How it works
Helsinki
The "Daughter of the Baltic", Helsinki is Finland's capital and largest city.
The city is best seen during its short summers when the sun brings the outdoor bars and cafés to life and even the nights are light. While visiting in winter is more of a challenge, Helsinki is one of few large cities in Europe with a good chance for snow on Christmas.
Public transportation - Helsinki’s secret is that you can get everywhere even without a car. Public transport is a road to paradise. You can find heaven at the end of many bus routes. Pack with a picnic, ride to the last stop and start exploring. Helsinki has a well working public transport system (HSL) consisting of bus, tram, metro, local railway and ferry services. With a single ticket, you can hop aboard trams, busses, the metro and even the ferry to Suomenlinna. Single tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, R-kiosks, and other HSL sales points or by using HSL mobile application. On buses, you can also buy your ticket from the driver.
Getting to the islands - The sea is an essential part of Helsinki. It surrounds the city on three sides: the South, the East, and the West. There are around 330 islands off the coast of Helsinki, and many are accessible for recreational use. In Helsinki, it is possible to enjoy the sea and archipelago even without your own boat. The municipal ferry operates between the Market Square and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress all year round.
Helsinki is a compact city to explore on foot, as most of the sights are within convenient walking distance of the city centre. Even if you’re in the buzz of the city, green areas, parks, and the sea are around the corner. There are also maps available with recommended walking routes at the Tourist Information (Railway station) to guide you to the best spots of Helsinki.
Getting around Helsinki by bicycle is a popular and convenient way for both locals and visitors. A popular route is “Baana” in the centre of Helsinki, built along a stretch of a disused railway line, it is a pedestrian and cycling corridor that is equally popular among commuters on a bike, dog owners on foot and young people on skateboards. Baana forms part of a 1200-kilometre network of bike paths in Helsinki that makes it easy to access all parts of the city on two wheels, from the Keskuspuisto “Central Park” to the north to the ferry harbours 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. You can either rent a bike or use city bikes, shared-use bicycles that can be borrowed for a fee by anyone in central Helsinki, residents and visitors alike. City bikes are shared-use bicycles that can be borrowed for a fee by anyone in Helsinki and Espoo, residents and visitors alike.
The metro line in stretches from Vuosaari and Mellunmäki in east-Helsinki, via Helsinki city centre to Matinkylä in Espoo.
Public transportation - Helsinki’s secret is that you can get everywhere even without a car. Public transport is a road to paradise. You can find heaven at the end of many bus routes. Pack with a picnic, ride to the last stop and start exploring. Helsinki has a well working public transport system (HSL) consisting of bus, tram, metro, local railway and ferry services. With a single ticket, you can hop aboard trams, busses, the metro and even the ferry to Suomenlinna. Single tickets can be purchased from ticket machines, R-kiosks, and other HSL sales points or by using HSL mobile application. On buses, you can also buy your ticket from the driver.
Getting to the islands - The sea is an essential part of Helsinki. It surrounds the city on three sides: the South, the East, and the West. There are around 330 islands off the coast of Helsinki, and many are accessible for recreational use. In Helsinki, it is possible to enjoy the sea and archipelago even without your own boat. The municipal ferry operates between the Market Square and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress all year round.
Helsinki is a compact city to explore on foot, as most of the sights are within convenient walking distance of the city centre. Even if you’re in the buzz of the city, green areas, parks, and the sea are around the corner. There are also maps available with recommended walking routes at the Tourist Information (Railway station) to guide you to the best spots of Helsinki.
Getting around Helsinki by bicycle is a popular and convenient way for both locals and visitors. A popular route is “Baana” in the centre of Helsinki, built along a stretch of a disused railway line, it is a pedestrian and cycling corridor that is equally popular among commuters on a bike, dog owners on foot and young people on skateboards. Baana forms part of a 1200-kilometre network of bike paths in Helsinki that makes it easy to access all parts of the city on two wheels, from the Keskuspuisto “Central Park” to the north to the ferry harbours 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. You can either rent a bike or use city bikes, shared-use bicycles that can be borrowed for a fee by anyone in central Helsinki, residents and visitors alike. City bikes are shared-use bicycles that can be borrowed for a fee by anyone in Helsinki and Espoo, residents and visitors alike.
The metro line in stretches from Vuosaari and Mellunmäki in east-Helsinki, via Helsinki city centre to Matinkylä in Espoo.
Juuri sitä parasta
Kohokohtia
World Heritage Site Suomenlinna
History & Architecture
A Unesco World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna sea fortress is one of the most popular tourism destinations in Finland for a reason. Suomenlinna is also a suburb of Helsinki with around 800 residents. There are six kilometers of walls, 100 cannons, exciting tunnels and beautiful parks in the fortress. There are also museums, guided tours, events and restaurants in Suomenlinna. The fortress is located in the coast of Helsinki and and is easily accessed all year by public transport (HSL) ferry from the Market Square.
The Senate Square
History & Architecture
The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel (1778-1840): 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. Helsinki Cathedral is arguably Finland's most famous and photographed building.
Temppeliaukio Church - The Rock Church
History & Architecture
Temppeliaukio Church invites you to its sanctity and beauty. The Church architecture creates a sense of the bond between God, man and nature. The eternal message of God´s grace and love has been and will continuously be delivered to every Church visitor. Everyone is welcome for a visit in Temppeliaukio Church regardless of one' religious beliefs, political background, country of origin, age, language, disablement, sexual orientation or any other personal quality. The church is usually very crowded in the summer.
The Design District Helsinki
City Life
Helsinki offers an ideal place to get to know Finnish design and to buy top-class Finnish design products. Located in the centre of Helsinki, the Design District Helsinki is an area full of design and antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants and showrooms. Here you can find the most interesting names, classics, trendsetters and so much more. It is 25 streets and 200 spots from shops to galleries and from design studios to design hotels. It is creativity, uniqueness, experiences, design and Finnish urban culture.
Ateneum Art Museum
Arts & Culture
The Ateneum is Finland's best-known art museum and the home of Finnish art. The images held by the Ateneum are ingrained in the collective memory of the Finnish people: the beloved works in Ateneum's collections date from the period from the 19th century to the modern age. The hugely popular exhibitions of Finnish and international art open up new perspectives into the past and the future.
Helsinki is a seaside city surrounded over 300 beautiful islands to explore. Spend a long weekend in the capital and experience Helsinki's beautiful archipelago and it´s nature. Visit in two different islands; Seurasaari and Lammassaari. Both of them you can reach by foot. Explore three different wooden districts of Helsinki; Kumpula, Käpylä and Vallilla. Strolling between old colorful houses, it feels like you’ve jumped back in time.
Helsinki Archipelago by foot and Wooden Districts
3 - 5 days
Welcome to our customised route, where You will be filled with nature, long walks and wellness! In Finland we have 40 National Parks and this route gives you the opportunity to explore at least 6 of them in one single trip!
Grand National Park Tour
5 - 12 days
