. You can see this for yourself throughout the city, but nowhere comes nearly as close as the Design District.

Right in the city’s centre, this neighbourhood oozes creativity with 25 streets and over 200 spots. Artists and enthusiasts can collaborate and gawk at good art, food, and design.

The easiest way to go through this area is to simply start walking. Begin at The Tori Quarter (Torikorttelit) near the Market- and Senate Square before slowly moving down to the Design Museum in Korkeavuorenkatu. 

Their eye for design doesn’t just stop there. They’re also master chefs. There are also a good amount of restaurants, bars, and cafes along the way. You’re in for a treat with Finland’s obsession with coffee and seasonal foods.

Eating and Drinking Your Way Around a Finland Winter

Eat in an ice restaurant.

With temperatures sometimes dropping as low as -40­°C, eating inside a block of ice in Finland in January sounds like madness. But don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. It’s part of the Nordic experience. 

Among the other exciting things to do in Rovaniemi , a visit to Snowman World or the Arctic Snow Hotel should be on your list. The iced-out restaurant areas have intricately designed ice walls, sculptures, and furniture.

The menus contain local ingredients with interesting dishes like roasted elk, arctic ocean salmon, and fried cold smoked tofu. While not all dishes are cold, you might still be able to warm up faster at the ice bars. Both ice restaurants have bar areas made entirely of ice and serve their drinks in glasses made of ice.

Tip: Service fees are usually added to bills already, so there is no need to tip separately. Although, some people will round up their bills.

Sample Foods at an Open-air Market

Christmas and New Year are on many people’s minds come wintertime in the North. So, Finland in November and December consists of festivities and open-air markets to prepare for the holiday season. 

There are a handful of markets in every city and town in Finland where you can pick up a few gifts. In Helsinki’s city centre, you can find the oldest outdoor Christmas market in the capital. 

It is open between the 1st and 22nd of December and boasts over 100 stalls selling food, crafts, and seasonal ornaments. Santa Claus also makes a guest appearance at least once a day.

Over in Porvoo, Oulu, Jyväskylä, and Tampere, you’ll find equally pleasant winter wonderland markets. While not as big as Helsinki’s, these Christmas markets have the same charm and friendly atmosphere. 

The Jyväskylä Christmas Village comes alive with lights and carols. Christmas in Porvoo takes you back in time with snow-dusted cobblestone streets, riverside huts, and vendors in old-time costumes.

Find Out Why Finns Love a Good Cuppa

Finns love their cuppa joe— especially in the below-freezing temperatures. The country drinks the most coffee per capita in the world, so you’ll often see people trotting around with a flask.

Take this coffee obsession further and kill two birds with one stone by visiting the Moomin Cafe in Helsinki. The beloved children’s comic strip character illustrated and written by Finnish Tove Jansson is a beautiful ode to Finland.  So, a visit to this cute cafe seems fitting.

Don’t forget to bring home a bag of Juhla Mokka— Finland’s beloved coffee brand.

Taste Authentic Finland Specialities

As an arctic country surrounded by sea, it’s no surprise that most specialities include fresh seafood. You’ll often find cooked or cold smoked salmon and herring on Finnish dinner tables. Although, meat is also a good staple. 

While this may sound odd, it’s not surprising to find reindeer, bear, or elk served as a delicacy in this country. The country’s national dish is Karelian stew, with beef or pork, but elk meat is also used. The Sami people have a traditional dish of sauteed reindeer that they enjoy, while you may find elk and bear meat in more high-end restaurants.

In winter, most meals are comfort foods, with items like pastries, savoury pies, and blinis (similar to crepes). The locals also enjoy a glass of mulled wine called Glögi, Kilju, and Lakka— a cloudberry liqueur soaked for two to six months.

Note: While the drinking age in Finland is 18, you have to be 20 to drink alcohol with an ABV level of over 22%.

Practical Information for Planning Your Visit to Beautiful Finland in Winter

• Be prepared for extra cold temperatures, up to -40°C in some areas. February is the coldest month, with snow and ice covering most of the country.
• Finland’s winter clothes can be expensive, so it’s best to stock up on warm layers at home. Pack waterproof boots and wool clothing for the best chance of keeping dry and warm.
• “Winter” is usually about five months long in Finland, so you’ll have plenty of time to explore these places between November to March.

Where to Stay

Arctic treehouse hotel.

This isolated hotel offers the best views of the northern lights, far away from light pollution. It is also a great place to enjoy the snow outside while staying snug in modern Nordic-style rooms. 

Check Availability and Rates here

Santa Claus Holiday Village

Not ready to give up the holiday spirit yet? Stay in the Santa Claus Holiday Village surrounded by Santa’s helpers and the big guy himself. Each room comes with a sauna, kitchenette, and terrace. 

Things to do in FInland in Winter: Read Next

• Finland’s Most Stunning Northern Lights Hotels
• Why You Really Need to Visit Rovaniemi

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I’m Julianna Barnaby - a professional travel writer and geek extraordinaire. I started The Discoveries Of to help you to discover the best of new destinations from around the world.

Discovering new places is a thrill - whether it’s close to home, a new country or continent, I write to help you explore more and explore differently.

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Helsinki in Winter: 50 Wonderfully Special Things to Do

*Please note that this post has affiliate links. If you buy through my links, at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission, which helps the upkeep of this blog.

You’re traveling to Helsinki in winter? Fantastic! I’ve compiled here my local’s tips about visiting Helsinki during the winter months.

Helsinki is packed with wonderful, dare I say, heavenly, things to do in the winter. I’ll show you some of the coolest things around the city.

First, this guide goes through a little bit of weather and packing info and then dives into the activities. The things to do range from peaceful to thrilling, so I hope this list caters to your every need.

One thing you should know before we go further: eating is definitely one of my favorite activities. I hope it is yours too because Helsinki is totally a foodie’s city.

So, whenever I can, I take the opportunity to let you know about a good place to eat or drink.

Psst… Follow me on Instagram and get more Finland into your daily life immediately!

            Näytä tämä julkaisu Instagramissa.                         Henkilön Varpu ?? Her Finland Blog (@her_finland) jakama julkaisu Joulu 21, 2018 kello 7.56 PST

Here’s everything this post covers. Grab a cup of your favorite hot drink and let’s explore winter Helsinki!

Table of Contents

Is There Sunlight in Winter Helsinki?

Is there snow in winter helsinki, best clothes for a helsinki winter vacation, tried and tested cosmetics that protect your skin, visit helsinki christmas market, go ice skating, relax in a hot sauna, warm up in a free museum, try indoor free flying, visit helsinki winter gardens, linger in cozy market halls and restaurants, finnish fashion & accessories, the best food store of the city, warm up in a library, reindeer in helsinki (and other nature escapes), forty indoor things to do in winter helsinki.

Well, yes. But, the sun doesn’t come up until late, and when it does, it’s only there to set early.

The rest of the day is either twilight zone or pitch black. But don’t worry, the blue in-between moments and darkness definitely have their charm.

Also, there are lovely winter decor lights all over Helsinki, which make the city a glittering urban hub.

When your taking photos outdoors, remember that the lighting is best around mid-day.

The glittering lights of Helsinki by day.

The glittering lights of Helsinki by night (ermm… I mean around 5 pm in the afternoon).

There is snow in winter Helsinki but it’s super difficult to know when it will arrive.

The stats of Finnish Meteorological Institute tell that the permanent snow arrived in mid-January at its latest. Usually, there’s at least a bit of snow or frost in Helsinki before Christmas.

If you like stats as much I do, here’s how snowy Christmas has looked in Helsinki since 1911 (see the last graph: “Lumensyvyys = snow depth,1911-2014”).

What to Pack for Helsinki in Winter?

As you probably already guessed, Helsinki is freezing in the winter. Surprisingly, much more so than my hometown Lahti one hour north of Helsinki. Why? Because of the crazy cold sea wind in Helsinki. In the Lakeland, we don’t have that.

The coldness doesn’t stop me from loving Helsinki. I just have to make sure I remember that in the wintertime. In Finnish, we have a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather. It’s just a matter of appropriate clothing.”

Here’s how to prepare yourself.

#1 Outerwear. The most important thing to have is quality outerwear. I’m talking about a super warm, thick coat, waterproof winter shoes, proper gloves, a winter scarf, and a reliable hat.

#2 Wool or thermal! Once you have outerwear figured out, focus on wool or thermal underwear set. The middle layer? That’s easy, wear your regular clothes. If you have a pair of trousers that are a bit too big for you, those are the best in winter Finland. They are super comfy and can be easily worn with a pair of leggings (or two) underneath.

#3 Skincare. I can almost guarantee that your skin will let you know how it likes the harsh winter weather. Be ready to pamper it during the nighttime.

Boots. If your vacation includes both exploring the city and being outdoors, enjoying Finnish nature, I recommend having two pairs of shoes because you can effectively boost the energy level of your legs by changing shoes.

Comfort is the king in Finland. You really don’t see many heals here during the wintertime.

I just love my winter shoes by Merrell (check similar here) . They are warm, waterproof, and have a special Vibram-sole, which works even in the worst weather conditions, like walking on slushy ice. That makes this slip-resistant shoe perfect for those warmer winter temperatures here in Finland!

My favorite city winter boots are by Ecco. They are super comfortable to walk in for hours, waterproof and cute! Excellent for any winterly city destination. Shop for similar here.

Winter jacket. When it comes to winter jackets, the most versatile combo is a functional winter parka and a light-weight down jacket . You’ll be wonderfully warm even on the coldest of days but have options for warmer temperatures. Also, if you’re from a warmer country, these jackets will most likely be more useful for you back home than a big fluffy down coat.

Beanie. You’ll definitely need a reliable beanie in Finland. Stay away from anything that says 100% acrylic without a proper lining. The best beanies are cuffed wool-blend or fleece-lined beanies . Personally, I love my beanie with a pompom on top. If you are allergic to wool, a fleece-lined synthetic or cotton beanie is a great option and warm enough.

FinNISH CONNECTION COLLECTION 🇫🇮

Finland-themed sweaters and accessories made-to-order. 🧡 Worldwide shipping.

Scarf. Nobody does a chunky scarf better than Acne Studios. The color palette and quality of their Canada scarf makes me cry happy tears. Do you know how some scarves leave you covered with threads?! These don’t.

I’ve worn my luxurious cream-colored oversized one everywhere from Lapland to Helsinki Opera house to a long-haul flight. The material is miraculous; it never gets any makeup stains. The skinny version is perfect if you don’t want a chunky look. Oh, and if you walk in Helsinki and wonder what’s this beautiful big winter scarf Helsinki ladies are wearing – yes, it’s this!

Gloves. You’ll need water-resistant, warm, windproof gloves for winter activities. Something like these. Side note, do you know what is tiny and life-saving? Silk glove liners – they are the perfect addition of extra warmth. Keep one pair in your pocket.

Wool or thermal underwear set. Perfectly-shaped wool leggings are cute and comfy. Hanging long-johns are not only ugly but uncomfortable with the other trousers you’ll be wearing. Icebreaker undershirt and leggings are my favorites for quality, fit and cuteness. If you are allergic to wool, buy a thermal underwear set .

Socks. Cotton socks are not enough for Finnish winter. You’ll need either proper wool socks on top of the cotton ones or wool-blend socks.

I used to skimp on socks, but then I tried these cushioned wool-blend socks by Falke , was walking on lukewarm clouds for a day, and now I have five pairs of them. My hubby has these, too . Quality wool-blend socks do wonders to your aching feet and circulation. Falkes are worth every penny.

Check out all my winter clothing tips and downloadable Winter Finland Packing List.

You wouldn’t go on a beach holiday without sunscreen, right? In winter Helsinki, you’ll definitely feel the freezing cold on your skin.

You desperately need a lip balm , a face moisturizer , an SOS cream, and an excellent hand cream (here are my favorites).

If I would get to choose only one beauty item for the winter weather, I’d pick Elizabeth Arden’s 8-hour cream . It has been my SOS cream for over ten years, and I have yet to find a better product. In desperate times, I use it all over my face and hands and go to sleep like a balmed mummy, waking up all fresh the next morning.

Want more beauty tips? Read my detailed article about winter beauty essentials .

But now, let’s dive into my favorite winter activities in Helsinki.

If you’re in town between December 1th and 22th, visiting the breathtakingly beautiful Helsinki Christmas Market is mandatory. This Christmas wonderland takes place in front of the Helsinki Cathedral and you can visit Santa every day there.

Next to the railway station, you’ll find the Helsinki Ice Park . It is a great place to test your skating skills, and especially adorable in the evening lighting.

Naturally, there are skates to rent. I usually wear double socks (wool!) when ice skating to keep my feet warm.

I’m a Finn, so you probably guessed that there was no way I’d write an article without mentioning the sauna. Yep. It’s a must to try the sauna when in Finland. Here are three public saunas in Helsinki where you can have a one-in-a-lifetime sauna experience.

Löyly is a modern sauna & restaurant on Helsinki’s waterfront. You can do the classic repeat combo of sweating in the sauna and swimming. The Baltic Sea is definitely freezing, but the sensation after the dip is sensational.

A hidden sauna gem in Helsinki is Kulttuurisauna , which offers an esthetic and truly relaxing sauna experience without the hassle of modern life. Please read the instructions on their home page carefully.

If you want to enjoy the gentle warmness of the last public sauna in Helsinki, head to Kotiharju sauna . This sauna of traditional wood-burning style has been warming up since 1928 in the boho Kallio district.

If you’re now wondering what’s this thing with the sauna and the Finns, check out my helpful post about the Finnish sauna etiquette.

Helsinki City Museum , just next to the Helsinki Christmas Market, is always free and has a huge, whimsical lounge to rest your tired feet. Their “Children’s Town” permanent exhibition is a guaranteed hit with kids. Walk indoors past the shop museum, and you’ll discover El Fant, a cute coffee shop.

If you love to admire the architecture and enjoy the feel of museums rather than spending a lot of time in the exhibitions, I recommend popping into the lounge and museum shops of the following museums in the city center area: Kiasma, HAM, Ateneum and Design Museum.

When it comes to regularly fantastic exhibitions, my favorites are Amos Rex, HAM, Design Museum, and Ateneum (now temporarily closed due to renovation ) .

