Finland holidays come in two brilliant flavours: Helsinki in summer for midnight sun, waterfront saunas, and properly good coffee, or Lapland in winter for Northern Lights, husky sleds, and Santa's actual hometown. Either way, you're heading to the happiest country on Earth.
Holiday Highlights Finland 2026/2027
Northern Lights - Lapland is one of the best places on Earth to see the aurora borealis between September and March. The 2026/2027 season is expected to be among the last strong ones before solar activity declines again.
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.
Sauna Culture - Over 3 million saunas for a population of 5.5 million. It's not a luxury here, it's a way of life, and most Finland hotels come with their own.
Helsinki Food Scene - From creamy salmon soup in harbourside cafes to Michelin-starred tasting menus, Helsinki punches well above its weight. One of Europe's most underrated food cities.
Glass Igloos - Fall asleep watching the Northern Lights from a heated glass-roofed cabin in Saariselka. One of those bucket-list experiences that actually delivers.
📌 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, with everything from design-forward urban hotels to glass-roofed Arctic cabins. See all Finland hotels or check our picks below.
👨👩👧👦 Families
Scandic Helsinki Park, Helsinki. Indoor and outdoor pools, sauna, and a Mediterranean restaurant. Between Hesperia Park and the city centre, with Linnanmaki Amusement Park a walkable distance away.
Lapland Hotels Ounasvaara Chalets, Rovaniemi. Private chalets with your own sauna, terrace, and full kitchen. Close to Santa Claus Village and right on the ski slopes. Brilliant for families who want space and that proper cosy Lapland feel.
Holiday Club Saariselka, Saariselka. Indoor spa with a swimming pool, kids' pool, water slide, jacuzzis, and multiple saunas. A brilliant family base for Northern Lights season.
💑 Couples
Hotel Haven, Helsinki. A boutique with an upscale feel right by Market Square. Premium restaurant, sea views, and spa-like bathrooms. One of the most romantic spots in Helsinki.
Lapland Hotels Sky Ounasvaara, Rovaniemi. Hilltop hotel with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the Arctic landscape, one of Finland's top 50 restaurants, and direct ski-slope access. Properly special.
Hilton Helsinki Strand, Helsinki. 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.
🎉 Groups
Scandic Grand Central Helsinki, Helsinki. A grand hotel right by Central Station blending historic charm with modern style. Restaurant, bar, and a lounge for late-night catch-ups.
Lapland Hotels Sirkantahti, Levi. Right in Finland's biggest ski resort with private saunas, restaurant, and cafe. Levi has the best apres-ski scene in Finnish Lapland and this hotel puts you in the middle of it.
GLO Hotel Art, Helsinki. Set in a 1900s Art Nouveau castle with an in-house casino and bicycle hire. In the Design District with Helsinki's best bars on the doorstep.
✨ Luxury
NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, Helsinki. Opposite Central Station with Scandinavian decor, a spa, rooftop bar, and 24-hour gym. Recently renovated and one of the smartest hotels in the city.
Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa, Helsinki. Views over the Gulf of Finland, indoor pool, private beach, tennis courts, and a restaurant with sea views. A proper seaside retreat that still feels close to the city.
Hotel Kamp, Helsinki. Helsinki's most iconic luxury hotel. Two gourmet restaurants, a full-service spa, and a location right on the Esplanadi. The address in the city.
💰 Value
Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki, Helsinki. Scandinavian-style rooms with hardwood floors, two restaurants, and a sauna. In the Kluuvi district, a few minutes from Senate Square. A proper central option without the luxury price tag.
Scandic Rovaniemi City, Rovaniemi. Comfortable, well-located base with sauna, gym, restaurant, and bar. Close to the Arktikum Museum and a straightforward drive from Santa Claus Village.
Scandic Hakaniemi, Helsinki. In the Hakaniemi neighbourhood with a children's playground, bike hire, and sauna. Budget-friendly with good transport links into the centre.
🏔️ 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
Helsinki is the summer pick. Linnanmaki Amusement Park (free entry, pay per ride), Korkeasaari Zoo on its own island, Heureka Science Centre, and long warm evenings by the harbour.
