Your Finland Honeymoon Guide: Romantic Escapes & Cozy Getaways

A Finland honeymoon can be exciting, romantic, and endlessly charming. I fell head over heels in love with Finland during my winter visit, and I cannot recommend it enough for couples who want a unique alternative to a beachside getaway.

You’ve got glass igloos, cozy saunas, and even the stunning Northern Lights!

You could plan a Lapland honeymoon and enjoy a winter wonderland full of auroras, fireside cuddles, and adventurous dog sledding.

Or you could enjoy the midnight sun in Lapland or even long summer days spent kayaking, swimming, or relaxing by lakes in Finnish Lakeland.

Overall, Finland is a perfect honeymoon destination for those who love winter, adventure, lots of nature, and those who want to slow down to savor it all!

So let’s discuss everything you need to know for a perfect Finnish honeymoon!

Is Finland a Good Honeymoon Destination?

After visiting, I can confidently say that Finland is an iconic honeymoon destination. 

But it’s certainly for those interested in something different for their romantic escape. If you want a relaxing beachside all-inclusive resort, then obviously Finland isn’t your place. 

But if you want to enjoy chasing the Northern Lights, waking up to potentially see auroras from your glass igloo, or exploring the wilderness of Lapland on a dog sled then yes!

If you want to try out a traditional Finnish sauna complete with a lakeside dip in between sauna sessions, then yes!

If you love tasting sweet treats (Finnish candy is elite), love a cozy salmon soup, and wandering the park-filled lovely city of Helsinki, then yes!

And if you love getting away from it all in a charming cabin or BNB along a lake or near the coast where it’s just you, your love, and water adventures, then yes!

This really depends on what you want to get out of your honeymoon in Finland.

Here is the breakdown by season:

• Winter (December-March): Perfect for Lapland, Finland winter wonderland activities like dog sledding, snowshoeing, Northern lights chasing, and watching snow fall from your glass igloo. Yes, it’s cold, but with proper attire outside, it’s really fun! Go in March to potentially spot more Northern Lights activity around the spring equinox. 

• Summer (June-August): This is a great time to explore the beautiful parks and fantastic architecture in Helsinki or enjoy kayaking and swimming in Finnish Lakeland and the coast. It’s a great time for midnight sun in Lapland…but know that a lot of big resorts close down from spring until Autumn. 

• Shoulder Season (April-May and September-November): These can be great times to actually go up to Lapland for the northern lights, especially as the northern lights can be a bit more frequent around the spring and autumn equinoxes. Also, the weather can be a little better meaning you have a better chance at seeing the Northern Lights (rather than many cloudy nights in winter). It’s also nice for cozy cabin days in Lakeland. Just note that a lot of resorts close up in the spring in Lapland.

I’ll start with arguably the most popular for non-Finnish people. I visited Lapland in winter and it was nothing short of amazing! Located along the Arctic Circle and above (the Arctic Circle line runs through Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi!), Lapland is Finland’s northernmost province in Finland.

I stayed in a glass igloo hotel, plunged in an icy lake and enjoyed thawing out in a sauna afterward, zoomed across the winter wonderland on a dog sled, chased the Northern Lights, and even rode on a sleigh pulled by a reindeer.

It’s epic. It’s a real-life snowglobe. And it’s where Santa lives! How can you NOT love it?

Now, my trip was centered around Rovaniemi, but here are places in Lapland to check out:

Visit Santa’s Village, do typical Lapland winter experiences (snowshoeing, reindeer sleigh, dogsledding, Northern Lights viewing), and explore museums. Enjoy kayaking, hiking, and husky experiences outside of winter too!

How to Get Here: You can fly or take the train from Helsinki (be sure to arrange transportation to your hotel!)! Check flight prices here!

Where to Stay Near Rovaniemi:

Apukka Resort: Located in the wilderness outside of Rovaniemi, this resort has stunning glass igloos, and they offer many activities including dog sledding, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, a reindeer sleigh experience, lakeside sauna, etc. I stayed here during my trip and absolutely loved the charm and cozy atmosphere.

Book it here!

Arctic SnowHotel: Also outside of Rovaniemi, this place has a hotel entirely made of snow and ice in the winter–and you can stay in it! They too have glass igloos and offer experiences like the snow sauna, snowshoeing, ice fishing, and more!

Book it here!

Inari/Ivalo

Enjoy historical Sámi (Finland’s indigenous peoples) sites, Northern Lights, and other typical Finnish Lapland winter experiences. Summer experiences include midnight sun cruises, rafting, and hiking.

How to Get Here: You can fly to Ivalo and either rent a car or arrange transportation to your hotel from there. 

Where to Stay Near Inari/Ivalo: Aurora Village Ivalo–with glass igloos or aurora towers, enjoy potentially witnessing the Northern Lights from your room! They also offer all the winter activities you’d love or even summertime fun like hiking and kayaking!

Book it here!

Levi

Skiing, snowmobiling, and reindeer sledding. Visit the SnowVillage. In summer, enjoy kayaking and hiking.

How to Get Here: You can fly from Helsinki to Kittilä airport. Then, you can either rent a car or take a shuttle into Levi (about 20 minutes). You can also arrange transportation to your hotel in advance. 

Where to Stay in Levi: Golden Crown – Levin Iglut: Enjoy all the winter wonderland activities here as well as enjoy snuggling in your lovely glass igloo.

Book it here!

Go skiing and hiking in Phyä-Luosto National Park.

Whether you want wintertime sports, relaxing saunas, or the Northern Lights, Lapland is perfect for a winter honeymoon.

And if you want Midnight Sun, lovely forest hikes, and serene lakes, then summer here is lovely!

How to Get Here: You can either fly into Rovaniemi or take the train to Rovaniemi. From there, it’s about an hour and a half drive. So renting a car is best here. 

Where to Stay in Luosto: Pyhä Igloos–This cozy spot has glass igloos with kitchenettes if you want to save a little money! Plus, they can help you arrange many experiences both in the winter or summer!

Book it here!

Located in the central-to-southeastern part of Finland, this area is full of lakes! And there are thousands of them! 

Here you can enjoy fishing, hiking, kayaking, swimming, canoeing, and more during an idyllic summertime getaway! Here are a couple options for your stay:

Lake Saimaa/Savonlinna

A great place to check out is Lake Saimaa. This is Finland’s largest lake, and it has ample opportunities for adventure and relaxation. Stay in Savonlinna nearby for a great place to explore!

Spot the Saimaa Ringed Seal, that only exists here! Visit Olavinlinna Castle, which dates back to 1475, or perhaps go cycling or hiking near the lake!

Either way, you’ll want to surround yourself with the tranquility of nature during a Finnish summer honeymoon. 

How to Get Here: For Saimaa, it is about 4 hours away from Helsinki to Savonlinna, or you can fly into Savonlinna and rent a car. Either way, the best way to explore this area is by car. Check rental car prices here!

Where to Stay in Savonlinna: B&B Taipaleenniemi–Stay in the villa or guesthouse at this charming place with lake views. Here you can go rowing in the lake, relax in the sauna, and enjoy peace and tranquility together. 

Book it here!

Alternatively, you can check out Tampere, or the Sauna Capital of the World. Nestled between Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake, this city has plenty of fun attractions to see, plus you have great lake activities, but it’s also a fabulous spot for relaxing in the sauna! 

How to Get Here: You can either fly into Helsinki and drive to Tampere (2 hours away) or just fly into Tampere. You can also take the train from Helsinki for 1.5-2 hours. After that, you’ll want a car to explore.  

Where to Stay in Tampere: Radisson Blu Grand Hotel Tammer, Tampere–This adorable 4-star spot is in a great area for exploring and enjoying the saunas nearby!

Book it here!

Helsinki is a great idea for a honeymoon! It’s an exciting city in its own right, with great museums, an incredible food scene, and the libraries are SO cool! 

If you love libraries (as the Finns do!) check out the Helsinki Central Library Oodi–it’s so cool! They have recording studios, gaming rooms, cool areas to sit and read, and so so much more!

They also have delicious food at the Old Market Hall, and there are ample places to go shopping and dine at the malls around the city.

Plus, Helsinki in the summer is the perfect time to explore the parks, enjoy their large public pool (Allas Sea Pool) and visit the sauna there, and just admire the stunning architecture in between stops for a coffee break.

Even in winter, Helsinki is a lot of fun to explore between the malls, the market hall, the museums, and, yes, you can even swim and go to the sauna at Allas!

How to Get Here: Helsinki is easy to reach thanks to its airport. Plus, it has trains that go from here to other cities in Finland. You can also get here from Tallin, Estonia via the ferry!

Where to Stay:

Hotel NH Collection Grand Hansa: This 5-star hotel is in the heart of Helsinki, near the train station (great for heading north later!), and has a spa with a gorgeous sauna, cocktail bar, and restaurant for a relaxing stay.

Book it here!

Clarion Hotel Mestari: This is where I stayed during my visit, and, no, it’s not a 5-star hotel, but it is a nice option, especially if you’d prefer to save money for Lapland or wherever else you’re going. Regardless, this was a lovely hotel with a delightful breakfast, has a sauna, and was in a great location! I totally recommend it!

Book it here!

With over 50,000 islands and breathtaking coasts, you could also opt to enjoy nature by the sea.

Explore Åland where you can enjoy your days cycling, hiking, boating, kayaking, visiting the charming town of Mariehamn, go golfing, or even exploring the Kastelholm Castle, a Medieval castle.

How to Get Here: There are some flights here from Helsinki and Stockholm. You can also take the train from Helsinki to Turku and then take the ferry to Mariehamn. This would take about 8.5 hours. Or you can rent a car from Helsinki, drive, and then take the ferry over. This is about 8 hours. But having a car is probably for the best here. 

Where to Stay: Bjornhofvda Gård-About 30 minutes outside of Mariehamn, this cozy bed and breakfast has rooms and even a private guesthouse, a restaurant, bar, and is a short walk to the water!

Book it here!

Here are some ideas for a Finnish honeymoon based on your timeframe!

7 Days in Finland

Winter Itineraries Ideas:

• 7-Day Lapland, Finland Trip From Rovaniemi: I have a whole guide detailing this here including splitting time between Rovaniemi and the arctic wilderness nearby at Apukka.
• 2 Days in Helsinki & 5 days in Rovaniemi: Capital city plus arctic winter wonderland!
• 3 Days in Rovaniemi, 2 Days in Luosto, & 2 Days in Ivalo: Arctic winter road trip.
• 3 Days in Rovaniemi & 4 Days in Levi: Traditional Lapland winter wonderland plus time on the slopes

Summer Finland Itinerary Ideas:

• 2 Days in Helsinki & 5 Days in Åland: City life plus a tranquil coastal island getaway.
• 7 Days in Savonlinna & Lake Saimaa: Slow travel lake life.
• 2 Days in Helsinki & 5 Days in Lapland: City escape + pure Finnish nature in the arctic.
• 3 Days Helsinki and 4 Days in Tampere: Exciting attractions, lakeside fun, and saunas.

Finland Honeymoon Shoulder Season Itinerary Ideas:

• 3 Days in Rovaniemi, 2 Days in Luosto, & 2 Days in Ivalo road trip: Northern Lights, hiking, kayaking, and beautiful nature.
• 7 Days in Savonlinna & Lake Saimaa: Autumn colors and sauna evenings.
• 7 Days in Rovaniemi: Hiking, Northern Lights chasing, autumn colors in an easy-to-reach locale.

• 3 days in Helsinki, 5 in Rovaniemi, and 2 in Ivalo: Winter getaway.
• 3 days in Rovaniemi, Luosto, Ivalo, Levi, and then end with a couple extra days in Rovaniemi: Winter road trip loop.
• 14 days in Rovaniemi both in the city and in the nearby wilderness: Winter slow travel. Increase your chances of Northern Lights action here!
• 10-14 days in Lakeland: Slow travel in Lake Saimaa, but also explore other spots like Jyväskylä and Kuopio.
• 10-14 Days in Helsinki + Tampere + Åland: Spend 3 days in Helsinki, then visit the Sauna Capital of the World in lakeside Tampere, and wrap up in Åland for a majestic getaway.

This will vary wildly depending on where you go, when you go, how long you travel, and your travel style (luxury, mid-range, etc.). 

I do have a full blog post on how much a trip to Lapland Finland costs in the winter. So for more details, you can check that out.

However, for a mid-range traveler to Lapland, I’d aim for about $5,870-10,270 for a couple for a week (that’s $2,935-5,135 per person). 

That averages to about $839-1,467 per day for a couple. That does include flights, hotels, activities, and, on the higher end, staying a few nights at a glass-igloo resort. 

For the rest of Finland, between flights, a rental car or train, hotels, tours, extras, and dining, it’s closer to $5,300 for the week for a couple, or around $757 per day including your round-trip flights. That is a rough estimate and not a full picture based on your needs.

This can be a whole separate article (and I probably will write a larger one!), but here are 10 things that you can do in Finland on your honeymoon!

1. Stay in a Glass Igloo. I mean, it really is amazing! You may catch the northern lights, but it’s cozy regardless. I loved Apukka Resort.

2. Go Dogsledding. This was so much fun! We took turns leading the sled and riding in it, and it was a great way to experience the wilderness of Finland! Book a tour here!

3. Chase the Northern Lights. Definitely go on a chasing tour as that increases your chances of seeing the Northern Lights. Just know that it’ll be a later night (or even go all night in our case)! But it’s so worth it if you get to see the Northern Lights! Book it here!

4. Lakeside Sauna. I did this at Apukka Resort and it was incredible! We dipped into the freezing cold lake and then thawed out in the sauna. It’s strangely addicting, and it’s a private experience you book in advance! 

5. Hiking. Go for hikes in the Finnish wilderness to spot wildlife and enjoy the crisp fresh air!

6. Enjoy delicious cuisine in Helsinki. I particularly enjoyed Boon Nam for Thai cuisine and Nolla seasonal, local, and no waste upscale cuisine.

7. Get Out on the Lake. Lakes are abundant in Finland, making it ideal for a romantic getaway. Admire sunsets on the lake, go kayaking together, or just sit by a fire and embrace the wilderness.

8. Admire the Autumn Colors. Enjoy Finland in the autumn months, when you can witness the stunning fall foliage and perhaps catch the Northern Lights in Lapland!

9. Witness the Midnight Sun. If you visit Lapland in the summer, be astounded by the seemingly neverending daylight! 
10. Partake in local events. Summer is the perfect time to visit for festivals, and in December you’ve got Christmas markets!

I mentioned how to get to various places for a Finnish honeymoon, but having a car is helpful if you’re visiting smaller towns, further to reach spots in the arctic, Lakeland, and even the coast.

However, there are many places with airports, and you can even take the train to Rovaniemi from Helsinki. 

Here are some other helpful tips before your Finland honeymoon.

Do I Need to Know Finnish to Get Around?

It’s always a good idea to know a few key words and phrases (you can check those out here). 

But a lot of Finnish people speak English as well. In rural areas it may be more difficult, but between learning the basics and Google Translate, you’ll be fine. 

And in cities and more touristy places, most people also speak English.

Currency of Finland

Finland uses the euro. €1 at the moment equals $1.15 USD, £0.88, $1.62 CAD, and $1.78 AUD.

Can I Use a Credit Card?

Yes, in fact, I don’t recall using cash at all while in Finland. Much of Finland takes cashless payments these days!

Tipping in Finland

Tipping isn’t required or expected for the most part in Finland. Service is included. However, if you’d like to tip, you can always leave a small tip! It’s always appreciated! 

Weather in Finland

I’ll admit that Lapland is very cold in the winter usually. I went in late February/early March and it hovered around freezing, but that was not the norm. 

It can get frigidly cold. 

And, most of Finland doesn’t get really hot. Even the hottest month (July) in Helsinki has average highs of 71ºF/22ºC. Now, that doesn’t mean they don’t get hot days, and with global warming, things are definitely changing, but Finland isn’t a super warm weather destination. 

So the weather in Finland can be frigidly cold in winter, and pretty mild from May-October. It’s a great place for those who want to escape the heat!

I have a whole packing list for Lapland in winter here. So you can check that out for more details on what to wear in the winter in Lapland. Layers upon layers upon layers are key. And snow pants (men’s version here) and a thick jacket (men’s version) are great. 

As for summertime travels, you still want to wear layers. A jacket (men’s version) is a good idea year round as well as sweaters a good chunk of the year. But check the weather ahead of time to be sure! 

But in summer, you can probably get away with lighter jackets and sweaters versus a heavy parka for winter. 

How Much Daylight Does Finland Get?

It depends on the time of the year!

In winter, Helsinki sees around 6 hours of daylight in December. Whereas in the arctic, they may get a couple of hours (if any- like in Inari)!

In the summer, it’s the opposite, days are long! Helsinki gets 18-19 hours of daylight in June, whereas in Lapland the sun doesn’t set most of June!

Outside of the summer, yes, there is potential to see the Northern Lights in Lapland! I have a whole guide on how to see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi here. 

It is important to know that it is never a guarantee. There are a lot of factors like solar activity as well as weather conditions that can affect whether you see them or not. 

Do I Need a Car?

It depends on where you go! If you are just exploring Helsinki and/or Rovaniemi, then probaby not. 

When I went, I was just in Helsinki, Rovaniemi, and then used the shuttles to get to Santa’s Village and Apukka Resort. 

But if you want to explore the Lakeland and Coastal and Archipelago areas of Finland, then having a car is a good idea.

Check rental car prices here!

It can be, I feel like Nordic countries are a little pricier than other parts of Europe. However, I found that dining in Finland wasn’t terribly priced at all, and even hotels are reasonable! 

The more expensive hotels are the glass igloos. But I’d say Finland isn’t a crazy expensive luxury destination, but it’s not a budget one either (although you could do it on a budget if you needed to). 

Is Finland Good for First Timer Europe Travelers?

Yes! As many people speak English, if you’re a native English speaker visiting Finland, you shouldn’t have many issues. And Google Translate is there to help with the rest.

But Finland is a lovely, safe, beautiful country that I think is a great place to visit for the first time in Europe.

Yes! I fell in love with Finland during my 10 days there in the winter. I loved the culture and eclectic food scene in Helsinki, I became obsessed with sauna culture, and I loved the Finns’ deep love and respect for both nature and libraries. 

It’s a delightful place for a honeymoon or romantic getaway, and I highly recommend it!