Destination Guide:
Finland & Lapland
From Helsinki’s colourful waterfront and peaceful islands to Lapland’s snow-covered forests, reindeer trails and vast Arctic skies, Finland has a wonderful way of making everyday moments feel special.
Photo: Jussi Silvennoinen / VisitKarelia
1: Country Overview
Whether you are travelling independently, sharing the experience as a couple or creating family memories together, there is space here to slow down, reconnect and enjoy nature at its most beautiful. Finland is a destination of contrasts: contemporary cities and silent forests, summer days that seem to last forever and winter nights illuminated by the possibility of the Northern Lights.
Begin with Helsinki’s food, design and sauna culture, escape to Finland’s lakes and national parks, then travel north into Finnish Lapland for Arctic landscapes, husky adventures, reindeer encounters and cosy evenings beside the fire. Finland’s four main tourism regions include Helsinki, Lakeland, the Coast and Archipelago, and Lapland, making it easy to create a holiday with several very different experiences.
Wonderful for:
Solo travellers looking for nature, easy-to-navigate cities and organised small-group experiences.
Couples wanting cosy cabins, beautiful scenery, saunas and unforgettable nights beneath the Arctic sky.
Families combining outdoor adventures with festive Lapland magic, wildlife and plenty of snow-filled fun.
2: Quick Facts at a Glance
Photo: Risto Takala / VisitKarelia
Languages: Finnish and Swedish are Finland’s official languages. English is also commonly encountered in tourism settings.
Currency: Euro (€).
Time: Finland is generally 2 hours ahead of the UK.
Plugs & voltage: European two-pin plugs, mainly Types C and F. Electricity is 230V, so UK travellers will need a plug adaptor.
Flight time from the UK: London to Helsinki takes a little under 3 hours on a direct flight. Lapland journeys are longer, with some seasonal direct services and plenty of options via Helsinki.
Emergency number: 112 for police, ambulance and fire services. Calls are free.
Entry requirements for British passport holders
For a normal holiday, British citizens can visit Finland and the wider Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport must normally have been issued less than 10 years before your arrival and remain valid for at least three months after the date you intend to leave the Schengen area.
The EU Entry/Exit System is now being implemented, so British visitors may be asked to register biometric information such as a photograph and fingerprints when crossing the Schengen border. Allow a little additional time for immigration formalities.
3: When to Go
Photo: Visit Finland
There really is no single “best” season for Finland — it depends entirely on the experience you have in mind.
December–March: winter wonderland
This is classic Lapland: deep snow, husky and reindeer experiences, skiing, snowmobiling and cosy evenings in Arctic cabins.
December is especially magical for families, although Christmas and New Year are also amongst Lapland’s busiest periods.
January and February bring beautiful snowy landscapes and long winter nights.
March can be an excellent compromise, with more daylight while winter activities are often still in full swing.
Late August–April: Northern Lights season
In Finnish Lapland, the main Northern Lights viewing season runs from late August into April. September–October and February–March are particularly appealing periods, although the aurora is a natural phenomenon and can never be guaranteed.
May–August: summer and the Midnight Sun
Summer is a completely different Finland. Think hiking, lakes, cycling, canoeing, berry-filled forests and evenings that barely become dark.
North of the Arctic Circle, the Midnight Sun brings exceptionally long periods of daylight during summer.
September: autumn colours
Early autumn — known for the colourful ruska season in Lapland — is beautiful for walking, photography and a quieter escape before winter arrives.
A Finnish celebration to know
Midsummer, or Juhannus, is one of Finland’s most important celebrations, traditionally enjoyed with cottage stays, saunas, bonfires, barbecues and time beside the water.
4: Getting There & Getting Around
Flying from the UK
Helsinki Airport is Finland’s main international gateway, with direct services from London and easy onward domestic connections. A direct London–Helsinki flight is just under three hours. Direct flights from the UK are operated by Finnair, Norwegian Air, and RyanAir.
For Lapland, depending on your travel dates, you might:
Fly directly to a Lapland airport on a seasonal service.
Fly to Helsinki and connect to Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo or another northern airport.
Combine Helsinki with Lapland using an overnight train.
