Itinerary for a weekend in Helsinki, Finland
- Dates visited: May 2022
- Time Needed: 2–3 days, 3 nights
- Neighborhoods to Stay In: Kluuvi, Kaartinkaupunki, Kruununhaka, Kamppi
General Information
Known as the “daughter of the Baltic” or “Stadi” to locals (slang for ‘city’), Helsinki is the most northerly continental European capital. It encompasses over three hundred islands along the Gulf of Finland, all connected by a vast network of bridges. Traveling here has its rewards — an important one being its drinking water. The water in Finland achieves some of the highest drinking standards in the world — so much so that water is a major national export. So if anything, drink your share while visiting!
This guide outlines a possible itinerary for one weekend in the city. Below is a quick overview of the proposal:
- Day 1: Kaartinkaupunki, Kluuvi, & Kruununhaka
- Day 2: Töölö, Kamppi, & Punavuori
- Optional Day 3: Day trip
Communication
The majority of Finnish folk in Helsinki speak fluent English, so getting around is not a problem.
Payment
Debit/Credit Cards are widely accepted everywhere. I never used cash. No need to take out any Euros, but if you feel so inclined, visit your local bank before you leave to get the best conversion rates.
It is important to note that Finland (along with all of the Nordic countries) is an expensive country to visit, so plan to spend more here than other places in mainland Europe.
Weather
Helsinki experiences chilly winters and comfortable summer temperatures, with winter lows around 20 degrees Fahrenheit (but far colder at night) and summer highs around 70 degrees. Its sunlight hours, however, are more interesting. During the winter, the sun rises around 9am and sets just after 3pm, making it a long, dark span of months. The summer is drastically (and thankfully) different, with the city averaging around nineteen hours of sunlight per day. Unless you plan to visit up north for winter activities, visit Helsinki from May through September for ideal temperatures and light.
Places to stay
The city has numerous distinct and amazing neighborhoods to choose from for accommodations. Airbnbs, hostels, and hotels are all great options depending on preference and interests, and for the most part everything is walking distance. Kluuvi, the city center, houses many key landmarks. Next door Kaartinkaupunki is a more upscale area on the water. A great option in this area is Klaus K Hotel, a cute and classic four star hotel. Kruununhaka, also next door, is the city’s oldest district. These locations are paramount in terms of proximity to key tourist points of interest.
Kamppi has great nightlife and modern restaurants and bars. I stayed here in a modern Airbnb but would have preferred to be closer to the center. Punavuori offers trendy art vibes and is a bit more residential. Lastly, Töölö has numerous green spaces along the beach, but is the furthest away.
Traveling around
The easiest and cheapest way to get from the Helsinki Airport to downtown is to use the metro. Trains come frequently and for under five Euros each way, you’ll find yourself in the city center in under forty minutes. Ubers and taxis are also an option, but at an enhanced price.
Helsinki itself is safely walkable and not a massive city, so always consider this over Ubers to save money and better see the sites.
If for any reason you need to store your luggage (ex. Airbnb won’t allow an early check-in or late check-out), cheaply and securely store items at main metro and bus stations with Radical Storage.
HOW TO BEST SPEND YOUR TIME
DAY ONE: Explore Kaartinkaupunki, Kluuvi, & Kruununhaka
Begin your time in Helsinki with a free walking tour — the best way to understand a new landscape while saving a couple bucks. The guide will focus on key landmarks such as Senate Square, Market Square, and the Helsinki Cathedral — one of the largest Orthodox churches in Europe. Pass by the Government Palace where the Prime Minister conducts work then stop to view several centuries-old statues laden with bullets from World War II.
The tour will conveniently conclude next to the Market Hall, referred to as Vanha Kauppahalli by locals since its opening in 1889. March right in for lunch! Soppakeittiö offers incredible oversized soups, Story promises traditional Nordic fare, and Scandinavia Cafe in the center has mouth watering meat ‘pasties’. Walk out overly full and completely satisfied.
Catch the ferry in Market Square to Suomenlinna Fortress. Translated to mean Castle of Finland, the landmark is a Unesco World Heritage site built in 1748 to protect the Finns from Russians and other threats. The fifteen minute ferry runs 1–4 times per hour depending on the season and costs around $3 USD each way. There is no entrance fee for the site itself.
The fortress prohibits cars, so walking is the only way to get around. The Blue Route is the recommended direction to take, but left us clueless and questioning everything we were looking at as it lacks signage and guidance. Instead, try a one hour guided tour for $12 USD to better understand the area and ensure nothing is missed.
Back on shore at the ferry port, walk through the Market Square open air market for trinkets and a quick snack. Then peep the Allas Sea Pool next door, a large floating dock over the sea with thermal pools and saunas. Everything I read made it seem a bit touristy. The site was closed to construction when I visited so I couldn’t decipher it in person. Skysauna nearby, a ferris wheel with a sauna inside, is another activity that looks too touristy. Choose for yourself whether or not to participate.
