Your Complete Practical Guide to Visiting Helsinki in the Summer 

Visiting Helsinki in the summer might not seem as appealing as Spain or Italy, but the Finnish capital comes alive during the warmer months. The sun hardly drops below the horizon, and the city is brimming with outdoor areas as Finns aim to soak up as much sun as possible before the long winter returns. 

Helsinki in the summer offers even more nature activities than would otherwise be the case, and there’s plenty more to be excited about as well. Before you go, it’s worth getting all the information you need to ensure you have a memorable experience—whether that’s visiting Helsinki in and of itself or as part of a broader trip to Finland.

---

In this practical guide for summer visitors, you’ll learn what the weather’s like and some of the best things to do in Helsinki during the summer. On top of that, you will also discover the main summer events in the Finnish capital—plus more. 

When Is Summer in Helsinki? 🌞

Summer in Helsinki usually runs from June to the end of August. July is usually the warmest month, but autumn is already on its way by the time September arrives. 

One thing worth keeping in mind is that many Helsinki residents leave town in July. Instead, they go on holiday—with many people visiting their countryside summer houses. 

Is Helsinki Worth Visiting in the Summer? 🤔

Helsinki is worth visiting in the summer for several reasons, and you’ll get a completely different city experience compared to if you came during the winter.

In the subsections below, you’ll discover some of the top reasons why you should make a visit to the Finnish capital during the summer months. 

Less Crowded Than Other European Cities

In addition to many Helsinkians leaving the city throughout July, tourists are much thinner on the ground compared to most other European cities. Even during the peak season, Helsinki still feels like it has space to breathe. 

Many of the tourists in Helsinki congregate around Senate Square and the city’s famous cathedral. The boat to Suomenlinna can also be quite crowded. But other than that, you shouldn’t have to worry about dealing with significant crowds. 

Long Daylight Hours

The second time I went to Helsinki was in December 2019, when the sun rose after 9 am and was already down again by around 3:15 pm. By contrast, my summer visit in 2023 saw the sun stay up past 10 pm. Both have their charms, but it’s much easier to fit more into your itinerary if you visit Helsinki during the summer. 

Helsinki sees over 18 hours of daylight in the middle of the summer, and because it’s so far north, the sun doesn’t fully go down for much of June and July. The ample daylight hours are perfect for sightseeing, hiking, cycling, and several other activities. 

Reasonable Temperatures 

Summer temperatures in Helsinki are normally quite comfortable, with the daily high usually being around 17-20ºC. The thermometer can sometimes reach the mid and high twenties, but that isn’t particularly common. 

If you’re not a big fan of hot weather (🙋🏾‍♂️), Helsinki is the perfect summer destination. Well, apart from that one time I went there and it was 30ºC but felt hotter due to the humidity. 🫠

More Accessible Nature

Helsinki’s biggest benefit is, in my opinion, its close proximity to nature. Nuuksio National Park is just out of town, for example, and you can also visit the city’s many islands with more daylight hours to spare. 

During the summer, the beaches in Helsinki are also much more inhabitable than during the winter. 

Use the Helsinki City Bikes 

If you’re a big fan of cycling, Helsinki is a great city to visit in the summer. The official Helsinki city bikes are available to rent in the summer, which is a stark contrast compared to if you were to visit during the winter. 

You can rent Helsinki’s city bikes for €10 per day. The city has a reasonable network of bicycle lanes, so getting around is also quite easy. 

Outdoor Restaurants and Cafés 

Helsinki’s food scene will surprise you, and summer in Helsinki is the perfect time to enjoy some of the city’s excellent food outside. You’ll find plenty of great places to eat in neighbourhoods like Kallio, while the city also has a number of food markets. 

If you want to take your food with you, you can always find a spot along the waterfront as well. All of these options are great for people-watching. 

Helsinki Summer Weather 🌥️

Summers in Helsinki are typically mild. You can expect the daytime temperature to hover between 17ºC and 20ºC in June and July. One thing worth noting, however, is it’s sometimes quite humid in the Finnish capital—which can make the temperature feel warmer than it is. 

In the evening, expect temperatures of around 12ºC-14ºC. In July and August, these may drop into single figures—especially as you approach the end of August. 

The summer weather in Helsinki can change quickly, and you may still encounter significant rainfall during your trip. 

As you get towards the end of July and into August, temperatures in the evening cool quite significantly. When I visited Helsinki in late July, some of the trees were already beginning to show autumn colours by the end of the trip. 

Fun Things to Do in Helsinki During the Summer 😛

I’ve written a comprehensive guide with all my favorite things to do in Helsinki (it’s designed for year-round visitors), and I recommend reading it after this guide for a bigger list. Some of my top summer recommendations are below.

