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    What is the best time to visit Finland?

    How Finland changes through the year and which months suit which trip.

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    Short answer

    There is no single best month. For warm weather and light nights, come in June, July or August, when Helsinki is usually 18 to 25 degrees. For autumn colours and the first northern lights, Lapland is at its best from late August to early October. For snow, winter activities and auroras, Lapland has a reliable winter from about December to March.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. Visit Finland gives typical summer temperatures of 18 to 25 °C in Helsinki and 15 to 22 °C in Rovaniemi.
    2. According to Visit Finland, the best northern lights season in Lapland runs from September to March.
    3. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says winter lasts about 200 days in Lapland.

    Details

    Spring in April and May and late autumn in November are quieter months. Snow can be thin or missing in the south, and the light is low in November.

    Tip

    If you want both snow and some daylight in Lapland, choose February or March. Days are longer than in December, and the snow is usually deep.

    What may differ

    The south and Lapland have very different seasons. A trip in late October can mean autumn in Helsinki and winter in northern Lapland.

    Common misconception

    Finland is snowy and cold all year.

    What actually happens

    Summers are mild to warm, and heat waves above 25 degrees occur every summer in many parts of the country.

    People also ask

    • What is the cheapest time to visit Finland?
    • When is the best time to visit Lapland?
    • Is Finland worth visiting in summer?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the forecast of the Finnish Meteorological Institute before you travel.

    Weather & Seasons
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