Kuusamo travel guide

Kuusamo, located in the northern part of Finland, is characterized by a subarctic climate. Its weather patterns are marked by long, cold winters and short, mild summers. Winters start early in October and last till late April, with temperatures often dropping below -20 degrees Celsius. Snowfall is heavy and is typically present for about seven months of the year.

During the summer months from June to August, Kuusamo experiences temperatures around 15-20 degrees Celsius during the day, with cooler nights. The region also enjoys the Midnight Sun phenomenon, with nearly 24 hours of daylight in the height of summer. Rainfall is quite evenly distributed throughout the year. However, due to its northern location, Kuusamo also experiences Polar Nights in winter when the sun does not rise above the horizon, resulting in nearly 24 hours of darkness.

Travelers should pack accordingly for the season they plan to visit. Heavy winter clothing is a must during the winter, while light layers are suitable for the summer months. Remember to pack waterproof gear irrespective of the season, due to the regular rainfall.

Home to plenty of top attractions, Kuusamo is more than just a wonderful city in Finland. Kuusamo is a travel hotspot and a great place to experience a mix of the traditional and modern culture of Finland.

One fascinating sight in Kuusamo is the unforgettable Rukatunturi. Considered one of the most well-known attractions in the city, a visit to this spectacular travel destination is something you shouldn’t miss on your trip to Kuusamo.

For more information about what you can expect during a vacation in Finland, check out our list of top attractions in Kuusamo below. Discover the best places to visit in Kuusamo, including the fascinating Rukatunturi, Oulanka National Park, Pieni Karhunkierros Circle Trail, Myllykoski Rapids, and Canyon Lake Julma-Ölkky.

Use this map to find the location of all top attractions in Kuusamo.

Discover the best things to do in Kuusamo.

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Kuusamo, the 'Pearl of the North,' offers a unique culinary landscape that blends traditional Finnish cuisine with Arctic flavors. From the bustling street food market in the heart of the city to sophisticated dining establishments nestled in the pristine wilderness, there's no shortage of best places to eat in Kuusamo. Revel in traditional dishes such as reindeer served in different ways - smoked, roasted, or in stews. Don't miss out on the local fish, especially the Kuusamo trout, which is often served smoked or grilled. Another must-try is 'leipäjuusto,' a local cheese served with cloudberry jam. For a high-end dining experience, head to Ruka Peak, a restaurant noted for its fusion of Finnish and French cuisines. For authentic street food, visit the Kuusamo Market Square where you can sample local delicacies like 'lihapiirakka,' a deep-fried meat pie. To enhance your dining experience, try pairing your meal with 'sahti,' a traditional Finnish beer, or 'lonkero,' a gin-based drink. With its diverse culinary offerings, Kuusamo promises a delightful gastronomic journey for every traveler.

Kuusamo, a city rich in local Finnish craftsmanship, offers a unique shopping experience. The best place to go shopping in Kuusamo is the Ruka Market, located in the heart of the city. Here, you can find traditional Finnish products, ranging from hand-knit woolen goods, reindeer hides, to locally produced honey and berries. Don't miss out on purchasing the iconic Finnish 'puukko' knives, a perfect souvenir embodying the city's culture. If you're looking for fashion, visit the Ruka Ski Resort, which houses a range of shops offering stylish winter wear. For modern shopping, head to Kuusamo Town Centre, where you'll find a variety of stores, including supermarkets, clothing boutiques, and gift shops. Most shops operate between 9 AM and 6 PM, and remember to carry cash as some local vendors may not accept cards. As you explore Kuusamo, don't forget to enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals, adding to your unforgettable shopping experience.

Immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of Finland with the best free things to do in Kuusamo. Begin with the majestic Ruka-Kuusamo region, a spectacular landscape of forests, rivers, and hills. While in winter it turns into a snow sports paradise, during summer it offers countless hiking and mountain biking trails. Don't miss the Pieni Karhunkierros Trail, a 12km path that takes you through breathtaking scenery of forests, rapids, and cliffs. Visit the Oulanka National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, where you can follow signposted trails amid the captivating beauty of wild Finnish nature. Head to the Kuusamo town center to explore the charming wooden church, a testament to the town's history and culture. To round off your day, relax by Lake Kuusamojärvi, a serene spot perfect for picnicking and bird watching. By opting for these free activities, you can truly appreciate the spirit of Kuusamo without spending a penny.

