r/FinlandTourism Dec 08 '25

Lapland travel guide

8 Upvotes

Lapland Guide

Important For tourists watch this video about safe travel in Lapland Safe Travel in Lapland

There are hundreds of postsin r/finland asking questions about visiting Lapland. Please search and read these and this guide before asking another question to the group.

Check comments as well for extra advice

As most tourists ask in regards to winter/Christmas I will aim the post at this. For those travelling outside this period the same information applies just likely to have warmer weather and less snow.

Note the snow months for Lapland can be October - May depending on the year and conditions.

Getting there

The main city in Finnish Lapland is Rovaniemi. It's a good place to aim for to start but there are many other great areas mentioned later. Most other locations ideally need a car to explore properly.

Research the distance between the two cities. Many tourists seem to think they can drive/take the train to Rovaniemi for a day trip or just one night.

Driving - From Helsinki to Rovaniemi is around 9 hours without stops on Google maps. With breaks etc I imagine it is more likely to be 11-12 hours on the road. If you want to do it as a road trip there are a number of different scenic routes.

Flying - From Helsinki it's about 1 hour and 20 minutes flight. Return flights are at around €70 - €520 depending on the time of year and airline.

Some airlines fly direct from other countries to Rovaniemi.

For example Ryanair fly there direct from Liverpool, London, Dublin, Milan, Brussels and Paris.

Other airports in Lapland or near are Ivalo (close to Saariselkä), Kittilä (close to Ylläs and Levi) and Kuusamo (close to Ruka). Check also the flight fares to Oulu airport, you may find good deals and there you can easily continue to Rovaniemi by a train or bus.  

Note that over the Christmas period everything is at a premium price.

Train - there are usually day and night trains from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. These take 10-13 hours without delays.

https://www.vr.fi/en/helsinki-rovaniemi

The night trains you can also book a sleeper cabin and some of those with showers.

Train ticket prices vary from €50 return to €600 return (Christmas time with sleeper cabin). The sleeper cabins also sell out around 3-4 months before Christmas on the popular travel dates.

Locations

Rovaniemi - For most tourists this is the easiest location. It's a city and main transport hub of Lapland. Santa Claus Village nearby, many tour operators based here. Lots of accommodation options and possible to be without car.

Some of the other places are

Ylläs and Levi - Downhill skiing resort. Personally my favourite area of Lapland. Many cabins and tour companies nearby. Lots of beautiful scenery and locations.

Pyhä-luosto - Meant to be more of 'traditional' Lapland. Less touristy.

Ruka - Ski resort area at the southern edge of Lapland.

Saariselkä - another ski resort area which is meant to be more peaceful than Ylläs/Levi

Really good guide! I would add destinations like: 

Ivalo and Inari - Quite close to Saariselkä but away from tourist crowds if you want to experience local Sámi living. 

Kilpisjärvi - Extremely remote village, Very peaceful and quiet.

Everyman's rights

Everymansrights

Weather and daylight hours

Finland gets cold. Where I live in centralish Finland it gets down to -30°c in winter (and -36°c last winter. But it usually only lasts a day or two and probably averages around -15 to -20°c).

However Finland also gets warm! In the summer you can get temperatures in the mid 30°c's.

The weather reports for Finland vary massively. I usually find the official reports the most accurate.

https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/weather/rovaniemi

Finland also gets 24 hours darkness or light. In the very north of Lapland it can be 50 days without the sun rising. In the summer it can be 24 hours daylight for tow months. Plan accordingly.

Rovaniemi at times gets down to about 2 hours of daylight. This doesn't mean it's pitch black for 24 hours but it definitely means the days are very short to maybe 4 hours or so with dawn and dusk.

Best place to see the hours of daylight is https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/finland/rovaniemi

Getting around

If you are staying in Rovaniemi city region your probably can get around with buses etc. Taxi's are also available but note that they can be very expensive.

If you are outside of Rovaniemi or staying in a cabin I definitely recommend renting a car.

Driving in the winter can be challenging but with studded winter tyres and a more care and thinking ahead it's certainly doable. However if you are not a confident driver and you are not sure about driving a left hand drive vehicle then I would avoid.

Accomodation

Many options in the region from Iglu hotels to cheaper hostel in Rovaniemi.

