Finland is a country of extremes and it's brilliant because of it. In summer, the sun barely sets, the lakes shimmer, and Helsinki buzzes with Scandi-chic cafes and open-air markets. In winter, Lapland transforms into a snow-covered wonderland where you can chase the Northern Lights, ride husky sleds, and meet Santa Claus in his actual hometown. Throw in the world's best sauna culture, properly good coffee, and the fact that Finland is officially the happiest country on Earth, and you've got a destination that delivers year-round.
✨Holiday Highlights Finland - 2026/2027
🌌 Northern Lights: Lapland is one of the best places on the planet to see the aurora borealis, between September and March. If you want to see them, book soon! We're currently at the end of a cycle of strong solar activity, so 2026 and 2027 will be among the last strong seasons before solar activity declines again.
🧖 Sauna Culture - Finland has over 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million. It's not a luxury here, it's a way of life. Many hotels come with their own.
☀️ Midnight Sun - In midsummer, the sun doesn't set at all in Lapland, and Helsinki gets nearly 19 hours of daylight. The longest days you'll ever experience.
🎅 Santa Claus Village - Rovaniemi is Santa's official hometown, right on the Arctic Circle. Open year-round but properly magical in winter.
📌 Good to Know
☀️ Two very different seasons to choose from. Summer (June to August) in Helsinki brings highs of around 20 to 22°C with up to 19 hours of daylight. Winter in Lapland drops to -15°C or colder, but that's the whole point: snow, auroras, and Arctic adventures.
💶 Finland uses the Euro. A pint costs around €7 to 9 (roughly £6 to £8), and a restaurant main course is about €15 to 25 (£13 to £22). Lunch buffets in Helsinki are brilliant value at around €11 to 15. It's pricier than southern Europe but not as steep as Norway.
🗣️ Finnish is the main language and it's famously tricky, but English is spoken almost everywhere. You'll have no trouble getting by in Helsinki or at any of the Lapland resorts.
🏨 Hotels for Your Finland Holidays 2026/2027
Finland's hotel scene splits between Helsinki city breaks and Lapland adventures. See all Finland hotels or check our standout picks.
💑 Couples
Hotel Haven, Helsinki. A boutique with an upscale feel right by the seaside marketplace. Spa-like bathrooms, a premium restaurant, and sea views over Market Square. One of the most romantic spots in Helsinki.
Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara, Rovaniemi. A hilltop hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Arctic landscape. Home to one of Finland's top 50 restaurants and direct access to ski slopes. Properly special.
Hilton Helsinki Strand. Waterfront location with a top-floor pool, sauna, and gym. Restaurant BRO serves Finnish specialities with water views. A polished pick for couples who want lakeside luxury in the city.
👨👩👧👦 Families
Scandic Helsinki Park. Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and a Mediterranean restaurant. Right between Hesperia Park and the city centre, with Linnanmaki Amusement Park a 15-minute walk away.
Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets, Rovaniemi. Private chalets with your own sauna, terrace, and full kitchen. Ten minutes from Santa Claus Village and right on the ski slopes. Brilliant for families who want space and that proper cosy Lapland feel.
Holiday Club Saariselka. Indoor spa with a swimming pool, kids' pool, water slide, jacuzzis, and multiple saunas. Right near Urho Kekkonen National Park in Saariselka. A brilliant family base for Northern Lights season.
✨ Luxury
NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa. Right opposite Helsinki Central Station with chic Scandinavian decor, a spa, 24-hour gym, and a rooftop bar. Recently renovated and one of the smartest hotels in the city.
Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa. Views over the Gulf of Finland, an indoor pool, private beach, tennis courts, and a restaurant with sea views. Ten minutes from the city centre but feels like a seaside retreat.
🎉 Groups
Scandic Grand Central Helsinki. A grand hotel right by Central Station blending historic charm with modern style. Restaurant, bar, and a lounge area for late-night catch-ups. Perfect for groups exploring the city.
Lapland Hotels Sirkantahti, Levi. Right in Finland's biggest ski resort with private saunas, a restaurant, and a cafe. Levi has the best apres-ski scene in Finnish Lapland and this hotel puts you in the middle of it.
💰 Value
Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki. Scandinavian-style rooms with hardwood floors, two restaurants, and a sauna. In the Kluuvi district, five minutes from Senate Square and four minutes from the Ateneum Art Museum. A proper good central option without the luxury price tag.
Scandic Rovaniemi City. A comfortable, well-located base in Rovaniemi with a sauna, gym, restaurant, and bar. Close to the Arktikum Museum and a short drive from Santa Claus Village.
