A Winter Guide To Finland – Offbeat, Wild And Full Of Magic

By Author: Ava Mishra
Total Articles: 6
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Finland is the very definition of a Winter Wonderland – frozen lakes, white-draped forests that look straight out of a fairytale, magical roads winding through snow-covered landscapes, and night skies that come alive with the northern lights. Add to that some unique stays and unforgettable experiences, and you’ve got a destination that feels nothing short of magical.
No matter how many days you spend in Finland, it somehow never feels enough. And I can vouch for that. I was still not ready to leave after 8 wonderful days in the country. While Finland offers plenty of popular, touristy things to do (and rightly so), we were drawn more towards its untamed wilderness and authentic Lappish charm. So, we planned our itinerary a little differently, mixing in some iconic spots with offbeat stays and lesser-known experiences. Here’s our complete guide to experiencing a Finnish winter the way we did – raw, real, and absolutely magical.
Itinerary for Finland 
Like I mentioned earlier, this isn’t your typical Finland itinerary. For one, we ...
... combined our Finland adventure with Tromso in Norway – which meant we approached the trip a little differently, both in terms of planning and travel flow.
We started our Finland trip from Kilpisjarvi (a remote Arctic village near the Norway border) instead of Helsinki where most people start. And then proceeded towards north and finally came back via Helsinki. Here is what we did.
Itinerary Breakdown and Things to Do
Kilpisjarvi – 2 Nights
If you are following our itinerary and coming via the Arctic bus from Tromso, you will reach Kilpisjarvi around 11am – giving you two full days in this serene Arctic village. Use this time to explore the charming village on foot, soak in the slow, peaceful rhythm of Arctic life, or indulge in a few winter adventures. And if the skies are clear, you’re in for a real treat. Kilpisjärvi is said to have aurora sightings on nearly 75% of nights, and we were lucky enough to witness that magic ourselves. Now, let’s dive into the details.
Day 1: Three country border point and Northern Lights Tour
Drop your bags at the hotel and grab an early lunch. As check-in is usually around 4 PM, make the most of your arrival day by heading out on a tour. Choose between Husky Sledding and Three Country Border Point tour (unique to this place) depending on what may be available for that day.
The Three-Country Cairn Tour is truly one-of-a-kind – you can literally walk through Finland, Sweden, and Norway in seconds! Located on a man-made island a few kilometres from Kilpisjärvi, this is where the three borders meet. And in winter, it’s only accessible via a snowmobile tour which itself is half the adventure. Once there, we sipped hot berry juice, snacked on local treats, and couldn’t stop giggling as everyone ran around the signpost like excited kids, trying to stand in all three countries at once.
In the evening, try your luck from your stay or join an Aurora Tour – either way, you can’t go wrong in Kilpisjärvi. If the skies are clear, you can see the lights dance overhead without needing to go far. But there’s something special about heading out with fellow travelers, sharing stories by a crackling fire, and sipping hot berry juice under the vast, mystical Arctic sky. 
Day 2: Husky Sledding, Sauna and evening at leisure
On this day, you can opt for another thrilling activity, Husky Sledding. The happy huskies, endless snowfields, and frozen wilderness make this an unforgettable adventure. After the activity, it’s time to thaw your senses (and everything else, quite literally in the comforting warmth of a Finnish sauna. When the world outside is frozen at -15°C, slipping into a hot sauna feels nothing short of divine. Most accommodations in Finland come equipped with saunas – some private, others shared. We were fortunate to have a private sauna in our glass igloo, and after a long snowy day, it was the perfect sanctuary to unwind. 
In the evening, take a stroll around the area, enjoy the sunset and have an early dinner. Now it’s time to wait for the mystical lights to appear in the sky. And when they do, they come in the most amazing colours and shapes to take your breath away. Wrapped in blankets and coffee in hand, you can enjoy this ethereal show right from your igloo bed or just outside your cottages. 
This turned out to be our lucky day – we witnessed a breathtaking red and green aurora right from our igloo! Just as we were about to head out for dinner, the sky erupted in colour, and we couldn’t bring ourselves to look away. We stood rooted in awe, trading a meal for magic, because in that moment, dinner paled in comparison to the wonder unfolding above us. Read More….
Planning for Norway and Finland together? Read our other blogs here.