Where to Stay in Helsinki: My Top Tips (Based on 9 Visits)

For my first few trips to Helsinki, I’ll be totally honest with you: I had no idea what I was doing when looking for a place to stay. The first time I went here, it was as part of a short weekend getaway that combined a visit to nearby Tallinn. That was almost a decade ago, though, and I’ve now visited the Finnish capital a total of 9 times (and counting). 

To say that I know a thing or two about where to stay in Helsinki would be an understatement. I’ve based myself in all kinds of accommodation and in multiple parts of the city. My girlfriend is Finnish, which means I am in Helsinki even more than before, but I used to travel here even prior to us meeting. Besides being a practical starting point when we’re in Finland, I just really enjoy exploring the city and still think it’s super underrated. 

Helsinki Is Very Much a City of Hotel Chains

If I were to briefly summarize the hotel scene in Helsinki, I’d say that “functional and convenient” would be the best way to do so. Considering that the Finnish capital is much less touristy than the likes of Copenhagen and Stockholm, you’ll find what I think is a huge range of accommodation. 

At the same time, though, many of these are dominated by a selection of chains. The main ones are: 

• Sokos Hotels (this is one of the biggest chains in Finland; you’ll find them in other cities, too, such as Tampere)
• Radisson Blu and Radisson RED (because it’s the Nordics, so of course 😄) 
• Scandic (because, again, it’s the Nordics lol)
• Noli Studios
• Lapland Hotels

You will find *some* more boutique hotels, but these tend to be few and far between. The design of each hotel is pretty similar, too; I cannot remember staying in a Helsinki hotel that doesn’t have some fancy lighting with a minimalist design. This is fine for me, because I actually like this. But for you, you’ll notice that many hotels will kinda look the same. The good news, however, is that the general quality is very high. 

If you’re looking for more unique hotels, I’d definitely recommend exploring other parts of Finland if you have more time. For example, I really liked Naantali, and the place we stayed there was super cozy. 

I’d Ignore Most of Helsinki’s Outer Neighborhoods When Booking Accommodation (Most of the Time)

Helsinki is what you would call “sprawling” when you look at it on a map. But when it comes to staying here as a tourist, you can basically ignore the majority of the city’s outer neighborhoods. Not because they’re dangerous—pretty much everywhere in Helsinki is safe—but because they’re inconvenient. 

By this, I mean pretty much everywhere north of Pasila and east/north of Vallila. While the Finnish capital has an excellent public transport system, you will spend a lot of time commuting if you’re traveling into town from most of the further-out areas. This is particularly true in places where only the bus operates. 

Since you’re most likely not in Helsinki for a long time, you’ll want to be as central as possible. And even if you are, let’s face it… Commuting more than 40 minutes isn’t particularly fun, especially if you’re on holiday. 

… Unless You Want to Stay in a Cabin

While Finland itself is still less urbanized than many Western countries, Helsinki is pretty much like many other cities in terms of amenities. Yes, it has stunning nature nearby—something that numerous places cannot brag about. But the accommodation within the city center itself will mainly be apartments and hotels. 

However, staying in a cabin is one of life’s simplest pleasures. I really enjoy finding a little spot in the countryside during the summer throughout the Nordics, especially in Finland. Even if you visit Helsinki, you can still easily escape to a nearby cabin if you want. 

You’ll find plenty of islands in the Greater Helsinki area, many of which have this kind of accommodation. There are numerous forests and lakes nearby where you can also search for these. So, if you want to enjoy the city but also be close to nature, this is a good idea. 

I’d mainly recommend staying in cabin-style rentals if Helsinki is one part of your trip, but not the main one. For example, you can stay in these and then take a couple of day trips to the Finnish capital. I’d also suggest staying in these if you have longer than a week in the area and want to primarily be in nature. 

Although some will be accessible via public transport, you may also need to rent a car for others. 

The Best Places to Stay in Helsinki: My Overall Top Recommendations

I have stayed in several hotels, hostels, and apartment-style accommodations over my many trips to Helsinki. My aim is to stay somewhere new each time, and I must admit that I still have lots of places I’d like to try when I’m in town in the future 😄. Based on my trips, I’ve added my absolute top recommendations below.