Your consultant can help choose the combination that gives you the right balance between journey time, budget and experience.
Helsinki Airport
Helsinki Airport is well connected to the city. I and P trains link the airport with central Helsinki in approximately 30 minutes, making independent arrivals refreshingly straightforward.
Getting around Helsinki
Helsinki is compact and easy to explore on foot, while its integrated public transport includes:
Trams
Metro
Trains
Buses
Ferries
One HSL ticket system covers multiple forms of public transport.
Photo: Ants Vahter/Visit Finland
Getting around Lapland
Distances become much greater in the north, so planning ahead matters.
In Rovaniemi, buses connect the airport with the city and Santa Claus Village.
For more remote resorts and wilderness stays, pre-arranged transfers or a hire car can be particularly useful.
Winter driving deserves extra thought. Snow, ice, darkness and wildlife on rural roads can be unfamiliar to UK drivers. If you would rather relax and enjoy the scenery, organised transfers are an excellent option.
5: Top Experiences & Must-Sees
Photo: Tom Archer/Aurora Hut Inari
1. Discover Helsinki
Give yourself time to enjoy rather than simply pass through Finland’s capital.
Explore the harbour, Market Square and market halls, wander through the Design District, discover Helsinki’s architecture and settle into a café over coffee and a cinnamon bun.
Then add a Finnish sauna for the perfect introduction to local life.
Solo: Helsinki is ideal for wandering at your own pace.
Couples: Pair a sauna with dinner or drinks beside the waterfront.
Families: Mix sightseeing with parks, ferries and interactive attractions.
2. Take the ferry to Suomenlinna
Just offshore from Helsinki, Suomenlinna is a wonderfully atmospheric island fortress and an easy addition to a city break.
The ferry journey itself is part of the fun, particularly for children, while walking trails, historic buildings and sea views make it equally appealing to adults.
3. Chase the Northern Lights
Watching green ribbons of aurora appear above a snow-covered forest is one of Lapland’s defining experiences.
Head away from artificial light and, ideally, join an experienced guide who can use weather and aurora forecasts to choose promising viewing locations.
Remember that this is nature, not theatre — no one can guarantee an appearance. Lapland’s official tourism information identifies late August to April as the main viewing season.
For couples: consider a glass-roofed cabin for one special night.
For solo travellers: a small-group aurora excursion provides both company and local expertise.
For families: look for earlier-starting or family-focused tours so younger travellers are not out until the small hours.
4. Meet Lapland’s huskies and reindeer
A husky sled journey through snowy woodland is exhilarating, while a reindeer experience has a gentler rhythm and provides an opportunity to learn more about northern life.
Choose reputable providers with clear animal-welfare standards and give yourself time to enjoy the experience rather than squeezing several activities into one day.
5. Experience Finnish sauna culture
Sauna is part of everyday Finnish culture, not simply a spa treatment.
You will find everything from stylish city saunas to traditional lakeside and woodland saunas. Customs vary: some facilities are separated by gender, others are mixed, and swimwear or towels are commonly used in mixed public sessions. Wearing a towel or swimsuit because it makes you more comfortable is perfectly acceptable.
For an especially Finnish experience, combine sauna with fresh air — and perhaps a lake or sea dip if conditions, health and confidence allow.
6. Enjoy Finland beyond winter
Finland deserves to be seen without snow too.
Summer brings hiking, kayaking, forest walks, lakeside cottages and seemingly endless evenings. Lakeland is particularly lovely for slowing down, while Lapland becomes a peaceful hiking destination beneath the Midnight Sun.
6: Food & Drink
Finnish food is comforting, seasonal and closely connected with forests, lakes and the changing seasons.
Things to look out for:
Lohikeitto – creamy salmon soup, especially welcome after a cold day.
Karjalanpiirakka – Karelian pies, traditionally made with a rye crust and rice filling.
Korvapuusti – Finnish cinnamon buns, made for a coffee break.
Ruisleipä – dark Finnish rye bread.
Berries – lingonberries, bilberries (mini wild blueberries) and cloudberries appear in desserts, breakfasts, sauces and drinks. They can also be freely picked in most forest areas in mid-late summer.
