9 Awesome Things to Do in Helsinki for First-Timers

9 Best Things to Do in Helsinki

1. Visit Helsinki Cathedral

First and foremost, we are going to visit Helsinki Cathedral, probably one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. With its all-white neoclassical architecture, characterized by a symmetrical facade, Corinthian columns, and a tall central dome, you can see why it is one of the most famous landmarks in Helsinki.

The cathedral was built in the 19th century, and the place serves as the mother church of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. It has been the seat of the Archbishop of Finland ever since.

Right in front of the cathedral, you will find yourself in the spacious Senate Square surrounded by beautiful architecture. At the center, there are wide concrete steps where people often hang out, especially in the evening. This makes it a great place to go people-watching here in Helsinki.

Be sure to spend some time around the Senate Square and check out some of the architecture, like the Prime Minister's Office, etc. The cathedral is open from 9 AM to 6 PM every day, and it is free to enter.

2. Visit the Uspenski Cathedral

Next up, we visit another great piece of architecture, Uspenski Cathedral, an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral. It is the largest of its kind in Northern Europe and is located on the hillside of the Katajanokka Peninsula.

The church is adorned with a stunning red-brick exterior and pastel-green-colored steeples, while the interior boasts some of the most impressive religious murals you will see here.

The inside of the church is even more beautiful in the morning when the light shines inside, creating a glistening effect on its golden iconostasis. It is truly quite a sight to behold.

The church is open from 9:30 AM to 4 PM from Tuesday to Thursday, while it is open from 6 PM to 9 PM on Fridays, 4 PM to 7 PM on Saturdays, and 12 PM to 3 PM on Sundays. It is closed on Mondays, so be sure to plan your visit carefully. There is no entrance fee to the cathedral.

3. Stroll Around Market Square

As you make your way back from the peninsula to the mainland, you will stumble upon the Market Square, a harbor-side market full of food stalls, handicrafts, and cafes that you can stroll around at.

If you are looking for a nice place to try some local street food or a place to buy some unique souvenirs, you are going to love Market Square. The place is open year-round, starting at around 8 AM until 5 PM every day, so be sure to check it out while you are here.

4. Check Out Helsinki Railway Station

Another impressive structure in Helsinki that you should check out is the Helsinki Railway Station, one of the most prominent and historically significant transportation hubs and considered to be one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.

The station building is an architectural masterpiece designed by renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. It was completed in 1919, showcasing distinct Finnish Art Nouveau and National Romantic architectural styles.

The exterior of the building features a distinctive clock tower and a façade adorned with intimidating-looking sculptures and beautiful decorative elements, while the station's main hall comes equipped with high ceilings and large windows through which natural light can stream.

The place is also a symbol of Finnish independence, as it was used as a shelter from air raids during World War II. Definitely worth checking out if you love Art Nouveau architecture.

5. Explore the bohemian district of Kallio

If you want to know where the cool kids are hanging out in Helsinki and want to attend some of the local block parties, Kallio, a laid-back bohemian neighborhood in Helsinki, is the best place to be.

Kallio is one of the most vibrant, laid-back, idiosyncratic, and spirited districts of Helsinki. Because of that, the district attracts many young people from all over the city who open all kinds of businesses that cater to the younger population of the city.

Here, you will find all kinds of hip bars and homey cafes, very similar to Berlin's hipster neighborhood, Kreuzberg. It is definitely the place to be if you are looking for a good time in Helsinki. You can get there by taking tram #3, or you can just walk across the bridge from the old town in about 15 minutes.

6. Stroll around the 18th Century Sea Fortress of Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is a beautiful and historically important sea fortress built in the 18th century by the Swedish when Finland was still a part of Sweden a long time ago.

The fortress is quite big, with several hiking trails and attractions you can see, which would take about half a day or more to see them all. The best walking route is the "Blue Route", which should take you to all the main tourist attractions like the King's Gate, the Military Museum, and more.

There are also many other sights to see, from viewpoints to restaurants and cafes where you can relax. For more information on things to do here, you can check out the full map of Suomenlinna fortress here.

To get to Suomenlinna, you can catch the ferry from Kauppatori Pier near the Market Square. There usually are around 1-4 trips per hour, depending on the season, and it should take around 25 minutes one way.

Visiting Suomenlinna is one of the best things you can do in Helsinki, so be sure to check it out while you are here. The fortress is open every day from 8:20 AM to 2 AM the next day, and there is no entrance fee to the fortress. You just need to pay the ferry ticket, which should be around 3.10 EUR per way.

You can also explore the island with a walking tour if you wish to learn more about the history of the fortress. If you want to see other islands but do not have time to visit them all, you can also go on a boat tour around the archipelago as well.

7. Indulge in the Finnish Sauna Culture at Allas Sea Pool

If you are interested in experiencing the famous Finnish sauna culture and don't mind paying a bit for the experience, be sure to visit Allas Sea Pool located just off the coast of Katajanokka Peninsula.

With its outstanding facilities, central location, and large outdoor pool area with an incredible view of Helsinki's cityscape, your sauna experience doesn't get any better than this. The place is open from 6:30 AM to 9 PM every day, and you can buy the ticket here.

