Finland family-friendly travel guide

Regardless of the weather, locals head outdoors come rain, hail, shine or snow! This local saying is a good mantra to live by if visiting: “There is no such thing as bad weather; there is only bad clothing”. However, if the cold is not your thing, houses and major structures are built to withstand cooler temperatures and you will never be cold inside.

Summers are generally warm and mild, with temperatures ranging from 15-19°C to 23-28°C, depending on how far north you are. Summer is generally the best time of year to visit, with July being the warmest month.

In Helsinki at midsummer, the sun is still shining at 10pm, and in Lapland a single summer day can last for over two months! Even in the south, it’s never really night – just a period of twilight for a few hours.

Autumn brings spectacular displays of colours and fresher weather. Finland has a cold but temperate climate, which is actually comparatively mild for the latitude because of the moderating influence of the Gulf Stream.

Winter, however, is just as dark as everywhere in these latitudes. Far north in winter you will encounter blistering cold days, sometimes with temperatures as low as -20°C to -30°C, so it is very important to be well prepared for the weather conditions.

Spring in the region is especially beautiful, with wildflowers and blossoms popping their petals gradually through the melting snow. Expect an average of around 10°C.

Citizens from Australia, New Zealand, America, Japan and Canada can travel in Scandinavia without a visa for up to 90 days within any six-month period, with the time limit beginning on the first entry to any Schengen Agreement nation.

Citizens from EU and EEA member countries do not require a visa nor a passport to enter Finland (except UK citizens, passports are needed). They can stay for unlimited time using the National ID.

For more information on visa and passport requirements click here.

Make sure you get a stamp in your passport as you enter the first Schengen country, as that is then valid for entering any other Schengen country.

Finland’s main airport is Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, with approximately 90% of the country’s international air traffic passing through. Finnair is the flag carrier airline of Finland.

VR (Finnish Railways) and Russian Railways jointly operate services between Saint Petersburg and Helsinki. The train trip between the two cities takes three and a half hours and is a fascinating way to see the countryside of both countries.

Another great way to travel to and from Finland is by sea from Estonia, Sweden or Germany. Services are year-round between Helsinki, Tallinn, Stockholm and Hamburg.

You will drive on the right side of the road throughout the region. Cars are well maintained (by law), manual gearboxes are the norm, and the pace is generally civilised and respectful. Driving in snow for a large portion of the year teaches drivers patience.

Helsinki has a host of restaurants with specific kid’s menus, play areas and activities to keep the little ones entertained for a mealtime outing. Cargo Coffee + Vegetarian Food, Elite, Ravintola Bröd Punavuori (which has a kid’s menu created by kids) and Roster are just a few of many that have the stamp of approval from the little ones. Roster’s Sunday roasts are a particular hit with families and its fine dining experience for kids, HopLobster, is an experience little ones won’t forget anytime soon.

Finland boasts less than 30 shopping centres, with most of them situated in the country’s capital. For high-end luxury brands, Kämp Gallery is a great place to splurge. Alternatively, head to Forum or Kluuvi Shopping Centre, which are larger, more versatile malls based in the Helsinki metropolitan district. Located just 15 minutes away from the metro is Itäkeskus, the largest covered mall in the Nordic countries and host to almost 240 different stores and roughly 30 restaurants and cafes. 

Finland is also well known for its handicrafts and market stalls, which can be found in almost every town’s main square. Most famous is the Hakaniemi Market Hall, a fish market which is often touted as hosting the best seafood in Helsinki.

Tipping is not compulsory or expected, but always appreciated. If a service charge is not already included in your restaurant bill, you might wish to leave the small change that is returned to you.

Regardless of the time of year, pack a light fleece as evenings can be chilly, particularly if you are by the sea. We suggest layers of clothing rather than heavy coats since the weather can vary quite a bit throughout the season. Bring comfortable walking shoes for touring and sightseeing, especially for all those cobbled streets!

The electric current in Finland is 220v AC. Thick, round ended two-pronged continental points are used. Most hotels have a limited supply of adaptors so we would recommend you take your own with you. Many gadget chargers these days come with the standard ‘figure 8’ connection to which a power cable is attached. You can buy the ‘figure 8’ power cables in local shops if your charger breaks or if you need more options. These will also fit the ipad/iphone chargers (just remove the ‘duckhead’).

Finland has a reliable and high-quality health system. Australia has a reciprocal agreement with Finland for basic care, but travel health insurance is essential. Many pharmacies in the larger cities are open until early evening and some supermarkets will have a small pharmacy section as well. The word for pharmacy in Finnish is ‘Apteekki‘. Tap water is safe to drink and there are no required vaccines for travel in Finland.

• Hello: Hei
• Goodbye: Näkemiin
• Thank you: Kiitos
• Excuse me: Anteeksi
• Yes: Kylla
• No: Ei
• Nice to meet you: Hauska Tavata
• My name is…: Nimeni on…
• Train: Juna
• Bus: Bussi
• Hotel: Hotelli
• Airport: Lentokentta

Kids in Finland are taught English from about nine years of age and a third language from about 13 years of age, so you will find that most people speak above-average English and often German or French as well. While not everyone will be able to discuss the latest advancements in astrophysics with you, asking for directions, catching taxis and talking to staff in shops, restaurants and bars are extremely easy and people are, in general, more than happy to practise their English with you.

Located in the centre of the capital city, Torni Hotelli (‘tower hotel’) offers the perfect panoramic view of Helsinki from its rooftop bar. Since opening its doors in 1931, the hotel’s Ateljee Bar has attracted tourists with the promise of unparalleled city-wide views and delicious cocktails. Trade that cocktail for a healthy mocktail and the Ateljee will stand out as the perfect viewpoint for the whole family. 

One of Finland’s most renowned national parks, Koli National Park is a staple among both tourists and locals. Standing on top of Ukko-Koli Hill, you’ll have unparalleled views of the pristine Lake Pielinen and seas of spruce and birchwood trees. It’s no surprise to note that this site was discovered by painters, it is an aesthetic oasis that needs to be captured on canvas, or iPhone. 

For over 400 years the famous Paavola Oak has held an important and even mystical place among Finland’s cultural heritage. Protected under the National Conservation Act, this 12-metre behemoth is coated in moss and surrounded by the deciduous forest of the surrounding region of Lohja. The nature trail leading to the tree offers plenty of scenic pit stops but it’s the encounter with this magical relic that is sure to leave a lasting impression.