gowhereandwhen.comGo in summer, June to August, for the midnight sun, lakes and endless forests, or in winter, December to March, for the northern lights, husky safaris and Santa in Lapland. The south is dark and cold in deep winter.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Helsinki. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jun.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Hard cold.
The year at a glance
Finland is a land of forests and lakes with two very different seasons, and the month ratings track Helsinki. Summer brings warm, bright days, the lake cabins, the archipelago and near round-the-clock light in the north, the time for hiking, swimming and the sauna.
Winter is long, dark and snowy, but in Lapland it becomes a wonderland of northern lights, reindeer, husky sleds and Santa's official home. Spring and autumn are short, quiet shoulders, with autumn's ruska colour lighting up the northern forests.
Finland month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Helsinki.
JanuaryFreezing and dry.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- -2°C / 28°F
- Overnight low
- -8°C / 18°F
- Rainfall
- 52 mm
Freezing and dry.
FebruaryFreezing and dry.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- -3°C / 27°F
- Overnight low
- -9°C / 16°F
- Rainfall
- 36 mm
Freezing and dry.
MarchFreezing and dry.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- 1°C / 34°F
- Overnight low
- -5°C / 23°F
- Rainfall
- 38 mm
Freezing and dry.
AprilCold and dry.Fair 42
- Daytime high
- 8°C / 46°F
- Overnight low
- 0°C / 32°F
- Rainfall
- 32 mm
Cold and dry.
MayCool and dry.Ideal 79
- Daytime high
- 15°C / 59°F
- Overnight low
- 5°C / 41°F
- Rainfall
- 37 mm
Cool and dry.
JuneMild with a little rainIdeal 93
- Daytime high
- 19°C / 66°F
- Overnight low
- 10°C / 50°F
- Rainfall
- 59 mm
Mild with a little rain.
JulyMild with a little rainIdeal 93
- Daytime high
- 22°C / 72°F
- Overnight low
- 14°C / 57°F
- Rainfall
- 63 mm
Mild with a little rain.
AugustMild with a little rainIdeal 86
- Daytime high
- 20°C / 68°F
- Overnight low
- 12°C / 54°F
- Rainfall
- 80 mm
Mild with a little rain.
SeptemberCool with a little rain.Ideal 78
- Daytime high
- 15°C / 59°F
- Overnight low
- 8°C / 46°F
- Rainfall
- 56 mm
Cool with a little rain.
OctoberCold with a little rain.Good 46
- Daytime high
- 8°C / 46°F
- Overnight low
- 3°C / 37°F
- Rainfall
- 76 mm
Cold with a little rain.
NovemberCold with a little rain.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- 3°C / 37°F
- Overnight low
- -1°C / 30°F
- Rainfall
- 70 mm
Cold with a little rain.
DecemberFreezing with a little rain.Avoid 16
- Daytime high
- -1°C / 30°F
- Overnight low
- -5°C / 23°F
- Rainfall
- 58 mm
Freezing with a little rain.
Where you go changes when you go
Helsinki and the south
Mild, bright summers with archipelago boat trips, cold and dark winters with a cosy, design-led city.
The Lakeland
Thousands of lakes and forest cabins at their best in the warm, light days of summer.
Lapland
The Arctic north, for northern lights, husky safaris and Santa from December to March, and the midnight sun in summer.
Best time to visit Finland for
Northern lights and snow
December to March in Lapland, for the aurora, husky sledding and the Arctic winter wonderland.
Lakes and the midnight sun
June to August for cabin life, swimming, sauna and the endless northern light.
Santa and family trips
December in Rovaniemi, Santa's official hometown on the Arctic Circle.
Autumn colour
September, when the northern forests turn red and gold in the ruska season.
What is on, and when
Midnight sun, summer
The far north basks in near round-the-clock daylight for cabin and lake life.
Northern lights, Dec to Mar
The aurora glows over Lapland's snowy forests on clear nights.
Watch out
Hard cold
Nov to Mar.
Where to stay in Finland
Compare places to stay around Helsinki. Choose your dates on the booking site.
We may earn a commission when you book through these links, at no extra cost to you. Recommendations and weather ratings are independent of commission.
Before you choose a stay
- Check the exact location and transport connections.
- Compare the full price, including taxes and fees.
- Read cancellation terms before you book.
Your travel month helps with planning. Enter your own dates on the booking site.
Ready to book?
Compare actual rates for your travel dates. The weather scores above do not predict accommodation prices or availability.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Good to know
What is the best time to visit Finland?
When can you see the northern lights in Finland?
When is the best time to visit Santa in Lapland?
Where else, and when
Every country on one map, or jump straight to another guide.
Plan another month or destination
Browse all 75 country guides · Sources, editorial approach and weather methodology