Rovaniemi is the winter base. Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, reindeer rides through the forest, and snowmobile adventures make it the most magical family trip you'll find.
💑 Couples
Helsinki in summer is the romantic pick. Long golden evenings, waterfront dining at Loyly, island-hopping by ferry, and the Design District's boutiques and wine bars.
Lapland in winter is properly magical. Glass igloos under the Northern Lights in Saariselka, cosy log cabin nights, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget your phone exists.
🎉 Groups
Helsinki has the best group scene. The Kallio neighbourhood is packed with craft beer bars and live music, Allas Sea Pool does group sauna sessions, and the restaurant scene punches well above its weight.
Lapland for winter adventure groups. Skiing in Levi, husky safaris from Rovaniemi, and ice karting. Levi has 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, 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. Open year-round but at its best with snow on the ground.
Heureka Science Centre, Vantaa - Interactive exhibits, a planetarium, and an earthquake simulator. Near Helsinki and brilliant for curious kids who like pressing every button in sight.
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 of any age.
💑 Couples
Loyly Sauna, Helsinki - Architecturally stunning waterfront sauna and restaurant complex in Hernesaari. Year-round terrace, Baltic Sea swimming, and the full Finnish sauna experience done properly.
Northern Lights from a Glass Igloo, Saariselka - Watch the aurora borealis from your heated glass-roofed cabin. One of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences that actually lives up to the hype.
Suomenlinna Island, Helsinki - A UNESCO-listed fortress spread across six islands, a short ferry ride from Helsinki harbour. Tunnels, cannons, and brilliant picnic spots with views back across to the city.
Helsinki Food Scene - From reindeer stew at Restaurant Savotta to street food at Hietalahti Market Square, Helsinki has one of Europe's most underrated food scenes. Finnish salmon soup (lohikeitto) is a must.
Midnight Sun in Lapland - From late May to mid-July, the sun doesn't set at all 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 the full Finnish sauna-and-swim experience together.
Prison Island, Helsinki - Escape room meets adventure challenge set in a former prison. Teamwork, puzzles, and physical tasks. Competitive groups thrive here.
Skiing in Levi, Lapland - Finland's biggest ski resort with slopes for all levels, snowmobile safaris, ice karting, and a buzzing apres-ski scene.
Husky Safaris, Lapland - Mush your own team of huskies through Arctic wilderness. Tours run from Rovaniemi, Saariselka, and Levi and typically 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.
Popular Finland hotels
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Helsinki summers are warm and long (June to August, highs of 20 to 22°C) with nearly 19 hours of daylight at the solstice. Winters in the capital are cold but manageable (-5 to -10°C), with short days balanced by the magic of fresh snow and frozen harbours. Lapland takes winter to another level: -15 to -25°C from December to February, but the dry Arctic air and proper cold-weather gear at every resort mean it's far more comfortable than the numbers suggest. Spring and autumn are brief but beautiful, especially September in Lapland when the autumn colours (ruska) light up the forests and the Northern Lights season kicks off.
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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.
What events are there in Finland that I should know about?
What events are there in Finland that I should know about?
A short list of some of the more prominent events...
Helsinki hosts Flow Festival each August, one of the best urban music festivals in Europe with an indie and electronic focus.
Midsummer (Juhannus) in late June is Finland's biggest national celebration: bonfires, lake swimming, and saunas that run all night under a sun that never sets.
SavonLinna Opera Festival runs each July in a medieval castle (one of the most atmospheric venues on the continent).
Helsinki Restaurant Day happens quarterly, when anyone can open a pop-up restaurant for 24 hours.
In Rovaniemi, the Christmas season from mid-November is essentially one long festival, with Santa's Village lit up and daily reindeer parades.
Tell me about the nightlife in Finland
Tell me about the nightlife in Finland
Helsinki's nightlife centres on the Kallio neighbourhood, where craft beer bars, dive bars, and live music venues sit side by side. Allas Sea Pool stays open late with waterfront cocktails, and the rooftop bars around Kamppi and the Design District have proper views over the city. It's not a party-until-dawn destination (most bars close between 2am and 4am), but the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and unpretentious. In Lapland, Levi has the best apres-ski scene with bars right on the slopes.