Flights to

Helsinki

Sights and activities in Helsinki

From interesting architecture to sauna relaxation and island adventures, there is a lot to discover in Helsinki.

Allas Sea Pool – how about a hot sauna with a side of sea views? This seaside bathhouse in the heart of the city offers saunas and swimming pools, including a seawater pool. Relax and take in the views at the pool deck or enjoy delicious food and drinks offered at the venue.

Löyly public sauna – Löyly provides another option to enjoy traditional Finnish sauna right by the seaside. There is a smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna, and after you have warmed up, you can enjoy a refreshing dip in the Baltic Sea. The building features distinctive wooden architecture and is a sight in itself.

Suomenlinna – this impressive historic sea fortress and its gorgeous island home are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the best‑known destination in the city’s archipelago. Just a short ferry trip away from Helsinki’s centre, Suomenlinna offers an exciting adventure exploring tunnels, museums and fortress walls. You’ll also find cafés and restaurants on the island for a break between sights.

Senate Square – in the city’s historic centre lies one of Finland’s most popular sights. The square is framed by four landmark buildings: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland.

Helsinki Cathedral – this white Neoclassical church towering over Senate Square is one of the most iconic sights of Helsinki. Its domes, columns and wide steps give the square a bright, spacious feel. The cathedral is open to visitors, with an admission fee charged during the summer. Occasionally, events and services are held.

Uspenski Cathedral – an Orthodox cathedral built of red brick, rising above Helsinki’s Katajanokka district. Its golden domes and hilltop location make it a distinctive part of the city's skyline. The cathedral is one of the clearest symbols of Russian influence on Finnish history and is open to visitors for an admission fee.

Church of the Rock (Temppeliaukio Church) – ever visited a church carved out of bedrock? Now’s your chance. If you’re a fan of unique architecture, this Lutheran church is a must-visit. The great acoustics also make it an excellent concert venue.

Sibelius Monument – a striking steel sculpture dedicated to Jean Sibelius, Finland’s most celebrated composer. The monument resembles organ pipes, with more than 600 pipes and a bust of Sibelius on one side. Set in a waterfront park, it is one of Helsinki’s best‑known public artworks.

Esplanade Park – a green meeting place in the heart of Helsinki, known for both quiet walks and live performances.

Kaivopuisto Park – one of Helsinki’s oldest and most loved parks, stretching along the shoreline. With open lawns, rock cliffs and views of the sea, it’s a great spot for picnics and seaside strolls. In winter, the park is popular for sledging.

Hietaranta Beach – Helsinki’s most popular sandy beach, close to the city centre. It's perfect for swimming and beach activities in summer, and for walks along the shoreline at other times of the year. There’s also a summer terrace, serving delicious street food and drinks.

The Finnish National Gallery – Finland’s national art institution, bringing together three art museums. Ateneum introduces visitors to Finnish art from the 18th century to modernism. Kiasma focuses on contemporary art, with changing exhibitions in a distinctive modern building. Sinebrychoff Art Museum offers insights into European art from the 14th century to the 1850s, set within the historic rooms of a former private residence.

Amos Rex art museum – a museum of contemporary and experimental art and a landmark in its own right. The museum sits beneath Lasipalatsi Square, where its round skylights create a hilly, futuristic-looking surface above. If you’re short on time and can’t explore the museum, the square itself is worth a visit.

Seurasaari Open‑Air Museum – step into rural Finland of days gone by. The museum showcases historic buildings from different regions of Finland, offering a glimpse into traditional rural life. Located on a peaceful island, Seurasaari is connected to the mainland by a footbridge.

Oodi, Helsinki Central Library – the name means ode in Finnish and that’s exactly what it is: an ode to knowledge and stories, but also to community and creativity. Discover the books residing in the library, play some checkers or participate in a craft workshop. The building’s striking architecture with its wooden façade is a great example of contemporary Finnish design.

Finlandia Hall – designed by Alvar Aalto, this white‑marble public building is a popular sight in Helsinki. It’s mainly used for holding concerts, conferences and other events. Töölönlahti, the bay and park area right next to it, offers waterside paths and cafés.

