tourist guide to helsinki

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Helsinki (Things to Do)

Updated September 2023

With a second opportunity to visit Helsinki, I was more than excited to make the return to Finland’s capital. Helsinki has always been a place of inspiration for design, the proximity to the outdoors, and one of those cities that always surprises.

When I went over three years ago on the #MyHelsinkiResidences program with the My Helsinki tourism board, I went during the winter months and saw a side of Helsinki that I hadn’t expected. This time, I was here for summer and was ready to bask in those long days of light and discover more.

I returned to the same program and one I love to partake in. The goal is to live like a resident of Helsinki as there’s no set itinerary, no places I have to be. During that time, I stayed in an apartment in the heart of downtown, given a few travel recommendations, and the keys to discovering the city as I would like to.

The result? Spontaneous adventures traveling like a local and having an immersive experience.

Much of Helsinki had changed since I had been there last. New museums, restaurants, and coffee shops were sprinkled throughout, all places I was excited to explore. But at the same time, it hadn’t. There was still that friendly welcome I remembered from the last visit.

There’s a passion for sharing what makes Finland truly a unique and wonderful country to not only visit but live in. There’s a love for slowing down, being connected to the outdoors, and, of course, that incredible design scene.

It’s all of these things and more that make traveling to Helsinki an experience to remember. If you’re looking to explore more of Helsinki, be sure to check out my in-depth guides to the best restaurants and best things to do .

Short on Time? Here Are My Top Picks for the Best Hotels and Things to Do in Helsinki:

• Hotel St. George , for the best modern luxury hotel
• Hotel Kämp ,  for the best design hotel
• Noli Studios Katajanokka , for the best designed apartment-hotel
• Hotel Mestari , for the best hotel for larger groups or families
• Hotel F6 , for the best boutique hotel

Things to Do

• Helsinki Architecture Walking Tour

Visit the Reindeer in Nuuksio National Park

Take a day trip to tallinn, estonia.

• Tour the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

The Ultimate Helsinki Travel Guide

What to know about visiting helsinki, finland, how do i get around helsinki.

The best part of visiting Helsinki is no car is needed. On arrival at Helsinki Airport, take the “L or P” train between Terminals 1 and 2 right to the city center in 30 minutes. Be sure to purchase a ticket before boarding. Once in town, the metro and bus system is extensive. I took Uber pretty frequently as it’s not terribly priced, else, the city of Helsinki is incredibly walkable.

What Language Do They Speak in Helsinki?

Finnish, Swedish, and English are spoken here. Finnish is the national language.

Is Helsinki Good for Tourists?

It’s one of the best Scandinavian cities to visit for travelers. It is easy to get around, has several low-cost flights between other countries, and has lots to do.

What Currency is Used in Helsinki?

On the Euro currency, cash and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere. I always advise you to have some cash on you in case.

What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Helsinki?

For the more milder months, May through September will be the best. With the least amount of rainfall, you’ll have warmer days. Come winter, it can be very cold — some may prefer a winter adventure pending your itinerary.

Where to Stay in Helsinki, Finland

For this trip, I was put in a long-term apartment-hotel stay that is unfortunately no longer available to book. I know there are some wonderful hotels in the city, some of which I stopped by, and wanted to recommend. Read on to see some of the best hotels to book while visiting Helsinki.

Hotel St. George

Nestled in the heart of the city, Hotel St. George isn’t just another luxury stay. Overlooking the serene Old Church Park, this hotel is a blend of art, design, and holistic care. With 148 rooms, each thoughtfully curated, and five suites that whisper elegance, it’s a haven for those seeking moments of tranquility. Dive into a world of well-being, from a contemporary spa to a gym designed for the modern traveler. Book the best rates here .

Hotel Kämp , located in the center of Helsinki, has been a hallmark of luxury since its establishment in 1887. Situated on Pohjoisesplanadi, this esteemed hotel offers a blend of historical charm and modern amenities. Guests can enjoy a variety of services, from dining at the renowned Brasserie Kämp to relaxing treatments at the Kämp Spa. Additionally, the historic Kämp Bar provides a selection of beverages in a sophisticated setting. Book the best rates here .

Noli Studios Katajanokka

Noli Studios Katajanokka , located near downtown Helsinki, is housed in a historic red-brick building that once served as the headquarters for the grocery giant, Kesko. Offering stunning sea views and surrounded by a mix of modernist and Art Nouveau architecture, this hotel is within walking distance of Helsinki’s vibrant city center, the Allas Sea Pool, and the bustling restaurants of Kanavaranta. With 263 stylish studios, guests can enjoy amenities like a modern gym, sauna, restaurant, co-working spaces, and community areas. Book the best rates here .

Hotel Mestari

Hotel Mestari , located in central Helsinki’s iconic House of Master Builders, offers 237 elegantly designed rooms and suites. Renowned for its exceptional service, the hotel provides curated experience packages tailored for guests. The venue, historically a hub for dialogue, is equipped for both intimate and large-scale events. With its blend of beautiful design and luxury amenities, Mestari ensures a stay that’s both comfortable and memorable. Book the best rates here .

Hotel F6 , located in central Helsinki just off the well-known Esplanade, is a unique boutique hotel emphasizing genuine service and a home-like atmosphere. Housed within 76 elegantly designed rooms that blend style, comfort, and sustainability, guests are treated to Finnish home-style breakfasts made predominantly from organic local ingredients. The hotel’s bar, Runar, offers authentic flavors in a warm setting. For those keen on fitness, a gym equipped with top-tier equipment is available, and in collaboration with Wolt, guests can have meals from local restaurants delivered directly to their rooms. Bicycles are also available for guests wishing to explore the vibrant surroundings of Helsinki. Book the best rates here .

Where to Eat in Helsinki

Yes yes yes.

For a vegetarian option, look no further than Yes Yes Yes. I love how bright and cheerful the restaurant is. Their tandoori bread and dips are delicious and also be sure to try the halloumi fries!

Address: Iso Roobertinkatu 1, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

Restaurant Savotta

For a very traditional dinner with a view of Senate Square, book a reservation at Restaurant Savotta . Their menu has traditional platings like game meat logs to traditional stews. It’s a must-dine for a taste of Finland while in Helsinki.

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 22, 00170 Helsinki, Finland

The Cock is always a win in the city. Their well-rounded menu has a few different classics to favorites like the tartar.

Address: Fabianinkatu 17, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

The Bistro at Food Market Herkku

For a more unique dining experience, head to The Bistro at Food Market Herkku . Formerly known as the Stockman Grocery Store, the new edition of Herkku is a food market inspired by market halls found around the world. It may seem strange to dine in a grocery story, but the Bistro is a high-end experience centered around a bar at the back of the restaurant. The salmon tartar was delicious and fresh.

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 52, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Sushibar + Wine

If you’re looking for sushi, the lunch menu at Sushibar + Wine is great and well-priced, 10-piece nigiri sets starting at around 15 euros a plate. They now have 4 locations throughout the city.

Address: Kaivokatu 8, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

Ekberg Cafe

Dating back to 1852 and Finland’s oldest bakery, Ekberg has traditional pastries and desserts. It’s hard to choose here!

Address: Bulevardi 9, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

St. George Bakery

Located in the Hotel St. George , St. George Bakery is another one of my favorite bakeries in town with fresh bread and baked goods.

Address: Yrjönkatu 13, 00120 Helsinki, Finland

Coffee Shops

There are great coffee shops throughout the city. A few of my favorites are Andante , Kaffecentralen (multiple locations), Cafe Regatta , and Kaffa Roastery .

Things to Do in Helsinki

Museum hop through the city.

If there is one thing Helsinki has in plenty, it’s museums. There is something for everyone here. If you’re looking for contemporary art, head to the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma . For a history on Finnish design, the Design Museum has rotating exhibits.

The National Museum of Finland is the perfect spot to get insight into Finnish history and culture.  The Helsinki Art Museum or HAM features unique exhibits that are thought-provoking. And for those looking for international art, head to the Ateneum Art Museum .

Take a Boat to Suomenlinna, Tour the Sea Fortress , then Hop Over to Lonna for a Sauna

Surrounded by many islands and the sea, Helsinki is a great spot to get out into nature. One island nearby that offers an opportunity to walk around and see a historic site is Suomenlinna. Take the JT line from Market Square and get a scenic view of the city as you head there.

On the island, there are walking trails throughout the historic Suomenlinna Sea Fortress which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you want something that is more informational, I would book this guided tour that takes you throughout Suomenlinna .

What I would do afterward, is take the JT Line right over the island of Lonna and reserve in advance a two-hour sauna experience . The island is very small and has a restaurant in addition to the public sauna building. It’s a scenic spot to end the day and perfect for a traditional Finnish sauna experience.

Book a Guided Walking Tour

With so much to discover in Helsinki, one of the best ways to learn and experience the city is with a knowledgeable local. While I was able to do this with a local I knew myself, I did some digging for the best walking tours with a guide in the city.

The first one I found was this small group walking tour (137 reviews, 5 stars!). It’s limited to 8 people and the local guide takes you through important historical and cultural sights throughout the city. This other small group tour in Helsinki was rated similarly in case the other one sells out.

For those who are into architecture, you’ll fall in love with Helsinki. With Finnish architects like Alvar Aalto and alike, there is a lot to love. This Helsinki architecture walking tour will take you to some of the most important architectural sights in the city, giving you background on the buildings.

Take a Tour of Alvar Aalto’s Studio

One of the most unique things I did this time was taking a tour of Alvar Aalto’s studio . Well known for his work in architecture and his furniture at Artek, his studio is just a quick 10-minute drive from the city (Uber will take you there). Book a tour in advance and explore the studio and space that he worked out of.

Shop Local Designers

With a strong design scene, Helsinki is the ultimate shopper’s paradise. You may want to bring an extra suitcase as it’s that good. There are so many places to shop for design, so I’d head to the Design District’s website and select the category you’re looking for as it’s broken out accordingly.

Try a Finnish Sauna at Löyly

It’s a must-experience when in Finland. Löyly is just a quick Uber ride away from downtown and has an incredible location on the sea. You’ll need to reserve in advance a two-hour window at the sauna here.

I’d come for lunch or a bite before or after and then steam away in their two sauna rooms. To cool down, you can even jump in the sea if you’re brave enough.

Walk Around Senate Square

One of my favorite areas to walk around is the Senate Square . Head here to see the Helsinki Cathedral and the National Library of Finland . Continue on through the winding neighborhoods into the center.

One unique day trip you can do while visiting Helsinki is taking the Tallink Star over to Tallinn, Estonia . I’d book a ticket on the boat in advance and make the two-hour journey to Tallinn for the day. The 7:30 a.m. departure gets you there at 9:30, giving you a full day when you take the 7:30 p.m. return.

With one day in Tallinn, you can easily explore the top sights like Alexander Nevsky Cathedral , the Old Town, and the Tallinn Town Hall .

One meal not to miss while there is at the traditional restaurant, Olde Hansa for local, Estonian food. Afterward, I’d head to the Kohtuotsa Viewing Platform for a view over the city and consider exploring the area of Kalamaja.

On one of my first Helsinki trips, I headed out to Nuuksio National Park to visit reindeer. It was dead of winter, and with snow falling, it felt like a storybook scene. It’s a bit of way out of the city, so it’s recommended to do this on a guided tour like this one.

Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to see and interact with the reindeer. This private tour is one of the top-selling and does sell out so book in advance.

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Ps — are you booking a trip soon use my booking checklist.

These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you . If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here .

1. Book Your Flights

Use Skyscanner to find the best flights. It searches 100s of airlines and websites across the globe to ensure you’re not missing out on any route options or deals.

2. Book Your Accommodations

Use Booking.com for hotels and guest houses. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.

3. Book Your Tours & Experiences

Use Viator or Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check both as their inventory varies depending on the destination.

4. Book Your Car

Use Discover Cars or Rentalcars.com to find the best car rental deals. I recommend comparing rental agency reviews on Google to ensure you are booking with the best company in that destination, as the reviews are often more accurate than the car rental search engines.

5. Don’t Forget Airport Lounge Access

Get a Priority Pass membership to gain access to 1,400+ VIP lounges and airport experiences worldwide. The Priority Pass app is the first thing I check when I have a layover. I’ve been a member for over a decade, and having a comfortable place to relax before and between flights makes air travel so much more enjoyable.

6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance

I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, and cancelations, etc.). I use it frequently for my travels to stay protected.

My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:

• World Nomads (best for all-around)
• Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)

Xx, Jessica

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I love the city of Helsinki, this is an amazing place to visit. Thanks for your beautiful travel guide. I want to come back here again and again.

Nice suggestions. Löyly is perhaps the most modern public sauna in Helsinki but there are many more authentic saunas in Helsinki too and they are cheaper. For example, try Kotiharjun Sauna or Sauna Hermanni.

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Discovering Helsinki

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Tourism Helsinki – Travel Guide to Helsinki

A modern city featuring some of the most distinctive architecture in the world, both old and new, Helsinki is one of the cultural hot spots of Northern Europe. An idealholiday destination for both for lovers of the arts and those who relish its exciting and vibrant nightlife, Helsinki is also a child-friendly city perfect for family vacations, and being surrounded by forests, lakes and the sea, it is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.

Situated on the Baltic Sea, Finland’s capital, Helsinki , is a modern city of over half a million people, and is the second most northern capital in Europe. Surrounded by an archipelago of hundreds of tiny islands, and culturally influenced by both the East and West, Helsinki is unique, combining both modern and historic architectural styles with a love of open spaces that is at the very heart of Finnish identity.  See our recommendations and tourism guide to Helsinki!

What to do this summer on Helsinki

Nuuksio National Park: Your Gateway to Wilderness Retreat

Discover suomenlinna: sea fortress in the helsinki archipelago, exploring helsinki’s natural wonders: finnish museum of natural history luomus, ateneum art museum: a must-see cultural destination in helsinki, travel through the baltic sea – discover the charm of helsinki, stockholm and tallinn, exploring helsinki – a perfect destination for family fun, travel ideas, feast helsinki – a food festival to savour, unique things to do in helsinki, the best cafés in helsinki – guide to coffee culture in the capital, guide to top experiences in helsinki, wonderful nature experiences and charming cultural sites in kirkkonummi, be charmed along the espoo waterfront walkway and archipelago, 6 destinations to explore in helsinki this summer, helsinki brunch guide – finding the best brunch in helsinki, fun day trips from helsinki, dining out in the helsinki archipelago, helsinki to stockholm: a perfect family cruise on the silja symphony, baltic sea cruises and city breaks with tallink silja line, natural wonders and nature attractions in helsinki region, espoo’s shoreside attractions, espoo’s southern charms & islands, day cruise from helsinki to tallinn with megastar, adventures & accommodation in finnish wilderness – nuuksio national park, helsinki dining & shopping, island hopping in beautiful helsinki archipelago, skysauna helsinki – experience the sauna in the sky, helsinki boutique hotels & design hotels, temppeliaukio – the church in the rock.

Helsinki is world famous for its architecture; the city centre is renowned for its neoclassicalism, especially around Senate Square . Close by on a hilltop stands the Uspenski Cathedral , Europe’s largest Russian Orthodox church, and a stunning example of the Byzantine-Russian style. Scattered about the city are fine examples of Jugendstil, or Art Nouveau. Elsewhere, the Temppeliaukio Church and Finlandia Hall represent early Modernism.

As befits one of Europe’s foremost capital cities, Helsinki is vibrant, yet as laid-back as the Finns who call it home. Wide and spacious streets and avenues allow for a multitude of cafes and restaurants to serve outdoors, where you sit back and relax, and at night there is no shortage of bars, clubs and venues to choose from. Throughout the year, Helsinki offers an incredible variety of activities for people of all ages, whether they prefer challenging sports, or gentle investigations of the natural beauty all around them. Cruises around the archipelago, trekking in the nearby forests, and traditional Finnish saunas , are some of the more popular choices, but there’s plenty more besides.

The Island Fortress of Suomenlinna – The Gem in Helsinki’s Archipelago

Recommended, most popular attractions in helsinki, explore helsinki by category, helsinki tourist attractions, food & drink – restaurants in helsinki, hotels & accommodation in helsinki, activities & sports in helsinki, shopping in helsinki, getting around helsinki.

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Entwined with the Baltic's bays, inlets and islands, Helsinki's boulevards and backstreets overflow with magnificent architecture, intriguing drinking and dining venues and groundbreaking design.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna, the ‘fortress of Finland’, straddles a cluster of car-free islands connected by bridges. This Unesco World Heritage site was originally built…

Occupying a palatial 1887 neo-Renaissance building, Finland’s premier art gallery offers a crash course in the nation’s art. It houses Finnish paintings…

Design Museum

Punavuori & Ullanlinna

An unmissable stop for Finnish design aficionados, Helsinki's Design Museum has a permanent collection that looks at the roots of Finnish design in the…

Kansallismuseo

Built in National Romantic art nouveau style and opened in 1916, Finland’s premier historical museum looks a bit like a Gothic church with its heavy…

Seurasaaren Ulkomuseo

Situated 5.5km northwest of the city centre, this excellent island-set museum has a collection of 87 historic wooden buildings transferred here from…

One in a series of elegant, contemporary buildings in this part of town, curvaceous, metallic Kiasma, designed by Steven Holl and finished in 1998, is a…

Set beneath the iconic 1936 Lasipalatsi building, art museum Amos Rex opened in 2018. Sweeping staircases take you below ground to the exhibition halls…

Rambling over 4 hectares in the city centre alongside the north harbour, Töölönlahti, Helsinki's botanic gardens are filled with plants from Finland and…

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Discover Helsinki is made for visitors to the city who are looking for information and inspiration about Helsinki. Whether you are planning your visit, new to Helsinki or visiting right now as a tourist, at Discover Helsinki you will find lots of practical tips and information about what to do and how to get around, as well as Helsinki's fascinating history. If you are staying in a hotel room or a 1st-class cabin on one of the major cruise lines, you will find the Discover Helsinki book, which is packed with lots of useful information about must-sees, current events and other hidden gems in the city.

Tourist Information

Espoo Digi-Dance Festival

Aalto University Shop

Art Nouveau Architecture in Katajanokka

Helsinki Sauna Day 2020

Women and Power in Helsinki

Wildlife Travel in Finland

Best Cafes in Helsinki

Michelin Star Restaurants in Helsinki 2020

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Helsinki is well on its way to becoming the most functional city in the world.

Welcome to helsinki.

Helsinki is a relaxed, friendly, safe city that invites visitors to get out and explore its varied terrain on foot. Compact and easily navigable, it offers a plethora of hotels, restaurants, bars and cultural attractions all within walking distance of the centre. The city also has an efficient public transport system consisting of bus, tram, metro, train and ferry services. Its natural beauty and proximity to the sea are two additional assets.

Helsinki is also a city of fascinating contrasts. As one of Europe’s fastest growing and developing cities, fast-paced urban life and peaceful natural landscapes can be found just around the corner from one another. With its many green spaces and modern architectural gems – not to mention its sun-lit summers and cold, dark winters – Helsinki is full of surprises.

Where in Finland?

Population: 660 000. The Helsinki metropolitan area has close to 1.5 million inhabitants.

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Congress capital

Helsinki truly rolls out the red carpet for meetings, conferences and conventions. Boasting unparalleled professionalism and hospitality, the city holds an average of 300-400 international association meetings annually, which are attended by more than 40,000 delegates. On top of that, the city also hosts numerous national conferences, events and theme days each year.

The University of Helsinki is listed among the world’s top 100 universities. Three out of four Finns speak English, and almost half of all Finns speak two other languages in addition to Finnish. Finland is also the most literate country in the world, and our teachers are some of the world’s best.

Helsinki is Finland’s largest port. The centre of Finnish economic and business activity, it’s home to approximately 48,000 companies. Many regional headquarters of both Finnish and international corporations are also located within Helsinki city limits.

Looking ahead, Helsinki aims to become the most functional city in the world and is committed to offering each and every resident a more sustainable lifestyle. Our goal is to be carbon neutral by 2035. Check out Helsinki Partners'  Sustainable Meetings Guidelines for information on how to make more sustainable choices when organising conferences and meetings in this vibrant, socially-conscious city.

Transport connections:

• Helsinki Airport is situated 20 kilometres away the city centre; direct train connection. Approximately 180 international flights arrive daily at the airport
• There are daily ferry services from and to Estonia, Sweden and Germany

Helsinki Travel Guide: 55 Things to Do in Helsinki, Finland

Welcome to Helsinki, the vibrant seaside capital of Finland, where the charm of the past and the pulse of the present come together in a delightful symphony. A city that seamlessly blends the old and new, Helsinki’s beauty lies in its stunning neoclassical architecture, innovative design districts, and a food scene that’s rapidly gaining global recognition.

Situated on the edge of the Baltic Sea and spread across a cluster of promontories and peninsulas, Helsinki is a harbor town at heart. The city’s rhythm is set by the sea, with the numerous bays, beaches, and beautiful offshore islands offering a fresh and breezy respite from the urban bustle.

From the historic charm of the Senate Square and the grand Helsinki Cathedral to the cutting-edge exhibits at the Design Museum, this city is a playground for culture and history enthusiasts. Amidst the Nordic classic structures, you’ll find a dash of quirky, embodied in buildings like the contemporary Kamppi Chapel, affectionately known as the “Chapel of Silence.”

Yet Helsinki isn’t only about static attractions. It’s a living, breathing, creative hub that has proudly embraced the title of World Design Capital. Design is not just seen; it is lived in Helsinki. From fashion to furniture, Helsinki’s design ethos is defined by functionality, simplicity, and a connection to nature.

The Finns’ love for nature extends beyond design. Despite its status as a bustling metropolis, Helsinki has made room for nature within city limits. With around 1000 hectares of parks and other green areas, nature trails, and even a central park, the city ensures that tranquility is never more than a short walk away.

And when it comes to food, Helsinki is nothing short of a culinary paradise. Traditional Finnish cuisine , with its fresh and local ingredients, has evolved and incorporated international influences. Today, Helsinki’s food scene is a smorgasbord of classic Finnish flavors served alongside a vibrant array of global cuisines.

As we venture further into this guide, we’ll explore the many layers of Helsinki, from its iconic sights to its hidden gems. So, whether you’re a history buff, a design aficionado, a nature lover, or a foodie, Helsinki has something for you. Welcome to the north – a place of delightful contrasts where every season paints a different picture of the cityscape. Let’s explore the spellbinding charm of Helsinki together!

Helsinki City Guide: A Brief History Of Helsinki, Finland

The city of Helsinki, situated on the southern coast of Finland, offers a rich historical tapestry that spans several centuries, making it a fascinating destination for travelers interested in history and culture.

Early History and Swedish Rule

Founded by King Gustav I of Sweden in 1550 as a town called Helsingfors, Helsinki was initially intended to rival the Hanseatic city of Tallinn in Estonia, but growth was slow, and for many years it remained a quiet town. Its strategic location on the Baltic Sea, however, meant it had a part to play in regional power struggles, particularly between Sweden and Russia.

Russian Rule and the Birth of a Capital

In 1809, as a result of the Finnish War, Sweden ceded Finland to Russia, and Finland became the autonomous Grand Duchy of Finland within the Russian Empire. Czar Alexander I of Russia moved the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki in 1812, in part to reduce Swedish influence in Finland and bring the capital closer to St. Petersburg.

During this period, Helsinki was significantly rebuilt under the guidance of Johan Albrecht Ehrenström and architect Carl Ludvig Engel, following a devastating fire. Engel designed several neoclassical buildings in Helsinki, including the iconic Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the University of Helsinki’s main building, and other structures around the Senate Square, giving the city its distinct aesthetic.

National Awakening and Independence

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Finnish national awakening began to rise, and the city became a hotbed of cultural and political activity leading to independence. Helsinki’s famous landmarks from this time include the Ateneum Art Museum, the Finnish National Theatre, and the National Museum of Finland.

Finland declared independence from Russia in 1917 during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution. The following years were marked by a civil war in Finland, but Helsinki remained relatively untouched by the battles.

Post-Independence Era

In the aftermath of World War II, Helsinki hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics, which symbolized the nation’s recovery and resilience. Helsinki continued to grow, modernize and internationalize in the post-war period.

In recent years, the city has gained recognition as a hub of design and architecture, with the establishment of the Design District and the awarding of the World Design Capital title in 2012. This has added a new dimension to the city’s historic landscape, with modernist and contemporary architectural marvels such as Alvar Aalto’s Finlandia Hall and the Oodi Central Library.

From its modest beginnings as a small coastal town, through its transformation under Russian rule, to its present status as a vibrant, cosmopolitan city, Helsinki’s history is as diverse as it is intriguing. The echoes of the past live on in the city’s architecture, its institutions, and its culture, making Helsinki a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts.

Helsinki Top Attractions and Best Places to Visit in Finland

Built up as a mini Saint Petersberg after the Russians took it from Sweden in the 19th century, the stunning streets of Helsinki instead serve as the federal capital of Finland in the present day.

While it can be moody place for much of the year, this stylish city saves its best for its short but glorious summers. Bathed in sunlight for 18 hours a day at this time, there will be plenty of time to see everything this northern metropolis has to offer.

Out of all the attractions you can see in Helsinki, make sure you start off by seeing Suomenlinna , a massive fortress built over six islands in its harbour.

Constructed when the Swedes controlled this part of Scandinavia in 1748 as a check on Russian power in the region (it eventually fell to the Russians in the early 19th century), it fell into Finnish hands when Finland split from the Russian Empire following its revolution in 1917.

No longer viable as a military base, Suomenlinna is well loved as a tourist attraction and a picnicking spot for Finns on the weekends.

Suomenlinna also has a small permanent population as well, with artists and minimum-security inmates making up the residents of this rocky archipelago.

The bedrock of this part of Finland is a central component that attracts residents and tourists to Temppeliaukio Church , which ranks among the most popular attractions in the city.

While it doesn’t look like much from the outside, once you step inside, the exposed rock walls will take your breath away.

Built in the 1960’s, the modernist design of the roof, skylight and the 3000 pipe organ blend into its natural surroundings perfectly, so if you want to check out a Christian church that breaks with tradition, make sure you work this attraction into your itinerary.

Like in Oslo, Helsinki has a cultural attraction that uses old structures to tell the story of its past. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum , which can be found on the island of the same name in Helsinki harbour.

With dozens of cottages, farms and other buildings from the past 400 years of life in rural Finland being found here, coming here is a great way to take a trip into the past, while enjoying a beautiful summer afternoon in Helsinki .

Other Cultural Attractions: Trip to Helsinki, Finland

If you are looking to experience the civic heart of Finland’s capital city, then spending part of your day at Helsinki Senate Square will help you achieve this travel goal.

Headlined by the iconic neoclassical design of Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square is home to a number of public gatherings throughout the year, ranging from concerts to Christmas markets.

Other buildings surrounding the central square include the Government Palace and the National Library of Finland.

The campus of the University of Helsinki also abuts this public space, so expect to find this part of the city overflowing with youthful energy, especially during the warmer months of the year.

Another great place to be on a warm and sunny day in Helsinki is Esplanadi Park , which is often billed as this city’s take on Central Park.

While you can count on finding people relaxing and exercising here on any given day when the weather is fine, be sure to take in the Marimekko Fashion Show if you are here in June, or jazz concerts during the month of July.

If you’d rather observe the locals as they go about their daily lives, there are a number of cafes and restaurants that can be found along the boulevard that bounds this park on either side, so pull up a patio chair, order a coffee and watch the world go by.

If you are traveling with your kids and they end up getting restless during the course of their time in Helsinki, feel free to take them to Linnanmaki for a day.

Boasting over 40 rides that range from a carousel that dates back to the late 19th century, to exhilarating, state of the art roller coasters, there are attractions for all ages at this well-loved amusement park. This includes an aquarium as well, which profiles the marine life that calls the Baltic Sea home.

