Finland Tourism
Summer in Finland: A Complete Guide to the Finnish Lakeland
There's a reason Finns spend their summers at the lake. The Finnish Lakeland — a region of over 180,000 lakes stretching across central Finland — is one of Europe's most extraordinary natural landscapes. In summer, it's bathed in light almost 24 hours a day. The water is clear enough to drink. The forests smell of pine and wild berries. And the pace of life slows down in the best possible way.
If you're planning a summer trip to Finland, the Lakeland deserves a central place in your itinerary.
Where to Go in the Finnish Lakeland
The main hubs are Savonlinna, Kuopio, and Jyväskylä. Savonlinna is home to Olavinlinna Castle — a medieval fortress built on a rock in the middle of the lake — and hosts a world-famous opera festival every July. Kuopio is more relaxed, with excellent hiking, a large indoor market, and the best smoked fish in Finland. Jyväskylä has strong architecture (it's Alvar Aalto's home city) and excellent kayaking routes.
What to Do on the Lakes
- Kayaking and canoeing — multi-day routes are well marked and cabin accommodation is available along most routes
- Swimming — Finns swim in lakes, not pools. The water is clean and often surprisingly warm in July and August
- Sauna + lake swim — the classic combination. Every summer cottage has a sauna by the water
- Berry and mushroom picking — Finland's everyman's right means you can pick freely in any forest
- Fishing — pike, perch, and pike-perch are common catches on guided half-day fishing trips
The Midnight Sun Experience
In June and July, the sun barely sets in central and northern Finland. In Rovaniemi, above the Arctic Circle, there are weeks of completely sunless nights. In the Lakeland, you'll get a long golden dusk that lasts from about 10pm to 2am before the sun rises again. It's disorienting at first — but once you accept it, there's something extraordinary about reading on a lake dock at midnight in full daylight.
Getting to and Around the Lakeland
Most visitors fly into Helsinki-Vantaa and travel on from there. Trains connect Helsinki to Tampere, Jyväskylä, and Kuopio. For a more flexible itinerary — especially if you want to combine Helsinki and the Lakeland in one trip — a private chauffeur transfer from the airport gives you the freedom to go at your own pace.
At Luxival, we offer private transfers from Helsinki Airport to destinations across Finland. Start your summer trip the right way — arrive, get in the car, and let the Lakeland come to you.