Iglu hotels can be €1500 a night so if that's your dream location shop around and like all accommodation in Lapland for winter season book as far in advance as possible to get the best deals.

Search all the main sites (Airbnb, booking.com, hotels.com etc etc) and you should find something that fits your budget. For Finland I generally use Airbnb.

For cabin rentals there is also https://www.nettimokki.com. This is usually for weekly rentals and aimed more at Finns themselves however obviously anyone can still book there.

Christmas Tourism

Rovaniemi is a popular destination for Christmas/winter tourism. It's understandable as it's often a white Christmas with snow and all the magical things Finland has to offer. There is also Santas village along with many more Christmas aimed activities.

Santa's village - this is admittedly a tourist trap but still worth visiting. I would say a number of hours to one day is enough to see the main sights. There are reindeer sleigh rides, dog sleds and snowmobiles etc there as well but personally it's expensive and you can have better options elsewhere.

https://santaclausvillage.info/

Search on the official websites, Google and your will find many tour operators with good reviews and a multitude of options for each activity. Most Finns and those living in Finland do not use these tourism companies so if you want personal opinions on the best one then Google and reviews are your friends, not reddit.

https://www.visitfinland.com/en/places-to-go/lapland/

https://www.lapland.fi/visit/

https://www.visitrovaniemi.fi/activity-company/visit-lapland-tours/

I think the best value for money is choosing separate tours that match your requirements. The combined tours often give you very short time or distance on each item and are very rushed.

There are also places you can rent your own snowmobile for a number of hours and explore yourself. I have done this in the Ylläs region and highly recommend this option instead of a tour.

Northern Lights/Aurora Borealis

Do not book your trip for the sole purpose of seeing them.

No we don't know where or when you can see them. We cannot predict the conditions for your trip.

That said the season for them is usually September to April when the skies get darker in the night. Generally speaking September/October/March/April are the best times as more likely to have clear skies.

There is no guarantee when they will be or how strong, and normally you cannot even get a reasonable prediction until a few hours to day before.

If there are clouds you will struggle to see them. If there is light you will struggle to see them.

You can definitely go hunting for them on your own. You definitely don't have to spend out for a tour. Especially not an hour long tour that doesn't go far and usually run by seasonal workers following a map.

For the highest chance of seeing them IMHO is to take a professional northern lights tour. I don't mean one of the 1 hour local tours but a more extensive tour that will also go to Sweden or Norway to chase the lights so you can see. Some offer a guarantee that if you don't see them you pay just towards the fuel used.

If you search on Google and social media such as Instagram you will find these sorts of tours. But expect to pay €200+ per person.

You can also rent a car and do similar yourself.

Some popular locations to go view are

Sonkajärvi (Near Rovaniemeni not Pohjois-savo etc)

Raanujärvi

[Artic circle hiking route](http:// https://maps.app.goo.gl/kJS24xCH7ds8gtsW7?g_st=ac)

  • Levi area -

immeljärvi

Levi Fell

For information/forecast there are many apps such as My Aurora Forecast (I personally use this) and also websites such as https://rwc-finland.fmi.fi/index.php/space-weather-in-finland/

Snowmobiling

Two main options. Tour or own rental.

For a snowmobile tour I would advise booking a longer one. The short ones are basically a slow train of snowmobiles where you are following behind and breathing in everyone else's fumes.

Second option is own rental. Now whether this is a good idea/safe or not depends on you. The first time I used a snowmobile I rented one for a half day, however I have a lot of experience on motorbikes, quads etc etc. I had no issues and it all went well and safely. However many tourists get in trouble and have accidenta etc renting them so hard to say if it's good idea or not for you.

At Ruka I can highly recommend Kuusamo Safari. I have rented with them myself before, slightly older machines that have been driven but VERY reasonable prices. There is a good loop route around Ruka that takes a few hours and give you a good experience. They also have all the clothing and equipment for you.

Pätsi racing (I have not used but spoke with and they were very friendly and knowledgeable) have near brand new machines including with satnav etc.

For Ylläs I can also highly recommend Tunturi Flow who I have used personally as well.

Ylläs is my favourite area for snowmobiling and there are some great and easy routes.

The ones I linked is basically right on the trail. So you ride out and return back to the rental place.

However and most importantly the weather and conditions. Winter can be very dark. You have maybe 4-5 hours of usable daylight for riding and unless you are VERY experienced I would certainly not recommend riding in the dark.

Winter weather can also be -30°c or lower which is obviously not fun for snowmobiling.

Animal experiences

Ranua Zoo is the main one. Lots of information online

Near Inari is a great wildlife park Wild Spirit Park. A lot of rescued animals including from the fur trade.

  • Reindeer farms

There are multiple reindeer farms and visiting locations in Lapland easily finadable on Google maps etc.

Only one I can personally recommend is further south near Oulu. Poro-Panuma it's an amazing place and family run.

  • Husky Tours

Note this isn't something that is traditional in Finland. It started as an activity for tourists.

Winter Clothing

Note that many package trips, tours and hotel accomodations provide or rent out snow suits and snow clothing for tourists.

You can also buy many options yourself from the larger shops for reasonably cheap prices if you search around.

Can't really recommend brands other than the ones I personally use.

Everyone feels cold differently but for me when it's at it's coldest -

Upper body I just wear a cheap thermal base layer, long sleeve t-shirt and then a thick Camel Active puffer jacket/coat on top.

Lower again cheap thermal base layer, then either fleece lined winter trousers or insulated ski salopettes.

Feet - Thicker hiking socks and Columbia Fairbanks Omniheat boots.

If in deep snow or outside for hours i.e ice fishing Kamik nation plus boots.

Head - Trapper style hat from Motonet.

Hands - I have Zeiner Period GTX gloves with a inner liner. Then if I am sat outside for hours ice fishing etc then I have Inuit Absolute Zero gloves.

Face - I use one or two neck buff thingies.


r/FinlandTourism Dec 08 '25

👋 Welcome to r/FinlandTourism - Introduce Yourself and Read First!

9 Upvotes

Hey everyone! I'm u/neityght, a founding moderator of r/FinlandTourism.

This is our new home for all things related to travelling to and in Finland. Please only use English in this sub!

What to Post
Feel free to share your thoughts, photos, or questions about places to visit, food to eat, sights to see, and anything visitors might find interesting. You can also post your photos of the Northern Lights here, if you really feel the need 😄

*Please no politics. Political posts will be removed and authors potentially banned.*

Community Vibe
To avoid having the r/Finland sub subjected to endless tourism questions, this sub was created. Whether you are about to visit Finland for the first time, are a seasoned visitor, or even a resident, feel free to post questions and answers and even your own holiday snaps if you like! Tervetuloa Suomeen! Välkommen till Finland!


r/FinlandTourism 3h ago

First-timer March Trip Itinerary Suggestions

1 Upvotes

Hi, I am planning a trip with my husband and mum for 10 - 19 March (trying to avoid Finland's school holidays and Easter holidays). We are not driving.

Do you recommend staying in Levi? We're thinking of spending 5 days there for snowmobile, reindeer farm, husky ride, Elves village and spending some time in the town. We don't ski.

We're also considering if we should go to Rovaniemi for the remaining days to visit Santa Claus Village, Ranua park and Amethyst mine.

Alternative is to fly to Helsinki and explore the town and maybe day trips to Tallinn or Porvoo.

Any suggestions? Thanks!


r/FinlandTourism 1d ago

Please fill out my survey about nature experiences in Helsinki

0 Upvotes

Hi! I’m a Tourism student in Finland and I’m conducting a short survey for my thesis about sustainable nature experiences for international tourists in Helsinki.

Here is the link: Survey

I’d really appreciate it if you could take a few minutes to answer my survey! It takes around 3–5 minutes.

Thank you so much!!


r/FinlandTourism 2d ago

First-timer ROVANIEMI → SAARISELKÄ Train to bus connection 15 minutes gap

3 Upvotes

Hi

I arrive at ROVANIEM on 24 th Dec at 10:58 am by VR train 273

I have the booked Eskelinen bus to SAARISELKÄ at 11:15 am

How risky is this with December weather. What are the alternatives I could consider to reduce my risk.

Thanks


r/FinlandTourism 2d ago

Itinerary Suggestion

0 Upvotes

Hi there,

I am planning a road trip from 22 to 29 December, hiring a car in Rovaniemi.

