The places, most named first
From the 8 guides that rank for "best places to visit in finland"
Named by 7 of 81. Finnish LaplandWinter here brings the Northern Lights, snowmobiling and dog sledding across large forests.Further north puts you inside the auroral oval, which improves the odds of seeing the lights if skies are clear.Named by 6 of 82. HelsinkiThe capital is easy to explore on foot, surrounded by water on three sides.It mixes neoclassical, Art Deco and modern architecture with parks and the Baltic Sea.Best time to visit Helsinki
Named by 3 of 83. Oulanka National ParkThe Kiutaköngäs rapids are an easy 1 km walk from the car park, and rope bridges cross the canyon.The 82 km Karhunkierros (Bear) Trail passes through and takes 3 to 4 days.
Named by 3 of 84. Turku and the archipelagoThe Turku Archipelago is on the map of places to visit in Finland.Finland has Europe's largest archipelago, with thousands of islands.Named by 2 of 85. RovaniemiThe largest Lapland base, with many activities and operators, easy to do without a car.It sits just below the Arctic Circle, so aurora tends to show low on the horizon.
Named by 2 of 86. SaariselkäA pedestrian resort village, 25 km from Ivalo airport, rated very good for the Northern Lights.Arctic Resort Kakslauttanen, with glass igloos, is near here, about 250 km north of the Arctic Circle.
Named by 2 of 87. LakelandLakeland is one of the regions with glass cabins and aurora stays.It is one of the places for lakeside smoke saunas.
Named by 2 of 88. Kuusamo and RukaRuka is described as the busiest resort in Finland, with ski season from October to June.Kuusamo airport is the gateway to Oulanka, about 50 km away by bus.
9. LeviA lively resort with bars and restaurants, 15 km from Kittilä airport and workable without a car.
10. YlläsQuiet and family-friendly, with the largest ski area in Finland.
11. InariThe heart of Sámi culture, a small place deep in nature with excellent Northern Lights odds.
12. KilpisjärviVery far north and can be combined with Norway, with auroras three nights out of four in the zone.
13. Pyhä-LuostoA national park area that is quiet, with direct ski buses from Rovaniemi.
14. Muonio and OlosA very quiet crossroads village suited to dog sledding.
15. SallaDescribed as in the middle of nowhere, a choice for isolation on purpose.
16. Lake KeiteleOne of Finland's largest lakes, with summer cottages and saunas on the shore.
17. Bear watching in SuomussalmiThe best place to see wild brown bears is in the east near the Russian border, with a local guide.
18. Neristan, KokkolaAn old wooden town on the west coast that sees far fewer tourists than Porvoo.
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When to go
Travel guides most often name June to August as the best time to visit Finland.
Questions people ask
- What is the best month to go to Finland?
- The Northern Lights season runs from late August to April. For Lapland, one source says March costs far less than December with at least as good snow.
- Is Finland a cheap country to visit?
- One source says Helsinki is considerably more expensive than the rest of the country.
