14 Places to Visit in Finland in Winter (Not Just Lapland!)
Most people think winter in Finland can only be experienced by visiting Lapland… but several other places in Finland are worthy of your visit, too!
I have visited lots of places in Finland during winter and have many others on my list. This guide discusses the best places to visit in Finland in winter.
While it includes Rovaniemi, the top winter destination in Finland, it also includes some lesser-known places in Lapland as well as places outside of the Arctic Circle.
If you have additional Finnish winter destinations to add to this list- please drop them in the comments below!
Where to Go in Finland During Winter
I handpicked this list according to places I have loved visiting in Finland throughout the winter and other times of the year. I also picked a few that are on my list as friends of mine have visited them and said how amazing they were.
Some of these winter destinations require a bit of effort to visit and others are rather easy, merely requiring a plane ride or train to.
In addition to the list of places, we have also included where in Finland the destination is located, the daylight situation (24-hours of darkness or not?), and some of the unique experiences you will get from visiting the place.
I also listed a few pros and cons of the destination and listed any resources you may find on this blog that can aid you in planning the Finland winter trip.
If you have any winter tips for Finland, please let us know!
Things to Consider Before Booking a Finland Winter Trip
There are many things you need to consider before booking a trip to Finland during winter.
I think before booking a trip to Finland in winter, you need to figure out what you really want to accomplish and see there first.
Regardless of where you choose, you will absolutely fall in love with Finland!
Finland Daylight in Winter
Something else you really want to consider when visiting Finland in December or January is the amount of daylight you will have. Or, perhaps I should say, won’t have.
Like other Nordic countries, you will have many places in Finland where it is completely dark during the winter. The farther north you are, the less daylight you will have. The further south you are, the more you’ll have. Pretty standard.
If you’re in Helsinki, expect around 6 hours of daylight on the winter solstice.
If you’re in Utsjoki, on the other hand, expect none. One thing that kind of throws travelers off is that despite the sun not rising in the Arctic in winter, you will still have a few hours of skies that look like an extended sunset.
So, if you’re visiting Rovaniemi, for example, you will still be able to see a bit and it will not be pitch black.
In this guide, we include the sunrise and sunset details for each destination. We used December 21 (winter solstice) as the chosen date solely because it is the longest day of the year.
Temperatures During Winter in Finland
Temperatures in Finland vary during the winter. But, I can generally say that they are almost always cold.
Unlike visiting Norway in winter, where the Jet Stream plays a factor for coastal cities, you don’t really have that in Finland. We list the average December temperatures for the places on this guide.
What to Pack for Finland in Winter
What you should pack for winter in Finland simply depends on where you will be visiting and what you will be doing.
If you’re in Utsjoki, on the other hand, expect none. One thing that kind of throws travelers off is that despite the sun not rising in the Arctic in winter, you will still have a few hours of skies that look like an extended sunset.
So, if you’re visiting Rovaniemi, for example, you will still be able to see a bit and it will not be pitch black.
In this guide, we include the sunrise and sunset details for each destination. We used December 21 (winter solstice) as the chosen date solely because it is the longest day of the year.
Temperatures During Winter in Finland
Temperatures in Finland vary during the winter. But, I can generally say that they are almost always cold.
Unlike visiting Norway in winter, where the Jet Stream plays a factor for coastal cities, you don’t really have that in Finland. We list the average December temperatures for the places on this guide.
What to Pack for Finland in Winter
What you should pack for winter in Finland simply depends on where you will be visiting and what you will be doing.
I recommend checking out this destination winter packing list for Norway that is similar to what you’ll need in Finland for the winter. It breaks everything down and all are products, gear, and clothing I have used when visiting Finland during winter.
Map of Places to Visit in Finland in Winter
To add this map to your Google Maps account, click the ‘Star’ icon next to the map name. You can then view it on your cell phone or computer by heading to your Google Maps account, click the menu and add it to ‘Your Places’.
Winter Destinations in Finland
These fifteen places are places I have hand-selected personally after visiting them during the winter months or in other times of the year where I knew they had a lot to offer in winter.
A few are places that my friends have visited and recommended to me for my next Finland trip!
Rovaniemi
Average Temperatures (December): High: -4C/24F Low: -11C/11F
Sunrise and Sunset on December 21: 11:08am and 1:22pm
Pros of visiting Rovaniemi in winter: northern lights, highest concentration of activities in Finland during winter
Cons of visiting Rovaniemi in winter: most touristy season there, high prices
Without a doubt, the most popular place to visit in Finland in winter is Rovaniemi. Flying from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is a breeze and when you arrive, you will be greeted as though you’ve walked into a winter fairytale!
Rovaniemi is known for its Santa Claus Village, a dreamland where over half a million visitors flock to annually to sit on Santa’s lap and hand him their Christmas wish list.
But, Rovaniemi is more than just Santa Claus Village! You will also find so many activities that it is impossible to get bored there! There are many things to do in Rovaniemi from eating reindeer waffles to visiting local museums, but nothing is as popular as taking a Rovaniemi northern lights tour!
You’ll find plenty of tours in Rovaniemi that you can join in on from dog-sledding to snowmobiling to snowshoeing… and more! While autumn in Rovaniemi is my favorite, you really can’t go wrong with a winter trip there.
Unique experiences: northern lights tours, ice floating (seriously it was one of the weirdest and coolest things I’ve ever done!), dog-sledding, and Santa Claus Village. Read More…
