Finland, Europe

Finnish Lapland in August

Mosquitoes fade, berries ripen, and nights begin to darken. Aurora possible late in the month.

GoodMild, highs near 61F (16C)

Reindeer sled in a snowy Lapland forest — Finnish LaplandPhoto: Jacek Rużyczka, CC BY-SA 4.0

The straight answer

August is a good month to visit Finnish Lapland. Mosquitoes fade, berries ripen, and nights begin to darken. Aurora possible late in the month.

Weather: Mild, highs near 61F (16C)
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 2 of 5

What August is like in Finnish Lapland

August is mild, with highs near 61F (16C). Mosquitoes fade, berries ripen in the forests, and nights begin to darken again. Late in the month, the first northern lights can appear, and ruska, the fall color on the fells, begins. Crowds are light and prices moderate. Evenings get cool, so pack a warm layer.

It suits hikers, berry pickers, and families who want easy outdoor time without the worst bugs. It is a nice bridge between summer and fall. If you want peak color and stronger aurora odds, September is even better.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Finnish Lapland this month.

Berry season

Blueberries and other wild berries ripen in the forests, and picking them is a favorite local pastime.

First aurora of the season

As nights darken late in the month, the northern lights can return.

Early ruska color

Late August brings the first reds and oranges to the fells.

What to pack for August

Hiking boots and warm layers
A light rain jacket
Some mosquito repellent for early in the month
A small container for berry picking

Our timing tip

Plan late August for the first dark nights and early fall color, and bring a headlamp for evening walks.

Book Finnish Lapland for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Finnish Lapland
Opens a hotel search for Finnish Lapland in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Finnish Lapland
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Finnish Lapland
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Finnish Lapland for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Ruska

Late August to mid September

The fells turn red, orange, and yellow. A short and spectacular window for hiking and photography.

Things to do in Finnish Lapland

Full guide

Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle

The regional capital and the gateway for most visitors, with Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle line just outside town.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Santa Claus Village

Open every day of the year. Go in the morning to avoid the longest lines to meet Santa in December.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Arktikum

Science center and museum in Rovaniemi on Arctic nature and people. A great first stop to understand the region.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Siida, Inari

The Sami museum and nature center on Lake Inari. Well worth the drive north.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Levi and Yllas

The two biggest fell resorts, with downhill and cross-country skiing in winter and hiking and biking in summer.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Husky and reindeer safaris

Most run from December to early April, with the best snow conditions from February to March. Book ahead in peak weeks.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

For a winter trip, aim for March instead of December or February school holidays: better light, lower prices, and still excellent snow.
Stay outside Rovaniemi, for example in Saariselka, Levi, Yllas, or Inari, for darker skies and fewer tour buses.
Book safaris, glass cabins, and flights for December months ahead; prices and demand peak around Christmas.
Summer and September hiking trails are uncrowded almost everywhere; the national park huts rarely feel busy outside holiday weeks.

Know before you go

May and early June (the melt season) and October to November (before snow) are gaps: many safaris, hotels, and restaurants close or run limited service.
Snow-dependent activities like husky and snowmobile safaris usually run from December to April. In some years, early December snow can be thin.
Around Christmas, restaurants and activities can be booked out; confirm Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dining in advance.
Some ski lifts and resort services close in late April or May, depending on snow.