finland travel in december

Weather. December is the first official month of winter in Finland, but much of the country will have been feeling pretty wintery for a couple of months already by December. It might not be the coldest month of the year (that honor goes to January and February), but it is the darkest. The average temperature throughout the country is 25°F (-4 ...

Rovaniemi restaurants guide - a list of my favorite places to eat in the city. 2. Ruka (and Kuusamo) Average Temperatures (December): High: -6C/21F Low: -15C/4F. Sunrise and Sunset on December 21: 10:37am and 1:26pm. Pros of visiting Ruka in winter: northern lights, several activities, some of Finland's best skiing.

Best things to do in Finland in winter. 1. Sleep in an ice hotel or glass igloo. Visit Finland in winter and you could experience an unusual kind of hotel stay: sleeping in a room made of snow and ice. Imagine waking up to beautiful art carved into the snowy walls of your room, or dining in a frozen restaurant.

If you want a more in-depth overview of the history, culture and people of Finland, then we can recommend a visit to the National Museum of Finland. This covers a huge time period, from prehistoric times to the present day, and is an excellent way to learn a lot about the whole country. It's open Tuesday - Sundays, and there's an entry fee.

Try ice skating. Another enjoyable seasonal activity is ice skating. Experience this fantastic winter sport either in the comfort of a city - even in downtown Helsinki - or opt for the real deal on natural ice. Ice skating in an urban rink is a great pastime but gliding in nature's open landscapes is one adventure to remember.

Averages: Temperature range: -6--1°C (22-30°F) Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inches) Rainy/snowy days: 14. Sunshine hours/day: 1. Humidity: around 91% (very humid across Finland) Finland is freezing in December, with temperatures below freezing point for most of the country. You can expect snow throughout the country, with the south of the country ...

A Travel Guide to Visiting Finland in Winter. We share our tips for visiting Finland in winter as well as share our top 23 winter activities in Finland, including husky sledding, ice-karting, and Northern Lights hunting, to help you put together your own trip to this magical winter wonderland.

Lapland Weather in Winter. Located in Northern Finland, in & around the Arctic Circle, it's no surprise that temperatures in Lapland reach extreme levels during the winter. Throughout the winter months, beginning in November and typically lasting throughout March/May, Lapland experiences subarctic and polar climates, around -10°C to -20°C ...

Days 3-4: Rovaniemi, Finland. On the morning of our third day, we took a quick flight from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland which is Finland's northernmost region. This was our second time to cross the Arctic Circle, and our first time to cross the Arctic Circle in the winter. While in Rovaniemi, we took a snowmobile ...

Winter in Finland starts in November in Lapland and a bit later in the south. Our Nordic latitudes typically guarantee a snow-filled season, especially in the central and northern parts of the country. In addition to snow, other staples of Finnish winter are the Northern Lights, Christmas markets, Santa, skiing, and those dark, magical nights ...

In Finnish culture, winter is a season to embrace, and visiting Finland's capital in the winter is the perfect way to tap into it. ... December is the best time of the year to visit. Helsinki in December is transformed into a dreamland, with the city's annual Christmas market from December 1st - December 22nd and festive lights and an ...

Brilliant Things to do in Finland in the Winter. Play in the Finnish Winter Snow. Chase the Northern Lights. Take a Dip in a Sauna. Learn About Sami Culture. Spend Christmas with the Elves. Visit the Design District Helsinki. Eating and Drinking Your Way Around a Finland Winter. Eat in an Ice Restaurant.

Visit Helsinki Christmas Market. If you're in town between December 1th and 22th, visiting the breathtakingly beautiful Helsinki Christmas Market is mandatory. This Christmas wonderland takes place in front of the Helsinki Cathedral and you can visit Santa every day there.

Day 7 & 8: Kemi (optional) Visiting Kemi only makes sense if you're in Lapland in winter but after mid-December until end of March, as there isn't enough snow before this time to operate the 2 key attractions of this city. A short journey by train from Rovaniemi (1 hr, 20 min), Kemi is known for its Sampo icebreaker cruises which are ...

Although the climate varies throughout the year, all seasons in this mystical country have something to offer visitors. Still, the best times to visit Finland are the months of May through September, as these offer the mildest weather and the greatest number of tourist attractions. While temperatures in the winter months rarely climb over 30 ...

Temperatures drop below 0°C (32°F). December: December is usually very snowy and very dark, but it's the time of Christmas, when Lapland and Rovaniemi, Santa's home, become especially magical. Visiting Finland (Lapland) in December is a great idea! Temperatures: -15°C to -5°C (5°F - 23°F).

Places to visit in Finland in December. 1. Vantaa. Vantaa, Finland's fourth-largest city, has a total area of approximately 240.35 square kilometres. The city is surrounded by Helsinki to the south, Keraba to the north, Sipu to the east, Nurmijärvi to the northwest and Espoo to the southwest. Vanta features a fascinating blend of rural ...

Finland Weather in December. All of Finland is covered in a thick blanket of snow in December. Even though December is the first official month of winter in Finland, snow has been falling for a few weeks, and temperatures are steadily dropping. December has the shortest days of the year with minimal sunshine.

1. Winter Coat. One of the most important things you'll need when going to Finland is a heavy-duty winter coat or parka. Things to look for in a good winter coat for Finland: Designed for cold temperatures below freezing. Down filled or down alternative filled - a bit weightier down coats will keep you warmer.

Between these two regions are cosmopolitan cities, quaint villages, and pristine natural landscapes that shine at different times of the year. This month-by-month guide to climate and events can help you choose the best time for your visit to Finland. Head to Lapland in high season (December to April) for winter sports and icy adventuring

Day 5 - Tampere. On your 5th day in Finland, a quick hour-and-a-half train from Turku will bring you on a day trip to the quirky city of Tampere. Tampere is the second biggest city in Finland with a lot to offer but is regularly missed by tourists, making it a great destination for any trip to Finland off the beaten path.

Day 10: Porvoo (day trip from Helsinki) From Inari, head back to Ivalo and catch a flight to Helsinki for your final night. However, this time around, we recommend heading out of Helsinki to visit a small town called Porvoo on your last day. A brightly coloured house in Porvoo, Finland. The old town of Porvoo, Finland.

Day 1: Roam Helsinki's City Center. Photo Courtesy: Megan Tucker. A Finland winter itinerary for families should start with a stop in Helsinki, the country's biggest city. From countless museums to history, culture, and great food, there's so much to discover in this urban paradise!

A version of this story first appeared in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of Travel + Leisure under the headline "The Polar Express." Updated by Claudia Fisher Sorrentino. Related Articles

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