You can get free or discounted entrance to these museums with the Helsinki Card .

Note that all state-funded museums (pretty much most museums in Finland) are always free for kids under 18, which is fantastic. I happily pay taxes for stuff like that.

The incredible exhibitions of Amos Rex museum are underground.

If museums are not your cup of tea, what about indoor free-flying close to the city center?

Just take the metro and hop off at Kalasatama metro station. Next to the station, you’ll find a place called Fööni .

They have a free flight tunnel, and I was beyond excited when I got an invitation to test indoor flying with them.* At its best, the stream of air flows at 300 kilometers per hour. The audience gets to observe the flyer through a glass wall.

The flying was fantastic! It is so much fun and surprisingly easy. The crew is very professional, and you feel safe in their hands, literally.

Children above five can fly, too. Actually, they were better than us adults in our group. The place is super kids-friendly, and if nobody is flying, children can go into the flying space to play with flying balls as the power is on gentle idle mode. Fööni uses wind electricity to be environmentally friendly.

I also loved the easiness and attention to detail, from gear to hair bobbles. You don’t have to pre-book and the price includes everything. Even a video of you flying.

*My Fööni test fly was free of charge.

Grab the free kit

I love visiting the indoor gardens in the winter. In Helsinki, there are two lovely glasshouse gardens to explore.

Helsinki Winter Garden (Talvipuutarha in Finnish) is free of charge, and a charming seaside stroll away.

They have an area with tables and chairs, and you’ll spot local families having a picnic there.

Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden is super close to the railway station. It’s peaceful and beautiful collection of glasshouses full of fascinating plants.

I love the palm room, and it’s my dream place to read a book. Don’t miss the water lily room, either. Right at the entrance of the garden, you’ll also spot a beautiful 20th-century-inspired cafe, Viola.

Make it a mission to see all three market halls of Helsinki.

The Hakaniemen halli (Hakaniemi Market Hall) is full of locals. The restaurant stalls of Hietaniemen market hall offer delicious lunch. Vanha Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall) mesmerizes you with its detailed wooden interior and location just next to the Helsinki Market Square.

Now, when it comes to restaurant recommendations, I have so many delicious ideas for you. That’s why I made two very detailed and neatly organized food posts for you. Do remember to pay attention to the days of the week when you’re planning your restaurant visits as I mention in the post.

30+ Finnish Restaurants in Helsinki that Make You Want to Lick the Screen

Or, are you looking for the best coffee spots in the city? I’ve got you covered –  15+ Iconic and Adorable Cafes in Helsinki by Neighborhood.

Do Extra-Ordinary Shopping

I’m so happy that we have a dedicated place for Finnish fashion brands. So, without further ado, head to Kämp Galleria Mall and their top floor, which is called “Garden.” Browse through Finnish clothes, accessory goodies, and home items to find your favorites. Cafe Kuuma is a lovely place to grab a coffee and a snack.

The top floor of Kämp Galleria Shopping Center is dedicated to Finnish fashion.

I don’t know if it’s just me, but when I go to a foreign city, I always want to visit the food store in the town. I love to see all the local things they are selling, and I love to, well… low-key stalk people there. (Please let me know in the comments if you have the same hobby, so I don’t feel completely weird.).

But back to Helsinki now. The food store you should visit is Herkku Food Market , and it’s situated on the basement floor of Stockmann, the department store.

If you go hungry or get hungry while walking there, the fish soup of their bistro has all Helsinki dwellers on their knees. Utterly delicious!

The Bistro of Herkku Food Market offers mouthwatering fish soup.

If you want to find locals, walk into one of the libraries in Helsinki. We Finns just love libraries.

The crown jewel of them all is Oodi , close to Helsinki railway station. This building screams Nordic minimalism, in a good way. The top floor is a must. Oh and if you need to distance work in Helsinki, this is the place to do it.

Admire the space, watch the quiet but bubbly local lifestyle and take a coffee with ‘pulla’ (Finnish cinnamon bun) because, *drumrolls*, there’s a coffee shop. Actually, there are two cafes, one on the ground and one top floor but I recommend the top floor because of the views.

Library Oodi is a must for both adults and kids.

Good news! If you hope to see reindeer but aren’t going all the way to Lapland, you can see them in Helsinki area too. Head to Nuuksio Reindeer Park situated close to Nuuksio National Park. While you’re there, be sure to walk some of the amazing forest paths of the park too.

Helsinki is foremost an archipelago destination and enjoying its winter landscape on a sunny day is a tradition for Finns. You cannot be indoors if there’s sunshine and snow outdoors. Here are lovely island escapes in Helsinki: Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Seurasaari, and Lammassaari .

Curious for more? Here are over forty indoor things to do while you’re in Helsinki . Psst… This infographic is perfect to save on Pinterest.

What else would you like to know about Helsinki in winter? I’d love to know in the comments!

I have a couple more posts about Helsinki and the area nearby. If you’re planning a trip, you’ll definitely want to take a look at these!

• 30+ Finnish Restaurants in Helsinki that Make You Lick the Screen
• 100 Ideas to Helsinki – What to Do in and How to Explore It Like a Local
• 15+ Iconic & Adorable Helsinki Cafes By Neighborhood
• The Cutest Day Trip Destination from Helsinki: Porvoo
• Helsinki -Tallinn Ferry: Visit Two Capitals Easy and Cheap

About Varpu I’m the founder of Her Finland. I love cultural tidbits, aha moments, Finnish folklore, and cinnamon buns. My newest interest is learning bird songs. Read more about me..

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Wednesday 15th of March 2023

Great article :)

Are fleece-lined leggings warm enough (with boots + Jacket) for walking around the city in late Noc/early Dec?

Thursday 30th of March 2023

Hi Leah, I would wear my merino and airbase leggings underneath those if it's windy and cold. It could be mild but it's a good idea to have one base layer ready. Hope you enjoy your stay in Helsinki!! I am proud to be the ambassador for this Finnish merino and airbase products, I'll drop you a link here: https://svala.com/en/versatile-airbase-clothing-for-year-round-use/

Saturday 7th of January 2023

Yup. I lovec the public saunas after a dip in the Baltic in the winter of 99. For a month I did that.

Monday 16th of January 2023

Hei Pat, that's so wonderful to hear, thank you so much for sharing!

Monday 27th of June 2022

HI, I plan to visit Helsinki this winter in December (when the Raskasta joulua concert will take place) and I found your article very useful. Cannot wait to try the Finnish food and Christmas market and hopefully will see even some reindeer at Nuuksio !

Thursday 7th of July 2022

I'm so happy to hear that! Kiitos for your comment!

Sunday 27th of June 2021

Hello! I am looking for a Finnish language immersion class for the winter 2022. I am not able to find a winter class. Can you direct me, please? Jumping in the ice cold Baltic after sweating in a hot sauna——yes please! Kiitos!

Thursday 15th of July 2021

Hi! That's a great question. Which city are you interested in? Helsinki?

Sunday 7th of March 2021

Hello. I’m from San Francisco California I very much enjoyed all your detailed information on how to prepare yourself for the trip. I’m a winter person in my mid 60’s. I love to travel unfortunately my husband does not so I’m it. I love walking especially in the cold. Any suggestions for walking tours that’s cost effective and prefer walking with someone or a small group. Thank you.

Tuesday 16th of March 2021

Hei Clara! Thank you so much for your comment. Yes, I warmly recommend Elena. http://helsinki-guide.com/eng She is an amazing guide!

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Finland is in January! Core memory to create!

Finland is a great destination with incredible scenery, unspoiled nature, scrumptious gastronomy and so much more. Being the happiest country in the world, it offers you an unforgettable vacation and plenty of happy memories to cherish. But why should you visit Finland in January? Because Finland’s true magic is explored when the country is covered with snow as it offers a unique travel experience to its travellers. It is also a great opportunity to watch the northern lights with your naked eyes and with unique ice-hotel stays, low airfares, fewer crowds and delicious winter food it gets easier and more fun to explore the destination. So, don’t wait and start packing your bags but before that give your 5 minutes to this piece of article as you might find it helpful to have a perfect trip to Finland in January.

Weather in Finland – January

January is a winter month in Finland but temperatures vary throughout the country. You can expect the average temperature across Finland in January to vary between -6.5°C (20.3°F) and -1.3°C (29.7°F). The Northern region is comparatively much colder than the Southern region due to the Gulf Stream. The temperatures are quite moderate and controlled in the southern part of Finland whereas you can expect snow everywhere in the region near Russia.

Finland has short daylight hours in winter, you can expect 6 to 12 hours of daylight in winter in the Southern part whereas 2 and 12 hours of daylight in the Northern part. You can plan a flawless trip to Finland while keeping all these important factors in your mind. 

Also read – Find Out Why World’s Happiest Country, Finland, Should Be On Every Traveller’s Bucketlist

What to Pack?

Layers, layers and layers! Perfect advice to have a comfortable trip to Finland in January. It will be great to pack thermals and base layers, wool clothing, jackets, woollen socks, cosy hats, scarves, jumpers and gloves. You should pack insulated waterproof outerwear as well. For footwear, it will be great to pack sturdy shoes, hiking boots and waterproof shoes. Get ready to participate in amazing winter sports while styling the warm clothes the way you want and look fabulous.

Also read – The Perfect 5 Day Finland itinerary for a Fabulous Vacation

Places to Visit in Finland in January

1. santa claus village .

The name of this village is enough to attract tourists. With handicraft shops, cute huskies and reindeer, wonderful streets to stroll, extraordinary accommodations, great food and so much more. This place has plenty of sights including Santa’s post office from where you can send Christmas postcards to your loved ones on Christmas with the help of elves. It can be done year-round and elves will take care of everything. You can also visit the Santa Claus Christmas House, Christmas Cottage, and so much more. 

Also read – Santa Claus village – The official home of Santa Claus!

2. Helsinki

The capital city is located in the south of the country offering winter charms to its visitors. Admire the culture, traditions, magnificent architecture, amazing museums, glorious landscapes for sightseeing and taste the delicious Finnish meal. Visit the Finnish sauna as chilled winds will want you to find some warm place. 

3. Rovaniemi 

Looking for exciting ice hotel stays, snow-covered landscapes, and adventurous winter activities? No place is better than Rovaniemi in Finland. This wonderland has a lot to offer such as snowmobiling, skiing, dog sledging, ice fishing, unique gastronomy and brilliant landscapes. It is also possible to see the magical northern lights from here. Rovaniemi gives its best to tourists for having the best vacation possible to cherish the great moments. 

Also read – 13 Top Reasons to Visit Finland ~ The Happiest Country in the World

4.Savonlinna

Savonlinna is a historic destination located in the heart of Finnish Lakeland. This charming place is surrounded by the beautiful Lake Saimma on a series of islands. Do not miss the marvellous Olavinlinna / St. Olaf’s Castle which was built in the 15th century as this amazing castle will surely make you go WOW. The Orthodox Museum and the Savonlinna Provincial Museum are also worth visiting. 

Kemi is a popular tourist destination known for its iconic snow castle. These fantastic castles are built yearly (because obviously snow melts) and used for weddings, performances and so on. The city in Finnish Lapland serves great bustling nights, ice floating activities, incredible views and so on. You can also see the breathtaking aurora borealis (northern lights) from Kemi.

Things to do in Finland in January

• Stay is a unique accommodation: Have a unique hotel stay where rooms are made of snow and ice. Imagine sleeping in a beautiful room, eating in an icy restaurant and having some amazing memories. You can have your stay in some of these hotels – Arctic SnowHotel, SnowVillage, Igloo Village at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and SnowCastle.
• Visit the beautiful Helsinki: It is a very beautiful city with a lot to explore.
• Relax in a Sauna: Enjoy a classic Nordic spa tradition to relax from chilled and cold weather in Finland. The sauna helps you to relax the muscles and activate blood circulation.
• Don’t miss the northern lights: You can explore this amazing nature’s gift in the part of the country that lies within the Arctic Circle. The magical display of bright green, purple, red or pink light in the sky is unbelievable and one must experience it.
• Participate in exciting snow and ice activities: For those who love thrill and fun, Finland offers plenty of winter sports opportunities.

Also read – 10 Top Attractions in Helsinki, Finland to Visit in 2024

Frequently Asked Questions about Finland in January

January is a winter month in Finland but temperatures vary throughout the country. You can expect the average temperature across Finland in January to vary between -6.5°C (20.3°F) and -1.3°C (29.7°F).

Helsinki is the capital of Finland.

Finland is known for having the world’s best education system, and fresh and clean air. It is also called the happiest country in the world. You can explore amazing landscapes, attractions, great architecture, saunas, Finnish meals and so much more in Finland. Santa Claus village is one of the most popular destinations to visit here.

Finland’s beauty and charms are enough to attract tourists from all over the world. But you are worried about where to get the best deals for Finland? No more, go check out Pickyourtrail and you will find amazing Finland tour packages on great deals. You can also customise your Finland itinerary to have a unique travel experience. Stop thinking and book a lovely vacation with your loved ones now.

Arundhati Toshniwal

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₹ 2,97,804, related posts, european countries indians can travel right now, the best destinations to celebrate the holiday season 2024, 13 top reasons to visit finland, an opportunity to study the finnish art of happiness while enjoying a free vacation, the perfect 5 day finland itinerary for a fabulous vacation, germany in march: a hybrid holiday experience, finland in august – weather, places to visit and festivals, finland in december – spend your winter holiday using our guide, finland in november – make it a memorable visit, finland in autumn: a land of color and enchantment, finland in september: an ultimate guide, finland in july – spend your summer on the streets of the happiest country.

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12+ BEST Things to do in Helsinki in Winter

This post contains product affiliate links. These are mainly on items/hotels/tours that I personally endorse & love. I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase, but at no extra cost to you.

Snow covered pines, steaming saunas, reindeer feeding and loads more – this is why you’ll soon be dreaming of visiting Helsinki in winter!

We can all agree that the Finnish capital Helsinki is gorgeous in the sunshine. However, this picturesque harbour city is often is overlooked as a winter destination. This, in my opinion, is a big mistake. And I’m about to explain why.

