My 25 Favorite Things to Do in Helsinki, Finland (Based on 9 Visits)

Helsinki doesn’t get as much attention as other Nordic cities like Copenhagen or Stockholm, and when you visit, you’ll notice a surprising lack of tourists compared to many places in Europe. But ignoring Finland’s capital is, in my opinion, a terrible decision. Helsinki is well worth visiting for a few days, whether you’re then going somewhere else in Finland or looking for a unique weekend trip. 

The Finnish capital has beautiful architecture, lovely nature, clean air, and great food. If that wasn’t enough, it’s incredibly easy to get around. Don’t let the freezing winter temperatures scare you off, either; Helsinki is just as fun to visit in the winter as it is in the summer (in fact, I recommend visiting in both). 

I’ve been lucky enough to visit Helsinki multiple times, and I usually visit 2-3 times per year now. My girlfriend is Finnish, but beyond that, I really enjoy being in the city for both weekend trips and longer breaks.

Based on my comprehensive experiences, I’m bringing you this list of the best things to do in Helsinki. Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll have a better idea of what to do when you visit.

1. Visit Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important part of Finnish history. Taking the ferry here is my favorite thing to do while in Helsinki; while often seen as a summer experience, I love coming to Suomenlinna in the winter. That said, it’s worth visiting at any time of the year.

The fortress, which is spread across eight islands, was originally built while Finland was under Swedish rule. While some parts of Suomenlinna are still military areas today, much of it is open to the public. It’s a lovely place to walk around, and you can also have a picnic here if you visit during the warmer months. 

How to Get to Suomenlinna

Take the ferry from Kauppatori; you can use an ordinary public transport ticket available in the HSL app (iOS and Android). The journey takes around 15 minutes, and you’ll get lovely views of Helsinki and its many nearby islands. 

While the ferry to Sumonelinna runs year-round, the winter schedule is much more limited. You can check the times and dates you plan to travel here. 

In addition to organising your trip yourself and taking public transport, you can book a guided tour and let someone else handle the planning. You will then just need to show up and follow them on the day. You’ll learn more about the fortress this way, too. 

2. Visit the Löyly Sauna

Visiting Finland without going to a sauna defies logic. If ever there was something that defined this country it would be this. (Well, I’d also argue that the Nokia 3310 is a national icon—but I digress). 

Okay, sure—Löyly isn’t the “traditional” Helsinki sauna experience. It is, however, a great place to relax for an afternoon. You’ll find a number of saunas here, including some with views of the sea. 

At Löyly, you’ll find all the facilities you need for a pleasant stay. Showers are available, and you need to use them before entering the sauna area. You’ll also find a locker to keep your belongings while you are in the sauna. 

In addition to sweating your worries away, you can go for a dip in the Gulf of Finland. Let’s just say that when I went on a July afternoon, it was still freezing. That said, it’s part of the experience, and you will feel amazing afterward. 

Löyly is very popular, so be sure to book your tickets in advance. You’ll receive towels at the sauna, so don’t worry about bringing these with you. 

Besides the sauna, Löyly has a really nice restaurant. The fish soup is great, and so are the burgers. Consider having some food here after you’ve finished in the sauna. 

Address: Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150 Helsinki

3. Visit Helsinki’s Many Parks

In addition to its beautiful islands nearby, Helsinki is blessed with many excellent parks. The area combining Hesperianpuisto and Töölönlahdenpuisto is one of my favorite places to enjoy a nice walk on a summer evening. 

Kaivopuisto, close to the water, is another park worth your time. These places are great year-round; while not “green” during the winter, they look wonderful when covered in snow. 

4. Sample Helsinki’s Many Great Cafés

Winters in Helsinki are dark—like, really dark. In addition to less than six hours of daylight when I’ve visited in December (which I have twice), it’s often quite gray. When January and February roll around, temperatures are often well below freezing. 

What do you do when you have a climate like this? Well, two things. 

Finns enjoy being outdoors throughout the year, but beyond skiing and winter walks, they also invest a lot of time into their indoor spaces. Nowhere is this more evident than with Helsinki’s blossoming café scene. 