Top 55 Things To Do in Helsinki, Finland For Visitors

Here are 55 things to do in Helsinki:

• Visit the Helsinki Cathedral : An iconic neoclassical monument that dominates the city skyline, this cathedral offers a serene space for reflection amidst the city bustle.
• Explore Suomenlinna Sea Fortress : A UNESCO World Heritage site, Suomenlinna offers a glimpse into military architecture of the past, along with beautiful sea views, museums, and quaint cafes.
• Discover Finnish Art at Ateneum Art Museum : House to the largest classical art collection in Finland, Ateneum’s exhibits range from 19th-century classics to modern works.
• Wander through the Design District : This vibrant area showcases Finnish design in over 200 creative businesses, from fashion to furniture.
• Ride the vintage rides at Linnanmäki Amusement Park : Beyond thrilling rides, this park offers beautifully preserved vintage carousels and offers an enchanting view of the city from the top of the Ferris wheel.
• Stroll through Esplanadi Park : This urban park, flanked by high-end shops and cafes, is a great spot for people-watching or catching a free outdoor concert in summer.
• Experience the Kamppi Chapel of Silence : A unique, tranquil space in the heart of the city, this chapel is a piece of architectural wonder offering a place for quiet reflection.
• Relax at Löyly Sauna : Try a quintessential Finnish experience at this contemporary public sauna that also boasts a restaurant with a waterfront view.
• Learn at the Helsinki City Museum : This museum offers interactive exhibits detailing the city’s history and culture, from its foundation to the present day.
• Visit the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum : An island museum showcasing traditional Finnish life with historic, mainly wooden houses brought from all over Finland.
• Walk along the Helsinki’s Waterfront : Helsinki’s coast offers several beautiful spots to enjoy, including the Merisatama area and the Eira district with its beautiful early 20th-century architecture.
• Discover Uspenski Cathedral : This Eastern Orthodox cathedral, built in 1868, showcases Byzantine-Russian architectural influences and offers a panoramic view of Helsinki.
• Visit the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art : With its cutting-edge architecture, the museum hosts various exhibitions of Finnish and international contemporary art.
• Explore the Museum of Finnish Architecture : Get to know Finnish architecture from the 19th century to the present through models, drawings, and photographs.
• Take a walk in the Central Park : Helsinki’s Central Park is a vast green area that starts from the city center and goes far into the northern parts of the city, perfect for a walk or bike ride.
• Watch a performance at the National Theatre : Located in the Railway Square, it’s the oldest Finnish-speaking professional theatre in Finland.
• Taste local flavors at Market Square and Old Market Hall : Overlooking the Baltic Sea, this lively marketplace offers Finnish delicacies, souvenirs, and seasonal events.
• Delve into the Design Museum : Learn about Finnish design, from traditional aesthetics to the latest innovations, in this internationally recognized museum.
• Step into the Helsinki Olympic Stadium : Explore the place where the 1952 Summer Olympics were held, climb up the tower for panoramic city views.
• Enjoy Helsinki University Botanical Garden : Wander through the beautiful gardens and explore thousands of different plant species indoors and outdoors.
• Learn about Finnish military history at the Military Museum : The exhibitions of the Military Museum tell the military history of Finland from 15th-century warfare to contemporary peacekeeping operations.
• Admire the exhibits at the Natural History Museum : A fascinating journey through Finnish nature, from the southern archipelago to the northern fells, and from prehistoric times to the present.
• Visit the Sibelius Monument and Park : A monument dedicated to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, located in the beautiful Sibelius Park.
• Discover Helsinki’s street art : Explore districts like Kallio and Suvilahti to see vibrant street art and murals that color the city’s urban landscape.
• Try Finnish cuisine at a local restaurant : Enjoy traditional Finnish dishes like Karelian pies, salmon soup or cloudberries at restaurants like Savotta or Restaurant Konstan Möljä.
• Shop at Hakaniemi Market Hall : Known for its local produce and handicrafts, this historical market hall is a great place to sample Finnish food and buy souvenirs.
• Explore Sinebrychoff Art Museum : This museum houses the most significant collection of old European art in Finland.
• Relax at Hietaniemi Beach : During the summer, this popular sandy beach is perfect for sunbathing, volleyball, and picnics.
• Take a day trip to Nuuksio National Park : Just outside of Helsinki, Nuuksio offers beautiful Finnish nature with its green forests and pristine lakes.
• Check out Temppeliaukio Church : Known as the Church of the Rock, this architectural wonder is built directly into solid rock and has excellent acoustics.
• Explore Oodi Central Library : Beyond books, Oodi boasts a range of services from studios and workshops to a cinema and a café.
• Visit Finlandia Hall : Designed by Alvar Aalto, it’s a masterpiece of modern architecture, used for concerts, conventions and official state events.
• Visit the Museum of Technology : The only general museum of technology in Finland, it offers insights into the country’s industrial history and the phenomena of technology.
• Take a boat tour around Helsinki’s archipelago : Enjoy the beautiful sea views, picturesque islands, and shorelines.
• Visit the Presidential Palace : One of the official residences of the President of Finland, it’s also used for official state functions and receptions.
• Discover the Helsinki Winter Garden : A beautiful oasis with over 200 different plant species, offering a warm escape during the cold winter months.
• Visit Lonna Island : Just a short ferry ride away, Lonna offers a perfect getaway from the city with its lovely café, restaurant and walking paths.
• Enjoy Pihlajasaari Recreational Park : This island park, known for its beautiful beaches, is perfect for picnicking, swimming, and barbecuing in summer.
• Take a ride on the Helsinki SkyWheel : Get a bird’s eye view of Helsinki and its surroundings from one of the gondolas of this 40-meter high observation wheel.
• Explore the Bank of Finland Museum : Learn about the history of money and economic cycles in an interactive way.
• Discover the Finnish Museum of Natural History : Explore the diversity of nature from Finland and the rest of the world, from the Arctic to the tropics.
• Experience the Fazer Experience Visitor Centre : Discover the story of the famous Finnish confectionery brand, taste their products and even make your own chocolate.
• Visit Tennispalatsi Art Museum : Home to the Helsinki City Art Museum, it hosts various Finnish and international contemporary art exhibitions.
• Explore Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum : An oasis in the heart of the city, this museum offers a peek into the traditional Finnish way of life through its preserved old wooden houses.
• Visit the Parliament House : Discover Finnish political history by taking a guided tour inside this monumental building.
• Take a walk along Aleksanterinkatu Street : Enjoy shopping in various boutiques and department stores, or savoring a meal in a cozy café on this bustling street.
• Discover the National Museum of Finland : Learn about Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day through various fascinating exhibits.
• Visit Erottaja Fire Station : Dating back to 1891, it’s the oldest in-use fire station in Finland and an impressive building worth a photo stop.
• Explore Töölönlahti Bay : Take a relaxing walk, jog, or bike ride around this scenic bay located right next to the city center.
• Visit the Helsinki Synagogue : Get to know the Jewish heritage in Finland by visiting this beautiful synagogue that dates back to 1906.
• Enjoy the view from the Torni Hotel’s Ateljee Bar : Sip on a cocktail while taking in the panoramic views of the city from this rooftop bar.
• Take a day trip to Porvoo : Explore this idyllic, medieval city with cobblestone streets , wooden houses, and a beautiful old town.
• Visit HAM Helsinki Art Museum : Home to over 9000 works of art, the museum primarily features modern and contemporary art.
• Check out Korkeasaari Zoo : Located on an island, it’s home to around 150 animal species and 1000 plant species from the arctic tundra to the tropical rainforest.
• Visit the UNESCO site Verla Groundwood and Board Mill : A well-preserved example of the small-scale rural industrial settlements associated with pulp, paper and board production.

What To Eat and Drink in Helsinki, Finland

When in Helsinki, there are a variety of local delicacies that you must try. Here’s a list of some of the food and drink you should definitely sample when in the city:

• Karelian Pie (Karjalanpiirakka) : These are traditional Finnish pastries, filled with rice and baked until golden brown. They’re often served with egg butter.
• Rye Bread (Ruisleipä) : This bread is a staple in the Finnish diet and comes in many varieties. The dense, dark bread pairs well with many Finnish dishes.
• Salmiakki : A unique Finnish confectionery made from salty licorice. It has a strong, distinctive taste and is something of an acquired taste.
• Salmon Soup (Lohikeitto) : A hearty, creamy soup made with fresh salmon, potatoes, and dill. This soup is especially popular during the cold winter months.
• Finnish Meatballs (Lihapullat) : Similar to Swedish meatballs but with a Finnish twist, these are often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.
• Finnish Cheese (Juusto) : Finland is known for its unique cheeses, like leipäjuusto (a type of bread cheese) which is often served with cloudberry jam.
• Pickled Herring : A traditional Finnish dish, often eaten with new potatoes and fresh dill during Midsummer.
• Reindeer dishes (Poronkäristys) : Reindeer meat is often served as steaks, sausages, or even as thinly sliced cold cuts. It has a unique, gamey flavor.
• Bilberries and Lingonberries : These berries grow wild in Finnish forests and are used in a variety of dishes, from desserts and jams to sauces for meat.
• Finnish Pastries : Pulla, a sweet, cardamom-flavored bread, and Runeberg’s tart, a rum-flavored cake topped with raspberry jam, are two must-try Finnish pastries.

As for drinks, Finns love their coffee and Finland is one of the biggest coffee consuming nations in the world. Don’t miss out on tasting a traditional Finnish coffee (usually light-roasted and very strong) perhaps with a slice of pulla. Additionally, Finland has a burgeoning craft beer scene, and Finnish breweries produce a wide variety of beers. For a more traditional alcoholic beverage, try Finnish vodka or a glass of Koskenkorva (a clear spirit made from barley), but remember to drink responsibly. And of course, when visiting Finland, one must try the Finnish Long Drink (Lonkero), a mix of gin and grapefruit soda.

Top Restaurants In Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki’s food scene is a melting pot of traditional Finnish cuisine and international flavours. Here are some of the top restaurants you should consider visiting when in Helsinki:

• Restaurant Grön : Known for its organic, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options, Grön sources ingredients locally to create its innovative and delicious dishes.
• Olo : One of the few Michelin-starred restaurants in Helsinki, Olo offers a gourmet dining experience with a focus on Nordic ingredients.
• Savotta : Overlooking the Senate Square, Savotta offers traditional Finnish cuisine. It’s the perfect place to try Finnish classics in a rustic, cabin-like setting.
• Demo : Another Michelin-starred restaurant, Demo offers a dining experience where Finnish ingredients meet French culinary traditions.
• Restaurant Juuri : Known for their innovative take on traditional Finnish food, Juuri is famous for their ‘sapas’ – Finnish tapas made from local ingredients.
• KuuKuu : An informal, trendy bistro that serves Finnish food with a modern twist. It’s also known for its great selection of Finnish beers.
• Ravintola Nokka : Located in a charming old warehouse, Nokka is dedicated to serving dishes made from the best local and organic ingredients.
• Sea Horse : Established in 1934, Sea Horse serves hearty traditional Finnish dishes. It’s famous for its crispy fried Baltic herrings and Finnish meatballs.
• Ravintola Töölönranta : Offering stunning views over Töölönlahti bay, Töölönranta serves a modern Finnish menu in a stylish setting.
• Ravintola Muru : A Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant, Muru’s menu changes daily but always includes locally sourced ingredients and French-style cooking.
• Restaurant Lappi : For those seeking a unique dining experience, Lappi serves traditional Lappish cuisine in a cabin-like atmosphere in the heart of the city.
• Emo : Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Emo serves European dishes with an emphasis on local and Nordic ingredients.

Please note that due to the restaurant’s popularity, it might be necessary to make a reservation in advance to ensure a table, especially during peak dining hours.

Tours For Visitors To Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki offers a wealth of tours that cater to different interests, allowing visitors to experience the city and its surroundings from various perspectives. Here are some top tours that you should consider:

• Helsinki City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour : This tour allows you to explore the city at your own pace. With stops at major attractions, it’s a convenient way to get around.
• Beautiful Canal Route : This boat tour takes you around Helsinki’s archipelago. Enjoy the beautiful sea views and learn about the history of the area.
• Helsinki Food Tour : Discover Finnish cuisine with a local guide. Sample traditional food and drink and learn about the culinary culture of Finland.
• Helsinki Bike Tour : An active way to see the city, this tour will take you to major attractions and lesser-known spots while providing insightful commentary.
• Helsinki Tram City Tour : Experience Helsinki like a local by exploring the city by tram. This tour often includes commentary about the city’s history and culture .
• Suomenlinna Fortress Island Tour : A UNESCO World Heritage site, this tour offers insight into the military history of Finland and provides stunning views of the Baltic Sea.
• Porvoo Day Trip : Take a guided tour to the charming town of Porvoo, just outside of Helsinki. See the medieval streets, wooden houses, and beautiful old town.
• Design District Helsinki Walking Tour : Helsinki is known for its design culture. This tour takes you around the design district, visiting shops, studios, and galleries.
• Helsinki Ghost Walk : Learn about the darker side of Helsinki’s history on this evening walking tour, which shares tales of local ghosts and mysteries.
• Nuuksio National Park Hiking Tour : Experience the beauty of Finnish nature on a hiking tour in Nuuksio National Park, located just outside Helsinki.
• Helsinki Sauna Tour : Finland is famous for its saunas. Experience this important part of Finnish culture with a sauna tour.
• Helsinki Photography Tour : Led by a professional photographer, this tour will take you to the most photogenic spots in the city and provide tips to improve your photography skills.

Remember, some tours are seasonal and might not be available all year round, and it’s always a good idea to book in advance.

Helsinki Accommodations Guide: Hotels, Guesthouses and Hostels

Helsinki offers a range of accommodations to suit various budgets and preferences. From luxury hotels to budget-friendly hostels and apartments, here’s a guide to some of the best places to stay in Helsinki:

Luxury Hotels

• Hotel Kamp : Located in the heart of the city, Hotel Kamp is a luxury hotel that offers spacious rooms, a fitness center, spa, and high-end dining options.
• Hotel Haven : This boutique hotel offers sea views and is known for its personalized service, cozy rooms, and a renowned breakfast buffet.
• Hotel Lilla Roberts : Housed in an art nouveau building, it offers stylish rooms and an onsite restaurant and bar. It’s located in the Design District, which is great for shopping and sightseeing.

Mid-Range Hotels

• Hotel F6 : A family-run boutique hotel located near Market Square, Hotel F6 is known for its comfortable rooms, complimentary bicycles for guests, and a robust Finnish breakfast.
• Hotel Helka : An eco-friendly hotel that combines Finnish design with comfort. It’s centrally located and offers a traditional Finnish sauna.
• Scandic Simonkenttä : This hotel offers modern rooms, a rooftop bar, and an excellent location close to shopping, dining, and attractions.

Budget Accommodations

• Omena Hotel : A budget hotel chain in Finland, Omena offers self-service hotels with keyless entry, and the rooms have mini kitchens for self-catering.
• Hostel Diana Park : Located in a charming old building, this hostel offers both dormitory and private rooms, a communal kitchen, and a relaxed atmosphere.
• CheapSleep Helsinki : This budget-friendly hostel offers dormitory and private rooms, a communal kitchen, and free WiFi. It’s located a little outside of the city center but is easily accessible by public transportation.

Apartments and Vacation Rentals

• Forenom Aparthotel : Offering fully furnished apartments with kitchen facilities, it’s a great option for longer stays.
• Gella Serviced Apartments : These apartments offer a comfortable home-away-from-home experience, with locations around the city.

When choosing your accommodation, consider factors like proximity to the attractions you’re most interested in, access to public transportation, and the type of accommodation that will best suit your travel needs.

Day Trips From Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant city with a rich cultural heritage and plenty of attractions to explore. If you’re looking to take day trips from Helsinki, there are several wonderful destinations within a short distance. Here are some popular options:

• Porvoo: Located about 50 kilometers east of Helsinki, Porvoo is a charming, picturesque town known for its well-preserved old town and colorful wooden houses. Stroll through the narrow cobblestone streets, visit the medieval cathedral, and browse through the local boutiques and handicraft shops.
• Suomenlinna: Just a short ferry ride from Helsinki, Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-visit attraction. This sea fortress is spread across six islands and offers beautiful coastal scenery, historic buildings, museums, and lovely picnic spots.
• Nuuksio National Park: Located about 40 kilometers northwest of Helsinki, Nuuksio National Park is a tranquil oasis with forests, lakes, and trails. It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Explore the wilderness, go hiking, pick berries or mushrooms (in the right season), or simply enjoy a peaceful picnic in nature.
• Tampere: If you’re up for a longer day trip, Tampere is a great option. Situated approximately 180 kilometers north of Helsinki, Tampere is Finland’s third-largest city. It offers a mix of history, culture, and natural beauty. Visit the famous Moomin Museum, explore the vibrant Finlayson area, or take a cruise on the beautiful Tammerkoski rapids.
• Hanko: If you’re looking to relax by the seaside, head to Hanko, located about 130 kilometers southwest of Helsinki. It’s the southernmost town in Finland and boasts beautiful sandy beaches, charming wooden villas, and a laid-back atmosphere. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or take a leisurely stroll along the picturesque coastal promenade.
• Fiskars Village: Situated around 90 kilometers west of Helsinki, Fiskars Village is a unique destination known for its arts and crafts community. Explore the historic ironworks area, visit artisan workshops and galleries, and admire the beautiful surroundings. It’s a great place to shop for handmade crafts and enjoy local delicacies.
• Turku: Located approximately 165 kilometers west of Helsinki, Turku is Finland’s oldest city and former capital. It offers a fascinating blend of historical attractions, such as Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral, as well as vibrant modern culture. Explore the city’s museums, visit the beautiful riverside area, and enjoy the lively restaurant and cafe scene.
• Hämeenlinna: Situated about 100 kilometers north of Helsinki, Hämeenlinna is a charming town with a rich history. Visit the medieval Häme Castle, which houses a museum showcasing Finnish history, and explore the picturesque Aulanko Nature Reserve with its beautiful landscapes and a famous observation tower.
• Lahti: If you enjoy winter sports or outdoor activities, Lahti is a great choice for a day trip. Located approximately 100 kilometers northeast of Helsinki, Lahti is known as the “Capital of Finnish Sport.” In winter, you can go skiing or snowboarding in the Messilä Ski Resort, while in summer, you can enjoy hiking, cycling, or canoeing in the surrounding lakes and forests.
• Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: Situated just a short distance from the center of Helsinki, Seurasaari is an open-air museum located on an island. It showcases traditional Finnish architecture with various wooden buildings from different regions of Finland. Take a leisurely walk through the island, learn about Finnish rural life, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
• Loviisa: Located about 90 kilometers east of Helsinki, Loviisa is a picturesque coastal town known for its well-preserved wooden houses and charming old town. Explore the narrow streets, visit the local museums, and relax by the waterfront. Loviisa also has beautiful nearby archipelago areas, perfect for boat trips and island hopping.
• Raseborg: Situated approximately 90 kilometers west of Helsinki, Raseborg is a region encompassing several picturesque towns and villages, including Tammisaari and Ekenäs. Enjoy the coastal scenery, visit historic sites like Raseborg Castle, and immerse yourself in the idyllic Finnish countryside.

These are just a few suggestions for day trips from Helsinki. Whether you’re interested in history, nature, culture, or relaxation, you’ll find something to suit your preferences within a short distance of the Finnish capital.

Helsinki Transportation Guide

Transportation in Helsinki is well-developed and offers various options for getting around the city and its surroundings. Here’s a guide to the transportation options available in Helsinki:

• Helsinki Metro: The metro system in Helsinki is efficient and covers most of the city. It consists of two lines, the M1 and M2, which intersect at the Central Railway Station. The metro operates from early morning until midnight, with extended services on weekends.
• Trams: Helsinki has an extensive tram network that covers the city center and surrounding neighborhoods. Trams are a convenient way to get around, and they operate from early morning until midnight.
• Buses: Helsinki’s bus network is comprehensive, connecting different parts of the city. Buses operate from early morning until midnight, and there are also night buses available during late-night hours.
• Regional Trains: The Finnish rail operator VR operates regional trains that connect Helsinki with nearby towns and cities. These trains are a convenient option for day trips to places like Espoo, Vantaa, and Porvoo.
• Ferry: Helsinki is surrounded by the sea, and ferries connect the city to nearby islands such as Suomenlinna, Lonna, and Vallisaari. These ferries are operated by Helsinki City Transport (HSL), and the regular public transportation tickets are valid for these routes.
• Taxis are widely available in Helsinki, and you can find them at taxi stands or book them through various taxi apps. Taxi fares in Helsinki are regulated and can be quite expensive compared to public transportation.
• Helsinki has an extensive network of cycling lanes, making it a bike-friendly city. You can rent bicycles from numerous rental companies, including city bikes available at docking stations throughout the city. The Helsinki city bike system is called “Citybike Finland.”
• Helsinki is a compact city with many attractions located within walking distance of each other. Exploring the city on foot is a pleasant option, especially in the city center.
• If you prefer to have your own vehicle, you can rent a car from various car rental companies in Helsinki. However, note that parking in the city center can be limited and expensive.
• The Helsinki Card is a tourist card that provides free access to public transportation, including buses, trams, metro, and ferries within Helsinki. It also offers free entry to several museums and attractions, making it a convenient option for visitors.

It’s important to note that Helsinki’s public transportation system is integrated under the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL), and tickets are valid for all modes of public transportation within a specified time period. You can purchase tickets at ticket machines, HSL service points, or through the HSL mobile app.

Remember to check schedules and plan your trips accordingly, especially during weekends or public holidays when the frequency of services might be reduced.

Helsinki 1 Day Travel Itinerary

If you have just one day to explore Helsinki, here’s a suggested itinerary to make the most of your time:

Morning: Start your day at the iconic Senate Square, where you can marvel at the neoclassical architecture of the Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, and the University of Helsinki. Take your time to explore the square and appreciate the historical significance of this area.

Continue your morning by strolling down the beautiful tree-lined Esplanade boulevard. Enjoy the lively atmosphere as you browse through the boutiques, designer stores, and local shops along the way.

Next, make your way to the Market Square (Kauppatori) by the harbor. Immerse yourself in the vibrant market scene, where you can find fresh produce, local delicacies, souvenirs, and handicrafts. Indulge in Finnish treats like salmon soup or traditional cinnamon buns.

Afternoon: Take a ferry to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a stunning sea fortress spread across six islands. Spend the afternoon exploring the fortress, walking along the fortified walls, and visiting the museums. Enjoy the picturesque views of the sea and find a scenic spot for a relaxing picnic.

Return to the city for a quick lunch at one of the charming cafes or restaurants in the Market Square area or along the Esplanade. Sample Finnish cuisine or opt for international flavors.

After lunch, visit the Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church), a unique architectural marvel carved into solid rock. Admire the impressive design and the serene atmosphere inside. Take a moment for quiet reflection or enjoy a musical performance if there is one scheduled.

Evening: Explore the Design District, located around the streets of Punavuori and Kaartinkaupunki. Discover the area known for its independent boutiques, art galleries, and design studios. Browse through Finnish design items, fashion, or souvenirs.

Indulge in a delightful dinner at one of Helsinki’s top-notch restaurants. The city offers a wide range of cuisines, including traditional Finnish dishes and international flavors.

Wind down your day with a leisurely stroll along the waterfront in the Töölönlahti area. Take in the beautiful views, enjoy the fresh air, and soak up the peaceful ambiance before returning to your accommodation.

Please note that this itinerary serves as a general guide, and you can tailor it to your preferences and available time. Always check opening hours and any special events happening during your visit. Enjoy your day exploring the vibrant city of Helsinki!

Helsinki 3-4 Days Travel Itinerary

If you have 3-4 days to spend in Helsinki, you’ll have ample time to explore the city’s highlights and venture further to nearby attractions. Here’s a suggested travel itinerary to make the most of your time:

Day 1: Begin your exploration of Helsinki by starting at the iconic Senate Square. Marvel at the grandeur of the neoclassical Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the University of Helsinki. Take your time to wander around the square and appreciate the historical significance of this area.

Afterward, make your way to the bustling Market Square (Kauppatori) by the harbor. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere as you browse through the market stalls offering fresh produce, local delicacies, souvenirs, and handicrafts. Consider taking a ferry to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a remarkable sea fortress. Spend the afternoon exploring the fortress, visiting its museums, and enjoying the picturesque views.

In the evening, explore the vibrant Design District. Wander through the charming streets of Punavuori and Kaartinkaupunki, where you’ll find independent boutiques, art galleries, and design studios. Discover Finnish design, browse through unique items, and perhaps even find the perfect souvenir.

Day 2: Start your day by visiting the renowned Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church). Marvel at the architecture of this unique church carved into solid rock and enjoy the serene ambiance inside.

Next, explore the Kamppi district, known for its modern architecture and cultural venues. Visit the Kamppi Chapel of Silence, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city. Take a moment to relax and reflect in this peaceful sanctuary.

In the afternoon, delve into Finnish history and culture by visiting the Kiasma contemporary art museum and the National Museum of Finland. Immerse yourself in the vibrant art scene and learn more about the country’s rich heritage.

End your day by taking a leisurely stroll through the Sibelius Park. Admire the Sibelius Monument, a tribute to the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of this green oasis.

Day 3: Embark on a full-day trip to the charming town of Porvoo, located about 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Explore the well-preserved old town with its narrow cobblestone streets, vibrant wooden houses, and the iconic Porvoo Cathedral. Wander along the riverside, visit local boutiques and handicraft shops, and indulge in Finnish delicacies at cozy cafes and restaurants. Take in the town’s unique atmosphere and savor the blend of history and culture.

Day 4 (Optional): If you have an additional day, consider one of the following options:

• Take a day trip to Nuuksio National Park, located about 40 kilometers northwest of Helsinki. Immerse yourself in nature’s tranquility, hike through lush forests, and discover picturesque lakes.
• Explore the nearby city of Espoo, known for its modern architecture, cultural centers, and beautiful coastal areas. Visit the Espoo Museum of Modern Art or enjoy a relaxing stroll along the shores of Espoo’s archipelago.

Remember to check the opening hours, ferry schedules, and any special events happening during your visit. This itinerary offers a detailed exploration of Helsinki and nearby areas, allowing you to experience the city’s history, culture, nature, and design. Feel free to customize it according to your preferences and enjoy your time in Helsinki!

Helsinki 1 Week Travel Itinerary

If you have a whole week to explore Helsinki, you can dive deep into the city’s vibrant culture, history, and natural beauty, as well as venture beyond to nearby attractions. Here’s a suggested one-week travel itinerary for Helsinki:

• Start your journey in Helsinki by visiting the iconic Senate Square. Marvel at the neoclassical architecture of the Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, and the University of Helsinki. Take your time to explore the square and learn about its historical significance.
• Visit the nearby Helsinki City Museum to gain insights into the city’s history, culture, and traditions.
• Head to the Market Square (Kauppatori) by the harbor. Immerse yourself in the lively market scene and enjoy local delicacies. Consider taking a ferry to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a sea fortress. Spend the afternoon exploring the fortress, visiting its museums, and enjoying the picturesque views.
• Start your day by visiting the Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church), a unique church carved into solid rock. Admire the stunning architecture and peaceful ambiance.
• Explore the Kamppi district and visit the Kamppi Chapel of Silence, a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling city. Take a moment to relax and reflect.
• Discover the modern architecture and cultural venues in the Töölö district. Visit the contemporary art museum Kiasma and the National Museum of Finland to delve into Finnish history and culture.
• Take a full-day trip to Porvoo, a charming town located about 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Explore the well-preserved old town with its cobblestone streets, colorful wooden houses, and the iconic Porvoo Cathedral. Wander along the riverside, visit local boutiques and handicraft shops, and savor Finnish delicacies at cozy cafes and restaurants. Take in the town’s unique atmosphere and blend of history and culture.
• Spend the day exploring the beautiful Nuuksio National Park, located about 40 kilometers northwest of Helsinki. Immerse yourself in nature as you hike through lush forests, discover tranquil lakes, and enjoy the peaceful ambiance of this natural oasis. Engage in activities such as berry picking or mushroom foraging (during the appropriate seasons) and have a picnic surrounded by the stunning scenery.
• Embark on a day trip to the charming town of Hanko, the southernmost town in Finland. Enjoy the sandy beaches, stroll along the coastal promenade, and admire the charming wooden villas. Take a refreshing swim in the sea, indulge in delicious seafood, and relax in this idyllic coastal setting.
• Explore the vibrant Design District, home to independent boutiques, art galleries, and design studios. Discover Finnish design, browse through unique items, and perhaps even find the perfect souvenir.
• Visit the Ateneum Art Museum, housing an impressive collection of Finnish and international art, showcasing works from various periods and styles.
• Take a day trip to the medieval town of Turku, Finland’s former capital. Visit the iconic Turku Castle, explore the Turku Cathedral, and stroll along the lively Aura River waterfront. Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history and cultural offerings.

This one-week itinerary allows you to experience the best of Helsinki’s cultural heritage, natural beauty, and nearby attractions. Feel free to adjust and customize the itinerary based on your interests and preferences. Enjoy your time in Helsinki!

Is Helsinki A Safe City To Visit?

Helsinki is generally considered a safe city to visit. Finland, including its capital Helsinki, is known for its high standard of safety and low crime rates. However, like any other city, it’s always advisable to take standard safety precautions to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip. Here are some tips for staying safe in Helsinki:

• Keep an eye on your belongings: While Helsinki is relatively safe, it’s still important to be mindful of your belongings, especially in crowded areas or public transportation. Keep your valuables secure and be cautious of pickpockets, particularly in busy tourist areas.
• Use licensed taxis or reputable ride-sharing services: If you need to take a taxi, ensure that it is a licensed one or use reputable ride-sharing services like Uber or Bolt. Avoid unmarked taxis or individuals offering rides on the street.
• Stay aware of your surroundings: Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in any situation, it’s best to remove yourself from it.
• Use well-lit and populated areas: Stick to well-lit and populated areas, especially at night. Avoid poorly lit or deserted streets and alleys.
• Follow transportation safety guidelines: When using public transportation, follow safety guidelines and be cautious of your belongings. Keep an eye on your bags and be aware of your surroundings.
• Respect local laws and customs: Familiarize yourself with local laws and customs and ensure you respect them during your visit. This includes things like appropriate behavior in public spaces, respecting cultural norms, and following traffic rules.
• Stay informed about potential risks: Before your trip, stay informed about any potential risks or travel advisories issued by your country’s government. Register your trip with your embassy or consulate for any updates or assistance.

Overall, Helsinki is a safe city, and by following basic safety precautions, you can have a pleasant and worry-free visit.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Helsinki?

The best time to visit Helsinki depends on your personal preferences and the type of experience you’re seeking. Here’s a breakdown of the seasons in Helsinki to help you make an informed decision:

• Summer (June to August): The summer months are the peak tourist season in Helsinki. The weather is generally pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit). Summers in Helsinki are known for long daylight hours, with the famous Midnight Sun phenomenon occurring in June and July. This time of year offers opportunities for outdoor activities, such as exploring parks, visiting the archipelago, and enjoying festivals and events.
• Spring (April to May) and Autumn (September to October): Spring and autumn are transitional seasons in Helsinki. Spring brings milder temperatures, although it can still be quite cool, especially in April. Autumn is characterized by crisp temperatures and beautiful fall foliage. These seasons offer a more peaceful and less crowded experience compared to summer. It’s a good time for indoor activities, museums, and enjoying the changing colors of nature.
• Winter (November to March): Winter in Helsinki is cold, with temperatures ranging from -5 to 0 degrees Celsius (23 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit) on average. Snowfall is common, creating a picturesque winter wonderland. Winter is ideal for those interested in winter sports like ice skating, skiing, and snowboarding. It’s also a great time to experience traditional Finnish saunas and the festive Christmas markets.

It’s worth noting that Helsinki experiences significant variations in daylight hours throughout the year. Summers have long daylight hours, while winters have shorter daylight periods and longer nights. Consider your preferred weather, outdoor activities, and cultural events when choosing the best time to visit Helsinki. Additionally, keep in mind that accommodation prices and tourist crowds are generally higher during the summer season.

Where To Visit After Your Trip To Helsinki?

