Top places to visit in Helsinki

• Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

  UNESCO sea fortress · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, Suomenlinna is a remarkable 18th-century sea fortress built across six islands guarding Helsinki's harbour. Construction began in 1748 under Swedish rule. Today its ramparts, tunnels, six museums,…

• Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)

  rock church · 4.8 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Excavated directly into solid bedrock in Töölö and completed in 1969, Temppeliaukio preserves 13 metres of bare granite walls topped with a 24-metre copper-ribbed dome on 180 skylights that flood the interior with natural light. The…

• Helsinki Cathedral

  Lutheran cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  The iconic white neoclassical cathedral presides over Senate Square from its granite steps, its pale green dome dominating the Helsinki skyline. Designed by Carl Ludwig Engel and completed in 1852, the cathedral is the most photographed…

• Kauppatori Market Square

  waterfront market · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Helsinki's vibrant harbourfront market runs year-round with stalls selling fresh Baltic fish, Finnish berries, mushrooms, smoked reindeer, Karelian pies and local handicrafts. The iconic salmon soup (lohikeitto) served from market stalls…

• Helsinki Senate Square

  main-square · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Senate Square — Helsinki's spectacular Neoclassical heart, dominated by the iconic white Helsinki Cathedral, with the historic Government Palace, the University of Helsinki, and the unified architectural ensemble.

• Linnanmäki Amusement Park

  amusement park · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  Finland's most beloved amusement park has stood on Alppila hill since 1950, raising funds for Finnish child welfare. Features the classic Vuoristorata wooden roller coaster (1951) — one of the last operating wooden coasters in Scandinavia…

• Helsinki Töölö Bay Walk

  urban-lake · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Töölö Bay — Helsinki's spectacular central bay with the popular 4km walking path around the lake, the historic functionalist Töölö Library, the Finlandia Hall (Aalto), and the elegant Sibelius Park.

• Helsinki Cathedral Lutheran

  lutheran-cathedral · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Helsinki Cathedral — the iconic 19th-century Lutheran cathedral dominating Senate Square, with the famous green dome, the white facade, and the spectacular Neoclassical architecture.

• Helsinki Estonia Day Trip

  baltic-day-trip · 4.8 rating · about 8 h · check the fee at the gate

  A day trip from Helsinki to Tallinn — Estonia's spectacular medieval capital just 2 hours by ferry, with the UNESCO World Heritage Old Town, the historic city walls, and the cheap Baltic dining.

• Helsinki Suomenlinna Walking

  unesco-fortress · 4.8 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate

  A walking tour of Suomenlinna Fortress — the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage 18th-century fortress on six islands, with the historic walls, the museums, the King's Gate, and the rich military heritage.

• Helsinki Christmas Market Square

  christmas-market · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  The Helsinki Christmas Market at Senate Square — the spectacular festive market with the wooden chalets, the famous glögi (mulled wine), the Christmas Cathedral as backdrop, and the magical Finnish winter atmosphere.

• Helsinki Senate Square Cathedral

  main-square · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Senate Square (Senaatintori) — Helsinki's spectacular neoclassical heart, with the iconic Lutheran Cathedral, the historic Government Palace, the University, and the Alexander II statue.

Things to do

• Helsinki Old Town Walking Tour Tour · 2.5 h · from EUR 20 per person
• Finnish Sauna Experience at Löyly Cultural · 3 h · from EUR 33 per person
• Helsinki Archipelago Day Cruise Tour · 8 h · from EUR 49 per person
• Helsinki City E-Bike Tour Activity · 3 h · from EUR 37 per person
• Helsinki Design District Food Tour Tour · 3 h · from EUR 45 per person

Day trips and tours

• Helsinki & Suomenlinna Full Day City Tour 8 h · from EUR 57
• Helsinki Archipelago & Island Sauna Day 9 h · from EUR 82

Where to stay in Helsinki

• Senate Square & Market Square (Kauppatori) about EUR 300 per night

  The historic heart of Helsinki — within walking distance of every major sight. Hotels here are upscale and centrally located. Noisy in summer but incomparably convenient.

• Design District & Kamppi about EUR 170 per night

  Vibrant neighbourhood with boutique hotels, design shops, top restaurants and good nightlife. 10-minute walk to the Market Square. Best balance of character and convenience.

• Kallio & Hakaniemi about EUR 90 per night

  Helsinki's coolest neighbourhood — student vibe, craft beer bars, vintage shops and multicultural food scene. Budget to mid-range accommodation. 15-minute walk or 5 min tram to city centre.

