The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is a beautiful city located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. It’s a place where there truly is something for everyone, from those who love vibrant urban culture, to those who crave a bit of peace in nature.
A weekend is the perfect amount of time to sample what Helsinki has to offer. There’s a lot to do and see in the city, and if you’re wondering what to do in Helsinki when you arrive, then check out my itinerary below!
Day 1 – Food and Culture
Breakfast
- Have an early breakfast at the charming Café Regatta. Grab a coffee and a pastry and take a seat facing the lake – you might see some people taking a dip in the freezing waters after a session in the nearby sauna. Not for me personally!
Morning Sightseeing
- After you’ve finished your breakfast, stroll through the nearby Sibelius Park. It’s small, but beautiful.
- Temppeliaukio Church – Take the bus from the park to the Temppeliaukio Church. This church is built directly into solid rock, which gives it a unique atmosphere. Entrance tickets cost €8, and there are some interesting souvenirs to pick up here as well, if you’re religious.
- Helsinki Cathedral – The iconic white cathedral of Helsinki is a must-see, as is the surrounding Senate square.
- Uspenski Cathedral – Close to the ferry port lies the Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral, a stunning piece of architecture that’s definitely worth a visit.
Lunch
- Take some time to wander around the Central Market and Old Market Hall. There’s an incredible variety of foods to try, so I recommend taking a walk through first and then coming back to buy your favourites. We tried bear for the first time in the Old Market Hall, and I had an incredible salmon dish from the Central Market as well.
Afternoon Sightseeing
- Sueomenlinna Island – Take the ferry to Sueomenlinna Island. There’s plenty to explore on the sea fortress, from museums and cafés, to bastions and historical landmarks.
- The HIAP (Helsinki International Artist Programme) open their studio doors to the public occasionally, allowing a peak at the incredible artwork that goes on behind normally closed doors on the island.
- The ferry runs a round trip from Helsinki to Suomenlinna a few times an hour and takes around 15 minutes. If you don’t already have a day travel ticket or Helsinki card, you can buy your tickets before you board at the Kauppatori ferry terminal.
Day 2 – Nature Walk
Breakfast
- Ekberg 1852 – Fill up with a hearty breakfast buffet at Ekberg 1852. Served from 7.30-10.30, you’ll find everything from breads, croissants and patries to cheese and cold cuts, porridge and muesli, fruits and omelette, and even sweet desserts like lucious chocolate cake. It all comes with coffee, tea and juice as well. It costs only €17.90, and it’s worth reserving a table as it’s a popular place.
Morning Sightseeing
- Korkeasaari Zoo – Spend the morning and some of the afternoon exploring the Korkeasaari Zoo. This unique zoo is located on a small island, reachable by a bridge connecting Korkeasaari and Mustikkamaa. Bus 16 drops you right at the entrance of the bridge. You can also take a water bus from the Market Square from June to August, of which a return adult ticket costs €9.
Lunch
- Head to the Kamppi Shopping Centre for lunch. As well as many interesting shops to explore, it has a large food court with many options to choose from. We personally went for Beijing8, which served delicious dumplings and side dishes.
Afternoon Sightseeing
- Spend your last afternoon exploring and shopping around the Pohjoisesplanadi Old Town area, then relaxing at the Esplanadi central park.
Where to stay in Helsinki
We stayed at the Hotel Arthur, which is near the main train station and also conveniently located right next to a couple of tram stops. The rooms cost between €80-€120 per night, and there is also a private Finnish sauna you can book while you’re staying there which I can thoroughly recommend.
How to get from Helsinki airport into town
From Helsinki Airport to Helsinki City Center, you can take either the I or P train which will get you there in under 30 minutes. A single ticket costs under €5 and you need to purchase one for the ABC zone.
How to use public transport in Helsinki
Helsinki Card
The Helsinki Card gives you free entry to top attractions in the city, including museums, exhibitions and zoos, as well as access to multiple sightseeing tours. It also gives you unlimited travel across all transport networks in Helsinki, including buses, trams, local trains and the metro, as well as the Suomenlinna Ferry.
Available for 24, 48, or 72 hour time frames, you can only purchase the Helsinki card online, at helsinkicard.com. The cost is €48 for adults and €24 for kids (ages 7-16) for 24 hours, €58/€29 for 48 hours, and €66/€33 for 72 hours.
Public Transport Day Ticket
Alternatively, the most convenient thing to do when visiting Helsinki is purchase a day ticket from a ticket machine. They are valid for buses, trams, trains, the metro and the Suomenlinna Ferry, and cost €9 for one day, €13.50 for two, €18 for three, or €22.50 for four. You can purchase a day ticket for up to 13 days at a time, which costs €63.
You need to present the ticket to a card reader when you first start your journey, and then the ticket will be valid from that time. After that, you only need to show the ticket on buses and if a ticket inspector asks to see it.
HSL App
Lastly, you can download the HSL app and buy single and day tickets on there with your debit/credit card. You can set the validity of a day ticket to start immediately or within 24 hours.
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