Finland travel guide
Its most famous resident may be Santa Claus, but a Finland holiday is definitely not just for
Christmas. Europe’s seventh-largest country straddles the Arctic Circle, encompassing
splintered archipelagos, 188,000 lakes, and far-flung Finnish Lapland, stretching
towards the North Pole.
This real-life Narnia shelters creatures few still associate with Europe - brown bears, wolves, elk, moose, and ferocious, fantastical-sounding wolverines; along with the indigenous, reindeer-herding Sámi.![]()
The Finns have an unusual yet strong sense of identity – neither Scandinavian nor truly Baltic, having resisted the Red Army. Finnish life is shaped by the drastically differing seasons – from the sublime summer days where the sun barely dips below the horizon, to the polar nights which can drop below -30°C. Warmer weather sees the Finns flocking to lakeside summer homes to soak up the midnight sun, while the cold is combatted in a most quintessential way: the sauna.
What we rate & what we don't
Underrated
Sámi culture
The Sámi are the original inhabitants of Lapland, and spending time with them on your Finland holiday will add a fantastic new perspective on this remote region. Around 10 percent of Sámi still herd reindeer, which they use for milk, clothing, meat and bedding, and their rich culture includes weaving, traditional cuisine, improvised singing and shamanic drumming.
Arctic climate
Far from being endlessly cold and dim, Finland’s climate varies greatly depending on latitude and season. Away from the darkness of the solstice, winter days can be gloriously clear, with bright, crisp snow. In summer, the sun never really sets, and temperatures can reach the mid-20Cs – ideal for water based holiday activities such as canoeing, boating and lakeside retreats.
Mucking in
Multi-day cross-country trips can be very hands-on. Everyone does their part, and this takes a long time because everything – food, water, your hands – is frozen. For some, working on holiday is unthinkable. But for many, feeding and settling the huskies, gathering logs for the fire and making holes in the ice for water are the most incredible parts of their Finland holiday.
Getting back to basics
Finland’s towns are as modern as any in Scandinavia – but the best holidays are about “getting away from it all”, and a Finland holiday offers that like few other European destinations. Don’t lament the lack of electricity or whine about the non-existent wifi; savour the rustic cabins, lamplight, log fires, reindeer skin blankets, pitch black nights and raw, unspoiled nature.
Rated
Husky safaris
It's debatable who enjoys husky sledding more; the driver or the dogs. The huskies' excitement will no doubt add to your own; after a short lesson you'll be in charge or your own four-legged team, harnessing them before mushing through frozen, Christmas-card scenery with just the sound of paws on snow and swishing sleigh runners. Magical.
Northern lights
Nature's greatest light show can last from a few minutes up to a couple of hours, and disappears into the dark northern night as suddenly as it appears. Sitting by a fire on a frozen lake, laughing and sharing warm drinks with fellow travellers while waiting for the elusive spectacle is all part of the Arctic's most otherworldly experience.
Reindeer farms
Pivotal to Sámi culture, reindeer are used for food, clothing, milk and jewellery, and the life of the farmers is intricately linked to the feeding, mating and movements of their herds. Meeting them during your Finland holiday and learning about their lives is fascinating. The reindeer are actually free to roam through the forests, yet each Sámi herder recognises his own animals amongst hundreds of others.
Helsinki
Mainland Europe’s northernmost capital is perched on a peninsula which creeps into the island-filled Gulf of Finland. Its Art Nouveau architecture is well preserved, and Helsinki has a laid-back feel, especially in summer when the Finns spend as much time soaking up the sun as possible. Excellent museums and quirky bars will keep you busy day and night.
Overrated
Father Christmas daytrips
Those who grumble that Christmas is becoming ever more superficial may want to check out the latest festive activity: a daytrip to see Father Christmas. Flying from the UK and Lapland and back in a day, whizzed around the snowy activities, this Finland holiday is sure to be memorable for all the wrong reasons, as well as contributing nothing to local communities and creating a horrendously high carbon footprint.
Downhill skiing
To truly appreciate the landscapes during your holiday to Finland, cross country skiing is the way to go. Faster than walking, less exhausting than snowshoeing, it allows you to build up speed, have campfire lunches in the forest and sleep in a different location each night, making the most of Finland's warm culture as well as its nature; unlike downhill skiing on an enclosed resort.
Zoos
There is plenty of incredible wildlife in Finland - with wolves, bears and wolverines all inhabiting the Wild Taiga forests. Given the thrill of wild encounters, on guided treks or during a night in a hide, it's extra baffling why one of Finland's star attractions is a zoo - complete with a captive polar bear, no less - an animal not even native to the country.
Synthetic, hi-tech snow gear
The hardy Finns know how to deal with the cold – and they recommend natural fabric for your Finland holiday every time. Warm outwear (all-in-ones, mittens) is generally provided by the tour companies and lodges, but you’ll need to bring thin, insulating base layers, and wool and silk are superior for warmth. Don’t shun the reindeer skins on offer at some of the cabins, either!
