Last Updated on October 5, 2021 by Jim Ferri
Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
By Jim Ferri
You’ll find many interesting things to do in Helsinki, none of which require taking a sauna.
But in order to appreciate Finland, Helsinki, and the Finns themselves, you need to know a little Finnish history.
First of all, Finland is a relatively young nation. “How young” you ask? Coca Cola is more than 30 years older.
And the country – especially its capital, Helsinki – has always been the focus of a tug-of-war between neighbors. In short, it was founded by Swedes, conquered by Russians, and then declared independence after Russia’s October Revolution in 1917.
You can see clear evidence of all this if you stand in front of Helsinki’s picturesque Cathedral on Senate Square. There you’ll see a statue of Russian Czar Alexander watching Finnish ferries sail off to an 18th-century Swedish fortress.
And to tell you the truth, it’s this very amalgam of cultures that makes Helsinki – and Finland itself, in many respects – so interesting.
There’s much to do when visiting Helsinki, and more to the city than just a cultural mash up. It’s also a city where great design runs rampant in everything from great architecture to blazingly bold household fabrics. And it rewards you with beautiful and innovative design, practically everywhere you turn.
The bottom line: if you’re traveling about Scandinavia, certainly don’t pass Helsinki by.
Things to Do in Helsinki
Because it’s a compact city easy to explore on foot, there are a lot of things to do in Helsinki. More than most travelers suspect, in fact, including day trips from Helsinki and taking the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn in Estonia.
But first start your tour at Helsinki Cathedral, the white, neoclassical building that’s become a symbol of the city. Climb its steps and you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view of the area and the city beyond.
Walk down those steps and through the historic 18th-century quarter to Market Square, the hub of the city’s waterfront.
Market Square is often filled with stands selling handcrafts and food, and is a great place for an inexpensive lunch. There I had a tasty meal of reindeer meatballs, small potatoes with garlic sauce, and a beer for €11. A great deal with a great view of the picture-perfect harbor.
While we’re on the subject of money, you should know you can see Finland and the other Scandinavian countries for a lot less than most imagine. After all, doesn’t spending two weeks in Scandinavia without breaking the bank sound good?
From the market turn west and walk up the Esplanade, Helsinki’s beautiful boulevard. It’s lined with park benches amid beautiful plantings of zinnias and roses. It’s one of the very pleasant things to do in Helsinki, especially on a summer afternoon when people fill the outdoor cafés along the street. I take a stroll along it every time I visit the city.
From here you’re not far from Helsinki’s Central Station, an architectural masterpiece designed by legendary Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. It’s a beautiful building, especially inside, although it’s most famous for the striking statutes on its exterior. Its café, Eliel, has good Finnish food and sandwiches, and also serves breakfast. It’s clean, spacious and a great place to stop.
Museums in Helsinki
There are many museums in Helsinki that befit a city known for its designs. One is certainly the Helsinki Design Museum that displays Finnish fashion, household objects and other objects for which Finland is known. It’s housed in a former school in the city’s Design District, a neighborhood with beautiful old buildings. You can reach it from Central Station via the #10 tram.
If you’re at Central Station you can walk to the Ateneum Art Museum, the state-owned National Gallery, home to more than over 35,000 pieces. Housed in several buildings, its main building is across from the station and its contemporary art collection is showcased in its modern Kiasma building.
Undoubtedly, the best way to visit different areas of the city, including many museums in Helsinki, is by tram or bus. You can catch several of them in the thoroughfares near or at Central Station.
Not far away, adjacent to the Parliament House, is the National Museum of Finland, the attic of Finland. One of the popular museums in Helsinki, it’s numerous exhibits provide a snapshot of the country’s cultural heritage and history.
Another museum is the The Finnish Museum of Photography. It’s home you’ll find nearly 4 million snapshots which come from every level of the country’s society ranging from Famous professional photographers to recent asylum seekers.
By all means, also visit other popular museums about the city. Rife for inclusion on a list of things to do in Helsinki are the Sinebrychoff Art Museum, Finnish Museum of Natural History, and the Mannerheim Museum. The latter is the former home of the great Finnish military leader and statesman.
Two Incredible Churches
You’ll find many churches scattered all about the city. Two of them are world-renown and well worth being on your list of things to do in Helsinki.
The first is the 150-year-old Uspenski Cathedral, a redbrick church that combines both Eastern and Western influences. Originally built as a Russian Orthodox Church, it’s the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe.
With golden cupolas, and an iconostasis illustrating the Last Supper and the Ascension, it is incredibly beautiful. You can, in fact, reach it quite esily via the #4 Tram.
