We will tell you how and where to celebrate the New Year 2020 in Finland. Rent of cottages in Lapland and hotels in Helsinki, prices for food and entertainment, what to do and what to see, reviews of tourists.
Our northern neighbor Finland has recently become extremely popular for winter holidays. Some Russians have been going here for the New Year holidays for several years in a row: here are all the attributes of a real New Year with snow, frost, a smelly Christmas tree, and Santa Claus lives nearby. Good ecology is beautifully combined with comfort, and wild animals that are found every now and then bring tourists to indescribable delight. Traveling by car to Finland →
The climate is similar to the Russian one, the average air temperature in January is −5 ... −15 ° С, sometimes it is colder, but the air is dry. In general, the weather conditions are conducive to skiing and short walks in the snowy forest. In Lapland, the climate is harsh - after all, the residence of Father Frost himself, but many residents of Russia are accustomed to such weather.
Look for interesting excursions on the Sputnik and Tripster websites. Individual and group, no crowds of tourists and in Russian.
Where to find cheap tickets? This is most conveniently done using the search engines Aviasales and Skyscanner. To find the best price, check both and see tickets for different dates. Read also the instructions on how to search for cheap flights correctly.
Where to celebrate New Year 2020 in Finland?
As in most European countries, New Year is less popular in Finland than Christmas, so we recommend heading to Suomi on the twentieth of December to see Christmas markets, taste glögi, a variety of sweets and fully enjoy the spirit. Christmas.
You can celebrate the New Year 2020 in Finland to the sound of fireworks with dances and a laser show in the capital, on Senate Square. The tradition of organizing fireworks appeared not so long ago, here you can see them only on New Year's Eve from 18:00 to 2:00, the rest of the time it is forbidden to launch rockets. Officially, alcoholic beverages cannot be brought in, but many bypass this rule by hiding alcohol in their pockets. There are festive illumination and fluffy Christmas trees in the lights everywhere in the city. It is better to book a table in the restaurant in advance - and keep in mind that the restaurants are open until midnight.
Family people with children prefer to rent a house in the woods away from civilization. Fans of active pastime can find a cottage village near SPA resorts or ski resorts.
The most popular resort is Saariselkä near Rovaniemi, the old and charming Porvoo and the relatively inexpensive resort of Levi in western Lapland. There are ski slopes, snowmobiling during the day, and a great time in the restaurant in the evening. The main reason why tourists go to Lapland is to admire a rare natural phenomenon - the northern lights - and visit the residence of the Finnish Father Frost.
If you are expecting something different from the holiday, read our tip article "New Year in Europe".
Holidays in Finland for the New Year: what to see?
New Year in Helsinki
On New Year's Eve in Helsinki, in addition to the Senate Square and the Cathedral, it is worth visiting the Temppeliaukio temple carved into the rock, the National Museum, the Eureka popular science center and the city's free museums. There is a huge ice skating rink.
Remember that on December 31st all shops and establishments are open until 18:00, and on the first day of the new year everything will be closed, but then you can take a shopping tour of the shops, since the winter sales begin immediately after Christmas.
New Year in Lainio
You can have an interesting time in the village of Lainio, famous for its ice sculptures. You can get to it from Levi or Ylläs, there is a real snow hotel with 30 rooms, a gallery of sculptures, a chapel, a restaurant and a disco. Adults are invited to walk through the snow maze, try a strong drink in the ice bar, and dance at the disco after dinner. The village is only open in winter from 10 am to 10 pm, entrance costs 10 euros.
How to celebrate New Year 2020 in Lapland
Lapland is located near the Arctic Circle, here you can also rent a cottage in one of the most popular areas: Rovaniemi, Pello, Ranua and Kuusamo. Pello is located beyond the Arctic Circle, excellent salmon and grayling are found in the local waters; winter fishing lovers prefer to relax here.
New Year's Eve in Lapland is a true winter wonderland. Almost everywhere tourists are offered snowmobiling, skiing, reindeer and dog sledding as entertainment. Not far from Kuusamo is the popular ski resort of Ruko and the Oulanka National Park. The resort town of Saariselkä has a huge selection of good ski runs. In Rovaniemi, it is interesting to visit the Arktikum Museum, whose exposition is devoted to the flora, fauna and natural phenomena of Lapland, the Ranua Zoo and the Finnish Santa's residence.
In this region, venison dishes are excellently prepared and meat is served in completely unexpected combinations - with lingonberries and pickles.
