I’ll come out and say it proper off the highest: Helsinki is one in all my favourite cities within the Nordic area!
This is perhaps stunning to anybody who’s visited, say, Stockholm or Bergen or Copenhagen, however hear me out on this.
Helsinki has so many issues that I like in a metropolis: a lot of inexperienced areas, ample espresso retailers, distinctive structure, and attention-grabbing historical past, simply to call just a few. It’s secure, not tremendous touristy, and has a very nice vibe to it – plus, it is the capital of the happiest nation on this planet!
Helsinki makes for a wonderful lengthy weekend getaway, or an add-on to an extended journey round Scandinavia/the Nordics.
If you are trying to go to Helsinki for your self, this is my concept of the proper 3 days there!
A word on Scandinavia vs. the Nordics: This is form of a “Great Britain vs. the UK” state of affairs. Scandinavia consists of the international locations of Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, whereas the Nordics embody Scandinavia plus additionally Finland, Iceland, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and Åland. In case you have been curious.
When to go to Helsinki
There’s *one* small caveat to all my effusive reward of Helsinki: it principally applies to Helsinki throughout the hotter months of the 12 months. I’ve really been to Helsinki in each the summer time and the winter, and I’ll admit that town is way more charming within the hotter months!
I’m not saying you could’t take pleasure in Helsinki within the winter – you positively can! But if you wish to totally respect all of the parks and islands and lengthy days, then it’s best to contemplate a visit from May-September.
Summer in Helsinki is difficult to beat – the solar shines probably the most from May-July, and town will get roughly 18 hours of daylight throughout that point. Helsinki additionally would not endure from overwhelming summer time vacationer numbers like another European spots.
My first go to to Helsinki was in June, and it shortly rocketed as much as one in all my favourite European capital cities.
3 days in Helsinki itinerary
This is my concept of the proper 3 days in Helsinki, based mostly by myself two journeys there. Feel free to make use of this to encourage your personal journey!
An intro to Helsinki
Helsinki has an extended and attention-grabbing historical past; even its extra “modern” historical past spans a whole bunch of years, as town was based in 1550 by Swedish King King Gustav I, again when Finland was a part of the Swedish empire. The metropolis (and all of present-day Finland) was then conquered by the Russian empire in 1808, and remained below Russian rule till Finland gained its independence in 1917.
Helsinki, subsequently, has an eclectic mixture of structure, companies, and general vibes the displays its melded cultural historical past. Parts of it do really feel a bit Russian, whereas different elements really feel Scandinavian, whereas nonetheless different elements do not feel like both.
It’s maybe most spectacular to me that, regardless of all of the centuries below international rule, the Finnish folks nonetheless hung onto their distinctive cultural identification and language – which is totally completely different than Russian or any of the Scandi languages.
The Helsinki Card
Helsinki gives a metropolis card that features free entry or reductions to many of the paid points of interest within the metropolis, from museums to bus excursions to even some day journeys and restaurant reductions. The Helsinki Card City and Helsinki Card Region embody all public transit, too. A 72-hour card prices wherever from 93-97 EUR, and may positively prevent cash if you happen to do many of the actions on this itinerary. Find the full record of what is included right here. (Just word that with the City and Region playing cards, you may want to select up a bodily card in-person, which you are able to do on the airport. Info right here.)
Day 1: Central Helsinki
Today, get a really feel for this distinctive capital with all of the highlights round Helsinki’s metropolis heart.
Morning: Walking tour
I like to recommend beginning out with a strolling tour of town heart, as it is a nice technique to get some context of town’s historical past, whereas on the identical time seeing a few of the most iconic spots in Helsinki like Senate Square, each cathedrals, and the south harbor/Market Square.
I did a free strolling tour with Free Tour Helsinki (i.e. Red Umbrella Tours), and we visited so many locations in simply two hours, together with some spots I’ll not have discovered by myself. The tour is free (you are simply anticipated to tip your information after), although they do suggest reserving an area on-line prematurely.
