Finland
The best time to visit
When to go to Finland
Go 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 links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jun.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Hard cold.
In short
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.
Month by month
Finland month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Helsinki.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -2°C / 28°F | -8°C / 18°F | 52 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| February | -3°C / 27°F | -9°C / 16°F | 36 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| March | 1°C / 34°F | -5°C / 23°F | 38 mm | Avoid 17 | Freezing and dry. |
| April | 8°C / 46°F | 0°C / 32°F | 32 mm | Fair 42 | Cold and dry. |
| May | 15°C / 59°F | 5°C / 41°F | 37 mm | Ideal 79 | Cool and dry. |
| June | 19°C / 66°F | 10°C / 50°F | 59 mm | Ideal 93 | Mild with a little rain. Helsinki hotels in June |
| July | 22°C / 72°F | 14°C / 57°F | 63 mm | Ideal 93 | Mild with a little rain. Helsinki hotels in July |
| August | 20°C / 68°F | 12°C / 54°F | 80 mm | Ideal 86 | Mild with a little rain. Helsinki hotels in August |
| September | 15°C / 59°F | 8°C / 46°F | 56 mm | Ideal 78 | Cool with a little rain. |
| October | 8°C / 46°F | 3°C / 37°F | 76 mm | Good 46 | Cold with a little rain. |
| November | 3°C / 37°F | -1°C / 30°F | 70 mm | Avoid 17 | Cold with a little rain. |
| December | -1°C / 30°F | -5°C / 23°F | 58 mm | Avoid 16 | Freezing with a little rain. |
By region
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.
Go for
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.
On the calendar
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.
Hard cold
Nov to Mar.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Finland
Compare hotels and rentals around Helsinki, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
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.