Helsinki in winter has so much to offer! There is something almost magical about seeing the city, covered in ice and snow, shining extra brightly on a sunny but freezing winter’s day. In the evenings, the streets are lit up with Christmas lights, shining like little bursts of happiness. Honestly, it is such a gorgeous city to visit in winter.

Perhaps surprisingly, there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in Helsinki. I’ve included lots of indoor activities too, for when the weather is less friendly.

Come in December to enjoy the Christmas markets, or January to see the spectacular light displays at Lux light festival. Steam out your winter blues in one of the traditional Finnish saunas, and enjoy a hearty meal at the Old Market Hall.

Read on and discover some of the best things to do in Helsinki in winter. It really is an incredible place to visit!

Planning a trip to Helsinki? Then make sure you read my guides on the best day trips from Helsinki , catching the Helsinki Tallinn ferry , and all about my experience flying over the city .

Weather in Helsinki in winter

There’s no denying the fact that winters in Helsinki are cold. Between November and February, the average temperatures are -7 to 1 degree Celsius (19-39 Fahrenheit).

So, it may come as a shock to you, that many of the Helsinki winter activities involve getting outdoors! As the saying goes, there is no bad weather, just bad clothing. So wrap up in lots of layers, and enjoy the beauty this winter wonderland has to offer.

Are you planning an amazing holiday to Helsinki? If so, you may want to book your hotels and tours asap to ensure availability. Here are some links to quickly help plan your trip!

Best hotels and apartments in Helsinki:

• Lapland Hotels Bulevardi (best rated 5* hotel)
• Scandic Helsinki Hub (best rated 4* hotel)
• Citybox Helsinki (super cheap with great reviews)

Best activities and tours in Helsinki :

• Helsinki Sightseeing Boat Tour (top rated tour)
• Helsinki SkyWheel Entry Ticket
• Helsinki: National Park Hiking Tour

Things to do in Helsinki in winter

Christmas markets.

Putting it out there. I love traditional outdoor Christmas Markets: the cosy huts selling handcrafts on snow lined streets, the fairy-lights dancing in the sky, sharing smiles with rosy cheeked people, and, of course, wrapping my cold fingers around a hot mug of chocolate or glögi ( mulled wine).

The main Christmas markets are in Senate Square. These run from early December until the 22 nd . Exact dates change each year, so check before you book if this is high on your personal Helsinki winter activities list.

Ice skating

Is there anything more synonymous with winter holiday activities than going ice skating? Making memories, arm in arm with a loved one gliding around the rink, or giggling at how hard it is to stay upright!

There are dozens of artificial ice rinks and fields to choose from in Helskini in winter, some of which are even free of charge! If skating isn’t your scene, these rinks are also great place to drink a hot chocolate and people watch. You can always spot the tourists as they’re the ones who fall over all the time!

Suomenlinna fortress

Just a 15 minute ferry ride from market square, atop 6 islands, sits the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Suomenlinna Fortress . Works began on this mighty maritime fortress in 1748.

Sights to visit while roaming the fortress include King’s Gate, the great courtyard, the Prisoner-of-war camp memorial, and the Suomenlinna Church. You can also wander round one of Europe’s oldest operating dry docks.

This popular tourist attraction is practically deserted in winter, making it an excellent time to visit – just remember to wrap up warm! Entry to the site is free, though you’ll need to pay for the ferry ride across.

Saunas are an institution in Finland . In fact, did you know that Finland has approximately 3.3 million saunas? That is over 0.6 saunas per person! With this is mind, it would be almost a sin to stay in Helsinki in winter without visiting one. Your options range from traditional public bathing houses such as Kotiharjun Sauna to a more hands on, chop-your-own-wood experience at Sompa Sauna . If you’re lucky, your accommodation might even have one in-house.

Don’t forget to read up on your Finnish sauna customs before you go!

Take in the architecture at Senate Square

For a taste of neoclassical architecture, go for a stroll around Senate Square. This area, which forms the oldest part of central Helsinki, has some incredible buildings.

The four main buildings on the square, the Helsinki Church, the Palace of the Council of State, the national library, and the main university building, were designed by architect Carl Ludvig Enge in the early 1800s.

This area is not just for history buffs and architecture lovers; Senate Square is the centre of town an hosts activities such as markets and concerts year round. I’d really recommend taking a free walking tour to really make the most of it.

Old Market Hall

If you’re looking for some indoor Helsinki winter activities, and you’re keen to try some local food, head to the Old Market Hall. This traditional undercover market has been in operation since 1889, and has a vibrant and cheery atmosphere. Perfect for warming up on a winter’s day.

Inside you will find merchants selling a variety of delicious ingredients, including cheese, meat, seafood, and fruit. Buy yourselves the makings for a hearty meal, or enjoy dining at one of the many eateries inside. For those with adventurous taste-buds, you can find yourself some elk kebabs or reindeer soup for lunch.

Lux Helsinki

One of the best Helsinki winter activities is seeing the city magically lit up during the Lux festival . This festival of lights transforms the city for a few days in early January each year, bringing hope in the midwinter darkness.

Featuring both national and international artists, exhibitions span across the whole city. While each year is difference, exhibitions range from projections on buildings, to neon displays, to musical shows.

Each year a new walking route, spanning a few kilometres, is created. Follow it all in one night, or split it up over a few evening strolls. Best of all, Lux is free, made for pedestrians, and family friendly.

Visit the Lux festival page for current details.

Visit the churches

One great way to get a feel for a city and its history is through visiting the churches. And boy, does Helsinki have some architecturally unique churches!

If you’ve been to Senate Square, it’s impossible to miss the impressive Helsinki Cathedral. However, that’s not all Helsinki has to offer. My recommendations would be the underground rock church, Temppeliaukio Church which has a striking interior, and the serene chapel of peace, Kamppi Chapel.

Each of these churches has their own style and ambience, and are open to visitors. Please note that photography is not allowed in some churches, be sure to check the rules on arrival.

Nuuksio National Park

If you’re coming to Helsinki for that winter wonderland feel, take a day out to the picturesque Nuuksio National Park. Just 30km from Helsinki, you can immerse yourself in snow covered pines while wandering one of the 2-8km trails.

Hire snowshoes and go on an adventure, walk across a frozen lake, or try your hand at a spot of ice-fishing. To really cement in that wonderland feel, visit the Nuuksio Reindeer Park. Here, you can meet and feed the herd of reindeer, then warm yourself in a Lappish Teepee with a campfire coffee and bun.

Check out this tour of Nuuksio National Park from Helsinki. This is a guided tour where you’ll take in the best of the national park.

Just 35km east from Helsinki sits the medieval town of Porvoo. The old town area is particularly beautiful, and features a 15 th century cathedral. Picture ochre-red, wooden warehouses reflecting in the icy river, small brightly painted houses and winding cobbled streets.

Taking less than an hour by public transport, visiting picturesque Porvoo is one of the most popular day trips from Helsinki . There are also plenty of day tours to Porvoo, if you’d like to learn more about the history.

If you’re visiting Porvoo and would like to learn more about the medieval town, I’d recommend this Porvoo tour . It even includes all your transport which is handy.

Sibelius Park

When the weather is playing nice, Sibelius Park makes for a photo-worthy day out. Take a stroll around the manicured gardens, and play a tune on the pipes at the Sibelius Monument.

The monument is dedicated to beloved Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It consists of collection of around 600 pipes, which you can blow into to create music or listen to the soft compositions made by the wind.

Afterwards, head over to the picture-worthy Cafe Regatta for a coffee and cinnamon scroll. You might recognise this red lakeside cafe from your Insta feed.

Helsinki design museum

Another great indoor activity is getting inspired at the Helsinki Design Museum . Just a short walk from the harbour, this museum houses an incredible collection of Finnish design.

The collection, which originally began in 1873, contains tens of thousands of photos, objects and drawings celebrating both contemporary and historical design. The building itself is also quite striking.

Good to know when planning: in winter this museum is closed on Mondays. Also, if you’re planning to do a lot of museum and attraction hopping, look into getting a Helsinki Card . This is a great way of saving money on lots of Helsinki attractions in winter.

Where to stay in Helsinki:

Situated on Katajanokka Island, this fun and funky hostel is a great budget place to base your stay. It’s just 5 minutes by tram to the city centre and it has it’s own sauna!

Just 500m from central station, this tastefully decorated hotel will leave you with a smile on your face. All rooms come with wooden floors and bathrobes. Warm up and relax with one of the on site spa treatments.

Clarion Hotel Helsinki

Get incredible views from the waterfront delight that is Clarion Hotel. Located in the Jätkäsaari district, hang out at the rooftop swimming pool and sauna, or kick back and curl up by the fire.

S o there you have it, my top 12 Helsinki winter activities. If you’re headed there soon, comment below to let me know your favourites!

By the way, if you’re headed to Helsinki in other seasons, check out my 18 Things You’ve Got To Do In Helsinki and 18 MORE Things You’ve Got To Do In Helsinki guides.

Like this post? Then Pin it for the future!

About the Author

Chelsey has lived, worked and studied across 9 countries, and has travelled in 40+. When she is not laying on a beach in Thailand or eating her way across India, she can be found discovering hidden corners of London.

2 thoughts on “12+ BEST Things to do in Helsinki in Winter”

I am going away for the first time ever for Christmas. My kids and I are booking Helsinki for a break on the 23rd December – 27th December. Thanks for the write up on things to do. Just curious if any one has spent the same dates there and what will be open for us to do and explore?

Ah amazing, I’m sure you’ll have the best time ever! They actually celebrate Christmas on the 24th December in Finland, so I’d expect things to be closed that day, but things will definitely be open on the 26th and 27th. Also, I suspect there will be a number of restaurants that will be open over the Christmas period too! Hopefully someone else can chime in too with a comment.

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10 of the best places to visit in Finland: from Helsinki cool to the frozen wilds of Lapland

Jun 1, 2022 • 10 min read

From energetic cities to chilled lakeside retreats, here are the best places to visit in Finland © nblx / Shutterstock

Finland moves to its own Nordic beat. This land of geographical and climatic extremes is a land of possibility. A land on the final frontiers of the imagination and a source endless fascination: whether you are flying across the frozen tundra behind a team of yapping huskies in Lapland, with the northern lights swooping overhead, paddling from island to forested island in the Lakeland, with rare Saimaa ringed seals bobbing alongside your kayak, or leaping headfirst into Helsinki’s offbeat design scene.   

There’s so much nature, so much culture, so much otherness here that you could keep returning forever more and still be surprised. Here’s our rundown of the 10 best places to visit in Finland.

Helsinki is effortlessly cool

Dipping its toes into the brilliant blue Baltic, Helsinki has a generous pinch of everything that makes Finland so special: cutting-edge design, elegant art nouveau villas, galleries brimming with contemporary art, market halls singing of seasonal bounty, and restaurants riffing modern on foraged flavors. There are few capital cities that swing so effortlessly between the urban and the outdoors, with glorious forests, islands and beaches just a walk, pedal, paddle or ferry ride away. And if locals seem remarkably relaxed, you can thank saunas like Löyly Sauna , where you can steam before leaping into the sea (through an ice hole in winter).

You’re bound to find your own favorites, but unmissables include Unesco World Heritage Suomenlinna , a magnificent mid-18th century island fortress, the boutique and workshop-filled Design District and the picnic-perfect Esplanadi park. Put Kiasma for contemporary exhibitions and the palatial, neo-Renaissance Ateneum for Finnish art (including compelling frescoes of the national epic, Kalevala) at the top of your museum wish list. Home to the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, the glass-and-copper Musiikkitalo should be your first choice for high-caliber classical concerts and gigs.

As sunset bruises the sky above the Baltic, book a table at intimate, candlelit, Michelin-starred Demo , where Finnish cuisine is elevated to a new gourmet level in dishes like king crab with nettle pesto, and blackcurrant and liquorice-leaf marinated Åland lamb.

Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland

Tossing you in at the Arctic deep end, Rovaniemi , is Lapland in overdrive. Granted, you won’t have it to yourself – come Christmas time the city heaves with Santa groupies – but choose the shoulder season to visit and factor in time in the quieter surrounds and you’ll have a ball.

First up on your wish list is likely to be a visit to Santa and his gingerbread-baking elves in the blingy Santa Claus Village , atop the Arctic Circle, and Santapark . But this is really just the tip of the iceberg. Outside there’s scenery straight out of a snowglobe and a million and one ways to explore it: by reindeer-drawn sleigh, snowmobile, dogsled or on snowshoes. You can float in an icy lake spellbound by the northern lights arcing and swaying above, go ice fishing, or stay in a snow hotel or glass igloo. You name the Nordic fun – it’s here.

There’s a flurry of culture too in the form of Arktikum museum, zooming in on Lapland, Sámi culture and the history of Rovaniemi, and providing a fascinating primer on Arctic wildlife.

Tampere is a scenic city with creative energy

Scenically clasped between two lakes, Tampere fizzes with life and creative energy. The Tammerkoski rapids flow through the heart of the city, past the striking red brick facades of revamped fabric mills and industrial buildings now harboring museums, shops, bars and cafes. And with hiking trails, summer cottages, lake cruises and Finland’s oldest public sauna, Rajaportin , right on its doorstep, it’s never a toss up between culture and nature.

Sight-wise, you’ll want to tick off Amurin Työläismuseokortteli , where wooden houses take an insightful peek into workers’ lives from 1882 to 1973, and glass-and-steel Vapriikki , an eclectic exhibition space in the renovated Tampella textile mill. Tampere’s cathedral, Tuomiokirkko , is a whimsical vision of National Romantic art nouveau architecture. And kids (and lovers of cult trolls) go crazy for the Moomimuseo .

Tampere has one of Finland’s hottest food and nightlife scenes, too. Hit the kauppahalli (covered market) for a feast of fish, cheese, meat and pastries. Here you can try the city’s speciality, mustamakkara , blood sausage with lingonberry jam. In summer, there’s always a festival on, but year-round you’ll find live music at artsy Telakka .

Ylläs is an uncrowded Lapland resort

Folk from more mountainous lands may scoff at the idea of skiing in Ylläs , whose eponymous fell reaches a modest 718m (2355ft), but frankly they are missing a trick. This cute little resort in Lapland, 150km (93 miles) north of the Arctic Circle, has the kind of uncrowded slopes and fresh, downy powder other countries can only dream of. Throw in rime-frosted forests, views out across frozen tundra and the northern lights dancing in night skies, and it is the full on Narnia package.

