When to go · Helsinki
Helsinki in January
Mixed month. Dark, about −5 to −10°C (23 to 14°F), icy paths; saunas and museums shine.Mixed month. Dark, about 23 to 14°F (−5 to −10°C), icy paths; saunas and museums shine.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C) / −8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 15
- Crowds
- Medium
- Finland overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Finland overall
Verdict
Dark, about −5 to −10°C (23 to 14°F), icy paths; saunas and museums shine.Dark, about 23 to 14°F (−5 to −10°C), icy paths; saunas and museums shine.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- HelsinkiHighs around -3 °C (27 °F), lows around -8 °C (18 °F), rain on about 15 daysHighs around 27 °F (-3 °C), lows around 18 °F (-8 °C), rain on about 15 days
- South coast, Finland · Helsinki, Turku, Porvoo, Ålandcool
Around −5 °C (23 °F) in January, 20–23 °C (68–73 °F) in July; 19 h of daylight at midsummer, 6 h in late December. The sea often freezes near shore in cold winters.Around 23 °F (−5 °C) in January, 68–73 °F (20–23 °C) in July; 19 h of daylight at midsummer, 6 h in late December. The sea often freezes near shore in cold winters.
Winter season
Snow, ice swimming, Lux Helsinki, cosy cafés and saunas
Watch: Six hours of daylight; slippery pavements.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Lux Helsinki check
Early January · Central Helsinki
Light installations in dark evenings
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Finland overall
- Medium
- Prices · Finland overall
- Medium
Finland overall: Lapland in deep winter: blue-hour days, strong cold, good auroras. Helsinki is dark and icy.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Helsinki, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
May: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Night low
Jan: -8 °C (18 °F)18 °F (-8 °C)
May: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 15
May: 9 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Medium
May: Low
Prices
Jan: Medium
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
May: 1
January: Dark, about −5 to −10°C, icy paths; saunas and museums shine.
May: Bright and fresh; ferries and terraces start.
Helsinki: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket