Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, which opened in 1909, is a place for visitors of all ages. When you arrive on the island, you are immediately transported to a rural landscape from the olden days, far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
Finland: Helsinki – A visitor’s guide
CONTENTS
1. About Helsinki
2. Things to do
– Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Suomenlinna
– Check out the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
– Sibelius Monument
– Try out one of Finland’s famous saunas
– Find out more about Finland’s complex history at the National Museum
– Visit the Helsinki Design Museum
– Helsinki Cathedral
– Senate Square
– Upsenski Cathedral
– Old Market Hall – Vanha Kauppahalli
3. Getting to and around Helsinki
4. Vegan dining options in Helsinki
5. Best time to visit
6. Where to stay
About Helsinki
Helsinki is close to the Baltic Sea with a 100-kilometre-long shoreline and around 300 islands. It’s on UNESCO`s “15 Most Beautiful Designed Cities in the World”, and design is embedded in the Finish soul. Euro Saarinen and Alvar Aalto are two world-famous architects coming from here.
Helsinki is internationally known as a modern and trendy shopping city. The compact, vibrant city, is both highly cultural and has an incredibly relaxing atmosphere with beautiful nature that surrounding the capital, which offers excellent possibilities for various outdoor activities. You will find picturesque boulevards, trendy cafe culture, beautiful architecture, modern and impeccable Finnish design.
Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen, Vantaa, Kerava, Sipoo and Kirkkonummi form an integrated public transport area, where travelling is easy and affordable. The entire area has an integrated ticketing system, and HSL’s tickets are valid on all buses, commuter trains, trams, Metro and the Suomenlinna ferry.
Things to do
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna or Sveaborg is a sea fortress, which was built gradually from 1748 onwards on a group of eight islands belonging to the district of Helsinki. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and also a suburb of Helsinki with around 800 residents..
Check out the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, which opened in 1909, is a place for visitors of all ages. When you arrive on the island, you are immediately transported to a rural landscape from the olden days, far away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
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Sibelius Monument
Jean Sibelius, formerly Johan Sibelius was born in 1865 and died in 1957 is Finland’s most famous composer and probably one of the country’s greatest citizens. The Sibelius Society organised a design competition for a memorial to the composer. It was won in 1962 by Eila Hiltunen’s entry Passio Musicae. The abstract design initially provoked a lot of controversy, but the issue was resolved by adding Sibelius’ bust to Hiltunen’s work. The Sibelius Monument was inaugurated in 1967 and soon became one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki.
The monument to Sibelius is a contemporary metal structure made of consists of a series of more than 600 hollow steel pipes welded together in a wave-like pattern, that resembles organ pipes. Sibelius didn’t write much in the way of music for organs, so the design of the monument received some criticism for this.
Visit one of Finland’s famous saunas
Sauna culture in Finland is an integral part of the lives of the majority of the Finnish population. Sauna culture, which can take place in homes or public places, involves much more than simply washing oneself. In a sauna, people cleanse their bodies and minds and embrace a sense of inner peace. In 2020 UNESCO inscribed Finnish saunas on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
One of the things I really wanted to try out in Finland was a sauna. After some research, I decided on a famous local sauna called Löyly.
Finland’s National Museum
One of the best places to find out more about a country’s history and culture in a concentrated form is to either use Google or visit the country’s National Museum. We of course prefer the latter.
The National Museum of Finland is only about a kilometre from the Central Station and an easy walk. The building was designed by the architect company Gesellius, Lindgren, Saarinen. The appearance of the building reflects Finland’s medieval churches and castles. The architecture belongs to national romanticism and the interior mainly to art nouveau. The museum was built from 1905 to 1910 and opened to the public in 1916.
As of 2024, the museum is currently closed for major renovation and they are adding a massive extension. Sadly, you will have to wait until 2027 when it will open its doors once again.