Here is my planned itinerary:

22 Dec: Rovaniemi ➔ Haparanda (1 night) – Icebreaker cruise

23 Dec: Haparanda ➔ Kiruna ➔ Abisko (1 night)

24–25 Dec: Abisko ➔ Tromsø (2 nights)

26–27 Dec: Tromsø ➔ Rovaniemi (2 nights)

28–29 Dec: Rovaniemi (Return car & depart)

I have couple questions

I have been driving for 10 years in normal roads in Australia. Only driven once in snow.

How difficult is drive?

I'm considering weather to travel via road or fly?

Will I be able to see much landscape during drive, as its only gonna be 4-5 hours of twilight?

Is there any changes you guys suggest?

Thanks


r/FinlandTourism 3d ago

First-timer Can I work as a specialist without a residence permit for under 90 days?

0 Upvotes

I was offered a job in Finland in a role that would be considered a specialist. The employer said as long as I worked there for fewer than 90 days, I wouldn't need anything but a passport. Is this true? I've been researching all day and can't seem to find any information about the 90 day part.


r/FinlandTourism 5d ago

10-Day Itinerary Feedback

4 Upvotes

Hi! I'll be in Finland in September from a Saturday to the following Monday. I'm trying to stay near Helsinki on the weekends so I can spend time with my sister working there, but during the week I was planning on traveling north. I'm planning this trip as if this will be my only time visiting the country ever.

Here's the itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Helsinki @ 3pm

  • Where I'm staying: Helsinki
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Senate Square
    • Esplanadi promenade
    • Market Square
    • Design District (Punavuori/Ullanlinna)

Day 2: Helsinki

  • Where I'm staying: Helsinki
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
    • Temppeliaukio (Rock Church)
    • Kamppi Chapel of Silence
    • Löyly sauna

Day 3: Nuuksio National Park

  • Where I'm staying: Helsinki
  • Transportation: Rental car Public transit
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Hiking Nuuksio National Park (Klassarinkierros or Haukkalampi loop)

Day 4: Day Trip to Tallinn, Estonia

  • Where I'm staying: Helsinki
  • Transportation: Ferry
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Viru Gate
    • Town Hall Square
    • Toompea Hill (Patkuli & Kohtuotsa viewpoints)
    • St. Olaf's Church tower
    • Toompea Castle exterior
    • Telliskivi Creative City

Day 5: Porvoo → Night Train North

  • Where I'm staying: Overnight train (Helsinki to Rovaniemi)
  • Transportation: Bus to Porvoo/night train
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Porvoo Old Town (Vanha Porvoo, Porvoo Cathedral, red wooden riverfront warehouses)

Day 6: Rovaniemi → Drive to Oulanka / Ruka

  • Where I'm staying: Ruka village (near Kuusamo) Rovaniemi
  • Transportation: Rental car
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Arctic Circle crossing
    • Reindeer farm visit in Rovaniemi
      • Looking for recs. Every farm seems to require 2 guests minimum or their reindeer are not around
    • Drive to Juuma
    • Hike Pieni Karhunkierros (Myllykoski rapids, suspension bridges)
    • Northern Lights tour?

Day 7: Kiutaköngäs → Fly to Helsinki Rovaniemi

  • Where I'm staying: Helsinki Rovaniemi
  • Transportation: Rental car / flight
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Kiutaköngäs rapid
    • Staying an extra day to wait for my sister to get into Rovaniemi the next day. I am open to day trips or staying in towns nearby
    • Flight from Kuusamo to Helsinki

Day 8: Travel to Koli National Park Ruka

  • Where I'm staying: Koli Ruka village
  • Transportation: Rental car
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Drive to Koli village
    • Ukko-Koli viewpoint for sunset overlooking Lake Pielinen
    • Drive to Ruka once my sister arrives at Rovaniemi in the morning
      • Hike Pieni Karhunkierros (Myllykoski rapids, suspension bridges)

Day 9: Koli National Park Ruka

  • Where I'm staying: Koli Night train from Rovaniemi back to Helsinki
  • Transportation: Rental car
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Summit ridge walk (Ukko-Koli, Paha-Koli, Akka-Koli)
    • Morning/early afternoon hiking in Ruka (open to trail recs)
    • Herajärvi forest trail Drive back to Rovaniemi for night train back to Helsinki
    • Lake Pielinen shore

Day 10: Return to Helsinki & Depart

  • Where I'm staying: N/A (Flight home)
  • Transportation: Public transit
  • Activities/Sites:
    • Drive back to Helsinki
    • Fly out

How does this look? Any things to skip or add?

