These are the best times to go to Finland, based on your travel goals.
Ah, Finland. The land of saunas, Santa Claus, and happy people. Those are indeed highlights of this Nordic country. Saunas are a deeply ingrained part of Finnish culture, while Santa Claus’ “official” residence is in the Lapland town of Rovaniemi. Moreover, the country has been voted the world’s happiest numerous times. Finland is a year-round destination, attracting visitors to its tranquil lakes during the summer and thrilling ski slopes in the winter. While fall and spring may be less busy, there’s a significant perk during these seasons: the northern lights. Rose Hipwood, founder of The Luxury Arctic Travel Company, mentions, “The best time to see them is really the shoulder months; September and October and February and March.” Consequently, there truly is no bad time to visit Finland, as each season offers distinctive highlights.
- High Seasons: Summer and Winter
- Shoulder Season: Fall
- Low Season: Spring
Best Times to Visit Finland for Smaller Crowds
Finding peace and quiet in Finland is feasible throughout the year due to its abundant nature; however, for smaller crowds at major attractions, consider visiting in the spring. Meri Sipilä, PR and media manager of Visit Finland, explains, “In the springtime, the days slowly become longer, and the sunshine begins to make a reappearance from the dark winter months. The spring also offers the best skiing conditions in Lapland through early May.” Additionally, the northern lights are visible throughout most of spring, frequently experiencing a spike in solar activity.
Best Times to Visit Finland for Good Weather
Determining “good” weather is subjective and depends on your desired activities. For skiing enthusiasts, good weather means chilly temperatures and fresh snow. March is optimal for winter activities, offering excellent snowfall, as noted by Hipwood.
Conversely, if you prefer sunshine and milder weather, aim for the summer or early fall. Hipwood shares, “Personally, I love visiting Finland in September. I really enjoy summer activities such as hiking and canoeing – it’s a nature lover’s paradise.” Sipilä echoes this sentiment, relishing summer days at her family’s summer house where she enjoys long nights dining at patio restaurants, attending outdoor movies, swimming, and frequenting public saunas in Helsinki with friends. She adds, “Summer is my favorite time to explore Finland’s many national parks with my dog, Ispa, savoring berry picking and the anticipation of mushroom season!”
Best Times to Visit Finland for Lower Prices
Spring is a great time to find lower prices for airfare and accommodations, as it is marked as the low season. Enjoy the northern lights while benefiting from these lower prices. However, be aware that ski resorts may still charge premium prices in March due to snowy conditions. Late spring often yields better discounts as temperatures rise.
Additionally, fall is considered shoulder season, typically offering lower prices than the high season. It’s a stunning time to visit, with the changing colors of nature referred to as ruska, and with over 75% of Finland’s land covered in forests, vibrant fall foliage abounds. Sipilä states, “September and October are some of the best times of the year to go hiking and camping or engage in foraging activities like picking fresh berries and mushrooms.”
Best Times to Visit Finland for the Northern Lights
The northern lights occur year-round; however, visibility is not guaranteed each night. Darkness is necessary for observing the auroras, and during summer, much of Finland is bathed in continuous daylight due to the midnight sun. For this reason, winter becomes a popular season for northern lights viewing as the nights are longer and darker.
Sipilä explains, “While many people associate the northern lights with winter, the most active aurora seasons are autumn and spring, when the earth’s orientation towards the sun maximizes the probability of solar flares interacting with the planet’s magnetic field.” The months from the end of August to April are the optimal times for viewing northern lights in Finland. Clear skies and a pinch of luck are essential; statistically, the lights are visible every other night.
Worst Times to Visit Finland
There is no clearly defined “bad” time to visit Finland, as it ultimately depends on the type of experience you seek. If your goal is to witness the northern lights, be warned that summer visits may leave you disappointed due to lingering daylight. Although auroras can occur year-round, extended daylight hours in summer diminish the chances of spotting them, especially north of the Arctic Circle. Likewise, skiing is not feasible in summer months, as conditions decline significantly.
For those wanting to avoid crowds, it’s advisable to skip peak tourist seasons of summer and winter, as they are known for both high visitor volume and elevated prices. However, the reasons for their popularity are clear: both summer and winter present some of the finest experiences Finland has to offer!