1. Radisson RED Helsinki: The Best Overall Hotel in Helsinki

In December 2025, my girlfriend and I visited Japan for the first time. Our flight to Tokyo was via Helsinki, and we decided to stay overnight in the Finnish capital before continuing our trip. We based ourselves at Radisson RED Helsinki, which was an excellent choice. 

Even if we had been in the city for the weekend, and to solely visit Helsinki, I would happily have stayed here. I almost certainly will again, too. First and foremost, it’s just 10 minutes from Helsinki Central Station on foot. And let’s be real… trying to get on public transport with big suitcases isn’t fun 💀. So, having the option to walk was nice. 

Our room was very nice, too. We had a bathtub, and the bathroom in general was very big. This is not the case in many Nordic hotels, so it was a pleasant surprise. The room itself was also pretty spacious, and the staff were helpful whenever we needed to contact them. The lounge and bar areas were nice, too. 

Radisson RED is right next to Kaisaniemi Park and about as central as you can get. Besides being within walking distance of Helsinki Central Station, it’s also near the tram and Metro. 

What I Liked About Radisson RED Helsinki

2. Clarion Hotel Helsinki: Best if You Plan to Visit Tallinn From Länssiterminaali 2

I had wanted to stay at Clarion Hotel Helsinki for a while, and I finally had the opportunity to do so when visiting Finland in July 2025. I had a night on my own before my girlfriend and I took the ferry over to spend some time in Tallinn and travel through the Baltics, and as such, I figured it made total sense to stay here. 

To be totally honest, I was exhausted by the time I arrived in Helsinki. I wanted somewhere to just relax, and Clarion Hotel Helsinki was perfect for this. The room was pretty typical of other Clarion establishments I’ve stayed in elsewhere; I’ve used their hotels in Stockholm, Oslo, and other cities. The bed was comfortable, and the bathroom was spacious. Since it was July and 30ºC (86ºF) outside, I appreciated that the air conditioning actually worked, too. 

I really liked the breakfast here, which was a huge selection of hot and cold dishes. There was also a good amount of seating, though the morning sun made some areas next to the window quite hot and not so pleasant to sit next to. I guess this won’t be a problem if you visit in January or February, but it may well be if you’re in the summer. Then again, it’s easy to just sit somewhere else, I guess. 😅

What I Didn’t Like About Clarion Hotel Helsinki

Clarion Hotel Helsinki Is Best For: Anyone visiting Tallinn at any stage of their trip from Länssiterminalli 2 (or arriving in Helsinki from there). It’s also a nice place to base yourself if you want to be close to Helsinki’s city center.

3. Noli Katajanokka & Noli Katajanokka II: Great if You Want to Self-Cater

I’m grouping Noli Katajanokka and Noli Katajanokka II together because they’re right next to each other. I’ve stayed in both of them, and there isn’t a huge amount of difference between them. Noli Katajanokka II’s rooms are more modern, which isn’t surprising when it only opened in 2023. 

I stayed at Noli Katajanokka on a 5-day trip to Helsinki in 2022 and at Noli Katajanokka II in 2025. Both have studio rooms with space to cook; they’re designed for both short-term and long-term stays. Despite having contactless check-in, both places have felt welcoming to me when I’ve stayed at them. 

These studios are in the lovely Katajanokka district, which is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Helsinki. Simply wandering around the neighborhood is actually one of my top things to do in the Finnish capital. Besides being pretty, though, Katajanokka is also where you can take the Viking Line ferry to Tallinn and Stockholm. 

When staying at Noli Katajanokka and Noli Katajanokka II, you can either use the kitchen in your room or the shared kitchen downstairs. You get free access to the nearby gym, and you’re within a short walking distance of Allas Sea Pool and most major attractions in Helsinki. There’s a K-Supermarket grocery store nearby, too, along with a handy tram stop. 

The only annoyance I had at Noli Katajanokka II was that the time on the oven’s clock was very easy to see from the bed. As someone who is guaranteed to wake up if they see the time, regardless of when it is, this was somewhat irritating. Nonetheless, I guess it was a minor inconvenience in the grand scheme of things.

What I Liked About Noli Katajanokka & Noli Katajanokka II

What I Didn’t Like About Noli Katajanokka & Noli Katajanokka II

❌ The ventilation system wasn’t the best I’ve ever experienced

❌ I didn’t like seeing the light from the oven clock while sleeping

❌ If you’re visiting in the summer, I’m not sure that the blinds would be good enough for keeping out the light

4. Hostel & Apartment Diana Park: A Centrally-Located Budget Option

When I visited Helsinki for the first time in 2018, I needed somewhere simple and affordable to spend the night. I figured that Diana Park would fit the bill, and I can confirm that it very much did. 

First and foremost, this place has one of the best showers I’ve ever used at a hostel. Besides being very clean, the water pressure was a dream. Anyone who’s stayed at enough hostels will know that this is a big deal. 

The rooms were pretty average, but I wasn’t expecting anything amazing. I liked the common room area, though. I didn’t find the hostel to be particularly social, but since I had just been doing the standard “drunken Brit abroad” thing in Tallinn, I was quite happy about this. 

Diana Park is in Punavuori, which is known as Helsinki’s Design District. It’s another of my favorite neighborhoods in the city and a must-see, whether you’re visiting the Finnish capital for a weekend trip or just a short stay.

What I Liked About Hostel & Apartment Diana Park

✅ Affordable

✅ Clean

✅ Very nice showers

✅ In a very nice neighborhood

What I Didn’t Like About Hostel & Apartment Diana Park

❌ The bedding wasn’t very comfortable

Hostel & Apartment Diana Park Is Best For: Budget-conscious travelers. 

Neighborhoods to Stay in as a Tourist in Helsinki

If you want to do some extra research beyond my accommodation recommendations, you’re in the right place. To help you make the right decision, I’ve outlined below what I think are the best neighborhoods to stay in when you visit Helsinki. 

Kamppi

Kamppi isn’t the most interesting district in Helsinki, to be honest, and you will spend most of your time elsewhere. However, it is super convenient. For this reason, I’d recommend considering Kamppi when you book a place to stay in the Finnish capital.

First and foremost, you’ll find a large number of hotels in this neighborhood. On top of that, Kamppi is where Helsinki’s main bus station is located. This is super ideal if you’re planning to take a day trip to nearby Porvoo; the bus there leaves from here.

You’re close to Helsinki Central Station, too, so it’s perfect whether you’re going to other parts of Finland or Helsinki is the main place you’re visiting. 

Kamppi is also very convenient for public transport and getting around Helsinki in general. Many parts of the city are easy to walk to from here, but beyond that, you can take the tram and Metro. You can go shopping here as well.

While Kamppi isn’t my favorite place, it does have some places worth seeing. Lasipalatsi is very photogenic, in my opinion. You should also be sure to check out the peculiar Kamppi Chapel, which doesn’t look anything like a church. 

Kluuvi

Kluuvi is a pretty large district and covers much of the city center. It’s adjacent to Kamppi and another convenient place to stay when you visit Helsinki. 

Helsinki Central Station is part of the Kluuvi district, and as you can imagine, it’s easy to get around on foot or by public transport when you stay here. You’ll find a couple of nice parks in this part of town, namely Kaisaniemi Park and Töölönlahdenpuisto. 

Kluuvi is also where you’ll find the Oodi Library, which is one of Helsinki’s best examples of modern architecture. 

Punavuori

Punavuori is a trendy district that I pretty much always make some time for whenever I’m in Helsinki. Its status as the center of design in the Finnish capital is justified; you’ll find countless shops of this kind in the neighborhood. Considering Finland’s design heritage, that is a huge label to hold (and actually live up to). 

What I really like about Punavuori is that you can walk basically everywhere in Helsinki from here. It’s easy to reach from the main train and bus stations by tram and foot, though the cobblestone streets are quite annoying to walk along if you have a big suitcase. 

You’ll find a handful of hotels in Punavuori, but most of the accommodation in this part of town will be apartment-style hotels. If you’re looking for more of an authentic stay in Helsinki, these might be worth looking at for you.

Stay in Punavuori If: You’re a design-lover and want to stay in one of Helsinki’s trendiest neighborhoods. 

Kallio

Kallio is Helsinki’s main neighborhood for nightlife, and I really like the down-to-earth vibe here in general. The district used to be working-class but has since become more desirable, while still—at the same time—holding onto its roots. 

I stayed in Kallio when visiting Helsinki in 2019, and it was super convenient. You’re effectively a straight walk into the city center. You can also get the Metro from Hakaniemi and the tram to other parts of the Finnish capital if needed. 

The big advantage of staying in Kallio is that you’re next to some of Helsinki’s best bars and restaurants. However, you’ll also find a number of quiet spots. Going for an evening walk in the summer is very much worthwhile, and regardless of when you visit, be sure to check out the lovely Kallio Church. 

While Kallio is very safe, you will see people who are either drunk or on drugs in some areas. So, I’d recommend thinking about whether it is something you feel comfortable being around. The neighborhood in general is nice, though, in my opinion. 

You’ll find a mixture of hotels and apartment-style stays in Kallio.

Katajanokka and Kruununhaka

Katajanokka and Kruununhaka are two of Helsinki’s most desirable districts. I’ve already covered lovely Katajanokka, and Kruununhaka—which is right next to it—is also worth considering. 

Kruununhaka is where you’ll find Senate Square, which is home to Tuomiokirkko: The iconic white cathedral that you’ll almost certainly have seen when researching Helsinki. And yes, it’s the square in the video for Sandstorm by Darude (don’t try copying it, because I guarantee you’ll injure yourself running down those stairs). During the winter, there’s a lovely Christmas market here. 

The main advantage of Kruununhaka is that it’s very easy to get around Helsinki. You’re a short walk from the waterfront, where you can visit the Vanha Kauppahalli food hall and get the ferry to Suomenlinna. Moreover, you can easily get around Helsinki by tram if needed from here. 

The biggest drawback, however, is that you won’t find too many hotels in Kruununhaka. Katajanokka is much better in this respect, despite being smaller. 

Jätkäsaari

Jätkäsaari is one of Helsinki’s newer districts, and it’s primarily residential. While it looks far away from the center on a map, it’s actually very easy to get into town. With a prime location close to one of the city’s ferry terminals, I was pretty happy staying here. 

There aren’t a huge number of things to do on Jätkäsaari, but you will find a handful of nice restaurants. On top of that, there are also a few decent grocery stores here if you’re self-catering. And as a side note, make sure you print the sticker when buying fresh fruit, vegetables, and baked goods from these—as I was reminded to do when I forgot 🥲. 

Despite being small, you’ll find a handful of places to stay on Jätkäsaari. I already mentioned Clarion Hotel Helsinki, but this isn’t your only option. If you don’t want to be right in the center, but you still want to be close enough, this district is a solid choice. 

Other Districts You Can Consider Staying In

The places in the previous section are my absolute top recommendations for districts to stay in, but they aren’t your only choices. I would actually have put many of the places in this section higher up if they had more choices for accommodation, but they’re still worth staying in if you find something nice. 

Eira and Ullanlinna

Eira and Ullanlinna are another two of Helsinki’s most upscale neighborhoods. I love being in these parts of town, especially during the summer. Their waterfront areas are beautiful in particular, and the architecture is some of the nicest that you’ll find anywhere in the Finnish capital. 

You will find one of the many Bob W establishments in Helsinki in Ullanlinna, so that—at the very least—is worth looking at. Besides that, the bulk of places to stay are apartment hotels or private rentals. 

Even if you don’t stay in either of these neighborhoods, I still recommend visiting them while you’re in Helsinki. You’ll find the beautiful Huvilakatu in Ullanlinna, which is the city’s most famous street. There are plenty of others nearby that are also, in my opinion, worth exploring. 

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is an absolute must-visit when you’re in Helsinki. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an easy boat ride from the city center and is reachable year-round. People actually live here, and you can even stay here yourself. 

Hostel Suomenlinna is the main place to stay as a tourist. You can pick from mixed dorms and private rooms with shared bathrooms. 

Given that Suomenlinna is worth visiting regardless, you may want to consider staying here for more of a unique stay. It’s also a great choice if you’re visiting with kids. While you’re at it, I recommend visiting one of the grocery stores in Helsinki and having a picnic on the island. There’s a nice café, too. 

I’d largely recommend staying on Suomenlinna if you have more time in Helsinki or specifically do not want to be in the city. You can reach the mainland by ferry, but at the same time, you won’t have the same convenience of trams, buses, and the Metro. 

