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Key Takeaways:
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The world knows Finland as the happiest country in the world, but there’s much more to it than just that title. It is home to some truly magical experiences, such as the northern lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer.
With over 180,000 lakes and 75% forest cover, life here stays closely connected to nature. The sauna culture pulls the Finns even closer to nature’s rhythm.
Beyond that, Finland is a place where historical and modern architecture, design and technology come together, and the best example is Helsinki, the country’s capital.
And for all these reasons and more, Finland is a country well worth exploring for someone from India. If you are planning your first visit, this guide will help you make the most of it.
1. Hunting Northern Lights in Lapland
Most people visit Finland for the northern lights, and Lapland, the northernmost part of the country, is the best place to see them. Lapland lies beneath the auroral oval, a region around the Arctic Circle where northern lights are most active.
And even in Lapland, the farther north you go, the better your chances of seeing vivid northern lights.
Utsjoki, Kilpisjärvi, and Inari are great places to see them because they are far north and often have clear, dark skies. You can also spot them from places like Rovaniemi and Levi, which are easier to reach, but head away from the streetlights to increase your chances.
The northern lights season in Finland runs from September to March. And among them, September, October and March are the best months for seeing them. This is because around autumn and spring equinoxes, conditions near the poles are more favourable for frequent auroras. In 2026, the autumn equinox falls on September 23, and the coming spring equinox is on March 21, 2027.
During these months, the temperatures are also manageable compared to deep winter, and you’ll also find fewer crowds and lower prices.
Auroras can appear anytime it’s dark, but they are most commonly seen from 10 pm to 2 am, with the strongest activity around midnight.
You can join group aurora tours or go on a private northern lights hunt in Finland. Group tours usually cost around 8000-18,000 INR per person. Private tours can cost between 50,000 and 1,00,000+ INR per group, depending on how personalised and unique your experience is.
If you are travelling with young children or the elderly, consider watching auroras from glass igloos. They are accommodations designed to watch the northern lights and are usually priced from 25,000 to 100,000+ per night.
Spending 3 to 4 nights in Lapland increases your chances of seeing the auroras, since they are a natural occurrence and cannot be guaranteed.
2. Go for Husky Sledging or Reindeer Safaris
Husky sledging and reindeer safaris are two fun activities where a team of huskies or reindeer pull your sledge through snow-covered Arctic wilderness. Husky sledging is a little fast-paced and exciting, while reindeer safaris are slow and calm. If you have time, try both.
Both experiences are part of life in the Arctic. Reindeer herding has been part of Lapland’s culture for centuries. And husky safaris have become one of the most popular winter activities today.
Most safaris start in places like Rovaniemi and Saariselkä, and the tours often include meeting the animals and short rides through the forests to enjoy wildlife. Prices depend on how long the ride is and what’s included.
Short husky rides can start at approximately 9,000-14,000 INR, while longer safaris (2-3 hours) typically cost 17,000-24,000 INR per person. Short reindeer safaris can cost around 7000-11,000 INR and 17,000-22,000 INR for longer rides.
3. Visit Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi
Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi is known as the hometown of Santa Claus and is located right on the Arctic Circle.
Here you can meet Santa in person, take photos with him, and send postcards from his post office. Another unique thing is that you can cross the Arctic Circle, a long white line on the pavement, and bring home a certificate for doing so.
Close to Santa’s main office, there’s the Elf Hat Academy, where you can take a 30-minute interactive theatrical show to learn ‘elf wisdoms’, elf dances, languages and mainly how to behave like elves. After the experience, participants receive a certificate and an elf hat as souvenirs. Families with children will enjoy it the most.
You can walk through the decorated streets, visit small shops selling Finnish handicrafts and enjoy cosy cafes. And the best part is that you can do all of these at any time of the year.
4. Experience a Traditional Finnish Sauna
The sauna is not just an activity, but a way of life for the Finns. It is a meditative ritual they enjoy with friends and family or on their own.
Finnish saunas are a year-round tradition, while lakeside saunas are more popular during summer in Finland.
In a traditional Finnish sauna, you’ll find a pile of hot stones and buckets of water, which you can pour onto them. Then, with a hissing sound, the water vaporises and fills the air. It usually balances the temperature at 80-90°C.
It is best to shower before entering a sauna; you can wear a swimsuit or a towel for comfort, though Finns usually go naked. Stay in the sauna for 5-10 minutes to begin with, and step outside or take a swim in the lake, then come back to the sauna and repeat the cycle. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. In winter, people combine saunas with ice swimming in a frozen lake or rolling in the snow.
These days, electric saunas dominate Finland’s urban areas due to their convenience and accessibility. With the press of a button, these contemporary saunas are ready to use in 30-40 minutes.
