Relax at a Sauna
A trip to Helsinki is not complete without relaxing in a sauna. The Finn’s are known for their love of sauna’s with over 2 million in the country. (That means there is about 1 sauna for every 3 people in Finland!!)
During our time in Helsinki, we visited the only co-ed public sauna: Löyly. We recommend booking your time slot in advance, as space can fill up. During your two hours you have access to their locker rooms, 2 saunas and a common area (both inside & outside). They also have a bar and restaurant on site. For more information, check out our full review of the experience here: Best Sauna in Helsinki: Löyly.
- Cost: €23
- Book Tickets: Löyly Sauna
- Time Needed: 2 hours
Helsinki Cathedral
Helsinki Cathedral is at the heart of the city and sits high on a hill. With a beautiful open plaza in front, it’s an iconic stop on any trip to Helsinki. It’s also free to go inside the Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral, though we found it to be more impressive from the outside!
- Cost: Free
- Time Needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Uspenski Cathedral
Not far from Helsinki Cathedral is Uspenski Cathedral. This is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. It is free to go inside but be sure to observe signs to ensure you’re not interrupting a service.
- Cost: Free
- Time Needed: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Suomenlinna Fortress
Suomenlinna Fortress is a great place to escape the bustling city and spend some more time in nature. Built by the Swedes towards the end of the 18th century, the Sea Fortress is spread across a few islands located at the entrance of Helsinki Harbor. In the 19th century, it was used as Russian Fortress until Finland gained its independence in 1917. Today it is a UN World Heritage site and home to museums, restaurants and even residents! You need to take a ferry from Market Square to get to Suomenlinna but otherwise it’s free to explore the islands. Check out our previous post to see how to spend the perfect day here: Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress.
- Cost: €3 (ferry ride)
- More Information: Suomenlinna Fortress
- Time needed: 1/2 Day – 1 Day
National Museum of Finland
For any history lovers, one of the best things to do in Helsinki is visit the National Museum of Finland. This museum does a wonderful job of explaining Finnish history from prehistoric times all the way to modern day! Finland was ruled by both the Swedes & Russians before gaining independence, so you also learn a lot about those countries as well.
- Cost: €18
- Buy Tickets: National Museum of Finland
- Time Needed: 2-3 hours
Oodi Helsinki Central Library
Oodi Central Library is everything you could want in a library! They have cozy spots for reading, two cafes, large windows for natural lighting and even an Urban Workshop with sewing machines and other tools to be creative. We only spent a little time walking around the library but it’s truly a beautiful communal space. We recommend exploring the different levels – you’ll be jealous a library like this doesn’t exist in your own town!
- Cost: Free
- More Information: Oodi Helsinki Central Library
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
National Library of Finland
Sticking with the library theme, next to Helsinki Cathedral you can find the National Library of Finland. While not as architecturally chic as the new Oodi Library – this building has its charm. It’s also free to enter so easy to pop in quickly!
- Cost: Free
- More Information: National Library of Finland
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Day trip to Tallinn, Estonia
Believe it or not, it’s extremely easy to visit Estonia from Helsinki. It takes 2 hours by ferry to get to Tallinn, where you can spend the day exploring the medieval old town. Check out our post: A Day in Tallinn, Estonia for how to make the most out of your time there!
- Cost: €42-60 (depending on time / season)
- Book Ferry Tickets: Tallink
- Time Needed: All Day
Food Markets
Helsinki has a few options when it comes to food markets, which make the perfect lunch spot. We visited both Market Square & Hietalahden Market during our time there. Market Square offers a variety of Finnish food, while Hietalahden has more of a focus on global food options. Hakaniemi Market was closed when we visited Helsinki but has local artisan vendors on one floor and food options on another – so you can grab lunch and shop!
- Cost: Free to walk around
- More Information: Helsinki Markets
- Time Needed: 1 hour
Temppeliaukio Church
Temppeliaukio Church is built directly into rock and is unlike any church you’ve seen before! It opened in 1969 and is one of the best things to do in Helsinki. (Seriously, it’s a top rated attraction!) Please note that this church is still an active Lutheran Church and is closed on Sundays for services.
- Cost: €5
- More Information: Temppeliaukio Church
- Time Needed: 30 minutes
Helsinki Accomodation
We stayed in Hotel F6 while in Helsinki and fell in love with this boutique hotel! It’s centrally located so you can walk almost anywhere in the city and the rooms are spacious & comfortable. Check out our full review here: Best Hotel in Helsinki, Finland.
Helsinki Travel Tips
Transportation
- Public transportation is very accessible in Helsinki, so you can ride a tram, bus or metro to get around.
- We recommend downloading the HSL Mobile app and purchasing a pass based on the number of days you’ll be in Helsinki (1-13 day passes available).
- Taxis and Ubers are also available in the city.
Tipping
- Tipping is not as prominent in Finland, as it is in the US, because most servers are not dependent on tips. Think of 10% as nice, not necessary.
- Many places include gratuity on their bill, so take a look before adding an additional tip.
Weather
- Helsinki is far North which means it has colder winters and moderate Summers.
- Temperatures range from 18-35 F in the Winter to 50-65 F in the Summer.
General
- Saying hello in Finnish is easy: Hei (Pronounced “Hey”)
