Finland Travel Information
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When to Go to Finland
To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.
Climate
In Finland the weather both in summer and winter has its own exotic attraction. Autumn and spring are short and the weather in those seasons has its own beautiful features reflected by the natural surroundings.
Since northernmost Finland is above the Arctic Circle, it enjoys a spell of polar night (known as ‘kaamos’ in Finnish) when the sun does not rise. In Utsjoki, in the far north, this period lasts for nearly two months. In winter the days are short all over Finland and the sun is very low on the horizon even at midday. The days are not as dark as the nights, but the light is tinged with blue or grey. By mid-April the sun stays above the horizon for 14 to 15 hours in southern Finland and for 16 hours in the north.
Seasonality
Spring: March-May is short and very sweet, an explosion of growth and almost tangible optimism after the long winter. In Helsinki and the south, the snow and ice starts melting midway through March, while in the north it’s more stubborn and can linger right into May. The psychological landmark for the arrival of spring is May 1, or Vappu, a time of feverish celebrations across the country. At this time the forests are carpeted with anemones and other wild flowers, and the trees are bursting with fresh green foliage. In the wake of the spring storms the lake and coastal waters are still chilly, but the bravest bathers take their first dip.
Summer: June-August is Finland at its magical best, with long light-filled days and an endless expanse of unspoilt lakes and forests available as a massive playground for residents and visitors alike. The towns and cities thrive in summer, in spite of the fact that this is when many Finns head for their lake- or seaside summer homes or cruise the coastal archipelagos in their boats. A particular exodus to the country takes place at Midsummer, celebrated on the weekend closest to the actual solstice. The best weather normally follows the Midsummer period, with temperatures well up in the 20s and even 30s possible in July and August. Visitors might find it hard to sleep in the summer months, especially in the north, when the sun stays above the horizon for several weeks.
Autumn: September-November is a time of winding down after the activity of summer, and begins with a short-lived blaze of colour known as ‘ruska’. The autumnal reds, browns and yellows are especially beautiful on and around the fells of Lapland in September, making this is a great and popular period for trekking in northern Finland. The first frosts follow fast after this colourful display in the north, while in the south the Finns find ever-more creative means of compensating for the retreating light.
Winter: December-February, when choosing a winter holiday destination, it's worth bearing in mind there is nearly always plenty of snow in eastern and northern Finland even if the winter is unusually warm. The snow cover in coastal regions may sometimes be scant. The extra long season in northern Finland begins in November and lasts at least until May. In the inland regions of southern and central Finland the snow settles at the beginning of December and melts in open places in mid or late April, and in the forests (65 per cent of the total land area) at the beginning of May.
National Holidays
| Date |
Description |
| 01 Nov 08 |
All Saints Day |
| 06 Dec 08 |
Independence Day |
| 25 Dec 08 |
Christmas Day |
| 26 Dec 08 |
Boxing Day |
| 01 Jan 09 |
New Years Day |
