Why Climate Change Is Making Finland a Hot (and Cool) Travel Destination
Discover How Climate Change Is Turning Finland into a Must-Visit Destination
Welcome to Inside Finnish Life. Here, I share real stories and reflections from Finland — always with accompanying audio in natural spoken Finnish. These posts are made to help you learn the Finnish language gently, through everyday language, culture, and personal experiences. Subscribe for free to receive new posts and explore Finnish language and culture at your own pace.
Spring Starts Early in Finland: A Sign of a Warming Climate
I am washing the last winter clothes. I always wash them before summer storage. I’m not sure if I have ever washed my thick winter jackets this early in spring.
It is unusually warm.
Last week, I read that Europe is warming faster than the rest of the world. According to the EU's Copernicus Climate Service, 2024 was the warmest year ever recorded in Europe. The short article in Finnish refers to a report, which says that Europe is the fastest-warming continent because of climate change.
Climate Change in Europe: What It Means for Finland
Practice Finnish words and expressions related to climate and weather. Each word is followed by its English translation. You can listen to the Finnish pronunciation in the audio file below.
Ilmastonmuutos – Climate change
Lämpötila – Temperature
Lämpenee – (It) is warming
Poikkeuksellisen lämmin – Unusually warm
Helle – Heatwave / Hot weather
Kevät – Spring
Lumi – Snow
Sää – Weather
Vuodenaika – Season
Takuuvarma – Guaranteed / For sure
Expression: takuuvarma lumi = guaranteed snow
From a travel point of view, this has both good and bad sides for Finland.
For example, in the summer of 2024, the temperature in Paris was close to 40°C, while in Helsinki people enjoyed a pleasant 25°C.
Climate change is changing the travel map of Europe, and Finland might be one of the winners (or losers) in the future.
Finland is known for its snowy wonderland and bright summer, but how will temperature changes affect Finland as a travel destination?
Snow in Lapland: Can You Still Count on It?
Bye-bye snow guarantee?
Lapland in Finland has been a popular travel destination. Its special attractions have been:
guaranteed snow
northern lights
Santa Claus
This is changing.
Of course, no one can ever say for sure when there will be snow in Lapland. No one can control the weather.
But traditionally, people have thought that at least in February and March there will be a lot of snow in all of Lapland. At that time, people can enjoy sunny spring snow with snowmobiles, husky safaris, skiing, downhill skiing or snowshoeing.
This winter has been different.
My Trip to Levi: A Personal Look at the Snow Situation
A few weeks ago, I was in Levi, Kittilä. There was very little snow. We were able to ski and ride snowmobiles, but it was striking how little snow there was.
If you really wanted to enjoy the snow, you should have traveled even further north, for example to Kilpisjärvi.
Tourists have been disappointed by the lack of snow and the cancellations of snowmobile and husky safaris because of the low amount of snow.
So, when should you travel to Finland in the future if you want to experience a winter wonderland?
My answer: In February, and go as far north as possible. Book a flight to Kittilä or Ivalo and travel from there to a holiday resort in Lapland.
From Snow to Sun: Is Summer Tourism Finland’s Future?
If Finnish winter tourism suffers, then summer tourism may be the winner in this change.
Summer climate in Finland is pleasant.
Why Finland’s Cooler Summers Attract Tourists
Last summer, Europe was extremely hot! At the same time, Finland had only a few days of 30°C heat. Otherwise, the temperature stayed pleasantly below 30°C.
Finland’s cooler summer compared to the rest of Europe will surely attract more tourists.
Practice Finnish words and expressions related to summer travel and nature vocabulary. Each word is followed by its English translation.
Matkailu – Tourism / Travel
Kesä – Summer
Viileä – Cool (temperature)
Järvi – Lake
Metsä – Forest
Rauha – Peace
Hiljaisuus – Silence
Valoisa – Bright
Luonto – Nature
Aurinko ei laske – The sun doesn’t set
Expression: Tila hengittää – Space to breathe
I read an article last summer where tourists in Helsinki were interviewed. Some people from Southern Europe had come to Finland to escape the heat.
To be honest, the hot summers in Central and Southern Europe affect my own travel plans too. My partner and I are planning a summer holiday either to Finnish Lapland or to another Nordic country. Sadly, because of work, we cannot go to Central Europe before July, and in recent years it has already been too hot there for me.
If you are coming to Finland in summer, you can fly to any airport! From Southern Finland, it is easy to reach the northeast where you can enjoy clean lake scenery.
In Lapland, the sun does not set at all and the summer in Lapland is also beautiful and worth experiencing.
More Than Weather: Finland Offers Peace and Nature
I must say this change worries me. Yes, Finnish summer tourism might get a happy and welcome boost from Europe warming up, but there are also challenges.
How will people, animals and nature adapt to the change?
What about forests that may suffer more during dry summers?
At the same time, I feel that the real attraction of Finland should not be the weather. It should be the space to breathe. The possibility to enjoy your own peace, and be close to nature. I believe that in the future people will long more and more for that: nature, calm, and silence.
