What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think about Finland? That it has consistently been ranked the happiest country in the world since 2018? That the Finnish language boasts an impressive number of 15 grammatical cases? That Finns love their filter coffee and consume on average 12kg of coffee per year? Or are you perhaps thinking about the approximately 188,000 lakes in Finland's vast forest areas?
No matter what comes to mind, this guide will offer you a handy overview of how to spend a few days in the Finnish capital, Helsinki, making the most of its proximity to nature, its beautiful old neighbourhoods and the seemingly endless hours of sunshine the capital gets in the summer months at least.
A brief history
While there have been settlements in the Helsinki region for thousands of years, the city was formally established by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa in 1550. In 1808, Russia conquered the entire area of present-day Finland and, four years later, relocated the capital from Turku to Helsinki. Helsinki became the capital of the new autonomous region known as the Grand Duchy of Finland. Finland finally declared independence on 6 December 1917.
The people
Helsinki is the most populous city in Finland, with close to 690,000 residents living in the city and a total of 1.6 million people in the metropolitan area. The country's two national languages are Finnish and Swedish.
Fun fact
Depending on when you visit Helsinki, you might find Finnish flags flying all over the city. If this is the case, then there is a high chance that you are visiting on a Finnish flag day. Finland has several official and customary flag flying days to commemorate historical events, impactful Finns and cultural traditions.
For instance, 5 February is the birthday of the national poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg (who also got a pastry named after him), while the renowned Finnish designer and architect, Alvar Aalto, is commemorated on the 3rd of February.
Getting there
Since Finland is tucked away in northern Europe, the easiest way of getting there is by plane. Luckily, Finnair offers direct flights from Luxembourg to Helsinki, which take approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, 2 to 3 times a week during the summer season, starting from 31 March 2026 onwards.
Public transport
Helsinki’s public transport system is efficient and reliable, making it very easy to get around the city if you do not want to walk or bike. The HSL app and website allow you to plan trips and buy tickets, which are valid on all modes of HSL public transport in the capital city area.
Alternatively, you can also purchase individual tickets by tapping your payment card at the machines at the bus, tram, metro and train stations. A single ticket in the AB zone is valid for 80 minutes and costs €3.30, while a one-day ticket can be purchased for €10.60.
Things to do
- Explore the hallmarks of Finnish Design by visiting the Architecture and Design Museum in Helsinki’s Design District. For design enthusiasts, booking a tour of the Aalto House, located a half-hour tram ride from the city centre, is a must.
- Make the most of the archipelago surrounding Helsinki by taking the ferry to Suomenlinna (which is included in your regular HSL ticket) or to Vallisaari, which tends to be a bit less crowded in summer. Suomenlinna, a former sea fortress, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can stroll around both islands’ many paths, stop by a café or restaurant, or bring a picnic and admire the sea views.
- Wander around the picturesque Ullanlinna neighbourhood, where you can admire the city’s beautiful Art Nouveau buildings, and from there make your way to the stunning waterfront promenades stretching from Kaivopuisto to the Eira area. On your stroll, you can stop at one of the many sea-view terraces or take a dip in the Baltic Sea.
- Go on a 'lenkki' (the Finnish term for a brisk walk or jog) in the beautiful Finnish nature, either by taking the metro to Lauttasaari, where you will immediately forget that you are in a capital city, or by heading to Nuuksio National Park, which is accessible in around an hour and a half by public transport from the city centre.
- After a long day of exploring Helsinki, you should relax in a Finnish sauna! Saunalautta Hiisi is a floating sauna boat, which offers stunning views from inside the sauna onto the Seurasaarenselkä bay. Alternatively, head to Kulttuurisauna in Merihaka and enjoy the serene atmosphere in the minimalist white concrete building with its peaceful courtyard from which you can directly dip in the sea.
- Visit Oodi library, the stunning curved-wood building and admire the building’s architecture and the view from its outside terrace onto Musiikkitalo Concert Hall, the Parliament House and Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto. From there you can meander around the city, stopping at the Amos Rex museum or at the Atheneum museum. Continue towards the Senate Square and admire Helsinki Cathedral and Uspenski Cathedral.
Food and drinks
- Breakfast: Flät no 14 in Kallio offers a selection of small plates to share, which allows you to try a variety of their delicious dishes. Trying the filter coffee and traditional porridge is a must!
- Lunch: For lunch, try the rich, comforting Finnish Salmon Soup either in Ravintola Kuukuu in Etu-Töölö or at traditional Café Succès in Ullanlinna.
- Dinner: If you are looking for a fine dining experience, book a table at Nokka, where you can enjoy Finnish cuisine with a modern twist in an old harbourside warehouse. For a more casual meal, head to Ravintola Sea Horse, a local institution that has been serving traditional Finnish cuisine since 1933.
- Budget-friendly: Many places in Helsinki offer affordable lunch buffets during weekdays for around €13, for instance at Oodi library.
- Coffee: Stop for a steaming cup of (filter) coffee at Café Clé in Kruununhaka, Andante Coffee in Punavuori or Sävy in Kallio.
Accommodation
- Budget: Stay at Citybox Helsinki if you are looking for a reasonably priced hotel close to the city centre
- Mid-range: Scandic Helsinki Hub offers a comfortable stay right in the heart of Helsinki.
- High-end: Book a room at the cosy yet elegant Hotel Lilla Roberts for a luxurious stay in Helsinki.
