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

Finland is cold in October, with fall being fully underway and the country heading into winter. During this time of the year, we suggest visiting Helsinki, Levi, Espoo, and Rovaniemi. Read on to find out more about Finland travel and weather, including temperatures, rainfall, humidity, and tips for October.

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

Finland Weather in October: Overview

Averages: 

• Temperature range: 2–7°C (36–45°F)
• Rainfall: 6 cm (2 inch)
• Rainy/snowy days: 12
• Sunshine hours/day: 3
• Humidity: around 88% (very humid throughout Finland)

Finland is cold in October. While this month is technically fall, the temperatures are very low, hovering around the freezing point in the evenings, particularly in the north of Finland. There are around 3 hours of sunshine per day, with the sun rising late and setting early.

There is quite a lot of humidity in Finland in October, and there are around 12 rainy or snowy days with about 6 cm or 2 inches of rainfall. In October, it could be either rain, snow, or sleet most of the time depending on where you are in the country, with most of central and northern Finland to get its first snow cover during this month. Humidity levels are around 88%.

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

The Best Places to Visit in Finland in October

October marks the start of snowy season for much of Finland, in particular the central and northern parts. It's a great time of the year to visit, because you can enjoy skiing in northern Finnish ski resorts, you have many opportunities to see the northern lights, and you will likely be able to explore Helsinki without much snow.

During this time of the year, we suggest checking out Helsinki, Levi, Espoo, and Rovaniemi. This takes you from the city of Helsinki into the northern parts of Finland, and to a beautiful national park near Espoo.

For a more-tailored itinerary, our Finland experts at Global Highlights would be more than happy to help you plan your trip according to your needs, wishes, and requirements. Reach out and let us know what you'd like to see and when you are hoping to visit. Let us plan your trip to Finland at any time you're ready.

1. Walk around Helsinki's Top Sights

Helsinki is a fun city to explore on foot, and October, before the freezing winter temperatures arrive, is still a great time to explore Helsinki this way. Start off by checking out Senate Square, the main square of Helsinki, which has buildings of political, spiritual, and architectural importance. You can read a little more about visiting this in our article about visiting Finland in June.

One of the most popular sights there is Helsinki Cathedral, which you can read more about in our piece about visiting Finland in January, also known as St Nicholas' Church, and a major landmark in the city as well as in the country. It has a tall green dome and is surrounded by four smaller domes, making for an interesting sight.

There are also some wonderful museums in Helsinki, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Helsinki City Museum, Helsinki Art Museum, and Seurasaari Island Open-Air Museum, which you can read more about in our piece about visiting Finland in August. These all have great cafés to have a coffee at or relax in, too. Switching up your activities between the indoors and the outdoors you'll be able to enjoy the sights of the city while warming yourself up in museums and cafés.

2. Explore Espoo and Nuuksio National Park

Within easy reach of Helsinki, you'll find the city of Espoo, the second most populous municipality in Finland. It is a bilingual area where both Swedish and Finnish is spoken, and it has a long history dating back to the prehistoric era, when it was also a human settlement.

There is no snow there yet in October, and we highly suggest visiting the city and then heading over to Nuuksio National Park. There are beautiful, typically Finnish landscapes there, with crystal clear lakes, craggy waterfalls, luscious green forests, and rugged landscapes.

The park has trails of a range of varieties and distances, making it a suitable place to visit for all ages, whether you're a fit couple looking to hike all day, or a family looking to get out and see some of the best natural landscapes Finland has to offer with a short walk. The quiet atmosphere is great after some busy days sightseeing arround Helsinki.

Another great area with beautiful natural landscapes is found around Tampere, which you can read more about in our article about visiting Finland in May.

3. Enjoy a Spectacular Display of the Northern Lights in Levi

In northern Finland's Lapland you will find Levi, one of the country's best spots to take in the northern lights. The atmospheric activity there lasts between mid-August and mid-April, making October a great time of the year to visit to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the aurora borealis.

Levi is also a great place for skiing, snowboarding, and enjoying other winter sports. The city's ski season opens in October, and there are slopes mostly for beginners and intermediate skiers, with a handful of advanced slopes.

To try something different, Fins love cross-country skiing. You will be able to get around more quickly than if you were walking, meaning you will see more of the beautiful landscapes. For those who are not comfortable on skies there are also many places to go for a trip on a snowmobile, which makes for a fun afternoon for all ages.

4. Meet Santa Claus in Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus is undoubtedly one of Finnish Lapland's most famous residents, and in Rovaniemi's Santa Claus Village you are able to meet the man himself all year round. This is the perfect stop for little ones, particularly in October in the build up towards the Christmas season!

October sees plenty of snow, meaning you can see Santa Claus Village covered in snow, just as it is always pictured.

Enjoy a snowmobile ride and a husky-pulled sled through the forest, and meet some of the 12,000 reindeer that live in Rovaniemi, both Santa Claus' reindeer or other wild reindeer. Rovaniemi is really a unique destination, which also presents another opportunity to see the northern lights. We suggest going to Arktikum Park or around the Arctic Circle Hiking Area for this, which you can find out more about in our article about visiting Finland in January.

Low Season: Less Expensive and Fewer Crowds

October falls outside of the tourist high season, meaning that travel is generally quieter andless expensive in Finland around this time of the year. To benefit from this, we do still recommend booking ahead of time.

What to Wear in October

October is cold in Finland, and we recommend planning ahead to ensure that you have the right gear. If you are heading up to the north of Finland, this includes a thick waterproof coat and snow boots, as well as good thermal underwear or under layers. Bringing additional jumpers is also a good idea, as well as gloves, hats, and a scarf.

Even for a visit to the south of Finland in October, you will need a good winter coat. Temperatures can drop in the evenings, and the early mornings are also sometimes cooler, and being warm is important so that you can happily explore!