The most popular way to experience Kuusamo is by visiting the city as part of a road trip across multiple destinations in Finland. However, it is also common for travelers to go to Kuusamo on both shorter and longer getaways, to get a break from everyday life, relax, and experience something new.

With Guide to Europe you can find road trips, city breaks, and weekend getaways in Finland, ranging from budget to luxury. Whether you’re planning a multi-day road trip across Finland, or you just want to enjoy a few days exploring Kuusamo, there is a vacation package for you.

Discover the most popular vacation packages in Kuusamo below.

Travelers have a great selection of vacation packages to choose from in Finland. In fact, you can choose from as many as 79 different top-rated vacation packages to take you to Kuusamo, and even more if you expand your search to include a bigger area of Finland.

To help narrow your choices down, here are some of the best vacation packages for exploring the city of Kuusamo.

For an epic vacation, discover Kuusamo and other top destinations in Finland on a top-rated holiday like the 10-Day Finland Road Trip from Kuusamo traveling west to Kajaani, Kuopio, Oulu, and Kemijärvi. This vacation package provides travelers with tons of opportunities to experience not only the most popular attractions in Kuusamo, but also in other top places to visit in Finland. If Myllykoski Rapids, Oulanka National Park, Rukatunturi, Pieni Karhunkierros Circle Trail, and Ruka Pedestrian Village are on your bucket list, this is the perfect vacation package for you.

If you would like to go on a budget vacation in Kuusamo, book the popular 3-Day Finland Road Trip in Kuusamo and spend as little as 645 EUR. This vacation will take you on a journey to experience some of the most incredible attractions and sights in Kuusamo, including the fantastic Ruka Pedestrian Village, Oulanka National Park, Rukatunturi, Myllykoski Rapids, and Pieni Karhunkierros Circle Trail.

Get more Kuusamo vacation ideas on this site and discover the greatest selection of vacation packages in Europe. Scroll down to find the best vacation packages in Finland that match your needs and budget.

Discover and compare 79 vacation packages that take you to the wonderful city of Kuusamo.

The best flights, hotels, and activities in Kuusamo get fully booked quickly. Use the search tool below to find the best vacation packages in Finland. Your customized holiday package to Kuusamo is only a few clicks away!

Over the years, more airlines have started offering flexible and direct flights to Kuusamo, making it one of the most accessible travel destinations in Finland. However, it is usually cheaper to fly to Kuusamo, Finland, in November.

The cheapest one-way flight to Kuusamo costs around 65 EUR and is offered by the airline Eurowings.

The cheapest round-trip flights to Kuusamo cost approximately 240 EUR in total. The departure flight leaves on October 20 and the return flight is scheduled on October 30. The flight time is around 7 hours per way.

The return flight is operated by Kuusamo.

Use the search tool below to find the cheapest flights to Finland and the city of Kuusamo from your city of departure.

Travelers visiting Kuusamo in Finland can fly to Kuusamo airport directly from 1143 destinations worldwide.

The three most popular routes to Kuusamo airport and the city of Kuusamo in Finland depart from Kuusamo airport in Kuusamo, Finland, Sydney airport in Sydney, Australia, and Keflavík International airport in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Travelers can fly to Finland by choosing from from 1 weekly flight(s) from Kuusamo; from 2 weekly flight(s) from Sydney; and from 1 weekly flight(s) from Reykjavik.

The airline that operates most flights to Finland is Cambodia Airways. Cambodia Airways offers 9 scheduled flight routes to Finland.

Discover the most popular flights to Kuusamo below. Click to view flights to Kuusamo, Finland from destinations all across the globe.

A trip to the fascinating Kuusamo, Finland, means opportunities to relax at any of the 5 different types of places to stay in the city. Overall, travelers can choose from the following: 212 cottages, 139 hotels, 82 vacation rental apartments, 2 bed & breakfasts and 1 resort. While each type offers varying amenities and rates, there is no denying that Kuusamo provides a great selection of lodging options ready to cater to every kind of guest.