8. Explore the Cafe Culture in Helsinki

If you love coffee and are looking for a nice, cozy place to sit and enjoy a cup of joe in Helsinki, I highly recommend you check out La Torrefazione, a café located on the second floor of a building on the main tourist strip of Aleksanterinkatu.

It is a popular place among the locals, and they serve some of the best coffees and pastries in the city. The cafe is open from 7:30 AM to 6 PM every day, except on Sundays.

9. A Day Trip in Tallinn, Estonia

Last but not least, the best day trip you can make from Helsinki is to visit Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, and one of the most fairy-tale-like medieval cities in the region.

Tallinn is only a 2-hour ferry ride away from Helsinki, and with a ton of ferry services running daily, you can easily visit Tallinn, see all the main tourist attractions, and be back in Helsinki without having to spend the night.

Every tourist attraction in Tallinn is concentrated in the center, so the city can be easily covered on foot in a day. First off, drop by the Town Hall Square and visit the Tallinn Town Hall. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and beautiful architecture surrounding the square, so be sure to spend an hour or two exploring the square.

Another highlight of the city is Toompea Castle, located on top of the hill with a great view of the city and its surroundings. Before we make our way up there, be sure to drop by St. Nicholas Church on your way up the hill.

From the church, you can go west and continue up the hill to the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches in the city, and you will arrive at Toompea Castle in no time.

If you are looking for the best viewpoint over Tallinn, there are two places I recommend you check out. One is Kohtuotsa and the other is Patkuli, both of which will give you a pretty incredible vantage point over the city. Personally, I prefer the latter one as all the medieval towers in the city are visible from here.

If you have some time to spare, places further away, such as Freedom Square and St. Olaf's Church, are also worth a visit. You can buy the ferry ticket from Finland to Estonia here or you can go on an organized tour instead.

Looking for a complete travel guide for Tallinn, Estonia? Check out:10 Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia

When to Visit Helsinki?

June to August is the best time to visit Helsinki, even though it is the peak season. I would always avoid it, but the weather up here can get cold and extreme during the off-season. Therefore, in order to maximize nice days, mid-summer is the best time to be.

How to Get to Helsinki?

You can fly into Helsinki if you are coming from outside of the EU. For the best possible deal, I always browse the airfare comparison website, Skyscanner or Expedia, to find cheap flights for the trip.

If you are already in Europe and on a budget, you can also take the bus from anywhere with Flixbus for only a few EUR. Additionally, if you are in the Baltic states or Stockholm, you can take the ferry across with Viking Line and other ferry services.

How to Get Around Helsinki?

Helsinki is easily explored on foot, with most of the tourist attractions mentioned in this travel guide being walkable. If you are planning to go to places like Kallio, you can also take the metro or a tram, which are not too expensive and cost around €3.20 per trip. For more details on routes, schedules, and prices, visit the official transportation website.

For further away places like Tallinn in Estonia, you can catch the ferry across the Baltic Sea. All the ferry tickets can be bought online from FerryHopper.com.

What to Pack for Helsinki, Finland?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Helsinki, Finland:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Down Jacket: In freezing temperatures, a down jacket is essential. The Columbia Men's Lone Fir Hooded Jacket (for women) is my choice. They are warm, lightweight, and available in various colors.
• Wool Beanie: A wool beanie is perfect for keeping your head and ears warm.
• Wool Gloves: I always have wool gloves handy to keep my hands warm in cold weather.
• Wool Socks: Don't forget to keep your feet warm with wool socks.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Further Reading for Finland and Other Nordic Countries

I hope you found this Finland guide useful. If you want to read more about Finland, here are a selection of articles you might like:

• Stockholm is a beautiful city with a ton of things to do and places to see, which can be quite overwhelming. Here's a travel guide and a 3-day itinerary on things to do in Stockholm, Sweden.
• Copenhagen is also another city worth visiting after Finland. Here’s a complete guide on 10 Best Things to Do in Copenhagen.
• Want to do a road trip in Scotland? Check out our 2-week road trip itinerary for Scotland.
• Are you traveling to Finland as part of a bigger Europe trip? Be sure to check out my 3-month itinerary for Europe from Portugal all the way to Sweden.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe can be extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Not convinced by my words? Here are 125 photos that will inspire you to visit Europe.
• You can also watch my Nordic travel video here: "Electro Nordic" travel video.
• To see all the articles about Finland, visit the Finland Travel Guide page.
• Looking for a place to go after Finland? How about the Baltic States? Check out our complete one-week itinerary for the Baltic countries.
• Planning a trip to Vilnius, Lithuania and looking for awesome things to do? Check out: 10 Best Things to Do in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• You can't travel to the Baltics without visiting Riga, the capital city of Latvia. Here is a complete travel guide and the 10 Best Things to Do in Riga, Latvia.
• Tallinn is one of the prettiest cities in the Baltics and a must-visit for those who love medieval architecture and colorful traditional houses. Here are the 10 Best Things to Do in Tallinn, Estonia.
• Traveling in Europe can be cheap, really cheap. These are the 12 Cheap European Countries to Visit.
• Looking for more travel guides for Europe? You can find more on my Europe Travel Guide page.
• Or, if you want something more specific to the region, visit our Northern Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.