The other, which is more famous, is the Temppeliaukio Church. Its uniqueness stems from its being quarried out of bedrock and sitting below ground level. It’s a deservingly popular place that’s visited by 500,000 tourists every year.
A visit to both these churches, one modern the other ancient, should be on your list of things to do in Helsinki if you’re in the city any length of time.
Melodic Helsinki
One of the most popular things to do in Helsinki is to visit the Sibelius Monument, a striking piece of art. It honors Jean Sibelius, the most famous Finnish composer of all time.
The 30-ton monument, composed of 600 stainless steel tubes welded together one by one, was originally totally abstract. But after a public outcry the artist compromised by adding the composer’s face to it. And what a difference it made.
You can get a taste of the composer’s genius at the renowned Finlandia Hall or at the adjacent Helsinki Music Center. Both are just a short walk from Central Station. In addition to being home to the Sibelius Academy Library, the Center also has a popular café, restaurant and shop.
Shopping in Helsinki
Walk along the Esplanade and you’ll pass some very well-know shops including Louis Vuitton and Marimekko. The latter produces the brightly colored fabrics popularized by Jackie Kennedy back in the ’60s, which are still popular today. Marimekko, by the way, has its annual sales in June/July and January.
Further up at the top of the Esplanade is upscale Stockmann’s department store. In addition to a large variety of upscale goods, here you’ll also find a sushi bar, a deli, and a take-out section with pre-made meals. There’s a large supermarket on its lower level.
Head also to Fredrikinkatu, the street that is anchored by Temppeliaukio Church at its north end. It’s lined with 18th– and 19th-century buildings, which are now home to many upscale small shops.
In the area around the Design Museum, look for art and fashion merging in many little boutiques.
If you’re in search of something a bit more of a bargain, there’s a small flea market outside Kauppahalli Market, which is not a tourist market but a commercial food hall. Take tram #6 from Central Station.
Day Trips From Helsinki
When you finish doing things in the city, there are several day trips from Helsinki that are quite easy. One is quite close; the other requires you take the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, Estonia.
The first is Suomenlinna Sveaborg Fortress, reached by ferry from Market Square. You can make this either a full-day or a great half-day trip. Pick up some food from the stalls on the square and enjoy a picnic when you get to the island.
Suomenlinna is a national monument, a UNESCO world heritage site and one of the most popular attractions in Finland. At one time the sprawling six-island fortress, built by Sweden in the 18th and 19th centuries, was home to almost 900 people.
The main museum of the fortress showcases its 260+ year history. Some of the homes have been made into little cafes and shops.
There are many cafes and restaurants on the islands, including some for fine dining. Also a brewery.
You may also enjoy: Food Festivals in Europe / How to Travel About Scandinavia on a Budget for 2 Weeks / One Day in Copenhagen
Day Trip to Tallinn
Another popular day trip from Helsinki is the ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn. Three ferry companies sail the route: Tallink Silja, Viking, and Eckerö.
The one-way fare from Helsinki to Tallinn is approximately $55 per passenger (without a car) for the 2½ hour trip. Be aware that prices fluctuate both seasonally and with the ferry operator. Keep in mind that many European ferries, including the ferries from Helsinki to Tallin, are more like cruise ships.
You can also take a day trip by train to nearby St. Petersburg in neighboring Russia.
If you’d rather stay in Finland, you may want to consider medieval Turku, an interesting city on Finland’s west coast. It’s only two hours away by train (a $20-30 ride) and is another interesting possibility for a day trip from Helsinki.
If You Go:
My Helsinki (Tourist information)
https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en
Helsinki.touristinfo@hel.fi
Tel. +358 (0)9 3101 3300
Tourist Office in Helsinki: Helsinki Central Railwaystation, West Wing, Elielinaukio 3
Open: During the summer season (June 1 – September 14) Monday to Saturday: 9am to 6pm / Sundays and Public Holidays: 9am – 4pm. During the winter season (September 15 – May 30) Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm / Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays: 10am-4pm
Chat: service is open on the myhelsinki.fi page
Finnish Tourist Board
655 3rd Avenue
New York, NY 10017
Tel: (212) 949-2333
Helsinki! One of our favorite stops. We did a bike ride around the city with a fabulous guide. We got to visit all the main attractions of the city and when we stopped for a break at the SIbelius monument out guide sang part of Finlandia for us, Memorable!!
I am struck with interest in the history of Finland. Also, I enjoyed the musical and art references of things to do. In Thailand, I met many nice people from Finland, sparking my curiosity about their country. Great story!!
Thank you Carla.
Jim