Finland family vacation map & highlights
Finland’s long winters are no barrier to travel. Active winter breaks to Lapland of four days and longer are possible using direct flights or domestic connections up from Helsinki. Once here, travel under your own steam, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, or using husky power. Activities for young children are kept to a manageable length – think a 5km husky drive or an hour’s snowshoeing, rather than all day. In summer, self drive vacations are a flexi option, on excellent, quiet roads. Pick a vacation planned specifically for families where drive times are shortish, with plenty of fun stop offs.
1.
Helsinki
2. Hossa National Park
3. Kumho
4. Lake Inari
5. Luosto
6. Oulanka National Park
7. Oulu
8. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
9. Rovaniemi
10. Torassieppi
2. Hossa National Park
3. Kumho
4. Lake Inari
5. Luosto
6. Oulanka National Park
7. Oulu
8. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
9. Rovaniemi
10. Torassieppi
Helsinki
1. Helsinki
The capital Helsinki sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland. Its Art Nouveau architecture is well preserved, and the city has a laidback feel, especially in summer when Finns head outdoors to soak up the sun. Families are well catered for, with trams and ferries to ride, excellent museums and the island fortress of Suomenlinna, plus kids under six travel free on public transport.
Hossa National Park
2. Hossa National Park
A popular destination in summer for families, Hossa has gentle kayaking on pretty lakes and rivers, plenty of easy, short hikes and bike rides along well marked trails, plus the prehistoric Värikallio rock paintings. Stay in lakeside accommodation with the obligatory sauna, visit nearby Hossa Reindeer Park and try lasso throwing and from here, you can head towards the Russian border for bear watching.
Kumho
3. Kumho
Kumho is a great base for discovering Finland’s wildlife en famille. Visit Petola Visitor Centre to learn about the local bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine, then head into the Wild Taiga to track and spot bears, canoe rivers in search of beavers and hang with huskies, grooming and even massaging them! Everyone can muck in with conservation work, too, building bird boxes, hides and husky kennels.
Lake Inari
4. Lake Inari
Finland’s third largest lake is the center of Sámi culture, home to the Siida Sámi Museum and the Sámi parliament. In winter, active families can cross country ski or snow shoe through silent forests, with the chance to see nature’s greatest light show – this region is famously good for the Aurora. Nearby, the isolated herding village of Menesjärvi is a peaceful base for family breaks.
Luosto
5. Luosto
This little village, in the middle of Lapland, is a popular base for winter vacations, with husky safaris, reindeer sledding, ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross country skiing on the doorstep. Kids will love digging for gems at the local amethyst mine and in summer, nearby Pyhä-Luosto National Park is ideal for exploring on foot, discovering sacred Sámi sites and pretty picnic spots.
Oulanka National Park
6. Oulanka National Park
Oulanka is known for its 80km Karhunkierros hiking trail, but junior hikers can easily tackle its shorter walks, looking out for wildlife and birds. Rivers plunge through the pine forests and teens will love rafting here. In winter, snowshoe or husky sled through the snowy landscape, eyes peeled for the Northern Lights. The winter activity hubs of Ruka and Kuusamo lie just to the south.
Oulu
7. Oulu
Northern Finland’s biggest city, Oulu has lots to appeal to families, from its museums and cafes, to its numerous parks, including Mannerheim and Hupisaaret Islands. Teens will appreciate the free WiFi in the city center and the Air Guitar World Championships held each August. In summer, start a circular self drive vacation here, heading east through the Wild Taiga, up to the Arctic Circle and back.
Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
8. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Powered by tasty Lappish food and reportedly the cleanest air in Europe, children will love the wilderness fun on offer at Pallas-Yllästunturi. On the border between north and south, this is one of Finland’s largest and oldest parks. Its 1,000km2 of boreal forest, high fells and hiking trails are a treat in summer; in winter, husky safaris and cross country ski lessons are on the activity menu.
Rovaniemi
9. Rovaniemi
The capital of Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi is just 5km south of the Arctic Circle. This lively university city is the departure point for winter activities and Northern Lights tours and it’s also the home of Father Christmas, who welcomes visitors year round. Once the kids have seen Santa, check out Arktikum, a science center and museum with exhibitions on Finnish Lapland’s culture and history.
Torassieppi
10. Torassieppi
Torassieppi sits on the edge of the Pallas Yllästunturi National Park. A reindeer farm was established here in 1847 and it’s now the place to learn about these special creatures and their role in everyday Lappish life. Kids can try lassoing or take a reindeer sleigh safari, while lunch in the ice restaurant at the Winter Village is – ahem – pretty cool.
Our Finland family Vacations
Winter vacation in Finnish Lapland
Winter Cottage vacations, Finnish Lapland.
From
£2410 to £2445
8 days
inc UK flights
Family winter adventure in Finland
Great range of activities in Lapland's winter wilderness.
From
£1730 to £1935
4 days
inc UK flights
Northern lights family vacation, tailor made
A mix of Lapland family activities and a relaxing Spa hotel
From
£1225 to £2250
4 days
inc UK flights
Family winter activity vacation in Finland
A combination of activities, cottages & snowy landscapes
From
£3015
8 days
inc UK flights
Northern Lights family vacation in Finland
Lapland family hunt for the Aurora at New Year
From
£3080
8 days
inc UK flights
Christmas in Finland, log cabin stay
Log cabin week in Lapland over Christmas
From
€2280 to €2445
8 days
ex flights
Travel Team
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Sample itineraries
Winter activity small group vacation (7 days): fly to Kittilä > Jeris > husky safari and Northern Lights > cross country skiing and snowshoeing > Torassieppi winter village and reindeer farm > ice fishing and snowmobile safari > free day
Family summer self drive vacation (9 days): Oulu > Vuokatti (Angry Birds Activity Park) > Kuhmo > Hossa National Park > Rovaniemi > Oulu
Husky safari, for children aged 12 upwards (5 days): fly to Ivalo > three nights in wilderness hotel > two day husky safari > one night in wilderness cabin > Inari
Sample travel times
Helsinki – Oulu: 9.5 hours by road
Oulu – Rovaniemi: 2.5 hours by road
Helsinki – Rovaniemi: 13.5 hours by road
Rovaniemi airport – Luosto: 90 minutes by road
Kittilä airport – Jeris: 45 minutes by road
More about Finland family
School vacations and Finland go together well, with deep winter and August two of the best times to travel for a memorable family escape.
Finland is growing in popularity as a family vacation destination and we’re not surprised, with its unique regions offering different treats and activities for families of all ages, throughout the year.
Finland family vacation activities vary with the seasons, from winter breaks that offer a pick and mix of exciting outdoor activities, to self drive summer vacations, exploring forests, lakes and family attractions.
Finland’s high standard of living, relaxed and safe cities and quiet roads make it a welcoming and approachable destination for a family vacation, but any parent planning a trip here will still have questions.
Like hidden veg in a child friendly spaghetti Bolognese, the unique lessons and learning that come with a family vacation to Finland are tucked in stealthily amongst all the fun and exploration.
Our Finland family travel advice includes recommendations and insights from our specialist Finland vacation companies, plus tips from travelers who have already taken their kids there.
