8 Fun Things to do in Helsinki, Finland: Weekend Guide
I am a participant in affiliate programs, so basically I earn a small commission if you use any of the affiliate links on this post - at no extra cost to you! Dope right?
Yanno, Finland wasn’t really on my radar, mostly just because I didn’t know anything about it. Reindeer? Sami? Uh…Nokia phones? That’s all I got when it comes to Finland. Buuut when I signed for a Norway hiking group trip this summer (2026), the cheapest way to get there was to fly in through Finland. So what better way to extend my trip than by doing a bunch of fun things to do in Helsinki before hopping over to Norway!
I had three days to spend in Helsinki, so I’ll primarily be focusing on building out an itinerary to fit a 2-3 day schedule. If you have more time, can pack more things in with (more) day trips and other niche things to do in Helsinki for sure…but this was my first visit so I just hit up the basics.
I also visited in the summer, late July to be exact, so we had a nearly endless miiiiiiiddddniiiiightttt suuuuuuUUUNUNUUUNUUuuUNUnN–sorry I had to. But on a serious note, there was a heck of a lot of daylight, which made packing in a lot of activities really easy. BUT, it’s also easy to lose track of time because of such and restaurants and stores do not stay open late. In fact, a lot of restaurants close their kitchens 30 minutes to an hour before closing. So keep that in mind.
Likewise, if you’re traveling in the winter, there won’t be much light and the weather could be less gentle, which can make exploring more challenging. Although I traveling in the summer, it wasn’t HOT. The weather was in the high 60s-low 70s (21ish C) and there was a bit of a drizzle rain. That could’ve just been me since I am cursed when it comes to weather, but just a reminder doesn’t automatically mean tube tops and micro skirts in Nordic countries.
Table of Contents
Getting into Helsinki
Chances are, you’ll be flying into the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL). There is public transit, which can get you into the city center for about €4.50 and takes about 45 minutes with a little walking. Which, honestly isn’t bad. That’s the high speed option for some cities that are 10x the price!
Howeverrrr for 20 minutes and €30 (split between two people), we opted for a rideshare from the airport to our hotel. Partially because it’s the more comfortable option, but it was also almost 10pm when we arrived and we just wanted to get to our lodging quick. There is Uber in Helsinki, but I recommend the more regional company Bolt. There is usually better availability with Bolt and lower prices, so at the very least you should download Bolt just for a comparison.
Where to Stay
Although we were only in Helsinki for three days, we actually ended up staying at two different hotels because I had a free Hilton night to use and I wanted to use it to stay at a fancy hotel! Of course, I couldn’t afford to stay out of pocket there, so for the remaining nights we stayed somewhere cheaper haha.
That somewhere cheaper was the Hilton Helsinki Strand. The rooms were a good size and the room we had came with a huge desk which was nice because I was in the THROWS of writing my graduate thesis. There is an onsite sauna and a nice gym, but again I was heavy into school so I didn’t get to use any of those amenities.
I do want to point out that the breakfast at the Hilton Helsinki Strand was a fantastic spread. Definitely fill up before you head out for the day because food prices in Helsinki are no joke. It is walkable to the city center (1km/~0.6mi), but a little farther out so if you’re looking for somewhere a bit quieter its a good spot. I found it to have a lot of business travelers, probably because it is less hectic.
However, if your budget allows, then the actual best hotel in Helsinki (imo) is the next hotel we stayed at. Although we were only in the city for a few days, I had a free night at a Hilton hotel and I wanted to get the most expensive option they had! So we packed up and moved slightly down the street (and more central) to the Waldorf Astoria Helsinki.
I meannn what can I say. It’s a NICEEE hotel. And for that price it should be. They really treat you special from the moment you walk in, even though I looked…my tax bracket haha. Because I am a Hilton Diamond Member I got a complimentary room upgrade and it had an in-room sauna!! Which was amazing because I couldn’t get out to the building sauna. There’s also a gym, a restaurant, and a really nice bar.
The breakfast was great, plus since I was a Diamond member I not only got complimentary breakfast but also access to the high-end breakfast menu for free! So loyalty does pay off! At the very least, one of the best things to do in Helsinki is check out a sauna, so it’s nice to have it part of your hotel experience.
What to Eat
Aight, y’all know I like to keep it real around here. So that’s why I say…with the upmost love and respect…the food in Helsinki was…not memorable.