You can experience saunas throughout Finland. Löyly is a highly popular public sauna in Helsinki, located on the Baltic seaside. They have options for a smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna. Löyly is also a modern architectural landmark with a large restaurant and terrace on the waterfront. This place is usually very crowded, so you must reserve your spot beforehand. A 2-hour sauna session costs approximately 3000 INR at Löyly.
Kulttuurisauna is a much quieter, more minimalist public sauna in Helsinki, also located on the Baltic Seafront. It is a wood-heated sauna and is best for people going alone or as a couple. To keep the sauna experience peaceful, Kulttuurisauna does not accept groups of more than two. You can book a 90-minute sauna session for 2000 INR (approx.).
179 kilometres northwest of Helsinki, there’s Tampere, Finland’s sauna capital. The city has more than 55 public saunas, including Rajaportti sauna, the oldest one, built in 1906. Rajaportti sauna is a traditional wood-fired sauna that has largely kept its original atmosphere. Men and women have separate sauna rooms. Their public sauna does not take reservations; it works like ‘first-come, first-served’, and it costs around 800-1300 INR. They also have private sauna options, at approximately 21,000 INR.
In Lapland, you can visit Rovaniemi Sauna World inside Lapland Winter Park. You can purchase a ticket of 7000 INR (approx.) and have access to eight unique traditional saunas, hot tubs and an ice swimming pool for 90 minutes. And don’t miss activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, visiting ‘Kota’ huts and feeding reindeer, which you can experience with an area ticket worth 7500 INR (approx.) while you are at Lapland Winter Park.
5. Sleep in a Glass Igloo Under the Northern Lights
Glass igloos are accommodations with a 360-degree glass roof, designed for stargazing and viewing the northern lights.
Finnish Lapland is the best place to see the northern lights because of the region’s position within the auroral oval, and there are over 30 resorts providing glass igloo accommodations, mainly around Rovaniemi, Levi and Saariselkä.
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort has glass igloos in the remote areas of Saariselkä. Thermal glass roofs of the Igloos stay clear even in extreme cold; they also have specialised aurora alarms and private saunas. Small igloos for two and larger igloos for families are available. The cost per night could go from 35,000 INR to 1,00000+ INR depending on the month. Late August and September usually see lower prices.
Levin Iglut (Golden Crown) has heated, glass-roofed igloos that sit on a fell slope in Levi, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the landscape and the auroras. Igloo suits are available at Levin Iglut from 45,000 INR per night, depending on the month.
Or in Levi, you can stay at Northern Lights Village. They have aurora cabins, which cost 25,000+ INR per night, and aurora suites, which cost 47,000+ INR per night.
The aurora season lasts from September to March in Lapland, with faint chances in late August and early April as well. Due to the equinox effect, September, October and March see a spike in geomagnetic activity at the poles, which contributes to intense auroras. From November to February, you can experience auroras in a snow-covered landscape. December and January are busy and pricey due to Christmas and the New Year.
Glass igloos often sell out months in advance, especially during peak seasons. So, try to book your stays at least 5-6 months in advance.
A glass igloo stay is special and worth doing for one or two nights. But auroras are a natural phenomenon, and the sighting largely depends on a cloud-free sky. A guided aurora hunt has a higher guarantee of sighting than staying at a fixed place. Think of the glass igloo stay and watching the sky on a winter night as a bonus experience, especially since it is Finland’s most unique type of accommodation.
6. Explore Finnish Lakeland in Summer
A Finnish Lakeland summer will be a cosy experience with long white nights, lakeside cabins and saunas. The region is called Lakeland for a reason: it has around 55,000 lakes, forming a vast labyrinth of water, forests and islands.
This is where the Finns retreat on their summer holiday. And for a nature lover, it is the best place to go for a time away from the noise of the outside world.
The most obvious thing you can do here is rent a lakeside cottage or ‘mökki’ as the Finns call it. Most cottages require a stay of at least two nights, and costs can be as low as 10,000-12,000 INR, depending on the number of people and the amenities provided.
July and August are the busiest times, as many locals take their holidays, and cottages in prime locations, such as the shores of Lake Saimaa, are in high demand, making them unavailable months in advance. Book 5-6 months in advance for peak summer. Or consider visiting in late May, early June or late August, when last-minute booking options are available.
Lakeland is where you can embrace sauna as a daily ritual, followed by a refreshing swim in Finland’s fresh water lake. Most lakeside cottages have saunas. You can also enjoy fishing and cooking outdoors under the midnight sun during your stay.
Exploring the Lake Saimaa region with a guided boat tour is best for spotting the rare Saimaa Ringed Seal. You can paddle a kayak or a canoe through the endless expanses of lakes in this region. Lake Oulujärvi is best for kayaking because of its open waters, sandy beaches and pine-forested shores. The area is also rich in bird life.
