Helsinki
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12:29 AM
Helsinki
Helsinki, the modern and cosmopolitan capital of Finland situated on the Baltic Sea, is a city with over half a million residents. Helsinki offers lots to see, do and experience year round. Discover the maritime appeal, unique design and architecture attractions, exciting food culture, great shopping opportunities and over 3,000 lively events held each year. Feel the cultural influences from both the East and West, meet the friendly locals and enjoy the slow rhythm of urban Helsinki. Explore and be inspired: www.myhelsinki.fiFind your trip
This is the main church for Helsinki’s Lutheran community and part of the city’s Empire-style core designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. For locals and visitors alike, it’s a symbol of the city itself. Inside, it’s mostly a quiet spot for services, but you can also catch concerts here now and then. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth swinging by to see the clean lines and that iconic green dome standing over Senate Square.
Right next to Helsinki’s Market Square, Allas Pool offers a mix of traditional Finnish sauna culture and modern urban vibes. Open year-round, it features a heated 25m pool at 27°C, a sea water pool that mirrors the Baltic’s temperature (ideal for winter dips), and a children's pool available during summer. The complex houses five saunas—three at pool level and two indoors—offering a chance to unwind with sea views.
Just a short ferry ride from the city, Suomenlinna is a massive island fortress and one of Finland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. There’s a lot to explore here—old walls, tunnels, cannons, museums, and a few cafés scattered around. The ferry over is worth it for the views alone, especially on a clear day. Around 800 people still live on the island, so it’s not just a tourist spot. Open year-round, and easy to reach from Market Square.
Also known as the Rock Church, this place is carved straight into granite in the middle of Helsinki. From the outside, it kind of looks like a grounded spaceship. Inside, the rough stone walls, copper dome, and skylight ring give the space a quiet, otherworldly feel. It’s still used for services, but you’re just as likely to catch a concert here, thanks to the natural acoustics, which are genuinely impressive.
Locals call it “Espa” — a green strip running through central Helsinki, flanked by old trees, statues, and a few cafés. It’s where people stroll, sit with ice cream, or watch the world go by. In summer, the open-air Espa Stage hosts free gigs, from jazz to folk. Bigger events like the Marimekko Fashion Show and midsummer celebrations also take over the park.
Right in the middle of Helsinki’s busiest square, Narinkkatori, Kamppi Chapel offers a quiet break from the noise. This curved wooden structure, completed in 2012, is designed for silence—no services, no sermons, just a calm space to sit. The interior, made of alder and ash, is warm and minimal. Photography isn’t allowed inside, which helps keep the atmosphere peaceful.
Between Senate Square and the harbour, the Tori Quarters blend Helsinki’s neoclassical past with its creative present. Once home to city offices, these 18th- and 19th-century buildings now house independent shops, Finnish design stores, cafés, restaurants, and bars. You’ll also find the Helsinki City Museum and a small art-house cinema here.
Perched on a hill in the Katajanokka district, Uspenski Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. Completed in 1868, its red-brick façade and 13 golden domes stand out against Helsinki's skyline. Inside, you'll find a richly decorated interior with a gilded iconostasis and impressive chandeliers.
This is the main church for Helsinki’s Lutheran community and part of the city’s Empire-style core designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. For locals and visitors alike, it’s a symbol of the city itself. Inside, it’s mostly a quiet spot for services, but you can also catch concerts here now and then. Even if you’re not religious, it’s worth swinging by to see the clean lines and that iconic green dome standing over Senate Square.
Right next to Helsinki’s Market Square, Allas Pool offers a mix of traditional Finnish sauna culture and modern urban vibes. Open year-round, it features a heated 25m pool at 27°C, a sea water pool that mirrors the Baltic’s temperature (ideal for winter dips), and a children's pool available during summer. The complex houses five saunas—three at pool level and two indoors—offering a chance to unwind with sea views.
Right in the centre of Helsinki, Stockmann is a local landmark and still the biggest department store in the Nordics. It’s good for a one-stop browse—clothes, Finnish design, books, cosmetics, kitchenware, souvenirs, the lot. The food section in the basement is also worth a look, especially if you’re after Finnish treats or snacks for the ferry. If you’re visiting from outside the EU, head to the 7th floor for tax-free help and tourist services.
If you're into the Moomins—the popular hippo-shaped characters from Finnish books and comics—this is the place to head. It’s packed with mugs, books, prints, and all kinds of merch, some of it only sold in Finland. This location is right on Esplanadi, so easy to pop in while walking through the centre.
Next to Market Square, this 19th-century market has been feeding Helsinki since 1889. Inside, you’ll find a mix of classic Finnish produce — cured salmon, rye bread, reindeer — alongside stalls selling cheeses, pastries, coffee, and even sushi. It’s not huge, but it’s cosy, warm in winter, and a good place to grab a quick bite or pick up some edible souvenirs.
The Design District spreads across Helsinki's central neighbourhoods, such as Punavuori, Kamppi, Kaartinkaupunki and Ullanlinna—basically, anywhere south of the main centre with small streets and plenty of independent shops. You’ll find over 200 spots here: everything from Finnish design stores and fashion boutiques to art galleries, cafés, and a handful of museums. It's a good area for wandering. Some shops focus on well-known Nordic design brands while others showcase newer local names. Expect a mix of home goods, clothing, antiques, and art.
Kluuvi is a compact mall right on Aleksanterinkatu, close to the central railway station. It leans towards international fashion brands and a few smaller labels you might not know. Downstairs, there’s a small food court with some decent options, including a few trendy chain-style restaurants. It's not a destination in itself, but handy if you're shopping nearby or need a quick bite in the city centre.
