If you have always dreamt of frolicking in a winter wonderland with sparkling lights, cobbled-stone streets paved with snow, stopping to sip hot chocolate in cozy, heated cafes, then Finland will steal your heart.
This is the golden season to visit this Northern European country. Finland in winter is both bitingly cold and starkly beautiful. There is this raw and rugged beauty which has not been marred by rapid development. Instead, the country maintains a balance between modernism and its Neoclassical style. The latter form of architecture is found in the stunning Helsinki Cathedral, located in the historically significant Senate Square, which was also the designated space to hold the Christmas Market in 2025. It is an ideal place to walk, as you savour the chilling air and explore the picturesque environs. The weather often drops under 3 degrees Celsius, so layering in thermals is the key, or you might lose sensation in your toes and fingers as the icy cold envelopes your body.
Fair-tale Xmas Markets
The largest and most beautiful Christmas market is found at the Senate Square in Helsinki, with rows of pretty shops strung together like beads in a necklace. At night, the festive lights shine brightly, and you can hear the Church bells ring. There is music and bonhomie in the air as people stroll around, shopping, eating and drinking. The Xmas spirit runs through Tallinn and Rovaniemi too although the markets here are smaller in comparison.
Explore Helsinki
Helsinki is a perfect locale if you are an avid architecture enthusiast. Multiple schools of style have blended into the buildings and merged into this city. Normally, city stations are not on any tourist’s wish list, but you simply cannot miss the city’s central railway station. You will be forgiven for mistaking it as a classical theatre venue, given its Art Nouveau-inspired floral motifs. The chill in the air makes you ravenous, but a word of caution: Finnish cuisine may not be everyone’s cup of tea. If you are not a red meat lover— Finnish people relish reindeer, duck, bear, pork and beef— then stick to chicken and salmon as you get the most delicious options here.
In fact, vegetarians can take their pick from an array of veggie delights and will even find plenty of plant-based options. In Finland, drinking mulled wine is as common as cappuccino. Traditionally called Knog, this is a non-alcoholic drink and is consumed all throughout the day.
Helsinki is all about strolling around and discovering new spots. That is how one randomly hopped onto the local ferry for a 15-minute ride to Suomenlinna, the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This was once a well-guarded fortress, renowned for its military architecture, and it still houses several private residences, which are strictly off limits for visitors. It is an hour-long walk with strategically placed signboards that take you all around the property in a fast-forward manner, bringing you right back to the jetty for your return journey. There are tiny cafes with the cleanest washrooms at every nook and corner, both to rest your tired feet and feed that rumble in your tummy.
Picture Perfect Tallinn
While this excursion typically involves a couple of hours, you could hop on to a more deluxe ferry for a day trip to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia. This is a two-hour ride in the ocean on the most luxurious ferry replete with a designer shopping mall, gaming zones, restaurants, bars and cafes. There is even a sleeper suite, which is not required from Helsinki to Estonia, given its short distance. Tallinn is straight out of a Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale as you walk around wide-eyed, exploring the old town, which has retained its ancient charm and is now preserved as a UNESCO heritage site. It has a medieval vibe with Gothic churches and atmospheric squares. The modern part of the city is just like any other European capital and can be given a miss. Just savour the mood, the cobbled pathways and the homely cafes with the most delicious soups and pastries.
Chasing The Northern Lights
However, the sole purpose of visiting Finland is to see the Northern Lights in all their glory. No one can predict the outcome. An hour-long flight from Finland takes you to the stunning snow-laden city of Rovaniemi, also known as Lapland. It is here that you can fulfil your childhood fantasy of bumping into Santa dressed in his customary red suit. The Santa Claus Village, which is situated at the heart of the Arctic Circle, makes you realise how far you have come in your journey, literally.
The drive to the location can be a long one, so be doubly layered. Stepping out into the snow-clad jungles to see the Northern can numb your senses in more ways than one. Patience is also a key factor, as you can drive in the dark forests for hours in search of the perfect spot. Our private group, comprising five members, got lucky in two hours. Just as we had given up hope of seeing the Northern Lights, suddenly a hazy green light covered the sky, and as your eyes widened in wonderment, it took on a humongous form covering the universe in rays of greenish gold shimmering light. There were audible gasps of delight to see this natural wonder in all its glory, making the whole journey memorable. It fills you with both awe and a deep sense of gratitude to be able to witness this joyous spectacle.
The reindeer ride is another must-do. This is a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience. Bon Voyage!
Travel Tips
• Finland is an expensive country, so you must keep that in mind while planning your trip. The hotels in Rovaniemi can be exorbitant, but that is the price you pay to see the Northern Lights. In comparison to Helsinki, even a meal at a restaurant is steep here.
• Book everything in advance, be it hotels, ferry tickets, internal flights and even Northern Light Tour and all the rides or entrance tickets. You find multiple options online, but please do your research before you book anything.
• Layer yourself. Carry a mix of thermals, fleece pants and tops along with puff jackets. You must wear snow boots as you walk and wade through the snow.