The skiing scene here is delightfully low key, with pristine snow and 63km (39 miles) of downhill slopes to pound, plus plenty of off piste and cross-country tracks to glide along. And then there’s the clincher: the world’s only sauna gondola , where you can strip off and sweat as you float above the winter wonderland.

Åland Islands is a top summer destination

Dropped into the piercing blue Baltic Sea off the country’s southwest coast, the Åland Archipelago is the summertime Finnish fantasy. Bridges and ferries skip across to one sleepy, forested island to the next (there are 6500 islands and islets in total, but some are little more than nameless specks of red granite). The islands move to their own gentle rhythm, with days spent pedaling or hiking to castle ruins, windmills and beaches, or kayaking to remote islets, where you might spot an elk family swimming from island to island, see a sea-eagle soar overhead, or paddle alongside seals.

By night, it’s back to the summer cottage (many with their own boats and saunas) or campsite for an evening around a crackling campfire under starry skies. The remoter you go to the outer isles, the more magical it gets.

Piece together your own island-hopping itinerary. RO-NO Rent in Mariehamn can sort you out with bikes, canoes and small boats that don’t require a license, or rent a kayak or paddleboard at Paddelboden .

Kuopio is a cultured Lakeland city

If you’re seeking a bit of urban buzz before dipping an oar into the waters of Finnish Lakeland, Kuopio , dreamily hugging the shores of Lake Kallavesi delivers. The views out across sapphire waters, forested islands and skerries are an uplifting prelude to this cultured little city. Get your bearings over morning coffee in the revolving restaurant at the top of Puijon Torni . From there, you can dive into Finnish art at bank-turned-gallery Kuopion Taidemuseo and local history in Kuopion Museo , lodged in a castle-like art nouveau mansion.

One look at the sun burnishing the lakes and you’ll be itching to head outdoors to hike in spruce forests, hang out in beer gardens (and, of course, sample the famous local cloudberry liqueur), or cruise and kayak the waters. A steam and lake swim at the city’s huge, fabulously rustic smoke sauna, Jätkänkämppä , is perfect for unwinding at the end of a mellow summer day.

Savonlinna is a forested gateway to national parks

All is forest and water, green and blue in pretty Savolinna, embedded in Finnish Lakeland near the Russian border. Necklaced by islands and topped off by a turreted 15th-century stunner of a castle, Olavinlinna , the town wins hearts on looks alone. But this is also one of Finland’s cultural heavyweights as the host of the country’s most revered festival, July’s Savonlinna Opera Festival , held in the castle’s covered courtyard. Book well in advance to snag tickets to see the town at its aria-singing, life-loving best.

The beauty of basing yourself here is that you are but a splash away from some of Finland’s most serene and enchanting lake escapes: Linnansaari and Kolovesi national parks. The only way to get a true sense of their loveliness is to hire a kayak or canoe and go paddle camping . As you float past cliffs, caves and pine forests, keep a sharp eye out for otters, ospreys and one of the world’s rarest seals: the mottled, big-eyed Saimaa ringed seal. If you want to coo over their fur ball pups, come in spring.

Inari is home to indigenous Sámi culture 

Whether you glimpse its forest rimmed under the glow of the midnight sun or blanketed in snow and illuminated by the northern lights, Inari makes you catch your breath. This tiny speck of a village peers out across Lapland’s largest lake, island-speckled Inarijärvi, 300km (187 miles) north of the Arctic Circle. And it’s here that the pulse of the indigenous Sámi beats strongest.

The phenomenal Siida museum immerses you in Sámi culture, lending insight into their reindeer-herding traditions and Lapland’s unique ecology. Equally riveting is the architecturally striking Sajos , Sámi parliament, with a floor plan designed on a reindeer hide. But you’ll want to go deeper: perhaps taking a snowmobile out to Petri Mattus ’ reindeer farm in winter, or seeing the calving and earmarking in May. There’s a lot happening events-wise here, too: from July’s traditional Inari Weeks festivities to the grand finale of reindeer-racing season at the King’s Cup in late March.

Regardless of season, round out the day with foraged flavors and views of the Jäniskoski rapids at Aanaar , where you can dig into the likes of Arctic king crab with nettle butter, smoked reindeer heart with pine-needle vinaigrette, and cloudberry sorbet.

Inari is also a terrific springboard for forays into the remote fells, forests and gold-panning rivers of Lemmenjoki National Park and canyon-riven Kevo Strict Nature Reserve .

Turku has an exciting food and culture scene

Looking longingly out across the piercing blue Baltic, south coast Turku (in Swedish: Åbo) is an absolute knockout. This was the capital until 1812, when Tsar Alexander I of Russia decided to up sticks to Helsinki. A rich historic and cultural legacy is imprinted on the city to this day in the form of experimental art, upbeat music festivals and one of the country’s most exciting food scenes.

You’ll want to factor in time for a spin of Aboa Vetus & Ars Nova , a museum that whisks you underground to Old Turku’s medieval streets, then pings you back into the present with contemporary art upstairs. Finland’s largest fortress, Turun Linna , rewinds to the 13th century with its dungeons and lavish banqueting halls. And Turun Tuomiokirkko , the "mother church" of Finland’s Lutheran faith, is a Gothic vision in red brick. Visit during the silent hour (9-10am) as the morning sun slants through the windows to see it at its most atmospheric.

Summer turns the heat up a notch with music festivals like Turku Jazz and Ruisrock , boat bars on the south bank of the Aura River and parties fuelled by local craft beers. And when you tire of the city, you can hop on a ferry or kayak across to an island of your choice.

Urho Kekkonen National Park has lots of Finnish wildlife

It’s wild out there… Snuggling up close to the Russian border in the north of Lapland, the Urho Kekkonen National Park has an extraordinary portfolio of all the landscapes you come to the Arctic to see: old-growth pine, spruce and birch forests, high fells (including Korvatunturi, sacred among Finns as the original home of Santa), aapa mires and dazzlingly clear rivers and creeks. The park reels off the "greatest hits" of Finnish wildlife. With luck, patience and a decent pair of binoculars, you might see elk, reindeer, snow grouse, Arctic foxes and golden eagles. Brown bears, wolverines, wolves and lynx are far more elusive, but just knowing they are here adds an extra level of thrill.

Hiking here takes you through some soul-stirring landscapes, and there’s always a wilderness hut with a campfire and sauna where you can rest up after a long day’s trek. The Sámi town of Saariselkä is one of the most accessible gateways to the park.

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Lapland Holidays in January

Prepare to fall for Lapland on a winter escape you’ll never forget. These holidays to Lapland in January are designed by regional travel experts and come with accommodation, excursions, and airport transfers included.

Visiting Lapland in January

Want to know more about exploring Lapland in January? You’ve come to the right place!

January is a great time of year to visit Lapland. This is when you can enjoy magical white scenery, northern lights, and excursions in the snow. For example, with a short winter break to Lapland , you have the chance to go dog sledding and stay in a hotel made of snow and ice.

Choose between visiting Swedish or Finnish Lapland for your January tour. Read on to find out more about each region and see which one would suit you best.

When you book a trip to Lapland with Nordic Visitor, you get handpicked accommodation, airport transfers, access to our 24/7 helpline, and many other benefits. You also enjoy personal service from your own dedicated travel consultant.

Get in touch via our contact form, live chat or toll-free numbers and we'll gladly plan your Lapland getaway.

— WHY US?

Why book with nordic visitor.

• All bookings protected by our package travel insurance
• Accommodation, activities, transfers & breakfasts included
• Professional service from Scandinavian-based travel experts
• Hassle-free & seamless travel experience
• Flexible & customisable tour options

DISCOVER LAPLAND IN JANUARY

Experience Lapland’s winter magic on one of these expert-curated tours. Your package includes accommodation, excursions, return airport transfers, and daily breakfast.

Classic Lapland Adventure & ICEHOTEL

Express lapland adventure & icehotel, lapland adventure - aurora sky station & icehotel, lapland adventure - aurora sky station, best of lapland classic - rovaniemi, best of lapland express - rovaniemi, best of rovaniemi - classic, santa claus village & dog sledding, lapland travel experts.

As a travel agency based in the Scandinavia region, Nordic Visitor knows how to make the most of your time in Lapland. Choose from a variety of tours that include the must-see attractions as well as lesser-known highlights, all handpicked by our own Scandinavian travel experts. 

To ensure a stress-free Lapland trip, Nordic Visitor handles all the local details for you: accommodation, activities, airport transfers and other services.

Oh, and we can customise your itinerary! For example, you might decide you want to add extra nights at a certain location. In that case, your personal Nordic Visitor travel consultant will be happy to make suggestions and modify your itinerary.

What do our customers say?

The reviews speak for themselves. See what Nordic Visitor travellers said about their experience with us.

Super organised

Everything was super organised and detailed, there is nothing to complain well done Nordic Visitor. We enjoyed all tours that were organised for us.

Amazing experience

Having not done a tour like this before, it was comforting to know that someone else had taken the reins and everything was double-checked. Liza was helpful with all my booking questions and all the team members we met on our trip were friendly and knowledgeable. We learnt so much about Swedish life and traditions on our stay, in addition to some amazing experiences.

Trip of a lifetime!

This was a trip of a lifetime and I would do the exact same trip over again! We had a blast and cannot wait to get back to Sweden. 

Thanks Nordic Visitor!

Nordic Visitor made booking what could be a potentially complex trip (finding the right accommodation and day trips, etc.) really easy. We booked very last-minute and our consultant Ruzena could not have been more helpful - booking and arranging the package we wanted for the exact dates we requested at short-notice. Thanks!

Unforgettable experience

It was the best decision to book with Nordic Visitor. Juliana, our travel agent, responded quickly and gave us great tips and service when we needed it. The excursion we took, snowmobiling and chasing the northern lights, was unforgettable, and the dog sledding was a wonderful experience. The stay at the seasonal ICEHOTEL - wow! Every detail was well planned and scheduled by Nordic Visitor. We are extremely grateful and it exceeded our expectations.

Exactly what we're looking for

This was my second tour with Nordic Visitor, and I will continue to use them as a first choice option when exploring trips in the Europe area. They offered exactly what my wife and I are looking for in planning guided and semi-guided experiences.

We were well looked after

We had a fantastic time. We were well looked after. Our activities were well laid out. Liza our Nordic Visitor agent was really good keeping us informed as well.

We absolutely loved our experience with Nordic Visitor! From our first inquiry to our last goodbye, we had exceptional service and attention. It quite literally was everything we asked for and more! Our travel consultant worked diligently to accommodate our every wish, was always in communication with us, and was simply amazing! This was a trip of a lifetime!

Outstanding experience!

The entire experience was perfection! The dog sledding was outstanding. There are no words to adequately describe how beautiful and peaceful it is out there with the dogs. The reindeer farm was so fun! Everything and everyone was truly outstanding! All of the drivers were prompt, friendly, and knowledgeable. Starting every day with such a beautiful and thoughtfully prepared breakfast spread was above and beyond. Every excursion/tour was amazing, from the guides to the food to the excursions themselves. We loved everything.

Nordic Visitor thought of everything

I can't say enough about Nordic Visitor. They really thought of everything and handled even real time unexpected issues promptly. We would have definitely not had such a good experience had I tried to plan this all on our own!

Thrilling trip!

We were very pleased with our trip to Lapland, Finland. Quite honestly, we didn't know what to expect, because we had never been there before. The activities we experienced (snowmobiling, dog sledding, reindeer sledding) meant we were thrilled with our trip. Nordic Visitor made the travel very smooth and enjoyable.

Excellent experience!

Cannot fault our experience. Everything was made very easy from start to finish. Thank you so much. Loads included but still had enough time to do other things and explore on our own. Excellent experience. No glitches so no negative memories of the experience. Loved equally by child and adults!

Getting to Lapland

Nordic Visitor tours of Lapland begin in either Kiruna, for Sweden itineraries, or Kemi or Rovaniemi for Finland trips. You can find some direct flights from airports across Europe.

Otherwise, you can reach Lapland with connecting flights from Stockholm, Sweden’s capital, or Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Another option is to fly to Copenhagen in Denmark and travel to Lapland from there.

Stockholm Arlanda Airport is the main gateway for international air travel in Sweden. From Stockholm, you can fly to Kiruna with SAS or Norwegian. The journey takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is Finland’s main air travel hub. From here, you’ll be able to take a direct flight to either Kemi or Rovaniemi with Finnair or Norwegian. Both journeys take approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

We recommend checking airline websites directly for flight availability and timetables. You can also use an airfare search engine, such as Skyscanner, Dohop or Kayak, for example.

Flights are not included in Nordic Visitor packages. However, all of our itineraries can be customised with extra nights in your arrival city if you’d like to rest up after your flight.

Different ways you can experience Lapland

We have tours for all varieties of travel styles and interests. See our options for exploring Lapland below.

ICE & SNOW HOTELS

Santa claus, snowmobile adventures, culture & history, reindeer & sami culture, winter tours, frequently asked questions about visiting lapland in january.

You probably want to know more about what it’s like to go on a Lapland holiday in January. To help you decide if it’s the right time of year for you to visit, read on. Our regional travel experts have answered frequently asked questions about Lapland in January below.

You’ll also find itinerary suggestions for Finnish and Swedish Lapland for ideas on how to make the most of your January tour.

• Explore these Lapland winter trips
• Discover 7 reasons to visit Lapland in winter

WHAT’S LAPLAND’S WEATHER FORECAST LIKE FOR JANUARY?

Lapland’s climate is subarctic to continental, with cold winters between December and March. This means that you’ll experience heavy snowfall and temperatures below freezing when you visit Lapland in January.

In general, temperatures in Lapland range from -6°C (21°F) to -18°C (0°F) at this time of year, but the dry, crisp air has a moderating effect on the cold. These weather conditions are prime for short winter breaks, with opportunities for thrilling activities in the snow.

WHAT’S THE TEMPERATURE IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

In Kiruna, Swedish Lapland, the average temperature in January is -11°C (13°F). In Finnish Lapland, Kemi also experiences average temperatures of -11°C (13°F), and if you visit Rovaniemi, it’s -12°C (11°F).