7. Explore Helsinki: Finland’s Capital
Helsinki is a coastal city overlooking the Baltic Sea. The city has the best offerings in terms of historical architecture, modern design, sauna culture and culinary scene. While Helsinki is a year-round destination, it is best to visit during the summer months.
Temppeliaukio Church is a masterpiece of modern design carved into a granite rock in Helsinki. The main highlights of this Rock Church are the natural light coming through the copper dome and the exceptional acoustics. You have to pay approximately 900 INR to enter the church, but it’s worth it.
Visit Helsinki Cathedral for its neoclassical architecture, and it stands tall over Helsinki’s skyline. The wide steps in front are a popular spot to relax and enjoy the views of the Senate Square.
Another landmark in Helsinki is the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. The fortress lies across six main islands in the Baltic Sea, highlighting 18th-century military history. You can take a 15-minute HSL ferry from Helsinki’s Market Square to the fortress. The ticket costs approximately 360 rupees and is valid for 80 minutes.
Market Square and the Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli) are the best places to explore Finland’s food scene. The stalls sell traditional Finnish foods like Salmon soup and reindeer sausages. You must also try fresh Baltic herring, smoked salmon, Karelian pies, and cloudberry pastries. They also sell handcrafted items from Lapland, like reindeer hides and knitwear.
Even if you are not a book lover, you should visit Oodi Central Library in Helsinki. Beyond books, the library is a modern architectural wonder with many innovative spaces, such as movie theatres, recording studios and photography booths. The library is considered one of the world’s best modern libraries and is often hailed as the city’s living room.
8. Take the Sampo Ice Breaker Cruise in the Frozen Sea
The Sampo ice breaker cruise or the Arktis ice breaker in Kemi, Lapland, is a rare travel experience you can’t have elsewhere.
The Sampo is a historic icebreaker built in the early 1960s that served the state for nearly 30 years before being repurposed for tourism in the late 1980s. Icebreaker Arktis is a modern alternative to Sampo. They are both operated by the same company.
It is typically a 3.5-4-hour cruise where you can watch and feel the ship break through thick ice as it moves over the Gulf of Bothnia, the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea.
The adventure doesn’t just end at that; you can walk over the frozen sea and float in icy water wearing a special survival suit. You can also capture these best moments with a professional photographer.
On the ship, it isn’t just about watching the ice being crushed; you can also tour the ship, learn how the ice breakers work and even get a certificate for the experience to keep as a souvenir.
Morning cruise starts from 9 am, and the afternoon cruise starts from 1:30 pm. Before or after your cruise, you can visit Snow Castle in Kemi; access to the gemstone exhibitions and snow experience is part of your Ice Breaker Cruise ticket.
The company also provide shuttle bus transportation to Veitsiluoto Port, where the Ice Breaker Sampo is located, if you are staying in Kemi, Rovaniemi, Oulu, Haparanda, or Tornio. The transport will also bring you back after the cruise.
The upcoming Sampo cruise season runs from 18th December 2026 to 3rd April 2027, with bookings already open from April 2026. Ice breaker Arktis Cruise season runs from 1st December 2026 to 31st March 2027.
The Sampo cruise costs approximately 43,000-46,000 INR for adults and approximately 28,000 INR for children aged 4-14 years. The Arktis cruise costs around 33,000-41,000 INR for adults and around 22,000 INR for children aged 4-14 years.
Ice floating on the Sampo or the Arktis icebreaker is a safe, thrilling experience. The staff will assist you into the water. You will be wearing a thick, water-resistant thermal suit that covers your entire body except your face. The suit is designed to keep you dry and buoyant. You’ll simply float on the icy water, and you do not need to swim.
9. Snowmobiling Through the Arctic Wilderness
Snowmobiling is one of the best ways to experience the snowy, frozen landscape. The best time for this activity is from late November to March, when there’s thick snow, and Finnish Lapland is the best place to do it.
Snowmobiling options range from one-hour rides to full-day safaris(5-6 hours) and northern light hunts. And most of the tours are entirely beginner-friendly.
You can either ride your own snowmobile or ride as a passenger with a partner driving, and you follow a guide. You can switch roles with the driver as well. A brief training session is part of the tour before departure, but you need a valid driver’s license to ride it. Many tours allow you to ride as a passenger with the guide if you do not have a license, and you are doing this alone.
One-hour rides are available for around 11,000 INR per person. A 7-hour snowmobile tour in Rovaniemi costs around 27,000 INR per person.
Children aged 15 or older can take part as passengers, and some operators provide child-sized snowmobiles or side-sledges for younger children.
10. Experience the Midnight Sun
During the summer, the sun shines over Finland even at midnight. The best place to experience the midnight sun in Finland is Lapland, particularly northernmost towns like Utsjoki, Kilpisjärvi, and Inari. From late May to mid-July, the sun does not set for weeks in these regions. Meanwhile, the south experiences white nights, when the sun dips below the horizon for 2-3 hours, but the nights remain bright.