🏔️ Must See and Must Do on Your Finland Holidays 2026/2027
🌌 Northern Lights in Lapland - The aurora borealis is visible in Lapland from September to March, with the best conditions between November and February. Glass igloos in Saariselka let you watch the lights from your bed. The 2026/2027 season is expected to be exceptional.
🎅 Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi - Meet Santa year-round at his official home on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi. Cross the Arctic Circle line, visit the post office (send a letter with an official Arctic Circle postmark), and let the kids sit on the big man's knee.
🏛️ Suomenlinna Sea Fortress - A UNESCO-listed fortress spread across six islands just a 15-minute ferry ride from Helsinki harbour. Tunnels, cannons, museums, and brilliant picnic spots with views back across to the city.
🛷 Husky and Reindeer Safaris - Dash through snow-covered forests on a husky sled or take a more sedate reindeer ride through the Arctic wilderness. Available across Lapland from November to April.
📚 Oodi Library, Helsinki - Not your average library. This futuristic building in Helsinki has a rooftop terrace, a cinema, gaming rooms, and a cafe. Free to enter and one of the most impressive public buildings in Europe.
🧖 Allas Sea Pool, Helsinki - Heated outdoor pools and saunas right on the waterfront in Helsinki, with views across to Suomenlinna. The full Finnish experience: sweat in the sauna, then plunge into the Baltic.
📍 Where to Stay on Your Finland Holidays
👨👩👧👦 Families
For summer, Helsinki is brilliant for families. Linnanmaki Amusement Park (free entry, pay per ride), Korkeasaari Zoo on its own island, and the Heureka Science Centre keep kids entertained. For winter, base yourselves near Rovaniemi for Santa Claus Village, husky rides, and snowmobile adventures.
💑 Couples
Helsinki in summer is the romantic pick: long golden evenings, waterfront dining, and island-hopping by ferry. In winter, Lapland is properly magical for couples: glass igloos, aurora hunting, and cosy log cabin nights by the fire.
🎉 Groups
Helsinki is the best group destination. The bar and restaurant scene around Kallio and the Design District is brilliant, and group activities like Allas Sea Pool, Prison Island escape rooms, and food tours keep everyone entertained. For a more adventurous group trip, Levi has skiing, snowmobiling, and the best apres-ski in Finnish Lapland.
🗣️ Local Lingo for Your Finland Holidays
Finnish is famously one of the trickiest languages in Europe, but locals love it when visitors have a go. English is spoken almost everywhere, so you won't get stuck, but a few phrases go a long way.
👋 Hei (HAY) - Hello. Simple and universal, works everywhere in Finland.
🙏 Kiitos (KEE-toss) - Thank you. You'll use this one constantly.
☝️ Ole hyva (OH-leh HOO-vah) - Please / You're welcome. Covers both, which is handy.
🍺 Kippis! (KIP-piss) - Cheers. Essential for toasting with Finnish beer or a shot of Koskenkorva.
🧖 Loyly (LOW-loo) - The steam in a sauna. There's no direct English translation, but it's the most important word in Finnish culture.
😊 Hei hei (HAY HAY) - Goodbye. Casual, friendly, and charmingly Finnish.
💰 Paljonko? (PAL-yon-ko) - How much? Useful at the Helsinki markets.
🍽️ Hyvaa ruokahalua! (HOO-vah ROO-oh-kah-HAH-loo-ah) - Bon appetit. Said before meals, especially when someone's brought out the salmon soup.
🗺️ Finland Travel Guide 2026/2027
👨👩👧👦 Families
🎢 Linnanmaki Amusement Park, Helsinki - Free entry to the park, and you just pay for the rides you fancy. Retro rollercoasters, a haunted house, and gentler rides for younger kids. Right in the centre of Helsinki.
🐻 Korkeasaari Zoo, Helsinki - Set on its own island (reached by ferry or bridge), with snow leopards, bears, and a tropical house. The boat ride over is half the fun for kids.
🎅 Santa Claus Village, Rovaniemi - Cross the Arctic Circle line, meet Santa, send postcards from the Arctic post office, and let the little ones experience proper Christmas magic in Rovaniemi.
🔬 Heureka Science Centre, Vantaa - Interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and an earthquake simulator. Near Helsinki and brilliant for curious kids who like pressing buttons.
🛷 Reindeer Rides in Lapland - Gentle, family-friendly rides through snowy forests with a local Sami guide. Available across Lapland from November to April and magical for children.
💑 Couples
🧖 Traditional Finnish Sauna Experience - You haven't done Finland until you've done a proper sauna. Loyly in Helsinki is architecturally stunning and right on the waterfront. Heat up, cool off in the sea, repeat.
🌌 Northern Lights from a Glass Igloo - Watch the aurora borealis from your heated glass-roofed cabin in Saariselka. One of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that actually lives up to the hype.