Helsinki Design Museum
I wanted to visit Helsinki’s Design Museum, which was about a 25-minute walk from the National Museum. When we reached the museum, we only had an hour to look around. Karen didn’t think this would be enough time which caused us to have a mini row. We asked a member of staff, who explained the museum was small, having three floors, which should take about 20 minutes each. So, Karen agreed to give it a go.
We headed to the top floor which was dedicated to a temporary exhibit called ‘Kustaa Saksi: In the Borderlands’. The exhibition’s focus is on artist and designer Kustaa Saksi (b. 1975), who is renowned for his textile designs and includes a wide selection of his textile artworks, created with jacquard weaving techniques between 2013 and 2023. Several of the larger works were specially commissioned for the exhibition. Saksi suffers from regular and debilitating migraines and has used this affliction in his artwork, with images of fractals used frequently in his designs. I am not normally a textile person, but Saksi’s designs were fascinating and beautiful, so to my surprise, I enjoyed this exhibit.
On the ground floor were the permanent exhibitions that focused on the articles and the work of Finnish designs, from chairs to bikes to glassware to clothing. I had not realised that the man who invented the ball chair was Finnish. Other famous Finnish brands included Marimekko, a clothing and home furnishing brand that was created by Viljo and Armi Ratia in Helsinki in 1951 and Fiskars whose most famous products are the orange-handled scissors. The company has its roots in the village of Fiskars, where it was founded in 1649. Fiskars is the oldest business still operating in Finland and one of the oldest companies in the world.
The final exhibit we visited was in the museum’s basement. It was titled Tauko Paus Pause by Tomi Leppänen. The works were made up of light sources with very simple designs, but each carried an interesting message. I do enjoy contemporary art but this exhibit, whilst clever in concept, didn’t do much for me.
Helsinki Cathedral
There are not too many tall buildings in Helsinki, so this is a landmark in the Helsinki cityscape, with its bright white façade and high, green dome surrounded by four smaller domes, the building is in the neoclassical style. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church. The church was originally built from 1830 to 1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St Nicholas’s Church until the independence of Finland in 1917.
We were curious to see what the inside of the cathedral looked like, so we climbed the stairs to the entrance and went in. There was a service of sorts going on, although it was hard to tell as the congregation was so small and a young lady was singing a dirge of a hymn followed by a priest who gave a sermon.
The interior of the cathedral was very stark compared to many cathedrals we have visited, but this is a Lutheran church after all which would explain the austerity.
Senate Square
Below Helsinki Cathedral is Senate Square. In 1812, Senate Square was designated as the main square for the new capital of Helsinki in the city plan designed by Johan Albrecht Ehrenström. The square is dominated by four buildings: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. A statue of Alexander II (1894) stands in the middle of the Senate Square.
We climbed down the steep steps from the cathedral to Senate Square. There is a more modern addition to the square that attracts tourists, a large metal sign that simply says ‘Helsinki’. While I continued to take photos of the cathedral from below, drawn by the emergence of the sun, Karen headed over to the “Helsinki’ sculpture, where she ended up taking photos for some Japanese tourists. By the time I arrived to do our own photos a large group of Indian tourists from Los Angeles had turned up to have their photo taken by the sculpture. After a bit of wrangling Karen persuaded them, it was our turn to have photos before they jumped in. I was all very cordial.
Helsinki Waterfront
It is only a short walk down to the waterfront from Senate Square.
Along the waterfront was an old lighthouse ship that had been converted into a restaurant and a marina with modern, and expensive yachts as well as some older, wooden tall ships.
On this breezy and sunny day, the harbour looked like a picture!
We walked around the harbour a bit, snapping a few more photos of the padlocks locked to a bridge by people as a symbol of their love, a barnacle-covered chair and a huge propellor and anchor that now decorated a dockside restaurant.
Uspenski Cathedral
Completed in 1868 in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki, the Uspenski Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. With its golden cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of the Russian impact on Finnish history.
For us, this cathedral was more impressive than the Helsinki cathedral. Inside the church, the decorations are more ornate than the Lutheran cathedral, without being too garish. We decided to sit for a bit and soak in the atmosphere of our surroundings and became fascinated by a man who was sitting on the ground just in front of the altar. He was diligently polishing the brass on a stand that was holding a large brass vessel. You could see where he had cleaned and what was yet to be done. He was vigorously polishing these church adornments with passion and doing a wonderful job.
Old Market Hall – Vanha Kauppahalli
This is an operating city market that sells locally grown produce and fresh-off-the-boat seafood. There are food stands and restaurants to try – about 25 merchants in all.
The Old Market Hall opened in 1889 and is the oldest market in the city. It was renovated in 2014, but it’s still known for its great old-world atmosphere and fabulous food options, although not much on offer for vegans. Still, we could appreciate how good everything looked. Walking the shops here is a tour through Helsinki life, with the sights and sounds that connect you to the culture.
Getting around Helsinki
Helsinki has an excellent public transport system (HSL) comprising bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services. With a single ticket you can hop aboard trams, buses, the metro and even the municipal ferry to Suomenlinna. You can even change from one mode of transport to another as long as your ticket is still valid. Single tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and other HSL sales points.
A day ticket is handy if you plan to make several journeys during one day or several days. You can buy a ticket for 1–13 days. Day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines and sales points in Helsinki Central Station. Other sales points include R-kiosks and many shops. One-day tickets (24 hours) can be purchased also from HSL ticket machines; these tickets are printed out and valid immediately upon payment.
The HSL public transport region is divided into four zones identified by the letters A, B, C and D starting from the city centre. Purchase a ticket for all the zones in which you plan to travel. If you plan to travel in zones A, B and C, you will need an AB, BC or ABC ticket, as there are no one-zone tickets for zones A, B and C. The online Journey Planner notifies which ticket you need together with the search results.
Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on public transportation depending on their card within zones A/ B or A/B/C.
Walking
Helsinki is a compact city that is easy to explore on foot, as most of the sights are within walking distance. Even in the busy city centre, you are never far away from green areas and the sea.
By bike
Cycling is a fast and easy way of getting around Helsinki. A popular route is the Baana pedestrian and cycling corridor that runs through the centre of Helsinki along a stretch of disused railway line. Baana is part of an impressive 1200-kilometre network of bike paths in Helsinki that makes it easy to get from the Keskuspuisto “Central Park” to the north to the ferry terminals to the south, and from the bustling city centre to the quiet fields and forests in the surrounding countryside – even to the islands of the archipelago.
City bikes
City bikes are a popular and convenient way of getting around the city in summertime. In 2023, there were no less than 4 600 yellow city bikes available in Helsinki and Espoo. The city bike season will continue until the end of October.
By tram
Trams are a convenient way of getting around the city centre. Tram 2 is the traditional sightseeing route, as it passes many points of interest along the way. You can also change into tram 3 at Eläintarha or Auroran sairaala stop and return to the city centre. Other tram routes that are good for sightseeing include 4, which passes many architectural gems, and 6, which is perfect if you are interested in design. Carry a route map with you to help locate all the stops and points of interest.
Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales points cannot be purchased from the driver on trams. Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on all trams.
By metro
Helsinki’s metro network operates from the city centre to Espoo (M1 Kivenlahti/M2 Tapiola) and East Helsinki (M1 Vuosaari/M2 Mellunmäki). To travel from end to end (Kivenlahti to Mellunmäki, the world’s northernmost metro station) you will need an ABC ticket, and the journey takes about 49 minutes. The metro is also a convenient way to get out of the busy city centre and into nature.
Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales points throughout the city. Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on the metro.
By train
Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) operates commuter train services throughout the metropolitan area. Commuter trains depart from and arrive at Helsinki Central Station. Commuter trains are a convenient way to get to Pasila, for example, where Hartwall Arena and the Messukeskus Expo and Convention Centre are located. You can also get to the tranquillity of Rhododendron Park (Alppiruusupuisto) in the Haaga district very quickly by commuter train (A, E, U or P).
Single tickets and day tickets can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks and many other sales pointsThis link opens in a new browser tab. throughout the city. Tickets cannot be purchased onboard commuter trains. Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on all commuter trains.
Trains to the airport
Commuter trains I and P are a fast and convenient way of travelling between the city centre and the airport. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. From the train station at Helsinki Airport, you can walk directly to your terminal without having to go outside. To get to or from the airport, you will need an ABC ticket.
Eating out for vegans in Helsinki
The range of vegan food in Helsinki’s eateries is impressive and expanding all the time. Numerous completely vegan restaurants and cafés can be found throughout the city, making it easy and convenient for those who want to enjoy vegan food without having to ask and check first.
Brindavan & Bhajan Café
Brindavan & Bhajan Café serves a generous buffet that invites you to savour an Indian-inspired lunch. Choose from a light and fresh selection of salads and spreads, or you can enjoy a hearty lunch with baked potatoes and stews – and everything in between! The price is determined by weight. The flavours vary from mild to fiery, so there is something for everyone in the wide selection.
Kumpulantie 1, Vallila
Bun2Bun hamburgers
That’s right, 100% vegan hamburgers! Bun2Bun has served only vegan burgers since 2018, resulting in a veritable stampede of customers. The restaurant is lcocated on Vaasankatu, where the aforementioned vegan boom began in Helsinki. In addition to the classics, the menu includes spicier originals and specials.
Vaasankatu 13, Kallio
Junk y Vegan
Describing itself unashamedly as a “junk food restaurant”, Junk y Vegan opened near Helsinki Central Station in 2021. It got its inspiration from the unique Finnish phenomenon of “chips and beer vegans”, which encourages people to enjoy good vegan food without worrying about how healthy it is. In addition to burgers, the bar restaurant also serves smaller portions, flatbreads, bowls and a variety of sweets.
Postikuja 2, Kluuvi
Rakastan
Rakastan is an absolute must for visitors in particular, as this café in the heart of the city serves vegan versions of a traditional Finnish delicacy, Karelian pies, filled with potatoes or barley. On top of the pies, you can choose “egg butter”, a favourite among Finns, fish roe and onion in the Swedish style, or pickles with syrup in the Slavic style. The café also serves soup lunches and pastries, and on weekend evenings you can enjoy Finnish tapas with wine. The milieu is beautiful and exudes history.
Mannerheimintie 13B, Etu-Töölö
Magu
Favouring seasonal ingredients and local food, Magu is a laid-back fine dining restaurant that invites everyone to try its exquisite cuisine. There is an extensive tasting menu and a smaller set menu, as well as a wine menu paired with both. The vegan dishes combine influences from around the world.
Korkeavuorenkatu 27
Round
These Americana-inspired cafés in the Punavuori and Kallio districts serve delicious vegan donuts with a variety of fillings. The Round café in Punavuori has the feel of a traditional diner, while the Round café in Kallio is more artisanal. In September 2022, Round announced that it was expanding its offerings to include bagels and breakfasts.
Kaivokatu 1, Kluuvi
Iso Roobertinkatu 16, Punavuori
Helsinginkatu 15, Kallio
Thai Vegan Kitchen and Peace Kitchen
Thai Vegan Kitchen, known originally for its legendary street food, has successfully maintained this spirit in its restaurant and positively exudes a desire to promote the cause of vegan food. In addition to the daily specials, you can enjoy a wide and varied selection of traditional Thai delicacies, as well as samples from other East Asian cuisines. Here you can familiarise yourself with a versatile selection of vegetable proteins, and the flavouring of the dishes is really skilful. Its sister restaurant Peace Kitchen in Punavuori specialises in noodles!
The best time to visit Helsinki
Helsinki, Finland lies within the reach of a humid continental climate, denoted as Dfb under the Köppen climate classification. The geographical position of Helsinki navigates to prolonged and frigid winters accompanied by shorter and moderately warm summers. A particular steadiness in the climatological parameters marks the weather patterns in Helsinki.
The annual flow of temperature lists a low point of -7.4°C (18.7°F) in February, trailing up to a peak of 21.5°C (70.7°F) typically in July. The run of minimum temperatures holds true to a similar pattern, descending to -6.5°C (20.3°F) in January and ambling to 14.2°C (57.6°F) in July. As for precipitation, this northern metropolis sees increased amounts in the warmer months, peaking from 63mm (2.48″) in July to 80mm (3.15″) in August. However, it remains predominantly humid, with an average of 11 rainfall days in May and 20 during December.
Snow in Helsinki is almost a constant companion during the winter months, wherein snowfall measures from 140mm (5.51″) in March to 230mm (9.06″) in February. Sea temperatures remain in a rather cold range throughout the year, pinpointing lowest at 1°C (33.8°F) from January to March and hitting high at a cool 16°C (60.8°F) in August. The earth’s axial tilt decides daylight hours, presenting the shortest days of 6 hours in December and January, and the longest ones of 18 hours in June.
The best time to visit Helsinki
Even though weather permanence takes up the routine in Helsinki, the city’s enthralling charm is best experienced during the summer months. With temperatures rising to a comfortable 21.5°C (70.7°F) high in July and 13.1°C (55.6°F) low in August, the warmer months from June to August also bestow the city with the longest daylight hours. The highest sea temperatures, albeit still cold, can be experienced in August at around 16°C (60.8°F), making these months perfect for embracing outdoor activities and enjoying the archipelago’s scenic beauty.
The worst time to visit Helsinki
The period from November to March witnesses the harshest weather conditions in Helsinki. Not only do temperatures stoop low to -1.3°C (29.7°F) and -4.5°C (23.9°F) in December, but the city also faces heavy snowfall with measurements spiking up to 210mm (8.27″) in January. The icy Baltic Sea also remains at its coldest, oscillating from 1°C (33.8°F) to 3°C (37.4°F). This period also renders shorter daylight hours, diminishing further to 6 hours in December, accompanied by the least amount of sunshine.
Where to stay in Helsinki
1. Mid Range: Hotel Finn
Directly across the street from Stockmann Department Store, this hotel is 5 minutes’ walk from Helsinki Central Station. It offers free Wi-Fi, along with basic and functional rooms with local artist’s works.
Cable TV and private bathrooms with a shower can be found in all rooms at Hotel Finn.
A variety of restaurants, cafés and bars are located in the area surrounding Finn Hotel.
2. Luxury – Hotel Kämp
Established in 1887 as Finland’s grand hôtel, Hotel Kämp is located in the heart of Helsinki opposite the beautiful Esplanade park. The hotel features 179 spacious rooms, 15 of which are luxurious suites.
The spacious rooms combine historical elegance with high-quality facilities. All rooms feature comfortable beds, marble bathrooms and Chromecast-streaming systems. Guests can order in-room dining and enjoy the lovely view over the park, the city or the inner courtyard. Access to the exquisite Upper Lounge is included for guests staying in the Executive rooms and the Suites.
3. Budget – Senate Hotel
Featuring a terrace, Senate Hotel is located in the center of Helsinki, 1.5 miles from Uunisaaren Beach. This 2-star hotel offers a shared kitchen, a concierge service and free WiFi. The hotel features family rooms.
At the hotel, every room has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a shared bathroom, bed linen and towels. Rooms have a coffee machine, while some rooms will provide you with a patio and others also provide guests with city views. All guest rooms will provide guests with a closet and an electric tea pot.
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