Among all these choices available in the city, Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki is one of the top picks of travelers in Kuusamo.

The hotel is located at Kylpyläntie 5 and boasts many great utilities, including 24-hour front desk, Bar, and Family rooms.

Budget accommodations are also incredibly popular among travelers in Kuusamo. Cheaper alternatives allow travelers to save on accommodation costs and have more to spend on other experiences.

In Kuusamo, travelers looking for an economical yet top-rated place to stay usually choose Nuoriso- Ja Luontomatkailukeskus Oivanki. For approximately 66 EUR, guests can book a comfortable Unknown at this popular hotel.

Below is a list of all 5 different types of places to stay in Kuusamo. Select the type you prefer to compare options under each category and find the best accommodation.

Hotels are travelers' go-to accommodations in Kuusamo for the unique experience they provide. So if you're the kind of traveler who prefers staying at hotels, you'll be glad to know that the city is home to around 436 hotels.

Besides offering basic amenities, many hotels in Kuusamo provide meals and extras, such as shuttle services, spa facilities, tour desks, and other services. But because not all hotels in Kuusamo are created equal, finding the best in the city often requires careful research. For your convenience, we've done all the research to make it easier for you to check out all the top hotels in Kuusamo.

Unelmaköngäs offers the most luxurious rooms and is perfect for travelers looking for the ultimate 5-star hotel experience in Kuusamo. If comfort, convenience, and affordability are your non-negotiables, check out Holiday Club Kuusamon Tropiikki, the top 4-star hotel in the city. When all you need is a pleasant place to rest and sleep in between your activities in Kuusamo, the highest-rated 3-star hotel, Magical Pond Nature Igloos, is for you.

Below is our hand-picked list of the best hotels in the Kuusamo. Travelers are encouraged to book early as these hotels quickly reach capacity.

Click the arrows or swipe the list to see each hotel's ratings, reviews, locations, rates, and more. You can read detailed descriptions of each hotel by clicking the cards.

Use the Accommodation Search tool below to find available stays in the city of Kuusamo on specific dates. This handy feature also allows you to compare prices and amenities.

Enter the preferred check-in and check-out dates. Then, select the number of guests and rooms. Click the Search button to find all the available hotels and places to stay in the city of Kuusamo that match the information provided.

Discover and choose from our broad range of popular car rental options in the city of Kuusamo to find the best car for your travel plans. Travelers in Kuusamo can choose from small cars, medium cars, large cars, estate cars, mini vans, SUVs, convertibles, premium cars, camper vans, mini campers, vans, cars. All car rentals come with CDW insurance for added protection throughout your trip.

Renting a car is a popular choice among travelers who want to explore Finland at their own pace. The most popular type of car rental among small groups of travelers in Kuusamo is a TopLevel.

Another very popular type of car to rent in Kuusamo is a TopLevel. This car is particularly popular among couples and solo travelers touring the city of Kuusamo.

Check out all options available in Kuusamo and book the car rental for your upcoming adventures in Finland below.

Get ready to hit the road and explore the beautiful city of Kuusamo. Find the best deals on a variety of popular car rentals in Kuusamo, Finland, or any other destination in Europe by using the search tool below.

Enter your pick-up and drop-off location, driver's age, and dates. Click the green button to view your options.

When unsure of where to go next, use the map below. This map shows the locations of all the best destinations in Finland. Use the map to plan your trip and find the best routes.

Travelers in Finland can catch flights to domestic airports in Joensuu, Helsinki, Turku, Tampere, and Rovaniemi. Domestic flights in Finland are operated by 1 airline: Finnair. There are around 5 scheduled flight routes operating to Kuusamo on a weekly basis.

From Kuusamo, travelers can book scheduled flights to 5 domestic destinations.

Traveling to another city or region in Finland? Use the flight search tool below to quickly find the cheapest one-way or round-trip flights from Kuusamo to different local destinations.

Enter all the necessary information and click or tap on the Search button to see a list of the available domestic flights in Finland on the selected dates.