This is the flagship store of a Finnish weaving mill that's been around since the early 1900s. They make linen and wool home textiles—towels, blankets, scarves—using natural materials and traditional techniques. Everything’s designed and woven in Finland, and the quality shows. On the pricier side, but worth it if you care about materials and craft.
Hietalahti, or Hietsu as locals call it, is Helsinki’s biggest and best-known flea market, especially during the summer when the whole square fills up with stalls. It’s a good mix—locals clearing out their closets, vintage dealers, and the occasional oddball collection. You’ll find everything from antique Finnish glassware and retro home goods to second-hand clothes, vinyl, and the occasional piece of Scandinavian furniture. Come early if you want to grab the good stuff. Bring cash, and don’t be afraid to haggle a little—just keep it polite.
Tucked between Esplanadi and Aleksanterinkatu, Kämp Galleria focuses on fashion, with a mix of Finnish labels and international brands. It’s more upmarket than other malls in the city, with clean design, slower pace, and some good personal service. There’s also a small but well-curated food court downstairs.
Right in the centre of Helsinki, Stockmann is a local landmark and still the biggest department store in the Nordics. It’s good for a one-stop browse—clothes, Finnish design, books, cosmetics, kitchenware, souvenirs, the lot. The food section in the basement is also worth a look, especially if you’re after Finnish treats or snacks for the ferry. If you’re visiting from outside the EU, head to the 7th floor for tax-free help and tourist services.
If you're into the Moomins—the popular hippo-shaped characters from Finnish books and comics—this is the place to head. It’s packed with mugs, books, prints, and all kinds of merch, some of it only sold in Finland. This location is right on Esplanadi, so easy to pop in while walking through the centre.
Helsinki–Vantaa Airport lies about 20 kilometres north of the city centre, a 30-minute ride by train or car, or around 40–50 minutes by bus under normal traffic. The airport has its own on-site train station serving the HSL I and P commuter lines, which run frequently straight into central Helsinki. There’s also the 600/615 HSL bus, the Finnair City Bus (an express shuttle) and taxis or ride‑share options if you’d rather not use public transport. All the public options use the same ticket system as the rest of the city, so it’s easy to jump on and go.
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Finland, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle Eastern, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
The best time to visit Helsinki truly depends on what kind of trip you’re after. Summer (June to August) is the busiest, with long daylight hours (including the light-filled nights around midsummer), open-air markets, ferry rides to Suomenlinna, and big events like Helsinki Festival (arts and culture) and Flow Festival (music and food). The city’s in full swing, and the weather’s usually mild—somewhere between 15 and 25°C. Winter, especially December, feels completely different: snow, frozen sea views, Christmas lights and markets, and a lot of time spent warming up in cafés. It’s cold and dark, but also kind of magical. Spring and early autumn are quieter, cooler, and good for museum-hopping or walking the city without the summer crowds. If you’re around in September, Helsinki Design Week is worth checking out.
Arriving in Helsinki by ferry is a smooth and scenic option. You can sail into Helsinki from Tallinn (Estonia), Stockholm (Sweden), the Åland Islands (Mariehamn, Finland) or even Travemünde (Germany) with companies like Tallink Silja, Viking Line, Eckerö Line and Finnlines running frequent crossings. The Tallinn run takes around 2 hours, Åland and Stockholm crossings range from 10 to 17 hours, and the Travemünde route is an overnight one at about 29 hours. Ships dock at Helsinki’s South and West Harbours, both a short tram ride from the city centre. Some ferries even call at Katajanokka, handy for walking straight off and into the downtown buzz.
Helsinki’s public transport is run by HSL (Helsinki Region Transport). It includes buses, trams, the metro, commuter trains, even city bikes and ferries—like the one to Suomenlinna—all under a single ticket system. For visitors, it’s a reliable and easy way to get around—connectivity is strong, trams are frequent, and the airport is just 30 minutes away by train. You can buy all tickets via the HSL app or machines, with options for single rides, day tickets or even 1–13‑day passes, while the HSL card works like a top‑up smartcard. A day ticket is usually your best bet as it covers unlimited travel, including the ferry to Suomenlinna. For information on timetables, fares, and route maps, visit HSL's official website.
It’s generally quite easy to find a taxi in Helsinki—official ones are a pale yellow-beige and queue at dedicated taxi ranks around the city centre, at the airport, train station and shopping centres, or you can flag one down on the street. The largest operator is Taksi Helsinki, which runs a 24/7 service across the metro area and offers its own app that lets you choose car types like eco, pet-friendly, minivan, or executive options. Ride-hailing apps, such as Uber and Bolt, also operate in the Finnish capital.
Helsinki doesn’t have big all-in-one drugstore chains. Instead, you’ll find standalone pharmacies (apteekki) spread throughout the city, with Yliopiston Apteekki (University Pharmacy) being the most prominent, including a few late-night and 24/7 locations in central areas like Töölö.
Country code: +358 Area code: 9
Helsinki–Vantaa Airport lies about 20 kilometres north of the city centre, a 30-minute ride by train or car, or around 40–50 minutes by bus under normal traffic. The airport has its own on-site train station serving the HSL I and P commuter lines, which run frequently straight into central Helsinki. There’s also the 600/615 HSL bus, the Finnair City Bus (an express shuttle) and taxis or ride‑share options if you’d rather not use public transport. All the public options use the same ticket system as the rest of the city, so it’s easy to jump on and go.
Citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Area (EEA) countries do not need a visa to enter Finland, only a valid ID. Many other countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and New Zealand, benefit from visa-free entry for short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Visitors from visa-exempt countries must hold a valid passport and, starting in late 2025, will need to apply for an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) authorisation online before travelling. For those requiring a visa, such as travellers from some Middle Eastern, African or Asian nations, a Schengen visa must be obtained prior to arrival. All travellers should ensure their passport is valid for at least three months beyond their intended stay.