After your trip to Helsinki, there are several wonderful destinations nearby that you can explore. Here are a few suggestions:

• Tallinn, Estonia: Just a short ferry ride away from Helsinki, Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and offers a captivating mix of medieval charm and modern vibrancy. Explore the well-preserved Old Town with its cobblestone streets, visit historic landmarks like Toompea Castle and Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, and indulge in delicious Estonian cuisine.
• Stockholm, Sweden: Another popular option is to take a cruise or a short flight from Helsinki to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden. Explore the picturesque city built on 14 islands, visit the historic Gamla Stan (Old Town), enjoy world-class museums like the Vasa Museum and ABBA Museum, and soak up the Scandinavian atmosphere.
• St. Petersburg, Russia: If you’re interested in a longer trip, you can visit St. Petersburg, Russia. Take a high-speed train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg and explore its rich history, magnificent palaces, and world-renowned museums, including the Hermitage Museum. Be sure to check visa requirements and plan your visit accordingly.
• Turku Archipelago: Explore the stunning Turku Archipelago, located on the southwest coast of Finland. This vast network of thousands of islands offers picturesque landscapes, charming seaside villages, and opportunities for boating, kayaking, and island hopping. Enjoy the serene nature and experience the unique maritime culture.
• Lakeland Region: Head northeast from Helsinki to the Lakeland Region, known for its abundant lakes, forests, and tranquility. Explore the town of Savonlinna, home to the medieval Olavinlinna Castle, or visit the picturesque towns of Mikkeli or Kuopio. Enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, or simply relaxing in the beautiful Finnish nature.
• Rovaniemi, Lapland: If you’re seeking a magical winter experience, head to Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus. Located in Finnish Lapland, Rovaniemi offers the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, explore the Arctic nature, go on thrilling husky or reindeer safaris, and potentially witness the stunning Northern Lights.
• Åland Islands: Situated between Finland and Sweden, the Åland Islands offer a peaceful and scenic getaway. Explore the archipelago’s picturesque landscapes, visit charming villages, enjoy biking or hiking trails, and relax in the idyllic seaside atmosphere. The Åland Islands are known for their maritime culture and excellent local cuisine.
• Tampere: Located about 180 kilometers north of Helsinki, Tampere is Finland’s third-largest city. It offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. Explore the vibrant Finlayson area, visit museums like the Moomin Museum or the Vapriikki Museum, and enjoy a stroll along the beautiful Tammerkoski rapids.
• Hanko: For a relaxing seaside retreat, visit Hanko, the southernmost town in Finland. Hanko boasts beautiful sandy beaches, charming wooden villas, and a laid-back atmosphere. Enjoy sunbathing, swimming, or take leisurely walks along the picturesque coastal promenade.
• Porvoo and Loviisa Archipelago: Extend your exploration of the picturesque towns of Porvoo and Loviisa to include their surrounding archipelagos. Take a boat tour or rent a kayak to discover the stunning coastal landscapes, small islands, and tranquil waters.
• Koli National Park: Located in eastern Finland, Koli National Park offers breathtaking natural beauty. Hike to the top of Ukko-Koli Hill for panoramic views of Lake Pielinen and the surrounding forests. Enjoy nature trails, explore the rugged landscapes, and experience the tranquility of this national park.
• Archipelago National Park: Explore the stunning Archipelago National Park, located in the southwestern coast of Finland. This unique archipelago consists of thousands of islands, offering opportunities for boating, kayaking, fishing, and enjoying the unspoiled nature. Discover charming fishing villages, visit lighthouses, and immerse yourself in the tranquility of the archipelago.
• Helsinki to Hanko Coastal Route: Embark on a scenic coastal drive from Helsinki to Hanko, following the beautiful Finnish coastline. Enjoy the picturesque landscapes, stop at charming coastal towns and villages along the way, and savor local seafood delicacies.
• Rauma: Visit the historic town of Rauma, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved wooden old town. Explore the narrow cobblestone streets, admire the colorful wooden houses, and visit the famous Rauma Lace Museum to learn about the town’s lace-making traditions.
• Oulu: Venture north to the city of Oulu, located on the shores of the Gulf of Bothnia. Experience the vibrant cultural scene, visit the Tietomaa Science Center, stroll along the Nallikari Beach, and enjoy outdoor activities like cycling or canoeing along the Oulu River.
• Kuopio: Head to Kuopio in eastern Finland, known for its stunning lakeside scenery and charming atmosphere. Take a cruise on Lake Kallavesi, visit the Puijo Tower for panoramic views, and experience the Finnish sauna tradition at the Sauna World of Kuopio.
• Kemi: Explore the town of Kemi, situated on the Bothnian Bay in northern Finland. Visit the famous SnowCastle, take an icebreaker cruise on the frozen sea, and witness the beauty of the Northern Lights during the winter months.
• Saimaa Lake District: Head east to the stunning Saimaa Lake District, the largest lake district in Finland. Explore the serene lakes, charming towns, and lush forests. Enjoy activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and relaxing in the beautiful Finnish nature. Visit Savonlinna, known for its medieval Olavinlinna Castle, or take a cruise on Lake Saimaa to discover the region’s natural beauty.
• Kainuu and Kajaani: Venture northeast to the region of Kainuu and visit the city of Kajaani. Explore the wilderness of the Kainuu region, with its extensive forests, pristine lakes, and national parks like Hossa or Hiidenportti. Engage in outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, or wildlife watching. Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the Finnish sauna culture in this peaceful natural setting.
• Finnish Lakeland: Extend your exploration of Finland’s lakeland by visiting other areas in this vast region. Consider destinations like Mikkeli, Jyväskylä, or Lappeenranta, which offer beautiful lakeside landscapes, cultural attractions, and opportunities for outdoor activities.
• Pori and Yyteri Beach: Travel west to the city of Pori and enjoy the long sandy beach of Yyteri. Explore the lively city center, visit the Pori Art Museum, and take a leisurely stroll along the coastline. Yyteri Beach is known for its stunning dunes and offers a great place to relax, sunbathe, and enjoy various beach activities.
• Åland Islands: Extend your stay in the Åland Islands, an autonomous region between Finland and Sweden. Immerse yourself in the archipelago’s tranquil atmosphere, enjoy the scenic nature, visit historic sites like the Bomarsund Fortress, and indulge in delicious local cuisine.
• Lofoten Islands, Norway: If you’re looking to explore beyond Finland, consider a trip to the breathtaking Lofoten Islands in Norway. Fly or take a ferry from Helsinki to this archipelago known for its dramatic landscapes, picturesque fishing villages, and incredible hiking opportunities.

These are just a few options for destinations to visit after your trip to Helsinki. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, nature, or unique experiences, there are plenty of places to explore within a short distance from Helsinki. Choose the one that suits your interests and embark on your next adventure.

Helsinki Travel Guide: Final Thoughts

Helsinki, the vibrant capital of Finland, offers a delightful blend of rich history, modern design, stunning nature, and a thriving cultural scene. Whether you’re exploring the city’s architectural gems, enjoying the bustling markets, or immersing yourself in the tranquil nature nearby, Helsinki has something for everyone.

When planning your visit to Helsinki, consider the best time to go based on your interests and the experiences you seek. The summer months are popular for longer daylight hours and outdoor activities, while spring and autumn offer milder temperatures and fewer crowds. Winters can be cold but provide a unique opportunity to experience Finnish traditions like saunas and winter sports.

During your stay, make sure to explore Helsinki’s key attractions such as Senate Square, the Rock Church, and the Market Square. Take advantage of the excellent public transportation system to visit nearby islands like Suomenlinna or venture further to destinations like Porvoo or Tallinn.

Immerse yourself in Helsinki’s design scene, explore the Design District, and discover Finnish craftsmanship and innovative creations. Don’t miss out on the city’s culinary offerings, from traditional Finnish dishes to international cuisine, and try local specialties like salmon soup or cinnamon buns.

Remember to prioritize your safety by keeping an eye on your belongings and being aware of your surroundings. Helsinki is generally a safe city, but it’s always prudent to take standard precautions.

Lastly, embrace the Finnish way of life by engaging in activities like visiting saunas, enjoying the outdoors, and embracing the unique culture and traditions of this Nordic gem.

With its captivating charm, Helsinki is sure to leave you with lasting memories. Enjoy your trip and make the most of your time in this captivating city!

In Helsinki’s embrace, travelers find delight, A city of wonder, where days turn to night. With neoclassic grandeur, Senate Square stands tall, Cathedral reaching skyward, an architectural marvel.

Wander the Esplanade, lined with trees so fair, Boutiques and cafes, filling the air. Market Square beckons, a bustling delight, Fresh produce and flavors, a feast for your sight.

On Suomenlinna’s islands, a fortress of old, Exploring its history, stories yet untold. From the Rock Church, solid and serene, To the Design District’s creations, a creative scene.

Temppeliaukio’s marvel, carved into stone, Whispers of tranquility, a sacred zone. Kamppi’s Chapel of Silence, a haven of peace, A moment of calm, where worries find release.

Helsinki’s museums, a treasure trove of art, Kiasma’s modern wonders, stirring the heart. National Museum’s tales of Finland’s past, Unfolding history, a narrative vast.

Venture to Porvoo, a town of old-world grace, Cobblestone streets, time cannot erase. Lakeland’s tranquility, a nature’s embrace, Saimaa’s waters reflecting beauty and grace.

From Helsinki to Tallinn, a ferry’s glide, Capturing two worlds, side by side. In Helsinki’s streets, a fusion so rare, Culture and diversity, filling the air.

In Helsinki’s rhythm, you’ll find your own beat, A city alive, where memories will fleet. With warmth and wonder, it welcomes you near, Helsinki, a traveler’s haven so dear.

19 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Helsinki

Written by Jim O'Donnell Updated Dec 27, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is the country's largest city and filled with things to do for visitors. It sits on a granite peninsula on the north coast of the Gulf of Finland, facing the Baltic Sea.

After a great fire destroyed a third of the town in 1808, it was rebuilt, and the resulting neoclassical city center is laid out in wide handsome streets and boulevards with plentiful parks. The harbor, where many of the nearly 300 cruise ships that visit annually dock, is right in the heart of Helsinki, and a number of the top things to see and do are within walking distance.

Helsinki is a great city to explore on foot or on a bike, and has an excellent public transportation system that includes boats to the islands and trains to other destinations in Finland .

To learn more about this amazing Scandinavian travel destination, be sure to read through our list of the top places to visit and things to do in Helsinki.

See also: Where to Stay in Helsinki

1. Take a Boat to the Fortress of Sveaborg & the Suomenlinna Islands

2. shop in helsinki's market square, 3. temppeliaukio rock church, 4. experience traditional finnish culture at seurasaari open-air museum, 5. linnanmäki amusement park, 6. museum of contemporary art (kiasma), 7. helsinki railway station, 8. finlandia hall, 9. korkeasaari zoo, 10. the national museum of finland (kansallismuseo), 11. helsinki olympic stadium, 12. take a stroll in central park (keskuspuisto), 13. visit the sibelius monument and park, 14. uspenski cathedral, 15. relax on the beach in the hietaniemi area, 16. the gallen-kallela museum, 17. ainola, järvenpää, 18. tapiola, 19. day trip to hanko, where to stay in helsinki for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to helsinki, map of attractions & things to do in helsinki, helsinki, finland - climate chart.

The fortified islands of Suomenlinna are an integral part of Helsinki. While they may at first seem remote, they are in fact easy to reach by a 20-minute ferry ride, using the same ticket as for buses and trams.

The fortress of Sveaborg itself - which, literally translates as "Swedish Castle" - dominates the island. It was built in the mid 18th century to bar Russian access to the Baltic. During the Swedish-Russian war of 1808-09, it fell to the Russians, who thereafter enlarged and strengthened it. In 1918, it passed into Finnish hands and was given the Finnish name of Suomenlinna (Finnish Castle).

During the 1950s and 1960s, it was handed over by the military to the civilian authorities, and since then has been restored and converted for cultural and recreational use. It is now included in UNESCO's list of world heritage monuments and is a museum, a park, and an arts venue. The area is open most of the year but hours and ferry access vary, so be sure to visit the website for the latest information.

Address: Suomenlinna C 40, FI-00190 Suomenlinna, Helsinki

Official site: www.suomenlinna.fi/en/

The Market Square (Kauppatori) is the main planned and paved square in central Helsinki, and is one of the best-known outdoor markets in northern Europe. Bordering the Baltic Sea at the eastern end of the Esplanadi, it is full of stands selling Finnish foods, flowers, and tourist souvenirs. There are often even fishing boats lined up in the water selling seafood directly from the boat.

In the winter, market stalls are protected under tents, and there is a year-round market hall with more vendors. Visitors should watch their food carefully, however, as the seagulls at the market are large and brazen and will pluck food from unsuspecting diners.

Address: Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki

North of Helsinki's Hietaniemi area, along Fredrikinkatu, is Helsinki's Rock Church. Designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in the late 1960s, the underground interior of the church was carved out of and built directly into the ancient solid rock of the Helsinki peninsula.

The inside of the church is bathed in a glorious natural light that enters through the glazed dome. It has a shallow circular dome (13 meters high) of copper sheeting and glass borne on concrete ribs. The church is also used as a concert hall due to its excellent acoustics created by the rough, unworked rock surfaces of the interior. Guided tours are available, and if visiting in summer, be sure to visit the on-site café for a unique dining experience.

Address: Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki

Official site: https://temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/en/index.html

East of Helsinki's city center is the island of Seurasaari, linked with the mainland by a footbridge. Here, you'll find the excellent Seurasaari Open-Air Museum with its many old houses, farmsteads, a manor house, a church from Kiruna that dates back to 1686, and other timber buildings that have been brought here from all parts of Finland.

This is the place to learn how Finns lived long ago, before the modern era. Nearby, at Meilahti 7, is an old timber house now occupied by the Friends of Finnish Handicrafts, with an exhibition of rye carpets and other traditional textiles. Visitors can watch the weavers at work, and the on-site shop sells examples of their handiwork.

Guided tours are available, and afterwards stop at the attraction's café and restaurant for a bite to eat. The island is also home to a popular public beach, so bring your swimsuit!

Address: Seurasaari, Helsinki

Official site: www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/seurasaarenulkomuseo

To the east of Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, beyond the railroad line, is the Linnanmäki amusement park. In operation since 1950, it's a favorite family outing for locals and tourists alike. The park offers a great range of rides for all ages, as well as live entertainment, games, and plenty of places to get meals and snacks.

There is a good selection of rides for the youngest visitors, including a kiddie train, little trucks on a track, a pirate ship, a little kids' carousel, a playhouse, and even a kiddie roller coaster. Rides for bigger kids include a fun house, spinning coffee cups, a haunted hotel, bumper cars, and a raft ride.

The park is also home to over a half dozen thrilling roller coasters, and several attractions that offer splendid views of Helsinki and the town of Linnanmäki, including the 53-meter observation tower, and a large Ferris wheel. Visitors can also enjoy the view from atop the 60-meter Rocket and the 75-meter free-fall tower — at least until the rides drop.

Address: Tivolikuja 1, 00510 Helsinki

Official site: www.linnanmaki.fi/en/

In a land renowned for its cutting-edge native architects, it's ironic that the building considered one of Finland's landmarks of modern architecture was designed by the American architect Steven Holl. The curvy exterior continues inside, creating exhibit spaces uniquely fitting for displaying contemporary works of art.

Along with its collections of post-1960 Finnish art, the museum has a theater dedicated to experimental drama, music, and dance. A café and shop are located on the premises. Visitors also have the option to take a public or private guided tour of the museum that includes information on the works, the artists, and the museum building.

Address: Mannerheiminaukio 2, 00100 Helsinki

Official site: http://kiasma.fi/en/

Helsinki's strikingly original Art Nouveau railway station (Helsingin päärautatieasema) was designed by Eliel Saarinen and is especially notable for American tourists because its 48-meter-high clock tower was the first of several designs that finally resulted in Saarinen's 1922 Chicago Tribune Tower — America's first skyscraper.

The exterior of the station is made of local granite, featuring an immense archway over the entrance, which is flanked by two giant statues on each side. The figures each hold globes that illuminate the façade at night, making a striking landmark. Inside, visitors will find towering arched halls and surprisingly delicate carved panels that decorate the walls.

Address: Kaivokatu 1, 00100 Helsinki

North of the Municipal Museum in Helsinki, on the shores of Töölö Bay (Töölönlahti), is the Finlandia Hall, a concert and convention hall designed by Alvar Aalto and built in 1971 with a white facade of Carrara marble. The marble is also used on the inside of the structure. Details appear in hardwoods and ceramics.

The main concert auditorium is a stunning site and is famous for its acoustics. Another standout feature is the wide Venetian staircase that leads from the ground floor to both the main auditorium and chamber music hall. The Final Act of the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe was signed here in July 1975.

To the north of the hall is an excellent park (home to large chess boards and chess pieces), and beyond this again is the new Finnish National Opera House, inaugurated in November 1993 with a performance of the opera "Kullervo" by the Finnish composer Aulis Sallinen. Check the website for frequent updates on events, prices, and openings.

Address: Mannerheimintie 13e, 00100 Helsinki

Official site: www.finlandiatalo.fi/en

Founded in the 1880s, Korkeasaari Zoo is one of the oldest in the world , and holds a foremost place for its exceptional breeding programs for endangered species. They have been especially successful with breeding snow leopards and other big cats, such as the Amur and Siberian tiger.

As in any good zoo, the environments have been designed to be as close as possible to natural habitats, and nearly 1,000 plant species grow here to replicate the native environments of the 150 different animal species. The zoo is open all year-round, and visiting the tropical houses is one of the favorite things to do in Helsinki in the winter.

The zoo is on an island, and you can get here by ferry from May to the end of September. The rest of the year, you can get here by bus.

Address: Mustikkamaanpolku 12, 00270 Helsinki

Official site: https://www.korkeasaari.fi/helsinki-zoo/

The National Museum of Finland (Kansallismuseo) was built in 1912 in a National Romantic style, Finland's own take on the Art Nouveau movement that was popular in Europe at the time. This style is especially appropriate for a museum whose purpose is to collect and interpret material on the culture and ethnography of Finland.

Of note is the Finno-Ugrian collection with traditional costumes and everyday cultural objects. The prehistoric section is the largest permanent collection of archaeological materials in the country. Various displays also document the development of Finland from the Middle Ages through the Swedish and Russian empires and into a modern state.

The entrance hall is decorated with fabulous ceiling frescoes inspired by the Kalevala, the national myth of Finland. The frescoes were painted by Akseli Gallén-Kallela, perhaps Finland's best-known artist. Opposite the National Museum, in a park, is the Municipal Museum .

Address: Mannerheimintie 34, 00100 Helsinki

Official site: www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/

To the north of the Finlandia Hall, at the top of the Töölönlahti lake is the old Trade Fair Hall , and beyond this, the Olympic Stadium (Helsingin Olympiastadion). Built in 1938, it features a 72-meter-high tower from which there is a magnificent view of the city (it's served by an elevator).

Finland was awarded the Olympics prior to the advent of World War II and the Soviet invasion of the country. Cancelled during the fighting, the Olympics were finally held in Helsinki in 1952. Inside the stadium is the Finnish Sport Museum, and in front of the entrance is a statue of the great Finnish Olympic runner, Paavo Nurmi (1897-1973).

To the east is the Swimming Stadium, and to the north, the Ice Stadium. Beyond the lawn, in front of the Swimming Stadium lies the Municipal Park, a sea of blossoms in the summer and a perfect place for a picnic. The Swimming Stadium is open to visitors in the summer with excellent facilities.

Address: Paavo Nurmen tie 1, 00250 Helsinki

Official site: www.stadion.fi/helsinki-olympic-stadium

Helsinki's Central Park (Keskuspuisto) is a massive green space right in the middle of the city. Covering more than 10 square kilometers, the park begins at the Olympic Stadium near Töölönlahti Bay and stretches north into the community of Vantaa at the Paloheinä forest, where there is a wide cross-country skiing area.

The park is more wild woodland than manicured garden. It's loaded with bike and walking trails and other activity areas.

Address: 00630 Helsinki

Official site: https://citynature.eu/en/location/keskuspuisto/

Designed by Eila Hiltunen, the monument to the great Finnish composer was unveiled in 1967 and raised immediate controversy, and not a little criticism. The original Sibelius Monument (Sibelius-monumentti) was formed by a collection of large metal pipes that creates music as the breezes blow through them.

The more traditional statue of Sibelius was added later, in response to the complaints about the original concept. The monument is part of the beautiful Sibelius Park, one of many in the Finnish capital.

Address: Mechelininkatu 38, Helsinki

Official site: www.hamhelsinki.fi/en/sculpture/sibelius-monumentti-eila-hiltunen/

One of two imposing churches that dominate the skyline above Helsinki's harbor, Uspenski Cathedral (Uspenskin katedraali) is an eye-catcher. This stunning brick building is notable for its multiple towers and spires topped by 13 gold cupolas.

The interior of this Orthodox church is equally impressive, filled with altars, icons, and crosses, the intricate patterns on its arches set against block marble and a preponderance of gold embellishments.

Address: Kanavakatu 1, 00160 Helsinki

Official site: www.hos.fi/en/

Down the coast, south and east from the main railway station are the Rowing Stadium from the 1952 Olympics, kayak and canoe rentals, and the beautiful sandy beach of Hietaniemi. Next to this are several open fields frequently used as soccer parks, several restaurants, and a public sauna.

Beyond this lies the fascinating and park-like Hietaniemi cemetery with a cross on its highest point commemorating the fallen heroes of the republic. Here, too, Marshal Mannerheim (1867-1951) is buried.

Near the entrance are the graves of the politicians Risto Ryti, Väinö Tanner, T. M. Kivimäki, and E. Linkomies, who - as a condition of the 1944 armistice - were tried by a Finnish court for their political activities during the war and were given prison sentences, later commuted. A section of the cemetery is dedicated to the Jewish population of the city.

Akseli Gallen-Kallela is perhaps Finland's most important and certainly most impressive painter. The Gallen-Kallela house was built in 1911-13. Better known as Tarvaspää, the house was opened to the public as the Gallen-Kallela Museum in 1961. It contains a permanent exhibition of Gallen-Kallela's own paintings, graphics, and tools. An excellent café is located on site as well as a fine little store.

The Gallen-Kallela Museum is located on the beautiful shore of Laajalahti Bay in the eastern part of Helsinki, about ten kilometers from the center. It can be reached by car or by the walking and bike path from Munkkiniemi in Helsinki and Ruukinranta in Espoo.

Address: Gallen-Kallelan tie 27, 02600 Espoo

Official site: www.gallen-kallela.fi/en/

Ainola was the home of the world-famous composer Jean Sibelius and his wife Aino. Located on the shores of the stunning Lake Tuusula in Järvenpää, about ten kilometers north of Helsinki, it was constructed in 1904 in a classic timber style typical of the architect, Lars Sonck.

The house was built on the lake to give the genius peace to create, while still being close enough to access important events in the nation's capital. After Sibelius and his wife died, their family sold the house to the state. It was well preserved, and a museum foundation was established to maintain it.

Address:Ainolankatu, 04400 Järvenpää

Official site: www.ainola.fi/?lang=en

On the other side of the bay from Seurasaari, near Helsinki, is the garden city of Tapiola, now part of Espoo . For those fascinated by experimental urban planning ideas from the post-war era, this is a must. Built in the 1950s as a model example of modern town planning, the town now has the feel of a Star Trek set.

To the northeast, on the Otaniemi peninsula, is the University of Technology , with Dipoli, the unconventionally designed Students' Union. The new center for cultural activities was designed by architect, Arto Sipinen, and was opened in 1989. There are a number of specialty shops available as well as sports facilities.

A beautiful seaside town, 130 kilometers west of Helsinki, Hanko is a bilingual beach-blessed port town of about 10,000 people. Because of its location, Hanko has been contested for more than a thousand years. The Swedes and the Russians fought several battles here in the 17th and 18th centuries. In 1809, the Russians took over several Swedish forts.

The town itself wasn't officially founded until the 1870s and later served as a key transit point for Finns leaving for the United States during the starvation times. The Finns and the Russians fought a very bloody battle here in 1941. The architecture of the town speaks to its history with a mix of Swedish and Russian styles. It's full of excellent cafés and restaurants.

If you're visiting Helsinki for the first time and want to see some of the city's top sights, the best area to stay is in the city center, near Mannerheimintie (Mannerheim Street). Here, you'll find attractions such as Central Railway Station, the Parliament building, Finlandia Hall, and many shops and restaurants. Below are some highly rated hotels in and near the city center:

Luxury Hotels:

• In the heart of the city, a short walk from the harbor as well as fabulous shops and restaurants, Hotel Haven sports a sleek, elegant aesthetic and a fire-warmed lobby.
• Also within walking distance to the city's main sights, the pet-friendly and eco-friendly Hotel Indigo Helsinki - Boulevard, an IHG Hotel is a popular luxury option, with local artwork, a spa, and bikes for touring the city.
• Next door to Helsinki's Central Railway Station, the pet-friendly Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre scores an A-plus for its convenient location a hop, skip, and a jump from Mannerheimintie and Finlandia Hall. The airport shuttle bus stops right near the hotel.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Close to major transport hubs in the city center, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki is at the top end of the mid-range hotels, with comfy rooms, a sauna, and fitness center.
• The boutique Hotel Rivoli Jardin sits in a quiet location close to all the downtown attractions and offers a choice of bright and airy guest rooms, studios, and one- and two-bedroom apartments with fully equipped kitchens.
• Some rooms come with a sauna at Hotel Helka , which has a handy location in the city center within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and attractions.

Budget Hotels:

• Hotelli Finn , with clean, simple rooms, gets kudos for its central location steps away from the shopping district, while the Kongressikoti Hotel is behind the Helsinki Cathedral in the heart of the city and lies a short stroll from the train station.
• About three kilometers away from the city center but near bus and tram stops, the eco-friendly Ava Hotel offers standard rooms, studios, apartments, and a sauna.

A sightseeing tour is a great way to see all the city highlights without the hassle of driving and finding your way around. Instead, you can relax and look at the sights while you learn about the history and culture of the city from an interesting audio commentary. Below are some fun sightseeing tours and travel tips that will save you time and money:

See the Sights by Bus:

• A fun and flexible way to see all the city sights is the City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop On Hop Off Tour . Climb aboard the open-top double-decker bus, and come and go as you please at 19 different stops, including Rock Church and Helsinki Olympic Stadium, and hop on and off at your favorite attractions. The ticket is valid for 24 hours and includes audio commentary and free Wi-Fi.

See the Sights by Boat:

• If you have limited time and want to see the city from a different perspective, consider the Helsinki Sightseeing Canal Cruise . Sit back and relax on this 1.5-hour cruise as you glide past picturesque islands and icebreaker ships and see attractions like the World Heritage-listed Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress and Degerö Canal. The cruise includes an informative onboard commentary and free Wi-Fi.

Save Money:

• If you prefer to travel around the city independently to visit some of the top attractions, the Helsinki Card will save you time and money. Valid for 24, 48, or 72 hours, the card gives you free unlimited public transport in the city; admission to more than 50 attractions, including the Ateneum Art Museum and Suomenlinna Fortress; an audio city guide; and discounts for select tours, shops, and restaurants. You can also upgrade to the Helsinki Card Region, which includes public transport throughout the entire metropolitan area.

More on Finland

The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Helsinki Itinerary

Last Updated on January 31, 2024

by Olivia Ellis

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Mapping out the perfect 2 to 3 days in Helsinki itinerary isn’t a difficult task when you consider all there is to do in the capital of Finland . Helsinki is easily the most underrated Nordic city, living under the shadow of other capital Nordic cities such as Oslo , Stockholm , and Copenhagen . Despite this, Helsinki in my opinion is one of the freshest, most exciting destinations to visit in the Nordics and Europe.

Many people will head to Finnish Lapland to visit Rovaniemi yet still skip the capital, missing the wondrous culture-filled city. For over 5 years straight, Finland has been voted the happiest country in the world, one of the safest, and with a few days in the city, exploring and meeting locals you’ll understand why. 

Table of Contents

How Many Days in Helsinki?

Before jumping into all of the things to do in the Finnish capital, you’re likely wondering how many days to spend in Helsinki. Well, to begin with, Helsinki is a pretty compact city but still with much to discover and to get out of on a trip to the Finnish capital city.

If you’re in transit to Finnish Lapland and only have 1 day in Helsinki, it’s still possible to see most of the main sights and experience the city.

If you decide to see Helsinki in 2 days, you’ll have plenty of time to see the main sights of the city and wander around without rushing too much.

In my opinion, 3 days in Helsinki is ideal to do the city justice, go at your own pace, and still have enough time to see all the sights and maybe return to a restaurant or cafe that you particularly enjoyed (Finland has a wonderful, fresh, and local food scene). 

When planning how long to spend in the city, an important factor to keep in mind is the time of year.

In the winter months, Finland gets very little sunlight and daylight in Helsinki lasts just for around 9 hours in December. In contrast to the winter, Helsinki gets around 19 hours of sunlight in the summertime.

So with that being said, if you’re someone who likes to sightsee with daylight to see the city, and would like to visit the Finnish capital in the winter , I suggest planning enough days to see what you’d like with at least 2. Otherwise, maybe visit during the summer months instead.

Getting To & Around Helsinki 

Getting to helsinki.

You’ll likely be arriving in Helsinki one of two ways; by plane or ferry. Helsinki Vantaa International Airport is a large airport with domestic, European, and international routes making it a pretty affordable destination to reach by air, particularly from cities in the region such as Oslo or Stockholm.

If you’re flying into Helsinki Airport, you have a few options to reach the center of the city. The most cost-efficient way to travel to the Helsinki center is by city bus (lines 615 & 617) located outside terminal 2.

Buses come just about every 15 minutes and one-way tickets cost €4.10 if purchased from a ticket kiosk. Expect to pay more if you end up purchasing bus tickets while on the bus.

There are also train transportation links available between Helsinki Vantaa Airport and the Helsinki city center.

The train station is located beneath the airport and has train services connecting Helsinki Vantaa Airport with the city every 10 minutes with a journey of half an hour. Helsinki city transport tickets can be used for these services, but an extended zone (ABC) ticket is required. 

If you’re traveling to Helsinki from Stockholm, Sweden or Tallinn, Estonia and are keen on an adventure, there are also regular ferries between those cities across the Gulf of Finland. You can view ferry schedules here.

Finally, if you’re not visiting on a budget, you can book a private transfer from the airport.

Getting Around Helsinki 

Due to Helsinki city center’s small size, it’s a pretty walkable city, with most of the city’s main sights within walking distance from each other. This is a really big benefit, as the city is a dream for walkers, full of interesting sights to take in that you may miss if you’re underground.

You may be able to manage walking throughout most of your time in Helsinki (if physically capable), except for a bus/metro ride or two.

If you’re visiting in the summertime or during the warmer months, Helsinki is also a lovely city to explore by two wheels with lush nature and greenery and bike-friendly streets.

Otherwise, the city has a wonderful transportation system that consists of bus, tram, metro, and even ferry transport options. Single tickets last for 80 minutes and are inclusive of any mode of transport necessary for 80 minutes.

Most sights in Helsinki will be within the AB zone, but if you decide to visit somewhere outside of the AB zone, you’ll need to pay for a top-up zone extension. 

If you plan on taking a fair amount of public transportation and would like to save money, purchasing day passes for the Helsinki transport system is a great option. Passes are available for purchase for any number of days.

The cost of individual tickets adds up quickly, so this is a great way to make the most of your budget in Helsinki as it is quite an expensive city.

Another great way to save on transport is by using the Helsinki Card which includes unlimited public transportation. It also includes a panorama sightseeing tour and entry into a number of top sites and museums, such as the National Museum of Finland, the Helsinki City Museum and Amos Rex.

2 to 3-Day in Helsinki Itinerary

Helsinki is truly a quintessentially beautiful city. With a unique blend of classic Nordic and Russian architecture, a fresh and delicious food scene, arts & culture, and sincerely friendly people and locals, it’s hard not to appreciate the city.

Helsinki is truly a European destination off the beaten path and is full of exciting things to discover on just about every other corner. If you prefer to explore with a guide, sign up to this walking tour or this walking tour.

Day 1 – Markets, Museums & Churches

Helsinki market square & old market hall.

A wonderful way to begin your first day in Helsinki is to head to the most famous market in Finland, Helsinki Market Square. The Market Square is located between the south harbour of the city and the esplanade and is one of the quintessential spots to visit while spending time in Helsinki.

Dating back to the 19th century, the Market Square is the perfect spot to enjoy the fresh Baltic air, and maybe pick up a Finnish souvenir or two from the stands. In the winter you’ll find a delightful winter market spanning an even larger area than the typical market, with tasty treats, bonfires, and holiday joy.

If you’ve built up an appetite, there’s no better option at this point than to head next door to the Market Square to Helsinki’s Old Market Hall. The Old Market Hall is quite old, as it’s the oldest indoor market in all of Finland.

The market itself dates back to 1889 and is a Helsinki staple, with merchants selling various delicacies; from fruits/vegetables to cakes and cheese. Among the characteristic design and colours of the stands, you’ll also find cafes and restaurants, the perfect opportunity to enjoy a classic Finnish meal. 

Helsinki Cathedral

From the market, walk about 10 minutes to the city’s Helsinki Cathedral in the Kruununhaka neighborhood.

The church is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki and is easily the most recognised monument associated with Helsinki and an incredibly important landmark for the city and a great place to visit.

The stunning pearl-white, green-capped cathedral towers over the center of the city and is worth a stop during a visit to the Finnish capital city. The church itself is located in the Senate Square of the city (the oldest part), which is a point worth observing the city from and getting your bearings beginning your Helsinki trip.

Helsinki is a city that is filled with interesting museums and, especially if you’re visiting in the winter months, spending some time exploring the various museums is an excellent way to escape the Finnish weather. Though a popular option is the National Museum of Finland, it is currently closed for major renovations until the spring of 2027.