With the exception of one restaurant in particular, the food was at best forgettable (the majority of the time) and at worse inedible. I wouldn’t reallyyy consider any Nordic destination to be known for their food, so just adjust your taste bud expectations to something less seasoned. Don’t get me wrong, Finland does the “fresh” profile very well, so if you’re a fan of fish or seafood, that will be plentiful here. But aside from that…I don’t think eating will be among the top things to do in Helsinki.
WE CAN’T ALL BE MEXICO CITY.
And that’s okayyyy. I did find a few restaurants that happily saitiated me, so I’ll share them below. I’ve also included a few that my friends-with-taste recommended just to cover all bases and flavor profiles.
Again, if your hotel has complimentary breakfast, EAT THERE. I promise the city breakfast spots aren’t worth paying for if you can help it.
- Harju 8: If you’re looking for a lighter Finnish restaurant, this one is open for lunch and gives a good range of local dishes.
- Restaurant Savotta: Meanwhile, if you’d like a full dinner service, they serve traditional Finnish but with a little finesse.
- Nomad Food & Wine Helsinki: Hands down the best restaurant in Helsinki, maybe in all of Finland. A mix of West African flavors, Italian technique, and Nordic ingredients. Simply genius. Naturally, one of the Black owned restaurants in Helsinki would bring the seasoning!!
Mmm, yeah, that’s all I have for genuine recommendations. But if you find a good spot while you’re hitting up all the fun things to do in Helsinki, please come back and share your finds in the comments. Likewise, if you’ve already been to Helsinki and still remember a place that wow’d you, leave that in the comments too! Please and thank ya <3
Things to do in Helsinki
Now onto the portion that will make up the bulk of your itinerary: all the fun things to do in Helsinki of course! But this also comes with a little caveat. There aren’t a lot of things to do in Helsinki. It’s more of a…relaxed city. One where you stroll, and observe, and “take a second” typa destination. You’re not really going to be running from place to place trying to check off a bucketlist of things to do in Helsinki.
For some folks, that might seem boring. That’s okay. For others, it might be a welcome reprieve and peaceful getaway. That’s okay too! For me, since I was drowning in school work, I welcomed the break and enjoyed sleeping in and taking the city at our own pace. I’m not naturally a slower traveler, but it was a necessary change for my circumstances this time.
So with that in mind, here are some fun things to do in Helsinki.
Waterfront
I’m actually not quiteee sure what this area is called, but it includes the Old Market Hall and the Helsinki Market Square and it runs along the water. So I’m going with it. This is also the most touristy part of Helsinki, and where the bulk of day trippers (from Estonia) and cruisers spend their short time in the city. That’s not a bad thing and it’s not like…overcrowded or anything, but just be away it can be busier that other places in Helsinki.
So the “main” attraction I’d say is the Old Market Hall. It’s essentially an indoor market with traditional Finnish foods, souvenirs, and trinkets. If you haven’t tried reindeer before, this is a low-stakes place to do it. However, I will say I ate a reindeer hot dog and…it was not as good as the reindeer I’ve had in other places so maybe don’t get that dish. There is also a caviar booth that was incredible! You can buy a tasting flight or even just a sample spoon. If you love caviar, or even have never tried it but are curious, please do so here!
Similarly, the Helsinki Market Square is a market that’s outdoors with more souvenirs and snacks. Though I will say the food out here smelled much better, so if you want a bite for lunch I’d suggest a booth at the outdoor market.
There’s also the SkyWheel Ferris Wheel which is fun, but I opted to do a “Flying Cinema Tour” of Helsinki because it’s just a cheesy touristy thing I like to do in new places hahah. What can I say, Wings over Washington in Seattle SPOILED me. It was cheesy, and I wouldn’t say it’s a MUST for things to do in Helsinki, but I enjoyed it for me haha.
Aside from that, in this area you can also see the Stone of the Empress memorial, the Presidential Palace, and the Uspenski Cathedral as you walk around.
Museums
It is Europe after all, so you know the city is packed to the brim with museums. You could spend an entire week just going to different museums on your things to do in Helsinki itinerary. There’s a lot to choose from and no wrong answers based on what kind of museums you like, but personally I think the area where Helsinki really strives is in its art museums. Plus, they’re great places to spend your time when the weather is less than favorable.
A few I would recommend if you’re so inclined:
- Architecture & Design Museum
- Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma (keep an eye on their events page!)