RAMS Roasters is my favorite café in the Finnish capital. Its cinnamon buns are out of this world, and I say this as someone who lives in Copenhagen—another city that excels in this area. The savory treats are also very good. 

Café Regatta is another Helsinki classic. It enjoys a pleasant waterfront location in a cozy red hut. Plenty of outdoor seating is available, as well as a place to grill sausages. 

The Finns also know how to make a good cup of coffee, and all of the cafés mentioned above are solid choices for some. Levain is one of my favorite examples (the pastries here are also really nice).

5. Check Out the City From Above at Ateljee Sky Bar 

Helsinki doesn’t have that many places to enjoy the city from above, which is always one of my biggest gripes. However, Ateljee Sky Bar makes it at least possible. 

This sky bar is located inside of Hotel Torni, and you can visit even if you aren’t staying at the hotel. It’s right in the city center, and you should have no problems finding the place. 

The bar opens at noon daily. While quite expensive, you can also buy drinks here. In essence, you can consider those to be the entry fee. 

Address: Yrjönkatu 26, 00100 Helsinki

6. Take a Day Trip to Tallinn

Tallinn is a fantastic day trip from Helsinki and an opportunity to visit two countries on the same trip. The Estonian capital is just two hours away by ferry, and while worth visiting in its own right, you can cover many of its highlights in a single day. 

I’ve visited Tallinn five times and still enjoy going each time. It’s a great year-round city, and if you can visit in December, the Christmas market is well worth seeing. The vibrant atmosphere is unmistakable, especially if you visit in the Spring or Summer. From the KGB Prison Cells to St. Olaf’s Church and many other great viewpoints in the city, you won’t regret a day trip here. I have also written a comprehensive guide on my top things to do in Tallinn if you want to do some more research before you visit.

Several ferries depart daily from Helsinki. Some depart from the Katajanokka ferry terminal, whereas others leave from Länsiterminaali 2 (West Terminal 2). Check your ticket to determine which one you need to visit; I’ve written a full article about taking a day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn if you want to know what to do when you arrive. 

In addition to organizing everything yourself, you can book an organized day tour from Helsinki to Tallinn.

7. Visit Uunisaari

Uunisaari is made of two small islands that many visitors don’t know about. It’s well worth visiting in the winter, especially. From November to April, a pedestrian bridge connects the island to the mainland. 

The main enjoyment here is walking around and enjoying a view back toward Helsinki. It looks particularly cool if the sea has frozen over. If you visit Helsinki during the summer, you can take a boat to the island.

8. Walk Along Ehrenströmintie & Merisatamaranta

Ehrenströmintie is a pathway that weaves along the harbor front, and it’s an excellent recreational walk in Helsinki. During the summer, you can enjoy a peaceful view of the nearby islands, and there are plenty of places to sit down. 

Along this walk, you’ll find a cafe—named Café Ursula. If you keep following the road around, you’ll eventually end up at a marina. 

9. Visit the Rock Church

Helsinki is home to some of the Nordic region’s most unique churches, and nowhere is this more evident than Temppeliaukio—also known as the Rock Church. Located in leafy Etu-Töölö, it’s a nice place to enjoy some peace and quiet. 

The church opened in 1969 and has become one of Helsinki’s most popular tourist attractions. It’s a great place for photography, and you can also climb atop the rocks outside. You’ll need to buy tickets to enter the church, which you can do online.

Entry to Temppeliaukio is included as part of the Helsinki Card, too, which provides access to admission other attractions and tours—along with free unlimited public transport in Zones A and B.

Address: Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki

10. Enjoy Punavuori’s Vibe 

If I ever lived in Helsinki and could choose one neighborhood, it would absolutely be Punavuori. The apartments here are super nice, but more than that, I really enjoy the atmosphere here.

Punavuori forms part of Helsinki’s Design District, and there’s definitely a sense of innovation and forward-thinking here. It’s home to a number of shops, and you’ll find plenty of places to eat here. 

If you’re visiting Helsinki and plan to work remotely, you should also check out the MOW (Mothership of Work) coworking space. In my opinion, this is the best place to work in the Finnish capital. 