Art fans, however, will have lots to choose from and one of the best places to visit is the Amos Rex Museum . This contemporary art museum is something of a newcomer in the Finnish capital, having only opened in 2018.

There are countless interesting exhibitions to visit here and you can easily spend a couple of hours taking them in. If you’re a fan of contemporary art, then this is one of the best things to do in Helsinki.

Entry into Amos Rex is €20 per person, however, it is also included in the Helsinki Card . The museum is open every day except for Tuesday, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.

Temppeliaukio Church

After a short journey by foot from Amos Rex, you’ll find yourself at one of the most interesting sights in Helsinki in the Töölö neighborhood; the Temppeliaukio Church.

While the Temppeliaukio Church at its heart is a simple Lutheran Church, the unique feature of the church is its structure. The church is carved directly into solid rock, giving it the alternative name of “church of the rock”.

Built in the 1960s by brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, the church is unlike any other church you’ll likely come across, and for that reason, is one of the most visited attractions in the city of Helsinki. 

The church is open for visitors every day of the week except Sunday.

Day 2 – Sauna Experience & Suomenlinna 

Finnish breakfast.

Among all the reasons that I love spending time in Finland, I’d be hard-pressed not to say that breakfast is my favourite reason. Breakfast in Finland is truly an experience, and the Finnish have truly figured out how to make it near perfect.

Finland uses some of the freshest and highest quality ingredients and has a knack for combining flavour and nutrition. Many cafes in the city do breakfast in a set meal style, where you have a choice of various menus and these typically include quite a few options, with a hot drink, juice, main, and dessert.

While these can be pricey (like most things in Finland), I do suggest it as it’s a great way to fuel up for the day. My recommendation is to head to Levain Bakery, with 3 locations in Helsinki.

Sauna at Löyly Helsinki

I think it’s pretty safe to say that there are few things more synonymous with Finland than the sauna. Sauna is less of just a “place you go” in Finland and is at the heart of Finnish identity and culture.

One of the best ways to experience Finland like a local and enjoy all it has to offer is to head to a sauna. I suggest heading to Löyly Helsinki , a Sauna located directly on the sea and the perfect spot for tourists and locals to soak up the heat and maybe even take a cold plunge beforehand!

You need to book a spot in advance as they fill up quickly, and €24 gets you two hours at the sauna, a towel, shampoo & soap, and a sauna seat cover. Don’t forget to bring your own towel!

Suomenlinna 

After enjoying a relaxing few hours at the Finnish sauna, the next stop on this Helsinki itinerary is to head to another one of the most well-known attractions in Helsinki.

The Fortress of Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and sea fortress made up of 8 islands located just off of the mainland coast of Helsinki. The fortress itself is a neighborhood of Helsinki and is an extremely popular spot to visit for both tourists and locals.

Originally built and occupied by the Swedish and then Russians, hence the Swedish name, Suomenlinna is an important part of Finnish history.

Reaching Suomenlinna is pretty straightforward, with a 15-minute ferry from the Katajanokka ferry port by a ticket that’s included in Helsinki’s public transport or can be purchased here.

The Suomenlinna Fortress itself is free for entry and is an incredibly interesting monument and a beautiful island to explore on a nice day.

Day 3 – Porvoo or Sipoonkorpi National Park Day Trip

If you’re seeing Helsinki in 3 days, I suggest spending your last day in an area outside of the city as there are lovely spots to visit that are nearby and a completely different experience.

Due to the weather being so different at various points of the year (winter vs summer), I’ve given two different day trip options in this section.

Sipoonkorpi National Park

If you’re visiting Helsinki during the summertime, I highly suggest taking advantage of Finland’s incredibly special nature, rich forests, and diverse landscapes.

The Sipoonkorpi National Park sits directly on the edge of Helsinki and is the perfect taster into Finland’s special natural world.

The best way to reach Sipoonkorpi is to first take a bus from Helsinki to one of the nearby towns in/by the park and then take a local taxi further into the area. It is also possible to take guided tours.

The towns and villages nearby are also lovely spots to enjoy a coffee or lunch before enjoying time in nature. Finland also has a free for all law, so pretty much anywhere in the country is available to wander through and any berries (delicious too) or anything else you can find is yours to enjoy!

For those visiting Helsinki during the winter months, a great day trip option is to head to the neighboring middle-aged town of Porvoo.

Unfortunately, train schedules to Porvoo from Helsinki are pretty irregular so I don’t suggest train transport, but you can get a bus to Porvoo from Helsinki in just about an hour or book a guided tour.

Porvoo is incredibly picturesque, and under the winter snow, it has an even more special atmosphere. The town is the second oldest in all of Finland and this is incredibly well preserved and reflected through the town’s unique architecture.

Spend time wandering through the old town, browsing through shops, sipping hot chocolate, and eating at one of the local restaurants and you have the perfect day trip from Helsinki. 

Where to Stay in Helsinki

Bob W Kluuvi – This mid-range hotel is an excellent choice for those looking for a nice and comfortable place to base themselves in the Finnish capital. Centrally located, they have countless lovely rooms to choose from and there is breakfast available in the mornings.

Hotel Mestari – Those after a luxury stay in Helsinki will love this modern hotel. They have a great location for exploring the city, a number of sophisticated rooms to choose from and countless amenities to ensure your stay is a great one.

The Yard Hostel – If you’re travelling to Finland on a budget, then this hip hostel is a great choice. They offer both dorms and private rooms, have excellent common areas and self-catering facilities and a good atmosphere for meeting other travelers.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Helsinki hotels!

Finland easily seems like one of the closest things to a perfect oasis on earth and just spending time in the capital city of Helsinki and nearby areas will likely solidify this for you. Whether you’re intentionally planning a trip to Helsinki by itself or have a stopover in the capital city before heading to Finnish Lapland, you’re in for a treat.

Are you planning a visit to Helsinki? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

The Essential Guide to Visiting Helsinki in Winter

The Ultimate 2, 3 or 4 Days in Lapland Itinerary

Helsinki vs Stockholm: Which Nordic Capital to Visit?

About Olivia Ellis

Olivia is a writer for The World Was Here First. Originally from Michigan, USA, she is currently living in Athens, Greece exploring Europe and filmmaking. When she’s not travelling or writing, Olivia can be found cooking delicious new recipes from around the world, reading, and spending time outdoors.

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The 11 best things to do in Helsinki

Visit the Finnish capital for cool vibes, hot saunas and nature. Here are the best things to do in Helsinki

Photograph: Shutterstock

Helsinki might have a bit of a rep for being cold – and, make no mistake, this place really does get cold – but there’s much more to the Finnish capital than its almost-Arctic winters. Straddling east and west, Helsinki boasts hipster hideaways, student-friendly liveliness, fabulous proximity to nature and more than enough opportunities for sitting back with a beer and/or enjoying traditional sauna. Here are our top 11 things to do in Helsinki.

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Best things to do in Helsinki

1.  kiasma (museum of contemporary art).

What is it? The city’s most popular art gallery, filled with international modern works. Its ultra-modern building, designed by Steven Holl, is itself a beauty too, though it was initially regarded as a bit controversial.

Why go? For the quirky, cool temporary shows. This joint’s been known to hold exhibitions by the likes of Grayson Perry. – he explores themes of gender through his contemporary pottery – and Finnish artist Maija Luutonen, who paints onto paper but somehow creates the illusion of three dimensions.

2.  Kallio

What is it? Just a short tram ride away from the city centre you’ll find this trendy neighbourhood that – once a year – holds a huge party which aims to reclaim the streets. Run by volunteers and totally free, you’ll drink, dance and mingle.

Why go? It’s where all the cool kids hang out for a reason: this area is all about music, good food and good vibes. This year (2023) the Kallio street party’s being held on August 6, but don’t worry if you’re not around then. We recommend checking out Kallio’s laid-back vibes all year round.

3.  Market Square

What is it? A bustling market square where you get to try out different Finnish food such as its famous hot chocolate or head into the Old Market Hall which is just off it.

Why go? Food, food and more food. Try out lihapiirakka (meat pastries) or silli if you’re brave (yes, that’s herring). Not feeling so plucky? Then we recommend Finnish hot chocolate, which the nation is famous for. You can also hop on a ferry from here to visit the Fort of Helsinki. Wrap up warm, though - it’s right next to the Baltic Sea, which is quite literally baltic.

4.  The Finnish Sauna Society

What is it? A small, sweaty box where you take your clothes off and sweat out all the toxins and hangovers, with aromatherapy, smoke and steam chucked in. There are 1.3 million saunas in Finland, so it’s hard to pick a favourite, but we liked this one, founded in 1937.

Why go? There are six traditional saunas to choose from and then you’re able to swim in the nearby lake to cool off. It’s only €10 (£8.60) to get in, and you can stay as long as you like. Plus you’ll feel amazing afterwards.

5.  Gulf of Finland

What is it? If you’re up for an adrenaline ride then you’ll like this. Escape the city and head into the nearby snowy Gulf of Finland – basically, you’re off to winter wonderland for the day. Plus you’ll get lunch round the campfire included.

Why go? You’ll see nature at its beautiful and most unspoiled – and did we mention that you get to experience a snowmobile? Don’t worry, you’ll have a guide on hand to help.

6.  The Fortress of Suomenlinna

What is it? A Unesco World Heritage Site and eighteenth-century fort spread across six islands. It was created by the Swedish to protect Finland from the Russians in 1748 when Finland was still part of Sweden. Head down to find out about nautical history, to walk around the grounds and to check out some pretty awesome views, too.

Why go? It’s free to get in and also a great spot for a picnic. Pick up some local mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie) or kaalikääryleet (cabbage rolls) and head down for lunch in its grounds. History buff heaven.

7.  Café Ekburg

What is it? Café Ekberg seats 90 people and is regarded as the oldest café in the city, established in 1852. It would be rude not to head down and sample its renowned pastries and coffee. Try and book in advance if you can.

Why go? It’s got a pretty French interior and it does a mean Sunday brunch. We recommend the sweet pastries as well as porridge and eggs – always a good way to set yourself up for the day in a very chilly city.

8.  Fafa's

What is it? This chain is a chain for a reason – there’s couldn’t just be one because it’s so popular. Middle Eastern classics like falafel, hummus, tabbouleh and eggplant are all great choices for vegans, too. And the portions are huge.

Why go? Helsinki, and Finland, in general, aren’t the cheapest of places but this place is bang on budget. Did we mention it’s also very delicious? Hummus is very popular in Finland and this place has it down to a tee.

9.  Löyly

What is it? We all know the Fins love a sauna but this spot takes it to the next level. One-third bar, one-third restaurant and one-third sauna, it also has an epic view over the Baltic which you can take in from a wooden terrace (and also have a dip in – but be warned, it’s freezing). Just make sure you book ahead.

Why go? Chilled out and all about the views, the food is also very good here. Choose classics like salmon soup, grilled beef and Savoy cabbage or deep fried vendaces. And when your dinner has done down, head back into that sauna.

10.  Nuuksio National Park

What is it? Escape the city for the day on a tour of rural Finland. You’ll visit the Nuuksio National Park to learn about Finnish Nature, visit real-life actual reindeer and also have a traditional Finnish sauna – where you’ll whack each other with birch branches and drink a beer.

Why go? Finland is a beautiful country, with lakes at every turn and we won’t lie – you’ll get some epic photos. But you’ll also experience the warmth of a traditional Finnish sauna. Yes, that is how the Fins all have such glowing skin. What’s not to love?

11.  Sinful Helsinki Walking Tour

What is it? The meeting point for a walking tour with a difference. Delve into Helsinki’s prohibition past between 1919 and 1932 when booze was banned but the city was awash with alcohol and cocaine. Prohibition didn’t just affect the US - and Finnish gangsters weren’t to be messed with either.

Why go? You’ll visit the city’s former seedy underbelly to check out its secret speakeasies and find out all about its wild former residents. It’s two hours that you certainly wouldn’t get on your average walking tour.

More great things to do

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HELSINKI TRAVEL GUIDE AND THINGS TO DO

Helsinki is a dynamic city with modern architecture and a vibrant cultural scene. It is perfect for a long city break, as it combines an interesting city centre with a nice harbour, and it is also a great base for visits to nearby islands and surrounding lakes.

This guide will tell and also show you with photos everything you need to know about planning your trip to Helsinki, the best attractions, places to visit and things to do and also provide a detailed map and day trip suggestions.

INTRODUCTION TO HELSINKI

Why visit Helsinki ?

Helsink i is the capital and largest city of Finland. It is known for its vibrant culture, beautiful archipelago, modern architecture, and high quality of life . It is considered as the happiest city to live in the world.

Visitors can explore historic sites, visit world-class museums, and discover Finnish art and design. The city boasts a mix of architectural styles, from neoclassical buildings to modern, innovative designs. Some interesting buildings include the Helsinki Cathedral , the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) .

Helsinki is surrounded by beautiful nature and it is a great base to explore the surrounding countryside, like Nuuksio National Park, as well as some interesting towns further afield, like Hanko, Poorvo, Turku and Tampere.

Helsinki provides easy access to the surrounding Finnish archipelago, which includes over 300 islands, many of which are easily accessible by ferry, like Suomenlinna .

Helsinki is known for its friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The locals often speak excellent English.

Saunas are an integral part of Finnish culture, and you can experience traditional and modern saunas in Helsinki.

BEST TIME TO VISIT HELSINKI

The best time to visit Helsinki depends on the type of experience you’re seeking.

For sightseeing and outdoor activitie s, the best time to visit is during the summer months , late spring or early autumn for the best weather, as it is relatively warm and the days are longer with a higher chance of sunny days. Summer days are the perfect time for exploring the city, enjoying outdoor cafes, and taking boat trips to the nearby archipelago.

In the summer, Helsinki experiences the phenomenon of “ White Nights ,” where the sun barely sets, creating a magical atmosphere and allowing for extended daylight hours to explore the city.

Helsinki hosts numerous festival s and events during the summer, including Helsinki Day , Midsummer celebrations , and various music and cultural festivals.

For a winter experience , the winter months of December to February are ideal. The city is often covered in snow, and you can enjoy activities like ice skating , cross-country skiing , and sauna visits . Helsinki’s Christmas marke t is also very popular.

HOW LONG TO STAY IN HELSINKI

The ideal length of your stay in Helsinki depends on your interests, the activities you’d like to experience, and whether you plan to explore other parts of Finland .

Two days will be sufficient to cover most of the major sights and Helsinki’s key attractions , as well as a visit to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and even Seurasaari.

A longer stay of 5 days or more provides the opportunity to explore the city at a relaxed pace and take day trips to Poorvo , Nuuksio National Park , Hanko , Turku , Tampere and even Tallinn in Estonia by ferry.

WHERE TO STAY IN HELSINKI

The best place to stay is in the city centre of Helsinki with easy access to major attractions, shopping, dining, and public transportation. The area around the main railway station is filled with hotels, making it a convenient location for travellers. You’ll find both luxury and mid-range options in this neighbourhood.

Helsinki’s well-connected public transportation system makes it easy to explore the city even if you choose to stay further away for cheaper accommodation options. Some other areas to consider are:

• Kallio : Kallio is a trendy and vibrant neighbourhood known for its nightlife, local bars, and thriving arts and culture scene. The metro line provides easy access to the city centre.
• Punavuori : Punavuori, often referred to as the Design District, is a stylish and creative area known for its design shops, boutiques, and excellent restaurants.
• Katajanokka : Katajanokka is a beautiful and tranquil island neighbourhood connected to the mainland by a bridge. It has some elegant buildings and offers a peaceful atmosphere. This area is connected by tram to the city centre.
• Kruununhaka : Kruununhaka is a quieter and historic district with a maritime ambience. It’s an excellent choice if you prefer a more laid-back environment while still being within walking distance of the city centre.
• Eira & Ullanlina : These are picturesque neighbourhoods by the sea, known for their nice waterfront views. It’s a peaceful area to stay if you appreciate seaside walks.
• Ruoholahti and Lauttasaari : These residential areas are a bit farther from the city centre but offer a more suburban feel. If you prefer a quieter environment and don’t mind a short commute, these areas can be a good choice.

Best hotels in Helsinki

• Hotel Kamp : This historic luxury hotel, located in the heart of Helsinki, offers elegant rooms, top-notch dining, and a beautiful spa. It’s a member of The Leading Hotels of the World and is known for its timeless charm.
• Hotel St. George : A luxury boutique hotel with a strong focus on art and culture. It features unique decor, a tranquil Winter Garden, and a rooftop terrace. The hotel also houses the Theatre Museum and a contemporary art collection.
• Hotel Haven : Located near Market Square and the harbour, Hotel Haven is a stylish and upscale boutique hotel with a maritime theme. It offers comfortable rooms and a welcoming atmosphere.
• Hotel Lilla Roberts : A chic boutique hotel with a focus on design and comfort. It’s known for its cosy atmosphere, Scandinavian aesthetics, and excellent service.
• Hotel Fabian : A cosy and stylish boutique hotel in the city centre, known for its contemporary design and welcoming ambience.
• Clarion Hotel Helsinki : Located in the Jätkäsaari district, this modern hotel offers stunning sea views, a rooftop pool, and a Nordic-inspired design. It’s a great choice for those looking for a contemporary and trendy experience.
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel : A historic hotel right next to the railway station, offering a blend of classic elegance and modern amenities.
• Scandic Grand Marina : Situated by the waterfront, this hotel offers beautiful views and a relaxed atmosphere. It’s an excellent choice for travellers who want to enjoy the maritime side of Helsinki.
• Hotel F6 : A small and charming boutique hotel in the city centre, known for its personal service and stylish design.

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole city of Helsinki

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Entry requirements/visa.

No visas are required for visits up to 90 days for most nationalities.

EU citizens only need a photo ID to enter Finland. Citizens from the rest of Europe, the USA, Australia and Canada only need a passport . For full details check this website .

Helsinki is a safe place and crime is relatively rare.

However, it’s worth being vigilant of pickpocketing in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.

Finland ranks as one of the safest countries in the world, with low crime rates and a strong rule of law.

Travel Insurance

It’s always recommended to get travel insurance before you travel even if a destination like Helsinki shouldn’t pose any safety concerns. You never know what might happen; better to be fully covered in case of an accident or flight delays etc.

SafetyWing is a great choice for any traveller. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

The climate of Helsinki is  moderately continental , with cold winters, during which the average temperature is usually below freezing, and mild summers.

The weather in Helsinki is influenced by its coastal location along the Gulf of Finland, resulting in milder winters and cooler summers compared to areas further inland.

• Winter (December to February) : Winters in Helsinki are cold and relatively dark. Average temperatures in winter range from -5°C to 0°C (23°F to 32°F). Snowfall is common, and the city is often covered in a blanket of snow. The Gulf of Finland may freeze over.
• Spring (March to May) : Spring in Helsinki is a period of transition, with temperatures gradually warming up. Average temperatures in spring range from 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F). As the snow melts and the days get longer, the city begins to bloom with flowers and trees.
• Summer (June to August) : Summers in Helsinki are mild and pleasant, with average temperatures ranging from 15°C to 21°C (59°F to 70°F). The city experiences the “white nights” phenomenon during the summer, with extended daylight hours and the sun sets late in the evening.
• Autumn (September to November) : Autumn is a beautiful time to visit Helsinki when the city’s parks and forests are covered with colourful leaves. Average temperatures in autumn range from 10°C to 0°C (50°F to 32°F). As autumn progresses, temperatures cool down, and the days become shorter. The transition to winter begins, and the city experiences more rainfall.

More information regarding the weather and average temperatures can be found here .

Travel Gear

For information on travel gear and what to pack click here .

Finnish (suomi) is the official language of Finland and one of the two national languages of the country, with Swedish being the other. Finnish is known for its unique linguistic characteristics, and it belongs to the Finno-Ugric language family. Most people speak and understand English well.

Basic words:

• Hello – Terve (informal) / Hyvää päivää (formal)
• Good morning – Hyvää huomenta
• Good afternoon – Hyvää päivää
• Good evening – Hyvää iltaa
• Good night – Hyvää yötä
• Yes – Kyllä
• No – Ei
• Please – Ole hyvä
• Thank you – Kiitos
• You’re welcome – Ole hyvä
• Excuse me / Sorry – Anteeksi
• Goodbye – Näkemiin

Finland uses the Euro (€) as its official currency.

Card payments are the norm in Finland, and it’s common to use contactless payment methods, such as Apple Pay or Google Pay.

The best way to get local currency is through an ATM that can be found in most areas.

Tipping is not mandatory in Finland, as service charges are usually included in bills.

Finland is known for its relatively high cost of living, and prices for goods and services, including food, accommodation, and transportation, can be higher compared to many other European countries.

Electricity

The power plugs and sockets in Finland are of type F (with two round pins). Type C plugs can also be used thanks to their compatibility with type F sockets. The voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Internet/Mobile Phone

If you are travelling from within the European Union (EU), you can use your home country’s mobile plan in Finland without incurring additional roaming charges

If you are visiting from outside the EU, in order to avoid high roaming costs, you can buy a local SIM card .

You can easily purchase prepaid SIM cards at various retail stores, kiosks, and mobile network provider shops in Helsinki. Major mobile operators in Finland include Elisa, Telia, and DNA .

To purchase a prepaid SIM card in Finland, you’ll need to provide identification, such as a passport, as part of the registration process.

HOW TO GET TO HELSINKI

Helsinki airport ( Helsinki-Vantaa Airport ) is well-connected to major cities in Europe, Asia, and North America. Several airlines operate regular flights to Helsinki and the airport is the main hub for  Finnair, the flag carrier of Finland. There are not many low-cost airlines operating, compared with other European cities, so flights can be quite expensive.

Getting from/to the airport

The airport is located about 20km (12 miles) north of the city centre of Helsinki and it can be reached by car, taxi, bus or by the efficient local train service. The journey takes about 30 minutes.

The best way to reach the city is by train . The train station is located under the terminal. A train ride to Helsinki City Centre takes about 30 minutes . Train tickets can be purchased from HSL’s mobile app , or the ticket machine at the train platform. Information about timetables, tickets and fares can be found on the HSL website and here .

Helsinki Airport’s bus station is located outside the Arrivals hall. Bus route 600 operates between Helsinki Airport and Helsinki City Centre. The travel time is about 40 minutes . Tickets can be purchased online on HSL’s mobile app, or at the bus station’s ticket machine . More information can be found on  HSL website .

There are also taxis available outside the Arrivals Terminal, but the cost is considerably more expensive, about €35-40 euros.

Alternatively, you can also rent a car in one of the rental offices at the airport. The airport is the best place to book if you haven’t done it before you arrive. However, renting a car is not recommended if you stay in Helsinki city centre unless you are planning to do day trips to the surrounding countryside and you are a family of 4 or a larger group.

Helsinki is a major port city, and you can arrive by ferry or cruise ship from various destinations. There are regular ferry services from nearby Tallinn in Estonia. There are also a few ferries operating from Stockholm to Helsinki that take about 16 hours. The Helsinki West Harbour and the Helsinki South Harbour are the main ferry terminals.

The route from Tallinn to Helsinki is operated by 3 companies  Eckerö Line ,  Tallink  and  Viking Line . This route is operated all year round and there are about 10 ferries per day . The ticket prices vary depending on the time of day but it is usually around €70 for a return trip. The trip duration from Tallinn to Helsinki is between 2h to 2h 30m . Tallink is the fastest ferry company on this route (2h journey). The ferry companies Tallink and Eckerö Line usually depart from  West Harbor Terminal 2 , while Viking Line departs from  Katajanokka terminal . 

For the cheapest site to book your ferry tickets, check the link below.

Finland has a well-maintained road network, and you can enter the country from neighbouring countries like Sweden , Norway and Russia , although the journey from Sweden and Norway to Helsinki can be extremely long.

Helsinki is also connected by train with Saint Petersburg (Russia) in about 3.5 hours.

Rome2Rio is a good website for checking prices & times on train and bus travel .

HOW TO GET AROUND HELSINKI

I would only recommend hiring a car if you would like to explore places further afield and you are a group of 4 or more as it offers flexibility and the opportunity to visit destinations not easily accessible by public transportation. The best place to rent a car is the airport if you haven’t done so before you arrive.

Car rental c an be quite expensive in high season ( €50 per day ). Better to book in advance before your travel for the best deals. Also in high season, there might be low availability and the prices can be much higher if you leave it until you arrive. Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

Helsinki has both on-street and off-street parking options. Be aware that the city centre of Helsinki has limited parking zones and congestion charges.

In most places, there are parking ticket machines that you can pay with coins, a credit card or through an app.

Parking is usually free after 9 pm until 8 am in some areas.

Taxis are readily available in Helsinki. You can find them at designated taxi stands . They have a meter that calculates the fare based on time and distance. Taxis in Helsinki accept both cash and card payments. Taxi services are reliable but can be expensive.

Uber and Bolt operate in Helsinki, providing a cheaper alternative to traditional taxis.

Finland has an extensive and efficient rail network operated by VR (Finnish Railways) . Trains are a comfortable and scenic way to travel from Helsinki to nearby cities, including Tampere and Turku . You can buy tickets at train stations or through this website .

By Public Transport

• Trams: Helsinki has an extensive tram network that covers many parts of the city. Trams are a convenient and scenic way to travel.
• Buses: The bus network complements the tram system and reaches areas not covered by trams. Buses are a reliable mode of transportation.
• Metro: Helsinki’s metro system connects the city centre with the eastern suburbs. It’s a fast way to travel between certain areas.

Tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines , R-kiosks and many other  sales points.  throughout the city. More information can be found on  HSL website .

Bus services also connect Helsinki with neighbouring cities. The main bus station is the Helsinki Bus Station (Kamppi Bus Terminal) .

Helsinki is a bike-friendly city with dedicated bike lanes and bike-sharing programs. Renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the city and its parks.

City bikes are shared-use bicycles that can be borrowed for a fee by residents and visitors. There are more than 4,600 bikes and 460 bike stations in the capital region.

Helsinki Card

For those who want to discover the entire city of Helsinki, there is a card, the Helsinki Card , which offers a range of benefits and discounts for visitors but it is not cheap. There are 3 card types:

• Helsinki Card – digital card – includes all free and discounted attractions but NOT public transport
• Helsinki Card City – physical card (bought in Helsinki) – includes all free and discounted attractions and public transportation in zones A & B.
• Helsinki Card Region – physical card (bought in Helsinki) – includes all free and discounted attractions and public transport in zones A, B & C plus the train to the airport (located in zone C).

WHAT TO EAT & DRINK IN HELSINKI

Helsinki boasts a vibrant culinary scene with a wide range of dining options, from traditional Finnish cuisine to international flavours. Here is a guide to the best restaurants in Helsinki to explore the local cuisine:

Best restaurants in Helsinki

• Olo : Olo is one of Helsinki’s Michelin-starred restaurants, offering a delightful Nordic tasting menu with an emphasis on seasonal and local ingredients. It’s a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
• Savotta : For a taste of traditional Finnish cuisine in a rustic setting, Savotta is an excellent choice. It serves dishes like Karelian pies, salmon soup, and reindeer.
• Ravintola Nokka : Located by the sea, Nokka focuses on serving modern Finnish dishes with a farm-to-table philosophy. The restaurant is known for its commitment to using fresh, local ingredients.
• Demo : Another Michelin-starred restaurant, Demo offers a tasting menu that showcases the talents of Finnish chefs. It’s a fine dining experience with a focus on creativity and innovation.
• Grön : Grön is a Michelin-starred restaurant that specializes in creative and contemporary Nordic cuisine. Their menu emphasizes vegetables and local ingredients.
• Ravintola Kolme Kruunua: Traditional Finnish restaurant with reasonable prices.
• Lappi Ravintola : Nice traditional restaurant in the city centre with waiters in typical dresses.
• Restaurant Saaga : Traditional Restaurant to try Finnish cuisine, with lovely decor and a fish buffet in a canoe
• Restaurant Konstan Möljä : A buffet restaurant to try Finnish classics
• Fazer Café Kluuvikatu : Historic Cafe with delicious desserts
• Café Ekberg : Helsinki’s oldest cafe, Café Ekberg, is famous for its pastries, cakes, and sandwiches. It’s a delightful place to enjoy coffee and treats.
• Cafe Regatta : A nice cafe by the sea with great cinnamon rolls and blueberry pies.

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map .

Local Cuisine

• Karjalanpiirakka : Karelian pasties are traditional Finnish pastries made of thin rye crusts filled with rice porridge, mashed potatoes, or carrots and rice. They are often served with egg butter.
• Kalakukko : Hailing from Eastern Finland, this is a traditional Finnish fish pie made with fish, pork, and bacon. It’s typically baked inside a rye crust.
• Lohikeitto : Salmon soup is a popular dish in Finland. It features salmon, potatoes, leeks, carrots, and sometimes cream, all seasoned with dill. It’s a comforting and hearty soup.
• Ruisleipä : Rye bread is a staple in Finnish cuisine, and you’ll find a variety of rye bread in Helsinki. It’s often served with butter, cheese, or fish.
• Gravad Lax : Gravad lax is a dish made of raw salmon that has been cured with a sugar and salt mixture and flavoured with dill. It’s often served as an appetizer.
• Silli ja Uudet Perunat : Herring and new potatoes are a classic Finnish summer dish. Herring is prepared in various ways, such as pickled, marinated, or in a creamy sauce.
• Hernekeitto : Pea soup is a traditional Finnish dish made with green or yellow peas, ham, and often served with a dollop of mustard.
• Lihapullat : Finnish meatballs are typically made from a mixture of ground beef and pork and seasoned with spices. They are served with lingonberry sauce and mashed potatoes.
• Poronkäristys : Sautéed reindeer is a delicacy from Lapland, made with thinly sliced reindeer meat, butter, and sometimes beer. It’s often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce.
• Korvapuusti : These cinnamon buns are a popular Finnish pastry. They are deliciously spiced with cinnamon and sugar and often topped with pearl sugar.
• Berries and Wild Mushrooms : Finland is known for its abundance of berries and wild mushrooms. Try dishes that incorporate these, like blueberry pie, lingonberry sauce, or mushroom-based stews.
• Salmiakki : Finnish salty liquorice is an acquired taste, but it’s a unique Finnish treat. You can find it in various forms, from candies to ice cream.
• Local Fish : Helsinki is a coastal city, so fresh fish is readily available. Try local fish like Baltic herring, salmon, or perch prepared in various ways.
• Kaalikääryleet : Cabbage rolls filled with minced meat and rice, simmered in a rich tomato sauce, are a comforting Finnish dish.
• Cloudberries : Cloudberries are a sought-after delicacy in Finland. You might find them in desserts, jams, or liqueurs.

THINGS TO DO IN HELSINKI

BEST sights & attractions

• Senate Square (Senaatintori) : This historic square is surrounded by neoclassical buildings, including the Helsinki Cathedral. It’s an iconic and picturesque part of the city.
• Helsinki Cathedral : This neoclassical cathedral dominates the skyline and is a symbol of the city. You can climb the steps to enjoy panoramic views from the cathedral’s steps.
• Suomenlinna Sea Fortress : A UNESCO World Heritage site, Suomenlinna is a historic sea fortress spread across several islands. It’s a popular place for picnics, exploration, and learning about Finland’s history.
• Ateneum Art Museum : This museum houses an impressive collection of Finnish art, including works by renowned artists such as Akseli Gallen-Kallela and Eero Järnefelt.
• Helsinki Design District : This area is a hub for design and creativity, with numerous boutiques, galleries, and showrooms. It’s a great place to explore Finnish design and fashion.
• Kiasma – Museum of Contemporary Art : Kiasma is Finland’s leading contemporary art museum, featuring a diverse range of contemporary artworks and exhibitions.
• Helsinki Market Square (Kauppatori) : This bustling market by the harbour is a great place to buy local produce, souvenirs, and street food. The outdoor market is especially lively in the summer.
• Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) : Carved into solid rock, this unique church is known for its exceptional architecture and acoustics. It’s a popular attraction for visitors.
• Helsinki Zoo : Located on Korkeasaari Island, the Helsinki Zoo is a great place for families to explore and learn about various animals and their habitats.
• Esplanadi Park : Enjoy a leisurely walk in Esplanadi Park, known for its green spaces, sculptures, and the vibrant atmosphere of the nearby shopping district.
• Seurasaari Open-Air Museum : This outdoor museum on Seurasaari Island showcases traditional Finnish architecture and culture. It’s a lovely place to take a leisurely walk and learn about Finland’s past.
• Linnanmäki Amusement Park : This amusement park offers rides, games, and family-friendly entertainment. It’s a fun destination for visitors of all ages.
• Helsinki Archipelago : Explore the beautiful archipelago by taking a boat tour or ferry ride. You can visit various islands and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.
• Sibelius Monument : This abstract monument dedicated to composer Jean Sibelius is an iconic piece of art and a must-see for music enthusiasts.
• Finnish Sauna : Experience the traditional Finnish sauna culture at public saunas like Löyly, Kotiharju Sauna, or Kulttuurisauna. It’s a quintessential part of Finnish life.

HELSINKI DAY TRIPS

Helsinki offers some fantastic day trip options to explore the surrounding region and enjoy the natural beauty of southern Finland. Here is a guide to the best day trips from Helsinki:

• Tallinn, Estonia : You can take a high-speed ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and explore its well-preserved medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can experience a different culture, taste Estonian cuisine, and visit historical sites like Toompea Castle.
• Porvoo : Porvoo is a charming, historic town located about 45min drive from Helsinki. It’s known for its well-preserved wooden houses, the riverside setting, cobblestone streets, and the interesting Porvoo Cathedral.
• Nuuksio National Park : Nuuksio National Park is located about 40 minutes drive from Helsinki and offers a beautiful natural escape. You can hike through lush forests, admire tranquil lakes, and even go for a swim. It’s an excellent destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
• Suomenlinna : Suomenlinna is a historic sea fortress located just a short ferry ride from the centre of Helsinki. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and offers a glimpse into Finland’s maritime history. You can explore the fortifications, visit museums, and enjoy scenic views.
• Hämeenlinna : Hämeenlinna, about a 1.5-h drive from Helsinki, is home to Häme Castle, one of Finland’s medieval castles. The town also has a variety of museums, including the Aulanko Nature Reserve, known for its beautiful landscapes and gardens.
• Naantali : This is a coastal town about a 2h drive from Helsinki, close to Turku, known for its well-preserved wooden architecture. You can stroll through the charming old town, visit local museums, and enjoy the picturesque coastline.
• Hanko : Hanko is a lovely seaside town located about a 2h drive from Helsinki. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, historic architecture, and peaceful, coastal atmosphere. It’s an excellent place for a relaxing day by the sea.
• Seurasaari Open-Air Museum : Located just a short bus ride from Helsinki, Seurasaari is an open-air museum that showcases traditional Finnish architecture and way of life. You can explore old buildings, including farmhouses and windmills, set in a scenic natural environment.
• Turku : Turku is a historic city located in the southwest of Finland, and it is the country’s oldest and former capital. It is about a 2h drive.
• Tampere: Tampere is a vibrant and rapidly growing city located about 170 kilometres (105 miles) north of the capital, Helsinki.

HELSINKI ACTIVITIES & TOURS

• City Sightseeing Tours : Explore the main attractions of Helsinki, including the Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square, and the Market Square. Guided city tours often provide historical context and interesting facts about the city.
• Walking Tours : Discover Helsinki on foot with walking tours that focus on specific neighbourhoods, historical landmarks, or themes such as architecture or street art.
• Bike Tours : Explore Helsinki by bike, and choose from guided or self-guided bike tours. This allows you to cover more ground and visit places like the Hietaniemi Cemetery, Kiasma Museum, and Market Square.
• Helsinki Archipelago Cruise : Take a boat tour to explore the beautiful Helsinki Archipelago, consisting of numerous islands and islets. The archipelago is known for its stunning nature and unique coastal villages.
• Nuuksio National Park Tours : Join a guided tour of Nuuksio National Park, which is just a short drive from Helsinki. Hiking, berry picking, and forest adventures are part of the experience.
• Suomenlinna Island Tours : Explore the historic Suomenlinna sea fortress on a guided tour. You’ll learn about the fortress’s history and its role in Finland’s past.
• Food Tours : Helsinki offers food and culinary tours that allow you to sample Finnish and Nordic cuisine. You can explore the Market Square, visit local eateries, and taste Finnish specialties.
• Sauna Experiences : Experience the Finnish sauna culture with guided sauna tours and experiences. Sauna visits can include a dip in the Baltic Sea or an ice swimming adventure in the winter.
• Day Trip to Tallinn, Estonia : Take a high-speed ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia, for a day of exploring Tallinn’s historic Old Town, culture, and cuisine.
• Lux Helsinki Light Festival Tour : If visiting in January, you can join a guided tour of the annual Lux Helsinki light festival, which transforms the city with light installations and art.
• Helsinki Design District Tour : Explore the Helsinki Design District, known for its unique boutiques, galleries, and studios. Guided tours can introduce you to the world of Finnish design.
• Winter Activities Tours : In the winter, enjoy tours that offer activities like ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing in the snowy landscapes of Helsinki.

More information about excursions & tours in Helsinki can be found here .

HELSINKI TOURIST MAP

You can click on the map below for the location of the best sights and places to visit in Helsinki.

HELSINKI ITINERARY

It is worth staying in Helsinki for 5 days if you want to explore it and combine it with day trips to the surrounding region. The following itinerary includes things to do for 5 days with overnight stay in Helsinki.

Day 1: Explore the City Center

• Explore the city centre’s architecture and history and all the major sights
• Have lunch at the open-air market at the harbour
• Visit the Olympic Tower for views over the city
• Stroll through Esplanadi Park for a relaxing walk
• Admire the Temppeliaukion Church

Day 2: Suomenlinna & Saaursari Islands

• Catch a ferry to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress , a UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the morning exploring the fortifications and museums.
• Visit Saaursari Island
• Explore one of Helsinki’s museums
• Enjoy a sauna
• Dine at a restaurant offering Finnish cuisine, such as salmon or reindeer dishes.

Day 3: Nuuksio & Poorvo

• Travel to Nuuksio National Park , about an hour from Helsinki. Spend your morning hiking, picking berries, or enjoying the park’s natural beauty.
• Explore Poorvo
• Take a relaxing boat tour through the Helsinki Archipelago , which can be particularly beautiful at sunset.

Day 4: Day Trip to Tallinn, Estonia

• Take a high-speed ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia , which is just a couple of hours away. Spend the day exploring Tallinn’s historic Old Town, sampling Estonian cuisine, and experiencing the city’s culture.
• Return to Helsinki in the evening.

Day 5: Day Trip to Turku and Naantali

• Travel to Turku , about 2 hours drive from Helsinki. Spend your morning enjoying this interesting city,
• Visit the nearby coastal town of Naantali and stroll in the picturesque harbour.

HELSINKI PHOTOGRAPHY

You can check the best photographs from Helsinki here .

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations in Helsinki where you enjoy great views .

• Tower of the Helsinki Olympic Stadium
• Näsinneula: this tower provides stunning panoramic views of the city of Tempere and the surrounding lake
• SkyWheel Helsinki : This Ferris wheel, located at Katajanokka Harbour, provides a unique aerial perspective of the city, especially in the evening as the lights come on.
• Linnanmäki Amusement Park : The Panorama tower at Linnanmäki Amusement Park offers views of the city, making it an excellent choice for families and those seeking a fun experience.
• Clarion Hotel Helsinki Sky Room : The Clarion Hotel in Jätkäsaari has a Sky Room on the 16th floor, offering stunning views of the city, the sea, and the western harbour area.

You can check these viewpoints’ locations and the best photo spots in Helsinki on the following map .

VIRTUAL TOUR OF HELSINKI

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Helsinki 🙂

WHAT TO BUY

Helsinki offers a variety of unique and locally-made products that make for great souvenirs or gifts. Here are some items you might consider purchasing in Helsinki:

• Marimekko Products : Marimekko is a well-known Finnish design brand famous for its bold and colourful patterns. You can find a wide range of products, including clothing, bags, and home goods.
• Iittala Glassware : Iittala is another iconic Finnish design brand known for its high-quality glassware and tableware. Look for classic pieces like Aalto vases or the iconic Kivi candleholders.
• Finnish Design and Craftsmanship : Explore the boutiques in the Design District to discover unique pieces from local designers, including jewellery, ceramics, and textiles.
• Arctic Berry Products : Finland is home to a variety of berries, and you can find products like cloudberry or lingonberry jams, juices, and liqueurs. These make for tasty and authentic Finnish treats.
• Fazer Chocolate : Fazer is a famous Finnish chocolatier, and their chocolates are beloved in Finland. Pick up a box of assorted chocolates or Fazer’s iconic blue chocolate bar.
• Kalevala Jewelry : Inspired by Finnish folklore and mythology, Kalevala Jewelry offers a range of beautifully crafted pieces that reflect the country’s rich cultural heritage.
• Moomin Merchandise : The Moomins, created by Finnish author Tove Jansson, are beloved characters in Finland. Look for Moomin-themed items such as mugs, toys, or clothing.
• Reindeer Products : Reindeer are a symbol of Finnish Lapland, and you can find various products made from reindeer leather, including wallets, gloves, and accessories.
• Finnish Knitwear : Traditional Finnish knitwear, including wool socks, mittens, and sweaters, is not only practical but also reflects the country’s cold climate and rich textile traditions.
• Sauna Products : Take a piece of Finnish sauna culture home with you. Consider purchasing birch sauna whisks, natural soaps, or sauna-scented candles.
• Finnish Licorice (Salmiakki) : If you’re feeling adventurous, try some Finnish liquorice, known as Salmiakki. It has a strong, salty flavour and is a unique Finnish treat.
• Wooden Products : Finland is rich in forests, and you can find high-quality wooden items such as kitchen utensils, home décor, and traditional Finnish Kuksa cups.
• Finnish Books and Literature : Explore Finnish literature by picking up books by famous Finnish authors like Tove Jansson, Arto Paasilinna, or the classic works of Aleksis Kivi.

FURTHER READING

Some websites for more information about Helsinki :

• Visit Finland : The official tourist website of Finland
• My Helsinki : A comprehensive local guide to Helsinki

Some good travel guides to buy before your visit to Helsinki:

• Lonely Planet Finland i : A great guide about Finland that includes information about Helsinki.
• The Mini Rough Guide to Helsinki : Another good guide dedicated to Helsinki

TRAVEL RESOURCES

• Flights : I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Momondo is another very good search engine as well as Google Flights .
• Accommodation : I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. Airbnb is a great alternative to finding homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners.
• Car Rental : I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options.
• Public Transport : Rome2Rio is a good website for checking prices & times on train and bus travel.
• Day Trips & Tours : Viator provides the most comprehensive list of day trips and you can book directly with them. TripAdvisor is also a great place to search for tours & activities to do.
• Travel Insurance : SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

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A complete guide to Helsinki, Finland

Updated On 8th March, 2024

From the famous Helsinki Cathedral to exploring the surrounding islands by boat, there are so many things to see and do in Helsinki. If you’re planning on visiting spending a weekend in the Finnish capital, then this Helsinki guide is just for you!

Helsinki is the capital of Finland, full of art, culture and unique design. The locals are really friendly and there’s a big focus on stopping, relaxing, and connecting with nature, something I think is so important. Finland is said to be the happiest country in the world, and it’s not hard to see why.  See how to increase your happiness here.

I absolutely love Finland, and I’ve been here a number of times. From exploring  Finnish Lapland , to driving the  Koli Ice Road , and from going  snowshoeing  to enjoying a  husky safari in Karelia , Finland offers so many opportunities for adventure, and it doesn’t stop there.  Tallinn  in Estonia is only a 2-hour ferry away, and you can get to  Stockholm  on an overnight ferry, so it’s easy to turn your trip to Helsinki into an international adventure!

EXPLORE FINLAND ON MY BLOG HERE

I last visited Helsinki on a cruise, where I saw 6 cities in 7 days: Helsinki,  Stockholm ,  Copenhagen ,  Oslo ,  Tallinn ,  St. Petersburg . It was an incredible adventure, and I learned and saw so much in each of these unique but nearby cities.

I also explored Helsinki as part of an adventure exploring Southern Finland, where we also stopped in Hanko and Salo.  Check out my 4-day itinerary for Southern Finland here.

I’ve put together my knowledge, tips and tricks from these trips into the ultimate Helsinki travel guide, ready for your next Finnish adventure! Let’s get planning!

A Helsinki guide: everything you need to know about Finland’s capital…

How do you get to helsinki, getting to helsinki by plane:.

Helsinki airport (HEL) is Finland’s largest airport and welcomes international flights every day.

Top tip: Check out the flight deals on  Skyscanner here.

Check out  how to pack a weekend away in a carry-on suitcase here!

Getting from Helsinki airport to the city centre…

You have a few options:

• Finnair city bus:  the most comfortable way to get from the airport to the city centre. It takes 30 minutes and a one-way ticket is €6.80.
• Public bus or train:  several public buses (615, 415, 617 and 561) and trains run between the airport and the city.  Check upcoming bus and train departures on the airport website  here.

If you only have a few hours and are visiting as part of a  Helsinki layover, check out this post  for the best things to do with that time!

Top tip: Get more  sustainability tips for travelling in Europe in this blog post !

Where’s the best place to stay in Helsinki?

When I last stayed in Helsinki, I stayed in  Hotel Lilla Roberts , which was gorgeous. For cheaper options, I’ve heard that the following are good:

• CheapSleep Helsinki
• Hostel Suomenlinna
• SweetDream Guesthouse
• The Yard Hostel

Top tip: Get  £25 off your first AirBnb stay here.

Check out hotel and hostel options on  booking.com here.

What’s the best way to get around Helsinki?

• On foot:  Helsinki is a relatively small capital city and perfectly walkable!
• Rent bikes:  Helsinki is a great city to cycle round, and there are city bikes available to use.  Get more information about how to use the bikes  here.
• Public transport:  Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) provide a great service across the city, including buses, trains, trams, and the metro.

If you’d prefer to take public transport instead of walking, on the  HSL app  you can plan your journey through Helsinki and buy all your transport tickets.  Check out other useful travel apps in this blog post.

The best places to eat and drink in Helsinki…

• Cafe Regatta , touristy but worth a visit!
• Nolla , a zero waster restaurant (with vegan options)
• Sose,  an amazing vegan cafe with a seasonal menu
• Kahvila Siili , a summer cafe with great coffee
• IPI Kulmakuppila , a great cafe that trains and hires people with learning differences
• Tanner  is a music store and restaurant
• Sandro Kallio , good for brunch or a buffet lunch, with lots of veggie options!
• Story  in the Old Market Hall for soup, or  Mari’s Smoothie Bar  for a fresh juice.
• Juuri  for ‘sapas’ (Scandinavian tapas!)
• Savotta  for traditional Finnish food
• Sunn  for brunch!
• Café Ursula, Andante, Kaffecentralen (multiple locations), Kaffa Roastery, Kulma  or  Cafe Esplanad  for coffee and cake
• Yes Yes Yes  for a great vegatarian restaurant.
• Restaurant Kuurna  for amazing, seasonal food. I think this was one of the best meals I’ve ever eaten anywhere!

For a night out in Helsinki, consider  Post Bar, Pub Sirdie and Kaikukatu , all in the Kallio neighbourhood!

For cocktails, try  Steam Hellsinki  or  Ateljee Rooftop Bar .

See my  hidden gems you must visit when planning European adventure here.

Make sure you try korvapuusti when you’re in Helsinki, a traditional cinnamon roll.

The best things to do in Helsinki…

1. visit helsinki cathedral & senate square for the some helsinki shots..

2. Soak up all the culture in the many museums Helsinki has to offer.

There are  so many  museums in Helsinki; I’m pretty sure you could fill a few days looking at what the museums have to offer!

Art museums in Helsinki: 

• Ateneum Art Museum
• Museum of Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma
• Design Museum
• The Finnish Museum of Photography
• Kansallisgalleria
• Sinebrychoff Art Museum

History museums in Helsinki:

• National Museum of Finland
• Military Museum’s Manege
• Finnish Museum of Natural History
• Suomenlinna  – definitely worth visiting. It’s a maritime fortress spread over seven islands!
• Seurassari  Open Air Museum – also worth visiting for some fresh air and to wander around the traditional Finnish buildings on show here!

Here are  12 ways to improve your travel photography!

3. Take the vintage tram from Havis Amanda Fountain at Market Square for a 20-minute journey covering all of central Helsinki’s landmarks!

If you don’t want to ride the vintage tram, ‘modern’ tram line 2 will take you through the landmarks too!

4. Make a picnic and enjoy it at Esplanadi, a green space in Helsinki city centre.

“Espa”, as it’s known by the locals, is a welcome escape from city life.

Another park slightly further out, but worth visiting, is  Kaivopuisto Park .

5. Marvel at the unique design of the underground Temppeliaukio Church.

6. browse the local products, including finnish cakes and cheeses, at the old market hall..

If this Helsinki guide has inspired you to visit, see my top tips for planning and researching your next adventure  here.

7. Explore the remaining wooden house districts in Helsinki.

Offering up a bit of real life Finnish history and culture, these districts were built for the working class in the 20th century. Of the few that remain, two worth exploring are Puu Vallila for the coffee shops and bars, and Puu-Käpylä for its green space.

8. Walk the 7km long trail along Helsinki’s coast line.

On the walk you’ll see Hietaniemi Beach (a sandy beach you can relax on during summer!) and the Sibelius Monument which commemorates a famous Finnish composer.

Top tip: Exploring a city on foot or by bike is a great way to keep fit when travelling. Check out more ways to  keep fit when you’re travelling in this blog post!

9. Relax and enjoy a sauna.

There are a whopping 3 million saunas in Finland! Many of these are open to the public, and since sauna is a Finnish word, it makes sense to try one while you’re here.

For public saunas, you should try the districts of Kotiharju, Merihaka,  Hermanni, or the “ Löyly” urban sauna complex.

Things to remember about being in a sauna: Men and women use separate saunas, naked is best (but towels are allowed), and be quiet! (Note: Löyly is an exception in that the saunas are mixed so swimsuits are required.)

10. Release your inner child at Linnanmäki amusement park.

11. visit uspenski cathedral, the largest russian orthodox church in western europe..

12. Enjoy crayfish season!

In July and August the seafood restaurants in Helsinki are packed. It’s crayfish season, and this dish is usually paired with a shot of Akvavit. Cheers!

13. Browse the stalls and pick up some souvenirs from the Market Square (Kauppatori).

14. go skiing in the paloheinä forest in helsinki’s central park (keskuspuisto)..

EXPLORE WINTER SPORTS ON MY BLOG HERE

15. See Helsinki from the water on a sightseeing cruise.

Book your 90-minute cruise around Helsinki’s islands  here.

16. Visit the reindeer and enjoy the nature on a day trip to Nuuksio National Park or Sipoonkorpi National Park.

The National Parks are also great places for adventure sports such as hiking, kayaking and rock climbing!

EXPLORE ACTIVE TRAVEL ON MY BLOG HERE

17. Visit the medieval town of Porvoo to learn about Finnish history first hand.

18. enjoy a day trip to the beautiful åland islands..

These islands between Finland and Sweden are well worth a visit if you can squeeze them into your time in Helsinki!

See my  22 top tips for travelling in Europe here.

19. Spend a day in Vantaa.

This suburb outside of Helsinki is full of amazing street art. You can also visit the Fazer Chocolate Factory and go ice swimming in Kuusijärvi Lake!

20. Enjoy the cool, arty Kallio neighborhood.

Students, artists and creatives love this area of Helsinki! Kaiku and Kuudes Linja are two nightclubs you should definitely visit if you like to party.

21. Enjoy the jazz festival at Teurastamo, an old slaughterhouse that is now a cultural hub.

See my  21 cheap places to visit in Europe here

22. Watch the sunset over downtown Helsinki from the island of Lonna.

23. do a food walking tour and indulge in traditional finnish food such as porridge, beer, sausages, cheese, reindeer, pastries and fish.

Heather’s Helsinki  and  Food Tours Helsinki   offer private walking tours.

If you’re feeling inspired to visit Finland after this Helsinki guide, check out  this guide to Finnish Lapland for a colder adventure!

24. Take the ferry to Tallinn, Estonia.

Yes, on your trip to Helsinki you can visit another country! Tallinn is only two hours away, so could be done as a day trip or an overnight trip.

Check out my  48-hour guide to Tallinn here.

See my  10 dreamy spring weekends in Europe here.

See my  beginner’s guide to hiking here.

EXPLORE EUROPE ON MY BLOG HERE

Have you been to Helsinki?

What hotspots would you add to this Helsinki travel guide? I’d love to know!

Love as always and happy adventuring,

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The 15 Best Things to Do in Helsinki

Of the five Nordic countries, Finland might be the least familiar to travelers. While hordes have descended upon the Scandinavian capitals of Oslo, Stockholm , and Copenhagen — and Iceland’s Reykjavik, of course — Helsinki is still somewhat of an under-the-radar gem. But the small capital city is one of the most alluring destinations in Northern Europe, offering a wealth of attractions from historic UNESCO sites to design museums to beautiful parks, not to mention the kindness of local Finns and the warmth of their famous saunas.

Visit the Suomenlinna Fortress

Suomenlinna Fortress is one of Helsinki’s top tourist attractions, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Construction on the UNESCO-designated historic site, which spans six different islands in Helsinki’s harbor, began in 1748, when Finland was still part of Sweden. While it’s no longer an active military site, Suomenlinna is home to a number of museums — including one housed in the Vesikko submarine — as well as shops and restaurants. There’s even a hostel for guests who want to stay overnight. Suomenlinna is also much more than a tourist attraction, with some 800 permanent residents who rent apartments on the islands. To get to the fortress, you’ll need to take a 15-minute ferry from Market Square. 

Stroll Through Helsinki's Market Square

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Helsinki’s Market Square is lined with colorful tents, each hosting a local vendor selling everything from baked goods to handicrafts to fresh produce. While it’s easy to write this off as a tourist attraction, locals do drop by to grab a coffee or some fresh vegetables — they’ll often avoid the crowds during the summer, though. The Market Square is open year-round, though there are far fewer vendors in the winter. Adjacent to the square is the Old Market Hall , which is the indoor companion to the tents that’s open all year and provides shoppers and diners respite from the weather.

Sail to Helsinki's Nearby Islands

David Ayisoe / Getty Images

Helsinki is surrounded by an archipelago comprising some 330 islands, and locals and visitors alike flock to them for recreation and entertainment throughout the year. Seurasaari is one of the most popular, as it’s home to Helsinki's “open-air museum,” which showcases not only Finnish buildings from the 1700s to the 1900s, but also Finnish traditions. Seurasaari also host big annual celebrations for Christmas , Easter, and Midsummer's Eve . For exploration on a smaller scale, head to the tiny island Lonna , a former military base that’s now home to a new Nordic restaurant, a café, and a traditional sauna — grab a can of local “sauna beer” before heading inside. Ferries to the islands depart from the harbor next to the Market Square.

Partake in Finnish Sauna Culture

 clu / Getty Images

You might have heard the statistic that there’s approximately one sauna for every two Finns, and it’s absolutely true. Saunas aren’t just found at the gym or the spa — they’re ubiquitous in many Finnish households, as they’re an integral part of the country’s culture. If you’re in Helsinki, you can try it out for yourself at one of the many public saunas throughout the city, from the historic Sauna Arla , which opened in 1929, to the modern Kulttuurisauna , both located just north of the city center. You might want to ask your hotel concierge or the admissions desk at the saunas about proper etiquette before entering, as there are some customs that may surprise visitors — for instance, Finns always go nude in saunas, though it is not usually frowned upon if tourists wear bathing suits. Some saunas, however, forbid wearing any sort of bathing gear.

Explore Helsinki's Numerous Churches

Kelly Cheng / Getty Images

Helsinki’s skyline isn’t dominated with skyscrapers, but steeples. There are nearly a dozen major churches in the city — most of which are open to the public daily — each with impressive architectural flair. Helsinki Cathedral is the most iconic traditional church, displaying a bright white neoclassical façade and green domes, while the modern Temppeliaukio Church is famous for being built into the rocks and hosting numerous concerts. But for a more meditative experience, visit the Kamppi Chapel , or the "Chapel of Silence,” a soothing wooden space dedicated to quiet reflection.

Go to the Beach

 ssiltane / Getty Images

You might be inclined to think that chilly Finnish weather might discourage sunbathing, but the short summers are perfect for visiting the beach. Given that Helsinki is a coastal city surrounded by hundreds of islands, there are dozens of public beaches to visit. One of the most popular is the café-lined Hietaniemi Beach in Töölö, which you’ll find filled with locals playing volleyball on a sunny summer day. There’s also a beach at Suomenlinna Fortress , so you can take in a museum in the morning before going for a dip in the afternoon.

Go Swimming Year-Round

Luis Davilla / Getty Images

Finns love to swim, whether that’s at a beach during the summer or in the icy waters in the winter (followed by a visit to the sauna, of course!). For those who don’t want to brave the elements, there are also a number of public swimming pools throughout Helsinki that have more temperate waters. The Allas Sea Pool comprises three outdoor pools on a floating jetty on the harbor—they’re all filled with seawater, but only two are heated. There are saunas on site as well as a café. For a different experience, head to the Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall , which is Helsinki’s oldest public indoor pool. The beautiful Art Deco space opened in 1928 and is a beautiful spot to take a dip. Note that bathing suits are not permitted here, so you’ll be swimming in the nude.

Bring the Kids to Linnanmäki Amusement Park

If you’re traveling to Helsinki with children — or if you’re a child at heart — visit Linnanmäki , where you can ride roller coasters, a ferris wheel, or family attractions like spinning teacups. You can also play arcade games, catch a theater performance, or experience the decorations of the Carnival of Lights, held in each fall. The park is open from April to October each year. Linnanmäki is run by a nonprofit organization that uses the money raised from the park to support child welfare.

Admire the Helsinki Central Railway Station

Werner Nystrand / Folio / Getty Images

Opened in 1919, the Helsinki Central Railway Station is one of the most recognizable architectural landmarks in the city, designed by renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. While it’s an operational station with both local and international train service, you can easily stroll through to take in the beautiful building, dine at one of the many restaurants on site, or peruse the shops. The station is conveniently located in the middle of the city within walking distance of many other tourist sites.

Catch a Concert

 Wikimedia Commons

One of Finland’s greatest national icons is the composer Sibelius, who lived just north of Helsinki on Lake Tuusala. His legacy lives on in Finland’s musical heritage. If you’re in Helsinki, catch a concert at the Helsinki Music Centre , or Musiikkitalo. The building is home to the Sibelius Academy music school, the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and offers a diverse range of programming, including events for families. If you can’t fit a concert into your schedule, you can also take a guided tour of its many music halls.

Go Museum-Hopping

Courtesy of Amos Rex

Helsinki is filled to the brim with museums covering all sorts of topics, from Finnish design history to military legacy. Many of the museums are relatively small, meaning you can fit several visits into a single day. If art is of interest, visit Amos Rex , an underground museum that hosts rotating exhibitions — two of 2019’s exhibitions included Finland’s first show dedicated to Rene Magritte and a show dedicated to Dutch duo Studio Drift, who blurs the line between art and design with its pieces. Want more design? Visit the Design Museum Helsinki to get an overview of the country’s historic connection to all sorts of design, from cell phones to fashion. If dinosaurs and animals are more your thing, you can visit the Finnish Museum of Natural History .

Shop 'til You Drop

J-P Kärnä / CC BY-SA 3.0

Helsinki’s city center is full of vintage stores, designer boutiques, and malls to appeal to any kind of shopper. If you’re going to buy one thing in Helsinki, it should be something from Marimekko, Finland’s most famous clothing, fabric, and home decor brand known for its bold patterns. You’ll see Finns wearing it everywhere, and you’ll find the materials in everything from hotel rooms to the airplane blankets on Finnair. But you can also find plenty of beautiful craft pieces in Helsinki — check the markets to find stalls run by local artisans. And if you’re just in the market for window shopping, check out the Design District.

Enjoy Nature in Central Park

Joao Inacio / Getty Images

Finns love to enjoy nature, so it’s no surprise that there’s a massive park right in the middle of the city (well, it’s just north of the city center, but well within city limits). Central Park covers nearly 2,500 acres — a good portion of which is a primeval forest, so some parts feel more akin to a wild national park than a landscaped one like New York’s Central Park. You’ll find recreation like hiking paths, sports facilities, and ski trails, as well as facilities like cafés, restaurants, and even a sauna. 

Relax at the Library

 Ninara / Flickr / Creative Commons

The Oodi Helsinki Central Library , which opened in 2018, is a massive public space for locals and visitors to share. There are books to rent, of course (though many are written in Finnish), but where the library really stands out is its urban workshop, which offers the free use of 3D printers, large format printers, vinyl cutters, and sewing machines, among other technology. You can also book video game rooms, play board games with the kids, or even have a glass of wine in the café. It’s not only a great spot to read, but to learn, relax, and socialize.

Take a Day Trip

onfilm / Getty Images

While Helsinki itself has plenty of activities to keep you busy, there are a vast number of destinations just outside the city that are worth a day trip during your stay. Just a 30-minute drive or train ride north of Helsinki brings you to Lake Tuulsula , an area once favored by the city’s 20th-century creative elite. Tour composer Sibelius’s home Ainola, or visit one of the local art museums. You can also take a canoe out onto the lake or rent a bicycle to ride the paths around it. Another great day trip is to Fiskars Village , just an hour west of Helsinki by car, train, and bus, where the iconic Fiskars brand was founded. Today, artisans have studios and shops in historic buildings — stroll along the river, buy a few goods, then head to the local distillery and brewery for a drink.

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Helsinki Travel Guide

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Sitting across a series of islands in Finland's far south, Helsinki has a maritime feel and mood much akin to Eastern Europe and Russian cities as to anywhere else in Scandinavia. For a century an outpost of the Russian empire, Helsinki's very shape and form derives from its more powerful neighbour. Yet during the twentieth century, it became a showcase for independent Finland, many of its impressive buildings reflecting the dawning of Finnish nationalism and the rise of the republic. This ushered in the so-called golden age of Finnish design in the 1950s, and the city is justifiably proud of its cutting-edge architecture. Today, visitors will find a youthful buzz on the streets, where the boulevards, outdoor cafes and restaurants are crowded with Finns who take full advantage of their short summer. At night, the pace picks up in Helsinki's solid selection of bars and clubs.

What to see and do

• Sweat it out: Helsinki's hottest saunas

Drinking and nightlife

Esplanadi and senate square, lgbt helsinki, kamppi chapel of silence, the national museum, daring design, suomenlinna, uspenski cathedral, travel ideas for finland, created by local experts.

City hopping in Finland and Estonia

Helsinki enchants with its blend of modernity and nature, entertainment and tranquility accessible everywhere and all the time. Turku, in turn, was the first capital of Finland, and has a lot to teach about the Finnish History. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is not behind in terms of heritage.

Aurora Feast in Finland, Norway and Sweden

This tour is perfect for people who want to explore the Arctic. Begin your journey from the southern part of Finland via Sweden up to the northern part of Norway. Most importantly, you will be hunting for the Northern Lights in the best locations! From Nov to March.

Wild Lapland Experience

Explore the surroundings of the Arctic Circle, visit a magical place - Santa Claus Village - try the traditional Lappish food, snow-shoeing, and much more. You will be located in Pello, close to the famous Eeron Polku trail. From Nov to April.

Midnight Sun in Lapland

In these five days, we will lead you as you learn more about the culture in Northern Europe, taste Lappish delicacies and explore the Arctic Circle. You will also have the opportunity to visit an Amethyst Mine and witness the midnight sun. From Jun to August.

Magical Finland: Helsinki, Arctic Beauty and Midnight Sun

Unique Finnish experiences comprise this superb trip. Tour Helsinki and Porvoo, hike in forests and dig for amethysts, before savouring a midnight sun sauna boat cruise. Visit Santa in his Lapland home, cross the Arctic Circle and head out for an overnight bear safari to wrap up a memorable trip.

Fascinating Northern Lights in Lapland

Witness the mesmerizing dance of the Aurora Borealis on six unforgettable evenings. Fulfill your dream of experiencing this natural wonder, an essential highlight of your Lapland adventure. Available from December to April, the optimal months for both Northern Lights and exhilarating activities.

Following a devastating fire in 1808, and the city's designation as Finland's capital in 1812, Helsinki was totally rebuilt in a style befitting its new status: a grid of wide streets and Neoclassical brick buildings modelled on the then Russian capital, St Petersburg.

Top image © Karavanov_Lev/Shutterstock

Hostel beds are in short supply, especially during summer, so booking ahead is sensible. The Strõmma tickets and tours desk at the tourist office can help with this in person, by phone, email or online (Mon–Fri 10am–4/4.30pm, Sat 10am–4pm; June–Aug also Sun 10am–4pm; t 09 2288 1600).

In Nuuksio National Park thirty minutes’ drive from Helsinki you can camp in the world’s greenest campsite, where state-of-the-art tents are suspended from trees so barely a blade of grass gets trampled. Book through the outdoor adventure company Honkalintu who arrange overnight camping adventures for €150 per two people.

Sweat it out: Helsinki's hottest saunas

Kultuurisauna Opened in 2013 on the north shore of the Kaisaniemenlahti and blending Finnish and Japanese influences, this is one of the world’s most energy-efficient saunas. Visitors can cool off in the sea afterwards. Tram #3 or #7B to Hakaniemi. Entry €15.

Löyly Design Sauna 2016’s new addition to the capital’s sauna scene uses contemporary wooden architecture to create a huge, stunning seaside complex at the Pyhän Birgitan Puisto park on the Hernesaari peninsula. Tram #1A to Perämiehenkatu. Entry €19/2hr.

Wednesday is a popular night for going out, while on Friday and Saturday it’s best to arrive as early as possible to get a seat. There are occasional free gigs on summer Sundays in Kaivopuisto Park, south of the centre. There’s also a wide range of clubs and discos, which charge a small admission fee (€5–10). For details of what’s on, read the back page of the culture section of Helsingin Sanomat , or the free fortnightly English-language paper City, found in record shops, bookshops and tourist offices.

Many places offer good-value lunchtime deals, and there are plenty of affordable ethnic restaurants and fast-food grillis for the evenings. At the end of Eteläesplanadi the kauppahalli (Mon–Fri 8am–7pm, Sat 8am–4pm) is good for snacks and sandwiches. Another bargain are the numerous university student cafeterias around the city. Kallio district, across the Kaisaniemenlahti 2km north of the city centre, has some great cheap Bohemian hangouts.

Esplanadi , a wide, tree-lined boulevard across a mishmash of tramlines from the harbour, is Helsinki at its most charming. A couple of blocks north of its eastern end, the suavely refurbished City Museum at Aleksanterinkatu 16 (Mon–Fri 11am–7pm, Sat & Sun 11am–5pm; free) offers a microcosm of 450 years of Helsinki life through wonderful interactive exhibitions.

Just west of City Museum is Senate Square ( Senattintori ), dominated by the exquisite form of the Tuomiokirkko (Cathedral; June–Aug daily 9am–midnight; Sept–May Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun noon–6pm). After the elegance of the exterior, the spartan Lutheran interior comes as a disappointment; more impressive is the gloomily atmospheric crypt (entrance on Kirkkokatu; June–Aug daily 9am–midnight; Sept–May Mon–Sat 9am–6pm, Sun noon–6pm), now often used for exhibitions. West across Unioninkatu , the city’s most spectacular interior decoration awaits in the soaring ceilings and mesmerizing decorative painting of the National Library of Finland (Mon–Fri 9am–6pm, plus some Sat; free).

The gay scene in Helsinki is small but spirited. For the latest details, pick up a copy of the widely available monthly Z magazine – in Finnish only but with a useful listings section – or drop into the state-supported gay organization SETA, Pasilanraitio 5.

This tranquil, award-winning space (Mon–Fri 8am–8pm, Sat & Sun 10am–6pm; evl.fi ) west of the train station on busy Narinkka Square (locally referred to as Kamppi Square) is a non-ecumenical structure designed to instil a sense of calm in anyone needing respite from the hustle and bustle of downtown.

Kiasma is Helsinki’s museum of contemporary art (Tues 10am–5pm, Wed–Fri 10am–8.30pm, Sat 10am–6pm, Sun 10am–5pm; €12), its gleaming steel-clad exterior and hi-tech interior making it well worth visiting. Temporary exhibitions feature everything from paintings to video installations.

North of Kiasma is the National Museum (Tues–Sun 11am–6pm; €8), its design drawing on the country’s medieval churches and granite castles. The exhibits, from prehistory to the present, are exhaustive; concentrate on a few specific sections, such as the fascinating medieval church art and the ethnographic displays. The highlight could just be by the ticket desk anyway: glance up for fabulous vivid murals based on Finland’s fabled national epic poem, the Kalevala (which inspired Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings ).

About 50km east of Helsinki, Porvoo is one of the oldest towns on the south coast and among Finland’s most charming places. Its narrow cobbled streets, flanked by brightly hued wooden buildings, give a sense of Finnish life before Helsinki’s bold Neoclassical geometry came along. The Porvoo Museum (May–Aug Mon–Sat 10am–4pm, Sun 11am–4pm; Sept–April Wed–Sun noon–4pm; €8) includes the Johan Ludwig Runeberg House at Aleksanterinkatu 3 near the station where the famed Finnish poet lived from 1852; one of his poems provided the lyrics for the Finnish national anthem.

The old town is built around the hill on the other side of Mannerheimkatu, crowned by the fifteenth-century Tuomiokirkko (May–Sept Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–2pm, Sun 2–5pm; Oct–April Tues–Sat 10am–2pm, Sun 2–4pm), where Alexander I proclaimed Finland a Russian Grand Duchy. The cathedral survived a serious arson attack in 2006 and reopened two years later.

The Golden Age of Finnish Design started in the 1950s, driven by the innovation of architects like the celebrated Alvar Aalto who designed many of Helsinki’s most striking modern buildings, cementing Helsinki’s place as a European design capital. Design-wise there are plenty of attractions to check out and even a Design District , an area fanning out from the Dianapuisto park at the northeastern end of Uudenmaankatu and full of fashion stores, galleries and showrooms.

Built on five interconnected islands by the Swedes in 1748 to protect Helsinki from seaborne attack, the fortress of Suomenlinna , fifteen minutes away by boat, is the biggest sea fortress in the world. Reachable by ferry from the harbour, it’s also a great place to stroll around on a summer afternoon, with superb views back across the water towards the capital: you can either visit independently or take one of the hour-long summer guided walking tours , beginning close to the ferry stage and conducted in English (June–Aug daily 11am, 12.30pm & 2.30pm; Sept–May Sat & Sun 1.30pm; €11 high season, €4 low season). Suomenlinna has a few museums, none particularly riveting, but the best is Suomenlinna Museum (daily: May–Sept 10am–6pm; Oct–April 10.30am–4.30pm; €6.50), with a permanent exhibition on the island. There are several atmospheric places to eat and drink.

The square towards the eastern end of Aleksanterinkatu is overlooked by the onion domes of the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral (May–Sept Mon–Fri 9.30am–4pm, Sat 9.30am–2pm, Sun noon–3pm, Oct–April closed Mon). Inside, there’s a glitzy display of icons. Beyond is Katajanokka , a wedge of land extending between the harbours; with some beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, it’s one of the city’s most atmospheric places to walk around.

The islands lying off the Finnish coast run into the thousands, of which Vallisaari – until 2016 private military property – is the latest to become easily accessible. It’s an island for wildlife lovers, as the flora here is superb, and marked trails criss-cross it. Bring a picnic. The ferry (May–Aug daily hourly; Sept Sat & Sun hourly; €7.50 return) stops at Suomenlinna on the return, so you can explore both.

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written by Andy Turner

updated 26.04.2021

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• 1 Districts
• 2.1 History
• 2.2 Tourist information
• 2.3 Climate
• 3.1 By plane
• 3.2 By train
• 3.5.1 By ferry from Tallinn
• 3.5.2 Arriving by yacht
• 4.1 By tram
• 4.3 By metro
• 4.4 By train
• 4.5 By ferry
• 4.6 By taxi
• 4.7.1 Baana
• 4.8 By electric kick scooter
• 4.9 By foot
• 4.10.1 Car rental
• 5.1 Museums and galleries
• 5.2 Islands
• 5.3 Itineraries
• 6.2 Concerts
• 6.4.1 January
• 6.4.2 April
• 6.4.6 August
• 6.4.7 September
• 6.4.8 November
• 6.4.9 December
• 7.1 Finnish
• 9.2 Markets
• 9.3 Records
• 9.4 Clothing
• 11.2 Bars and pubs
• 11.3 Nightclubs
• 12.1 Budget
• 12.2 Mid-range
• 12.3 Splurge
• 13.1 Emergency Social Services
• 13.3 Pedestrian safety
• 13.4 Excavations
• 13.5 Visa agencies
• 15.1 Internet access
• 16.1 Embassies
• 16.2 Places of worship

Helsinki ( Swedish : Helsingfors ) is Finland 's capital and largest city. Helsinki combines modern and historic architectural styles with beautiful open spaces. The city is surrounded by hundreds of tiny islands, and is a cultural bridge between the East and West. The "Pearl of the Baltic Sea " is easy to explore on foot or on bike, and it has a laid-back vibe.

The city of Helsinki forms the core of Finland's largest urban area, known in Finnish as the "capital area" ( pääkaupunkiseutu ). Helsinki is bordered by the Gulf of Finland to the south, while the posh suburban city of Espoo , with the embedded tiny enclave city of Kauniainen , is to the west. The more industrialized city of Vantaa is to the north and east. The Capital Region has a population of about 1.2 million, 650,000 of them living in Helsinki proper. Beyond these, the suburbs rapidly give way to small towns, farms and forests, most notably Nuuksio National Park at the intersection of Espoo, Vihti and Kirkkonummi . On the eastern side, at the tri-point of Helsinki, Vantaa and Sipoo you can find the Sipoonkorpi National Park .

Helsinki's city centre is on the southern peninsula at the end of the city's main thoroughfare Mannerheimintie (or just Mansku ). The central railway station and the main bus terminal are in the city centre. Shopping streets Aleksanterinkatu (or Aleksi for short) and Esplanadi (or Espa ) connect to Senate Square ( Senaatintori ), the historical centre of the city. See the Helsinki Guide Map for an interactive searchable map of the city.

Helsinki was established as a trading town by the Swedish Empire in 1550, but it wasn't until 1812, when the Russian Empire made it the capital city of the country, that it started growing. Today, this hustling and bustling city has more than 658,000 inhabitants (2021), and it is the northernmost capital of an EU member state.

As Finland became part of the Swedish kingdom in the 13th century with Turku as its regional capital, Helsinki was founded in AD 1550 by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden as a trading post to compete with Tallinn to the south in Estonia, which was Danish at that time. Helsinki was established about 5 km north-east of the current centre in the area today known as Vanhakaupunki ("the Old Town"), at the rapids where Vantaa river (at that time known as Helsinge river) flows into the Baltic Sea, which in turn gave the city its Swedish name Helsingfors (ie. Helsinge rapids). Never becoming the trading post Gustav Vasa envisioned and largely bypassed by the King's Road — the major road along the coast at that time — the village faced some hard times during its first centuries with fires and diseases; today there is but a few stones left of the original Helsinki. Eventually the city was moved further south to its current location and in the middle of the 18th century the maritime fortress Sveaborg (nowadays Suomenlinna in Finnish) was established in the front of Helsinki. The now world heritage-listed fortress archipelago features some of the oldest standing buildings in the city.

In 1809, through the Finnish War (a part of the Napoleonic Wars ), Finland was annexed by Russia and the capital of Finland moved from Turku to Helsinki in 1812, away from Sweden. The Czar felt the Grand Duchy of Finland needed a capital of grand proportions, and this was a major turning point in the history of Helsinki. The architects Johan Albrecht Ehrenström, a native Finn, and Carl Ludwig Engel, from Germany, were given the task of rebuilding the city in the Empire style. This can be seen today around the Lutheran Cathedral, which was completed in 1852. The same style, and even architects, is also a part of Saint Petersburg 's history.

Growing steadily during the 19th century, with the population exceeding 100,000 by the turn of the century, Helsinki established itself as the largest city and the political and cultural capital of the country. The city was a battleground in the Finnish Civil War 1917–1918, and was bombed by the Soviets in the Second World War . Until the 1950s Finland was largely an agricultural country, but the industrialisation and urbanization that happened during the following decades meant an influx of new inhabitants from the rural parts of the country and Helsinki started becoming the metropolis it is today, with suburbs, superhighways and even a small subway system. Architectonically a young city, many of the monumental buildings erected since the independence have a stark modernist style and the rest of the city's architecture is made up of National Romantic style buildings from the early 20th century and the aforementioned Empire style buildings in Central Helsinki. Though thoroughly a Nordic capital, Helsinki today reflects the influences gained from the Western and Eastern cultures.

Tourist information

• 60.1681 24.9508 1 City of Helsinki Tourist Information Office , Corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Unioninkatu ( just off Market Square ), ☏ +358 9 3101-3300 , [email protected] . May–Sep: M–F 09:00–20:00, Sa Su 09:00–18:00; Oct–Apr: closes 18:00/16:00 . A fount of information with helpful, multilingual staff. They also sell tickets to museums and sightseeing tours.  

There is also another one right in the Central Railway Station.

Helsinki is among the world's northernmost capitals and the lengthy winter is dark and chilly. Winter temperatures average −5 °C (23 °F), but the wind chill and humidity makes it feel even colder and the mercury can plunge below −20 °C (−4 °F) on a particularly cold day. Days are short. In general snow falls only intermittently and often melts into grey slush. However lake-effect snowfalls dropping copious amounts of snow during a few hours (and messing up the traffic) is not unheard of in the early winter. Since the Helsinki peninsula juts into the sea, there is often a cold sea wind, and the climate is more maritime than inland , with snow and −5 °C (23 °F) replaced by slush, sleet and 0 °C (32 °F). This is especially apparent in November and December, but the first months of the year almost always have colder temperatures and clear skies.

The spring brings clear skies but the temperature doesn't increase as fast as the sunshine hours; even in April you may experience sub-zero nights, even as the afternoon temperatures raise above 10 °C (50 °F). The summer is often pleasant. Daytime temperatures are usually around 20 °C (68 °F) and July and August afternoons often see temperatures above 25 °C, and unlike the rest of the year you don't need a jacket or sweater even in the night. The sun sets late in the night and even then dusk turns into dawn without any real darkness in between. Parks burst into green, sunbathers dot the city's beaches and restaurants and bars deploy their terraces and patios, making the streetscape look more Central European for a couple of months. The autumn slowly develops throughout September with autumn foliage and moderate temperatures; snow and seriously cold weather before early November is very uncommon.

The city is officially bilingual, with an 86% Finnish -speaking majority and a visible 6% Swedish -speaking minority. Many in the Finnish-speaking majority only know the basics of Swedish, which they learned in school, while some speak it fluently.

Most people, especially in the younger generations, speak very good English. Although locals will appreciate an effort to say a few words in Finnish, they know very well how difficult Finnish is and will readily switch to English – many people also like the chance to practice their language skills.

Street signs and most other signs are usually in both Finnish and Swedish. In tourist-oriented areas, English signage is also prevalent. The Finnish and Swedish names of streets and places may differ significantly, for example Suomenlinna/Sveaborg for the fortress and Pasila/Böle for one of the train stations.

Being Finland's most cosmopolitan area by a fair margin, Helsinki also houses people from different parts of the world. While strolling around, you may hear people converse in Estonian, Russian, German, and Somali.

Authorities are required to give service in Finnish and Swedish, while many will speak English with foreigners and you may have luck with other languages. In touristy places, some staff will speak four or five languages.

The airport is well served from across Europe, from East Asia and (in normal times) from neighbouring Russia. There are also flights from some airports elsewhere in Asia and a few airports in the USA.

Coming from across the Baltic Sea, you may also consider flying to some regional airport with budget flights, such as Turku or Tallinn , if their connections happen to suit. You can take a ferry from Tallinn or an intercity bus or train from the other cities, which generally have excellent connections to Helsinki (connecting flights are sparse, and you'd miss the city visit).

Helsinki Airport is on a commuter train loop, with trains every 10–30 minutes from 04:30 until 01:15, taking about 30 min to the centre. There are buses to the centre, to Vantaa, to Itäkeskus (with metro connection) in the eastern suburbs, and to other cities. Taxis are available. See Helsinki Airport#Ground transportation for details.

There's a grocery store in the airport open 24 hr daily, like one at Elielinaukio at the north-western corner of Helsinki Central Railway Station (next to tracks 13–19). Shops under the railway station also have long hours.

Motorways connect Helsinki to Turku to the west, Tampere and Lahti to the north , and to Porvoo and to Saint Petersburg in the east. The south and west of Finland are mostly surrounded by water, but you can bring your car on ferries from Tallinn (south, many daily connections), Stockholm (west, daily), or even Germany (south-west). See "By boat" below. There are ferries from Sweden also to Turku and Vaasa on the west coast of Finland.

Long-distance national and international coaches terminate at the new underground 60.169 24.9321 4 Central Bus Station ( Linja-autoasema ) in the basement of the Kamppi mall ( Kampin Keskus ). The station is adjacent to Mannerheimintie, directly connected to the Kamppi metro station and within a short walking distance from the Central Railway Station. The main connections are served both by traditional coaches and low-cost Onnibus double-deckers.

For travel from St. Petersburg (Russia), there are ordinary buses and minibuses. Ordinary buses are operated by Lux Express , Ecolines and Sovavto . Russian minibuses depart from the Oktyabrskaya Hotel (opposite the Moskovsky train station) around 22:00 and arrive behind Tennispalatsi at Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8, one block away from Kamppi, early in the morning. Departures back start around 10:00 in the morning. The minibus trip costs around €15, making this by far the cheapest option, but the buses are cramped and uncomfortable and some of them stop at numerous supermarkets on the way so that Russian passengers can go for tax-free shopping. One of the operators is Transgold .

Helsinki is well connected with ferry services from Tallinn , Estonia , and Stockholm , Sweden , and there are limited services from Travemünde and Rostock , Germany . Service from St. Petersburg (Russia) are suspended because of Russia's war on Ukraine. There are occasional cruises from other ports.

For those continuing directly from Helsinki, many coaches to elsewhere start from the port and then continue via Kamppi, possibly with a transfer.

Ferries arrive at three harbours with six terminals:

• 60.1543 24.921 5 West Harbour, Terminal 1 ( Länsisatama, Terminaali 1 ), Hietasaarenkuja 8 . The old terminal of the western harbour nowadays only serves St. Peter Line from St. Petersburg. The terminal has luggage lockers, café, a trolley rental, kiosk, a restaurant, public transport ticket machine, bank and an ATM. Accessed by tram 7; tram 9 is about 500 m away. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 60.1498 24.9146 6 West Harbour, Terminal 2 ( Länsisatama, Terminaali 2 ), Tyynenmerenkatu 14 . Opened in early 2017 on reclaimed land south of the older Terminal 1, Tallink's and Eckerö Line's ferries from Tallinn dock here. Accessed by trams 7 and 9. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 60.1608 24.9589 7 South Harbour, Olympia Terminal ( Eteläsatama, Olympiaterminaali ), Olympiaranta 1 . West shore of the bay. Tallink Silja's overnight cruise ferries from Stockholm M/S Silja Serenade and M/S Silja Symphony dock at Olympia Terminal. The terminal has a money exchange, an ATM, luggage lockers, a trolley rental, a restaurant, kiosk, and the Silja Line service point. The terminal was built for the 1952 Olympic Games , hence the name. Trams 2 and 3 stop almost right outside the terminal. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 60.1639 24.9682 8 South Harbour, Katajanokka Terminal ( Katajanokan terminaali ), Katajanokanlaituri 8 . East shore of the bay. Viking Line ships (M/S Gabriella, M/S Mariella, M/S Viking XPRS) arrive at Katajanokka Terminal. The terminal has a restaurant, kiosk, an ATM, a currency exchange, luggage lockers, and the Viking Line service point. The terminus of tram 5 (only operates around departures and arrivals of ferries) is in front of the terminal, while tram 4 stops a few blocks towards the centre. ( updated Oct 2017 )
• 60.2216 25.176 9 Vuosaari Harbour, Hansa Terminal ( Vuosaaren satama, Hansaterminaali ), Provianttikatu 5 . Mainly a cargo port, but used also by Finnlines services from Travemünde . Take bus 90 to Vuosaari and continue by metro. ( updated Oct 2017 )

See the Port of Helsinki site [dead link] for the latest details.

By ferry from Tallinn

The ferry route from Tallinn , Estonia to Helsinki has upwards of 20 departures daily. Depending on the ferry, journey time is anywhere from 1½ to 3½ hours. Prices average €16–30 one way, depending on operator, season (summer costs more), day of week (Fridays and Saturdays cost more) and time of day (out in the morning and back in the evening is popular and hence more expensive). Particularly popular are day cruises , which can go for as little as €15 return. All ferries also carry cars, from €25 one way. Bicycles can be taken for around €5 one way. Bikes on car ferries must go through vehicle check-in, which closes earlier than passenger check-in, so plan for extra time.

The following companies operate ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

• Eckerö Line , ☏ +372 664 6000 , [email protected] . Operates only one ship, the 2000-passenger Finlandia (three times daily, travel time 2½ hr). Often has cheap fares. ( updated Feb 2019 )
• Tallink Silja , ☏ +372 640 9808 , [email protected] . Up to 6 departures daily on large Shuttles Star and Superstar (2 hr). Discounts are available to Eurail pass holders. As this company has more departures you will have more flexibility planning your day trip. ( updated Mar 2015 )
• Viking Line . Large Viking XPRS ferry (2½ hr, 2 sailings a day). Usually cheapest. ( updated Feb 2020 )

Eckerö and Viking usually have the cheaper fares, as they are more geared towards day-trippers and the party crowd who come to have a great time on board and tend to spend more in the bars, restaurants and shops on board.

Arriving by yacht

Beware of the very busy ferry traffic, especially the fast ferries from Tallinn. Use boating routes if possible. There are guest harbours in Katajanokka in central Helsinki ; Pihlajasaari and Suomenlinna in the southern islands and Iso Vasikkasaari in Espoo . If you need customs clearance you should use the customs route from Helsinki lighthouse past Harmaja to the coast guard station at Katajanokka.

All public transport within the Capital Region is coordinated by HSL , which is divided into four zones. Here's a rough description of the zones:

• Zone A - Central Helsinki and as far as the tram goes.
• Zone B - The rest of Helsinki minus the far eastern suburbs, and including eastern Espoo and the southern rim of Vantaa.
• Zone C - The rest of Espoo and Vantaa.
• Zone D - Sipoo in the east, Kerava and Tuusula in the north, Kirkkonummi and Siuntio in the west.

Tickets can be purchased from several different places — by using the preloaded travel card (see below), from kiosks, sales points or ticket machines or in the HSL app. Tickets are not sold on board of trains, buses, or trams. Save for trips in the D zone, only tickets for two, three or four zones are sold. The price of the ticket depends on the method of purchase. The following fares are the most common (fares given for adults, children travel for half the fare):

• AB , BC or D zones: €2.80 (travel card, pre-purchased from kiosks, ticket machines or in the HSL app)
• ABC : €4.60 (travel card, pre-purchased from kiosks, ticket machines or in the HSL app)
• ABCD : €6.40 (travel card, pre-purchased from kiosks, ticket machines or in the HSL app)

Alternatively, you can opt for a HSL Day Ticket or the Helsinki Card (see below), both of which offer unlimited travel within the city.

All tickets are valid on all types of transport, and allow unlimited transfers within their validity period (between 80 min and 110 min depending on ticket) and regions. Unlike public transportation tickets in many other cities the ticket is not invalidated if you exit the vehicle before the time has expired. Children under the age of seven travel free, while tickets for children under the age of 17 are half price.

Readers that support direct tap-and-go credit/debit card payments are set to roll out from the end of 2023. For time being, likely the most convenient way to buy tickets is the official HSL App [dead link] , which lets you pay for tickets by card, includes a handy journey planner, and does not require a Finnish phone number for registration.

Alternatively, the Travel Card ( matkakortti ) is an RFID card sold at R-kioskis and HSL offices, very similar to London 's Oyster card. The Travel Card costs €5 (non-refundable) and gives a discount on fares. Hold the card on the reader without pressing anything to see the remaining value or to register a transfer. A travel card for non-residents can be bought at most R-kioski stores, and can be cost-effective if you are using many single tickets (including multiple people sharing the card), or are here for 14 days and can get the 14-day season ticket for non-residents instead of weekly day passes. The travel card readers are inside buses, trams and trains, and before the platform areas for metro and Suomenlinna ferry.

In addition to a day ticket, you can also opt for a Helsinki Card , that also offers free admission to a number of museums and other attractions. The regular Helsinki City Card is valid for travel within the A and B zones, the more expensive Helsinki Region Card also covers the C zone.

The very useful HSL Journey Planner [dead link] will get you from a street address, place or sight to another by suggesting possible public transport connections, covering the entire metropolitan Helsinki region. Try e.g. "Airport" or "Railway station" for place names.

Getting around at night can be a bit tricky (or expensive), as most trains and trams stop before midnight and the buses before 02:00. A limited night bus network, all leaving from either Elielinaukio or Rautatientori next to the railway station, runs on weekends and public holidays after 02:00, at the same price as a normal ticket.

There are no ticket checks when getting on the metro, trains, trams or the Suomenlinna ferry, but ticket inspectors perform random checks on board. If you ride without a ticket and get caught by inspectors, you will be fined €80 plus the price of a ticket.

For tourists, the most convenient and scenic means of travel is the extensive tram network, though the last of the practical circular routes 7A and 7B were discontinued in August 2017. For an up-to-date route map and additional information check out HSL's website .

There is also a free Helsinki Sightseeing 3T Tram Audio Guide available for downloading here [dead link] . It follows the route of now-discontinued tram 3T, that you will be able to replicate by taking trams 2 and 3, transferring at the Olympiaterminaali and in Taka-Töölö or on Nordensköldinkatu.

While the trams operate in the city center, buses cover the rest of the city. The main stations for northbound and eastbound buses are on the two squares adjacent to the Central Railway Station: Eliel Square ( Elielinaukio ) and Railway Square ( Rautatientori ). Westbound buses operate from the underground bus station in the Kamppi Center, adjacent to the Kamppi metro station.

You usually need to show you ticket to the driver (or the machine by the driver). Tickets are not sold on HSL buses since the spring of 2020.

Helsinki's metro holds the minor distinction of being the northernmost subway system in the world with Mellunmäki being the northernmost station. The distinct orange metro cars are worth a ride.

With the western extension opening in November 2017, and the second phase of it in December 2022, there are now two lines, but for the most part they run next to each other so they can be considered one single line. Both start in Espoo, M1 in Kivenlahti and M2 in Tapiola three stations along the line, proceeding through central Helsinki to the eastern suburbs. At Itäkeskus M1 forks south to Vuosaari and M2 north to Mellunmäki.

From 3 June to 8 September 2024, the Rautatientori (Central Railway Station) metro station in central Helsinki is under repairs and can not be used. This effectively bisects the metro line into two separate, disjoint lines, one running east towards the eastern suburbs of Helsinki, the other running west towards Espoo. Metro trains turn back at Kamppi metro station to the west of Rautatientori and University of Helsinki metro station to the east of it. The trip between these two stations can be made by tram or bus or on foot. The Central Railway Station itself remains in normal service.

VR's suburban trains operate north from the Central Railway Station, branching out in three directions. HSL city tickets are valid within city limits, regional tickets on suburban trains to Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen.

All carriages on local trains have the electronic readers which allow you to buy a fare with a travel card. Ticket sales on board trains on the HSL network have been discontinued, and you have to buy a ticket before you board the train. Some stations have ticket vending machines, or you can buy a ticket with your phone [dead link] , from R-kioski kiosks, or HSL service points.

The HSL ferry to Suomenlinna from the Market Square ( Kauppatori ) is a cheap and popular summer getaway. Another HSL operated ferry, mostly used only by the island's residents, leaves from the eastern end of Katajanokka. In addition, private operators provide ferries to Suomenlinna and various other islands during the summer; however, schedules can be sparse. HSL's Day Ticket and mobile-phone ticket are both valid also on the Suomenlinna ferry.

Taxis in Finland are expensive. As fares were deregulated in 2018, prices have risen significantly, especially in Helsinki. Taxis are now free to set the prices as they like, and at popular taxi ranks (such as the airport and the railway station), inflated prices are common. Still, prices must be told and you have to be warned if the price may turn out to be more than €100.

Comparing prices is not straight forward, as some companies have higher flag-fall price, some give more weight to time, others to distance, some have minimum prices, and a few do not use taximeters at all, but offer fixed prices. Still, the price logic has to be clearly told, with an example voyage of 10 km and 15 min in the night, which should cost about €35. If you order per app or web, you usually get a fixed-price offer based on distance and estimated time.

During weekend nights and some popular events or holidays, it can be difficult to find a free taxi. Walk to the nearest taxi stand or try to book one by phone from Taxi Helsinki ☏ 0100-0700 (non-geographic number) or Lähitaksi ☏ 0100-7300 (non-geographic number) (€2+1.5/min). If it's a very busy night, try calling Taksione at ☏ +358 50-545-5454 or Kajon at ☏ 0100-7070 (non-geographic number) . To pre-order a taxi for a given time, call ☏ 0100-0600 (non-geographic number) (€2.76/call+0.35/min) for Taxi Helsinki, the normal number for the others. A pre-order for a taxi should be made at least half an hour, preferably a day or two, beforehand. A pre-order fee of €7–14 will be added to the taxi fare with most call centres.

Drivers are not required to pick up a person hailing them on the street. If their light is on, and they pass a person hailing them, it is usually because there is a taxi stand very near by with available taxis waiting for customers. If you are not near a taxi stand, you will very likely be able to hail a passing taxi with the light on. If the queues at night seem frustratingly long in the city centre and you are willing to walk a bit, try heading towards Hakaniementori or Lauttasaari Bridge, where you can often hail a returning taxi (however, do not bother if the light is not on).

Some taxis are equipped with child safety seats or other special equipment, ask when booking if you need them. safety seats are legally required also in taxis for children under 3 years.

The biggest players are Taxi Helsinki and Lähitaksi (beware of companies using similar names).

• Taxi Helsinki , ☏ +358 100-0700 (extra charge?), +358 100-0600 (pre-order; €2.76/call+0.35/min) . The traditional call centre for Helsinki. Valopilkku is their app .  
• Lähitaksi , ☏ +358 100-7300 (extra charge: €1.92+€2.5/min+pvm) . Traditionally the main taxi dispatch service in the capital region outside of Helsinki. Smartphone app: Taksini Daytime M–Sa €3.90+€1/1.45/km+0.90/min, nights and holidays €7.90+1.05/1.55/km+0.99/min; prebooking €7/14; the lower km and prebooking fees for 1–4 persons . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Uber . Uber has resumed its business in the capital region after the reform. They now use licensed vehicles and drivers like everybody else, although the vehicle standard may differ more than what is otherwise common. Prices vary in unpredictable ways, but you get an offer when ordering. ( updated May 2019 )
• Yango . Yango is a Russian company which offers cheap fares. M–F €3.00+€1.10/km+€0.25/min, Sa-Su 05:00-21:59 €3.00+€1.10/km+€0.25/min, F–Su 22:00-04:59 €6.00+€1.10/km+€0.25/min (Starting fare includes 4 min and 1.5 km) . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• Menevä Helsinki , ☏ +358 50-471-0470 (head of office) , toll-free: 0800-02120 (booking) . Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. Flag fall M–Sa 06:00–18:00: €4, other times and holidays: €7; 1–4 persons €0.90/km + €0.90/km, 5–8 persons minimum €20, €1.60/km + €0.90/min (July 2020) . ( updated Jul 2020 )
• iTaksi , ☏ +358 10-212-0000 (check cost) , [email protected] . Also bookable by app or web. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app or web. €4.00/6.00+€0.90/km+€0.85/min .  
• Fixutaxi , ☏ +358 100-6060 (check cost) , [email protected] . Also bookable by app. Fixed price based on calculated route and time if destination address given when booking by app. M–Su 06:00–18:00 €0.99/km+0.90/min, evenings and nights €1.17/km+0.99/min, minimum fare €10; prebooking €10 .  
• Helsinki Limo , ☏ +358 20-787-0360 (pvm/mvm), +358 20-787-0360 (pvm/mvm) , [email protected] . Premium taxi service. Will provide airport pick-ups, private car services as transfers and longer trips. Their vehicles are always new and black with leather interior. Drivers speak English and can even, by order, give short sightseeings.  
• 02 Taksi . Smart phone app offers address based routing and gives price offers from different taxi companies. Pricing not told on the web . ( updated Mar 2020 )

Helsinki's City Bike [formerly dead link] bike-sharing system was relaunched in 2017. The system offers 3500 bikes spread across 350 stations in Helsinki and the neighboring city of Espoo. Users may buy passes good for one day (€5), one week (€10), or the full season (€35), which provide access to the bikes. Use of a bike for up to 30 minutes is free, with increasing charges for longer rides. Avoid these charges by returning the bike to a station within the 30-minute window – and checking it out again if you wish.

Several businesses also offer bicycle rentals.

If you bring your own bike, use City Bikes, or rent a bike, you'll find an extensive network of bike routes within the city. Bikers are required by law to ride on the street next to cars unless a bike lane or integrated pedestrian/cyclists pavement runs next to it, and the police ticket cyclists breaking this rule. Bike lanes are clearly marked by street markings and blue traffic signs. Biking is also allowed on pedestrian streets.

Downtown bike lanes are typically on the pavement (instead of next to car lanes on the street) so be aware of pedestrians. Don't be afraid to ring your bell! Review your bike map carefully, as some bike routes will stop and require you to walk your bike or drive next to cars. There is also a journey planner for cycling [dead link] . Once you get out of the city centre, cycling is less complicated and there are great, well-labelled paths.

Bikes can be taken on the metro and regional trains free of charge, but only if there is enough space. On buses and trams only folding bikes are allowed. Use the lifts and walk your bike on the stations.

Public libraries often have free biking maps for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. If they are not visibly displayed on tables, ask for one from the staff.

If an ordinary bike isn't enough for you, you can also rent a cyclerickshaw ( riksa ) large enough for three from Riksavuokraus [dead link] ( ☏ +358 50-5582525 ) in Eiranranta near Kaivopuisto. Prices start at €9/30 min, driver not included but available on request.

Baana – Helsinki's new "Low Line" (as opposed to NYC's High Line) opened on June 12, 2012, providing pedestrians and cyclists with a 1.3 km long connector from the Western Harbour area to Kamppi and Töölö Bay. At the Harbour end, you can see all the international cruise ships that stop in Helsinki and visit a free sightseeing terrace with MiG-21BIS fighter jet on display, at the Verkkokauppa.com electronics store. On the Kamppi end, there's bicycle hire centre and cultural activities and sights.

By electric kick scooter

It is possible to rent Swedish Voi , German Tier , American Lime , Dutch Dott and Norwegian Ryde electric kick scooters for use in the centre.

Don't forget walking! The central part of Helsinki is compact and easily walkable. There is no need for public transportation in the main Kamppi–Central railway station area where many attractions are, and even anywhere on the main peninsula (south of the train station) is within 30 minutes at a nice leisurely pace.

Car is not a particularly good way of getting around central Helsinki. If you have your own, consider not using it more than necessary. If you are going to rent a car, consider postponing it until you are going to leave the town.

Central Helsinki is rather difficult to get around by car due to restrictions (one-way streets etc.), and is congested in the morning 06:30–08:30 towards the city and in the afternoon 15:00–17:00 towards the suburbs – the ring roads are congested both directions at both times. For instance, if driving from Porvoo to central Helsinki at around 16:00, one can expect to spend half an hour driving 47 km to the end of the motorway and another half an hour to drive 7 km to the Kamppi centre.

Also parking is limited and expensive. Most street-side parking in the city centre is in "Zone 1" and costs €4/hour during working hours, although Saturdays (mostly) and Sundays (always) are free. There are also several large underground car parks at the Kamppi and Forum shopping centres.

Cars can be hired from the usual suspects.

24Go , OmaGo and AIMO offer web or app based self-service car hire, handy for short drives. Cars can be picked up and dropped off in public car parks. You may need a driving licence recognised by their server. Any service needed (oil etc.) is probably on paid time.

Surrounded by sea and a vast archipelago , Helsinki is at its best in the summer when the dialogue between the city and nature is at its fullest. Classical Helsinki's sights can be divided into an eclectic set of churches and a wide variety of museums . For a coastal amble past some of Helsinki's minor and major sights, see the itinerary A seaside stroll in Helsinki .

Museums and galleries

Many of Helsinki's museums are as interesting from the outside as from the inside. Architecture buffs will get a kick out of Helsinki's Neo-Classical center, centered around Senate Square ( Senaatintori ), where a statue of the liberal Russian czar Alexander II stands guard. Aleksanterinkatu and the Railway Station square also have some beautiful neo-classical buildings – look for the Romantic Kalevala-esque themes – but unfortunately these areas also have many concrete monstrosities mixed in.

If you see only one place in Helsinki in the summer, make it Suomenlinna . Entry to the island is free, but you have to pay for the ferry ride. The HSL ferry from Market Square is the cheapest and most convenient way of getting there at €5 for a 12-hour tourist return. The ferry is a part of the Helsinki local transit system, so if you have an HSL Day Ticket it includes ferry travel. The ferry runs approximately every half hour. On summer weekends the island is a popular picnic destination and you may have to wait for a long time as hundreds of people crowd the ferry terminal. In this case it may be worth it to use the more expensive private ferry company at the other end of the Market Square.

Suomenlinna is far from the only island, a beautiful archipelago ( saaristo ) surrounds the Helsinki city center. The major islands are Korkeasaari with the eponymous zoo, Seurasaari with its open air museum and Pihjalasaari with its beach. In addition to these, there are scheduled services to many smaller islands, and you can also tour them by sightseeing cruise. Most of the cruises depart from the Western corner of the Market Square and last from one to several hours. Most ferries and cruises operate only in the summer high season.

Itineraries

• Along Mannerheimintie , as the name says, what you can see if you travel the main street end to end
• A seaside stroll in Helsinki , an easy half-day walk along Helsinki's west coast
• Helsinki itineraries , several suggested itineraries for different lengths of stay
• Football: The men's national soccer team play home games at Olympic Stadium, capacity 36,000, three km north of city centre. Helsinki has two clubs playing soccer at Bolt Arena two km north of the centre: HIFK in Veikkausliiga the top tier, and HIFK in Ykkönen the second tier. IF Gnistan play in Ykkönen in the northern district of Oulunkylä. The domestic playing season is April-Oct.

The situation with cinemas in Helsinki has deteriorated as one by one small cinemas have closed their doors.

Foreign films are mostly shown in the original language with Finnish (and usually Swedish) subtitles.

There are two large cinema complexes in Helsinki centre: Tennispalatsi at Salomonkatu 15, Kamppi and Kinopalatsi at Kaisaniemenkatu 2, Kaisaniemi, both run by Finnkino , the dominating cinema chain in Finland. Prices vary between €6.50 and €17.50 depending on location, time and 2D/3D.

Cinemas concentrating on classic and art house films are few and far between in Helsinki today. The cinema Orion , Eerikinkatu 15, run by the Finnish National Audiovisual Archive, displays a wide variety of films, including classics. Tickets €6 for non-members and €4.50 with a membership card. Kino Engel , Sofiankatu 4 near Senaatintori, concentrates on European and world cinema. Tickets €9. In Summers, Kesäkino ( Summer Cinema ) is held in the inner court of Café Engel [dead link] , Aleksanterinkatu 26. Tickets (€12) can be bought from the Kino Engel counter and for the same night also from the Kesäkino door 45 minutes before the screening.

There are also some (small) independent movie theatres in neighbouring Espoo , Vantaa and Kauniainen showing mainly the bigger blockbusters. Many of them have a matinée series of cheaper, more art house screenings supported by the local culture board.

Luckily, several film festivals enrich the cinema culture in Helsinki region. The biggest is the Helsinki International Film Festival - Love and Anarchy held annually in September. Espoo has its own international film festival Espoo Ciné held every August in Tapiola and Leppävaara. In January, Helsinki Documentary Film Festival Docpoint [dead link] takes over. Some of the smaller film festivals include (to name few) Lens Politica [dead link] showing political films and art, and Night Visions [dead link] focusing on horror, fantasy, science fiction, action and cult cinema. The Cinemania [dead link] website collects at least some of the festivals together and also sells passes of 5 or 10 screenings that may be used in several festivals. However, check the site for the most up-to-date information as the ticket policy varies from festival to festival.

Helsinki has an active cultural life and tickets are generally inexpensive.

Important performing groups include:

• Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra ( Kaupunginorkesteri ). Performances have moved to the Music House, a brand new visually questionable but acoustically excellent concert hall. Tickets €20. On selected Wednesdays you can go see dress rehearsals for as little as €3 per person. The rehearsals start 09:30. Check availability on the site before showing up at the Music House!  
• UMO Jazz Orchestra . An important part of Finnish jazz life, known for performing new Finnish music alongside interesting shows, such as with new circus. Various venues.  

Helsinki is on the Finnish Gulf, and several cruise liners arrange trips out to the archipelago ranging from short hops lasting only an hour or two to trips ranging a full day.

• Söderskär Lighthouse ( m/s Söderskär from Kauppatori or Nordsjö ), ☏ +358 400-502-771 , [email protected] . May–Sep daily with start 09:00, back 16:00 . An old secluded lighthouse island out at sea, in the middle of a bird reserve. The lighthouse may have inspired Tove Jansson's Moominpappa at Sea. Day trips with an hour on the skerry. Cancelled in high seas. Day cruise €65, children 6–12 €33 .  
• Skippered Day Sailing , Laivastokatu 1, Katajanokka , ☏ +358 50-592-9141 , [email protected] . leaves daily 10:00 (May–Sept) . Visit the coastal archipelago on a 35 ft sailboat, for two hours or full day trips with an experienced skipper. Island hopping is also possible. from €60 .  

Helsinki's celebrations are among the most exciting in the country.

• Lux Helsinki . 17:00-22:00 . Beginning of January. Lux Helsinki is an annual event of light installations to cheer residents' and visitors' minds during the darkest time of the year. They are on display over several nights. Lux Helsinki can also be enjoyed as part of a guided walking tour. Free of charge .  

• Vappu ( Walpurgis Night ). April 30-May 1 . Vappu began as a north European pagan carnival, and is now an excuse for students to wear brightly colored overalls and for everybody to drink vast amounts of alcohol. At 18:00 on April 30, the statue of Havis Amanda at the Market Square is crowned with a student's cap and the revelry begins in the streets. Things can get a little ugly outside as the night wears on, so it's wiser to head indoors to the bars, clubs and restaurants, all of which have massive Vappu parties. The following morning, the party heads to the Kaivopuisto and Kaisaniemi parks for a champagne picnic, regardless of the weather. If the weather is good, up to 70,000 people will show up. Left-wing parties hold rallies and speeches, but the event is increasingly non-political.  
• World Village Festival ( in Finnish Maailma Kylässä ). An annual multicultural weekend festival in late May. The event is free to all and a meeting place offering tastes of different cultures and surprises from all over the world, music, dance, food, art, market, information. Several hundred organizations are involved and the main organiser KEPA works under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.  
• Helsinki City Run . A running event in central Helsinki where you can run the length of a half-marathon. ( updated May 2015 )
• Helsinki City Marathon . Early May . Not as famous as the one in New York, but with over 6,000 participants the largest marathon race in Finland. ( updated Oct 2021 )

• Helsinki-päivä ( Helsinki Day ). Jun 12 . This is the birthday of the city. It traditionally starts with the mayor's morning coffee and is celebrated throughout the day with a variety of concerts, performances, exhibitions and guided tours around the city. Nowadays special event program even for several days.  
• 60.1678 24.94855 2 Helsinki Samba Carnaval . 15:00–17:00 . The biggest samba show in Finland, inspired by the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnaval in Brazil. Held on a Saturday in early June. A great samba parade fills the streets of central Helsinki, with dancers and music players from practically every samba school in Finland. Free of charge .  
• Juhannus ( Midsummer Festival ). Friday between 19 and 25 June . Although a large bonfire is lit in Seurasaari, the celebration is low key as the tradition is to celebrate "the nightless night" at summer cottages in the countryside. Although some celebrate Juhannus in Helsinki as well, the streets are often eerily empty and the doors of the shops closed, making it the most quiet time of year in Helsinki.  
• Teurastamo Jazz :  – July. A jazz happening in the Teurastamo area in Helsinki with free outdoors concerts every Wednesday from June to August.  (date needs fixing)
• Hori Smoku Summer Bugaloo : July. Punk and alternative rock festival in Ääniwalli, Helsinki
• Jazz-Espa : . A jazz happening on Espa stage in late July. Free concerts.  (date needs fixing)
• Tuska Open Air . An annual, 3-day heavy metal festival, featuring acts from all over the world, held in July.  
• Weekend Festival (WKND) : . Techno and dance oriented festival in early July.  (date needs fixing)
• Visio Festival :  – July. New electronic music festival in mid-August.  (date needs fixing)
• Flow Festival . A music and arts festival in early August at Suvilahti . Noted for its high-end arrangements marrying music to design and gourmet food and drink, Flow has expanded to include installations, arts and workshops in the past few years. The music presented at Flow is a strong and varied selection of up and coming and established artists from indie-rock to soul and jazz and from folk to contemporary club sounds, both from the Finnish and the international scene.  
• Finland-Sweden athletics competition . biannually held in Finland . A yearly athletics international competition held between these two neighboring countries since 1925 – the only one still existing of this kind of two-country competition. The two-day event, held in alternate years in Finland or in Sweden, attracts significant audiences.  
• Helsinki Festival ( Helsingin Juhlaviikot ). Multi-week annual arts festival in the latter half of August. The peak of the festival is Taiteiden Yö, "Night of the Arts" called "little vappu " by many as the streets are full of revelers. The official event is marked by performing arts through the night. The Night of the Arts was first organized by local bookstores in the 1990s. It's now organized by the city. During the last few years, the event has slightly returned to its origin as an arts and culture event.  
• 60.16205 24.90415 3 Lautapelaamaan , Tallberginkatu 1 . 10:00-18:00 mostly . Finland's biggest board game event, hosted by the Finnish Board Game Society. Held on a weeked in early November. A whole hall at the Helsinki Cable Factory is available to play board games for the entire weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday evening (the event closes for the nights though). Hundreds of board games available provided by the organisers (to borrow a game to play, you must leave something valuable as a pawn token, such as your phone or wallet). You can also bring your own board games to play. Suitable for people of all ages, both adults and children. Free of charge .  
• 60.16562 24.9674 4 Liquorice and salmiak festival , Pikku Satamakatu 3-5 . 11:00-17:00 mostly . Finns are known for their taste for liquorice flavoured with the salt ammonium chloride, popularly known as salmiak or salmiakki in Finnish, even if many foreigners may find the taste strange and even repulsive at first. Wanha Satama in Katajanokka holds an entire festival for salty liquorice candy on a weekend in middle November. More liquorice candy than you can shake a stick at, with salmiak and without. Several vendors offer their candy for sale and give you free samples. €12 .  
• Slush . Mid-November or early December . Big event where start-ups meet possible investors from all over the world, arranged mostly by volunteer students. Expect hotels to be sold out, and paying a premium if booking early. ( updated Oct 2021 )

• Joulu ( Christmas ). In the weeks before Christmas, Aleksanterinkatu is festively lit up, the Christmas lights of the street are ceremonially lit on the last Sunday in November. The open-air Christmas market formerly held in the Esplanadi Park is nowadays held at the Senaatintori (Senate Square). The Stockmann department store sets up a Christmas themed exhibition with mechanic dolls and animals in their windows at the corner of Keskuskatu and Aleksanterinkatu. Christmas is a family event, so on the 24th, everything shuts down and stays closed until December 26.  
• New Year's Eve . Dec 31–Jan 1 . Like in many other major cities, thousands of Helsinkians gather at Senaatintori next to the Cathedral to welcome the New Year. The event is shown on live television and there is a free outdoor concert as well.  

Most of Finland's exchange students end up in Helsinki's universities.

• University of Helsinki ( Helsingin Yliopisto ). With over 40,000 students, this is Finland's largest university and the only bilingual one (Finnish/Swedish). Its alumni include Linus Torvalds , the creator of the Linux kernel.  
• Aalto University ( Aalto-yliopisto ). Formed from three leading universities in their respective areas: Helsinki University of Technology ( Teknillinen korkeakoulu ) — Considered "Finland's MIT", this university is in Otaniemi, Espoo, just across the municipality border, University of Art and Design Helsinki ( Taideteollinen korkeakoulu )—The biggest art university in Scandinavia with the highest rate of exchange students of all Finnish universities and Helsinki School of Economics ( Helsingin kauppakorkeakoulu ) — The country's largest institution for university level business education. The Aalto University was named after architect and designer Alvar Aalto.  
• Hanken, Swedish School of Economics and Business Administration .  
• Sibelius Academy . The only music university in Finland and one of the largest in Europe.  

As the Alexander University, now the University of Helsinki, was a legal deposit repository also during the Russian time, Helsinki has the largest collection of Russian printed material from the 19th century outside Russia. For many people, studying it here is far easier than the alternative.

The University of Helsinki offers a highly popular Finnish for Foreigners program at six different skill levels, ranging from absolute beginner to advanced courses ending with language certification. Spring and Fall classes are offered in standard 1 unit (3 hr/wk, €135) and intensive 2 unit (8 hr/wk, €310) versions.

Summer courses [dead link] on Finnish language and culture are available at the major universities including Helsinki Summer University .

Shopping in Helsinki is not cheap, but fans of Finnish and Nordic design will find plenty of things of interest. The frugal shopper can find some good bargains, particularly during the sale seasons in January and July. If you live outside the EU and spend more than €40 on a single receipt at any participating store, you can save a pretty penny by getting a refund for the hefty 24% VAT ( ALV ).

Since 2016, opening hours have been fully liberalized, but most large shops and department stores still have the normal hours: M–F 09:00–21:00, Sa 09:00–18:00, Su 12:00–18:00. A notable exception is the Asematunneli complex, underground adjacent to the Central Railway Station, most shops here are open daily until 22:00, except on a few holidays.

All S-markets are open until 22:00 daily. At least the major supermarkets K-Supermarket and Lidl in the Kamppi Center (see below) are open until 22:00, and the S-Market supermarket below Sokos, next to the railway station, is open around the clock. Small grocery stores and the R-Kioski convenience store chain are open until 22:00 or 23:00 (or later). A handful of small Alepa grocery stores are open 24 hours daily. In the centre you will also find small Delish and Pick A Deli convenience stores, open 24 hours daily, but more expensive than regular grocery stores. On holidays, many stores are closed, but at least the central S-supermarket (Sokos) and K-supermarket (Kamppi) are historically barely affected by holidays. Other centrally located small grocery stores and R-kioskis are open some hours in holidays, too.

In the neighbouring cities of Vantaa and Espoo you can also find big shopping malls. Vantaa has Jumbo [dead link] (including Flamingo) and Myyrmanni , while Espoo has the centres of Sello and Iso Omena . All of these are easily accessible by public transport or by car (free parking).

There are high-end design stores around Aleksanterinkatu and Etelä-Esplanadi. The Design District Helsinki area around Uudenmaankatu and Iso Roobertinkatu is full of design and antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants and showrooms. Here you can find the most interesting names, classics, and trend-setters. Visit Design Forum Finland [dead link] at Erottajankatu 7 to get a map of shops and galleries.

Most outdoor markets in Helsinki are open only in summer, but the market halls are open all year round. They are great places to taste Finnish delicacies. The three major market halls are the Old Market Hall, Hietaniemi and Hakaniemi.

Helsinki has a selection of great "underground" record stores with a greatly varying selection of both Finnish and international music. Most of them also sell vinyl (12, 10 or 7 inch). Prices aren't cheap, but the selection may be worth it. Some of the more collectible stuff may even be cheaper than elsewhere. Price range is vinyl €20 ±€5 and CD €10 ±€5.

If you have only a limited amount of time, check out the record stores around Viisikulma , a brisk walk from the city centre.

In addition to Aleksanterinkatu, various fashion boutiques can be found along Fredrikinkatu, a 10- to 15-minute walk south from the railway station. Of course you can also head to department stores and malls like Stockmann, Kamppi and Forum.

Helsinki has by far the most cosmopolitan eating options in Finland, with eight Michelin-starred restaurants ( Palace on Eteläranta got a second one in 2022), and is a good place to enjoy a good meal – if you can foot the bill, that is. As usual in Finland the best time to eat out if you are on a budget is lunch , when most restaurants offer lunch sets for €8–21. Lunch sets are typically served 10:30–14:00 or 11:00–15:00, but the times vary between venues. In the evening, only budget places are less than €10, while splurges cost well over €30 per head. Almost every place will have at least one vegetarian option.

A surprisingly large number of restaurants close down for a month or more in summer (July–August) to give their employees vacation, so call ahead to avoid disappointment.

Budget choices other than the lunch offers are largely limited to fast food, although there are a couple of workaday Finnish eateries in the mix. In addition to McDonald's and its Finnish imitators Hesburger/Carrols, Helsinki is also full of pizza and kebab places, where a meal typically costs around €7–8 (sometimes as low as €4, especially in Kallio).

For lunch, a good budget option is Unicafe , a chain of restaurants owned by the Helsinki University student union, which has around 10 outlets in central Helsinki and offers full meals from €5.70, including vegetarian options (some with longer hours). There are also many other lunch restaurants for students that serve affordable food also for non-students. A good active listing of Helsinki's student restaurants and their menus as well as opening hours can be found at lunchmenu.fi . Another list of lunch restaurants in Helsinki can be found at lounaat.info .

In Helsinki, fine dining represents mainly pure Nordic touch with some unusual and surprising exceptions. A so called "pure Nordic touch" is usually represented with local products like local fresh seafood or some local vegetation. There are also other classes of fine dining that are pretty popular. For example a mixture of traditional Finnish or Nordic and something else is getting more and more attention nowadays. You can find a nice touch of French, German, Slavic and even Asian cuisine in your fine dining menu. For example a very fancy restaurant Demo is where French and Finnish cuisines are merging together, creating a "Nordic-French" touch. For something more different in Helsinki, try Vorschmack , an unusual but surprisingly tasty mix of minced lamb and herring, served with chopped pickles and sour cream ( smetana ); variants of this dish have survived also in some Eastern European countries and among Ashkenazi Jews.

Finland is the largest coffee consuming nation per capita and coffee breaks are written into law. However, in Finland most coffee is filter-brewed from a light, more caffeinated, roast that is quite different to what the rest of the world drinks. Finns often enjoy a bun ( pulla ) or cinnamon bun ( korvapuusti ) with their coffee.

In Finland commonly espressos and lattes are called "special coffees" and a large number of establishments that make such coffees have popped up all over town ever since the 1990s when they arrived. One which will give any Italian cafeteria a go for their money is La Torrefazione next to Stockmann. In the more common cafeterias the normal light brew coffee is sold by self-service at the counter even at some more expensive cafeterias (there is only a handful of cafeterias serving to the table in Helsinki - this shows how commonplace coffee drinking is considered).

Bars and pubs

Helsinki has plenty of hip places for a drink. The main nightlife districts, all in the city center within crawling distance of each other, are around Iso-Roobertinkatu , the Central Railway Station and Kamppi . Helsinki's busy gay nightlife is centered mostly around Iso-Roobertinkatu and Eerikinkatu and surrounding streets.

Going out is not cheap, and complaining about the prices is a popular Finnish pastime, but compared to (say) London or New York City the prices aren't that bad. If you are on a budget and intent on getting plastered, follow the Finns and drink up a good "base" at home or hotel before going out on town. Alternatively, you can start the night outside the city centre area and head to the district of Kallio where bar prices are significantly lower and you can find a plethora of drinking places.

While entry to bars and clubs is often (but not always) free, in club-type places and proper restaurants you must use and pay for the coat check ( narikka ), usually around €2, if you're wearing anything more than a T-shirt. In some places you must pay even if you don't leave anything at the cloakroom. The bouncer will be very strict with this as the much of the narikka-money goes into his pocket. If a ticket price is advertised, it usually does not cover the coat check.

The drinking age is 18, and this is rather strictly enforced, so bring along ID. Underaged drinking is still a huge problem, and many bars and clubs apply house limits of 20–24 years, but these are enforced less strictly and a patron of younger age will some times be let in if one fits the clientele, especially women.

Information on clubs and live performances can be found in free, Finnish-language tabloids such as City , which can be picked up at many bars, cafes and shops.

In Helsinki, the most popular nightclubs have long queues starting to form around 23:30. Get in early to avoid standing, although it can be a nice way to meet people. After around 01:00-02:00 it might be impossible to get in anymore. You may try to just walk past the queue looking important, but a more efficient strategy is to discreetly tip the bouncer (€10-20). The larger group you are, the more difficult things get. Look smart!

Accommodation is generally quite expensive, but of a high standard. Hotels are usually cheaper on weekends, when business travellers are away.

There are quite a few budget hotels in Helsinki, the cheapest being youth hostels. Many student dormitories turn into youth hostels during the July–August school break, which happily coincides with peak season for tourists. The Finnish Youth Hostel Association [dead link] can provide further information.

In a real pinch, the (by far) cheapest option can actually be to book a "last-minute" or "red-ticket" return cabin (from around €20) on an overnight cruise to Tallinn, and spend the night (and part of the next day) on the boat, rather than sleep in the city.

Hotels of national and international chains usually fall in this segment. Prices are usually above €100 per night. In addition, many apartments are rented for about €90–100 per night.

The upscale hotels are in the city centre and in the western parts of the city. Hotel Kämp right at the Esplanade park is definitely the most luxurious choice, and usually the place where actors, pop stars and other celebrities stay when they come to Helsinki.

Helsinki is a safe city for its size.

Helsinki has problems with drug trafficking and use, although this seldom affects visitors. Violent crime targeting strangers seems to be on a rise, but severe incidents are few enough to often reach the headlines.

On weekend nights, intoxicated people wandering around city streets may be an annoyance, especially during summer festivals and on New Year's Eve and April 30, the eve of May Day, which is the most important beer-drinking festival in the Finnish calendar. Warm summer nights always gather a drunken crowd in the centre. Intoxicated Finns tend to be rather noisy (in stark contrast to sober Finns) and admittedly sometimes picking a fight with just about anyone. Just use your common sense, and steer clear of overly loud groups of young men.

There are rare health hazards, although the winter weather should be borne in mind by visitors, especially those planning outdoor activities (or being out late). In midwinter the temperature can even drop to −25°C (−13°F), though this is increasingly rare. If you forget to bring winter clothing, you may want to visit local shops for appropriate apparel. Also, watch out for slippery pavements; thousands of people slip and injure themselves every winter! There are slip preventers for sale in the shoe repair shops and elsewhere.

• 60.188 24.9183 2 Yliopiston Apteekki pharmacy , Mannerheimintie 96 ( Taka-Töölö district ), ☏ +358 300-20200 . 24 hr daily . The pharmacy with the most central location and the best hours.  
• 60.1907 24.9072 3 Haartman hospital emergency , Haartmaninkatu 4 ( Meilahti hospital area ), ☏ +358 9 310-63231 . 24 hr daily . Emergency department of Helsinki Municipal Health Center.  
• 60.1604 24.9411 4 Viiskulma Health Centre , Pursimiehenkatu 4 ( near Viiskulma ), ☏ +358 9 310-45930 , fax : +358 9 3104 5333 . M–F 8–16 . Municipal health centre for minor health problems.  

In emergencies, ☏ 112 (free from all phones) .

Emergency Social Services

You can contact the social service, when you need urgent help or advice for:

• child protection
• other social work
• family crises
• domestic violence
• life management or housing
• matters related to mental health or substance abuse.

Emergency Social Services are available around the clock : ☏ +358 9 3104-4222 . Emergency Social Services can also be contacted by calling the emergency number 112.

The crime rate in Helsinki is generally low – Helsinki being maybe one of the safest capitals in Europe – although locals grumble that things have gotten worse since the EU removed restrictions on movement, and even more so since the mid-2010s. Pickpockets target crowds and bicycles are prone to petty theft. Walking in the streets after dark is generally safe and the city centre is indeed quite lively until the early hours of the morning. However, it's best to steer clear of obviously drunk people looking to pick a fight, the traditional trouble spots being the frustratingly long queues for late night snack food or taxis. Getting mugged for money in the streets of central Helsinki is almost unheard of. Traditionally violent crime mostly takes place between people who know each other; strangers are rarely targeted. However, in the 2020s, there have been several incidents of robbery by youth gangs, which have got much publicity.