IS THERE SNOW IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

January is one of the snowiest months of the year in Lapland. On average there’s 37 centimetres (14 inches) of snowfall in January, the perfect conditions for winter activities, like dog sledding, and ski holidays.

• Find out the  top holidays in Lapland for winter

WHAT ARE LAPLAND’S DAYLIGHT HOURS IN JANUARY?

You’ll find that daylight hours are short in Lapland in January. The winter solstice takes place in mid-December, and at this time of year, the sun doesn’t rise at all in most parts of Lapland. This is because much of the region lies within and near the Arctic Circle.

In January there is more daylight than in December, particularly if you visit towards the end of the month.

You’ll have between 20 minutes and 3.5 hours of daylight at the start of January. In Kiruna, Swedish Lapland, daylight hours are shorter because it is located further north than Kemi and Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.

By the end of January, daylight hours increase to 6 hours in Kiruna, and 6.5 in Kemi and Rovaniemi.

CAN YOU SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

Since January falls in the middle of winter in Lapland, when the nights are long, you have a good chance of seeing the northern lights. The darkness provides the ideal backdrop for watching the aurora borealis.

In summer, on the other hand, there are long daylight hours in Lapland – a phenomenon called the “midnight sun”. With light skies all night long, it is too bright to see the aurora borealis.

Find out how to increase your chances of spotting the aurora borealis with these guides:

Best time and place to see the northern lights in Sweden

Best time and place to see the northern lights in Finland

What are the northern lights? Aurora borealis explained

• Explore these northern light tours in Lapland to hunt for the aurora
• Read about Lapland’s daylight hours and climate on the Nordic Visitor travel guide  

CAN YOU VISIT SANTA IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

You can meet Father Christmas at any time of year when you visit Santa Claus Village ! But come to Lapland, Finland, in January and you’ll get to soak up the winter-wonderland atmosphere. As it’s the middle of winter, the whole region is covered in glistening snow.

Meet Father Christmas and his elves in their workshop, visit Mrs Claus at her Christmas Cottage, and send a postcard from Santa’s main post office. You can also ride on a reindeer sleigh, go snowmobiling, or glide through the forest in a dog sled.

Discover more fun things to do at Santa Claus Village on our experts’ blog.

WHAT ARE THE TOP THINGS TO DO IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

Lapland offers opportunities for adventures and indulgent experiences in equal measure. This means that you can be as active or relaxed as you wish on your winter trip!

Here are the top things to do in Lapland in January:

• Go mushing through the snow on a dog sled
• Marvel at the otherworldly northern lights
• Explore the countryside by snowmobile
• Visit Santa Claus in his homeland
• Sleep in an ice room or a glass igloo
• Try skiing, ice fishing or snowshoeing
• Experience local Sámi customs and cuisine
• See Arctic animals in their native habitat
• Warm up in a traditional Finnish sauna

When you book a Lapland tour with Nordic Visitor, you can add optional activities and day trips to your itinerary. We recommend that you reserve any extras in advance to guarantee availability.

Speak to your personal travel consultant at Nordic Visitor about the excursions you’d like to incorporate into your Lapland itinerary. They will organise everything on your behalf, while you relax and look forward to your winter escape.

• Browse these classic Lapland holidays to start planning your trip
• If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our Lapland travel experts

WHERE ARE THE TOP PLACES TO VISIT IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

Where you go in Lapland will largely depend on the activities and sights you want to enjoy. You can read Nordic Visitor’s Lapland travel guide to learn more about each area, which will help you decide where to visit.

Here are the best places to go in Finnish Lapland :

• Santa Claus Village
• Kemi  

These are the top places to visit in Swedish Lapland :

• Abisko National Park
• Aurora Sky Station

SHOULD I VISIT SWEDISH OR FINNISH LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

Take your pick from visiting Swedish or Finnish Lapland for your January break. Both destinations offer similar experiences at this time of year, such as the chance to hunt for the northern lights, go snowmobiling, and ride in a dog sled.

However, Swedish and Finnish Lapland each have particular highlights that you should know about before you decide where to go. Take a look at these itinerary recommendations for a taste of what to expect in Sweden and Finland, respectively.

• Find out about spending 5 days or 6 days in Lapland
• Check out these 3-day and 4-day Lapland tours

ITINERARY SUGGESTION FOR SWEDISH LAPLAND:  

Day 1 - Arrival in Kiruna and snowmobile safari After touching down at Kiruna Airport, a driver will meet you and take you to your hotel. Enjoy some free time to yourself, perhaps getting to know the town or simply relaxing before you head out later.

In the evening you’ll get to explore the countryside on a snowmobile excursion, searching for the northern lights. Follow your guide through the snow as they lead you to the best spots to look for the aurora. Feel the thrill of the ride as you go.

Then, sit beside the fireplace in a wooden hut and tuck into a rustic dinner of traditional local food. Afterwards, your guide will take you back to your accommodation.

Spend the night in Kiruna.

Day 2 - Dog sledding Today you can enjoy one of the most special activities and traditions in Lapland: husky sledding.

Meet the huskies at the kennel and learn how to drive your sled from an expert guide. Head out onto the trails, gliding through the woods and across snowy plains, soaking up the views as you go. Afterwards, fuel up with a hot cup of coffee and a light lunch by the campfire.

In the evening, you could chase the northern lights again on a snowshoe excursion.

Day 3 - Visit the ICEHOTEL and a Sami reindeer farm This morning, discover the famous ICEHOTEL, situated in the village of Jukkasjärvi just outside Kiruna. This was the original ice hotel that set a trend for the many others that now exist around the world.

Begin with a guided tour of this extraordinary hotel, learning how artists build it using ice from the Torne River nearby. You’ll also get to explore the ICEHOTEL 365, a year-round structure that stays cold in the summer thanks to solar energy.

Once you’ve seen the stunning ice rooms, sculptures, church and bar, you’ll be collected from the ICEHOTEL for your next excursion. Get to know the Sami way of life by visiting a traditional reindeer farm. Drive a reindeer sled then enjoy some snacks in a lavvu, a typical Sami tent.

Then comes the highlight: sleeping in a room made entirely from ice and snow!

Spend the night in Kiruna or the ICEHOTEL.

Day 4 - Departure Today you’ll take a transfer to Kiruna Airport where you’ll fly home from your Lapland holiday.

• Explore these Kiruna tour packages to experience Swedish Lapland
• Find out the top 10 reasons to take a winter break in Kiruna, Sweden

ITINERARY SUGGESTION FOR FINNISH LAPLAND:  

Day 1 - Arrival in Rovaniemi & snowmobile safari Upon arrival, a driver will meet you at Rovaniemi Airport for your transfer to your accommodation. You could rest after your journey or head into town to explore a little before your first Lapland adventure.

Come evening, it’s time to embark on a snowmobile safari and hunt for the northern lights. Enjoy an exhilarating ride through the snow, looking for the aurora borealis, as an expert guide leads you along the trails.

Round off your excursion with a hot drink and snack beside the campfire, then return to your hotel for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Spend the night in Rovaniemi.

Day 2 - Dog sledding and Finnish sauna Head into the snow-draped scenery outside Rovaniemi today with a guided dog sled excursion. Learn about this traditional mode of transport in Lapland, starting with a brief lesson at the kennel. Then mush through the woods with your own sled.

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in Rovaniemi. You could indulge in a sauna session, the typical way to relax and unwind here in Finland.

Day 3 - Reindeer farm and Santa Claus Village This morning, hop on a snowmobile and make your way to a traditional reindeer farm. Here you can learn about the culture of Lapland’s native people, the Sami, and go on a sleigh ride.

Next, prepare to meet the “man in red” with a visit to Santa Claus Village, just outside Rovaniemi.

Soak up the festive atmosphere of this Christmassy haven, which is open year-round. Enjoy a private meeting with Santa with the elves on hand, and send a postcard from the Santa Claus Post Office. Then why not browse for souvenirs at the craft shops?

Day 4 - Day at leisure and visit to the Arctic SnowHotel Learn more about the local history, nature and culture in Rovaniemi this morning by paying a visit to the Arktikum Museum. Here you can explore the intriguing exhibits about Finnish Lapland and the Arctic region.

Come evening, head to the Arctic SnowHotel in Lehtojärvi, just outside Rovaniemi. Take a guided tour of this fascinating frozen hotel, which is created anew each year. Check out the rooms, restaurant and bar, all sculpted from ice and snow.

After your tour sit down for a delicious 3-course meal at Restaurant Kota, inspired by traditional Sami architecture. Then, you’ll either return to your accommodation in Rovaniemi, or overnight in the Arctic SnowHotel for an unforgettable stay. Choose from sleeping in an ice room or a glass igloo.

Spend the night in Rovaniemi or the Arctic SnowHotel.

Day 5 - Departure Today you’ll be transferred back to Rovaniemi Airport where you’ll fly home from your Lapland holiday.

• Discover Finnish Lapland with one of these Rovaniemi tours or Kemi packages
• Read this guide to Finland in winter for more inspiration

DO YOU RECOMMEND A LAPLAND HONEYMOON IN JANUARY?

If you’re looking for a winter honeymoon in Lapland , January is one of the best months to visit. Highlights include husky sled rides, snowmobile adventures, and northern lights safaris. After exploring in the day, come evening you can retreat to a romantic hideaway.

For the quintessential wintry experience, stay in cosy cottages or log cabins. Imagine sitting by the fireplace together, with views of the snow-laden scenery outside your window.

One of the “coolest” things you can do in Lapland is stay in an ice hotel. Marvel at the ice sculptures, imaginative themed rooms, and restaurants and bars crafted from frozen water. Since many of the hotels melt in the spring, artists start from scratch and rebuild them each winter.

Spending the night in an ice suite is an experience you’ll never forget. You are kept cosy thanks to thermal sleeping bags and reindeer hides, with the chance to step into a hot sauna in the morning. Or if you’d rather sleep in a warm room, you can take a guided tour of these ice hotels instead.

A great alternative is staying in a glass igloo in Lapland. Snuggle up in your heated dome, looking through the clear glass up to the night sky. You might even be treated to a northern lights show from your bed!

Here are the best ice hotels and glass igloos to visit in Lapland:

• ICEHOTEL (Kiruna)
• Arctic SnowHotel & Glass Igloos (Rovaniemi)
• SnowCastle (Kemi)

For Lapland honeymoon inspiration, find out why Lapland is so great for adults (and not just for kids) on our experts’ blog.

• Choose from one of these Lapland ice and snow hotel packages
• Learn more about the best ice hotels in Finland and the ICEHOTEL in Sweden

WHAT TO WEAR IN LAPLAND IN JANUARY?

As January is a cold month in Lapland, you’ll need to prepare for the winter weather by packing plenty of warm clothing. We advise that you wear thermal layers and protective boots with good grip.

Outerwear is provided on outdoor excursions, but do bring an extra coat just in case you want another layer.

Check this recommended packing list for your Lapland trip:

• Thick woollen socks
• Thermal base layers
• Warm woollen jumpers
• Waterproof trousers
• Snowproof jacket or coat
• Thin wool or fleece gloves (ideal as a base layer under snowmobile gloves)
• Thick gloves, scarf and hat
• Small rucksack
• Heat pads for hands and feet
• Power adaptors with two round prongs (Europlug Type C and F)

Find out more about what to bring in this Lapland packing guide .

• Check out these  Santa holidays in Lapland
• Explore other times to visit Lapland:  December , February and March

— REGIONAL SUPPORT & KNOWLEDGE

Get the most out of your holiday.

• Explore places handpicked for you by regional experts
• Save time and effort with everything arranged for you
• Relax knowing you can reach us 24/7 during your trip

About Nordic Visitor Tours

Nordic Visitor is a Lapland tour operator and has been creating incredible travel experiences for customers in the region since 2010. Our Scandinavian travel experts know Lapland inside out, and will use their knowledge to craft your perfect itinerary.

With your Nordic Visitor package, you can expect personal service from your own designated travel consultant and a tailor-made itinerary with quality travel documents. Furthermore, we have long-standing professional relationships with trusted local partners, which are carefully selected by our staff for their high standards of service.

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Our Swedish phone number is +46 8 666 23 30

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Blog posts you might like

Lapland for grown-ups: why lapland isn’t just for kids, a few fun facts about swedish lapland, 7 reasons to visit lapland in winter, how to eat like a local in lapland.

Whether you have a single question or a special request, we're here for you.

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Finland

Written by Jim O'Donnell and Barbara Radcliffe Rogers Updated Jul 26, 2022

From the vibrant art-filled cities of Helsinki and Turku to the depths of the boreal forests and the thinly inhabited outer archipelago, Finland offers a wealth of attractions and beautiful places to visit.

It's also a relatively unknown corner of Europe, likely because it is so far from the mainstream tourist routes, but the country's many cultural and historical sites add to the unspoiled natural surroundings to make it an ideal destination.

Finland's lakes, fells, rivers, and vast wild areas, along with the certainty of snow in the winter make it a Nordic playground for both winter and summer activities.

Helsinki is the main point of entry for most visitors to Finland. The busy Baltic port is where you'll find the most important museums, as well as architecture by some of the greatest Finnish architects, and numerous things to do.

Within easy reach of Helsinki are the charming smaller cities of Turku and Porvoo. But it would be a shame to confine a trip only to the Baltic coast, when so much beautiful open countryside beckons. To the west lie the Finnish lakes, and in the north is the vast area beyond the Arctic Circle, home of the midnight sun, northern lights, and some of Europe's best winter sports.

Winter or summer, Finland offers plenty of things to do. Plan your trip with our list of the top attractions and places to visit in Finland.

1. Suomenlinna Fortress

2. kauppatori (market square) and esplanadi, 3. rovaniemi and the arctic, 4. helsinki churches, 5. go skiing or ride a dogsled, 6. shop and browse in helsinki's design district, 7. watch the northern lights, 8. åland archipelago, 11. lake saimaa and savonlinna, 13. tampere, 14. lemmenjoki national park, 16. hameenlinna, 17. ranua wildlife park.

One of the world's largest sea fortresses , the 18th-century fort on Suomenlinna is a 15-minute ferry ride from Helsinki's Market Square (a mini-cruise that has lovely views of the city as a bonus attraction).