Admire the northern lights in comfort and warmth in the rooms of the Kakslauttanen - glass igloos. This hotel is located in the north of Lapland, next to the Saariselka fell (municipality of Inari).
New Year in Finland with children
When going to Finland for the New Year 2020 with children, be sure to take a trip to the village of Finnish Santa Claus (Joulupukki) - this is the main children's entertainment. Near the village there is an amusement park with attractions, souvenir shops and exhibitions. Children are entertained with sleigh rides drawn by reindeer or dogs, treated to cookies, and do crafts together.
In the park, you can ride a train and a carousel, watch a Christmas tale. Faithful assistants work at the post office, sorting out impressive bags of letters. From here you can send a greeting card with the personal seal of Santa Claus. The second residence - larger and richer - is located in the town of Kakslauttanen.
Cottage in Finland for the New Year: where to rent and how much does it cost?
Tourists prefer to celebrate the New Year in Finland by renting a cottage. In winter, Lapland is in greatest demand, in particular Rovaniemi and ski resorts. If the trip is supposed not too long, then it makes sense to settle near the border, you can rent a house in the Lake District. Recently, the town of Vuokatti, which is located in the center of the country, has become popular among Russian tourists.
Rent cottage better in advance, it will be difficult to find suitable accommodation for the holidays. This year, rent for 1 week for 6 people will cost from 900 to 1500 euros on average. There are options that are cheaper and more expensive, the price depends on the location and level of comfort of the home.
We recommend searching for hotels and cottages on the Roomguru service - it will help you find the best price. So, in Rovaniemi you can rent a room for two in such a cozy cottage-hotel Santasport for 136 euros (free breakfasts, Wi-Fi, a sauna and a jacuzzi), and for lovers of exotic we offer to spend New Year's Eve in real igloo - Arctice Igloo Hotel, cost for two about 255 euros. You can rent a house in Vuokatti from 400 euros.
Prices during the New Year holidays
On New Year's Eve, the cost of housing in Helsinki next: a double room in a 1 * and 2 * hotel or a hostel costs from 40 euros per night for two, in a three-star hotel - from 60 euros, in a 4 * hotel - from 70 euros, in a five-star hotel - from 120 euros. Just book your rooms in advance, as there may not be any vacancies closer to the holidays - it is better to do this in the fall. Find out more about prices in Helsinki.
Prices in restaurants in the capital of Finland on New Year's are only slightly higher than usual.The average check for lunch in Helsinki restaurants is 30 euros, dinner is 45-50 euros per person. What is worth eating? Delicate roast pork, rice pudding, glugs and Christmas beers, gingerbread and other goodies. You should also try salmon, venison or partridge dishes, desserts with wild berries: cranberries, blueberries, lingonberries and cloudberries.
Eating in Helsinki is inexpensive: a list of budget establishments in the city that also serve delicious food.
The cost of entertainment at Santa's residence: entrance ticket costs 33 euros (adult) and 27.50 euros (children), ride a reindeer sleigh - 25 euros, entrance ticket to the ice bar - 12 euros, snowmobile ride to the deer and husky farm - 120 euros. Entrance ticket to the Ranua Zoo for adults - 17.50 euros, for children - 15 euros.
New Year in Finland: reviews of tourists
Most of the tourists who decided to rent a house in Finland for the New Year were delighted with the excellent weather - a real snowy winter with all the entertainment: sleigh rides, snowballing, winter fishing and other fun.
Cottages in Suomi are well equipped, they have everything for a comfortable stay: a fireplace, several bedrooms, all household appliances. They are built at some distance from each other, so that the noise of neighbors will not interfere with rest.
Now about the cons: since this is a European country, fishing, as is customary in our country, will not work. It is necessary to purchase a license, otherwise salmon or perch caught with your own hands will cost several times more than bought in a supermarket. You can only fish for free with an ordinary fishing rod without a reel.
It should be understood that rest in a cottage is akin to a country one, even if in a fully equipped house. People come here not for banal city entertainment, but for real solitude. You will have to entertain yourself.
Nobody exempts from the need to purchase food and self-cooking, including New Year's dinner. By the way, most shops close at 18:00, this should be taken into account so as not to be left without food and water. Cleaning will also have to be paid additionally - 70-120 euros. However, if you want to avoid such troubles, then it is easier to choose a hotel complex, pay for the New Year's Eve with the program and enjoy your vacation.
For some, the prices for holidays in Finland will seem high, for others - affordable. The main thing why tourists come here is to create a real New Year's mood, and in a snow-covered hospitable country it will turn out very well.