Explore and Enjoy Kallio 

Kallio is Helsinki’s trendiest neighbourhood, which is a special code for “lots of hipster restaurants and coffee shops”. The district is a pleasure to walk around, especially on a golden summer evening. 

Kallio’s main sight is its church: Kallionkirkko. While you sadly can’t go inside, the building is still worth admiring from its exterior. Away from that, Kallio has a variety of restaurants and bars. Getting here is easy; either take the tram or metro to Hakaniemi and walk in the direction of the church. 

Kauppatori Food Market

Kauppatori is a large outdoor food market that features all kinds of Finnish delicacies. You can buy fresh fruit and other products here as well, and there are lots of stalls where you can grab something to eat. 

You’ll also find a decent amount of outdoor seating at the food market. Be warned that the birds can be quite aggressive and annoying, but you can always take your food and eat it somewhere else if they get too irritating. Please also don’t feed the birds because it only encourages this behavior.

Cycling 

Helsinki is relatively flat, making it a great city for cycling in the summer. You can go for an aimless ride along the many bike lanes, and you might also want to think about taking your bike to one of the many islands in the nearby archipelago. 

Keep in mind that not all of Helsinki is marked with cycling paths, and it’s a good idea to pay attention when you’re in traffic. You can learn more about renting Helsinki city bikes for your summer trip here. 

Café Regatta

Café Regatta is worth visiting throughout the year, but it’s a particularly great place to sit outside during the summer. The café has plenty of treats worth trying, including its blueberry pie and pulla (kind of like a cardamom bun).

The café is one of Helsinki’s most famous institutions, so you’ll often need to wait in a lengthy queue before being served. However, it’s very much worthwhile. 

Address: Merikannontie 8, 00260 Helsinki

Website: https://www.caferegatta.fi/in-english

Löyly Sauna

If you’re not feeling brave enough for a traditional Finnish sauna, upscale Löyly could take your fancy instead. This large complex is in an enviable location by the Baltic Sea, with a great view of the harbor. You can choose from multiple saunas of varying temperatures. 

Before entering the sauna, you’ll need to take a shower in the changing rooms. You also have the option to go for a swim. Despite my initial thoughts of “yeah, no” when getting in the water (it’s very cold, even in July), you feel fantastic afterward. 

Uunisaari 

Uunisaari is one of my favorite islands in Helsinki, and you can get there by boat in the summer (it’s also possible to visit in winter but via a footbridge instead). The island is quite small, with a beach and sauna. You also get pleasant views of some of Helsinki’s residential areas. 

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is one of the best places to visit in Helsinki during the summer, and regular boats operate from the stop near Kauppatori. The island originally served as a fortress and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spending half a day (or even a full day!) here is well worth it.

To purchase a ticket for the boat to Suomenlinna, use the HSL app (iOS and Android) and get a Zone A ticket. The island has six museums, and guided tours are available in English, Finnish, Swedish, Chinese, and Russian during the summer months. 

Website: https://www.suomenlinna.fi/

The Best Summer Day Trips From Helsinki 🥾

While Helsinki is worth visiting in the summer in and of itself, the long days mean that you might also want to consider a few day trips during your visit. Here are three of my favorite day trips from the Finnish capital, with information on how to get there.

Turku

I thought very little of Turku when I first visited with my girlfriend, but by the end of that day trip, I actually would have liked to stay a bit longer. After visiting again, I would still say that people massively overrate it—but at the same time, it is still worth a day trip (especially during the warmer months).

Turku used to be the capital of Finland, and it’s home to several great bakeries—including the delightful Café Qwensel. On top of that, you’ll find a number of solid restaurants; my personal favorite is Blanko.

You can also get a great insight into the history of Finland; Turku is the country’s oldest city. We went to Luostarinmäen, which is a former district of wooden houses and the only one still standing after the 1827 Great Fire of Turku. You get a fascinating insight into how the Finns of previous centuries lived, and it’s very similar to Den Gamle By in Aarhus (which you should also visit). 

Turku is reachable by train and bus from Helsinki, and the journey takes just over two hours. Tickets are normally quite affordable. I would recommend taking the train if possible, as the journey was quite comfortable. Omio is a great place to check for tickets; I wrote a full guide on the best things to do in Turku if you choose to visit.

Tampere

Tampere is often referred to as the Sauna Capital of the World, and it’s the perfect place to discover why Finland ranks so highly in quality of life indexes. 

When in Tampere, make sure that you pay a visit to the Pyynikki Tower for a wonderful view over the surrounding lakes and woodlands—along with much of the city. The doughnuts from the café are also quite famous. 

