August sees mild to cool weather in Finland, coming in the country's bright summer. We recommend visiting Helsinki, Tampere, Rovaniemi, and Inari. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for August.
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Finland Weather in August: Overview
Averages:
- Temperature range: 12–20°C (53–68°F)
- Rainfall: 7 cm (3 inches)
- Rainy days: 10
- Sunshine hours/day: 8
- Humidity: around 77% (humid throughout Finland)
Finland is mild in August, as it is one of the summer months. The temperatures still have a chance of being warm in the south of the country, but in the north of the country it is mostly cool to mild. There are around 8 hours of sunshine per day in August on average.
There is a low/moderate rainfall in August in Finland, with around 7 cm or 3 inches, and around 10 rainy days. In summer in Finland, showers are brief and generally don't last for the entire day, so even if you happen upon some rain, it shouldn't last too long.
August Climate Comparison (Averages) for Finland's Top Tourism Areas
| City/Area | High Temps. | Low Temps. | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsinki (main city, travel hub, architecture, art, history) | Mild | Cool | Low |
| Rovaniemi (Lapland capital, Santa culture, arctic beauty) | Mild | Cool | Low |
| Tampere (vibrant third city, oldest sauna, scenic Lakeland) | Mild | Cool | Low |
| Turku (oldest city, archipelago gateway, food, culture) | Mild | Cool | Low |
| City/Area | High (ºC) | Low (ºC) | Rain (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsinki (main city, travel hub, architecture, art, history) | 22 | 15 | 6 |
| Rovaniemi (Lapland capital, Santa culture, arctic beauty) | 20 | 12 | 8 |
| Tampere (vibrant third city, oldest sauna, scenic Lakeland) | 23 | 12 | 7 |
| Turku (oldest city, archipelago gateway, food, culture) | 23 | 13 | 7 |
| City/Area | High (ºF) | Low (ºF) | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helsinki (main city, travel hub, architecture, art, history) | 72 | 59 | 2 |
| Rovaniemi (Lapland capital, Santa culture, arctic beauty) | 68 | 54 | 3 |
| Tampere (vibrant third city, oldest sauna, scenic Lakeland) | 73 | 54 | 3 |
| Turku (oldest city, archipelago gateway, food, culture) | 73 | 55 | 3 |
The Best Places to Visit in Finland in August
August is a great time of the year to visit Finland, with some of the warmest temperatures of the year, and the long enough days too. The sun shines for most of the month, meaning you have a lot of time to explore and go on adventures around the country.
For those looking to visit in August, we suggest starting off in Helsinki, then heading to Tampere, and eventually going up to Inari and Rovaniemi. Should you want more guidance or want help booking your trip, we suggest getting in touch and letting us know what you'd like to see and do in Finland. Our Finland experts can plan your transportation, accommodation, and help connect you with local tour guides for the best possible experience. Let's plan your trip to Finland today.
1. Explore Helsinki's Seurasaari Island
Right in the bay near the city of Helsinki you will find Seurasaari Island, a calm island with lots of beautiful walks, a museum, cafés, and a beach.
The Open-Air Museum of Seurasaari shows some of the more traditional Finnish ways of life, with cottages and farmsteads that have been brought here from all over the country, ranging in age across the last four centuries. It makes a change from the hustle and bustle of Helsinki.
We also suggest spending some time walking around the island, as the views are beautiful particularly if you visit on a day with great weather, of which there are lots in August.
For the rest of your time in Helsinki we suggest visiting the impressive Senate Square (you can read more about this on visiting Finland in June), the sea fortress Suomenlinna (read more about this in our piece about visiting Finland in February), and go on a walking tour around the city (read more in our article about visiting Finland in April).
2. Walk around Tampere's Pyynikki Observation Tower and the Park
Tampere, located between two beautiful lakes, is a great city to visit in Finland during the summer. It is actually one of the fastest growing regions in Finland at the moment, and has lots going on.
For visitors, we would suggest visiting the observation tower. Opened on the 150th anniversary of the city, in 1929, this 26-meter (or 85-feet) high red granite tower is one of the best places to enjoy the views over the city from.
Downstairs there is a café for some snacks and drinks, and the nearby park is perfect for a walk around. From there you can see the stunning Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake, and there's also a trail that is indicated from there. The Pyynikki Nature Trail is around 4 kilometers long, or 2½ miles, and it's not too difficult.
Other walks in the area take you near Näsijärvi Lake, where there is a range of trails depending on your fitness and the time that you have available. The Rathaus loop from Keskustori, for example, is an intermediate hike, or for a simple hike we recommend the Soukonvuori nature preserve loop from Niihama, which has minimal incline.
3. Try Arctic River Rafting in Rovaniemi
The north of Finland is really the perfect place for anyone who likes an adrenaline rush. While this place is a skiing and snowboarding wonderland in the winter, in the summer there is also plenty to do! For example, you can try your hand at arctic river rafting.
Between the thrills of rafting on the rapids of the river Raudanjoki, and the astonishing views over the Arctic Circle Hiking Area, this is a unique way to experience the Lapland area around Vikaköngäs, just north of Rovaniemi. While the river runs all year-round, doing it in summer is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, without being too cold!
If you don't love the thrill, or are looking for something a little less intense, we suggest going on a fishing adventure around Rovaniemi. You can learn how to fly fish, as well as rod fish, deep in the forests. Taking a tour guide will ensure that you get amazing insights into the local area, but also that you'll know where is best to fish. They can also bring the equipment you need.
4. Visit Inari, a Sami Village, to Learn about Sami Culture
Further north than even Rovaniemi, Inari is a Sami village, home to the indigenous Sami. Traditionally, this population lived in Sweden, Norway, and Russia, as well as Finland, and in Inari you will be able to learn a little about their culture.
It's a beautiful area to go biking in the summer sun (which shines for most of the day in August!), go for walks, or take a lake cruise. A local museum also gives more insight into the local culture.
For more information you can check out our piece about visiting Finland in May.
High Season: More Expensive and More Crowded
August is a busy time of the year in Finland, as it falls in the tourist peak season. As a result, many of the popular sights can be crowded and prices for accommodation and transportation could also be higher. Venturing outside of Helsinki and Tampere, into Lapland and northern Finland, you should find that there aren't quite as many crowds, as these get fewer visitors than Helsinki.
What to Wear in August
Given that August is summer, we suggest bringing some summer outfits. However, because summer is mild to cool in Finland, we also suggest bringing some warmer clothes, just in case. Finland never really gets extremely warm, unless you happen across a heat wave, and we recommend bringing sweaters and even a lighter coat for travels to the north of the country, even in the summer.
There are lots of hours of sunshine in August, so we do suggest wearing sunscreen, a hat, and bringing sunglasses to protect your eyes. If you are looking to do a lot of walking, supportive footwear is important too.
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