Here’s how to spend a day in Helsinki if you are visiting Finland.
I suggest stopping there for at least a day because there are many things to see, but you can totally go for more time there, especially if you plan to go for day trips from Helsinki.
Plus, the public transportation (ferrys and buses) serves well the surroundings so you can add Porvoo, island hopping or national parks to your itinerary !
Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland, situated on the southern coast by the Baltic Sea. Known for its mix of neoclassical and modern architecture, it serves as Finland’s cultural and economic hub.
So here’s the ultimate itinerary around Helsinki, from the Esplanade park, to Kauppatori, including the Uspenski Cathedral !
Helsinki circuit : 30 minutes walk, 25 minutes public transport, 13 stops
Start your day at the Finnish National Theatre. Founded in 1872, is the country’s oldest Finnish-speaking theatre. It’s renowned for its National Romantic architecture and diverse performances. The building is worth stopping by (see picture 1 down below), but if you have more time you can book tickets for a performance.
Right in front of the National Theatre is the Art Museum Ateneum (see picture 2 below). Being part of the Finnish National Gallery, it houses Finland’s largest collection of classical art.
Entrance fee : 22€ at the museum, 20€ if you book online
Opening hours : Closed on Mondays, open from 10am to 8pm on weekdays, and until 5pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
A 7 minutes walk from Ateneum will take you to the Senate Square. This square features neoclassical architecture with notable buildings like Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, and the National Library of Finland.
The National Library of Finland is the country’s oldest and largest scholarly library, known for its vast collection of historical archives and its neoclassical architecture.
Entrance fee : Free
Opening hours : Closed on Saturdays and Sundays, open on weekdays from 9am to 6pm, and until 8pm on Wednesdays.
Helsinki Cathedral is a neoclassical landmark built in the mid-19th century, it’s one of the city’s most recognizable structures and a symbol of the capital city. Unfortunately, the cathedral dome was being renovated when we visited, so we did not had the chance to appreciate its full beauty (picture 2 and 4 above).
Take Aleksanterinkatu to reach Esplanade Park. This major street in Helsinki is known for its historic architecture and shops (see picture 1 down below).
After 8 minutes, you will reach Esplanadi or Esplanade Park. This historic park opened in 1812 features avenues of old trees, cute cafés and a stage for live music performances, making it a nice gathering spot (see picture 2 and 3 below).
After 10 minutes, you will arrive at Uspenski Cathedral. This is an impressive Russian Orthodox church dating back from 1868, famous for its red brick façade and golden domes.
Make sure to visit the little streets close by, this neighbourhood is really nice !
Entrance fee : Free
Opening hours : From 9:30am to 4pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and from 10am to 3pm on Saturdays. Sundays are open from 12pm to 3pm, and until 4pm on Wednesdays. Closed on Mondays.
5 more minutes and you will arrive at Kauppatori, or Market Square. Located at the waterfront, this bustling outdoor market offers a variety of food stalls (including the delicious Finnish salmon !), souvenirs and other local delicacies.
Located in the same area is the Old Market Hall. Established in 1889, this historic food market is known for its charming atmosphere and wide range of gourmet foods and artisanal products.
Opening hours : Closed on Sunday, open every other day from 8am to 6pm.
If the weather is nice, you can walk along the waterfront from the Old Market Hall all the way up to Kaivopuisto. This is one of Helsinki’s oldest and most popular parks, known for its beautiful views of the sea.
Last but not least, you cannot leave without experiencing a Finnish sauna. We had a great one in our hotel, but if you are interesting to try one in the city you can either go to :
- The very famous Löyly Helsinki : a modern public sauna situated by the sea, offering a unique blend of traditional Finnish sauna culture and contemporary design, plus stunning views ! A 2-hour visit costs 25€, and you have a direct access to the sea for year-round swimming.
- Kotiharjun Sauna : Established in 1928, this is the city’s last traditional wood-heated public sauna. Entrance fee is 16€.
Last but not least, if you have some time to wander a bit outside the city center, head to the Helsinki Winter garden. You can take either the tramway 2 or 4 to get there, it is approximately 25 minutes.
Opened in 1893, this historic greenhouse features a diverse collection of tropical and exotic plants. It offers a serene escape with its lush greenery and elegant architecture, I would definitely recommend visiting it when coming to Helsinki.
Entrance fee : Free
Opening hours : Closed on Fridays, open every other day from 10am to 4pm
That’s it for my Helsinki recommendations !
I hope this article gave you a better idea of what to expect from a day in Helsinki, it’s nice to stop by if you are coming to Finland !
If you plan on coming to Finland soon you can check out my other article about day trips from Helsinki.
If you need more information about what to know before going to Finland, you can check out this article.
I have also made a post about restaurant and food recommendations, click here to check it out !
If you need a custom itinerary, you can fill this form and I’ll make your own personalised itinerary.