The locations you may see on a central Helsinki strolling tour (or you could go to by yourself if you happen to’d want to skip the tour) embody:
Helsinki Cathedral / Senate Square
Start in Senate Square, on the backside of the steps main as much as the Helsinki Cathedral. This is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral, and it is recognized for its grand inexperienced dome and big granite staircase main as much as it. The cathedral was constructed between 1830 and 1852 as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I of Russia (who was ruling Finland on the time), and has grow to be a logo of Helsinki.
You can go contained in the cathedral outdoors of worship hours – although word that it isn’t almost as ornate on the within! It appears like a grand Catholic church from the surface, however a austere Lutheran church on the within.
National Library of Finland
Right throughout the road from Helsinki Cathedral you may discover the National Library of Finland. The Finns LOVE their libraries – there are greater than 700 of them all through the nation of simply 5.6 million!
The National Library is free to go to (you may simply want to depart coats and luggage within the cloakroom), and is nicely value a fast peek. The library exhibits off Helsinki’s symmetrical Neoclassical structure each in and out, with the rotunda being my favourite half.
Uspenski Cathedral
Your strolling tour will meander by way of town heart and finally over in direction of the harbor and town’s different cathedral: Uspenski Cathedral. This ornate pink brick cathedral relationship again to 1868 is the biggest orthodox church in Western Europe, and is much more lavish on the within.
Lunch: Vanha Kauppahalli
After your strolling tour (both guided or simply by yourself), it will be time for lunch. I like to recommend visiting Vanha Kauppahalli available on the market sq., which is a conventional indoor market from the 1800s the place you will discover all types of Finnish meals.
Grab a stuffed baked potato from Kumpi Peruna (strive it with reindeer meat!), some conventional fish soup from SOUP+MORE, and licorice gelato at La Gelateria (the Finns LOVE their licorice). There are additionally stalls promoting all the pieces from caviar to recent salmon, and some bakeries, too (strive a tippaleipä, which is the Finnish model of a funnel cake!).
Afternoon: SkyWheel
After lunch could be a great time to go up the SkyWheel, the large Ferris wheel overlooking town and harbor. Add a glass of bubbly to take pleasure in as you get whisked above town.
(You can e-book forward, however you do not essentially must; I purchased my ticket on arrival.)
Near the SkyWheel you may additionally discover the Allas Sea Pool, an outside pool and sauna facility proper on the harbor. Here you may discover three saunas and three out of doors swimming swimming pools of various temperatures, together with the ocean pool that is stuffed up by the Baltic Sea. This is a well-liked spot for locals that you may also need to strive if you happen to convey your swimsuit with you (however I’ll additionally suggest one other sauna expertise later on this itinerary!).
Late afternoon: City museum
If you skip the ocean pool, head over to the Helsinki City Museum on Senate Square subsequent. This small museum is totally free, and showcases moments from Helsinki’s historical past by way of pictures, artwork, artifacts, and extra.
It’s a fast museum to pop into (and it is open till 7 p.m. on weekdays), and rounds out the primary highlights on this a part of Helsinki.
Evening: Esplanadi Park and dinner
Take a stroll by way of Esplanadi Park, a slender park in central Helsinki that is a well-liked spot for strolling. It incorporates a dwell music stage, loads of benches for people-watching, and is near a lot of eating places.
For dinner tonight, you possibly can strive Kappeli (superb eating proper in Esplanadi Park), Restaurant Savotta (conventional Finnish), Helsinki Bryggeri Brewhouse (brewery with meals), Ravintola Emo (Scandinavian bistro), Pizzeria Via Tribunali (very fashionable pizza spot), or Ravintola Rioni (Georgian spot). I’d suggest reservations wherever attainable!
Day 2: Let’s get artsy
Today you may go to a pleasant park and have loads of museum time!
Morning: Sibelius Park
Start out your morning with a brief journey to Sibelius Park simply north of town heart. This forested park is a stunning place for a stroll, and can also be residence to some of the charming cafes in Helsinki.