Finland Northern Lights holiday, Wilderness Auroras
Winter activities & Aurora hunting in Finland
From
£1997 to £2327
5 days
inc UK flights
Finland winter activity holiday & Northern Lights
Discover this Finnish winter activity wilderness week
From
£2749 to £3149
8 days
inc UK flights
Snowshoeing holiday in Finland
A hut-to-hut snowshoe tour in beautiful Hossa National Park.
From
€1050
7 days
ex flights
Family Northern Lights break
Cozy log cabin and fascinating snow adventure for each day
From
€1472 to €1643
5 days
ex flights
Northern Lights family holiday, tailor made
A mix of Lapland family activities and a relaxing spa hotel
From
£1225 to £2250
4 days
inc UK flights
Finnish family winter adventure holiday
See the Northern Lights in Finland
From
£2949 to £3549
8 days
inc UK flights
Contact Us
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Food, shopping & people
Eating & drinking
Try the Kuopio speciality kalakukko: a tasty, giant fish pie.Karelian pasty, called karjalanpiirakka, is a pastry crust filled with rice. Hot butter is spread over the pastry before eating.
Get warm in the winter with glögi, a spiced, mulled wine poured over almonds and raisins.
Taste the Finnish landscape. Arctic wild berries, including bilberries, cloudberries and lingonberries, are served in juices and jams, or to accompany meat.
Finnish is famously, fiendishly complex, but any attempt to speak it is sure to break the ice with your hosts.![]()
People & culture
Fought over by the Russians and Swedes for centuries, Finland has both Finnish and Swedish as official languages. Nine indigenous languages are also spoken by the 9,300 Sámi people here; Saami is the most widely spoken of these. English is widely understood in cities.
Something very hot may be called “Kuuma kuin saunassa” meaning “Hot like a sauna” of course.
Ask a Sámi if they speak English: “Hálatgo Eagalasgiela?”
If you're sledding and hear “Varo!”, be careful - it means “watch out!”
Something very hot may be called “Kuuma kuin saunassa” meaning “Hot like a sauna” of course.
Ask a Sámi if they speak English: “Hálatgo Eagalasgiela?”
If you're sledding and hear “Varo!”, be careful - it means “watch out!”
Gifts & shopping
In Lapland, the ‘Sámi Duodji’ label shows that souvenirs have been made by local Sámi craftspeople.Pendants and trinket boxes are skillfully carved from reindeer antlers by Sámi craftspeople.
Keep warm even when you’re back home - knitted mittens and reindeer skin slippers are a cosy Finnish treat.
Sámi weaving is a beautiful, colourful tradition. We particularly love the belts, handwoven on traditional looms.
Lapland is sparsely populated with people, yet there are around 200,000 reindeer farmed by just 6,500 herdsmen.![]()
How much does it cost?
Beer in a bar: £4.60
Cup of coffee: £2.80
Traditional pastry in a cafe: £2 - £3
Reindeer stew with lingonberries: £25
A session in a sauna: £15 per hour – or free in your hotel
Cup of coffee: £2.80
Traditional pastry in a cafe: £2 - £3
Reindeer stew with lingonberries: £25
A session in a sauna: £15 per hour – or free in your hotel
More Finland articles
Winte, from December to April is ideal for winter sports. The arrival of spring in May sees the return of the sun.
Click on our interactive Finland map and highlights to discover some of the best places to visit in both summer and winter.
If you’re looking to put a bit of colour into the darker depths of winter there’s no better place.
From snow shoeing and cross country skiing to husky safaris and Northern Lights.
There’s no more exhilarating and rewarding way to discover the snowy Finnish wilderness than a husky safari.
The Wild Taiga region of Finland is home to these fascinating creatures and a supporting cast of other animals, too.
Younger children will be delighted by Finland's snowmen, sledging and reindeer-nuzzling.
Featuring drawn out evenings, cycling and hiking, summer can be a lot cheaper than winter.
Although traditionally semi nomadic reindeer herders, the Sámi are adapting to a changing world.
Visit Oulu and Kemi instead of heading straight to busy Rovaniemi in Lapland, and have a lovely relaxing holiday.
You’re often staying in a family’s second home, with sauna, open fire and kayaks.
From crayfish parties to coffee culture and homemade bread, our guide to food and drink in Finland.
How to pack for the cold (when winter gear is often provided) and what to expect - according to our experts.
Helsinki is the cool capital of Finland – a southerly peninsula city surrounded by lakes.
The Finnish landscape is everyone’s, including yours, to explore and forage – so long as you do so carefully.
A cabin for two, and an exhilarating dog sledding expedition, all bundled under furs.
Exercise huskies in autumn to help them get fit for sledding season or visit in summer.
How can you make sure your snowmobile safari is good? eSleds are a good start.
These mountain bikes with big chunky tyres are a great way to enjoy some Arctic exercise and have fun.
Find all our Finland guides in one place, from Husky safaris to the Northern Lights and everything in between.