The summer is the most-awaited season for the Finns as they take their celebrations outdoors. It’s the best time to explore the vast wilderness of Lapland. You can hike or trek Finland’s national parks and continue even past midnight; the landscape will be bright and vivid for you to explore. National parks are free to hike and cycle. Although there are designated paths for them. Hiking with huskies is also very popular during the summer months. You can explore swimming, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing on rivers and lakes.
Plan Your Finland Trip from India: Cost, Best Time & How Many Days
Planning your trip begins with understanding the best time to visit Finland, how many days you’ll need, and the budget range for the activities.
How Much Do These Activities Cost? (A Quick Reference Table)
| Activity | Approx. Cost Per Person (INR) | Season | Location |
| Northern light guided group tours | 8,000-18,000 | September-March | Lapland |
| Private northern lights tours | 50,000-100,000 | September-March | Lapland |
| Husky sledging | 9000-24,000 | December-March | Lapland |
| Reindeer sleigh ride | 7,000-22,000 | December-March | Lapland |
| Santa Claus Village | Free entry | Year-round | Rovaniemi |
| Public sauna | 800-3000 | Year-round | Nation-wide |
| Glass igloo stay | 25,000-1,00000+ | September-March | Lapland |
| Lakeland cottage stays (2 nights) | 10,000+ | May-August | Lakeland |
| Sightseeing in Helsinki | 7,000-13,000 | Year-round | Helsinki |
| Icebreaker cruise | 33,000-46,000 | December-March | Kemi |
| Snowmobile safari | 11,000-27,000 | December-March | Lapland |
| Midnight sun experience | Free | June-July (peak summer) | Lapland |
Note: These prices are approximate and may vary depending on availability, booking time, and activity providers.
Best Time to Visit Finland
Winter usually begins in Finland, with snow appearing in Lapland by mid-October. The Northern lights season runs from September to March. March is the best time to combine the northern lights with the winter activities discussed above.
Summer in Finland begins from late May to August. The best times to visit Finland for midnight sun, cottage life, hiking and summer outdoor activities are late May, early June or late August.
These months offer the best of those seasons and are often less busy and pricey.
How Many Days Do You Need?
A minimum of 5 nights to cover the capital city, northern light hunting, dog or reindeer safaris in Lapland, and a visit to Santa Claus Village. To add the icebreaker cruise, glass igloo stay and snowmobile safari, it’s best to have an additional 2 days.
You can combine 2 nights in Helsinki with 3-4 days in Lakeland to explore the area in summer. An additional two days in Lapland to experience the true midnight sun is also recommended.
Essential Tips for Indian Travellers Visiting Finland
Visa: Indians need a Type C Schengen visa to visit Finland. Apply at VFS centres in Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, or Mumbai. It is best to apply 2-4 months before your journey. The visa processing usually takes 15-20 working days.
Flights: You can fly directly from New Delhi to Helsinki with Finnair. Or you can choose one-stop routes via the Middle East (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) or Europe (London, Munich, Frankfurt) with airlines like Qatar Airways and Lufthansa.
Cold Weather: Finland’s winter temperatures often drop to -30 °C and lower. Layering is essential to combat the freezing temperatures. Start with a base layer with merino wool or synthetic materials. Add a fleece or down jacket as a mid-layer and finish with a windproof or waterproof jacket. Thick wool socks or insulated boots will protect your feet, and layer gloves with mittens to protect your hands. For your head and neck, wear a balaclava, a beanie and a neck gaiter. You can also carry disposable hand and toe warmers for extra comfort.
Conclusion
For Indian travellers, a trip to Finland is well worth a try; the landscape, the weather and the way of life are all different from what we have here, especially the midnight sun and the northern lights. You can visit in winter for snow adventures or in summer for the midnight sun and cosy experiences in the endless daylight.
The key is to plan well and choose the right experiences, but without rushing through places and activities.
FAQs About Things to Do in Finland
1. Can I enjoy Finland without joining expensive tours?
Yes. Many experiences in Finland are free or low-cost, such as enjoying the midnight sun, hiking in the national parks, or exploring Helsinki. Paid tours are optional for adventurous activities.
2. Are activities in Finland suitable for beginners or first-time travellers?
Yes. All the above-mentioned activities are beginner-friendly, and guides usually provide instructions. Extreme cold might be difficult for those experiencing it for the first time, although it is manageable with proper winter clothing. But if you are not comfortable with very low temperatures, avoid travelling during peak winter.
3. Should you use cash or a card in Finland?
Finland is nearly a cashless society. Even small towns and remote regions in Finland accept cards. Carrying a forex card makes payments easy and hassle-free.
