Camping and van life gain popularity in Finland

Camping, caravanning, and van life are growing in popularity in Finland, with younger travelers and groups of friends driving the trend, according to SF-Caravan, a national caravanning association.

Last year, Finnish campsites recorded roughly 1.8 million overnight stays, with foreign visitors accounting for 327,000 of them, per preliminary Statistics Finland data. In 2024, total stays were 1.767 million, with 285,000 by foreign visitors. In 2021, campsites saw 1.967 million stays, but only 117,000 were by foreign visitors.

At Rastila Camping in eastern Helsinki, staff report a rise in tents and campervans this summer, with fewer cabins rented. Aurora Salojärvi, who works at the site, notes an increase in young travelers and families. SF-Caravan communications chief Petriina Punkari-Mäkiaho confirms the shift, citing group travel, van life, and a resurgence in tent camping as emerging trends.

Foreign campers praise Finland’s nature and the flexibility of its campsites, many of which do not require advance booking. Slovak cyclist Oliver Gavdoš, touring Europe by bike with friends, values the freedom to explore without rigid plans. Dutch traveler Gert-Jan Hoksberg, camping with his family, enjoys the proximity to nature, including the sounds of owls at night. British camper Paul Mara appreciates the ability to arrive without reservations, while German visitor Frank Otte is drawn to Finland’s open spaces and lack of crowds.

Longtime camper Heinz Kronauer, a Swiss traveler who has toured European campsites since the 1970s, has observed increasing congestion at popular sites.