The main point of interest is the fortress-castle whose construction was begun in 1748 during an era of Swedish rule, originally named Sveaborg. In 1808, troops surrendered the fortress to invading Russians, and its condition deteriorated over the following century.

Finally, after independence was regained in 1917, the Finns took control of the fortifications and began the slow process of restoring the landmark. It was an active submarine base during World War II , and today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction.

Begin with the audio-visual experience in the visitor center (it's in English) for a lively history, then explore its ramparts, tunnels, and museums and walk the trails around the beautiful island. Or sign up here for a guided walk to learn more about the fort and its various attractions. Among these are the 250-ton Vesikko submarine, used by the Finnish Navy from 1936 until the end of World War II.

The Ehrensvärd Museum illustrates the earliest Swedish period, and the Doll and Toy Museum displays dolls, dollhouses, and toys in an old Russian villa. Various buildings house studios and shops of glassblowers, potters, and other craftsmen, and in the summer, you can stay for evening dance and musical performances of the Suomenlinna Summer Theatre .

Official site: https://www.suomenlinna.fi/en

Helsinki's harbor is an integral part of the city, whose important landmarks overlook it. It's also a popular gathering point, with an open-air market of local farmers, craftsmen, food producers, and fishermen , who sell directly from their boats.

You may catch the fragrance of salmon cooking over cedar planks beside the boats, and depending on the season see a rainbow of glistening ripe berries or baskets of foraged woodland mushrooms. The historic 1889 market hall shelters more food vendors, but the outdoor market is a year-round tradition, protected by tarps and tents in the winter.

Stretching from one side of the Market Square, the open swath of the Esplanadi is where the entire city seems to congregate on summer evenings. The tree-lined promenade is bordered by elegant buildings and a pavilion houses the Kappeli Restaurant, whose terrace is especially popular on summer evenings when there are concerts in the bandstand.

A fountain, another work by Eliel Saarinen, supports a statue of Havis Amanda, Helsinki's symbol. Helsinki's most unusual museum, the Street Museum , climbs from market Square to Senate Square, a one-block progression from the early 1800s to the 1930s, with paving surfaces, street lights, mail boxes, and phone booths changing with each era.

• Read More: Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Helsinki & Easy Day Trips

The Arctic Circle runs across northern Finland, right through the town of Rovaniemi, giving it claim to being the Gateway to the Arctic . In the summer, this means the famous Midnight Sun .

While the sun only stays above the horizon for a full 24 hours in Rovaniemi on the summer solstice in late June, from late May to early August it never drops far enough for it to get dark. Locals are out enjoying their great outdoors throughout these "White Nights" and welcome tourists to join them.

Rovaniemi is in the center of a vast natural area of rushing rivers for canoeing, swimming, or fishing, with trails alongside them for hiking and cycling. The city is best known (ask any Finnish child) as the home of Santa Claus, right astride the Arctic Circle at Santa Claus Village . You can meet reindeer here or visit a Sami reindeer farm.

To learn more about the Lapland culture and about the natural history, meteorology and geology of the Arctic, visit the stunning Arktikum Science Museum .

Read More: Top-Rated Things to Do in Rovaniemi

Three of the top places to visit in Helsinki are churches, two of them cathedrals and the third a landmark of modern architecture. Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral rises dramatically above the east side of the harbor, its 13 green-topped spires ending in gold cupolas. This is western Europe's largest Orthodox church, its interior glowing with gold, icons, crosses, altars, and intricately decorated arches. The cathedral serves Helsinki's large Russian population, and visitors are welcome.

On the hill directly behind the harbor and an equally visible landmark to those approaching Helsinki by sea, the huge Neoclassical Lutheran Cathedral is so close and so large that it appears to be standing on the roofs of the harbor-front buildings. The tall green dome and broad steps of the early 19th-century cathedral form the majestic focal point of Senate Square.

The buildings facing the square complete a harmonious enclosure, one of Europe's most beautiful public squares. It is used frequently for celebrations and as the starting point of parades. In December, the entire square is filled with booths selling beautiful local crafts and holiday foods.

While these two cathedrals are firmly in the traditions of their denomination, Temppeliaukio Church is an architectural experiment, carved into solid rock on a relatively small space in the center of the city. Architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen designed the church, covering it with a rounded, woven copper roof supported by concrete spokes. The acoustics created by the combination of copper and stone are remarkable, making this a popular venue for musical concerts of all styles.

In the winter, the Arctic region is a paradise for skiers and others who love snow and ice sports. You can ride across frozen lakes and visit Sami villages on a dogsled safari , learn to drive your own reindeer sled, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for miles, and watch the spectacular northern lights.

Downhill skiers should head about 170 kilometers north of Rovaniemi to Levi , a center for all winter recreation, with miles of scenic Nordic ski trails, lighted for night skiing. So are the pistes and slopes of Finland's largest downhill ski area. Many hotels at Levi have rooms with glass ceilings, so you can watch the northern lights from inside.

The epicenter of modern Scandinavian design, Helsinki has an entire district devoted to studios, galleries, and even antique shops dedicated to Finish designers and their work. Whether you're shopping or just looking, a few hours in these neighborhoods is a chance to experience this vibrant facet of Finnish arts and culture.

Design District Helsinki brings together creative people in the central neighborhoods of Punavuori, Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi, and Ullanlinna, where you'll find boutiques, galleries, and studios devoted to contemporary designs in fashion, jewelry, furnishings, tableware and everyday items.

Along with the shops, you can arrange visits to some designer studios, such as Raaka Rå (organic pottery) and Paja (artisan jewelry) to see craftspeople at work; contact them through the Design District website. You'll also find shops specializing in design-driven antiques and vintage Finnish designs, such as Art.fi and Artek 2nd Cycle.

For an overview (and a great shop) visit the Design Forum Finland on Erottajankatu, which showcases the best of Finnish design in everything from dishes to paperclips. To see how Finnish design and craftsmanship have developed, and see some outstanding examples from the past, visit the Design Museum in the Kaartinkaupunki neighborhood.

Official site: https://designdistrict.fi/en/

For most people, seeing these blazing curtains of light drape across the sky is a once-in-a-lifetime treat. Finland is one of the best places in the world to see the northern lights . Although, at times, the lights can be seen even in the southern most regions of the nation, the best place to see them is in the region close to or north of the Arctic Circle.

Here, between September and March, visitors are almost guaranteed a show if the sky is clear. A wide range of hotels in the north cater specifically to people wanting to see the lights. Also, the Finnish Meteorological Institute allows you to sign up for free Northern Lights email alerts.

The Åland Islands (or Åland) are an autonomous archipelago between Sweden and Finland. A predominantly Swedish-speaking province of Finland, Åland is comprised of a few large islands and nearly 10,000 smaller ones. Åland has a unique history. It was ceded to Russia by Sweden in 1809. In 1854, a combined British/French fleet took the islands, destroying the fortress. After that, the entire archipelago was demilitarized and remains so to this day.

About 27,500 people live in Åland, with about 11,000 in the main town of Mariehamn . The main industry of the islands has always been shipping and trade, so the Maritime Museum, the Museum Ship Pommern, and the Maritime Quarter in Mariehamn are worth seeing to understand the islands' fascinating maritime history.

Also worth a visit is the Jan Karlsgården open-air museum in Kastelholm, where you can see what a typical island farm looked like around 1890. However, the big draw to Åland these days is its unspoiled nature and beautiful landscapes.

On midsummer's eve, Åland holds a massive and ancient celebration marking the longest day of the year. The lovely landscapes and seascapes make it a favorite with artists, and their studios and galleries are popular with tourists, who arrive by boat from Turku and Stockholm.

The southwestern Finnish town of Turku, the country's oldest town and until 1812 its capital, lies on the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Aurajoki River. Turku lies in the area where the successors to the Swedish Vikings landed in the 12th century and set out to conquer what is now Finland.

With eight centuries of history, it is today the most traditional medieval town in Finland, but in addition to its outstanding medieval buildings, you'll find examples of Art Nouveau and modern architecture, such as the Sibelius Museum , by Woldemar Baeckman.

The river is a focal point for the city, lined with historic boats, some of which have been converted into restaurants. In the summer, locals gather along its banks in the evening and in the winter, it becomes a giant skating rink.

On the northeast side of the river is the commercial center with the Kaupatori (market square) shopping center and lovely Orthodox Church . On the opposite bank the medieval cathedral , consecrated in 1290, rises above the Old Great Square . It is a massive brick church in Late Romanesque style with Gothic and Renaissance additions and a massive 97-meter-high tower, which dominates the city.

During the midsummer Medieval Festival , the old square's ensemble of historic buildings regains its medieval air with craft stalls and food vendors.

Just down from the cathedral along the river, two old sailing ships are moored - the "Suomen Joutsen," now a training school for seamen, and the "Sigyn," the last remaining wooden barque used for sea trade. Both are open to the public in summer.

Nearer the harbor is Turku Castle, built around 1300 on what was then an island at the mouth of the river. It was enlarged in the 16th to 17th century and now houses the Turku Historical Museum .

For a look at what Turku looked like in the early 1800s, stroll through the streets of the Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum , an entire neighborhood of 40 homes, the only ones saved in the fire that destroyed Turku in 1827. Preserved as a museum village, its homes and workshops now house artisans who demonstrate period crafts.

The country's second oldest town, Porvoo, is 48 kilometers east of Helsinki. It rises from a picturesque riverfront lined with little red wooden buildings, through a charming tangle of old streets and ochre-colored wooden houses to its hilltop medieval cathedral . Highlights here are the ornate 1764 pulpit and wall paintings from the 15th century.

Between the river and the hilltop cathedral is the Market Square with two museums worth visiting. One has exhibits on local history and the other, the Edelfelt-Vallgren Museum , is of particular interest to those fascinated by the Art Nouveau movement. It features the furniture, ceramics, and other works of several artists who formed an art colony here at the turn of the 20th century.

Porvoo is still known for its fine crafts, so allow time for browsing the shops and studios. In the summer, you can visit Porvoo from Helsinki by boat.

The entire eastern portion of Finland is more sea than land. With literally tens of thousands of lakes, rivers, marshes, and ponds, eastern Finland is a fabulous aquatic playground. The dominant lake of the region is massive Lake Saimaa , the "lake of a thousand islands." Lake Saimaa itself has an area of some 1,300 square kilometers - excluding its numerous islands.

The whole lake system is drained by the river Vuoksi, which leaves Lake Saimaa to the north of the town of Imatra and flows into Lake Ladoga in Russia. The hilly shores of the lake and most of the islands are almost entirely covered with coniferous forest, with some birch forest farther north.

Savonlinna is the main city of Finland's lake region. A popular spa and holiday resort, Savonlinna grew up around Olavinlinna Castle, begun in 1475 and Europe's northernmost medieval stone fortress still standing.

The castle, which has been beautifully restored, contains a number of handsome rooms, among them the King's or Knights' Hall , the Congress Hall , and the Great Hall . Three massive round towers have survived, and in one of them, the Church Tower , is a small chapel. In the Great Bastion is a summer café.

East of Savonlinna lies Kerimäki and the largest wooden church in the world. A must do when in the lake region are the boat cruises. From Savonlinna, there are boat trips to the other towns on Lake Saimaa, to Punkaharju , with the Retretti Art Center , the largest in the Nordic countries, to the monasteries of Uusi Valamo and Lintula . Another day trip option is a cruise down the Saimaa Canal to Vyborg in Russia on the Baltic Sea.

Established in the 1300s, Vaasa was an important town in the time that Sweden ruled Finland. The original town burned down in 1852 and was relocated six kilometers northwest near a better harbor. The ruins of the old city are now a giant park (Vanha Vaasa, Gamla Vasa).

The town is about 34 percent Swedish speaking and retains many ties to Sweden. Surrounded by a wide range of cafés, restaurants, and shops, the large market place is the center of city life. This peaceful town offers plenty of attractions. Visitors can walk along the waterfront, which begins in front of the town and extends for miles along the coast.

Other attractions include the Kuntsi Museum of Modern Art, down at the harbor, the Ostrobothnian Museum, the Terranova Kvarken Nature Center , the Tikanoja Art Museum, and the Vaasa Maritime Museum .

Just to the east of the city center, on an island, is Tropiclandia and tropical spa , a waterpark inside a heated dome packed with pools, slides, and saunas. South of Vaasa is the famed Söderfjärden crater caused by a meteor millions of years ago. To the north lies the Kvarken National Park , a wild archipelago hosting many great hikes and excellent bird-watching opportunities.

Vaasa also hosts a number of notable cultural events, including the Night of the Arts ; the Korsholm Music Festival , one of the most noted of chamber music festivals; and the Vaasa Choir Festival . Vaasa claims to be the sunniest town in all of Finland, so soak up some rays on one of the many beaches.

Founded in 1779 as an industrial settlement, Tampere is Finland's third largest town, but doesn't feel like a large urban center. It lies between two lakes: Näsijärvi, to the north, and Pyhäjärvi, to the south, which are linked by the Tammerkoski , a stretch of rapids nearly a kilometer long.

Along with its industry, Tampere is known for its active cultural life with an open-air theater and frequent festivals. These include the November Tampere Jazz Happening , a tradition now for more than 35 years, when world-renowned names in jazz perform throughout the city in small concert venues and clubs.

In the Vapriikki Museum, you'll find the Natural History Museum and other exhibitions. Three churches are of note: Tampere Cathedral is known for its unusual paintings and frescoes depicting skeletons in black hooded capes, created in the early 1900s by Finnish symbolist painter Hugo Simberg.

The Kaleva Church, a soaring concrete building constructed in the 1960s has a floor plan in the shape of a fish, an ancient Christian symbol. The green-domed brick Orthodox Church of Saint Alexander Nevsky and Saint Nicholas has a sumptuously decorated interior.

Anyone seeking an Arctic wilderness experience will love Lemmenjoki National Park. The tract of boreal forest is the largest park in Finland and one of the most extensive chunks of wildlands in all of Europe, covering more than 2,589 square kilometers. For the trekker, there are hundreds of kilometers of marked trails, as well as free and open wilderness huts and more sophisticated rental huts with sauna and campfire places.

The namesake of the park, the Lemmenjoki River, is a sight to behold as it flows down from the fells into a stunning valley of towering pines. Visitors can either rent a boat or take a tour. This is the place to find brown bear, wolves, and wild golden eagles, as well as moose and reindeer.

Sweet little Oulu lies near the north end of the Gulf of Bothnia, at the mouth of the Oulujoki river. It began as a village clustered around the late 16th-century castle built by King John III of Sweden on the island of Linnansaari at the mouth of the Oulujoki.

At the north end of the busy Kirkkokatu stands the c athedral , originally built in 1770-72. Beyond, at the north end of Kirkkokatu, a small bridge leads into the beautiful island of Ainola , where you'll find a park and the Provincial Museum . Farther north is the Botanic Garden, and on the island of Hupisaari, a summer theater.

Another popular tourist attraction is the Tietomaa Science Center to the east of the Oulu Botanic Garden. In the summer, spend some time at the Market Square over coffee and classic Finnish pastries. A few kilometers up the Oulujoki is the island of Turkansaari , once the home of Russian traders in the city and now an open-air museum.

Like many Finnish towns, Hämeenlinna began near a castle, in this case the 13th-century Tavastehus Castle . Its distinctive red-brick fortifications top the list of places to see in Hameenlinna. The other place you shouldn't miss seeing is Aulanko Nature Reserve . Part garden park, part forest reserve, it is the first National Urban Park in Finland.

The English-style park was constructed between 1883 and 1938, and in addition to hiking its well-kept trails among exotic and native trees, you can climb the 30-meter-tall granite tower on Aulangonvuori Hill for views across a typical Finnish forest and lake landscape. More than 50 different species of trees and shrubs are identified along the nature trail round Lake Joutsenlampi. Two historic pavilions and the ruins of a late 19th-century castle are also in the park.

Hämeenlinna was the birthplace of the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) and north of the market Square is the Sibelius Museum; a little bit farther on is the Sibelius Park and the nearby Hämeenlinna Historical Museum .

This park is part zoo and part wildlife preserve, home to more than 50 species of animals who call the arctic their home. Their most famous residents are Venus and Manse, the only polar bears residing in Finland . The park is naturally home to many reindeer, as well as the smaller wild forest reindeer and several varieties of deer.

Other park residents include large mammals like moose and brown bear, canines like the Arctic fox, grey wolf, and the dhole, and smaller animals like mink, otter, and stoat. There is also quite a variety of owls and geese, as well as several eagles and other birds. Visitors can stroll the grounds for a self-guided tour or book an "arctic safari" to learn more about the animals and their habitat.

Address: Rovaniementie 29, 97700 Ranua, Finland

Official site: https://english.ranuazoo.com

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Exploring Finland's Neighbor: After seeing so many hints of Swedish culture in Finland, which was a part of Sweden for much of its history, you may be intrigued by this neighbor just across the Gulf of Bothnia. A short flight or overnight ferry trip will bring you to Stockholm and its archipelago. PlanetWare's article on the Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Sweden can help you plan travels throughout the country.

More of Scandinavia : Norway is connected to Sweden by land, and thanks to the new Øresund Bridge, you can also reach Denmark by bus, train, or car. To see the best of these countries and their lively capitals of Copenhagen and Oslo, take a look at our articles on the Top Tourist Attractions in Norway and Top Tourist Attractions in Denmark .

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Home » Travel Guides » Finland » 25 Best Things To Do In Finland

25 Best Things To Do In Finland

Finland is perhaps not as well visited as other countries in northern Europe and as a result it still has an ‘other-worldly’ quality to it.

When people think of Finland they imagine majestic forests and stunning natural landscapes all of which you will find here, but if you prefer a little urban sprawl then you can still spend time in charming big cities like Helsinki and Turku .

One of the main reasons that people travel to Finland is take in all its wintery delights, be it visiting Father Christmas at SantaPark or riding with reindeer in Lapland.

If you like skiing then you will love the range of ski resorts dotted around the country, and in the summer months you can enjoy warmer weather that is perfect for hiking and biking.

Of course, the most famous of all Finland’s attractions are the mighty Northern Lights, which most people consider the highlight of a trip to this part of the world.

Lets explore the best things to do in Finland :

1. Meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at SantaPark

If you don’t want to go all the way to the North Pole then why not visit Rovaniemi in the north of Finland? Here you will find Christmas delights such as an Elf School and you can even meet Santa and Mrs. Claus who will teach you how to make gingerbread treats.

There is a Calligraphy School where you can pen a letter to Santa and a Post Office where the elves will show you all the mail they receive over the course of the year.

The main highlight here is to cross the Arctic Circle via an underground tunnel.

If you are travelling with children then make sure not to miss this Winter Wonderland experience in Finland.

2. Learn some history at Siida Museum

Located on gorgeous Lake Inari in Inari is the Siida Museum which is said to be one of the best museums in Finland.

The museum is dedicated to telling the story of the Sami, or the Laplanders of Finland who were a semi-nomadic tribe.

At Siida Museum you will find nature exhibits as well as photographic galleries and interactive information sections.

The galleries chart the history of the Sami from ancient times until the modern day and you will also find engaging rotating galleries and a theater that has shows about the aurora, also known as the Northern Lights.

3. Dine at Restaurant Aanaar

Also located in Inari is Restaurant Aanaar which looks out over the breathtaking Juutuanjoki’s Jäniskoski Rapids.

The reason why locals and visitors alike flock here is for the delicious plates that are all made from seasonal local ingredients and have an emphasis on less well known products such as angelica root and reindeer heart which is served with a zingy sauce made from pine needles.

You can also try the trout from Lake Inari as well as smoked beetroot and butter made from nettles.

4. Explore Olavinlinna

Olavinlinna is a castle that sits in Savonlinna and dates from the 15th century.

The castle is famed for its three dominating towers and was constructed on a rock in the center of a glassy lake to afford it more protection from enemies.

To get to the castle you will need to walk across a series of creaking bridges and the inside is a maze of ornate towers and serene chapels.

There are guided tours here which last an hour and will fill you in on all the history of daily life in the castle in the days of old.

5. Have a picnic at Suomenlinna

If you are looking for a day trip from neighboring Helsinki then consider taking the ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress.

The fortress is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and was built in 1748. It was originally erected by the Swedes before being captured by the Russians and then being regained by the Finns when they declared independence after the Russian Revolution.

Suomenlinna is a vast complex of 8 islands surrounded by 6 kilometers of walls and has some 290 different buildings, 100 guns and intact cannons.

It is also the location of 6 museums where you can learn all about Finland’s history.

The grounds are also a popular sport for picnicking and it can get quite busy at the weekends.

6. Go skiing in Levi

Levi is the best loved ski resort in all of Finland and is also the location of the Alpine World Cup Race which is held here every year.

You will find an amazing 43 different slopes here that are perfect for all different abilities as well as 26 ski lifts.

There are 124 miles of trails here and these include cross country ski sections as well as black runs for downhill skiers.

If you like snowboarding then there is also a dedicated snowboard park in the resort.

Anyone that doesn’t ski can also find a range of activities to enjoy here including husky sled rides and a cute reindeer park.

7. Visit the animals at Helsinki Zoo

Helsinki Zoo has a long and illustrious history having first opened its doors in 1889, making it one of the oldest zoos in the world.

It sits on Korkeasaari Island and has an impressive 150 different species of animals as well as 1,000 kinds of plants.

The island spans 52 acres and you will find animals as diverse as camels, bears, wolverines, monkeys, and lions.

The zoo is segregated into sections including Amazonia, Africasia, and Borealia.

As you would imagine the zoo also has an abundance of Nordic animals like wolves, reindeers, elks, and bison.

8. Dig for amethysts at the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine

The amethyst fell located in Lampivaara dates back 200 million years and is the only surviving mine of its kind that still exists in Europe.

To get to the mine you need to either hike or take a snowmobile through the Pyhä-Luosto National Park until you reach the hillside where the mine is situated.

Once there you can learn all about the history of amethysts in Finland as well as dig for them yourself using traditional techniques that have been used for centuries.

Incredibly you can even keep any amethysts you find as long as they are smaller than the size of a fist.

9. Enjoy the Archipelago National Park

Nestled near Turku is the Archipelago National Park which was first inaugurated in 1983. The islands that make up the park offer a mixture of Finnish, Swedish, and Russian heritage and you will be surrounded by limpid sea and seemingly never-ending horizons.

Some ways to explore the abundance of rugged flora and fauna here is to rent a boat such as a sailboat or kayak and island hop at your leisure.

You can also check out the aquatic life like serene seals and babbling sea geese, or enjoy a spot of fishing as the waters here are filled with trout and pike.

10. Explore Seurasaari Open Air Museum

If you are in Helsinki and looking for something to do outside of the city then consider a trip to Seurasaari Island.

Here you will find an enchanting open air museum that will fill you in on everything you need to know about traditional life in Finland in the days of old.

The museum has 87 different buildings that date from the 18th and 19th century which include elaborate manors, traditional folk houses and farm buildings.

Local guides will take you on a tour while dressed in period garb to help you get in the mood, and you can learn about traditional crafts such as embroidery and spinning.

There are even folk dancing shows and traditional foods on sale if you fancy a taste of old fashioned Finland.

11. Shop at Market Square

Market Square in Helsinki is also known as Kauppatori and is the main square in the center of the city.

It is one of the most popular markets in northern Europe and has views over the spectacular Baltic Sea to the east.

Here you will find a wide range of local produce such as flowers, vegetables, fruits and baked goods.

This is also an arts and crafts market so it is the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs of your trip to Finland.

12. Watch the Imatrankoski Rapids

The Imatrankoski Rapids are one of the most popular attractions in Finland outside of Helsinki.

The rapids date back 5,000 years and would have been the result of gushing waters from nearby lakes.

Now a large dam has been built and the rapids are released several times a day in the summer months so that visitors can enjoy the spectacle of the surging waves.

13. Have fun at Särkänniemi Amusement Park

Särkänniemi Amusement Park in Tampere is known for its fast paced rides and varied attractions that are fun for all the family.

The park has a large aquarium as well as a planetarium and a children’s zoo.

As if that wasn’t enough, you can also take in the views of surrounding Tampere from the observation tower which is called the Näsi Needle.

There are a range of rollercoasters here to enjoy like the Sky Rocket, the Tornado, and the Half Pipe and for younger visitors there are calmer rides like the Whirly Worm.

14. Explore Lake Saimaa

If you are in the east of Finland then don’t miss the chance to check out Lake Saimaa which is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in Finland.

There is a reason that Lake Saimaa actually means ‘Lake of a Thousands Lakes’ and you will find over 1,300 square kilometers of water as well as a number of dainty islands.

The shores of the lake give way to amazing lush forest lands and hiking and biking are both popular pursuits in the area.

15. See the Northern Lights

Many people come to Finland just to see the Northern Lights which is usually a travel highlight of a lifetime.

The Northern Lights can be spotted from different points in Finland but the best place to travel to is Lapland which is where you have the highest chance of success.

If you are coming just for the lights then try to time your trip between September and March when they are at their most visible.

The Northern Lights are actually caused by the glow of particles from the Sun as they enter the atmosphere of the earth and can only be seen around the North and South Poles.

16. Check out Pyhä-Luosto National Park

If you are looking for a picture perfect part of Finland then head for the Pyhä-Luosto National Park where you will find miles of pine forests and dramatic gorges and peaks.

The park is home to the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine but it also has 90 miles of walking trails so if you enjoy hiking then this really is a must-visit attraction.

Some of the main points of interest in the park are the Pyhä Waterfall as well as Isokuru which is famous for being the deepest gorge in the country.

There are also 75 miles of ski trails here and you can go snowmobiling or enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride.

17. Explore Turun Linna

Turun Linna is also known as Turku Castle and if you are in the city of Turku in the southwest of Finland then this is not to be missed.

The castle is famous for several of its signature features such as two dominating dungeons as well as ornate banquet halls.

It is also the place to come if you want to know more about the history of Turku and there are galleries that will tell you how the castle morphed from a medieval fortress to a Renaissance masterpiece.

There are guided tours held here over the summer months from June to August which are perfect for anyone who wants to know more about the former residents of Turun Linna.

18. Marvel at Lumilinna

Lumilinna is actually better known as Lumilinna Snow Castle of Kemi and if you are in the area then you should definitely make the trip here.

The castle has everything you would expect, such as towers, walls, and a drawbridge but the twist is that it is all made out of compacted snow and ice.

It is rebuilt every year after it melts during the spring months and the interior is as exquisite as the exterior.

Here you will find thrones, four poster beds, and ice sculptures and you can even stay here overnight or eat in the snow restaurant.

19. Visit the Aland Islands

The Aland Islands sit between Sweden and Finland and are technically their own autonomous region while also being a province of Finland.

Aland is comprised of over 10,000 small islands and has a population of around 27,500 people.

The main town is called Mariehamn and as this used to be a prime trading port you can learn all about nautical history at the Maritime Museum.

Other highlights are the Museum Ship Pommern and you can stroll around the Maritime Quarter which still stands proud in the town.

The easiest way to get to Mariehamn is to take a ferry across from either Turku in Finland or Stockholm in neighboring Sweden.

20. Meet the animals at Salla Reindeer Park

Salla is one of the last parts of Finland which still has a wild reindeer population that are looked after by traditional herders who have worked with these amazing animals for generations.

At the park you can not only enjoy the snow covered scenery but also go on a range of tours such as sleigh rides and canoe outings.

The park also offers ice fishing and if you are feeling brave you can even try ice swimming here.

For something a little less adventurous there are a number of gentle hikes all over the park that take you through scenic marshlands and enchanting forests.

21. Marvel at Kummakivi Balancing Rock

Kummakivi means ‘Strange Rock’ in Finnish and if you are traveling to Ruokolathi then it is not to be missed.

The rock sits in a section of forest and balances atop a smaller rock, almost as if by magic.

Legend has it that that the rock was placed here by giants in the days of old although it is more plausible that it was carried here by a glacier which then melted leaving the rock perched in its precarious position.

The rock is thought to be around 8,000 years old so if you like geology then this one of the most amazing feats of nature in Finland.

22. Go to the beach at Hietaniemi

On the outskirts of Helsinki is the area known as Hietaniemi which nestles on the coast of Finland.

