Explore Helsinki in 2 days! Discover unique things to do, see, and eat, with insider tips on hidden gems, Finnish coffee, Art Nouveau doors, and more.
I've had the absolute pleasure of spending 2 days in Helsinki on four different occasions and at different times of the year. Whether you're visiting for business or pleasure, the Finnish capital is an off-the-beaten-path gem in Europe!
From its stunning architecture and quirky vibe to unique foods and noticeable Russian influences, I find Helsinki utterly fascinating and one-of-a-kind.
I gathered tips from a local friend who showed us around and insights from colleagues who work in Helsinki to inform my own experiences, including a recent work trip in February 2024. So, let's dive into planning your Helsinki adventure using these insider tips!
Getting to Helsinki
Getting to Helsinki is super easy as it's a global destination well served by Finnair, the national carrier. You can fly into Helsinki from other Nordic countries, European cities, and even major cities in North America and Asia.
I've flown Finnair in both economy and regional business class. Did you know that Finnair serves free blueberry juice to everyone? I thought it was very cool. In business class, I even made myself a blueberry version of a Kir Royale and sampled some delicious Finnish gin.
If you're flying from within Europe, you'll also find non-stop flights on low-cost carriers like Ryanair.
Once you land, getting into the city centre is super convenient. There's a train that runs directly from the Helsinki airport to the central railway station. The train departs frequently, about every 10 minutes, and takes roughly 30-35 minutes to reach the capital.
At the time of writing, a one-way ticket (an ABC zone ticket) costs just 4.10 EUR. You can easily purchase tickets at airport kiosks or via the VR Matkalla app.
Where to Stay in Helsinki
Finding a great home base is key for a short city break! Here are a couple of spots I've enjoyed:
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel: This funky hotel is an easy walk from Helsinki Central Station. It has two sides, and I recommend trying to get a room in the historic side to check out the dramatic chandeliers and stained glass. In my opinion, the Radisson Blu chain has the comfiest pillows out of all the hotel chains in Europe, making this a great base for your trip.
Klaus K Hotel: If you're looking for something more unique and economical, the Klaus K is a fantastic option. It's located about a 10 to 15-minute walk from the central railway station. I found the hotel to be comfortable, quiet, and filled with some fantastic period details, like carvings in the door frames.
It has a really nice vibe. The rooms might be small but they are comfortable. The Klaus K is also conveniently located at one end of Helsinki's popular Esplanadi, making it easy to walk around the city's historic core. I paid less than 90 EUR a night during the week in winter for my stay here.
Things to Do, See, and Eat in Helsinki
Now for the fun part – exploring the cool things Helsinki has to offer! There's plenty to choose from to easily fill-up a two day city break.
Go Door Spotting & Admire Helsinki's Architecture
My regular readers know I'm obsessed with door photography. I'm pleased to report that Helsinki has fabulous and unique doors! I particularly fell in love with the Art Nouveau doors here and even declared one my door of the month in March 2024.
A colleague recommended "door hunting" in the Ullanlinna, Punavuori, and Kruununhaka neighborhoods, and their advice was absolutely spot on. Walking through these areas, I found myself oohing and aahing at the spectacular doors on every block, seeing a great array of both Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles with quirky shapes and decorations.
Helsinki's Art Deco architecture is another favorite feature of mine – it's heavy and dramatic. The main train station is a prime example, with two solid-looking gentlemen sternly holding lighted orbs outside. Beyond these specific styles, I really enjoyed looking at the fine architectural details and little flourishes around town.
Even in the freezing cold and rainy, slushy conditions of February, I appreciated the opportunity to get reacquainted with Helsinki's architecture.
Fuel Your Exploration with Finnish Specialty Coffee
You'll definitely want to fuel up for your city break, and Helsinki has a thriving specialty coffee scene. Robert's Coffee is a Finnish chain with atmospheric locations in the Old Market Hall and on Esplanadi. The Robert's Coffee Jugend on Esplanadi is a must-visit for its stunning Art Nouveau interior.