Tampere is famous for its red-brick industrial architecture, which has often drawn comparisons to Manchester in the UK. The city is an hour and a half from Helsinki by train; slower trains take just over two hours. You can also get the bus, which takes around two hours. 

Tallinn

I’ve been to Tallinn several times, and it’s one of my favorite places in Northern Europe. Estonia’s capital and largest city is just over two hours from Helsinki by boat, making it an easy day trip (though I’d also recommend staying for a few nights, since there are lots of interesting things to do). 

Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the most beautiful in Europe, and no trip is complete without a wander. There are plenty of opportunities to admire the city from above, so make sure you do that. You’ll also find a good number of places to eat, plus some great bars and pubs. 

Outside of the Old Town, Telliskivi is a former industrial area that has been revived as a creative space—with a number of places to eat. You’ll also find the Fotografiska photography museum here (there are others in Stockholm and New York City as well). I recommend booking your ferry tickets in advance.

Porvoo

Porvoo is one of Finland’s most beautiful towns, and it’s less than an hour away from Helsinki. In addition to the stunning Old Town, Porvoo has a great number of eateries and cafés. 

On the other side of the river, you can enjoy a wander around the forest and also enjoy a great view of the city. Note, however, that there are *a lot* of mosquitoes in the forest, and they pretty much ate me alive. So, it’s a good idea to bring insect repellent. 

You can check out my Porvoo travel guide to plan your trip more effectively. 

Helsinki Summer Daylight Hours: Can You See the Midnight Sun in Helsinki? 🌅

You technically can’t see the Midnight Sun from Helsinki, and you will instead need to go further north. However, the sun doesn’t fully set for much of the summer. On June 21st, the sunrise is 03:54 and sunset is 22:50—giving you 18 hours and 55 minutes of daylight. 

Throughout the entire month of June, you have over 18 hours of daylight to enjoy. That shortens to 16 hours and 54 minutes by the end of July, while there are 14 hours and 12 minutes once you get to the end of August. 

Even in July, you’ll still get some degree of light at around 23:00. 

Is It Worth Visiting Helsinki for Midsummer?

While midsummer is an eagerly awaited holiday in Finland and Sweden, Helsinki is often relatively quiet. Many Finns spend midsummer with their friends and family elsewhere, and most places are shut on the 21st and 22nd of June. I found this out for myself in Jyväskylä when basically nothing was open :).

The benefit, however, is that midsummer is perfect for exploring and being outside. You won’t have to deal with as many people, and you can go for a bike ride or a run late in the evening without needing to worry about it getting dark anytime soon.  

If you visit Helsinki around midsummer, it’s a good idea to buy groceries and whatnot in advance. That way, you won’t get caught out by everything being closed. 

Are There Mosquitoes in Helsinki During the Summer? 

For the most part, Helsinki is spared from Finland’s summer mosquito problem. But if you spend a lot of time in forests (e.g. going to Nuuksio National Park for the day), you should take some repellent with you. 

I’d also recommend using mosquito repellent if you plan to visit any of the islands near Helsinki. 

Helsinki Summer Events 📆

Flow Festival

Flow Festival is a music festival that takes place in Helsinki every August. It takes place in a former industrial area, and you can enjoy various big music hits each year. You will, however, need to buy a ticket in advance.

Website: https://www.flowfestival.com/en/

Helsinki Festival

The Helsinki Festival takes place for two weeks at the end of August, and it’s the Nordic region’s biggest arts festival. You can enjoy classical music and various other interesting events. Tickets are available both online and offline. 

Website: https://helsinkifestival.fi/en/

Tips for Booking Accommodation in Helsinki During the Summer 🛌

Hotels in Helsinki are quite expensive during the summer, and you should try to book as far in advance as possible—ideally six months or so. Short-term apartment rentals can also be quite pricey from June to August, but they’re worth looking at if you’re staying for a longer period of time. 

When booking accommodation in Helsinki for your summer trip, it’s a good idea to see if you can access laundry facilities if you’re staying for longer. I personally quite like Noli Studios when I stay in Helsinki for longer than a few days, namely Noli Katajanokka. 

• Book your flights in advance. Flights to Finland are often very expensive in the summer; I paid around $280 return from Copenhagen in July 2023. Again, you should book these as far in advance as possible. 
• Still bring a sweater. Summer evenings can still be quite chilly in Helsinki, especially towards the end of July and into August. It’s a good idea to bring an additional outer layer with you. 
• Consider staying on one of the islands. You can find accommodation on Suomenlinna and some of the other islands in Helsinki, and it’s worth checking to see if you can find something interesting.