Fish – salmon, perch and other fish feature prominently.
Reindeer – found particularly in northern cuisine. It is entirely optional, of course, and vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly easy to find in larger towns and resorts.
Photo: Harri Tarvainen
Coffee culture
A café stop is part of the Finnish experience. Helsinki in particular has a strong coffee culture, making a warm drink and pastry an easy pleasure between sightseeing stops.
Water
Bring a reusable bottle. Finland’s tap water is excellent, which also makes staying hydrated easy while sightseeing.
7: Culture & Etiquette
Photo: Visit Finland
Finnish warmth can be quieter than the hospitality you experience elsewhere. People often value calmness, personal space and sincerity rather than lots of small talk.
A few simple pointers help:
Punctuality is appreciated.
Do not worry about moments of silence; they are not necessarily uncomfortable in Finnish culture.
Treat forests, lakes and wilderness areas with care.
Follow the rules displayed in public saunas.
Remove or clean snowy footwear where requested inside cabins and accommodation.
Keep noise down in peaceful natural areas.
Never assume someone wants conversation simply because they are travelling alone.
Respecting Sámi culture
Northern Finland includes the Sámi homeland and living Indigenous Sámi culture.
When choosing cultural experiences, prioritise authentic and, where possible, Sámi-led experiences. Avoid attractions that turn Sámi clothing, identity or traditions into costumes or stereotypes.
Finland uses the euro (€). Card and mobile payments are accepted almost everywhere, including many taxis, cafés and smaller businesses. Carrying a little cash can still be useful in more rural areas.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in Finland because service is included. If you receive particularly good service, rounding up or leaving a small voluntary tip is perfectly welcome.
What to budget for
Finland can feel relatively expensive compared with some European destinations, and Lapland prices can climb considerably around Christmas and New Year.
As a general planning principle:
Café stops and supermarket lunches keep everyday spending manageable.
Restaurant lunches often offer better value than evening dining.
Free nature experiences can balance the cost of organised activities.
Guided husky, snowmobile and Northern Lights excursions should be treated as significant holiday extras rather than incidental spending.
Lapland accommodation and activities are worth booking early for peak winter dates.
Nordic Travel Table can help build the experiences that matter most to you into the holiday price before you travel, making the overall budget much easier to manage.
8: Money Matters
Photo: Harri Tarvainen
9: Safety & Health
Photo: Mika Ruusunen and Helsinki Partners
Finland is straightforward to travel around, but normal precautions still apply.
Personal belongings
Finland is a very safe country however like in any major city, pickpocketing can occur in crowded tourist areas, so keep phones, wallets and passports secure.
Arctic safety
Lapland contains genuinely remote Arctic areas where medical and rescue assistance can take longer to reach you. For winter activities or remote hikes:
Dress appropriately.
Tell someone your plans.
Check weather conditions.
Stay on recognised routes.
Use qualified guides for unfamiliar activities.
The FCDO specifically highlights the additional considerations involved in Arctic travel.
Health cover
Take appropriate travel insurance covering your planned activities, particularly skiing, snowmobiling or other winter sports.
Eligible UK visitors should also carry a valid GHIC or EHIC to access medically necessary state healthcare, but this is not a replacement for travel insurance and does not cover everything, including medical repatriation.
Emergency number
Call 112 for urgent police, ambulance or fire assistance.
The official 112 Suomi app can also be useful; it includes emergency information and can help services determine your location when an emergency call is made through the app.
10: Packing Tips
Photo: Eeva Anundi/Business Finland
Winter in Lapland
Layers are your best friend. As they say in Finland “Ei ole olemassa huonoa säätä, on vain huonoja vaatteita” (There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes)
Pack:
Thermal base layers
Warm mid-layers
Insulated winter coat
Waterproof or snow-resistant trousers
Warm hat
Neck warmer or scarf
Proper insulated gloves or mittens
Thick socks
Suitable winter boots
Lip balm and moisturiser
Sunglasses for bright snow
Portable battery pack
UK-to-European plug adaptor
Many organised winter excursions provide specialist thermal outerwear, but check exactly what is included before leaving home.
