Looking for the best Finland Packing List? Want to know what to wear in Finland for cities like Helsinki, Santa’s Village or further afield? This guide tells you EXACTLY what to pack for Finland in Summer, Winter, Spring or Fall from hiking clothes, best shoes to wear and all the other national park essentials.
Weather in Finland
But before we get into what to wear and travel essentials for Finland in summer, spring, winter or Fall it is important to know what the weather is going to be like.
July is typicall the hottest month to visit Finland with temperatures averaging around 20°C or 68°F. Therefore it is important to pack lots of natural fabrics such as cottons on your packing list.
While in Spring and Fall the temperatures fluctuate greatly depending on the month you travel while in Winter the temperatures are known to fall below freezing especially in December and January. For this reason you are definitely going to need lots of layers, thermals and hat, scarf and gloves.
What to wear in Finland in Summer
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Layers
Although the temperatures in Finland in Summer can be high, we still recommend adding some layers onto your packing list as the weather is very changeable.
We think the best top layer for Finland in summer, especially outside of the cities like Helsinki is a microfiber lightweight fleece. It is warm and insulating but will also pack away easily into your day pack when you aren’t using it.
T Shirts
T shirts are my favorite base layer for Finland no matter whether you are visiting in June, July, August or September. Short sleeves are helpful for keeping you cool however long sleeve tees made of natural fabrics such as cotton and bamboo are a great cool pick that can also help protect your skin from the sun and from mosquitos.
Shorts and Jeans
A mix of long trousers and shorts are perfect for being in the city in Finland.
Convertible Walking Trousers
Any trip to Finland outside of the city involves walking, hiking and outdoor time so we recommend packing convertible walking trousers.
This way you can wear them as trousers in the mornings and change them into shorts for layer in the day.
Hat
The sun can be strong so we recommend having a hat with a wide brim or a baseball cap to protect your eyes.
Rain Jacket
The weather is very changeable in Finland so we recommend having a packaway rain jacket with you at all times.
Hiking Socks
If you plan on wearing hiking boots in the park then you will also need hiking socks. If you just plan on wearking sneakers then sneaker socks may be more appropriate.
Swimwear
Although the temperatures fluctuate a lot in Finland it is still worth packing swimwear especially if you plan to use a sauna.
What to wear in Finland in Fall and Spring
All of the above work as great key pieces for your national park outfit in the shoulder season. If you are traveling in Spring and Fall you will find the temperatures cooler and for this reason I recommend just adding more layers to your packing list as well as a down coat.
Also for March and November in particular I would switch out the short sleeve tees for longer length ones.
What to wear in Finland in Winter
My what to wear in Finland in Winter actually has a lot of overlaps with the items we put on our packing list for any other time of year.
The main difference is in the thickness and amount of items you need. For instance, packing a thicker jacket that also has some waterproofing for Winter is better than a puffer jacket.
I also recommend buying fleece lined pants instead of convertible walking trousers for extra protection against the cold. And if you don’t have these or don’t want to buy new ones, I recommend wearing leggings under your walking trousers. Also fleece lined jeans are a great pick for those staying in the city,
Thermals are also an essential if you plan to head to Finnish Lapland where you will be spending a lot of time outside.
On top of these layers we also recommend having a hat, scarf and gloves with you for cold days in the park.
Best Shoes to wear in Finland
So now you know what to wear, we turn our attention to footwear.
Sneakers
Sneakers are the best comfortable walking shoes for any vacation especially for visiting Finland in Summer and for in cities in the shoulder season.
Hiking Sandals
In hotter weather hiking sandals are perfect for those spending time outside
What to pack for Finland – non clothes essentials
Day pack with rain cover
Although the rain cover is optional it is worth taking with you if you plan to be outside a lot as Finland can be rainy no matter the season you travel.
Power Bank
We recommend having a fully charged power bank with you to recharge your phone during the day regardless of the destination.
Sunglasses
Finland can be quite a dazzling place even in Winter so sunglasses are worth packing year round.
Reusable Water Bottle and Extra Water
We recommend always having a reuable water bottle and extra water with you for any vacation especially in Summer.
Camera
A camera is a necessity for any visitor to Finland.