Home to around 188,000 lakes, a similar number of islands and vast swathes of coniferous forest, Finland is a country where nature reigns supreme. It’s defined by stark contrasts throughout the seasons, offering an ever-shifting carousel of opportunities to explore the great outdoors. In winter, its snow-cloaked landscapes play host to husky sledding, snowmobiling, skiing and snowshoeing adventures, and in the far north of the country, the sun stays below the horizon for several weeks from late November until mid-January. Between September and April, the Northern Lights are a regular sight illuminating the night sky. In summer, meanwhile, it doesn’t get dark, and the possibilities for hiking, cycling, kayaking and wild swimming are endless. Although not technically part of Scandinavia, Finland shares much in common with its Nordic neighbours – not least its deeply ingrained sauna culture, ultra-efficient public transport and penchant for cutting-edge design. Find out more about its different regions below, then browse our full range of Finland holidays, with options available throughout the year. See itinerary ideas
Finnish Lapland Holidays
Finnish Lapland is an enchanting region of boreal forests and sweeping fells, blanketed in snow throughout winter and illuminated by the Midnight Sun in summer. It's the focal point for a whole host of Nordic innovations, not least the glass igloo, which is surely among the most enchanting ways to experience the Northern Lights. Finland has many such resorts dotted throughout its remote northern reaches, along with a plethora of luxury lodges, wilderness hotels and cosy log cabins, where fabulous accommodation is complemented by hearty Lappish cuisine and outdoor adventures galore.
Glass igloo at Levin Iglut, Finnish Lapland
Indeed, Finnish Lapland is a prime destination for a whole host of thrilling winter activities, from snowmobiling and snowshoeing to ice fishing and husky safaris. There’s also the opportunity to meet reindeer and learn about the culture of the indigenous Sami people who have inhabited the region for thousands of years. And of course, Finnish Lapland is renowned as the official home of Santa, making it a perennially popular choice for family break filled with festive cheer.
Getting to Finnish Lapland is very straightforward too, with regular direct flights from numerous UK airports to Rovaniemi throughout the winter months, as well as seasonal connections to smaller regional airports such as Kittilä and Ivalo. And, there’s always the option to travel via Helsinki, either arriving in Finnish Lapland on the same day, or incorporating an overnight stop to give you a taste of the Finnish capital before continuing your journey north.
Wilderness Hotel Nangu, Finnish Lapland
While the tourism industry in Finnish Lapland heavily revolves around winter, there are many excellent hiking and cycling routes to discover in summer, when the region is significantly quieter and accommodation more affordably priced. This is also the best time of year to go bear watching, as the bears come out of hibernation and are busy foraging and feeding. Mosquitoes are prevalent in summer, however, so a netted hat, long-sleeved clothing and strong repellent is highly recommended if you plan on spending time out in nature.
Finnish Lakeland holidays
In a country where 10 percent of the total landmass is covered by water, drawing a neatly defined boundary around the Finnish Lakeland region is no simple task. There are roughly 188,000 lakes in total, spread all throughout the country from the far south to the northernmost tip. However, the area most commonly described as Finnish Lakeland refers to central and eastern Finland, broadly between Tampere and Joensuu.
Lake Saimaa, Finland
Contrary to Finnish Lapland, this region is more strongly associated with summer travel – indeed, it’s where many Finns choose to spend their holidays, leaving the cities behind to spend time with friends and family at a lakeside cottage. Renting a car is the best way to explore Finnish Lakeland in all its beauty, giving you the ultimate freedom and flexibility to cover the highlights at your own pace.
The region around Lake Saimaa, Finland’s largest lake, is especially notable for its picturesque towns (such as Savonlinna and Lappeenranta), abundant wildlife (including bears, wolves, lynxes and the Saimaa Ringed Seal) and thriving culinary scene, as recognised by its prestigious European Region of Gastronomy status in 2024. There’s no shortage of wonderful accommodation, too, including traditional farmhouses, boutique lakeside resorts and luxury wellness retreats.
Sky Glass Cabins at Ukkohalla Resort, Arctic Lakeland
A little further north is Arctic Lakeland, a region that offers much of the same appeal as the core Finnish Lakeland area (superb wildlife viewing, excellent hiking and cycling trails and idyllic landscapes) as well as the kind of winter activities you’d find in Finnish Lapland – except, with fewer crowds and lower prices. It’s regarded as the snowiest region in Finland, with ideal conditions for husky sledding, snowmobiling and skiing (both cross-country and downhill), typically from December through to early April. You can even stay in a glass-walled cabin, such as those at Ukkohalla Resort – a consistent favourite among our clients.
Although not quite as far north as Finnish Lapland, Arctic Lakeland lies on the same latitude as Reykjavik in Iceland – still comfortably within the auroral oval, and therefore a reliable bet for seeing the Northern Lights in autumn, winter or early spring. Getting there requires a short internal flight from Helsinki to Kajaani.
Helsinki & Southern Finland holidays
Finland’s capital, Helsinki, is a city where timelessly elegant Neoclassical and Art Nouveau masterpieces are juxtaposed with shining examples of sleek Nordic minimalism and cutting-edge contemporary design. It’s a captivating melange which holds a particular appeal for those with an appreciation of architectural excellence and artistic flair.
Helsinki harbour
Pair that with a world-renowned design district, a burgeoning culinary scene, stylish sauna complexes, a plethora of gorgeous parks and an easily accessible archipelago awash with secluded beaches and tranquil woodland trails, and you’ll find that there’s so much more to Helsinki than immediately meets the eye.
And while it’s a thoroughly worthwhile city break destination at any time of the year, Helsinki is also very well connected to other parts of Finland – as well as neighbouring countries, making it an ideal stop as part of a multi-centre trip. You can, for instance, easily take the ferry (or fly) from Helsinki to Stockholm, or hop across the Baltic Sea to explore Tallinn, the charming capital of Estonia, either for a day trip or an overnight stay. Around 50 kilometres east of Helsinki is Porvoo, one of the oldest towns in Finland, whose historic centre is replete with narrow cobbled lanes, beautifully preserved timber houses and red-ochre painted riverside warehouses.
Turku Archipelago (Credit: Jaakko Kivela)
A couple of hours west of Helsinki, meanwhile, lies Turku, a vibrant university city on the banks of the Aura River, and a getaway to an archipelago of more than 20,000 islands scattered off Finland’s southwest coast. If you’re looking to get off the beaten track and explore one of the country’s most alluring corners, a summer island-hopping road trip in the Turku Archipelago is just the ticket. Take a ferry even further west and you'll reach reach the charming Åland Islands, an autonomous archipelago halfway between Finland and Sweden.