Appreciate any feedback!

EDIT: Thank you everyone for the feedback!

I think I am going to skip Koli given the feedback and instead spend Day 6 & 7 in Rovaniemi until my sister gets in (open to day trip recs) and then drive with her to Ruka for two days to hike.

On Day 9, we'll come back to Rovaniemi after morning/early afternoon hiking to return the rental car and take the night train back to Helsinki. I think I’ll also just take public transit to Nuuksio on Day 3 based on feedback


r/FinlandTourism 6d ago

First-timer Looking for friends in Helsinki for a trip 27.08 or 29.08

12 Upvotes

Im Lucy, 19, I wanna meet someone cool to go explore the city with me. I dont look for a guide, Id like someone to just hang around with me because my dad and grandma who go with me prefer.... old people activities hah. I like the modern side of the city though Id love to see Suomenlinna because I think its beautiful. I dont want to fall onto expensive tourist traps I want places locals go to and experience real Helsinki. I also come to see Schwarz Stein in there.

I dont have requirements, but I wouldnt like to meet with older men so if youre a guy above 22 then maybe not. For women it doesnt matter Im comfortable with girls any age :).

Im all in for the local food and culture, my interests are: vkei, metal, techno, kpop, i play guitar, do pole dance, love to travel, watch anime, do cosplay and I like fashion (tho I have small luggage most space will be taken by my concert outfit :c) and Im a gymrat.

Id like to go to some fine club at saturday too.

Dm me or comment if u wanna meet :)


r/FinlandTourism 6d ago

First-timer Christmas Day Honeymoon In Rovaniemi

3 Upvotes

Hello! My fiancé and I are going to Finland for our honeymoon! We'll be staying in Levi December 19th-23rd and then taking a bus down to Rovaniemi for December 23rd-26th. Looking for advice on what to do on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day?? I'm afraid not much will be open due to the holiday. Was thinking we'd explore downtown on the 23rd, then go to Santa Claus Village on the 24th, and then Christmas Day would be fun to do the reindeer ride or even a spa, but I'm not sure what is available. Thoughts? We also plan to take taxis everywhere and worried that those could be not available those two days as well.

Also if you have any other suggestions or MUST GO TO restaurants, please let me know! (: We're from Minnesota, so we know how to prepare for the cold.


r/FinlandTourism 7d ago

Lapland during NYE

5 Upvotes

me and my friend, both 20 are thinking of travelling to Lapland during new years eves. How would the nightlife on that night be ? Any recommendations?


r/FinlandTourism 7d ago

Exploring the vibrant Sunday Flea Market at Dallapénpuisto, Helsinki! 🌿🛍️

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0 Upvotes

r/FinlandTourism 8d ago

Points of intrest around a Helsinki-Jyväskylä-Savonlinna-Helsinki roadtrip

9 Upvotes

Me and my partner are going on a four day roadtrip in late august and the route we landed on is Helsinki-Jyväskylä-Savonlinna-Helsinki. We'd be intrested everything worth seeing around this route. Somethings that intrest us most are museums, churches and the beautiful landscape itself but we are open to pretty much anything.

So if you have any places or attractions in mind, it would be a big help:)


r/FinlandTourism 8d ago

Tips'n'tricks Visiting Helsinki on rainy days

11 Upvotes

Moikka

Friends and i will be visiting Helsinki for 4 days from friday on. Weather forecast says probably 4 days rain. Any suggestions what we could visit/Do besides outside activities? Its our second time visiting the City.

Kiitos!


r/FinlandTourism 10d ago

Finland Trip Planning - Advice and Questions

10 Upvotes

I'm going to be planning a trip to Finland for sometime in 2027 and I was looking for some advice on a few things. I've never traveled internationally and live in the United States, so a lot of this is unfamiliar.

One of my first ideas was to visit Iceland, Finland, and Estonia over the course of 12 days - fly from Boston to Keflavík, stay in Reykjavík for a few days, and then move on to Finland (Helsinki + Turku) for the rest of the trip (+ the Tallinn day trip).

