For many Europeans, Finland remains a winter destination. However, this image contrasts with the explosion of light in the summer period. More and more travellers are discovering that the Finnish summer is one of the most amazing experiences in Northern Europe: mild temperatures, dreamy forests, good food, unique festivals and the spell of the midnight sun.
“There is so much to discover in this country outside the classics,” explains David Campano, Visit Finland’s country manager for Spain and Italy.
“We’ve been working hard on deseasonalisation over the last few years so that travellers discover that Finland is not just December and snow.
From white to green
If winter dresses Finland in white, summer covers it in intense green. Immense forests, national parks, meadows and trails come to the fore after months of ice. Some 70% of Finnish territory is covered by nature, carefully protected and converted into one of the pillars of its sustainable tourism model.
“We don’t want tourists at any price,” Campano stresses. “Success is not only measured in arrivals, but in how local communities coexist with tourism and that development is balanced and responsible. This approach explains much of the country’s appeal: here, nature is not a decoration, but a way of life.”
At 20°C and in the midnight sun
While much of southern Europe faces increasingly extreme summers, Finland offers a pleasant alternative. Average temperatures hover around 20°C, especially pleasant for those looking to escape the intense heat without giving up the sun.
Few European destinations combine long days, clean air, water everywhere and a sense of space so naturally. Even in high season, Finland retains something increasingly rare in Europe: tranquillity.
One of the great summer attractions is the midnight sun, especially visible in Lapland. For weeks in the north of the country, the light remains suspended until the small hours, as if the day refuses to end.
It’s the perfect setting for night hiking, kayaking at the end of the day, quiet walks in the forest or simply gazing at a lake at midnight as brightly as at dusk. Finland offers the flip side of its famously dark winters: where once there were only a few hours of daylight, now there seems to be no night at all.
190,000 lakes: the watery paradise of the north
No Finnish summer is complete without water. The country boasts some 190,000 lakes, plus thousands of islands and a long Baltic coastline.
That translates into a huge catalogue of experiences: paddle surfing through forests, kayaking between archipelagos, historic steamboat cruises, swimming in clean waters, lakeside saunas or waterfront dining.
The Lakeland region, in the centre of the country, sums up this identity well: a blue and green universe where the pace slows down and nature sets the pulse.
Helsinki: A capital city open to the sea
In summer, Helsinki changes completely. The city opens up to the Baltic, with many terraces, concerts and ferries to small islands nearby. The capital becomes luminous and is perfect for a different kind of city break.
From the Market Square to the Suomenlinna fortress, from Allas Pool to the city parks, Helsinki proves that the north also knows how to live in the open air.
Plus, there is a booming gastronomic scene and an increasingly international cultural scene.
Sustainable gastronomy
One of the growing themes in the Finnish tourism strategy is local cuisine. “We are putting a lot of focus on gastronomy,” Campano explains. “It is a sustainable, local gastronomy, based on local businesses that work with natural products with great care.”
Wild berries, mushrooms, cold water fish, artisan bread, forest herbs, seasonal vegetables and meats such as reindeer are part of a larder that surprises many visitors.
There is no shortage of Michelin-starred restaurants in Helsinki and innovative proposals focused on zero waste, the circular economy and local produce.
A destination for active travellers
For years, Finland was associated mainly with family tourism linked to Christmas and Father Christmas. That image is still alive, but the visitor profile has broadened greatly.
“It is a very easy country to travel in, very reliable and with a functioning infrastructure,” says the Visit Finland representative. “That’s why it’s still ideal for families, but we are seeing more and more couples, groups of friends and solo travellers looking for nature, trekking or wellness.”
The figures show that the trend is changing. With more than 215,000 visitors in 2025, Spain has established itself as one of the fastest growing European markets for Finland, along with Italy and the United Kingdom.
“In August we already have around 20% more Spaniards visiting the destination, which shows that the perception is changing and that Finland is starting to be seen as a summer destination as well,” Campano adds.
In times of fast-paced tourism, Finland offers a different idea of travel: less noise, more nature and quality time.