Family tip
Bring spare gloves for children. Wet gloves and Arctic temperatures are not a happy combination.
Photography tip
Cold weather drains batteries surprisingly quickly, so keep spare batteries or your phone close to your body when possible.
Summer
Pack light layers, waterproofs, comfortable walking footwear, insect repellent, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sleep mask — long summer daylight can take some getting used to.
11: Optional Add-Ons & Excursions
Photo: Arctic Sauna World
This is where a good Finland itinerary becomes a really memorable one.
Consider adding:
A glass-roofed cabin night
Perfect for couples, special occasions — or families wanting one extraordinary night together.
Private Northern Lights tour
A lovely upgrade for couples and multigenerational families wanting flexibility.
Husky safari
One of Lapland’s most exhilarating winter experiences.
Reindeer experience
Gentler and particularly lovely for families.
Snowmobile safari
A brilliant option for travellers looking for more adventure.
Snowshoeing
Peaceful, accessible and a wonderful way to appreciate the forest.
Traditional sauna experience
Add dinner or a lakeside location for something extra special.
Overnight train between Helsinki and Lapland
Turn the journey itself into part of the holiday.
Lakeland cottage stay
Ideal for couples or families travelling in summer.
National park excursion
Excellent for solo travellers wanting a guided nature experience.
A little advice from us
In Lapland, resist the temptation to book three or four activities every day. Some of the loveliest moments happen between excursions — playing in untouched snow, warming up over hot chocolate or simply standing quietly beneath the Arctic sky.
12: Stay Connected
Photo: Ants Vahter/Visit Finland
Wi-Fi is commonly available in hotels, cafés and accommodation, although coverage naturally becomes less dependable in remote wilderness areas.
Before travelling, check whether your UK mobile tariff includes roaming in Finland; post-Brexit roaming arrangements differ between networks.
For longer stays, a local SIM or eSIM may offer better value.
Useful apps to have ready
Your airline app
‘HSL’ for Helsinki public transport
‘VR’ rail operator’s app if travelling across the country by train
An aurora forecast app for Lapland - we recommend ‘My Aurora Forecast & Alerts’. Links for Android & Apple
Saving an offline map on Google Maps or similar
112 Suomi for Finnish safety and emergency information
And remember: seeing a strong aurora forecast does not guarantee clear skies, so local knowledge and an accurate weather app like ‘Accuweather’ remains incredibly valuable.
13: Our Support While You’re Away
Photo: Markus Kontiainen/Finnair
From the moment your trip begins, you are not simply sent on your way.
Your holiday with Nordic Travel Table is supported through The Independent Travel Consultants, with assistance available should you need help while travelling, including access to 24/7 support.
Your booking also benefits from the financial protection arrangements attached to your holiday, including PTS and ATOL protection where applicable.
Whether it is a flight change, an unexpected problem with your accommodation or simply needing guidance while away, there is reassurance in knowing support is there when you need it.
14: Nordic Travel Table’s Insider Tip
Mike Marolia, owner of Nordic Travel Table says:
Finland is one of those destinations where leaving a little space in the itinerary really pays off. In Lapland, make time to step outside after dinner, look up and simply listen to the silence — you never know when the sky might surprise you. If you can, combine a few exciting activities with slower moments such as a sauna, fireside lunch or forest walk. Those quieter memories can end up being every bit as special as the headline experiences.
Be sure to check out our Finland & Lapland sample itinerary to give you a more in-depth idea of how your trip could look like.
15: Thank You & Your Next Adventure
Photo: Lauri Rotko / Helsinki Partners
Kiitos — thank you!
We hope Finland gives you exactly what you are looking for: adventure, calm, connection, laughter — or perhaps a little of everything.
Whether you return home with photographs of the Northern Lights, stories of huskies racing through the forest, children's memories of a magical Lapland adventure or simply a renewed appreciation for quiet moments, Finland has a habit of staying with you.
Share your favourite photographs and stories when you return — we would love to hear which experience became your Finland moment.
And whenever the next adventure starts calling, whether that means another Nordic escape, summer under the Midnight Sun or somewhere completely different, your travel consultant will be here to help bring it to life.
Please check the latest UK Government travel advice before you go: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice