This summer, skip the usual. Go where the lakes shimmer like glass, the saunas are sacred, and the sun barely sets. Welcome to Finland.
For a country known for its silence, Finland speaks volumes—if you know how to listen. Not in shouty tourist traps or neon “must-see” signs. But in the hush of a pine forest. In the hiss of a wood-fired sauna. In the fizz of lake water against a canoe hull at 1 a.m., when the sky is still pastel pink and the world hasn’t gone to sleep.
In winter, Finland is all snow, silence, and northern lights. But in summer?
It’s a sensory feast.
This is the season of 24-hour daylight, open-air concerts, forest berries, and skinny-dipping in a lake after too much smoked salmon and cider. It’s Midsummer bonfires, small-town festivals, reindeer burgers, art exhibitions in converted barns, and slow walks through ancient cities where the air smells like birch trees and woodsmoke.
So here it is: your full Cerca guide to the most unforgettable experiences, dishes, cities, traditions, and festivals to discover during summer in Finland. We’ll skip the clichés and go straight to the soul.
The Rhythm of the North: What Summer Feels Like in Finland
Summer in Finland isn’t just a season. It’s a state of being. After a long, dark winter, the arrival of light feels borderline spiritual. People live differently—slower, deeper, with a mix of quiet joy and hard-earned hedonism. You’ll see kids swimming at midnight. Old men tending grills next to their lakeside saunas. Whole families on bicycles, heading into the forest to pick berries or mushrooms.
And the silence? It’s not awkward. It’s sacred. The Finns even have a word for it: “hiljaisuus.” It’s not emptiness—it’s fullness without noise. If you come from a loud, fast-paced place, it might take you a few days to adjust. But once you do, you won’t want to leave.
1. Witness the Midnight Sun in Lapland
In Finnish Lapland, summer turns the natural world inside out. From late May through July, the sun simply doesn’t set—hovering above the horizon in a surreal golden glow for days on end. Locals don’t just tolerate it—they celebrate it, staying out long past midnight fishing, grilling, dancing, or just soaking in the magic of this natural high.
The best part? You can feel the Earth breathe. Birds chirp at 2 a.m. Kids swim at midnight. And the trees cast long, soft shadows that never quite go away.
Where to go: Try Inari, Kilpisjärvi, or Utsjoki for fewer tourists, more culture (especially Sámi heritage), and pristine tundra. Rent a riverside cabin, stay in a glass-roofed igloo hotel, or camp in a national park.
Cerca Tip: Pack a sleep mask—but don’t worry too much about sleeping. Let the light rewire your brain.
2. Experience a Traditional Smoke Sauna + Cold Lake Dip
To understand Finland, you must understand the sauna. It’s not just a steamy room—it’s a cultural cornerstone. But the smoke sauna (savusauna)? That’s next level.
This ancient, chimneyless method involves burning a wood fire for hours, letting smoke fill the room until it saturates the wood, and then venting it before entering. What’s left is a gentle, aromatic heat and the deepest sweat you’ve ever had. After that, you must plunge into a cold lake—naked, ideally. It’s not weird. It’s very Finnish.
Where to go: Try Jätkänkämppä in Kuopio for a historic experience or the Rajaportti Sauna in Tampere—the oldest public sauna still running.
Cerca Tip: Bring a beer, a birch whisk (called a vihta or vasta), and zero shame.
3. Live the Archipelago Life on a Remote Island
Finland has the largest archipelago in the world—over 40,000 islands stretching from Turku to Åland. In summer, these islands transform into havens of slow living, fresh seafood, and minimalist wooden cottages.
Rent a red cabin with a private dock. Pick herbs from the garden. Grill salmon and new potatoes. Read for hours. Jump off the dock. Fall asleep to the sound of gulls and water lapping against rocks. This is the Finnish summer fantasy.
Where to go: Start with Nagu, Korpo, or Houtskär. Or, go deep into the Åland Islands for ferry-hopping adventures and Swedish-speaking hospitality.
Cerca Tip: Don’t plan too much. Bring a bike and a good appetite. Let the archipelago do the rest.
4. Pick Wild Berries in the Forest (It’s the Law)
Finland’s Everyman’s Right (jokamiehenoikeudet) means you can legally wander into almost any forest to forage. And in July and August, that means berries. Wild blueberries, cloudberries, lingonberries, raspberries—you name it.
Locals head into the woods with buckets and leave with purple fingers, full baskets, and plans to freeze, jam, or ferment the goods. It’s not just about food—it’s a way of reconnecting to nature, ancestry, and childhood memories.
Where to go: Nuuksio National Park (near Helsinki), Koli, or any forested lake region in Eastern Finland.
Cerca Tip: Always bring a phone with GPS. Finnish forests are beautiful—and vast.
5. Bike the Åland Islands (Ferries + Flat Roads + Apple Cider)
The Åland archipelago is a self-governing part of Finland where Swedish is the official language, apples grow everywhere, and time moves at half-speed. The best way to see it? By bike.
Cycle across bridges and islands. Camp on the coast. Stop for fresh cider at apple farms. Explore stone churches, silent forests, and empty beaches. There’s a ferry system that links everything—so it’s like backpacking, but on two wheels.
Where to go: Start in Mariehamn and plot a route through Geta, Kumlinge, and Föglö.
Cerca Tip: Bring a rain jacket, waterproof panniers, and a light attitude. You will get rained on. It’ll be fine.
6. Join a Midsummer Bonfire (Juhannus)
Think: flower crowns, sauna marathons, grilled sausages, cold beer, and bonfires taller than houses. Juhannus, or Midsummer, is Finland’s biggest holiday. It’s a mix of pagan fire rituals, Christian tradition, and modern-day partying under the never-ending sun.
Cities empty out. Lakeside cottages fill up. Everyone slows down, cooks outside, jumps into lakes, and dances around fires. You’re meant to be outside and feel the shift—the peak of light before darkness slowly returns.
Where to go: Rent a cottage near Saimaa or head to Seurasaari in Helsinki for public bonfires and folk dancing.
Cerca Tip: It’s one of the few times Finns get really chatty. Embrace it.
7. Find Peace at a Forest Church or Nature Chapel
Scattered throughout Finland are forest churches—open-air altars surrounded by trees, built for summer weddings, solstice gatherings, or quiet reflection. They’re simple: a few wooden benches, maybe a cross, no roof, no walls. The point? Let nature do the preaching.
Whether you’re religious or not, standing in one of these silent sanctuaries surrounded by tall pines and birdsong hits differently. It’s reverent. Grounding. And deeply Finnish.
Where to go: Pyhän Laurin kirkko in Vantaa, St. Olaf’s ruins in Sastamala, or lesser-known chapels in Lapland and Karelia.
Cerca Tip: Visit during golden hour. Bring a notebook. You’ll want to write something.
8. Paddle a National Park and Sleep Under the Stars
Finns don’t hike—they trek. And in summer, that often means paddling between lakes, pitching tents by fire pits, and falling asleep in lean-tos with a view of the stars.
National parks like Repovesi, Hossa, and Kolovesi are tailor-made for backcountry exploration. You’ll paddle through cliffs, forests, and lakes so still they reflect the sky perfectly. You might not see another soul all day.
Where to go: Rent gear in town or book a guided trip through Finnish Adventure companies.
Cerca Tip: All national parks have free laavus (open shelters) and firewood for anyone to use. Just be respectful—and leave it better than you found it.
9. Ride the Helsinki–Rovaniemi Night Train (“Santa Claus Express”)
Want to travel the full spine of Finland in one magical journey? Book a berth on the Helsinki–Rovaniemi overnight train. You’ll board in the capital with a bottle of cider and snacks, settle into a wood-trimmed cabin, and wake up in Lapland.
The scenery? Forests, lakes, old towns, reindeer crossings, and the Arctic Circle.
It’s cozy. It’s nostalgic. And it’s infinitely cooler than flying.
Where to go: Choose a double-decker sleeper cabin with a private bathroom. There’s a bistro car for drinks and local snacks.
Cerca Tip: Book early during summer festivals—it’s very popular.
10. Eat Through a Historic Helsinki Food Hall
Finns are modest about their food—but they shouldn’t be. Helsinki’s old food halls are temples to seasonal produce, cured fish, rye breads, wild mushrooms, and pastries that could make you weep.
Head to Vanha Kauppahalli or Hakaniemi Market Hall and order like a local: salmon soup (lohikeitto), open rye sandwiches with Baltic herring, creamy mushroom pies, or sweet cardamom buns (pulla). There’s also reindeer jerky, cloudberry jam, and every form of dairy you can imagine.
Where to go: Vanha for classic elegance, Hakaniemi for the real-deal market vibe.
Cerca Tip: Grab snacks and head outside to picnic by the harbor. Don’t forget a karelian pasty (karjalanpiirakka) with egg butter.
Helsinki – The Cool-Headed Capital
Helsinki doesn’t scream for attention. It gently insists. The city feels like if Berlin, Tokyo, and a forest had a calm, well-designed baby. Built between land and sea, Helsinki in summer is about breezy bike rides, spontaneous swimming at city beaches, Baltic seafood eaten dockside, and the kind of modern design that feels humble rather than flashy.
Yes, you should go to the big hitters: the Oodi Library (possibly the coolest public library in the world), the Design Museum, and the contemporary art house Amos Rex, which looks like it sprouted from an alien planet. But also: lose yourself in the Kallio district, Helsinki’s slightly punk, slightly queer, forever-evolving neighborhood. Grab a falafel, catch a poetry slam in a sauna, and stay out late under skies that never go fully dark.
Cerca Tip: Take a ferry to Lonna or Suomenlinna for picnics, cannon ruins, and a breath of sea air. And eat the salmon soup at Story Café inside the Old Market Hall—it’s a rite of passage.
Turku – Finland’s Old Soul with a New Beat
Finland’s former capital is now its food capital, and summer is the best time to taste it. Turku’s vibe is part river-town chill, part history book, and part Instagrammable café heaven. Centered around the Aura River, the city invites you to stroll its leafy banks from Turku Castle (built in the 13th century!) all the way to trendy riverside wine bars.
The food scene? Legit. Start with Smör for a Nordic fine-dining moment, then balance it with street food from the Turku Market Hall, where you can try everything from wild mushroom risottos to local cheeses and reindeer jerky.
Cerca Tip: Don’t miss the Medieval Market in July, where blacksmiths, falconers, and lute-playing troubadours take over the Old Town. Stay until sunset (10 p.m.) for candlelit riverside concerts.
Tampere – The Sauna Capital of the World
If Helsinki is your polished art-school friend, Tampere is the bold, working-class cousin who knows how to throw a party and fix your bicycle. With a rich industrial past and a rebellious cultural scene, this inland city punches way above its weight.
But the real crown jewel? Saunas. Tampere has more public saunas than anywhere else in Finland. From the historic Rajaportti Sauna (running since 1906!) to the ultra-hip Sauna Restaurant Kuuma, where you can dip straight into Lake Pyhäjärvi, this is where the tradition gets its full expression.
Beyond the heat, Tampere offers serious art and music scenes—don’t miss the Moomin Museum, and try to catch a gig at Tullikamari, a warehouse-turned-club that’s hosted everything from punk to pop.
Cerca Tip: Eat a mustamakkara (black blood sausage) from the Tammelantori Market with lingonberry jam. Yes, it sounds weird. No, you won’t regret it.
Porvoo – A Fairytale Town with Killer Pastries
Just 50 km from Helsinki, Porvoo is what happens when a picture-perfect town refuses to be boring. Its old town is all cobbled streets, candy-colored wooden houses, and riverside cafés. But Porvoo isn’t just a postcard—it’s full of modern makers, designers, and some of Finland’s best cinnamon buns (korvapuusti).
Wander the narrow alleys and you’ll find everything from vintage bookstores and quirky art studios to historic homes like J.L. Runeberg’s House, where Finland’s national poet lived (and whose wife invented the legendary Runeberg torte).
Cerca Tip: Go on a weekday morning to beat the crowds and grab a seat at Café Fanny or Café Postres. Order a strong coffee and a warm bun and just sit there pretending you live there forever.
Jyväskylä – The City of Aalto, Lakes, and Light
Welcome to the gateway of Central Finland—and the unofficial capital of the country’s lake region. Jyväskylä combines a youthful student vibe with some of the most impressive 20th-century architecture in the country. This is the city of Alvar Aalto, Finland’s most famous architect, and you can follow his legacy across multiple buildings and exhibitions here.
In summer, the lakefront comes alive. Locals sunbathe on the docks, boats glide across Lake Jyväsjärvi, and the cycling paths are buzzing with activity. Nature is everywhere—but so are bookstores, craft beer spots, and outdoor art.
Cerca Tip: Hit up the Yläkaupungin Yö (Upper Town Night) festival in June for local performances, music, and wild creativity spilling into the streets.
Savonlinna – Castles, Concerts, and Crystal Lakes
If you’ve ever wanted to watch an opera in a medieval fortress perched on a lake island surrounded by forest… this is your town.
Savonlinna is built around Olavinlinna Castle, a 15th-century stronghold that turns into one of the world’s most enchanting opera stages during the Savonlinna Opera Festival each July. Even if you’re not an opera person, it’s hard not to be moved when the sun sets, the water glows, and Puccini fills the air.
Outside the castle? Lakes, boats, saunas, and the kind of slow summer living that makes you want to write poetry on a dock.
Cerca Tip: Try the fried vendace (muikku)—tiny lake fish served crispy with lemon and potatoes—at the harbor market.
Kuopio – Heart of the Savo Region and Home of the Smoke Sauna
Kuopio is a sleeper hit. It’s in the Savo region, known for its humor, hospitality, and dialect that sounds like everyone’s slightly drunk and deeply wise. The city is built on a hill surrounded by lakes, forests, and islands—and it shines brightest in summer.
Take the funicular up Puijo Tower for 360-degree views. Then, do what locals do: head to Jätkänkämppä Smoke Sauna—one of the most authentic in the country. After your 90°C sweat, jump into Lake Kallavesi, breathe deeply, and you’ll finally get it.
Cerca Tip: Check out the Savo Bread Festival in July and the Kuopio Dance Festival for a cultural one-two punch. And definitely try local delicacies like Kalakukko (fish baked in rye bread). Trust us.
Festivals Worth Planning Around
Ilosaarirock – Joensuu (July)
One of the oldest and most beloved rock festivals in Finland. Think great vibes, lakeside camping, and a line-up that mixes Finnish legends with global indie darlings.
Pori Jazz – Pori (Mid-July)
Laid-back but high-end. Massive names from jazz, funk, soul, and beyond. One of Europe’s top jazz festivals with a setting that’s all old-town charm and riverfront glam.
Flow Festival – Helsinki (Early August)
Urban, artsy, and ultra-stylish. Held in a former power plant, it’s Finland’s coolest festival, hands down. Expect experimental installations, vegan food trucks, and dancing to techno until the morning light.
Savo Bread Festival – Kuopio (July)
For those who believe food is the festival. A deep dive into rye culture, traditional baking, and wild mushroom stews.
How to Travel Like a Local in Finland
Respect the silence. It’s not weird. It’s Finland.
Don’t fear the sauna. It’s not a spa—it’s a sacred ritual.
Pack layers. Finnish weather can change six times a day.
Use the trains. VR trains are fast, clean, and take you everywhere.
Buy a SIM card. Connectivity is excellent, even in the forest.
Words You’ll Want to Learn
Kiitos – Thank you
Moi – Hi
Sauna – Sauna (say it sow-nah)
Juhannus – Midsummer
Hiljaisuus – Silence (but the good kind)
Sisu – Finnish grit + resilience + don’t-mess-with-me energy
Final Word: Why Summer in Finland Changes You
Some countries impress you with spectacle. Finland wins you over with subtlety. It doesn’t perform. It just is. And that authenticity—whether it’s a silent forest trail, a kid jumping off a dock, or an old man ladling soup from a market pot—is what makes summer in Finland unforgettable. Come for the lakes, stay for the light. Leave with the calm of someone who just swam naked under the midnight sun.