11. Visit Helsinki’s Christmas Market

Obviously, you’d have to visit Helsinki in the lead-up to Christmas for this. But if you happen to be in town at this time, you should definitely make some time for the Finnish capital’s Christmas Markets. Finland is the homeland of Santa Claus, after all. 

The Christmas Market in Senate Square is one of Europe’s coziest, and it’s one of the biggest reasons I recommend visiting Helsinki in December. You’ll find plenty of local treats, including the Karelian pie (an absolute must-try). You can also try a pretty famous porridge that people queue up for. 

As is customary, you can enjoy the standard glögi—Finland’s interpretation of mulled wine. 

12. Walk the Stairs at Tuomiokirkko

Tuomiokirkko is Helsinki’s main cathedral, and it’s arguably the most recognizable church in Finland. Its dome is visible from much of the city, and while its interior didn’t impress me too much, walking up the stairs to the church was still very much worthwhile. 

From just outside the church, you can enjoy an excellent view of Senate Square and its surrounding areas. These stairs are also featured in the music video for Darude’s iconic Sandstorm song, which—let’s be honest—is the greatest track of all time. 

Be careful when walking up these in the winter, as the ice can make the stairs very slippery. 

13. Check Out the Old Food Hall

Vanha Kauppahalli, known in English as the Old Food Hall, is located close to Kauppatori in a pleasant old building. Having been to Tampere, Pori, Vaasa, and many other cities, I think that it’s the best food hall in Finland. 

At Vanha Kauppahalli, you’ll find plenty of great dishes and fresh ingredients. Consider coming here for lunch; as a side note, you can try reindeer kebabs if you’re feeling really Christmassy 🙂. 

Address: Eteläranta, 00130 Helsinki

14. Sample Fish and Pancakes at the Kauppatori Food Market 

Another great food market to try is at Kauppatori, which is close to Senate Square and near the terminal for the Suomenlinna ferry. I really enjoyed trying the fish dishes here in the summer of 2023, and we also tried a traditional Finnish pancake. I’ve since back to the market multiple times.

At this market, you can buy various souvenirs and fresh ingredients. One word of warning is that the birds can be quite aggressive, and I do not recommend feeding them. They’re also very skilled at robbing food; don’t give them an inch.

Address: Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki

15. Photograph Picturesque Huvilakatu and Pietarinkatu 

Huvilakatu’s Jugendstil architecture is the most famous street in Helsinki, and it’s definitely worth seeing. It doesn’t matter when you come here; your eyes are in for a treat when they see the buildings here. I also recommend keeping an eye out for smaller details, such as the house number lights and snowshoe brushes outside the apartments. 

One street over, you’ll see Pietarinkatu—which is just a scenic. While not as many people stop here, I strongly recommend that you do. 

16. Visit Oodi Library

I’ve tried working at Oodi Library while visiting Helsinki, and to be honest, I thought it was too loud to do so. However, the library itself is well worth a visit. The building opened in December 2018, and it’s perhaps Helsinki’s best example of eye-catching modern architecture. 

The library is free to enter and walk around, and you can enjoy a nice view of the outside square from its balcony. There are plenty of seating spaces if you want to take a break, and you’ll also find free Wi-Fi here. 

Address: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki

17. Check Out the Sibelius Monument

Jean Sibelius was one of Finland’s best-known composers, and the intriguing Sibelius Monument is free to visit. You’ll find it in Sibelius Park, and I think that it looks quite surreal at first glance. 

When you’re here, be sure to walk underneath it and look up for a particularly interesting view. The monument is very close to Café Regatta, so I recommend visiting both at the same time. 

18. Enjoy Helsinki’s Newer Waterfront Areas 

Hietalahti is often little more than a place that a lot of people pass through when going to Helsinki’s West Ferry Terminal. But if you’re in the Finnish capital on a sunny day, it’s a pretty nice place to chill out. 

The waterfront area is nice to walk and cycle along, and it’s a great place to chill out on a warm evening. If you visit in the summer, I recommend checking out Båt—a bar located on a boat. 

You can easily reach this part of town by tram. As a side note, I recommend staying at Clarion Helsinki in Jätkäsaari—which will base you very close to all of this.

19. Shop for Finnish Design

Finnish design has become globally renowned, with brands like Marimekko thrusting themselves into the spotlight. While in Helsinki, checking to see if there’s something you can bring home is a very good idea. 