Here you will find an unexpected golden sandy beach and also a number of shops where you can rent kayaks and canoes to take to the water.

There are also some parks that sit close by so that you can enjoy the coastal breezes as well as a range of local eateries.

If it’s too cold to enjoy the beach then there is also a sauna here where you can heat up in style.

23. Venture inside Högberget Cave

Located close to Helsinki is Högberget Cave which is also known as the ‘Womb of Mother Earth’. The area around the cave is famous for its hiking trails that cut through the beautiful Finnish countryside and adventurous trekkers can walk to the cave which opens out of the side of a rugged granite cliff.

The cave is said to date from the Ice Age and you can venture inside the gaping hole in the side of the mountain and take in all the majesty of this stunning relic from a bygone era.

24. Sleep under the stars at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

Tucked away in the wilderness for which Finland is so well known is Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort which is a great pace for intrepid travelers looking to get away from the main tourist spots of Sweden.

The resort has the claim to fame of having glass igloos that let you look up directly at the Northern Lights and you can book one of these to sleep in overnight.

The resort dates from 1973 which is impressive as it looks like something out of a science fiction film.

25. Enjoy Linnanmäki Amusement Park

If you are looking for a little fun in Helsinki then consider a visit to the Linnanmäki Amusement Park which also happens to be the most popular amusement park in Finland.

Signature features of the park include its iconic water tower as well as a pretty Ferris wheel that gives you views across the city skyline.

The park first opened its doors in 1950 and has a range of both classic and modern rides that all age groups can enjoy.

25 Best Things To Do In Finland:

• Meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus at SantaPark
• Learn some history at Siida Museum
• Dine at Restaurant Aanaar
• Explore Olavinlinna
• Have a picnic at Suomenlinna
• Go skiing in Levi
• Visit the animals at Helsinki Zoo
• Dig for amethysts at the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine
• Enjoy the Archipelago National Park
• Explore Seurasaari Open Air Museum
• Shop at Market Square
• Watch the Imatrankoski Rapids
• Have fun at Särkänniemi Amusement Park
• Explore Lake Saimaa
• See the Northern Lights
• Check out Pyhä-Luosto National Park
• Explore Turun Linna
• Marvel at Lumilinna
• Visit the Aland Islands
• Meet the animals at Salla Reindeer Park
• Marvel at Kummakivi Balancing Rock
• Go to the beach at Hietaniemi
• Venture inside Högberget Cave
• Sleep under the stars at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
• Enjoy Linnanmäki Amusement Park

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The Best Places to Travel in Europe in January

Come January, the holiday season is over, and you may be a few pounds heavier and a few (hundred) dollars lighter. You might be sick of traveling, too, if you had to make your way through jam-packed airports and bumper-to-bumper traffic to see friends and family this holiday season. That said, if you stop traveling in December, you’ll miss out on some magical experiences. Winter is an amazing time to visit Europe so you can take advantage of cheaper prices, fewer crowds, and picturesque winter wonderlands . You may have to brave colder temperatures, but that can be part of the fun. Bundle up in warm jackets, hats, scarves, and mittens and enjoy snowy activities, including sleigh rides and ice castle tours in some of Europe’s most fascinating cities and landscapes. Then, take a break from sightseeing and warm up in cozy restaurants and interesting museums. Book a winter getaway at one of these best places to visit in Europe in January.

Rovaniemi, Finland

Rovaniemi is the perfect destination for a wintry vacation filled with snowy fun. Get around on a snowmobile, a dog sled, or a reindeer sleigh, and try some winter sports including snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, or ice fishing. Rovaniemi is also a great walking city, and there are several walking tours and museums to experience to learn a little more about this Finnish town. Consider buying the Culture Pass, which gets you into three attractions for one price. With this pass, you can learn about the history of Lapland and Arctic research at Arktikum, get to know northern contemporary art in the Korundi House of Culture, and familiarize yourself with the northern forests at Science Centre Pilke.

Take a Hurtigruten Cruise along the stunning Norwegian coast this January for a unique winter vacation. The cruise line offers trips that take you to the Arctic Circle and North Cape, where you’ll take in picturesque winter scenery. Plus, there’s a chance you can even catch a glimpse of the northern lights. Be sure to check out Oslo, where you take a fjord cruise or learn about Nordic history at the Viking Ship Museum. Try cross-country skiing or sledding at Korketrekkeren. While you’re there, visit Frognerseteren, an old-fashioned cafe that has views of the Oslofjorden and serves apple pie, hot chocolate, and, of course, Norwegian waffles.

The Canary Islands

If you want to skip the wintry wonderlands and go for a warm island vacation in January, try the Canary Islands, which share Africa’s climate but are actually part of Spain. While on the islands, you hike on volcanoes, like the famous Mount Teide on Tenerife. You can also try tackling Roque de los Muchachos, which reaches almost 8,000 feet in elevation (but it gets cold in the winter, so bundle up if you plan to reach the top).

While it might be a little too chilly to enjoy the beaches, there are plenty of other activities on the islands. Take time to go off-roading on sand dunes and enjoy the local Canarian cuisine.

A New Year's swim on the first day of the year is a Canary Island tradition in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Be sure to also check out the Canary Islands International Music Festival, which happens in January and February.

Vienna, Austria

This city is famous for its Christmas markets, but you can enjoy its unique history and culture in January without the holiday crowds. Stop into a local cafe to experience Viennese coffee house culture and warm up with a toasty beverage after a day of touring the city. If you’re in Vienna for the New Year, try following the Silvesterpfad, a New Year’s Eve trail which takes you to different stages with live music. Stop and enjoy a glass of mulled wine or champagne while you prep for the coming year.

Bavaria, Germany

Southern Germany is lovely throughout the year, but it turns into a snowy wonderland during the winter months. Think about basing yourself in Munich, an urban center that is walkable and offers several nearby day trip options. Consider traveling to Salzburg, Austria or visiting Munich Residenz, the former home of the royal family and the largest city palace in Germany.

January may be the best time of year to visit the nearby famous Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria. This castle is known as the inspiration for Cinderella’s castle at Walt Disney World, and it’s going to look even prettier covered in snow.

London, England

Take in this historic city in January and skip the holiday crowds. You can wander down quiet streets and visit museums like the Tate Modern (which features modern art) or the National Gallery, which has works from da Vinci, van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Michelangelo.

During the day, visit historic sites like the Tower of England (where you can view the Crown Jewels) or Westminster Abbey. Then warm up in a cozy pub with a pint and some fish and chips.

Gstaad, Switzerland

January is the best time to visit western Switzerland. There’s tons of great skiing, with runs to fit every level — from beginners to experts. You can even try night skiing at Rinderberg, which stays open late with floodlit slopes. Each year, the nearby town of Château-d’Oex hosts a nine-day hot air balloon festival, and the snow-capped mountains make a perfect backdrop for the hundreds of colorful balloons that decorate the sky.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Consider ringing in the new year in the party city of Amsterdam. You can visit fascinating museums during the day and enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife in the evenings.

Each January, Amsterdam is filled with art installations for the Amsterdam Light Festival, which lasts until January 19. There are 30 different light installations to explore around the city. Then, you can try ice skating at Ice Amsterdam at Museumplein, or celebrate National Tulip Day on January 18, where you can pick up a tulip in Dam Square.

Monte Carlo, Monaco

January offers a taste of the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix (held every May) with the Monte-Carlo Rally, held at the end of January. Even though it’s not as exciting as the main event, this race still brings parties and excitement to the city.

While in Monaco, be sure to check out the iconic Monte Carlo Casino, made famous in the James Bond films and books. Stop by the Oceanographic Museum to learn about marine life, or go shopping at the Metropole Shopping Centre and Fontvieille Shopping Centre.

Sierra Nevada, Spain

If you want great skiing without the frigid temperatures, try the southernmost ski region in Europe in the Sierra Nevada mountains of Spain. This resort area has 65 miles of trails with lots of routes for beginner and intermediate skiers.

Be sure to check out the beautiful Alhambra in nearby Granada. The walled palace dates back to the 13th century, and it was home to King Charles V and Queen Isabel during the 16th century.

Related Articles

Northern lights, saunas and ice caves: Why travelling to wintry places can be magical

P lanning a trip this winter? Yes, it’s tempting to look for sunny spots where you can lie on a beach or play golf. But some of my favourite winter vacations have been to northerly destinations at their coldest, darkest times of year.

I don’t ski, so I’m not looking for powder. But I have seen northern lights in Alaska, explored an ice cave in Iceland, and stood outdoors in -7°C weather watching migrating cranes in Nebraska.

I’ve been to Detroit in December, Canada for Christmas, Finland in February. And I’ve taken visitors around my hometown, New York City, in January, when holiday crowds are gone and prices are lower.

Here are some tips and ideas for planning a trip in the depths of winter.

2024 is peak time to see the northern lights

The northern lights flare on an 11-year cycle and 2024 is near the peak of that cycle. Of course, there are no guarantees you will see the aurora borealis, but at least this is a good year to try. 

Iceland, Alaska , and northern parts of Scandinavia and Canada are all good places for viewing, but do your research on weather data for cloud cover in specific destinations. You can’t see northern lights in cloudy skies.

When my son was 9, we flew to Fairbanks, Alaska, in February, checked out the ice-carving festival (this year, 17 February to 31 March), then headed 100 km north to Chena Hot Springs. 

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The resort is its own little world; there’s no town, no cell service, limited wifi, and meals served with produce from greenhouses. We visited the resort’s ice museum, went dog sledding and snowmobiling, soaked in a geothermally heated outdoor pool, and yes, we saw the aurora.

City lights make it hard to see the northern lights , but on a recent trip to Reykjavik, Iceland, my husband and I simply drove our rental car to a waterfront walkway where people gather nightly to search the skies. The view there faces away from the city, and our detour paid off: we saw the aurora, albeit briefly.

Dip into saunas and ice caves in Finland and Iceland

Any trip you plan hoping to catch the northern lights should include other adventures. In Finland , you’ll want to visit Helsinki’s cozy cafes, plus Market Square and Old Market Hall, and, of course, saunas. Loyly Sauna is perched on the Baltic Sea, so dare to take a cold plunge in the icy waters while you’re there.

Just outside Helsinki, you can meet and feed reindeer at Nuuksio National Park, but for a real adventure, head north to Lapland and book a reindeer safari. While I haven’t done this, it appeals to my winter-loving soul: ice floating in Finland’s Oravi channel, dressed in a special 'drysuit'.

Iceland is famous for its outdoor pools, heated by geothermal hot springs. The popular Blue Lagoon is currently closed due to a nearby volcanic eruption , but authorities say the eruption’s impact is localised and that tourism and air travel elsewhere is unaffected. 

I took a dip in the geothermal pool at the Secret Lagoon while driving Iceland’s famed Golden Circle route, which also includes Thingvellir National Park, Geysir (which is actually a field of geysers), and the stunning Gullfoss waterfall.

The highlight of our Iceland trip, though, was exploring an ice cave in Vatnajokull National Park. You must be accompanied by a registered guide, and it’s not an expedition for the faint of heart. 

Crampons attached to your boots give you the necessary traction to walk down a flight of stairs carved from sheer ice , and you spend an hour walking underground around a magical - but claustrophobic - frozen canal with walls of blue ice and icicle ceilings.

The cave was part of a two-day tour we took of the country’s South Coast that included otherworldly landscapes including glaciers, volcanoes, black-sand beaches and lagoons full of icebergs.

Save on city breaks in January

There’s a reason New York City runs Restaurant Week prix fixe menus and two-for-one Broadway specials from 16 January to 4 February: it’s a way to drum up business at a slow time of year.

Hotels and theatre tickets also dip in price in January and February. Plus, you can get reservations that are otherwise impossible to score, and popular attractions have fewer crowds and shorter lines.

Weather can be mild on a sunny day in January in Manhattan , but bitter cold and snow are not unusual. While city streets are no fun to navigate covered in slush, consider that most of your time will be spent indoors visiting museums, seeing shows, shopping and eating your way around town.

Similar price-and-crowd patterns hold true for other northerly cities like Boston, Chicago and Montreal, though all three are typically colder and snowier than New York. So check forecasts, wear warm and waterproof boots, and save a bundle - on airfare, too - compared to trips in May or October.

Spot winter wildlife in Yellowstone National Park

Many national parks in the northern US close roads, lodges and other facilities in winter. But winter visitors to Yellowstone can stay in Old Faithful Snow Lodge or Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and enjoy guided tours by snowmobile, snow coach, snowshoe or cross-country ski. It’s easier to see wolves in winter in Yellowstone than in summer; you might also see bison, elk, otters and other wildlife.

Birdwatching, too, can be a cold-weather pursuit. I took a chilly trip to Nebraska to see the sandhill crane migration. That’s when a half-million migrating birds stop to feed in the fields around the Platte River near the city of Kearney. 

The migration starts mid-February but peaks in mid-March. Guided tours are offered, but it’s also easy to access public viewing sites in Gibbon, Alda and Fort Kearny State Park.

How to plan and pack for a cold weather trip

Temperatures vary tremendously in northern destinations, so do your homework. Winter temperatures in Reykjavik average -1 to -4°C, comparable to New York, but elsewhere in Iceland, roads can suddenly be shut down by winter storms. 

Also, plan your days strategically based on sunrise and sunset. When my husband and I visited Iceland in late November, we left our hotel in total darkness at 8am to get to our first stop on the Golden Circle by 10am, when the sun was finally visible.

Remember the old adage: there’s no such thing as bad weather - just bad clothing . For Iceland, all I needed to stay warm was a fleece under my parka. 

But for Fairbanks and Chena in Alaska, I borrowed a full-body ski suit and bought used boots on eBay guaranteed for below-zero weather. By the way, N-95 or cloth masks from your pandemic supplies are a good way to keep face warm in icy winds.

I regretted not bringing waterproof gloves to Iceland; it didn’t rain, but railings and ropes along steep paths were often wet with icy condensation.

One final tip: long trousers and thick socks take up more room in luggage than shorts and T-shirts. To conserve space , wear your boots on the plane. Pack everything else in plastic compression bags; you won’t believe how much less room your clothes take up once you seal those bags and squeeze the air out.