Start out with a espresso and cinnamon roll at Cafe Regatta, which is a bit of cabin-shaped cafe that sits proper on the water. The Finns LOVE their espresso – light-roasted filter espresso, to be actual – and drink extra espresso per capita than folks in every other nation on this planet!
So do because the Finns do and revel in a espresso right here as you are taking within the views. (You may lease issues like kayaks and SUPs right here, if you wish to get out on the water.)
From the cafe, it is a brief stroll to the Sibelius Monument, a monument devoted to Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The monument, designed by Eila Hiltunen, contains 600+ metal pipes that type a form meant to signify the melody of music. It’s very cool!
Late morning: Temppeliaukio Church
On your method again into town heart, contemplate making a cease at Temppeliaukio Church within the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki.
This spherical church could be very distinctive, with tough stone partitions and a shiny copper dome. It was constructed straight into strong rock, and is subsequently typically additionally known as the Church of the Rock or Rock Church. This remains to be a working church, but in addition a well-liked live performance venue due to its glorious acoustics.
Visiting the church prices €8 per grownup, and you should purchase a ticket within the church foyer or on-line prematurely.
Afternoon: Museum time!
Helsinki has SO many museums, so at the moment is a good time to discover at the least one or two of them.
I personally would suggest 1 historical past museum and 1 artwork museum, although you would possibly need to go to fewer or extra, relying in your private preferences and the way lengthy you spend at each.
The prime historical past museum (that is not removed from Temppeliaukio Church) is the National Museum of Finland, or Kansallismuseo. This museum is a superb place to be taught extra about Finland’s historical past as a complete, from prehistoric instances by way of the current day. However, this museum is closed for renovations till 2027!
There are a lot of artwork museums to select from in Helsinki, too, together with a number of which might be in shut proximity to at least one one other close to the prepare station. These are:
- Art Museum Ateneum – Located in a grand Nineteenth-century constructing, this artwork museum focuses totally on Finnish works from the 1700s onwards. It additionally has just a few worldwide items, together with ones from the likes of Van Gogh and Rodin.
- Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma – Part of the Finnish National Gallery, Kiasma focuses totally on Finnish up to date artwork, and is in a really cool constructing.
- Amos Rex – An artwork museum showcasing fashionable and up to date artwork in a really cool house, with an outside house (Lasipalatsi Square) that is enjoyable to go to.
Most of those artwork museums are on the smaller facet, so if you happen to’re skipping the National Museum of Finland, you possibly can positively go to 2 or doubtlessly all 3 of them in a day. (And they’re all free with the Helsinki Card!)
Early night: Oodi Library
Lastly, that you must cease in to the Helsinki Central Library Oodi, which is a brand new(ish) design-forward library that opened in late 2018. I do know that that is the second library I’m recommending on this itinerary, however they are surely value seeing!
Oodi library oozes smooth design each in and out. Along with regular library-type choices, it’s also possible to discover two cafes, an outside terrace, and areas you possibly can lease for all the pieces from recording music to taking part in video video games to cooking a meal (sure, there is a kitchen house on this library!).
Oodi is open till at the least 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., too, so you possibly can simply pop in both earlier than or after dinner.
Evening: Wine bar and dinner
An glorious choice for dinner tonight is Wine Bar Apotek (Viinibaari Apotek), which is certainly a wine bar that additionally serves full meals. It’s a small house, although, so reservations are really helpful.
Other locations to think about tonight embody Ravintola Nolla (a no-waste restaurant with tasting menus accessible), Lappi Ravintola (a comfy spot serving Finnish meals), Boon Nam (upscale Thai), or Yeastie Boi (enjoyable bagel sandwich spot).
Day 3: Suomenlinna and sauna
You’ve hit up many of the Helsinki highlights, so let’s head a bit of additional out at the moment!
Morning and early afternoon: Suomenlinna
Helsinki is positioned on an archipelago made up of roughly 330 islands. And one of many prime issues to do in Helsinki is to take a ferry out to a set of these islands known as Suomenlinna.
