Helsinki, the capital of Finland, offers a charming and distinct atmosphere like no other. Once you land in this city, you will be in awe of its finesse and modern architecture.
It is an exciting place to visit that shines in all seasons. You can enjoy its old churches year-round as well as appreciate its snow-covered ground during winter and the subtle shades of summer green and intense blues during summer.
So, are you ready to see the best of Helsinki, Finland? Below are 15 tourist attractions and activities that will allow you to experience Finnish culture and make the most out of your stay in Finland's capital.
Visiting the Helsinki City Center is one of the best things to do if you’re looking for a place that offers many activities to do, local restaurants to eat, stores to shop, and other main sights to see.
You will also find many churches and chapels such as the Helsinki Cathedral. This cathedral was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel.
One of the most famous sights in this Cathedral is the stage of academic and national festive services, which can be found on the northern side of Senate Square. The Cathedral is also a good place to enjoy a sip of hot chocolate.
Other tourist spots you can find in the city center include the Central Railway station and the Kamppi Chapel of Silence.
One of the perks of traveling in Europe is that you can travel to its neighboring countries by public transport like bus, train or ferry.
Apart from visiting Helsinki and its popular attractions, you can also visit Tallinn by ferry which is only 2 hours away. It's easy to take ferry tickets from all operators, like Viking Line, Eckerö Line, Tallink, and DFDS from their Helsinki- Tallinn site.
Some of the best things to do in Tallinn include visiting the old town, appreciating exhibitions in Kumu Art Museum, strolling around Kadriorg Park, and saying a little prayer in St. Olaf’s church.
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Aside from checking out and exploring the best tourist spots, one of the best things to do when you're around Helsinki is to visit its neighboring Nordic city, Stockholm (Sweden), it’s a beautiful city that has many sights to offer.
For a fun way to see the city, consider catching a ferry to Stockholm. You can find tickets for all ferry operators, including ferries operated by Viking Line, Eckerö Line, and Tallink, on the Helsinki–Stockholm site.
Some of the best spots you should visit in Stockholm include the Old Town, Vasa Museum, and Djurgarden.
Next on our list of the best things to do in Helsinki is to visit the National Museum of Finland.
This museum features temporary exhibitions of historical pieces. They provide a sounding board for Finnish culture and the changes they go through. The museum's locations, collections, activities, and programs aim to inspire its visitors through humanity, time, and life.
For visitation hours, this museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm.
Another activity on our list is exploring the Temppeliaukio church, also known as the rock church. The moniker was derived from its direct excavation of solid rock.
This church includes special architecture, making it one of the top tourist attractions in Helsinki and a popular venue for concerts. The halls of this church are lined with copper and covered with a dome, while the rock walls are supported by concrete beams.
Meanwhile, the interior walls are constructed out of rubble walls and rugged rock. If you want to see a stunning view of this church, you should visit before noon when the light flares from the rows of the church's windows. The light surrounds the roof, which is peripheral to the altar wall.
The Helsinki Art Museum (HAM) is next on our list of the best things to do in Helsinki, especially for art enthusiasts.
This museum displays an art collection that belongs to Helsinki residents, including over 9,000 artworks and statues in Helsinki. It draws attention to modern and contemporary art in its exhibitions located at the Tennis Palace.
Some of its art galleries are also dedicated to Tove Jansson's (1914-2001) life and works. His artworks are one of the most cherished pieces in the museum's collection.
Exploring the open-air museum of Seurasaari gives you a glimpse of a traditional way of life in Finland, by featuring manors, farmsteads, and cottages of the past four centuries.
This museum also includes buildings from different provinces of Finland. Another thing to look forward to is its view of the Finnish countryside from the 18th to the 20th century.
The Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox church you will visit in Western Europe, making it one of the best things to do in Helsinki.
This cathedral is located in the Katajanokka district and was completed in 1868. The church is also one of the clearest symbols of Russia's impact on Finnish history looking at its red brick facade and golden cupolas.