For a more bespoke experience, check out Kaffa Roasters in Punavuori. It has an airy, old warehouse vibe and offers top-notch locally roasted beans you can sip onsite in the laid-back cafe or take home. They even do cuppings and tasting events!
I find buying specialty coffee beans to be a lovely souvenir of my travels. Don't miss the chance to smell different kinds of flavored coffee, which Finns seem to adore, especially at Hakaniemi Market Hall. I brought back a chocolate-infused coffee once and sampled an intense cardamom brew on another trip.
Also, grabbing a well-crafted cappuccino and a delicious piece of sweet cake topped with jam at the historic Old Market Hall is a perfect way to warm up in winter.
Visit Helsinki's Unique Rock Church
Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Rock Church, is truly one-of-a-kind. It's carved right into the rock, giving the interior outstanding acoustics. The mesmerizing copper ceiling is another highlight.
When we visited, we were lucky enough to hear the organist finishing a performance, and sitting there as the music swept over us was a beautiful experience. It's a modern Finnish architectural marvel, built in 1969.
Look for Hidden Gems Like Regatta
Local recommendations are the best! My friend Anna took us to her favorite coffee spot, Regatta. This place is a bright red, sits right on the water, and simply exudes optimism and happiness!
We sat outside by a wood fire with coffee and a cardamom bun. I absolutely loved it! Not only did we find great coffee, but also a tower of birdhouses.
And I have to appreciate the understated Finnish humor – seeing a boat labeled Tama on Vene (...This is the Boat) made me chuckle.
Admire The Sibelius Monument
The Finns truly celebrate their own. Sibelius was a famous Finnish composer, recognized as Finland's greatest. He's honored with a silver pipe organ-inspired monument located near Helsinki's waterfront.
Discover Why Helsinki is 'Little St. Petersburg'
Helsinki is often called 'Little St. Petersburg', reflecting Finland's complicated history with Russia. Finland was part of the Russian Empire for about 100 years before negotiating independence in 1917. Despite tensions, Finland managed to maintain an independent democracy.
You can still see this influence in the architectural look and some sculpture around the city. This Russian connection also brings wonderful things like Georgian cuisine. My colleague from Siberia was absolutely delighted by the extremely good and authentic Georgian food we had at Restaurant Rioni.
Georgian cuisine is perfect for winter – it's very rich, with lots of cheese, cream, delicious dumplings, and desserts.
I even learned the "correct" way to eat khinkali (Georgian dumplings) from our waitress: grab the stem, take a small bite, suck out the soup, then eat the dumpling while leaving the stem behind. This apparently enhances the flavor.
Enjoy an Economical Finnish Workers Lunch
Like other Nordic countries, Finland has a strong social support structure, including a modest lunch allowance for workers often spent at local salad bars.
We sampled a typical Finnish worker's lunch at Putte's Bar and Pizza, enjoying a plate of mixed salads from the salad bar along with a little pizza.
Dine Like a Local at The Cock Eatery and Bar
Locals love dining out, and my friend recommended The Cock Eatery and Bar. I love how Helsinki restaurants stamp their name onto the napkins.
We kicked off our meal with a Helsinki Gin and Tonic featuring fresh lingonberries. The menu is an eclectic mix, offering everything from Sicilian arancini balls to Asian stir-fry. There's something for everyone here.
Try Reindeer and Other Lapland Dishes
While I haven't made it up to Lapland yet, you can get a small taste of Northern Finland at Lappi Ravintola. While it has a touristy vibe, I found it serene and quiet during my winter visit.
I took the opportunity to try the sauteed reindeer with mashed potatoes and lingonberries. They also offer homemade cranberry juice and cocktails.
Don't skip dessert! I tried a creamy cake made with sea buckthorn, an Arctic berry with a surprisingly unique and bitter taste.
On my February trip, I also tried a recommended cloudberry cocktail and a cloudberry-based dessert. It's generally a good idea to order the menu specialties!
