Finland

Finland is a land of forests, lakes and silence, with a deep sauna culture and some of the clearest Arctic skies in Europe. In Lapland the winter nights are long, snow is reliable and the aurora shows up often enough to plan a trip around it.

Why it is on my list

A glass igloo in Lapland under the aurora. Lying in a warm bed with a roof of glass and waiting for the sky to turn green is the kind of simple, strange luxury I would travel a long way for.

Best time to go

• Aurora season: late August to early April, with the best odds from September to March on clear nights.

• Snow and winter fun: December to March for husky sleds, reindeer and snowmobiles. Expect temperatures of 14F to negative 22F.

• Midnight sun: late May to July in the far north, with long, golden evenings.

• Ruska (autumn colors): September, with fewer crowds and strong aurora chances.

• Peak crowds: Christmas week and February are busiest, so book glass igloos many months ahead.

Where to stay

• Saariselka: a resort village in Inari with glass igloo lodges and quick access to wilderness.

• Rovaniemi: the Santa Claus Village and an easy airport, good for a first Lapland trip.

• Kakslauttanen: well-known for glass igloos and log cabins near Saariselka.

• Levi and Yllas: ski resorts with hotels and aurora cabins.

• Helsinki: design, saunas and sea views, an easy add before or after Lapland.

Getting there and around

• Airports: Helsinki (HEL) is the main hub with nonstop flights from New York and other US cities on Finnair.

• To Lapland: domestic flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, Kittila or Ivalo take about 1.5 hours.

• Night train: sleeper trains run from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and Kemi.

• Driving: possible in winter but needs experience with ice. Many visitors book transfers.

• In Helsinki: trams, metro and ferries make a car unnecessary.

What to eat

• Karelian pies: rye pastries filled with rice, topped with egg butter.

• Salmon soup (lohikeitto): creamy, comforting and found everywhere.

• Reindeer: sauteed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberry is the Lapland classic.

• Cinnamon buns (korvapuusti): the coffee break companion.

• Leipajuusto: squeaky baked cheese served with cloudberry jam.

• Fresh berries: cloudberries, lingonberries and blueberries in season.

What to drink

• Coffee: Finns drink more coffee per person than anyone, usually light roast.

• Salmiakki liqueur: salty licorice flavors, an acquired taste.

• Koskenkorva: the classic local vodka, often in a Lonkero long drink.

• Craft beer: Helsinki and Tampere have lively brewery scenes.

• Glogi: hot spiced mulled wine, a winter staple.

Don't miss

• A real Finnish sauna: with a lake or snow plunge if you are brave.

• Husky and reindeer rides: offered by many farms in Lapland.

• Santa Claus Village: on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi.

• Snowmobile safari: a ride across frozen lakes under the stars.

• Oodi library and Suomenlinna: architecture and a sea fortress in Helsinki.

• Urho Kekkonen National Park: big wilderness for hiking and skiing.

• Snow hotels and ice restaurants: temporary frozen builds that open each winter.

Day trips and side trips

• Porvoo: a pastel old town an hour from Helsinki.

• Tallinn, Estonia: a two hour ferry across the Gulf of Finland.

• Lake Saimaa: thousands of islands and a rare freshwater seal.

• Inari and the Sami culture: museums and crafts in the north.

Festivals and events

• Flow Festival: Helsinki music and arts festival, usually in August.

• Tuska: open air metal festival, usually in late June or July.

• Midsummer (Juhannus): Finns head to lakeside cottages, usually in late June.

• Helsinki Design Week: usually in September.

• Lapland Ice Marathon and winter events: usually between January and March.

Music and dance

• Heavy metal: Finland has more metal bands per capita than almost anywhere.

• Tango: a Finnish take on the tango is hugely popular, with a big festival in Seinajoki in July.

• Kantele and joik: traditional zither music and Sami chanting.

Nightlife

Finns are quiet at first, then lively once the night begins. Helsinki has a strong club and live music scene, while Lapland nights are about the sky.

• When people go out: Friday and Saturday, with bars busy past midnight.

• Where the action is: Kallio and the city center in Helsinki. Rovaniemi has a few pubs and clubs.

• Good to know: bring ID and expect coat check fees at clubs.

Photography spots

• Away from town lights: any lakeside or open fell, with a tripod and warm gloves.

• Kakslauttanen and Saariselka: igloo roofs framing the aurora.

• Pyha-Luosto and Oulanka parks: frosted trees and frozen rivers.

• Helsinki cathedral and harbor: blue hour in winter.

• Drones: allowed with registration and limits. Banned in national parks and near airports. Check Traficom rules.

Cost of living

• Overall: $$$$, a little below New York in most categories.

• Coffee: about $4.

• Local lunch: about $14 to $18 at a lunch buffet.

• Dinner for two: about $80 to $130 with drinks.

• Beer: about $8 to $10.

• Mid-range hotel: about $130 to $220 per night. Glass igloos cost $350 or more.

• Daily budget: about $150 to $250 per person.

Lapland winter activities add up quickly. Prices are approximate in US dollars as of 2026.

Working remotely

• Wi-Fi: among the fastest in Europe, with 5G widespread.

• Coworking: plenty in Helsinki and Tampere.

• Time zone: 7 hours ahead of US Eastern.

• Visa: Schengen rules apply. Longer stays need a residence permit. Check current rules.

• Nomad rating: 4/5. Great internet and safety, with cold dark winters.

Good to know

• Language: Finnish and Swedish are official. English is widely spoken.

• Currency: Euro.

• Plugs: Type C and F, 230V.

• Entry for US citizens: visa free in Schengen for up to 90 days. Check current rules.

• Getting around apps: HSL for Helsinki transit, VR for trains, Bolt for rides.

• Tipping: not expected. Rounding up is fine.

• Water: tap water is among the cleanest in the world.

• SIM/eSIM: eSIMs are easy, and coverage is good even in Lapland.

Useful phrases

• Kiitos: thank you.

• Hei: hello.

• Kippis: cheers.

• Anteeksi: excuse me.

• Nakemiin: see you.

Meeting people

• Social scene: reserved, honest and kind. Saunas are where people really talk.

• Apps: Meetup, Facebook groups and Couchsurfing events in Helsinki.

• Etiquette: respect personal space and quiet. Saunas are usually nude and separated by gender in public ones.

• Stay smart: do not drive on frozen lakes without local advice.

Staying safe

• Finland is one of the safest countries in the world.

• Dress in layers, including wool, windproof outer layers and warm boots.

• Ice thickness varies. Only walk on marked tracks or with a guide.

• Emergency number is 112.