When to go to Finland

Simply, the time of year you should visit Finland is largely dictated by what you want to do. And, with different activities popping up throughout the seasons, you might just find yourself coming back for more.

A winter in Lapland affords all the snowy fun of your dreams. What’s more, when you’ve tired of all the snowmobiling, husky safaris and snowshoeing, you’ll have the chance of catching one of nature’s greatest phenomena – the Northern Lights. And the best time to spot them? Well, given their unpredictability, it’s difficult to say. Although they’re visible from September through March, most focus their efforts between late December and April when the nights are at their darkest and longest.

To make your hunt for the lights extra special, winter is, of course, the time to make the most of Scandinavia’s unique snow hotels. Alternatively, you can watch the aurora borealis play out above your very own bed, from the comfort of a glass igloo. Alongside ice-breaker cruises, Finland is also the place for Santa holidays, with Christmas trips bringing you and your little ones face to face with the man himself.

Not to be outdone, Finland in the summer also offers plenty of the unique. It’s one of the few places outside of America that you can go bear watching, with hides dotted along the Russian border. The warmer months are also ideal for a city break to Helsinki or visiting the gorgeous Finnish Lakeland, where pretty roads dive through evergreen forests. Then, come autumn, there’s the chance of spotting the Northern Lights without the big freeze of winter.