See Where Old Meets New in Töölö
Similar to the Dublin Docklands, Helsinki's Töölö district, about 10 minutes from the Central Station, used to be full of old warehouses.
Today, it's transformed with sleek office buildings and the modern Helsinki Music Centre. Yet, some remnants of the old remain, giving this area a unique look and feel.
Stroll Esplanadi Park
Helsinki's Esplanadi Park is a lovely strip of green stretching from the shopping district to the waterfront. It's a great path for a walk, especially on a sunny day, and an easy landmark to find your way to the Market Square.
Be sure to take a detour to see the stately buildings on Senate Square and admire the nearby Helsinki Cathedral.
Shop for Snacks and Crafts in Helsinki's Market Square
In and around the Market Square (Kauppatori), you'll find various shopping opportunities. Outdoor stalls sell fruit, meals, and both handmade and mass-produced crafts.
I even picked up a nice warm wool hat made by an elderly Finnish woman. When the weather is cold, which is much of the year in Helsinki, retreat indoors to the Old Market Hall for local tasty treats.
Treat Yourself To Finnish Licorice
While exploring the market areas, definitely keep an eye out for Finnish sweet and salted licorice. There are tons of varieties, and it's truly unique to the region. If you enjoy anise, this Finnish variety is a real treat!
Take the Tram to Hakaniemi Market Hall
Helsinki's public transport is excellent. We found that Tram #2 is a great way to see different neighborhoods. We took an easy ride from near the city center to Hakaniemi Market Hall (Hakaniemen kauppahalli).
This hall features a wide selection of crafts. Don't miss the Marimekko outlet on the upper floor!
A day ticket for the tram lets you hop on and off for 24 hours.
Experience the Winter Harbor
If you visit in the colder months, take a walk along the harbor. Seeing a tall ship surrounded by ice and locked in for the winter was quite fascinating and unique.
Watching the commuter ferries come in, gliding through channels they cut in the ice, is something you’ll only see at this time of year.
Toast to Your Trip at Quirky Bar Llamas
After a couple of packed days, take time to grab a cocktail. Quirky Bar Llamas is a great choice. It's full of all sorts of unusual bric-a-brac on the walls, including prosthetic legs, bust sculptures with lampshades, and beads hanging from chandeliers. It has expertly made cocktails and plenty of buzz.
I visited on a Wednesday, and it was packed while other nearby bars were quiet – a sign of its popularity! I toasted a successful trip with a classic margarita. Staying inside and warming up with a drink is always a nice thing to do on a winter trip.
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Helsinki?
I've visited Helsinki in June, September, October, and February, experiencing the city in various seasons.
- Visit in June for extremely long daylight hours and nicer weather. The sun rises around 4 am and doesn't set until almost 11 pm – you're practically in midnight sun territory.
- Autumn (September/October): This is a great time to see the rapidly changing seasons. It's also shoulder season, meaning there are fewer tourists and prices aren't at their peak. I was amazed by how quickly sunrise and sunset times changed over two weeks during one autumn trip.
- Winter (February): Visiting in winter gives you a true local experience. Expect it to be cold, below freezing, and it feels even colder with the wind. I experienced icy cold, rainy, and slushy conditions in February 2024. Despite that, I appreciated the opportunity to explore the city when there were very few tourists around. It's a great time to experience Helsinki's bar and restaurant scene. While challenging due to cold and ice/slush, I still recommend getting outside for a bracing walk – just be sure to bundle up.
Is Helsinki Worth Visiting?
Absolutely! Through my experiences and photos spanning multiple visits, I firmly believe that Helsinki is a fantastic destination for a European city break. The mix of classic and modern architecture, unique food, and hidden gems makes a Helsinki getaway truly one-of-a-kind. I personally recommend doing it!
Where to Next?
Why not extend your city break in Helsinki and take a road trip in Southern Finland? Will you encounter what I thought of as the weirdest place in Finland like I did?
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