- Amos Rex
Helsinki Central Library Oodi
Speaking of works of art, the Central Library in Helsinki is stunning from the outside and truly revolutionary from the inside. While I’m listing it as one of the things to do in Helsinki, just know unless you plan on sitting and reading (which, by all means!!), you will probably be more of a spectator here. But still, just seeing how and what a library could be was mind-blowing to me.
This is the golden standard for libraries.
Helsinki has truly perfected public service third spaces, and it just goes to show you why their quality of life is ranked so much higher than the global average. Helsinki is not perfect, socially or politically or otherwise, but they know how to make a good library. Go see it for yourself.
Suomenlinna
For travelers who are a bit more interested in history and understanding the backstory of destinations, I’d recommend a trip over to Suomenlinna. It is a fortress and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the world’s largest sea fortresses that sprawls across a series of six small islands. Technically you can go on your own an walk around, which is great for a budget option.
However if you want to go deeper, I’d recommend doing a history tour to really get into the nitty gritty of the history in a fun and engaging way.
Sauna
I mentioned before that sauna culture is big in Finland. It was invented in Finland after all! So I do think at least testing the sauna waters (pun intended) is one of the best things to do in Helsinki. I of course stuck with my hotel sauna, but if you want to try out the saunas for the full experience, there are a few in the city you can visit.
I’d specifically recommend Löyly since it also has a restaurant and full facilities, making it easy for tourists to partake. Because it is popular, you should make reservations if your schedule is open just to make it less stressful trying to get in.
Alvar Aalto House
For my architecture and design friends, make sure the Alvar Aalto House is at the top of your things to do in Helsinki. After my design tour in Buffalo, NY, I’ve become more of a unique house enthusiast and I love touring notable houses when I travel now.
Don’t get me wrong, I have a horrible eye for design, but I love learning about it and admiring the work that goes into it. Another UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Aalto House is part of the Aalto Works series, a collection of thirteen sites designed by Finnish architects Alvar, Aino, and Elissa Aalto.
You can only visit as part of a guided tour, which is the case for most architect/design tours, but it’s only about an hour and the groups stay pretty small and manageable.
Sibelius Park
And now, the last thing I suggest adding to your things to do in Helsinki itinerary is a trip to Sibelius Park, or Sibeliuksen puisto. It’s a park, so another lowkey activity, but if the weather is nice it’s such a pleasant place to stroll. If the weather isn’t nice…eh, this probably doesn’t need to make your must-do things to do in Helsinki list, but I wanted to include it because it is a great park.
My favorite things about the park is the giant sculpture. I love public art, especially on the large scale, so it was a nice stop for me. There are public restrooms and a pretty popular cafe, but the line was way too long for my preference so I didn’t go in. Allegedly it’s pretty good, so if you go let me know if the wait is worth it.
Tallinn Day Trip
If you ask a local for the best things to do in Helsinki, they’ll all tell you the same thing.
LEAVE.
Hahhahaa. And no, I’m not kidding. I mean, you’ve just seen my list of things to do in Helsinki….and it’s not long. Imagine if you live here full time. For travelers spending more than 2 days in Helsinki, I recommend taking a day trip to Tallinn, or an overnight. I did the day trip by ferry and it’s not CHEAP, but it’s not too bad of a price for an entirely new city and country. It’s the same price as a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, if that helps put it into perspective.
Tallinn isn’t a very active city either, but for just a day it’s worth it. I did possibly find the best bar in the WORLD in Tallinn. You gotta check it out if you go.
Conclusion
And that’s a wrap on Helsinki! It was a short but sweet trip, and I managed to finish my thesis–so there’s that! While it wasn’t the most exciting city in my opinion, it had its charms and art, so if that’s your speed then definitely put Helsinki higher on your radar. I liked it more than Brugge, Belgium if I’m being honest, and I hear a lot more people hyping up that city.
I do really love the airport, specifically the Finnair business class lounge (oneworld Sapphire perks!) so I’ll definitely be doing layovers here if given the option. I felt as though the residents were a bit more curious and wanting to talk (though they were still shy) compared to my time in Norway or Stockholm, Sweden. In general, the Nordic countries aren’t known for being the friendliest, but if I had to rank them in order of most to least, it would go: Greenland, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway. I’ve technically been to Denmark, but since I haven’t been to Copenhagen specifically, I’ll withhold my opinions of them for now haha.
Have you ever been to Helsinki? What did you think? Let me know if you’d add any other things to do in Helsinki, because I never know when I’ll be back! Next time, maybe I’ll aim for winter just to see the contrast.
Pin These Things to do in Helsinki
