Things to do in Helsinki: sea, saunas, design and a ferry to Tallinn
Helsinki is a calm, walkable capital on the Baltic, known for its design, its saunas and its islands. Three days cover the cathedral, Suomenlinna fortress, a museum or two and a sauna by the sea. The one thing to know is the season: summer is long and light, and winter is dark and cold.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay near the railway station or in Punavuori, see Senate Square, Suomenlinna and the Design District, and take a sauna.
- Where to stay
- The center for sights, Punavuori for design and food, Kallio for a local feel.
- How many days
- Two days cover the center. Three or four add Suomenlinna, museums and a day trip.
- Best time to go
- June to August for long days and the islands. December for lights and snow, if you like the cold.
- Book ahead
- Sauna slots in summer, popular restaurants and the Tallinn ferry in peak season.
- From the airport
- Trains I and P run from Helsinki Airport to the central station in about 30 minutes.
Where to stay in Helsinki, in brief
The center, around the station
sights and arrival
Kluuvi and Kamppi sit around the railway station and the main shopping streets. Trains, trams and the airport line are close, and it is the most convenient base.
Punavuori
design and food
The Design District, with independent shops, cafes and restaurants, a short walk south-west of the center. Lively on weekend nights.
Kruununhaka and Katajanokka
old streets by the sea
Quieter neighborhoods beside Senate Square and the harbor, with nineteenth-century streets and the ferries nearby.
Kallio
a local base and bars
A former working-class district north of the center, now full of bars, cafes and second-hand shops. Cheaper and more lived-in.
Things to do in Helsinki
Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square
The white Lutheran cathedral above a neoclassical square, the city's best-known view. Entry to the cathedral is free.
Suomenlinna
An eighteenth-century sea fortress on islands off the harbor, reached by a short public ferry. Allow half a day, with a picnic.
Temppeliaukio Church
The Rock Church, built into solid granite with a copper dome. Opening times change with services, so check before you go.
Oodi central library
A public library opposite the station with a terrace, cafe and reading rooms. Free, and a good wet-weather stop.
Ateneum and Kiasma
Finnish art from the nineteenth century at the Ateneum, and contemporary art at Kiasma. Both are near the station.
Public sauna
Löyly, Kulttuurisauna and Allas Sea Pool let you sit in the heat and cool off in the Baltic. Take a swimsuit and a towel.
a few days ahead in summer
Design District
Shops, studios and galleries around Punavuori for Finnish glass, ceramics, furniture and fashion.
Uspenski Cathedral
A red-brick Orthodox cathedral with gold domes on a hill above the harbor. Entry is free.
Sibelius Monument
A sculpture of steel organ pipes in a park by the sea, a short tram ride from the center.
Esplanadi and the Market Square
A tree-lined park street leading to the harbor, where the market stalls and boats are. Good for a walk any time of day.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Helsinki can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Helsinki, and which to pick- Sauna and sea pool slotsa few days ahead in summer
Popular saunas fill their evening sessions at weekends.
- Popular restaurants1 to 3 weeks ahead
Dinner tables go quickly on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Ferry to Tallinna few weeks ahead in summer
Cabins and cars sell out on summer weekends, and fares rise close to departure.
What to skip in Helsinki
- Eating on the Market Square at peak hours
Stalls near the cruise ships are busy and priced for the crowd. Walk into the Old Market Hall next door instead.
- Renting a car
The center is compact and parking is dear. Use trams, the metro and the ferries.
Best time to visit Helsinki
June to August has the longest days, with light until late in the evening, and the islands, terraces and markets are open. Midsummer, in late June, empties the city as people go to their summer cottages.
December has Christmas markets and lights, with very short days and often snow. January to March is cold and dark but quiet, and a sauna feels best then.
- From Helsinki AirportTrains I and P run to the central station in about 30 minutes. You need an HSL ticket that covers zones A, B and C.
- Trams, metro and ferriesHSL tickets cover trams, buses, the metro, local trains and the Suomenlinna ferry. Buy them in the HSL app.
- On foot and by bikeThe center is flat and easy to walk. City bikes are available in the warmer months.
Helsinki in three days
- Day 1
Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski Cathedral and salmon soup at the Old Market Hall, then a walk along Esplanadi.
- Day 2
The ferry to Suomenlinna for the morning, then the Design District and a sauna in the evening.
- Day 3
Ateneum or Kiasma, the Oodi library, the Rock Church and a cinnamon bun at Café Regatta.
Day trips from Helsinki
- Tallinn, EstoniaA ferry crosses the Gulf of Finland in about two to two and a half hours. See our guide to Tallinn's old town.
- SuomenlinnaA sea fortress on islands, reached by a 15 minute public ferry from the Market Square.
- PorvooA wooden old town on a river, about an hour by bus from the center.
Helsinki: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Helsinki?
Two days cover the center. Three or four add Suomenlinna, museums and a trip to Porvoo or Tallinn.
Where should I stay in Helsinki?
Near the station for convenience, Punavuori for design and food, and Kallio for a local base.
Is Helsinki expensive?
Yes, though less than Oslo or Copenhagen. Lunch deals, market halls and free sights keep costs down.
What is the best time to visit Helsinki?
June to August for long days and islands, and December for lights and snow.
Is Helsinki easy to get around?
Yes. The center is flat, and trams, the metro and ferries are covered by one ticket.
Can you take a day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn?
Yes. Ferries take about two hours each way, so a day trip is possible, but an overnight stay is more relaxed.
Do I need cash in Helsinki?
Rarely. Cards and phones are accepted almost everywhere.