On Tove Jansson’s trails – Helsinki is the hometown of Tove Jansson, the creator of the beloved Moomins. Follow her footsteps and experience the city as she did. On the My Helsinki website, you can find a list of all the places that Tove frequented – from her childhood neighbourhood to her favourite park.

Korkeasaari Zoo – Finland’s largest zoo, focused on conservation and placing strong emphasis on animal well-being in its care and enclosures. You can see species such as tigers, snow leopards, bears, lynx and reindeer. It can be reached by bridges connecting the island to the mainland.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park – Helsinki’s most popular amusement park, offering rides, games and views over the city. With attractions for all ages, including a historic wooden roller coaster, it’s perfect for a fun day for the whole family.

Huvilakatu – a street of colourful Art Nouveau villas with decorative façades and ornate balconies that invite you to stop and snap a photo.

Things to see and do near Helsinki

Fazer Visitor Centre in Vantaa – discover the iconic Finnish confectionery company through interactive exhibitions and as many sweets as you can eat. You can reach the visitor centre in about 40 minutes by metro and bus from Helsinki. By car, the journey takes around 30 minutes.

Sightseeing cruises – feel the sea breeze on your face and explore Helsinki's shorelines and the beautiful archipelago with numerous cruise operators.

Helsinki archipelago – beyond Suomenlinna, there are many other islands to visit. In the south, Lonna offers local delicacies and a unique public sauna. Vallisaari, a former military island, combines nature with history. In the west, Pentala gives a glimpse into the life of local fishermen, with an old cottage and other museum buildings. Make the most of the Finnish summer by visiting Iso Vasikkasaari, ideal for swimming and sunbathing. The islands can be accessed by water buses or public ferries, but note that the transport runs primarily during the summer season.

Fiskars – this village is the birthplace of the world-famous axes and scissors with signature orange handles. Established in the 17th century as an ironworks, the village carries an air of craftsmanship and creativity to this day. By public transport, the journey takes about 2 hours, usually by train from Helsinki to Karjaa, followed by a bus. By car, Fiskars can be reached in around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Moomin Museum in Tampere – a true treat for Moomin fans of all ages. Experience the magic of the Moomins by discovering original Moomin art by Tove Jansson and admire the two-metre-tall Moominhouse replica. The journey from Helsinki to the museum takes about 2 hours by train or car.

Moominworld near Turku – live like the Moomins for a day at this theme park. Meet the beloved characters and explore well‑known settings from the stories, including the Moominhouse and other familiar corners of their world. You can take the train from Helsinki to Turku, followed by a bus to Naantali, which takes about 2.5–3 hours in total. By car, the drive takes around 2 hours.

Nuuksio National Park – this beautiful natural park offers peaceful lakes and forest trails. It’s a popular place for Finnish‑style therapy: slowing down and spending time in unspoilt nature. By train and bus, Nuuksio can be reached in roughly 1–1.5 hours from Helsinki. By car, the journey takes about 45 minutes.

Porvoo – just outside Helsinki, Finland’s second‑oldest city charms with cobbled streets, colourful wooden houses, a riverside setting and small cafés. You can get to Porvoo from Helsinki by direct bus or car in about 1 hour.

Shopping in Helsinki

From fresh goods to Finnish design, here are some of the best shopping spots in Helsinki.

• Design District Helsinki – 25 streets in the heart of the city, filled with design shops, galleries, showrooms, museums and restaurants. From timeless Finnish pieces by Marimekko and Iittala to fresh ideas from new designers, there’s plenty to explore.
• Market Square – Helsinki’s most popular marketplace, located right by the harbour. Browse fresh market food, local handicrafts and souvenirs.
• Old Market Hall – shop for fresh cheeses, fish, vegetables and more at this historic market hall, established in 1899. It’s located only a couple of minutes’ walk away from the Market Square.
• Shopping centres – Helsinki’s malls combine shopping, dining, entertainment and services in one place. Highlights include Forum and Kamppi in the city centre, Mall of Tripla in Pasila, Kämp Galleria showcasing Finnish design and fashion, the historic Stockmann department store and Kluuvi Shopping Centre.
• Vintage and second-hand stores – some of the best flea markets, vintage and second-hand shops are located in the Kallio district. You’ll find everything from affordable thrift stores like UFF and Fida to more specialised shops such as Mekkomania, known for its curated selection of vintage clothing, including Marimekko pieces.