🗣️ Useful Tip: While Suomenlinna is accessible year-round, there are significantly more ferry departures during the summer than in the winter. You can buy boat tickets in the HSL app, which is also what you’ll use for all public transportation in Helsinki.

Etu-Töölö and Taka-Töölö

I really, really like Etu-Töölo; my girlfriend and I have stayed in this district a few times on previous visits to Helsinki. It’s home to Levain, which is one of my favorite bakeries in the city, and the architecture is lovely in this part of town. 

Taka-Töölö is also pretty pleasant. It’s just north of Etu-Töölö and is where you’ll find the Sibelius Monument and Café Regatta (an absolute must when you’re in Helsinki, by the way). Public transport is slightly less convenient in Taka-Töölö compared to Etu-Töölö, but it’s still not too bad. The bus will get you to other parts of Helsinki. 

Etu-Töölö, meanwhile, has a good range of buses and trams. You can also walk to other parts of Helsinki more easily from this neighborhood. 

Taka-Töölö has a small number of hotels, but in both this neighborhood and Etu-Töölö, apartment rentals will be your main choice of accommodation. 

Vallila

Vallila is both well off the tourist trail, but you can easily reach Helsinki’s downtown areas and main attractions by tram. 

Vallila is pretty much entirely residential. However, you will find some nice wooden houses in Puu-Vallila that are also worth seeing—especially if you’re into photography. 

You’ll find a hostel in Vallila, but again, most of your options will be private rentals. 

Parts of Helsinki I Don’t Recommend Staying In

There are a couple of places I don’t suggest staying in when you’re in Helsinki, and I’ll mention them below. I will also explain why I do not recommend looking in these areas. 

The Area Next to Sörnäinen Station

I’ve said before that I don’t think that anywhere in Helsinki is truly dangerous. At least, not to someone who grew up in London and has a mom from NYC (i.e., me). However, I really dislike being anywhere near Sörnäinen Metro Station. 

It’s basically the closest thing you’ll get to a “rough” area in Helsinki, in my opinion. Even if the area itself isn’t unsafe, it’s just not nice. There’s a lot of open drug use around this part of the city—maybe I’m just spoiled by living in the Nordics for so long, but I don’t think anyone enjoys seeing that kind of stuff. 

If you stay literally anywhere else in the Finnish capital, I can pretty much guarantee that you’ll have a good time. 

The Majority of Neighborhoods Outside Zone A on the Public Transport Network

Zone A is a pretty good guideline for picking a place to stay in Helsinki for convenience alone. I spend very little time in most districts outside this zone because a) I have no reason to go to them, and b) getting into the city center is less convenient. 

I’d argue that on almost every occasion, the money saved by staying further out is not worth the extra time it takes to get into the city. If you’re living here, that’s different—but for a short weekend visit, you want to be close to everything. 

The only potential exception I’d make to this is if you stay somewhere on the train line between Helsinki Central Station and the airport. Even then, though, I’d rather stay more centrally. Of course, you’ll also need to stay further out if you want to rent a cabin near the city. 

Important Things to Expect When You Book Accommodation in Helsinki

Having read this far, you’ve now got a good idea of where to stay in Helsinki. This goes for both neighborhoods and specific places you should consider staying. However, I also wanted to give you some guidance on what you can expect when you book accommodation in the Finnish capital. 

1. Expect to Pay a Lot of Money: Helsinki Is Expensive for Hotels

Helsinki itself is expensive, but not as pricey as most of the other Nordic capitals. However, I feel like it’s disproportionately pricey when it comes to accommodation. 

I do not remember ever paying less than €100 per night for a place to stay in the city, except for when I stayed in a hostel and when I stayed in Kallio back in 2019. And yes, this includes during the off-season. In the summer, Helsinki’s hotels are absurdly expensive. 

Expect to pay a premium for a hotel in the Finnish capital, and adjust your budget accordingly. I recommend budgeting at least €110 per night in the off-season and upwards of €130 per night during the summer. Thankfully, the overall quality—even for less expensive stays—tends to be quite high. 

2. You’re Almost Certainly Guaranteed Something Clean and Functional

One really nice thing about Helsinki is that in most cases, you probably won’t end up with an objectively bad hotel. Everywhere I’ve stayed has had the basics and has at the very least been clean. 

This doesn’t sound like much, but I’ve traveled a lot; it’s not always a guarantee. Some cities are wildly inconsistent with the quality of their accommodation, but this fortunately isn’t the case with Helsinki. 

Helsinki is also a very child-friendly city—like the other Nordic capitals and Finland as a whole. I definitely recommend asking for anything you may need from the hotel in advance; most of the time, they’ll happily do their best to meet your needs. 

3. Your Accommodation Might Well Have a Sauna

Everything you’ve heard about saunas being popular in Finland is 100% correct. It really is ingrained into the culture more than pretty much everything else, apart from perhaps coffee that’s so dark it tastes like poison. Virtually every house or apartment I’ve been to in the country has a sauna, and you’ll find a number of them in Helsinki as well. 

This sauna culture will often extend to your accommodation. Many hotels in the Finnish capital have their own sauna. Using these is a nice way to decompress after a day of exploring the city or to relax before you go out and enjoy its many sights and experiences. 

You’ll need to bring your own swimwear, but you can use the towels at your hotel. You may need to book a time slot, but this isn’t always the case. If in doubt, you can ask the reception staff at your accommodation when you book. 

4. Check to See Your That Hotel Has the Right Level of Ventilation

It might seem weird that I’ve talked a lot about ventilation in this article, but there’s a very good reason for it. Helsinki has huge contrasts in its seasons, with very cold winters and relatively warm—sometimes quite hot, and often pretty humid—summers. 

Not having good ventilation can make it very difficult to sleep at these times of the year. For example, I’ve stayed in some places during the summer that are quite stuffy. I might have still been fine sleeping if it wasn’t so bright outside, but… the sun doesn’t go down until just before 23:00 on the longest day of the year and never fully sets. 

Similarly, I’ve had issues in some places where I couldn’t fully open the windows. This is annoying in the summer, but it’s just as irritating in the winter. Letting some fresh air in makes it much easier to get to sleep, at least for me. 

Most hotels in Helsinki will have air conditioning, which will be helpful on particularly warm days. However, this will often not be the case for apartment rentals. 

5. … and You Absolutely Will Need Blackout Curtains in the Summer

When I say that Helsinki is *bright* during the summer, I truly mean it. Besides the sun not fully setting (though you cannot see the Midnight Sun), the sky often feels much brighter than in many places. 

The novelty of it still being light after midnight and getting light again before 04:00 is cool. That is, until you actually need to sleep. Even after exploring Northern Europe for a decade, my circadian rhythm still gets messed up for the first few days when I’m at a latitude of 58ºN or higher, in particular. For context, Helsinki is 60ºN. 

Many hotels in Helsinki will have blackout curtains. Again, though, this won’t be the case for all apartments. Having the sun peek in through the blinds and then checking to see the time—only for it to still be the middle of the night—is not enjoyable, I can confirm. 

Are There Places Near Helsinki Worth Staying In?

One of the few “further out” exceptions near Helsinki, that I recommend looking for accommodation in, is Espoo. While technically a city on its own, it’s part of the Greater Helsinki area and well-connected to the rest of Helsinki.

Espoo is where you’ll find the home office for Nokia and offices for numerous other companies. So, as you may expect, it also has a good range of accommodation. You’ll find a number of hotel chains here, along with more apartment hotels. While these mainly cater to business travelers, you may find something that meets your needs. Plus, the rates often drop on weekends. 

You can reach Helsinki from Espoo via Metro or bus. You’ll need either a Zone AB or ABC public transport ticket, depending on where you stay. 

While Helsinki lacks the number of boutique hotels you’ll find in many other cities, it has a very well-developed tourist infrastructure. Supply for hotels very rarely outstrips demand, and the overall quality tends to be consistently high. I always enjoy visiting the Finnish capital, and one big reason why is that I really like its hotels. Even before I met my Finnish partner, I still spent a lot of time here (now, I just spend even more, which is also nice). 

Whether you’re looking for something with self-catering options or a simple place to sleep, Helsinki has you covered. You’ll also find cabins on the outskirts of the city if you want to experience Finland’s lovely nature without traveling too far. 

Now that you’ve read this guide, you should have a better idea of where you can stay in Helsinki. If you have any further questions, feel free to leave a comment. 

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