These islands usually are not simply islands – they’re really an enormous fortress. Back within the 1740s, Sweden (keep in mind, Finland was part of the Swedish Empire) determined to construct an excellent sea fortress to assist shield towards the rising energy of the Russian Empire. The fortress, known as Sveaborg, consisted of 8 separate small islands, of which six have been fortified with defensive partitions.
Interestingly, the Russians did finally take this fortress in 1808, however no battles have been ever really fought right here; the Swedes merely surrendered. Russia retained the fortress till Finnish independence in 1917 – and Finland modified the title from Sveaborg (Castle of the Swedes) to Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) in 1918.
Today, Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is a well-liked half-day journey from Helsinki.
Head to Market Square (Kauppatori) and take the FRS water bus to Suomenlinna (verify the schedule right here). You’ll purchase your ticket onboard, and word you get monetary savings with a Helsinki Card.
You’ll cruise previous a number of different islands and arrive in about half an hour to Suomenlinna. Once there, permit at the least a pair hours to discover! Even although it is an historic website, Suomenlinna can also be residence to about 800 everlasting residents and there is a lot to see.
A guided strolling tour is obtainable every day if you wish to be taught extra concerning the historical past of the fortress (enroll on the customer heart, or get your ticket prematurely – the tour can also be included with a Helsinki Card), however it’s also possible to discover freely by yourself.
There are a number of cafes and eating places to take pleasure in, too. I like to recommend sticking round for lunch at both Adlerfelt or Cafe Bar Valimo.
Afternoon: Sauna expertise
Once you head again to Helsinki from Suomenlinna, it is time to get a style of Finnish sauna tradition!
The sauna (pronounced SAUW-nuh) is a staple in Finnish tradition. It’s quite common for flats and household properties in Finland to have their very own non-public sauna. Your resort or residence in Helsinki would possibly even present one so that you can use.
But going to a public sauna is a complete completely different expertise! Head to Löyly this afternoon, which is positioned on the finish of Heliga Birgittas Park (Pyhän Birgitan puisto) on the waterfront to the south of town heart.
The Löyly sauna complicated consists of two mixed-gender sauna rooms (one fashionable smoke sauna and one conventional wood-heated sauna) and ladder entry into the Baltic Sea (for the all-important chilly plunge). There’s additionally a big out of doors terrace and a glass-fronted restaurant with a number of bars. It’s a ravishing house!
Entrance to the Löyly sauna is €26 per particular person, which incorporates 2 hours of sauna time, a towel, shampoo, and a seat cowl, plus entry to the terrace the place it’s also possible to purchase drinks. You do have to e-book a timed reservation on-line prematurely.
A word for my American readers: Most public sauna services in Finland may have gender-specific sauna choices alongside blended sauna rooms. Löyly solely has blended saunas, and swimwear is required. But if you happen to go to different saunas in Finland, they is perhaps clothing-optional inside gender-specific rooms. (And even in swimwear-required saunas, you may most likely see folks strolling across the altering rooms bare. It’s utterly regular right here.)
Evening: Dinner and Kaivopuisto Park
You can e-book a desk at Löyly for dinner, or stroll again in direction of town heart alongside the waterfront and see what else you discover (Restaurant Birgitta Hernesaari is one other good choice, with a lot of out of doors seating in the summertime).
You may stroll previous a metropolis seaside and into Kaivopuisto, a waterfront park with a lot of strolling paths, sea views, cafes, and ice cream stands. On a summer time night, it is a excellent place to be.
After dinner, if you happen to’re up for a novel cocktail bar, search out Bob’s Laundry, a speakeasy-style bar “hidden” inside a small laundromat within the Punavuori neighborhood.
If you have got extra time…
It’s fairly straightforward to fill 3 days in Helsinki, particularly throughout the summer time months. But if in case you have even *extra* time, listed here are another stuff you would possibly need to do:
- Explore the Design District – Helsinki is designated as a UNESCO City of Design and even has its personal appointed “Chief Design Officer.” You can discover the designated Design District, which encompasses 25 streets round Helsinki within the Punavuori, Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi and Ullanlinna neighborhoods. Plenty of notable retailers might be present in Kaartinkaupunki, particularly alongside each Pohjoisesplanadi and Aleksanterinkatu simply north of the Esplanadi.
