Finland Weather in March 2025: Travel Tips for First-Timers

March is a great time of year to enjoy Finland's beautiful winter landscapes in Rovaniemi and Pyhä, and we also suggest visiting Turku and Helsinki. Read on to find out more about travel and weather, including temperatures, rain/snowfall, humidity, and tips for March.

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Finland Weather in March : Overview

Averages: 

• Temperature range: -5–1°C (23–34°F)
• Rain/snowfall: 4 cm (1 inch)
• Rainy/snowy days: 9
• Sunshine hours/day: 5
• Humidity: around 81% (humid throughout Finland)

Temperatures in Finland are between cold and freezing in March, with Helsinki, Tampere and Turku being just above freezing point, and Finnish Lapland's Rovaniemi and Pyhä still remaining below freezing point most days. There are approximately 5 hours of sunshine per day in March, substantially more than November, December, January, and February.

The climate is humid in Finland in March, with approximately 9 snowy or rainy days, and around 4 cm (or 1 inch) of rainfall. Humidity levels hover around the 81% mark.

March Climate Comparison (Averages) for Finland's Top Tourism Areas

The Best Places to Visit in Finland in March

For a beautiful winter's escape, Finland in March is your perfect destination. Given that the temperatures are less freezing in March than the months of November through to February and that the days are getting longer with more daylight, the snowy winter landscapes make March a great time of year to visit Finland.

We suggest visiting Helsinki and Turku in the south of the country for culture and history, and then heading north into Finnish Lapland, to Rovaniemi and Pyhä, to learn more about Finnish Lapland's culture and natural beauty.

To help you have the best holiday in Finland, our team of experts are ready to build your ideal itinerary. Just let us know when you'd like to visit, how long you want to stay, and what your priorities are when visiting, and our team will do the work for you. Have a tailored visit to Finland with Global Highlights.

1. Take in the Sights of Helsinki and Learn about Finland's History

Helsinki is a wonderful city, and there is something for everybody there. We suggest walking around and popping in and out of museums and tourist attractions in order to stay warm.

Start off with a visit to the Helsinki Cathedral, which was constructed in the early 19th century. It is a Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral, and is one of the city's most beautiful and important landmarks. This neoclassical building stands out for sure, and is worth visiting inside and outside. For more information about Helsinki's cathedrals, check out our article about visiting Finland in January.

The most popular art gallery in the city is Kiasma, also known as the Museum of Contemporary Art. There you will find both permanent and temporary exhibits from both local and international artists, giving you an insight into Finnish culture and its art scene.

Follow it up with a visit to the bustling Old Market Hall just off Market Square, where you can warm up with some Finnish hot chocolate, and try its meat pastries, known as lihapiirakka, or delicious reindeer stew. There are also lots of local fish dishes on offer including salmon soup.

2. Experience Finnish Sauna Culture (and Ice Swimming) in Turku

Roughly two hours away from Helsinki is Turku, the third biggest city in Finland following Helsinki and Tampere. It is also the oldest city in the country, and there are lots of sights to see, including Turku Castle (you can read more about Turku Castle on visiting Finland in January).

We also suggest trying out a traditional Finnish sauna in Turku. The sauna is really important to Finns, with there being approximately 3 million saunas in the country (there are more saunas than cars!), a mix of private and public.

A great place to try in Turku is Ispoinen Beach Sauna, which combines both a sauna with access to the sea. Why not try going to the sauna, and then diving into the very cold ocean? This is how the Finns do it, after all!

Villa Järvelä is also a great spot, with a wood sauna, a tent sauna, hot tubs, and an ice hole for swimming in the lake. A nearby kiosk supplies you with traditional Finnish sausages and drinks.

3. Try your Hand at Wilderness Skiing in Pyhä-Luosto National Park

Even if you have tried skiing before, we can guarantee that you have never tried wilderness skiing through some of the most magical, snowcapped forests of Finland. This truly is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you can't miss during your time in Finland.

Wilderness skiing takes you through unbroken snow in the forest, the way that locals living in the area would do it. The activity is suitable for all levels of experience, with beginners finding it just as rewarding as more experienced skiers.

Global Highlights can help create the perfect wilderness skiing adventure with an experienced guide, no matter whether you'd like to be out there for the entire day, or just want to give it a go. Contact us to plan your Finland trip.

Nearby ski resorts also have lots of slopes if you prefer high-speed skiing or snowboarding downhill. From there the views are be incredible, with slopes suitable for a range of different experience levels.

4. Ride a Husky Sled in Finnish Lapland's Rovaniemi

If you are venturing up to northern Finland, there is no better place to start your Lapland adventure than Rovaniemi. This is where you would be able to find Santa Claus village, which is also open in March, where you can meet Santa's elves, the reindeer, as well as his huskies. There are also snowmobile safaris to help you enjoy the views.

We also recommend an exhilarating husky sled ride, something you will be unlikely to be able to do in many other places.

Rovaniemi and surrounding areas are also known as being a great place to see the northern lights (also seeable in March). You can read more about this under Rovaniemi on visiting Finland in February.

Low Season: Less Expensive and Fewer Crowds

March falls outside the peak tourist season in Finland. This means that you are likely to see more affordable accommodation and transportation options, as well as less likely to experience crowds at the popular tourist destinations. This makes it a great time of the year to visit Finland.

What to Wear in March

March is still freezing to cold in Finland, and we suggest bringing plenty of warm clothes to protect yourself against this weather. This means bringing thick winter coats, ensuring that they are water and windproof, and wearing plenty of layers underneath. We suggest packing thermals, as well as wool, cashmere, or fleece jumpers.

You will also need to ensure that you bring waterproof gloves, thick scarves, and hats, particularly if you want to give skiing a try. Don't under-prepare warm boots and socks either.

You can rent equipment at most skiing resorts or slopes, but if you have some of your own equipment you like to use, we recommend bringing that, too.