Destinations Ultimate Guide to Finland 9th July, 2024

Known for its unique landscapes, Taiga forests and frozen lakes, over 70% of Finland is covered in thick woodland and it is often called “the land of a thousand lakes” because it has 187,888 in total. With magical snow-covered forests, epic displays of the northern lights and plenty of thrilling activities like dog sledding and snowmobiling, this country is a playground for travellers seeking outdoor adventure and a unique experience like no other.

Here at Kandoo Adventures we operate two fantastic trips to Finland and in this blog, we’ll answer some of the most asked questions about travelling to Finland. For more information regarding our trips to Finland, get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to answer any of your questions.

There are also some lesser-spoken languages too including variants of the Sami language of the indigenous people of Lapland, the largest and northernmost region in Finland. Many indigenous Sami people from Lapland now speak Finnish as their first language, but some keep their language alive. English is also widely practiced, so visitors should have no problem communicating while travelling.

Non-stop flights from New York to Helsinki take a little over 8 hours and it takes around 10 hours 35 minutes to fly from Los Angeles to Helsinki.

Both of Kandoo Adventures trips to Finland require travellers to arrive at Kuusamo airport (KAO) just south of Lapland. From the UK, there are direct flights to Kuusamo from London Gatwick, Manchester and Birmingham with TUI or Finnair and Air France offering flights with a layover in Helsinki. Flights from Scotland and London Heathrow all go via Helsinki.

If you're coming from the US, Finnair offer flights with a stopover in Helsinki from New York, Los Angeles and Dallas. From Atlanta and Miami you will need to fly via one of the other US airports or have a stopover in Europe and Helsinki.

In northern Lapland, Finland’s northernmost region located within the Arctic Circle, the aurora borealis shines just about every clear night between September and March, while in southern Finland they’re only visible about 10-20 nights a year.

The best time to see the northern lights when visiting Finland tends to be from 10pm to 2am though you should remember that the aurora is a natural event, and so the lights won’t appear on cue! To boost your chance of seeing the northern lights you should seek out landscapes with low levels of light pollution away from cities and towns and keep an eye on the forecast for clear skies.

Other popular destinations to see the northern lights in Europe that the team at Kandoo Adventures run trips to include Norway, Iceland and Greenland.

In southern Finland, summer usually begins in late May and lasts until mid-September while the season starts in Lapland about one month later and finishes one month earlier. The average summer temperature in Finland is around 20°C / 68°F and the country experiences endless summer.

The season of autumn begins around the last week of August in Lapland and about one month later in southwestern Finland. Autumn typically brings a rainier climate to Finland and the first snow usually falls in Lapland in September and elsewhere in October or November.

Winter is the longest season in Lapland, lasting for about 200 days in Lapland and 100+ days in southern Finland. The temperature in northern Finland is typically below 0°C for most of the winter and a bit warmer down south, and the whole country is likely to be covered in snow.

The spring season begins in early April on the coast and later in April elsewhere, except for Lapland where the season kicks off a month later in early May.

What to pack in each season:

• Winter – warm gloves, a hat, a scarf, woolly socks, winter boots and a thick jacket
  
• Spring – layers of clothing, gloves, a scarf, a hat, a waterproof coat and sunglasses
  
• Summer – lightweight clothing, a swimsuit, sunglasses and a light jacket for evenings
  
• Autumn – a scarf, gloves, beanie, waterproof shoes, a raincoat and underlayers
  

When travelling to Finland from the US, you can travel to Finland for up to 90 days without a visa and your passport must be valid for more than 3 months beyond the period of stay.

Not only is dog sledding an exciting Arctic adventure steeped in tradition, but it’s also one of the best ways to get out and explore the awe-inspiring surroundings and Arctic tundra. Nothing compares to the feeling of travelling across pristine snowy trails and discovering the natural wonders of Finland during a dog sledding trip.

Ice fishing, or “pilkki” as it’s called in Finnish, is one of the most popular hobbies of the locals and a true Finnish experience that all visitors must experience. With snowshoes on you walk across a beautiful frozen lake and your guide will explain how to drill a hole and how the fishing rods work. End your successful ice fishing experience by cooking your catch on an open fire for a truly authentic Finnish meal.

Snowmobiling is one of the most exciting activities in Finland. When the scenery is this spectacular, being in the open air on the back of a snowmobile weaving through the nature of the beautiful Arctic is the only way to go and it is a bucket list experience for many.

A form of hiking, snowshoeing is a winter activity and fantastic way to enjoy the quietness and beauty of Finland’s winter wonderland. It’s a great way to discover snow-covered forests and many national parks offer snowshoeing experiences and can provide you with information on trails.

A popular pastime in Finnish culture is going to the sauna – some people go every day. An easy option is to head to one of the great public saunas located in all of Finland’s major cities and enjoy the relaxing darkness and tranquillity for yourself.

Finland’s cuisine differs from neighbouring Scandinavian countries, and it is built around fresh, natural ingredients gathered straight from the water, land and forests. From creamy fish soups to seasonal berries, trying some traditional Finnish food is a must when visiting this delightful country.

There are over 40 national parks scattered around Finland offering abundant nature and plenty of recreational activities including hiking, kayaking, climbing and snowshoeing. What’s more, Finnish “Everyman’s Right” enables anyone to venture just about anywhere as long as they respect the environment and clean up after themselves.

Located in the Arctic Circle, the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is known as “Santa’s Official North Pole Residence” and is one of the most popular travel destinations in Finland. The village is open year-round for kids of all ages to see Santa and his elves. You could even have your photo taken with Father Christmas himself!