- Visit Seurasaari Open-Air Museum – Located on Seurasaari Island in Helsinki, this museum-park calls itself “rural Finland in miniature,” as all of the buildings all through the park have been introduced in from throughout Finland to offer guests an perception in to what rural life was like in Finland years in the past. You might simply spend half a day right here.
- Take a day journey – You can e-book day excursions to locations like Nuuksio National Park for some mountaineering, or Porvoo for its historical past. But the most well-liked day journey is definitely to Tallinn, Estonia! You can take one of many big ferries (significantly, they’re like cruise ships) throughout the Gulf of Finland in simply 2 hours, and spend many of the day exploring the historic metropolis of Tallinn. (See my Tallinn suggestions right here.)
Where to remain in Helsinki
On my very own first journey to Helsinki, I opted to lease an residence as a result of I wanted an area to get some work (and laundry) completed. I booked an residence at Bob W Koti Ullanlinna, which is within the Design District.
The Bob W chain of flats does an excellent job of placing you in a secure, quiet neighborhood that is nonetheless near all the primary points of interest. (Mine was proper subsequent to the Design Museum and a tram line.) Everything is contactless, and also you enter utilizing a code on a keypad. Bob W has a number of different places in Helsinki, too, together with Bob W City Centre, Bob W Koti Katajanokka, and Bob W Kluuvi.
If a resort is extra your pace, although (or if you happen to want greater than 1 mattress), these Helsinki inns could be my picks:
- Hotel F6 – A boutique resort in an excellent location, that is the top-rated resort in Helsinki.
- Hotel Kamp – Top luxurious resort in Helsinki.
- Hotel Fabian – Another good boutique resort choice, this one is near Vanha Kauppahalli.
- Clarion Hotel Mestari – A superb central location plus an excellent breakfast unfold; that is the place I stayed throughout my winter journey to Helsinki!
- Marski by Scandic – Good worth for cash, and the Scandic model of inns is at all times a strong alternative within the Nordics.
Visiting Heksinki FAQ
Here are just a few extra issues to learn about visiting Helsinki:
How do you get to Helsinki?
You can fly to Helsinki from tons of cities all through Europe (and overseas) by way of Helsinki Airport (HEL). Finnair (the nationwide airline of Finland) operates probably the most flights in/out of HEL, however different airways with many weekly flights embody British Airways and American Airlines.
You may attain Helsinki through boat (ferry) from close by cities like Stockholm, Sweden (on an in a single day ferry) and Tallinn, Estonia (2 hour ferry experience).
How can I get round in Helsinki?
Helsinki is a really walkable metropolis, so the simplest and most cost-effective technique to get round is through your personal two toes! After that, the general public transportation system of trams, buses, the metro, and native trains is powerful, and you may get single experience and day tickets by way of HSL (and the HSL app) – although I had hassle with this on my most up-to-date journey. There are additionally metropolis bikes and taxis/rideshares.
I principally received round by strolling and utilizing the trams (you possibly can even take a tram from the ferry port to town heart, and from there take the prepare all the way in which to the airport).
If you get the Helsinki Card City, it consists of public transit across the metropolis heart (together with trams and buses), whereas the Helsinki Card Region additionally consists of the prepare to the airport.
What’s the perfect time to go to Helsinki?
June-August may have the perfect climate and most daylight, although May and September are additionally glorious choices in order for you even fewer crowds (although Helsinki didn’t really feel crowded in any respect to me in early June!).
You can after all go to Helsinki from October-April, too, although you may discover fewer actions and town does get very darkish and gray throughout the winter months.
Who’s able to plan a visit to Helsinki?
Amanda Williams is the award-winning blogger behind A Dangerous Business Travel Blog. She has traveled to greater than 60 international locations on 6 continents from her residence base in Ohio, specializing in experiential and considerate journey by way of the US, Europe, and remainder of the world. Amanda solely shares suggestions based mostly on her private experiences and locations she’s really traveled!