Finland Weather in February 2025: Travel Tips for First-Timers

Finland is a winter wonderland in February, and we recommend traveling to Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Tampere, and Pyhä during this month. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for February.

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Finland Weather in February: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: -9–-3°C (16–27°F)
• Rainfall: 4 cm (1 inch)
• Rainy/snowy days: 11
• Sunshine hours/day: 2
• Humidity: around 88% (humid throughout Finland)

Finland is frigid in February, with temperatures well below freezing point. Throughout the month, you get approximately 2 hours of sunshine per day, as Finland is located on the Arctic Circle.

There is not much rain or fresh snow in February, with approximately 4 cm (or 1 inch) in the month of February, on 11 rainy or snowy days. There are high levels of humidity, however, and due to continuous freezing temperatures, most of the country is still covered in snow.

February Climate Comparison (Averages) for Finland's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in Finland in February

If you are looking for an arctic adventure that combines skiing and saunas with culture, historical buildings, and beautiful architecture, you need to look no further than Finland in February. This beautiful destination is quiet in February, and also offers the chance to see the very elusive and magical northern lights. For those visiting in February, we suggest heading over to Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Tampere, and Pyhä, for the perfect mix of activities and incredible views.

Would it be your first time to visit Finland? Our team at Global Highlights can help you plan your ideal itinerary. Just let us know what you want to see, how you prefer to travel, and when you are planning to go, and leave it with us. All you have to do is pack your bags with your thermals. Contact us to create your Finland trip.

1. Explore Helsinki's Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna

Given Helsinki's rich history, there are some amazing sights to see, particularly those related to its geographic location. One of these is the Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna, a fortress built to protect the city from 1748 onwards by Sweden on a group of islands just at the entrance of the harbor of Helsinki.

The fortress consists of 200 buildings as well as huge amounts of defensive walls spread over six different islands, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its sheer side and varied historical bastions, barracks, and other defensive buildings. It is a great example of fortification seen in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries.

There are a military museum and an armory on site, and the surrounding views are beautiful with white snow-capped islands in the bays.

For more historical buildings to visit in Helsinki, we recommend reading our piece about visiting Finland in January, which describes the beautiful cathedrals that can be found in the city.

2. Chase the Northern Lights from the Northern City of Rovaniemi on a Husky Sled

Rovaniemi, up near the Arctic Circle in northern Finland's Lapland, is a unique destination and worth visiting while in Finland.

The gorgeous natural sights and cold weather make it popular throughout the year, but February is a great time to visit as the Northern Lights are visible most of the evenings in this month. The only catch is that you might have to head out of the city to see them, but your hotel or your tour guide can help you arrange this.

If you don't want to drive around and walk the parks, there is a fun method of transportation available: husky sleds. It is possible to get a husky sledding tour to see the incredible landscapes, and the aurora borealis.

Rovaniemi is also where you will find Santa Claus village, which is also open in February, where you can meet some of Santa's elves, reindeer, huskies, and take a snowmobile safari.

3. Walk the Bridges of the Tammerkoski Rapids in Tampere

Tampere is a city full of natural beauty, located between Näsijärvi Lake and Pyhäjärvi Lake, and the Tammerkoski rapids. All of the lakes there are frozen in February, with the exception of the Tammerkoski rapids due to their fast-flowing waters.

The landscapes in February there are beautiful, and we highly suggest taking a walk around to the bridges of the Tammerkoski rapids. The snow-capped trees and views from there are great, and there are some interesting museums nearby including the Museum Center Vapriikki which combines history, natural sciences and technology. Located in one of the area's oldest factories, the café is a great place to warm up after a walk too.

There is also the Finnish Labor Museum Werstas, which has exhibits relating to working life in Finland as well as social history. For those with an interest in social movements and labor movements, this is a great stop.

4. Ski in Pyhätunturi

Given that there is so much snow in Finland, it is of course a great place for winter sports. The mountain peaks of Pyhätunturi are a great place to start if you're interested in skiing or snowboarding, whether that be at a ski resort or in the wilderness. There are slopes that suit all levels of experience, as well as plenty of other activities.

Pyhätunturi is home to numerous ski resorts that offer accommodation and day or multiple-day access passes, where you can also rent your equipment. Another amazing option that isn't something you can do everywhere, is wild skiing. It is possible to just head out if you have the equipment, or you can go with a tour guide through the beautiful winter forests of Finland. Wild skiing is also suitable for beginners.

Pyhätunturi has it all, and February is a great time of year given the snowsure weather conditions. If you need help booking or planning your winter adventure, reach out to Global Highlights and we can tailor an adventure that suits your experience and your requirements. Contact us plan your Finland trip.

Low Season: Less Expensive and Fewer Crowds

February is low season for tourism in Finland, and, as a result, this makes it a great time of the year to visit both for tourism and for winter sports. There are fewer crowds, and prices are relatively lower than the summer months of June through August.

What to Wear in February

February is freezing in Finland, so you will have to pull out all of the stops: from thick winter jackets that are waterproof and windproof through to cashmere or woolen jumpers and sweaters to ensure that you can keep in all the heat. We strongly advise preparing your clothing properly for the cold.

Specialty winter sport stores sell thermals, waterproof gloves, and thick scarfs and hats that you'll need to protect yourself from frostbite. Snow boots are also a good idea, with thick socks to keep your toes warm while you explore the beautiful Finnish landscapes.

You can rent skiing equipment, but if you have your own that you like to use, including goggles or clothing, we do recommend bringing those along.