Crimes in city centre concentrate around the central railway station and Kamppi shopping centre. The Kaisaniemi park behind the main Railway Station is possibly best avoided at night, and the area of Kalasatama, Kallio and Sörnäinen (north-east from the Pitkäsilta bridge) may be somewhat rougher than other parts of the centre. There's a somewhat higher likelihood of running into people high on drugs or alcohol and intimidating and anti-social behaviour here than elsewhere in the inner city, even in broad daylight. Relatively high-crime neighbourhoods are found in the 1970s concrete-built suburbs of Eastern Helsinki, Northwestern Helsinki and Northern Helsinki, mainly in the extreme reaches of the metro and local train, such as Kontula, Itäkeskus, Mellunmäki, Vuosaari along metro; Pukinmäki, Malmi, Puistola and Kannelmäki along local train.

Especially in the summer you will encounter Roma beggars from Eastern Europe sitting on the streets in the city centre. Most locals would prefer your not encouraging them by giving money, and donating to a charity instead.

Pedestrian safety

In winter, try to keep a steady footing: despite the use of vast quantities of gravel and salt, pavements can be quite slippery when the temperature hovers around zero and near-invisible black ice forms.

Excavations

Helsinki's bedrock is close to the surface, so new building works invariably involve some dynamite to build foundations, and it's thus quite common to hear explosions around the centre. Blasting is often preceded by a loud sequence of warning beeps, which speed up as they count down. There is no danger to anyone, as the builders are experts (and the solid granite bedrock is very, very strong), but now you know where that "BOOM!" came from.

Visa agencies

If you are just passing through and choose Helsinki to apply for a Russian visa , be careful when choosing a travel agency: some may charge a lot extra for "express service" (although applying for one yourself at the consulate will take weeks).

• When using escalators , people in Helsinki usually reserve the right side of the moving staircase for standing and the left side for people walking up the stairs. Standing still on the left side will certainly make people irritated and flag you as a tourist or a fool.
• It would be wise to use common sense when entering the metro car: do not block people when the doors open, but take one step back and let people get off first. Also, it is often customary to enter a tram from the right side of the doors while people exiting use their right side.
• Avoid walking in the cycle lane. Dedicated cycle paths are clearly marked, but sometimes run directly next to the sidewalk. Helsinki cyclists are subject to a comparatively hilly landscape and are unwilling to slow down and lose momentum. However, they are usually careful, signal clearly and use their bells, meaning that straying tourists most often are just sworn at.
• When waiting in lines, be patient and polite. Finns rarely cross queues but make sure you actually stand in the line. If you are not sure whether there is a queue, ask others.
• Finns usually do not address people who are doing things (in their opinion) wrong. They will just look at your foolish behavior and swear silently to themselves. You might embarrass yourself but addressing it will make an even bigger scene.
• Do not feed seagulls or pigeons (especially in the city center). Seagulls taking people's ice creams or sandwiches is a real problem in some areas, and feeding them is encouraging that behaviour. Feeding birds is also officially prohibited in many areas.

Internet access

Much of Helsinki is blanketed with Wi-Fi hotspots , and the City of Helsinki maintains a handy map . Cafés and restaurants also often have Wi-Fi hotspots, but these are intended for paying customers.

There are a large number of locations in Helsinki that offer free public Wi-Fi for those needing to connect to the office while outside of the country. Many public libraries , including the Oodi central library, have computers and Wi-Fi networks so you can get online for free. If you are staying in a hotel, they usually have free Wi-Fi in the rooms and a computer in the reception for the guests.

Places of worship

• United Community Church ( UCC ), Annankatu 7 . International, bible-based and nondenominational church that welcomes Finns and foreigners to attend. Services in Helsinki and Espoo on Sundays. Free.  

In Finland, the following make good day trips:

• Nuuksio National Park in Espoo , a piece of untamed wilderness ca 25 km from Helsinki city centre. Accessible by bus from the city.
• Porvoo , the second oldest town in Finland is just 60 km away. It has a charming old town of wooden houses. Much more lively in the summer.
• Tampere , the second largest city region in Finland, and the birthplace of Finnish industry, boasting one of the last Lenin museums left in the world as well as a spy museum. 180 km north of Helsinki, one and a half to two hours by train.
• Hämeenlinna , 100 km to north is famous for the Häme castle, a large medieval castle, and the beautiful park area Aulanko. One hour by train.
• Turku , the oldest town in Finland, the main one into the 19th century, now third largest city region. The cathedral and the medieval castle are well worth visiting. Two hours by train.
• Hanko , the southernmost spot in Finland, 140 km west of Helsinki. This town of less than 10,000 people is famous for its summer activities, including sandy beaches, sailing, tennis, art, theatre, etc.
• Oulu , the biggest city in Northern Finland (as well as whole Northern part of the Nordics). Known as the biking and IT capital of Finland and easily accessible from Helsinki, only an hour's flight away. Flights start from €30 if bought months in advance. The fastest day train takes 6 hours, from €25 if bought in advance, sleepers available in the overnight trains.

As a coastal city, Helsinki has good connections to some fine international destinations nearby:

• In Russia , Saint Petersburg , "the Venice of the North", is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Accessible by St. Peter Line's overnight cruise ferry departing a few times a week – or by train.
• Stockholm , the Swedish capital, is somewhat like Helsinki but more Scandinavian and bigger. Accessible by Viking Line's and Silja Line's overnight cruise ferries departing late in the afternoon around the year.
• Tallinn in Estonia is known for its medieval city centre and is easily accessible even as a day trip.

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Fall in love with Helsinki

131 km of shoreline

40% covered by greenery

4 lively seasons

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Helsinki lives and breathes throughout every season of the year

• Experience Helsinki saunas Biking in Helsinki Helsinki LGBTQ+ Seaside Helsinki
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• Attractions in Helsinki for conscious consumers Breathe in Helsinki Tove Jansson's Helsinki Top 12 sights in Helsinki on Instagram
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• Best sounding spots in Helsinki 10 ways to enjoy the local nature in Helsinki Alvar Aalto's Helsinki Helsinki accommodation for the responsibly minded traveller
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Eat & Drink

Fall in love with the tastes of Helsinki

• Michelin-star restaurants in Helsinki The 10 best restaurants in Finland in 2023 Cafés by the seaside Vegan dinners in Helsinki
• Restaurants with a seaside view Helsinki's sustainably-minded bars, pubs & clubs Wild and natural food in Helsinki’s restaurants Helsinki's classic restaurants
• 5 x drinks with a view Helsinki's restaurants that embrace sustainability Helsinki's best wine bars Helsinki’s accessible restaurants
• Nature is so close in Helsinki, you can taste it

Meet your local guide to Helsinki

Follow in the footsteps of the locals and find your own favourites in the city

• Sophia Wekesa Helsinki is perfect for night swimming, partying and napping outdoors. Antti Kauppinen Diversity is a natural part of Helsinki. Annu Kemppainen Helsinki represents to me freedom and diversity. Mebe Helsinki is lively, but not crowded.
• Noora Al-Ani The best thing about Helsinki is all the possibilities to do things. Sanna Kalmari It's easy to get a hold of Helsinki. Matti Rönkä Helsinki has a size that fits – no need for something bigger. Ringa Manner One day I will call myself a true Helsinkian.
• Klaus Härö Finest in Helsinki: proximity of the sea and the light. Aysha Tengiz Helsinki seems magical already because it’s so far north. Jack Sachs Helsinki sounds like a really fun and unique place. Takashi Nakamura I want to get a feel for Helsinki.
• Jesse Markin I can be around everything here. Saimi Hoyer Helsinki has a ring of its own. Aleksi Pahkala Helsinki is big enough for an introvert like me to find my own peace. Mona Eid I have roots in Helsinki.

Life in Helsinki

Good life from leisure to business in the happiest country of the world

• Happiness in Helsinki Biking in Helsinki Neighbourhoods The best public saunas in Helsinki
• Six beautiful indoor swimming pools in Helsinki 23 things you learn when you move to Helsinki 12 reasons to invest in Helsinki "Helsinki is a can-do city"
• Quick guide: How to find work in Helsinki Getting around Helsinki "Helsinki makes me feel secure" “Having an influence feels sometimes very easy in Finland”
• Quick guide: Studying in Helsinki ”Nobody ends up on the street, even if they fail”

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Helsinki Travel Guide

Welcome to Helsinki, the trendy vibrant capital with beautiful green locations and an unique seaside.

Helsinki is close to the Baltic Sea with a 100-kilometre-long shoreline and around 300 islands. It's on UNESCO`s "15 most beautiful designed cities in the world", and design is embedded in the Finish soul and Euro Saarinen and Alvar Aalto are two world-famous architects coming from here.

Modern trendy Helsinki

Helsinki is internationally known as a modern and trendy shopping city. The compact, vibrant city, is both highly cultural and has an incredibly relaxing atmosphere with beautiful nature that surrounding the capital, which offers excellent possibilities for various outdoor activities. You will find picturesque boulevards, trendy cafe culture, beautiful architecture, modern and impeccable Finnish design .

Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa, Kerava, Sipoo and Kirkkonummi form an integrated public transport area, where travelling is easy and affordable. The entire area has an integrated ticketing system, and HSL’s tickets are valid on all buses, commuter trains, trams, Metro and the Suomenlinna ferry.

Not far from Helsinki, the famous city of Espoo can be worth a visit. Espoo with large green areas and lakes is easy to reach by bus and train. Big companies like Nokia is located here, and one of the reasons that Helsinki is the fastest growing city in Finland .

Helsinki is also known for the many shopping opportunities and markets. The marketplace Kauppatori is crowded with fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh fish, furs and souvenirs.

In just a short time, Helsinki has developed into the home of good food. “New Nordic Cuisine” has taken over the scene, and have now a receptive audience among the trendy small restaurants, which have been established in recent years by upcoming chefs.

Sightseeing

Sightseeing tours include the Senate Square, Uspenskin Cathedral, the Parliament Building and the Olympic Stadium. Stops are made at the Sibelius Monument and, when possible, at Temppeliaukio Church. The church is underground and carved out of the rocks. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress , only 15 minutes boat trip from the centre of Helsinki, is one of the most popular excursions for tourists as well as locals. The fortress is on the Unesco World Heritage List.

Cruises to Helsinki

Helsinki is Finland's leading seafaring town with several ports used by several cruise companies, among other Silja Line, Tallink, Viking Line and cruise ships.

Discover Helsinki

Top 9 Attractions

Top 9 Museums

Helsinki for Kids

Green Helsinki

The Helsinki Archipelago

Classic helsinki experiences.

Old Historic Porvoo

Sauna & Wellness

Design District Helsinki

Top events in helsinki.

Helsinki Design Week

Helsinki Festival

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Good to know.

Public Transport in Helsinki

To and from Helsinki Airport

Recommended hotels.

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel Helsinki

Clarion Hotel Helsinki

Hilton Helsinki Strand hotel

Hotel Scandic Simonkenttä

Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre

Original Sokos Hotel Pasila

Crowne Plaza Helsinki

Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti

Hotel F6 Helsinki

Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki

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Helsinki travel blog — the ultimate helsinki travel guide for first-timers.

Helsinki — the capital of Finland, one of the European destinations with the highest standard of living in the world. It has been voted in the top 10 most liveable cities globally for many years. Are you curious about the capital of the world’s happiest country? Let’s explore my Helsinki self-sufficient travel through the sharing below. So, where to go, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Helsinki for the first-time? Let’s check out our Helsinki travel blog (Helsinki blog) with the fullest Helsinki travel guide (Helsinki guide, Helsinki tourist guide, Helsinki visitor guide, Helsinki city guide, Helsinki finland travel guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do as well as suggested Helsinki itinerary 3 days 2 nights to find out the answer!

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Helsinki travel blog: Overview of Helsinki

Helsinki is the most populous city in Finland today with a population of over 1.3 millions of people with an area of 213.8 km² (land area) and is also the third largest city in northern Europe after Stockholm and Oslo. Located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, the city of Helsinki is the political, educational and cultural center of Finland. Helsinki is about 80 km to the north of Tallinn, 400 km to the east of Stockholm, and 390 km to the west of Saint Petersburg. Therefore, traveling between these cities is quite convenient and also easy to travel to Finland.

Helsinki blog: When to come?

June to August is the best time to visit Helsinki. Helsinki has a humid continental climate. Due to the influence of the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean makes winters colder and summers warmer than in the rest of the country. When visiting, if you want to enjoy the longest daylight hours (around 18 hours) then go from June to August, so the summer months are your best choices.

Helsinki travel guide: Getting to Helsinki

There are many ways to get to Helsinki by plane, ferry or train. To get to Helsinki by train and other means of transport you can go to OMIO.com to searching. To reach Helsinki by ferry, access here .

If you intend to fly to Helsinki from other European cities or other destinantions, you can go to Google Flights , SkyScanner to find the most suitable flight routes depend on your departure point as well as to hunt cheap airfares.

Getting from Helsinki airport to the city center

Helsinki Airport (Helsinki-Vantaa Airport – HEL) or rather Vantaa Airport, is located in the city of Vantaa, about 20 km to the north of the center of Helsinki.

You can take a bus or train from Helsinki airport to Helsinki city center. More information can be found on the HSL website .

Each bus will run on a different route, so you need to navigate exactly where your hotel is to choose a right bus for your convenience. If you want to go to the center, you can take bus 415 or 615. Bus 615 will go to the central station. Ticket price is €4.6/way and there are ticket vending machines right at the airport exit gate.

• Bus 415 (Elielinaukio-Ylästö-Airport)
• Bus 561 (Itäkeskus-Malmi-Airport)
• Bus 615 (Rautatientori-Kartanonkoski-Airport)
• Bus 617 (Hakaniemi-Airport)

You follow the instructions in Helsinki airport to get down to the basement to catch a train. You can take trains I and P, both can reach the city center. Train tickets can only be purchased at ticket vending machines in the basement or in the airport. Ticket price is €4.6/one-way.

Tips: To see which means of transport are most suitable, you can visit the Reittiopas website . You enter the starting point and destination. It will show results and recommend the best options for you.

You should buy a Day ticket (Day Pass) instead of a single ticket to save on travel costs.

Helsinki blog: Getting around Helsinki

Helsinki Card : 24h for €53 and 48h for €73. I recommend you to buy this ticket card because it includes entrance tickets to many famous places in Helsinki such as the stone church, Sea Life and many other museums. Tickets are also cover both types of hop on – hop off sightseeing buses in the city (Design or Panaroma), free public transport including the airport route, free ferry, 50% off of the tour to the old city of Porvoo.

In general, I think this price is too good for such a package of many tourist attractions, other services as well. If you go to a separate place like Sea Life, it will cost you €16. This is probably the most benefits and convenient ticket in Europe that I have ever used. Usually with such city cards, if it give free public transport, it will not be free for hop on/hop off services.

Bicycle rental: €5/day. Each run should not exceed 30 minutes or else you will be charged €1 each time. You can find more information at the city’s official website .

Bus, train, metro, tram tickets: Single ticket: €2.8, 1-Day ticket: €8, 2-Day tickets: €12.

Note that the above fares apply to vehicles in Zone A, B (The center of Helsinki and part of Espoo). If you intend to buy a day ticket for Helsinki – Vantaa airport route, you need to buy Zone ABC tickets for €12/day or €18/2 days. Children from 7-16 years old are discounted half of the above price. If parents traveling with their baby strollers, they can ride all public transport free of charge. Tickets are purchased at ticket vending machines (can be paid by coin or card) or HSL app on the phone. Refer to the website here .

Hop on/hop off bus ticket: €27 for 24 hours.

Helsinki travel blog: Where to stay?

Here are some of hotels, apartments with the best reviews on Airbnb.com and Booking.com, you should try to check it out:

• Citykoti Downtown Studios: €109/night/2 people ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Koti Helsinki Boutique Apartments: €120/2 people ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Eurohostel : €17/dorm bed and €41/double room ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).
• Cheapsleep Hostel Helsinki: €21/dorm bed with breakfast or €41/double room ( Agoda.com or Booking.com ).

In general, the price of a hotel room in the center of Helsinki will be around €40-120 depending on the location. If you want to rent an Airbnb room in the center, it will cost around €60-70 or if you need to travel by public transport with a little far distance, it will cost about €30-40.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Hotel Helka ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Lilla Roberts ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Kamp ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• GLO Hotel Kluuvi Helsinki ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Scandic Grand Marina ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top and best hotels on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Helsinki travel blog: Where to go, what to do?

Helsinki, Finland is internationally once recognized as the design capital of the world in 2012. Therefore, when you come here, you will encounter very artistic scenes and countless design and art related events taking place all year round.

In addition, Helsinki is also recognized for its architectural works with the appearance of Saint Petersburg and Berlin because during the period of moving the Finnish capital from Turku to Helsinki, the Tsar ordered the German architect who designed more than 300 architectural works to construct and create a face for the new capital.

That is why Helsinki bearing an architectural interference between Berlin and Saint Petersburg.

Suomenlinna Island

Located off the Finnish capital Helsinki, the Suomenlinna islands consists of 6 small islands famous for their pristine space and surviving fortresses and war tunnels. This tourist attraction was recognized by UNESCO as a world cultural heritage in 1991 and clearly shows the strong identity of Helsinki.

This massive Suomenlinna fortress was built by a group of Swedes in the late 18th century to protect the city from Russia during the war. This is also a typical image of European military architecture at that time. The Finnish word Suomenlinna means: Castle of Finland.

The architectural works here have the appearance of a solid ancient design such as King gate, The Great Courtyard building, Augustin Ehrensvärd’s burial monument, Ehrensvärd museum.

Personally, this attraction is not as magnificent as other places, but it is very large. This place is suitable for those who want to learn more about history as well as immerse themselves in the Nordic nature.

How to get there

You find the way to Market square (Kauppatori) and take the train to Suomenlina Island. Traveling time is about 15 minutes. There is no ticket to access the island, but you need to have tickets to visit the museums on the island. The train tickets will be free if you have an HSL day tickets.

Esplanadi Park (Esplanadin Puisto)

Address: Pohjoisesplanadi, 00130 Helsinki, Finland

Esplanadi Park is located between the two streets of the same name North Esplanadi and South Esplanadi. This place was opened in 1812 and the name means “an area that’s meant to be walked on”.

Esplanadi Park is located in the heart of the city, so it is also the gathering place of locals for many main events of Helsinki. In this park, there are many famous statues, including the statues of three great Finnish writers, Johan Ludvig Runeberg, Zacharias Topelius, and Eino Leino.

Helsinki Cathedral

Address: Unioninkatu 29, 00170 Helsinki, Finland Hours: 9AM–6PM Height: 62 m Admission: free

This neoclassical architecture cathedral which was opened in 1852 is one of the most representative symbols of the city of Helsinki. This is a Lutheran Protestant church. This church was built during the period when Finland was a Russian colony with the purpose of honoring Tsar Nicholas I.

During the time Finland was colonized by Russia, the church was named after St Nicholas. It was not until Finland gained independence in 1917, then the place was renamed Helsinki Cathedral. The Senate Square right at the foot of the church is also the venue for many important events of Finland.

There is a large statue of Tsar Alexander II as a way of gratitude of the Finnish to him because they believe that it was thanks to Russia that took Finland out of the hands of Sweden that Finland had a chance to break out of the grip of Sweden for more than 600 years and has the opportunity to be as independent as it is today.

This will definitely be a must-visit place that you should absolutely not miss when visiting this Nordic country.

Uspenski Cathedral

Address: Kanavakatu 1, 00160 Helsinki, Finland Hours: 9:30AM–7PM/Saturday: 10AM–3PM/Sunday: 12–3PM/Monday: Closed Admission: free

Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox church in Finland today. This cathedral was designed by Russian architect Alexey Gornoslaev and built in 1862 during the reign of Tsar Alexander II.

The red brick church is located on a high hill with eye-catching and sophisticated architecture. Thirteen golden domes and brick facades are among the most prominent traces of Russian religion in Finland.

National Museum of Finland

Address: Mannerheimintie 34, 00100 Helsinki, Finland Hours: 11AM–6PM/Monday: Closed Established: 1916 Admission: 12€

The National Museum of Finland is a combination of church and castle architecture to introduce the history of Finland from prehistoric civilization to today’s society.

The museum including four floors with many different collections. If you are interested in the development history of this country, you should not miss this place.

There are also many other museums in Helsinki and there are certain days of the week/month that are open for free. Check the My Helsinki website to see if there are any free museums during your visit.

Sibelius Park and Monument

Address: Mechelininkatu 39, 00250 Helsinki, Finland Hours: Open 24 hours

Sibelius is an internationally influential Finnish composer. He is one of the most famous composers in the world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His music played an important part in defining Finland on the world music map. Because he lived during the period when Finland was under Russian domination, his works focused on the topic of praising his country and people, challenging the Russian colonial government.

His famous work, Finlandia that represents the patriotism and pride of being Finnish, was widely renowned.

The Sibelius Monument is the most important and famous part of this park. It was designed by female architect Eila Hiltunen in 1967.

The Sibelius Monument consists of 600 organ pipes attached to each other and weighs 24 tons. This place represents a vast Finnish forest with special echoes when the wind blows. A smaller version of the monument is also placed at UNESCO headquarters in Paris.

Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)

Location: Töölö, Helsinki Entrance ticket: €3

Located in the center of Helsinki and opened in 1969, Temppeliaukio stone church is famous for its unique and fancy architecture. From the outside, this church looks like an old tomb and nothing special. But the architecture inside the church is what attracts tourists. Each year this tourist attraction welcomes more than 500,000 visitors, equivalent to 1/10 of the population of Finland.

This rock church is built in a huge rock that jutting out from the ground. In other words, a giant granite block was broken from the inside and built the church in the center of that block. Therefore, the church is surrounded by pristine granite walls, so the resonance is very good. In addition, the ceiling of the church is a block of copper wire. Natural light flows into from 180 glass doors in the ceiling, connecting with bronze arches and granite walls.

This place will be an ideal place for those who want to explore the fancy architecture. It used to attract a lot of attention from famous architects around the world to come and explore.

Helsinki Central Library Oodi

Address: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki, Finland Hours: 8AM–10PM Opened: December 5, 2018

If you still have time to explore Helsinki, you should not miss the experience at the libraries here. Finnish are known for their love of reading and in 2016 were recognized by UNESCO as the world’s most read country.

The country has only 5.5 million people, but they borrow 68 million books every year on average. That’s why many people consider Finland to be a library’s paradise. And the fact that every year the Finnish libraries welcomes more than 400,000 tourists to visit.

In Finland, there are more than 300 central libraries and about 150 mobile libraries – library buses. These cars will go to all parts of the country to serve those who cannot afford to buy books or go to libraries to borrow books to read.

The Finnish government views libraries as symbolizing the importance of learning and education. Therefore, they are always willing to invest, expand and improve the library system all over this Nordic country.

Finnish libraries are not only a place to reading books, but also a place to connect people with each other. In addition to lending books, electronics, sports equipment… some large libraries also have restaurants, coffee shops, recording rooms, places for group events, children’s play areas, 3D printing, etc. The most famous libraries in Helsinki you can visit is the Oodi library and the national library.

The Oodi library was built at a total cost of €100 million from people’s taxes and was only completed in 2018. This tourist attraction is located right near the city center station, so it’s also very convenient to travel. In August 2019 Oodi was voted as the best public library in the world and welcomed more than 2 million visits (accounting for 35% of the population of Finland) every year. This library is designed as “an indoor city square”. So this place is different from the traditional library models before. Come and experience yourself!

The National Library of Finland

Located in: University of Helsinki A 2-min walk from the Helsinki Cathedral Address: Unioninkatu 36, 00170 Helsinki, Finland Founded: 1640

It is the Finland’s oldest academic library built in 1844. It is responsible for preserving and displaying the collections, printed legacies and unique works in Finland. Located in the heart of the capital Helshinki and close to Senate Square (Helsinki cathedral), this place is very easily accessible to tourists.

If the Oodi library represents simple, modern Scandinavian Nordic architecture. In contrast, the Finnish national library is classical and traditional. If you have time, you should visit both of these tourist attractions.

Löyly Sauna

Address: Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150 Helsinki, Finland Hours: 11AM–11PM Ticket price: €19/2 hours including towels, soap, shampoo. If you want to rent a bathing suit, it costs €6/2h.

Löyly is the largest and most modern sauna in Helsinki today. (Löyly in Finnish means smoke, the most important part of Sauna because the Finnish think that having a good sauna or not is completely dependent on the quality of the smoke being emitted).

As I said above, sauna is a Finnish invention and weekly sauna bathing has become an indispensable habit for anyone here. Almost every apartment building has a sauna area, so you are allowed to set a time and shower each week. Completely free, of course. As for the more affluent private houses, they also always have a sauna next to the regular bathroom in their house.

Löyly was built mainly to serve tourists as well as corporate groups that often set hours for groups. In this Löyly area, in addition to the sauna, also has a restaurant, conference rooms. So if you have had the opportunity to travel to Helsinki, try this experience. Usually here, every time they experience sauna, they will sit for 10-15 minutes in the sauna room, then go to the beach as shown in the picture to jump into the water. This form is repeated many times in about 1-2 hours. Usually, every time they come ashore, they will drink beer, chat, then go to the sauna to continue to take a bath.

As Vietnamese people think, they will probably get sick if bathing like that because of the changing of temperatures is much. It’s like being in a very hot sauna environment (70-80 degrees), then the pores are expanding, then jump into the cold sea water, then easy to get a cold… This concept is not believed by Finnish and I don’t believe it either because I did it many times but it’s okay :). So you should definitely try it when you come here.

It’s really refreshing and good for health after taking a sauna bath. According to scientific research, the sauna bath accompanied by jumping into the cold water of 0 degrees Celsius will help your body have more brown fat – a layer of fat that helps increase the immune system, resistance and improve many other diseases of human.

Helsinki travel blog: What to eat?

I only review a few restaurants that I personally think are okay. Of course, good or bad also depends on the preferences and tastes of each person.

• Vietnamese Pho restaurant . This place is rated as the best Vietnamese Pho restaurant in Helsinki. Price €10/bowl, so delicious. Address: Yrjönkatu 30, 00100 Helsinki.
• Sushi buffet + Asian savory dishes: Fuku is the best. Price €14.5 for lunch and €20-23 for dinner or weekend buffet. There is also a restaurant Itsudemo has the same type but costs €13 for lunch and €17 for weekends. These 2 restaurants are right in the center and very easy to find. There is also Caverna restaurant owned by Vietnamese people but very big. The buffet including about 30 dishes and has beef and chicken noodle soup to eat comfortably, but I find the salty food is not very good, just temporary.
• Set Buffet: Ravintola Factory Aleksi restaurant serves a lot of typical Nordic dishes and is affordable, around €10/serving . In addition, you can eat at the University of Helsinki canteen right in the center of the capital. The price is around €7 a serving.

Helsinki blog: Suggested Helsinki ititinerary 3 days

Day 1: Central Station – Oodi Library – National Library – Helsinki Cathedral – Espalandi Park – Uspenski Church.

Go to the Market square to catch the train to Suomenlina island is also near the Helsinki tourist spots above. However, I found it difficult to go all in 1 day, so I split up to go on day 2.

Day 2: Central Station – Suomenlina island – Parliament building – National museum – Rock church – Sibelius park and monument.

Before going to Suomenlinna Island, you will usually catch a train near the Market square flea market. Take a walk around the market and taste the grilled muikku fish. During these 2 days, if possible, you should include a sauna in Löyly – a pleasant experience in Helsinki.

Day 3: Take the Onni bus to Porvoo or Tallinn, Estonia. With only €20, you can buy a 2-way ferry ticket to visit the capital of Estonia. Then why not go? Obviously the cost is too cheap when you can set foot in another country. Click on this page to receive a discount code of €5 then book your tickets here .

Helsinki blog: The cost of traveling to the city of Helsinki

The mid-range self-sufficient Helsinki travel cost you can refer to as follows:

• Hotel: €35/night, shared
• Meals: €35/day
• Travel: €18/2 days
• Entrance tickets: The above attractions are free except for the rock church for €3 and the national museum for €12.

Helsini travel blog: Some useful tips before you go

To have a cheap Helsinki trip, you can apply the following tips:

• Helsinki tourist attractions to visit on Day 1 are quite close to each other. You can walk if you want.
• I highly recommend you to buy a Helsinki card instead of buying single tickets because with €73 for 2 days, you can catch the train for the airport-city route, take the tram bus in the center, visit the attractions for free, take hop on/hop off, ferry also free… In general, €73 covers all traveling costs and entrance tickets for you.
• Lidl supermarket in the center of Helsinki with very affordable prices compared to local Finnish supermarkets.
• There is a Barbarossa kebab pizza & kebab shop right in the center for only €5 a serving.
• When going to Porvoo, you should take an Onnibus and book online in advance, it will be cheaper than taking the train or other vehicles. Or if you find it complicated to travel, buy a Helsinki card with the tour to Porvoo to get a 50% discount.
• Traveling to Finland without going to Lapland is a huge omission. This is the most famous tourist destination in Finland.

Hope with the above self-sufficient Helsinki travel experiences will help you in your upcoming trip! If you are still wondering about something, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below, I will respond as soon as possible!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Helsinki you can refer to

• Helsinki Card
• Meet Santa Claus at the Arctic Circle 4D3N Tour from Helsinki with Flights
• Helsinki & Tampere 3 Day Trip from Helsinki
• Helsinki Hop On Hop Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour
• Helsinki and Suomenlinna Sightseeing Half Day Tour
• Helsinki Highlights Half Day Tour
• Helsinki: City Highlights 1.5-Hour Archipelago Cruise
• From Tallinn: Return Day Trip Ferry Transfer to Helsinki
• Helsinki Card City
• UK/Europe: eSim Mobile Data Plan
• Helsinki Card Region
• 90-minute Helsinki Boat Sightseeing on Beautiful Canal Route
• From Helsinki: Return Day Trip Ferry Ticket to Tallinn
• Helsinki: Private Tour with a Local Guide
• Helsinki City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket
• Nuuksio National Park: Half-Day Trip from Helsinki
• Helsinki: City and Porvoo Guided Day Shore Excursion

Read more Finland travel guide here .

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Helsinki and Suomenlinna Sightseeing Tour

Duration: 5 hours (approx.) Location: Helsinki, Finland

Listen to the audio commentary on this combined city tour with a ferry journey to Suomenlinna Island. Explore Helsinki's highlights, like Esplanade Park, Market Square and hop a ferry to Suomenlinna for a walking tour.

Helsinki Sightseeing Bus Tour

Duration: 2 hours (approx.) Location: Helsinki, Finland

This 24-hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus ticket lets you see the best sights and highlights of the Finnish capital Helsinki. Passengers can hop on and off as much as they want at several stops around the city.

Northern Lights Experience in Rovaniemi

Duration:4 hours 30 min (approx.) Location: Rovaniemi, Finland

Northern lights hunting is the best opportunity to watch the aurora borealis. The trip is based on the weather conditions, and you will be taken to towns away from the light pollution.

Snowmobile Safari in Helsinki Archipelago

Duration: 4 hours (approx.) Location: Helsinki, Finland

Experience the snowy woods and the frozen Gulf of Finland. Experienced guides will lead you to the amazing winter wonderland. This tour covers an easy and beautiful route around nearby forest trails and the frozen sea.

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