Your guide to a cottage holiday in Finland

Ask a Finnish person where they are happiest, and most will answer without hesitation: at mökki. The word means cottage, but the concept runs deeper than that. A mökki is a cabin in the countryside, almost always near water, and usually the place where Finns feel most like themselves. 

Summers at the lake or sea, the smell of birch wood in the sauna, the sound of a rowing boat knocking against a dock, and the eerie and beautiful call of the black-throated diver (kuikka) that carries across the water at dusk – this is what a mökki holiday feels like. 

And the good news is that you don't need to be Finnish to experience it. Here's your guide to a cabin holiday in Finland.

Article last updated: June 2026

When Finns talk about mökki, they mean a cabin in the countryside, surrounded by nature and forest, preferably by a lake or the sea.

In summer, most Finns retreat to their rural hideaways for holidays or remote work. Summers spent at the mökki are what many Finns live for. That said, a cabin holiday is a different and worthwhile experience in every season. In autumn, it's all about exploring nature and cosying up by a fire. A winter cabin holiday offers a genuine alternative to a hotel or a ski resort. Spring brings the first warmth and extraordinary birdlife.

Many Finnish families have had their cottages for generations, passed down like heirlooms. Rental cabins are popular too, especially for a fun weekend or celebration with friends. Mökki is a place for gathering, relaxing and making memories. If a Finnish person invites you to theirs, you should go.

Several well-established online rental services cover Finland's cabin market. Lomarengas is one of the most widely used and trusted local agencies, with a large selection of cabins across the country with booking and payment options within the service. Nettimökki is another popular platform connecting owners directly with renters.

Airbnb and Booking.com also list cabins in Finland, and there are many unique finds among them. If you already have a specific area or resort in mind, it's worth checking whether they have their own rental service or if booking is available directly on their website.

If you have your heart set on a lakeside cabin in a popular area, like Lake Saimaa, during Midsummer, book early – ideally at the start of the year. The best cottages fill up fast with both Finns and international visitors looking for the most sought after options.

Summer is peak season overall, and during Finnish school holidays in June and July demand is especially high. May, August and September are quieter months but still offer a genuine Finnish summer experience with slightly cooler temperatures.

Finland has so many cottages that with a little flexibility you can often find something even at relatively short notice outside of peak weeks. But for Midsummer specifically, don't leave it to chance.

Most cabins are remote enough that a car is the practical option, and it makes life considerably easier for picking up groceries and exploring the surrounding area. For Finnish families, the drive to the mökki is already part of the holiday – stopping for coffee and ice cream at roadside cafés, visiting local attractions along the way, watching the forest close in around you.

That said, a car-free cabin holiday is possible with some planning. The key is to choose a cabin near a major town or within a resort area served by public transport, such as Ruka, Vuokatti or Tahko. Many camping sites near larger towns with good train connections, like Kuopio or Mikkeli, also offer rental cabins that can be reached by bus or taxi.

Cost varies with size, location, amenities and timing. A popular lakefront villa at Midsummer will cost more than a traditional cabin further from the water, or the same villa in September.

A week for four people in July typically costs anywhere from €700 to several thousand euros for a higher-end property. So-called dry land cottages (without direct water access) tend to be cheaper. In high season, many cabins require a minimum stay of several nights or a full week, typically from Saturday to Saturday.

Renting a cabin is often better value than staying in a hotel, particularly for groups. Cooking at the cabin saves on meals. Keep in mind there are often additional fees for cleaning, linen hire, or extras such as heating a hot tub – always read the terms and conditions before booking.

As the whole point of mökki life is to stay put, you may not be near a supermarket. Small shops exist in many villages, but it is better to arrive well stocked. Most people load their car with everything they need for the whole stay.

Check with your host whether basics like toilet paper, firewood, mosquito repellent or charcoal for the barbecue are provided. There may be some pantry staples left by previous guests, like flour and spices, but it's good not to count on it.

If you're invited to a friend's cabin, a small gift goes down well – fresh berries, flowers or something good to drink. Sharing food and drink costs is the normal practice, so ask your hosts what you can bring or contribute.

Sauna is central to the mökki experience, and Finns typically heat it every day. There is nothing quite like a proper sauna followed by a swim in the lake.

Many sauna stoves are electric and straightforward to use – instructions will be at the cottage, and your host will be happy to help if you're unsure. Wood-burning stoves take longer to heat but are worth it: the crackling of the fire and the scent of fresh wood are half the experience. If burning wood, remember to open the ventilation.

Use a towel to sit on. Sometimes cottages also provide single-use sauna seat covers (laudeliina). You'll find a bucket and ladle for throwing water on the stones – this creates löyly, the soft, enveloping heat that is the whole point of Finnish sauna. Cool off when you need to and drink plenty of water; beer and soft drinks are also Finnish sauna tradition.

For something more traditional, try a vihta (or vasta in eastern Finland). It's a bundle of fresh birch twigs that you dip in water and then gently whisk over yourself or fellow sauna-goers. The birch releases a fresh, slightly sweet aroma, and the gentle beating improves circulation.

A cabin holiday in Finland is genuinely unlike most other travel experiences. The pace is slow, the surroundings are beautiful, and the Finns have spent generations perfecting the art of being still. You'll leave with the particular satisfaction of someone who has eaten well, swum often and slept deeply. That, it turns out, is the Finnish secret to happiness.