Next on our list is to visit Esplanade Park, which is the most famous park in Finland. The Esplanade Park, more known as “espa” among Helsinki residents, is the heart of the city.
This park was originally designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, the principal architect of Helsinki. Its architectural style was characterized by its flowerbeds and straight tree-lined alleys. Meanwhile, its linden trees on the side of the park give visitors a hall-like space.
If you're a traveler, Market Square is the first place you will see once you arrive in the old town of Helsinki. This is where locals buy and sell their best products, such as fresh fish from the Baltic Sea.
You can also find Finnish specialties such as handmade jewelry, reindeer horns, reindeer hides, and wooden mugs. The Baltic Herring Market is another place you should visit, which is located nearby the Market Hall.
Aside from doing the groceries, you can also savor a scrumptious cup of Finnish coffee.
One of the epicenters of life and commerce in the square is the port area, which is also a genuine landmark of Helsinki as a whole.
The Market Square is open all year round for unique souvenirs and local flavors. However, the best time of the year to visit is at the beginning of October.
One of the most relaxing and laidback things to do is experience a Finnish sauna at Loyly. This authentic smoke sauna allows you to learn all about sauna etiquette and sauna culture.
Another benefit you can get by visiting this public sauna is swimming in the freshwater lake.
The sauna is heated between 80-100°C. Meanwhile, the water is thrown on the rocks, giving a wave of heat into the room. After spending some time in the sauna, you can step outside for fresh air and take a cool dip in the lake.
Next on our list is exploring Suomenlinna, also dubbed the "Fortress of Finland." You can visit this tourist spot on a series of small islands, just 20 minutes away from Helsinki’s south harbor by ferry.
Suomenlinna's cultural magnitude was praised by the Unesco World Heritage Site, making it a great example of a fortified military structure.
When Finland was still a part of the Swedish Empire, it was named Sveaborg. It also represented a major strategic point, which was essential for the defense of Southern Finland and the city's control.
Once you visit this destination, don't forget to check out the impressive dry dock and the island's impressive museums and greener parts.
If you’re interested in trying Finnish foods, the Cafe Regatta is one of the best coffee shops you should try in Helsinki.
This outdoor café is located in a small, red cottage by the sea in Töölö with a vintage countryside interior and decoration.
The menu of Cafe Regatta consists of Finnish fresh cinnamon buns and other delicacies, served in a laid-back but charismatic atmosphere. They also grill sausages by the open fire of the cafe's yard and allow pets to join.
If you're looking for a place where you can spend time with nature, visiting the Nuuksio National Park is definitely a must for you.
This amusement park is within easy reach of downtown Helsinki and offers natural settings, allowing you to enjoy the Finnish scenery. You can enjoy its green space including its forests, lovely lakes, and rugged cracks if you want to camp out or have a picnic.
Another thing to admire about this park is its nearby Finnish Nature Center Haltia, which highlights the natural treasures from across Finland.
The last pick on our list is to visit the Hakaniemi Market Hall, which is known for being a genuine Finnish market hall.
This old market hall was designed by architect Karl Hård af Segerstad and was opened in 1914. There are two floors of market stalls in this charming 100-year-old building.
On the ground floor, you can shop for fresh food such as fish, pastries, bread, and other tasty foods. While on the second floor, you can shop for handicrafts, souvenirs, interior decorations, and other Finnish design objects.
If you’re looking for a new place to visit on your next European vacation, we highly recommend visiting Helsinki, Finland. This country offers a lot of activities and sights to see. This amazing city is where you’ll find the best licorice ice cream in town, enjoy colorful buildings, and many more.
This city consists of seasonal colors, from summer greens to intense blues. You will also surely enjoy Helsinki in winter or the Christmas season, where you can enjoy ice skating and visiting the old churches. Above all, you will appreciate its amazing architecture, which mixes modern, Scandinavian, and art nouveau styles.
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