Finland
Finland is a land of forest, lakes by the tens of thousands and extremes of light: summer nights that never quite get dark and winters lit by the aurora. Helsinki mixes Nordic design with an island sea fortress, the Lakeland invites canoeing and cottage stays, and Lapland brings husky trails and Sámi culture. Sauna is not a spa treatment here but simply how people live.
Overview
Finland is shaped by water and latitude. The south coast holds Helsinki, Turku and the old wooden town of Porvoo; inland lies the Lakeland, a maze of forested islands and channels around Lake Saimaa; and north of the Arctic Circle stretches Lapland, with rounded fells, reindeer and the Sámi homeland around Inari. A classic first summer trip links Helsinki, Tampere and Savonlinna by train and lake boat, perhaps adding Turku's archipelago. Winter visitors usually fly straight to Rovaniemi, Kittilä or Ivalo for snow activities and aurora hunting, with a night or two in Helsinki at either end.
Costs are high, broadly on a par with Scandinavia: expect around £12 for a weekday lunch buffet and £100 or more for a mid-range double, though lunch deals, supermarkets and free camping under everyman's right help. Everything is efficient, quiet and punctual, and English is widely spoken. Summer brings near-endless daylight and festivals; midwinter in Lapland means a few hours of blue twilight and temperatures that can fall below -30°C, so proper clothing is essential. Finns can seem reserved, but saunas, lakeside cottages and long summer evenings reveal a warmer side. It suits nature lovers, design fans and families chasing snow.
Map of Finland
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Northern lights in Lapland
From late August to early April, clear dark nights above the Arctic Circle bring frequent aurora displays. Saariselkä and Inari, by Urho Kekkonen National Park, combine low light pollution with husky, reindeer and snowshoe trips and the Sámi museum, Siida.
- 2History
Suomenlinna
This 18th-century sea fortress, spread across a cluster of islands off Helsinki and listed by UNESCO, is a 15-minute ride on the public ferry. Walk the ramparts, visit the museum and the submarine Vesikko, and picnic among the bastions.
- 3History
Olavinlinna and Lake Saimaa
Finland's best-preserved medieval castle, founded in 1475, rises from a rocky islet in Savonlinna and hosts an opera festival each July. Around it, Lake Saimaa offers canoe routes, lake cruises and the rare Saimaa ringed seal.
- 4Nature
Koli National Park
From the bare summit of Ukko-Koli you look over forested islands in Lake Pielinen, a view that inspired Sibelius and the painters of Finland's national-romantic era. Hike or canoe in summer, and ski the slopes and trails in winter.
- 5Architecture
Old Rauma
The largest unified wooden town in the Nordic countries, Old Rauma's 600-odd painted houses, merchants' courtyards and bobbin-lace shops form a UNESCO World Heritage Site and remain a lived-in neighbourhood on the west coast.
Biggest cities
Helsinki
Give it three days for the Design District, the rock-hewn Temppeliaukio church, Oodi library, the market-square ferries and a sauna with a sea dip at Löyly or Allas.
Tampere
Finland's old mill city sits between two lakes, with red-brick factories turned museums, the Moomin Museum and Rajaportti, the country's oldest public sauna still in use.
Turku
The former capital has a medieval castle and cathedral, riverside cafés along the Aura and ferries into the Archipelago Sea, best explored by bike in summer.
Figures are for urban areas. Espoo and Vantaa, which outnumber Tampere and Turku as municipalities, are part of Greater Helsinki.
Holiday regions in Finland
These areas have their own season and weather — see their guides for sea temperatures, resorts and flights.
When to go to Finland
Best time: Jun–Aug, Dec–Mar.
Average climate in Helsinki
Festivals & events
- Apr–MayVappu
On the evening of 30 April students crown Helsinki's Havis Amanda statue with a white cap; on May Day crowds picnic in Kaivopuisto park with home-made sima and doughnuts.
- JunJuhannus (Midsummer)
On the weekend nearest 24 June, cities empty as Finns head to lakeside cottages for bonfires, saunas and the nightless night; flags fly and many shops close.
- JulSavonlinna Opera Festival
Every July, full-scale opera productions fill the covered courtyard of Olavinlinna castle. Book tickets and Savonlinna accommodation months ahead, as the town fills up.
How much does Finland cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Karjalanpiirakka
Karelian pasties: thin rye crusts crimped around rice porridge, eaten warm with munavoi (egg butter) for breakfast or from any bakery counter.
Lohikeitto
Creamy salmon soup with potatoes, leeks and plenty of dill, served with dark rye bread; a lunchtime staple in Helsinki's market halls.
Poronkäristys
Thinly sliced reindeer sautéed in butter and served with mashed potato, lingonberries and pickled cucumber, the classic dish of Lapland.
Getting around
VR trains link Helsinki with Tampere in about 90 minutes and Turku in two hours, and overnight sleepers run to Rovaniemi and Kolari in Lapland. Finnair flies to Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo, and Matkahuolto and OnniBus coaches fill the gaps. In Helsinki, buy HSL tickets for trams, metro and the Suomenlinna ferry in the app; Uber and Bolt work in the larger cities. Hire a car for the Lakeland.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +358
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Service is included and tipping is not expected; rounding up for good service in restaurants or taxis is appreciated but never obligatory.
- Etiquette
- Finns value personal space, punctuality and comfortable silences. Public saunas are usually single-sex and nude: shower first, sit on a towel or paper seat, and ask before throwing more water on the stove.
- Main airports
- Helsinki Airport (HEL), Helsinki; Rovaniemi Airport (RVN), Rovaniemi; Kittilä Airport (KTT), Kittilä
Visas & entry for Finland
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Finland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
The requirements for working in Finland are different.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat LyssavirusTick-borne encephalitis
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Finland
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sat 31 Oct 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Sun 6 Dec 2026 | Independence Day |
| Thu 24 Dec 2026 | Christmas Eve |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Second Day of Christmas |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | May Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Pentecost |
| Fri 25 Jun 2027 | Midsummer Eve |
| Sat 26 Jun 2027 | Midsummer Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Finnish
| English | Finnish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hei | hay |
| Thank you | Kiitos | KEE-tos |
| Please | Ole hyvä | OH-leh HU-va |
| Excuse me | Anteeksi | AHN-tayk-see |
| How much is this? | Paljonko tämä maksaa? | PAHL-yon-ko TA-ma MAHK-saa |
Know before you go
- Drinks over 8% alcohol, including spirits and most wine, are sold only in state-run Alko shops, which close on Sundays; supermarkets sell beer, cider and wine up to 8%.
- Everyman's right lets you hike, pick berries and mushrooms and camp for a night or two on most land, provided you keep away from homes and leave no trace.
- For Lapland in winter, book accommodation and aurora tours months ahead for December; February and March bring longer days, deeper snow and fewer Christmas crowds.
Finland travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Finland?
The best time to visit Finland is generally Jun–Aug, Dec–Mar. Peak months are January, February, March, June, July, August and December. Average highs in Helsinki range from -2°C to 23°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Finland cost per day?
Roughly £75 a day on a tight budget, £160 mid-range and £320+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Finland?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Finland use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Finland?
Traffic drives on the right in Finland, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Finland?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Finland?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to the Schengen area, which includes Finland, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Finland before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/finland/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Finland?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus and Tick-borne encephalitis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