⛴️ Suomenlinna Island Day Trip - A 15-minute ferry from Helsinki harbour to a UNESCO fortress spread across six islands. Pack a picnic, explore the tunnels, and watch the sunset over the Baltic.
🍽️ Helsinki Food Scene - From reindeer stew at Restaurant Savotta to street food at Hietalahti Market Square, Helsinki has one of the most underrated food scenes in Europe. Finnish salmon soup (lohikeitto) is a must.
☀️ Midnight Sun in Lapland - From late May to mid-July, the sun doesn't set in Lapland. Hike under an endless golden sky, swim in a midnight lake, or just sit outside at 2am wondering how it's still light.
🎉 Groups
🧖 Allas Sea Pool, Helsinki - Heated pools, cold plunges, and saunas right on the Helsinki waterfront. Brilliant for groups who want to do the full Finnish sauna-and-swim experience together.
🔒 Prison Island, Helsinki - An escape room meets adventure challenge set in a former prison. Teamwork, puzzles, and physical tasks. Competitive groups will love it.
⛷️ Skiing in Levi - Finland's biggest ski resort with slopes for all levels, plus snowmobile safaris, ice karting, and a buzzing apres-ski scene. The best group winter trip in Lapland.
🛷 Husky Safaris in Lapland - Mush your own team of huskies through the Arctic wilderness. Most tours run from Rovaniemi, Saariselka, and Levi and last a couple of hours.
🍺 Kallio Bar Crawl, Helsinki - Helsinki's coolest neighbourhood for nightlife. Craft beer bars, dive bars, live music, and a properly friendly atmosphere. The kind of area where you end up staying way later than planned.
🌍 More Destinations for 2026/2027
Finland Regions
🏙️ Helsinki - Finland's compact, walkable capital on the Baltic coast. Design shops, waterfront markets, island-hopping, and the best sauna culture in the world.
🌌 Lapland - Northern Lights, Santa Claus Village, husky safaris, and glass igloos. The Arctic bucket list destination.
Nordic Neighbours
🇸🇪 Sweden - Stockholm's old town, Swedish fika culture, and archipelago adventures. Finland's closest neighbour and just a short flight away.
🇳🇴 Norway - Fjords, Northern Lights, and dramatic coastal scenery. Another brilliant Nordic destination on On the Beach.
🇩🇰 Denmark - Copenhagen's colourful Nyhavn, Tivoli Gardens, and hygge vibes. The most accessible Scandinavian capital from the UK & Ireland.
🇪🇪 Estonia - Tallinn's medieval old town is just a two-hour ferry from Helsinki. One of the easiest and most rewarding day trips in Europe.
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FAQs
What's the best time to visit Finland?
What's the best time to visit Finland?
It depends what you're after. For Helsinki city breaks, June to August is ideal: long days (up to 19 hours of daylight), temperatures around 20 to 22°C, and the city at its most lively. For Lapland and the Northern Lights, November to March is the season, with December and January the most magical (and coldest). February and March give you more daylight hours combined with good aurora conditions.
How cold does Lapland get?
How cold does Lapland get?
Cold. Properly cold. Temperatures in Lapland regularly drop to -15°C to -25°C between December and February, and can occasionally hit -30°C. But the resorts are well set up for it: thermal clothing hire is widely available, hotels are toasty warm, and the dry Arctic air actually feels less biting than a damp British winter. Dress in layers and you'll be fine.
What food should I try?
What food should I try?
Finnish cuisine is underrated and worth exploring. Start with lohikeitto (creamy salmon soup), which is served everywhere and is proper comfort food. Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasties with egg butter) are a classic snack. In Lapland, reindeer stew with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam is the signature dish. Finnish cinnamon buns (korvapuusti) are some of the best pastries in Europe. And you have to try salmiakki (salty liquorice): Finns are obsessed with it, and it's an acquired taste that's worth acquiring.
Can I see the Northern Lights?
Can I see the Northern Lights?
Yes, Lapland is one of the best places in the world for aurora viewing. The season runs from September to March, with peak conditions between November and February. The further north you go (Saariselka, Inari), the better your chances. Clear skies are essential, so it's never guaranteed, but the 2026/2027 season is expected to be particularly strong due to peak solar activity. Many hotels in Lapland offer aurora wake-up calls.
Do I need a sauna?
Do I need a sauna?
Need is a strong word, but it's Finland. There are over 3 million saunas in the country, and it's genuinely a core part of Finnish life: families sauna together, business deals happen in saunas, and most hotels have one. If you're in Helsinki, try Loyly on the waterfront or the saunas at Allas Sea Pool. In Lapland, many hotels and chalets come with their own private sauna. Just remember: it's polite to shower before entering and the dress code is usually swimwear in public saunas, nothing in private ones.