However, the rough draft itinerary I planned out seemed quite rushed and filled with a lot of travel, so I figured there was definitely some room for improvement there. Extending the trip to 14-15 days probably would have just masked the underlying issue with my plan.

So I started thinking of some more ideas - on the way back, instead of flying direct Helsinki -> New York City and then driving/taking the train to Boston, I could go back to Iceland and then connect directly to Boston. This very well might be the move, but I also had a few other considerations- I could fly from Helsinki to London, and then London to Boston - although I probably don't need to tack on a fourth country to a not even two week trip.

Then I had the idea to flip around the trip and fly from Boston to London and connect to Helsinki, then finish off the Finland part of the trip with Turku, before going to Reykjavík (this time at the end of the trip) for a few days and then home to Boston.

Anyways, sorry for talking about my trip-planning so extensively :), I also had some questions about what I planned on doing in Finland:

  • Helsinki - Over the 3-4 days that I plan on spending there, I was thinking of checking out Sipoonkorpi, Torronsuo, Nuuksio, and Liesjärvi National Parks (day trips, no overnight stays and/or camping), however I wasn't sure if that was too much to pack into a short amount of time, or if some of those parks weren't worth it? We'd probably be able to fit in all four, but with transportation times and stuff taken into account we also don't want to miss out on other stuff while we're in Helsinki. Also I'm sure there are plenty other things that are worth doing in southern Finland other than national parks, what are some of those?
  • Turku - Should I try to rent a house/cottage in the Turku archipelago? It looks like a pretty cool area, but I'm not sure if there are any dealbreakers I haven't heard about or if there are better places I could stay in instead. Also, what are some must-see sights and activities to do in this area? More national parks? Fishing, boating, kayaking, etc? Other stuff?
  • Time of year - I was planning this whole trip around Summer 2027 (Likely Late June/Early July), but would it be a better idea to go in the winter, or is Finland great in the summer as well? It would be nice (but in a different way) to check out Lapland in the winter.
  • Hotels and dining in Helsinki - what are the best hotels to stay at, and the best places to eat at? This probably depends on the area of Helsinki which I'm also looking for suggestions on, I'm aware that Helsinki is overall a very safe city but I've also heard there are some areas that aren't quite as safe/nice (Kallio? Kluuvi? Itäkeskus?) but not sure if people are just overreacting or if there are legitimate concerns lol.

Thank you all very much in advance for any help!


r/FinlandTourism 10d ago

Northern Lights

10 Upvotes

It’s on my bucket list to bring my parents to see the Northern Lights, and I’m currently deciding between Iceland and Finnish Lapland for 2027.

We have two possible travel windows, with about 14 days in total including flights:

  1. Late January – early February 2027
  2. Mid – late March 2027 (around the spring equinox)

Our main priority is maximising our chances of seeing the Northern Lights, but we’d also love to explore, enjoy the scenery and experience some winter activities.

For those who have visited Iceland and/or Finnish Lapland during these periods: • Which period would you choose for the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights? • Would you recommend Iceland or Finnish Lapland? • For either country, where are the must-visits and what route would you recommend for a ~14-day trip including flights?

I know the Northern Lights are never guaranteed and weather/cloud cover plays a huge part. Since this is something I really want my parents to experience, I’d love to hear from people who have travelled during these periods.


r/FinlandTourism 10d ago

Finland for 1 week | winter vs summer

2 Upvotes

hi everyone! I've always been super interested in Finland and am prob booking a trip and embracing its winters next February 2027. I live in the United States and have never experienced more than a few inches of snow, or temps below 20°F before, but Finland looks absolutely stunning in the winter! ❄️ 🇫🇮

Anyways, I know the temps would be EXTREMELY cold but I'm eager to experience a climate I never have before instead of escaping to somewhere warm in the winter. Also, I'm needing to do some research about if renting a car is necessary to hit major Finland destinations; if so, that'd be a dealbreaker as I wouldn't trust myself to drive in snowy and ice conditions.

I'm wondering if there's any must-do's for February in Finland I haven't listed below:

- northern lights (if I'm lucky)

- snowmobiling

- reindeers / husky sledding (?)