Hotels

• Hotel Kämp 5-star · EUR 350 to EUR 1,800 per night
• Klaus K Hotel 4-star · EUR 180 to EUR 480 per night
• Hotel Anna 4-star · EUR 120 to EUR 220 per night
• Generator Helsinki 2-star · EUR 22 to EUR 90 per night

Where to eat

• Löyly Restaurant Finnish, Scandinavian, seafood · about EUR 45 per person
• Café Ekberg Finnish, café, pastry · about EUR 18 per person
• Restaurant Sea Horse Finnish, traditional, brasserie · about EUR 35 per person
• Restaurant Juuri Finnish, tapas, New Nordic · about EUR 55 per person
• Restaurant Nokka Finnish, New Nordic, seafood · about EUR 75 per person
• Restaurant Olo New Nordic, Finnish, fine dining · about EUR 120 per person

Getting to Helsinki

Airport: Helsinki (HEL)

How visitors arrive in Helsinki

• Fly into Helsinki Airport By air from International origins · common

  Helsinki Airport in Vantaa takes international and domestic flights and is the main air gateway. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Ferry from Tallinn or Stockholm By ferry from Tallinn / Stockholm · common

  Passenger ferries dock at harbours in the city from Tallinn and Stockholm, with limited services from Germany. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Train from across Finland By train from Rest of Finland · common

  Long-distance trains from across Finland end at the Central Railway Station in the city centre. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Coach or car by motorway By road from Rest of Finland · possible

  Long-distance coaches use Kamppi bus station, and motorways link Turku, Tampere and Lahti. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

• Commuter train

  The commuter train loop runs from Helsinki-Vantaa to the city centre; you need a ticket covering zones A, B and C. Source: customerservice.finavia.fi

• City buses

  HSL trunk line 600 runs to the city centre, and long-distance coaches also stop in front of the terminal on the arrivals level. Source: finavia.fi

• Official taxi rank

  Taxis queue at the station next to the arrivals hall. Source: finavia.fi

• Uber and Bolt

  Ride-hail cars use a separate pickup point on the first floor of the P2 parking hall; check the fare before booking. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Tram main way to get around

  Trams are a main form of transport in central Helsinki, running through the city centre with several termini near the harbour.

• Transit Pass

  HSL travel tickets work across trams, buses, the metro, local trains and the ferry to Suomenlinna.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Overpriced "Tourist" Taxis

  Helsinki Airport and Central Station taxi ranks

  Unlicensed or predatory taxi drivers target tourists at the airport or station, quoting fixed inflated prices (EUR 60-80 for a EUR 25 journey). They approach proactively and are persuasive.

  How to avoid it: Always use the official yellow taxi line or order via Bolt/Uber app. Taxis must use meters by law — insist on it. The airport HSL airport train to city centre costs EUR 4.10 and takes 30 min.

• Street Gambling / Shell Games

  Esplanadi and busy tourist areas (summer)

  A classic confidence trick: street operators run a shell game (three cups and a ball) and use confederates in the crowd to win dramatically before encouraging tourists to bet money they will lose.

  How to avoid it: Never participate in street gambling of any kind. It is illegal in Finland and operators are always working as a team. Walk away immediately.

• Charity Petition Clipboard Approach

  Kauppatori (Market Square) and tourist areas

  People claiming to be collecting signatures for charities approach tourists with clipboards. The real goal is to distract and pickpocket while you sign, or to pressure you into donating cash.

  How to avoid it: Decline clipboard approaches politely and keep walking. Keep bags closed and in front of you in crowded tourist areas.

Best time to visit Helsinki

• Jan -1°C
• Feb -1°C
• Mar 2°C
• Apr 8°C
• May 15°C
• Jun 19°C
• Jul 22°C
• Aug 21°C
• Sep 15°C
• Oct 9°C
• Nov 4°C
• Dec 1°C

More in Finland

• Rovaniemi
• Turku
• Tampere
• Savonlinna
• Porvoo
• Kuopio

Frequently asked questions about Helsinki

What are the top-rated places to visit in Helsinki?

The highest-rated places in our Helsinki guide are Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church), Helsinki Estonia Day Trip, Helsinki Suomenlinna Walking, Helsinki Cathedral.

Where should I stay in Helsinki?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Helsinki: Senate Square & Market Square (Kauppatori), Design District & Kamppi, Kallio & Hakaniemi.

How do I get around Helsinki?

Ways to get around Helsinki covered in our guide: Tram, Transit pass, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Helsinki?

Scams reported to us for Helsinki include Overpriced "Tourist" Taxis; Street Gambling / Shell Games; Charity Petition Clipboard Approach. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Helsinki?

Average daytime highs in Helsinki run from -1°C in Feb to 22°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Helsinki?

The nearest airport to Helsinki has the code HEL.