Finnish food culture is rooted in simple ingredients and clear flavours. From traditional dishes to everyday favourites, these are some tastes worth trying.

• Traditional Finnish dishes – simple and hearty, these dishes are staples of Finnish cuisine. Karelian pies (karjalanpiirakat) are beloved thin rye pastries with a rice or potato filling. Kalakukko is a unique dish where fish is cooked inside a loaf of rye bread and baked in the oven for several hours. Squeaky cheese (leipäjuusto), which is great enjoyed with cloudberries, has a distinctive texture that creates a squeaking noise when biting into it. To get a taste of Lapland, try sautéed reindeer served with mashed potatoes.
• Berries – delicious and packed with vitamins, berries are a staple of Finnish cuisine. From cloudberries and blueberries to strawberries, raspberries and lingonberries, you can enjoy them fresh or in pies, sorbet and other desserts.
• Coffee – Finns are among the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, with coffee having an important role in social interaction and café culture. The coffee in Finland is usually a lightly roasted filter coffee.
• Cinnamon buns – freshly baked cinnamon buns are a must-try when in Helsinki, perfect with a cup of coffee. If you’re not a fan of cinnamon, how about a cardamom one instead?
• Drinks – Helsinki’s drink scene includes local craft beers, Finnish gins, rye whisky and long drinks. You’ll also find crisp ciders and berry‑based liqueurs, often made with local ingredients.
• Fish and seafood – shaped by lakes, rivers and the sea, Finnish cuisine has a long tradition of fish and seafood. Enjoy smoked fish such as salmon, Arctic char and perch, a bowl of creamy salmon soup or seasonal crayfish.
• Rye bread – dark, dense and full of flavour, Finnish rye bread is baked with whole‑grain rye and sourdough. It’s a daily staple, often enjoyed with butter, cheese or salmon.
• Salted liquorice candies (salmiakki) – a Finnish classic you will probably either love or hate – you just have to try it and decide for yourself. It’s salty and slightly bitter with herbal notes and a hint of ammonia. Found in most supermarkets.
• Fazer sweets – if you’re a sweet-tooth, you will probably fall in love with this beloved Finnish brand’s products. While Fazer’s selection ranges from cookies to gummy candies, the milk chocolate Fazer Blue remains its most iconic sweet.

PS: If you don’t feel like going out to eat, the Finnish food-delivery service Wolt will bring great food from some of the best cafés and restaurants to your doorstep. 

Helsinki’s public transport is managed by the Helsinki Region Transport (HSL). Their website and app make getting around Helsinki easy – buy tickets, use the route planner and see traffic updates.

• By foot – Helsinki is easy to explore on foot, with a pedestrian‑friendly layout. If your destination is close by, walking is often the best option, allowing you to notice corners of Helsinki you might otherwise pass by.
• By tram – with 11 lines, trams are the main way to get around the city centre.
• By metro – running in only two directions, east and west, the metro is a fast and comfortable way to travel between the city centre and the suburbs of East Helsinki and West Espoo.
• By bus – buses complement Helsinki’s other public transport options and help connect areas beyond tram and metro routes.
• By taxi – in addition to traditional taxis, ride-hailing apps such as Uber, Bolt and Taksi Helsinki are often used to catch a ride in Helsinki.
• By bikes and scooters – in addition to Helsinki’s convenient city bike system, many companies also offer bicycles and electric scooters for rent. With around 1,200 kilometres of bike paths, cruising around the city is easy and comfortable.
• By train – frequent local trains connect the city centre with Vantaa and Helsinki Airport. Long‑distance trains also link the capital with other Finnish cities.

The most popular time to visit Helsinki is from June to August, when the weather is warmer and the days are long and bright. The summer is great for seaside walks, enjoying the city’s many parks and daytrips to the nearby archipelago.

If you prefer to avoid crowds, September brings fewer visitors, milder temperatures and ruska – the colourful autumn foliage. May is also great for exploring at your own pace, as temperatures rise and the city moves fully into spring.

In typically Finnish fashion, winter brings cold days. Snow‑covered streets, skating rinks and seasonal markets offer a glimpse of a true Nordic winter.

No matter what season you visit in, make sure to check the weather forecast and dress accordingly. As Finns always say: there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

Helsinki’s event calendar 

Something is always happening in Helsinki. Here is a list of some of the popular local celebrations and festivals to help you time your trip to Helsinki.

Spring

At the Helsinki Coffee Festival, the largest of its kind in Northern Europe, you can taste hundreds of different coffees and learn about the latest trends in the world of tea and coffee.

A real highlight of the spring is Vappu, Finland’s spring festival and May Day, celebrated on 30 April and 1 May. Expect picnics in parks, balloons, student traditions and munkki, the sugar‑coated doughnuts Finns make just for the day.

The World Village Festival brings live music, talks and workshops to the city. The festival raises global challenges and solutions and offers concrete ways to take action.

Summer

Summer is Helsinki’s most event‑filled season.

On 12 June, Helsinki’s birthday is celebrated with Helsinki Day. The city-wide festival fills neighbourhoods with free events, concerts and activities.

Midsummer (Juhannus) is one of Finland’s most important traditional celebrations, usually marked by bonfires, food and time outdoors. As many Helsinki residents head to summer cottages, the city becomes unusually calm, creating the perfect opportunity for slow days, island trips and smaller celebrations, such as the Midsummer festival at Seurasaari.

Helsinki Pride, Finland’s largest human rights and cultural event, centres around a parade and week‑long program of workshops, events and performances.

The Helsinki Festival, the largest arts festival in the Nordics, features classical and world music, theatre, dance and visual art in venues around the city. One of its best‑known highlights is Night of the Arts, a city‑wide evening filled with many free performances and exhibitions in public spaces.

Autumn

Helsinki Design Week, the largest design festival in the Nordics, offers exhibitions, parties, open doors and fashion shows. The program highlights Finland’s strong design culture across interiors, architecture and product design.

The Helsinki International Film Festival fills cinemas with a curated selection of new films, premieres and director talks, attracting both international filmmakers and local audiences.

The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market brings archipelago traditions to Market Square, with fishermen selling their catch, and seasonal food and handicrafts on offer.

The Baltic Circle festival focuses on contemporary theatre and performance, often experimenting with form and location.

The world’s leading startup event, Slush, brings the global startup and tech community to Helsinki. It attracts entrepreneurs, investors and tech journalists from around the world.

Winter

The Christmas season begins with the opening of Christmas Street on Aleksanterinkatu, where festive lights and seasonal displays create a true holiday atmosphere on the main shopping street.

The beloved Helsinki Christmas Market brings handicrafts, seasonal food and a warm, cosy atmosphere to the city centre.

Finland’s Independence Day on 6 December is observed nationwide. The local tradition is to light two candles on windowsills at 6 p.m.

The year concludes with Helsinki’s official New Year’s Eve celebration, featuring live music and a pyrotechnic show.

In mid‑winter, Lux Helsinki turns parks, squares and building façades into large‑scale light art installations. For a few evenings, the city becomes an open‑air gallery, allowing visitors to move through familiar places in a new way.

Finland is considered one of the happiest countries in the world according to the World Happiness Report. Finns themselves are sometimes puzzled about this, but it largely comes down to everyday things done well, including social support, personal freedom, health and trust in society.

When 12 wallets were deliberately lost around Helsinki in a journalistic experiment, 11 were returned to their rightful owners. Helsinki is safe and welcoming.

Finland has some of the cleanest tap water and air in the world.

The Helsinki archipelago is made up of over 320 islands – there is a lot to discover. 

There are around 3.2 million saunas in Finland (and only 5.6 million people!).

Finns host a number of unconventional competitions, such as wife carrying, air guitar and swamp soccer. Yes, they’re all real.