What to do in Finland’s snowless winter? These Are the Things I Would Choose Myself

This year again, it looks like there won’t be any snow in the southernmost parts of Finland for who knows how long. My sympathies to all of you who have travelled to Finland & Helsinki only to discover that the white winter wonderland you imagined is nowhere to be found. Instead, you’re greeted by grey skies and endless misty drizzle.

Still, the snowless winter of Southern Finland has its own kind of peace and charm. A wet, green-tinged forest glows softly and smells wonderful, and when there is no wind, it can be completely silent—except for the faint trickle of a stream somewhere. By the sea it’s easy to breathe, to let your mind settle, and in cities the lights reflect beautifully off the wet streets, making the darkness feel comforting rather than bleak.

For a traveller arriving in Finland maybe for the first time, especially one who expected snowy landscapes and a Christmas fairy-tale, the reality may be confusing. That’s why I wanted to put together this list of very Finnish ways to enjoy this season—snow or no snow.

Go to the Forest

First, I would head to the place I instinctively seek out in just about any stage of my life: the forest. Even without snow, it’s astonishingly calming, especially when the air is still and damp. Walk slowly and pay attention to how the wet moss yields under your feet (I hope you’re wearing rubber boots!) and how the greyness seems to swallow every bit of hurry and noise. It’s unbelievable how quiet a forest can be. The only sounds you might hear in a wintry, unfrozen forest are trickling water and the soft chirping of tiny birds like goldcrests.

Join a Guided Nature Walk

A guided nature tour in Nuuksio offers much more than wandering around aimlessly on your own. If you book the tour through Haltia – The Finnish Nature Centre, your guide will be one of my colleagues, because Haltia, where Finland, Naturally has its office, is also my workplace. I myself am not a guide, but fortunately our team includes wonderful and knowledgeable guides who can share fascinating stories, including bits of Finnish mythology.

They’ll also take a quick look at what you’re wearing and make sure your clothing and shoes are suitable for the conditions. You can always ask Haltia’s customer service staff for tips on gear and route choices, even if you’re planning an independent trip.

Visit the Local National Park

Finland has 41 national parks, and no matter where you are, the nearest one is rarely far away. Near Helsinki you’ll find Nuuksio and Sipoonkorpi; near Tampere, Seitseminen and Helvetinjärvi; and near Turku, Kurjenrahka. All of them have well-marked day-hiking trails of different lengths, making it easy to follow the route without fear of getting lost.

My closest park is Teijo National Park in Salo. I would probably walk my favourite route, the trail around Lake Matildanjärvi, which is very popular in summer but pleasantly quiet in winter. But whichever park in Southern Finland I would choose, one thing is certain: I’d dress warmly and waterproof, and I’d wear wool socks and rubber boots.

Go to the Sea

The Baltic Sea in winter is clear, fragrant and peaceful. If I were in Helsinki, I would head to Suomenlinna or Uutela. In Turku, I’d go to Ruissalo, for example to Kuuvannokka. In Tampere—well, sorry, no sea there! Other lovely seaside towns include Kotka, Hamina, Hanko, Pori and Rauma.

Walking along the shoreline lets you enjoy solitude, breathe the fresh air deeply, listen to the waves and let your nervous system calm down. Do watch your step though: wet winter rocks can be extremely slippery.

Take a City Trip (Maybe by Train)

If I wanted a bit more variety (which I often don’t, being an introvert), I’d take a car or a train to an unfamiliar town—say, Savonlinna. The town rises from the embrace of Lake Saimaa, and you can enjoy beautiful rocky shores and lake views just steps from the centre. And who knows, maybe up there you might even see some snow! I’d stroll along the water, linger in cosy cafés, and stay in a hotel with a big breakfast buffet.

Take a Road Trip in the Archipelago Sea

I grew up visiting the Archipelago Sea, located off the coast of Turku. Most people go there in summer, but on a sunny winter day (lol) it’s stunning. Even a grey winter day has a special beauty. The yellow ferries between Parainen and Mossala are free, traffic is light and the stillness of the archipelago is almost hypnotic.

At night, the sky can be unbelievably bright—without a white ground cover, the darkness deepens, and there’s very little light pollution. I’d set off in the morning, pick up food from a supermarket for the day, visit Mossala and return home—or stay in Turku overnight if I didn’t live nearby. Most accommodation in the archipelago is closed in winter.

I might also consider another option: taking a cruise. It’s lovely to be on the ship—eating well, relaxing, pausing for a moment and enjoying the views. In winter, especially on weekdays, the day cruises are often pleasantly quiet (and cheap). Read more about cruises!

Spend an Unhurried Day in Suomenlinna

Winter’s quiet season makes Suomenlinna wonderfully peaceful—far from the summer crowds. I’d take the ferry before noon so I would have plenty of daylight to explore the shoreline, the little lanes and the ramparts. When there are fewer people around, it’s also easier to take great Instagram photos. A foggy day (or a sunny one!) would be perfect. But I would wear a lot of clothing: even above freezing, damp sea air is icy and cuts right through your layers.

Go to the Sauna

Black winter is great sauna season. The drizzle and pitch-dark evenings outside make the warmth inside feel even more delicious. I’m lucky to have my own sauna, but if I didn’t, I would rent a lovely lakeside cabin with a private sauna for a night. Public saunas are a good option too, but I personally prefer sauna time in complete peace, without strangers.

And even without ice, winter swimming is possible: right now the waters in my area aren’t frozen, so instead of ice swimming, we’re simply winter swimming. The water is around +3 to +5°C. Cold sea or lake water is always invigorating and guarantees deep sleep afterwards.

But there’s one rule you must never break: never go into cold water alone. Someone must be with you, because the body can react unpredictably to the shock of the cold.

Enjoy Finnish Home Cooking

In the middle of dark winter, I choose foods that are simple and comforting. Root vegetables—carrots, swedes, beetroots, parsnips—are in season and inexpensive, and with the right spices they turn into wonderful roasted vegetables.

Another Finnish favourite is homemade pea soup served with the freshest rye bread possible. It’s warm, nourishing, and perfectly suited to a Finnish winter day.

Linger in Cafés & Flea Markets

I love spending time in cafés, chatting with a friend or simply enjoying treats while scrolling my phone and watching people go by. I’d choose a delicious specialty coffee and probably a slice of blueberry pie, a molten chocolate cake, or a warm cinnamon bun. I’d sit in a quiet corner with no schedule whatsoever and enjoy this simple pleasure of life, which is at its best on a rainy winter day.

Between my café moments, I love slipping in a round of thrift-store browsing. Thrift shops are hugely popular in Finland, and I genuinely enjoy exploring them, even when I don’t end up buying anything. I could easily spend an entire day just alternating between thrifting and indulging in treats.

I’d Stroll Around a Christmas Market

Finnish cities, and even many small towns, host Christmas markets that are delightful for anyone who loves festive atmospheres—or who has travelled here from afar. The bigger the city, the longer the markets usually stay open; in small towns, they often last just a day or two.

I don’t personally celebrate Christmas, so I wouldn’t buy Christmas-themed items, but I would enjoy the food. I’d drink glögi, browse the treats, and pounce on Karelian pies if I found them (even though they’re not really Christmas food). I’d probably also enjoy at least one joulutorttu, the most traditional sweet treat of the season.

Visit a Charming Old Town

After the wars, Finland had to build housing quickly, and beauty was not the priority. As a result, many Finnish cities are filled with fairly unattractive post-war concrete neighbourhoods. But once you know the history, it’s easier to look at them with understanding.

Still, we also have beautiful old towns and districts. The old quarters of Porvoo and Rauma look like something from a storybook. In Turku, Luostarinmäki—the only part of the city spared from its many fires—is stunning and smells pleasantly of tar. The wooden houses of Port Arthur in Turku are lovely too. In Tampere, I’d focus on walking along the Finlayson/Tampella waterfront.

If I wanted to stay in Helsinki, I’d buy an HSL day ticket and ride the trams around the city in a spirit of adventure. There’s no need to stand outside in the rain, and whenever a place looks especially inviting, you can simply hop off.

I Might Go to an Art Exhibition

Winter is an excellent time for art exhibitions—not only for the art itself but also for the light, calm and warmth of the spaces. It’s wonderful to step out of the gloomy drizzle into a bright, peaceful gallery and forget the weather entirely for a moment.

My own choice would be the Ateneum, but Kiasma is also great. In Tampere, I’d go to the Moomin Museum; in Turku, to the Turku Art Museum.

Enjoy the Atmosphere of the Market Halls

There’s no market hall in my hometown Salo, so whenever I’m in Turku, Tampere or Helsinki, I always walk through the market hall. Helsinki’s Old Market Hall, Hakaniemi Market Hall and the Turku Market Hall are full of aromas, beautiful products and local flavours (and often people as well).

Buying from a market hall has a unique feel: every purchase feels like a small souvenir. I would especially explore the vegan options to see if I could find something new and wonderful.

Visit the Historic Ironworks Villages

Some places are so beautiful that even the greyest winter cannot diminish their charm. During the daylight hours, I might take a small road trip to the village foundries of Fiskars, Billnäs and Mustio in Raasepori. These three destinations lie fairly close to one another.

In Fiskars, I’d walk one or two short trails that circle through the village and nearby nature. In Mustio, I’d admire the manor house and the statues and buildings scattered around the park.

Go to Concerts

Live music gives many of us a great deal of emotional energy, and I go to metal concerts frequently. The atmosphere of a show is uplifting—both in the excitement beforehand and in the happy memories afterwards. While summer festivals are far from mind at this time of year, there are still many large and small concerts throughout Finland in the heart of winter.

If you’re into metal as well, note that we’ve put together a special list of metal destinations in Finland at Finland, Naturally!

I hope you found joy, inspiration, and above all something that truly speaks to you among these ideas! Sending strength to all of us living through the grey and rainy heart of winter.

Read next

The Best Public Saunas in Helsinki

Candlelit Swimming and Cold Shock – Testing Helsinki’s Allas Sea Pool

Nuuksio National Park Is a Spectacular Wilderness Area Right next to Helsinki