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Best time to travel to Finland

Comparison of best months to travel to Finland

Month	5-point rating	Reason
January		Extremely cold, but perfect for watching the Northern Lights. You can also enjoy snowy scenery and winter sports. The short hours of daylight are a drawback.
February		Very cold, but with a lot of snow, it's perfect for activities like skiing and dog sledding. It's also easy to see the Northern Lights.
March		The hours of daylight start to get longer, so you can enjoy the Northern Lights and the arrival of spring at the same time. The snow quality is still good.
April		The snow starts to melt, so it's not so good for sightseeing. You can do city sightseeing, but nature experiences are limited.
May		There are spring events such as "Kalevala Day". Nature starts to wake up, but mosquitoes start to appear.
June		The season of the midnight sun, when you can be active 24 hours a day. The Midsummer Festival is held, and you can experience Finnish culture at its best.
July		Warm and comfortable. You can enjoy summer nature experiences such as blueberry picking. More tourists.
August		The end of summer, the temperature is good, but there is a lot of rain. Perfect for swimming in the lake or staying at a cottage.
September		The season of beautiful autumn leaves called "Ruska". There are few insects, so it is perfect for hiking.
October		Unstable weather with a mix of rain and snow. This marks the end of the tourist season.
November		The beginning of the dark and cold season. Many tourist facilities are closed, so it is not suitable for traveling.
December		The Christmas market and Santa Claus Village are bustling. You can enjoy snowy scenery and winter magic.

The most recommended month is "June"

June is the highlight month of a trip to Finland. During the midnight sun, you can experience the mysterious sun never setting. In particular, the summer solstice festival (Juhannus) around June 21st is one of the most important holidays in Finland, where you can enjoy a traditional feast around a bonfire by the lake. The temperature is also comfortable at 15-25 degrees, and it is also the time before the mass outbreak of mosquitoes. In urban areas such as Helsinki, open cafes are bustling, and you can enjoy Finnish summer activities such as boat trips to the Aakepelago Islands and sauna experiences on the lake. Nature lovers can also enjoy hiking in Nuuksio National Park and picking wild berries. Another advantage is that hotels and transportation are not yet in peak season, so it is relatively easy to make reservations. The weather is stable and there are few rainy days, so you can enjoy sightseeing as planned. It can be said that this is the best season to experience the charm of Finland in the most intense way, both culturally and naturally.

The worst month to travel to Finland is "November"

November is the month to avoid the most when traveling to Finland. The hours of daylight are extremely short (even in Helsinki, it's only about 6 hours a day), and the weather is dark and gloomy. The weather is unpleasant with a mix of rain and snow, and the temperature starts to drop below freezing, but the snow has not yet settled, so winter activities cannot be enjoyed. Many tourist facilities are switching from summer mode to winter mode, and many are closed. It is possible to see the Aurora, but the probability is low as most days are covered with clouds. In terms of transportation, road conditions are unstable and some public transportation is switching to a winter schedule, so you may be forced to make some inconveniences. There are few cultural events, and it is the most depressing season of the year, which Finns call "Kaamos" (dark time). It is the worst period in terms of travel comfort, activity options, and weather stability.

Recommended months for each type of trip

Type of trip	Recommended month	Reason
Aurora watching	January, February, March, September	These are the months with long dark nights and a high rate of clear skies. In particular, the temperature rises slightly in March, making it easier to watch.
Winter sports	December, January, February, March	The snow quality is good, and ski resorts are in full operation. You can also enjoy cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Summer nature experiences	June, July	The midnight sun allows for long periods of outdoor activity. Perfect for saunas and camping by the lake.
Culture and event experiences	June, December	You can experience traditional Finnish culture, such as the Midsummer Festival in June and the Christmas market in December.
City sightseeing	May, June, September	The climate is mild, making it ideal for walking around cities such as Helsinki and Turku. Tourist attractions are also open.
Quiet nature trip	September, May	There are fewer tourists, so you can leisurely enjoy the autumn leaves and spring buds. There are also fewer mosquitoes and insects during this time.
Photography	September, December, March	The autumn leaves in September, snowy scenery in December, and the contrast between winter and spring in March is beautiful.
Travel with children	June, December	June has good weather and there are plenty of activities. In December, there are plenty of facilities for children, such as Santa Claus Village.