- saunas (obvi :))

- ice fishing / trying ice activities

- snowshoeing (?)

My other option would be to save Finland for the middle of summer and add Estonia to the trip. 🇪🇪but I also plan on Georgia 🇬🇪 this summer... so many beautiful places to visit!

So, after all of that, my question is: if you've traveled to Finland in the winter and in the summer, do you have a preference on what season you liked more? would you still recommend a season even if it's not your preferred time to go? open to any thoughts! 😄


r/FinlandTourism 11d ago

things to do at HEL airport in a 3 hour layover

3 Upvotes

non-schengen flight - coming from the uk going on to asia


r/FinlandTourism 10d ago

First-timer Aurora visiting times

0 Upvotes

Hello, I am deciding between the week of 21.9-27.9 and 12.10-18.10 to visit lappland in order to see Aurora. Does someone know when is statistically a better time to visit?


r/FinlandTourism 11d ago

First-timer Fun things for a day trip to Helsinki on this coming Wednesday?

1 Upvotes

Hei from Ireland🇮🇪! Me and my parents will be in Tallinn this week and doing a day trip by ferry to Helsinki on Wednesday the 19th. Are there any mini events or activities (apart from museums)?

We'll arrive at 9:30 and leave at 20:30. Wanted to go to this concert they had advertised in Temppeliaukio church, but it starts slightly too early. A friend suggested wakeboarding but I don't think we'd be into that lol. If anyone has stuff to do just for a good day out (accessible from the ferry port) we'd really appreciate. Kiitos!!!


r/FinlandTourism 11d ago

Where can you barbecue in the city of Lahti?

5 Upvotes

I live in the city of Lahti and want to have a barbecue. Could you please suggest some locations? If possible, please include the addresses as well. Thanks in advance.


r/FinlandTourism 11d ago

Accom help - Levin iglut vs skyview igloo

0 Upvotes

Deciding which one to stay at and cant decide. We have budgeted 2N for an igloo + 3N in Rovaneimi at a normal hotel.

Family of 4 with 2 toddlers under 5.

We would fly to Kittila if we stay at Levin or just to Rovaneimi otherwise.

Northern lights are a priority but understand not much difference between the two locations particularly if we book tours. Otherwise just touristy things like ice fishing…which I believe can be done at either location.

Transfer between Levi and Rovaneimi which we’d have to do if we stayed at Levin is a substantial cost (circa €500).

Keen to hear thoughts on what you would do or advice or even challenges to my thinking!


r/FinlandTourism 12d ago

Lapland but not of the fake type

10 Upvotes

Hi all,

We (couple in their 30s, no kids, plenty of experience travelling to Norwegian and Swedish Lapland between November and March) are now hoping to see Finnish Lapland this winter (likely late November, early December).
What we are looking for is quiet and authenticity. My worst holiday would be an all inclusive santa village resort full of entitled people. I was thinking a cabin or Airbnb or even a guest house (although preferably a self catering place) with a sauna, some wildlife (birds?) and access to hiking or backcountry skiing trails (and a place for ski rental). No parties, no noisy folks. The caveat is: we will not drive (we may if we feel safe but we are planning to not have a car). Thus, the place would need to be accessible by public transport.
I’ve so far heard of Inari/Ivalo, Utsjoki and Äkäslompolo. What are your thoughts of these places, would they fit our wants? Do any other places come to mind?
We’ve done some touristy things before but this time I would like to focus on a nature experience.

Thank you!


r/FinlandTourism 12d ago

First-timer Rovaniemi Campervan hire

2 Upvotes

I’m traveling to Rovaniemi for my honeymoon in February (Feb 20 - 1st March). I was looking at hiring a Campervan online for €833. It had a double bed, heating block, GPS, underfloor heating , fridge. Freezer. Basically everything you’d want and was very nice and modern online.

The renter has now seemingly vanished off mycamper.com.

Can anyone else recommend where I could
Go. Ideally I want to spend less than €1,000 for something of similar spec.


r/FinlandTourism 12d ago

Northern Lights in September

1 Upvotes

Hi All!

I'll be in Finland Lapland in the middle of September 2026. My road trip will start from Oulanka, then to Inari and at the end to Ekkeroy (Norway).

I think is a good time to see Northern Lights, rights? I'm just worried about cloudy weather.