You’ll find flagship stores for Iitala and Arabia, in addition to Marimekko and other brands. In addition to the global headline hitters, you’ll find various local designers that fly under the radar. 

20. Go to the Beach (Yes, Seriously)

Going to the beach is probably the last thing you thought you would do in Finland, but it’s not the worst idea in the world. Helsinki has a number of beaches, including Eiranranta and Hietaranta. 

Though quite small, these beaches are nice to enjoy a chilled afternoon. The water can be very cooling if you visit on a sunny day—Helsinki can get surprisingly warm in the summer. 

21. Explore Katajanokka

Katajanokka is known for its ferry terminal, but this small neighborhood often goes under the radar. It’s one of the city’s coziest districts, with plenty of cute streets and a lovely waterside location. 

This district is also home to Uspenki Cathedral, one of Helsinki’s most unique churches. There are a few nice parks, in addition to the popular Sky Wheel. Katajanokka is a great place to stay, too, if you want to be centrally located but somewhere quiet. It’s one of the top districts I listed in my guide on where to stay in Helsinki.

22. Take a Day Trip to Porvoo 

Porvoo is another excellent day trip from Helsinki and one of Finland’s most beautiful towns. You’ll find a beautiful collection of old houses, in addition to hiking and foraging opportunities on the other side of the river. 

For a pretty small town, Porvoo has a surprisingly large number of good places to eat. Be sure to try the iconic Runebergintorta, which was created by the poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg’s wife. 

To get to Porvoo, you can take a bus; it’s around 50 minutes away. Tickets are very affordable; we paid less than €10 for a return ticket with Onnibus when we visited in 2023. You can take various day tours to Porvoo, too.

23. Go on Your Own Architecture Tour

Helsinki is one of my favorite cities for architecture, and it’s just as quirky as the locals. You’ll find a mixture of everything, from beautiful old apartments to modern marvels. Helsinki Central Station is an architectural masterpiece in and of itself, and you should also make some time to see Kamppi Chapel—also known as the Chapel of Silence. 

The Finnish capital is home to many buildings designed by Alvar Aalto, arguably the country’s most iconic architect. Finlandia Hall is one example, and the Stora Enso Headquarters in Katajanokka is another. 

24. Take a Boat Tour in Helsinki

Helsinki’s geography is largely defined by water, and more specifically, its position by the Gulf of Finland. Being out on the water is one of the biggest joys of being in the Finnish capital, especially with so many picturesque islands nearby. Whether you are visiting Helsinki for the weekend or only here for a day, this is a great activity.

I took this archipelago tour on a summer trip in 2025, and it was really good. We learned a lot about the Finnish capital in general, including some interesting stories that I would otherwise not have known. We sailed close to Suomenlinna, in addition to seeing many parts of the Helsinki coastline and nearby islands. 

Most boat tours in Helsinki run from April to September or October. Even if you only have a day to spare, I recommend joining one of these when you’re in the city. You’ll find plenty of options available.

25. Visit Allas Sea Pool

I had wanted to visit Allas Sea Pool for a long time, and I finally got the opportunity to do so on a December 2025 trip to Helsinki. This is a fantastic sauna complex right in the city center, and I loved spending a few hours here. It was the highlight of that particular trip. 

At Allas Sea Pool, you’ll find a number of saunas with varying heats. The changing room was admittedly quite chaotic (at least, the men’s changing room was), but everything else was organized. I’m certain there is no greater high than being out in the cold and then jumping into a hot sauna and repeating the process. 

You will find both warm and cold swimming areas at Allas Sea Pool, too. I encourage you to at the very least try the cold swim (even if that’s just going down the stairs). The sauna feels much better afterward; trust me. 

One also useful thing to know: Bring some swimming shoes. When I was here, the air temperature was -10ºC (14ºF), and… without them, it wasn’t so fun running to the sauna 🤣. You should bring a towel with you, too. 

You can book tickets at Allas Sea Pool, but you may not get your preferred time slot. Moreover, there’s often a queue at the ticket office. So, I recommend booking yours in advance on the official website. 

Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2 A, 00160 Helsinki

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