This story was created in partnership with: Visit Finland
There’s a side of Finland that’s been overlooked for too long: the summer months! It may not be what you first imagine when planning a trip to this Nordic country, but Finland in summer offers countless opportunities for adventure, beauty, and fun. The country’s location in the gulf stream means its climate is much milder than some of its neighbours, and temperatures in the summer reach an average high of 17 degrees Celsius. Here are the best things you can do to make the most of your time in Finland in the summer!
1. Stay in a lakeside cottage
Finland is home to over 187,000 lakes, which means Finns have perfected the art of the lakeside vacation. Staying in a cottage in Lakeland, Finland’s lake district, gives you a more authentic Finnish vacation, puts you in the middle of nature, and gives you unbeatable views.
The most popular destinations in Lakeland include Kuopio, a beautiful, colourful city known for its friendly locals, and Joensuu, a cultural hub home to an annual music festival.
Even though the weather is going to be warmer, you can’t go to Finland without trying out a sauna! Some cottages come equipped with their own saunas, and Finns claim they help with everything from stress, to aging, to weight loss. If nothing else, relaxing in a Finnish sauna is the perfect start or end (or both!) to a day of canoeing and lakefront exploring.
2. Take in an outdoor concert
Picture this: after a day exploring forests and lakes, you and your friends wander through the small city you’re staying in. A summer breeze blows as you make your way to an open-air stage, where an orchestra is accompanying an opera singer.
Not your scene? How about a heavy metal festival? Or pop? Or EDM?
Finland is home to more than 20 annual music festivals, and it’s a pretty safe bet that you’ll love at least one of them. From low-key evenings to all-day dance parties, you and Finland can make beautiful music together in the summer. Many of the festivals take place in gorgeous lakeside towns where you can kick back with a drink, do a little shopping, or just snap pictures of Finland’s natural beauty between sets.
3. Enjoy a meal al fresco
Dining outdoors is one of summer’s greatest joys, and Finland takes it to another level. Dinner Under the Helsinki Sky is an annual event that transforms streets, parks, and other urban areas into glamorous dining rooms. Participants to this unofficial tradition bring their own meals to white tablecloth-covered tables long enough to seat up to a thousand people, and enjoy a dinner with friends, family, neighbours, and strangers alike.
If your visit doesn’t coincide with this event, fear not! You always have the option of picnicking in one of Finland’s national parks (just be sure to check guidelines for food disposal) or having a meal outside of a local restaurant. Of course, if you agree that Dinner Under the Helsinki Sky is an event not to be missed, you can always come back to fully enjoy it!
4. Explore a national park
Remember those national parks we mentioned? They’re the perfect way to spend a summer’s day (or two!) in Finland. You’ll find 40 of them all over the country, and each offers unique views, activities, and opportunities.
With many including hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and watersports like sailing, canoeing, and swimming, Finland’s national parks shine in the summer. At Koli National Park, in the North Karelia region of the country, visitors can even treat themselves to the perfect summer’s day activity: berry picking! Explorers are welcome to pick (and eat!) blueberries, raspberries, and even Nordic staple, lingonberries. Try your luck collecting the juiciest ones, or go hunting for the edible mushrooms dotted around the landscape. There’s a Finnish National Park for every itinerary and every traveller.
5. Enjoy a steamship cruise
If you still can’t get enough of Finland’s picture-perfect lakes, this is a fantastic way to see more of them. Before more modern methods of transportation were available, the easiest way to navigate Finland was by boat. Today, even though those modern modes of transport have definitely made it to Finland, it’s safe to say that travelling the country by boat is still the most scenic way to get around!
Many of the larger lakes, like Lake Saimaa, offer steamship cruises reminiscent of the old days. Depending on the location of the cruise, you could spend an hour sailing in some of the world’s cleanest water, surrounded by lush forests, or enjoy day-long cruises that visit multiple lakes. You could even go island-hopping! With thousands of small islands in amongst Finland’s lakes, the possibilities for exploration are truly endless; but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it your best shot.
6. Take a walk on the wild side
At Atreenalin Seikkailupuisto Saimaa, thrill-seeking travellers are welcome to attempt high ropes courses, ziplines, and climbing walls. Created with sustainability and eco-consciousness in mind, the park offers courses for all ages and skill sets. Children under 130cm tall even have their own park!
If you’re not so sure about zipping through the trees, never fear: the park is located in Rauha, home of Lake Saimaa, which means you’ll be able to just kick back and enjoy the region’s natural beauty, or venture into this vacation town for a drink.
One of the best parts of travelling is finding new and unexpected things about the places you visit. If you thought you knew everything there was to know about Finland, hopefully you know now that the country has so much more to offer than just its (awesome, of course) winter activities! What do you think? Is Finland in summer on your list now? Let us know!
