For some reason, Helsinki does not seem to be as well-visited as some of its Baltic neighbours. But this striking northern capital has a lot to offer. Read on for what to see during a visit to Helsinki:
Helsinki Cathedral
This beautiful cathedral is hard to miss as it’s located right in the centre of town by the railway station, and its gleaming white facades and gold-tipped onion domes can be seen from quite some distance away. Prepare to be amazed by the sheer size of it. I’d recommend visiting early in the morning when there’s fewer people around.
Old Market Hall
Another cool place for foodies is Helsinki’s Old Market Hall, located a stone’s throw from the harbour area. Here you’ll find lots of artisanal Finnish eateries all under the beautiful glass roof of a beautiful building that has been welcoming customers since 1889.
Opera
Treat yourself to a visit to Helsinki’s magnificent opera house, located on Töölönlahti bay, for an evening of culture. What’s more, this impressive building, built in 1993 out of white ceramic and granite, has helped put Helsinki on the map for modern architecture.
Sauna
You just cannot visit Finland without trying out what they do best, the sauna. A Finnish study even found a link between increased sauna use and a decrease in diseases affecting the brain such as dementia, so what’s not to love? City spas such as the Helsinki Day Spa offer a more relaxing experience, but the traditional saunas outside the city where you’re expected to follow up with a cold plunge in the lake are the best! You’ll feel fantastic afterwards.
Uspenski Cathedral
Another impressive cathedral is the red stone Uspenski Cathedral, situated in the harbour area. It is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. With its golden tipped onion domes, it is a striking example of the Russian influence on Finnish history and culture. In true Orthodox style, the inside is just as impressive as the outside.
Waterfront
Helsinki’s harbour area is one of the cooler areas of town, lined with cafes and restaurants. You can sit outside if you want but make sure to wrap up well against the wind!
Helsinki Railway Station
Helsinki’s Central Railway Station (Finnish: Helsingin rautatieasema) is a superb example of Art Nouveau architecture. Clad in solemn Finnish granite, the building features an impressive clock tower and two figures holding spherical lamps on each side of the main entrance.
What next?
From Helsinki you can venture out to more remote parts of Finland to enjoy winter activities such as skiing or snowshoe hiking. Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the reindeer in Finnish Lapland, or waiting in hides to see bears.
Or, why not hop on a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, Estonia? The crossing is only a couple of hours and the tickets cost me less than 40 Euros – bargain!
Alternatively, carry on to St Petersburg, Russia, one of my favourite cities of all time.
Read my other city guides here.
I’ve been toying with visiting Helsinki for a while but it just doesn’t grab my attention like Oslo or Copenhagen but reading your blog maybe I need to give it a chance.