Spring in Finland: 10 Things to Do, Activities, and Experiences

There are so many ways to enjoy the Land of the Thousand Lakes when the sun starts to shine and the snow quickly melts. Here’s why experiencing spring in Finland will be a life-changing detour for first-time travelers from around the world.

After living in Finland for over ten years and experiencing spring all these years, it still never gets old how good it feels when you know that the long cold winter is behind you. I love spring in Finland and all the glory that comes with it (including the dreaded pollen season, more tips on that later).

The moment the warm days start to come and minus degrees become a thing of the past and +10°C temp sunny days, flowers blossoming, and Finnish people generally a little bit happier than normal, you know that the spring has come and that summer is just around the corner.

Starting March until May, parts of Finland start to blossom as the weather gets warmer. The weather is anywhere between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius, depending on where in Finland you may be.

Nature definitely comes to life during spring, with more people going out of their homes for the seasonal festivities. The Finns may be hardworking, but they sure know how to celebrate especially with colors popping from almost every corner.

Northern Finland, more particularly in Lapland, is still open for skiing during spring – although the sun is already peeping through the clouds. In the southern capital of Finland, Helsinki, people flock to the forests, gardens, and lakes to relax in beds of fresh grass and flowers. Some even take a quick dip into the cold lake waters, with the sun’s beams shining above the sky.

A bird-watchers paradise in itself, Finland is the perfect place to go for appreciating natural landscapes and listening to birds singing.

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Tip and advice from a local about Finnish spring

Where to go in Finland?

• Helsinki and Tampere – If you enjoy the nature and outdoors but don’t have a lot of time then I suggest bigger cities such as Helsinki and Tampere where you can easily access the outdoors in foot from your hotel!
• Vaasa and Turku – if you like to be a bit closer to the sea and see a different part of Finland, the Western coastal and archipelago side might be for you. Spring in these two cities are beautiful!
• Northern Finland (Lapland and Rovaniemi area) – if you come at the beginning of spring around March, chances of you experiencing skiing is still pretty high!

How to dress for spring in Finland?

This highly depends on two factors: where you’re coming from and when in spring are you coming.

If you’re coming from a warm country, it is best to load up on layers that you can remove if you get hot and between March and May here in Finland, the temperature can honestly vary. However, on any cold days here’s my best layering combo:

• A base layer of think thermal underwear (long johns)
• A fleece jumper
• A pair of warm pants (jeans, thermal shell pants, etc.)
• A thermal fleece neck warmer
• A warm thermal jacket shell that is also windproof and waterproof
• Thermal socks
• Thick wooly socks
• Thermal fleece lined beanie
• Thermal fleece lined gloves
• A pair of waterproof winter boots

I wrote an article on what to pack for winter in Finland

What to bring with you

I really would like to emphasize the importance of layers if you’re coming in spring not because it is cold but because the temperature can fluctuate dramatically meaning, you have to dress for the weather.

I would bring warm thin layers with me which I can easily remove when I get got. I’d also bring an extra lighter jacket for plus temperature days.

Also, bring your own locally prescribed/recommended anti-histamine that you’re familiar with because of the risks of pollen allergies!

Extra tip: bring an umbrella.

RECOMMENDED READ: What is Finland Famous For? 30 things Finland is known for!

Spring in Finland and pollen allergies

If you’ve never been to Finland and you plan to visit, then this is an important topic for you. I grew up in the Philippines where there are no season changes so I didn’t know how badly I’ll react to a new environment. On my first spring here in Finland, the only thing I experienced was discomfort around my eyes, nose, and throat – it was dry and itchy but nothing terrible, I lived and survive.

However, the following years have been bad and it involved extra dry and itchy eyes, nose, throat, skin, scalp, and I had two bad years in a row when I had lung and eye infection that resulted in a week of bed rest and high fevers and it was because I ignored the early symptoms of the ever so famous spring pollen allergy.

Almost all Finns have it and it’s a way for nature to say stay indoors when it is doing its job to pollinate the whole country.

But the truth is, it is not as bad as mentioned above. I didn’t know what to do and how to treat it before but now I do so here I am sharing my tips on how to not get sick while traveling Finland in spring:

• Expect for the worse – there are some years when pollen don’t come that bad while there are years when you wake up to a window covered in pollen (true story).
• So, it doesn’t matter how good or bad it is – load up with vitamin c, zinc, and anti-histhamine.
• Drink your anti-histhamine everyday TWO WEEKS before you arrive to Finland. It takes time for it to do its magic.
• Also, make sure you get a NON-DROWSY anti-histhamine. It is a huge game changer! You don’t sneeze every 5 seconds and you don’t feel like you need coffee to get through the day.
• Get a good eye droplets – to keep your eyes moisturize.

If you are in Finland already and are getting pollen allergy symptoms, I suggest you go to the nearest pharmacy (Apotekki is the name of the pharmacies here) and ask for a good non-drowsy anti-histamine and how to properly use it. They honestly know a lot about it since they most likely get swamped around this time of the year by locals themselves. Alternatively, go to a doctor and get a consult.

Quick Finnish spring FAQ’s

What is spring like in Finland?

Spring in Finland is very lovely. The weather starts to get warm, the sun starts to rise earlier and set later, flowers start to bloom, and the outdoors starts to look green with some parts still covered in a bit of snow.

It is the perfect time of the year to enjoy the forest where it is cool, not a lot of mosquitoes, and generally calm and peaceful. You can also enjoy the sauna and cold lake combo if that is something you’d like to experience!

What is Finland like in March?

March in Finland is still pretty relatively cold and the temperature can still drop to minus degrees but the weather, in general, is very spring-like. It is warm during the day when the sun is up and still pretty chill in the evenings.

What month is spring in Finland? When does spring start?

Spring in Finland starts in March.

Is March a spring month or a winter month?

In Finland, March is the start of spring and the end of winter. The weather is still pretty winter-like but the sun is up!

🏨 Where to stay? Best hotels in Helsinki located in the city center near all attractions!

What to do during spring in Finland

Isolate in a cabin in coastal Finland

Getting lost in the middle of the forest may not seem to be a good idea for some travelers, but not those who are looking for a quiet place to isolate themselves.

Those who want to have their own quiet time find themselves renting a cottage for a couple of days, surrounding themselves with the sound of running water, the beauty of wildflowers, and tall forest trees that cover the sky.

Cabins are not without saunas because while winter is over, the weather could still get cold. Local Finns indulge themselves in a relaxing getaway in their cabins to escape the hustle and bustle of the city – so should anyone who wants some moment of silence during their travels.

Ski while the sun shines its brightest

Winter may be over, but not in northern Finland. Lapland, famous for being the home of Santa Claus, has the best skiing resorts that run all year-round. It allows travelers to ski atop a mountain while the sun shines its brightest.

Tourists enjoy their skiing experience in Lapland due to the varying terrain. This benefits skiers and snowboarders with different skill levels, as well as age. Snow may start to melt around May, so travelers need to head over to Lapland in early spring to enjoy the spectacular sun before the ice thaws.

Watch rare bird species in the observatory

Spring in Finland is that time of year when birds start to chirp and wildlife starts to attract more visitors. Since Finland is most loved by bird enthusiasts, many of them visit bird observation towers around the country to spot rare species.

It’s definitely a paradise known by ornithologists around the world, as well as people who make bird-watching a recreational hobby. During Spring, travelers can join bird-watching guided tours to witness the northern wildlife and see bird species that may not be found anywhere else in Europe.

Enjoy the outdoors and marvel the cool spring days

Finland is famous for its long dark cold winters but as we welcome the new year, the sun starts to peep out and as the day goes by until spring comes, the sun is longer and longer until the cycle starts again.

Spring in Finland is an amazing time of the year to enjoy the outdoors during the day and feel the warm spring sun kiss your skin as you go about your day.

My favorite activities around spring in Finland include hiking, grilling, and more hiking in the Finnish wilderness! I also love going camping around the end of spring as it’s the warmest and the mosquitoes aren’t out yet.

Go canoeing in between water and ice

Travelers who want to canoe in between water and ice should head over to Rovaniemi, which is an excellent place for all water-based activities.

Canoeing is one of the best ways to explore the beauty of Finland. Those who paddle through the breathtaking sceneries are left in awe, leaving them to canoe for hours.

Guided canoe trips are being offered in the area, and some travelers can even rent a kayak to stroll above the cold waters. Some of the most popular canoeing spots are in Lantua Nature Reserve, Lake Kallavesi, Vuokatti and Sotkamo, and Oulanka National Park.

📚 Do you want to learn the Finnish language for FREE? Check out Spark Your Finnish FREE course!
🇫🇮 How about dive into Finland’s culture? Here’s a FREE culture class to learn how to connect with Finns.

Take part in Finnish festivities (Vappu or May day)

Travelers who find themselves in Finland during spring don’t leave without taking part in the Finnish festivities. Two of the most popular festivals being held in Finland during this season are Ihana Helsinki Festival and Vappu, which are celebrated in time for Easter.

Tens of thousands of people gather in local bars or large venues where musical concerts feature local bands. The party gets going even while the sun is up – which is most of the spring until summer – or up until snow starts to fall. The days are longer, so is the fun.

Join island hopping tours

Finland has more than 40,000 islands waiting to be traversed. As soon as the snow starts to thaw, many travelers take advantage of outdoor-friendly weather and scout the beauty of the country’s landscapes.

A good place to start anyone’s island-hopping journey is Kotka, which is 130 kilometers away from Helsinki. Upon arriving in the city either by car or bus, travelers can ride a ferry to Kaunissaari or more popularly called “The Beautiful Island,” to see its sandy pristine beaches. There’s an abundance of handicrafts stalls and cafes to check out in the area as well.

For those who don’t have enough time to go to Kotka, they can proceed to Vallissari which is just 20 minutes away from Helsinki. Families visit Vallissari’s 1,000 butterflies that bring more color to the already-bright town.

Visit Porvoo and take a day trip to the picturesque Pellinge (Pelinki)

Not too far away from Helsinki is the small town of Porvoo, which is 20 kilometers away from Pellinge. What travelers find most interesting about Pellinge is its collection of 200 islands, which have been inhabited since the early 1500s. To date, more than 300 people thrive in the islands to ensure their protection.

From sprint to summer, more than 120 events are being organized on the island that caters to both adults and children. Boat competitions are very much celebrated in the area, which is complemented by ancient fire dance and the opening of shops that house local artworks and handicrafts.

Warm up in the sauna

Spring in Finland may be the start of something warm but it doesn’t mean we’re there yet. Spring weather can vary day by day and some days are cooler which makes it the perfect day to enjoy the heat of the famous Finnish sauna.

Enjoy some of the many public saunas in big cities such as Helsinki and Tampere where you can also possibly refresh yourself and have a quick dip in the lake.

Enjoy Finnish cuisine

There’s really never a good time of the year to enjoy food as every day is a good day for eating. However, Finland’s cuisine can sometimes depend on the season and if you come around May at the end of spring, you’ll get a chance to test some Finnish seasonal foods such as new potatoes with silli, sima (easter drink), mämmi (traditional rye dessert), pasha (spiced cottage cheese), and laskiaispulla (filled sweet roll).

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