Walk Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksi), one of the most famous streets in Helsinki with numerous shops, restaurants, and the Esplanadi, a cute park with performers.
Relax at the end of the day at Ateljee Bar, a classy rooftop spot with gorgeous city views. It tends to get very popular around 6pm, so try to visit before. Then, move to Restaurant Savotta in Senate Square. Dine on brown bear, elk, and reindeer in an authentic Finnish atmosphere where the staff dresses in traditional garb. Order a la carte or choose from several affordable tasting menus. Be sure to make a reservation ahead of time.
DAY TWO: Explore Töölö, Kamppi, & Punavuori
Finns are some of the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, so what better way to begin the day than doing as the Finns do? Walk or Uber to Cafe Regatta in Töölö and enjoy a cup of coffee and deliciously fresh Korvapuustit (Finnish cinnamon buns) for breakfast. Built in a traditional red cottage dating back to 1887, this quaint little cafe is a must do.
Today is filled with walking and exploring neighborhoods, so wear solid walking shoes. Burn off the cinna buns by passing through Hietaranta Beach, the most popular beach in Helsinki, and the Hietaniemi Cemetery, a gorgeous landmark. Make your eventual way to Temppeliaukio Church. A Lutheran church, it is “creatively” known as the Rock Church because it is built directly into rock.
Spend fifteen minutes admiring the landmark, then walk another fifteen to the 115 year-old Hietalahden Kauppahalli Food Hall for lunch. The hall offers traditional Finnish food, including smoked salmon smørrebrød, an open faced sandwich on rye bread, smeared with sour cream and topped with smoked salmon.
If time and interest permits, stop by Iso Roobertinkatu Street, a popular upscale shopping area, or Sinebrychoff, an urban park.
Now for the relaxing part of the day; the sauna. Finland is home to over three million saunas — a favored pastime the country has bathed in for thousands of years. Loyly, a modern spot facing the water, is one of the best places in the city to experience this tradition. For 21 Euros, receive two-hour access to two gender neutral saunas, locker rooms, and towels. Be sure to test your limits by soaking in the sauna then jumping into the Gulf of Finland right out the door. In May, the water was so cold that I basically knocked the wind out of myself by running in, but it was worth it! After the experience, grab a drink or dinner at the onsite restaurant. In the summer, the restaurant does not require reservations, but make a reservation for the saunas well in advance.
OPTIONAL DAY THREE: Day trip
Helsinki offers several day trips, though none of them truly stand out. If you have an extra day, consider exploring these locations below. But if choosing between staying for a day trip or visiting a different Finnish province or country, opt for the latter.
- Tallinn, Estonia — People choose to do this as a day trip from Helsinki via the ferry. However, Tallinn has so much to see and explore that it truly merits at least a two day visit. For Tallinn and other Estonia recommendations, visit my Baltics post here.
- Porvoo — One of Finland’s oldest villages, Porvoo boasts quaint cobblestone streets and red houses lining the water. To get there, take an hour-long bus for $30 Euros round trip. Note: The “cute” section of town is very small. Including a sit down lunch, you’ll really only spend two hours maximum exploring. It was adorable to see, but not worth the trek.
- Nuuksio National Park — A hiker’s paradise, Nuuksio offers gorgeous lakes and vast greenery. Take the commuter train to Espoon Keskus, then hop on bus 245 to Haltia to stop at the nature center. The trip will take one hour each way.
- Sipoonkorpi National Park — Sipoonkorpi is a new National Park established in 2011 and known for its woodlands and peaceful landscapes. Take the 739 bus from Rautatientori to Vimpelboda. Arrive within an hour.
Interested in a trip extension? Visit Stockholm, Sweden. Consider taking the overnight ferry with either Viking Line or Tallink Silja (instead of flying) and save the cost of a hotel for a night. For suggestions on things to do in Stockholm, visit my post here.
RESTAURANT/BAR OUTLINE PER NEIGHBORHOOD
Kaartinkaupunki, Kluuvi, & Kruununhaka
- Kappeli — historic restaurant along the Esplanadi
- Vanha Kauppahalli — market hall
- Restaurant Savotta — traditional dinner
Töölö, Kamppi, & Punavuori
- Ateljee Bar — rooftop cocktails
- Bruuveri — brewery
- Cafe Regatta — coffee, breakfast
- Ekberg Cafe — brunch, traditional pastries
- Hietalahti Market/Hietalahden kauppahalli — food hall
- Konditoria Hopia — traditional veggie pies
- Lappi Ravintola at Annankatu — best place to get poronkäristys — sautéed reindeer meat with mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam
- Loyly Sauna — lunch/dinner
