Kamppi
0.5 miles from city centre
There are 1001 things to do in Central Kamppi – and here’re four. Sample pints of craft beer at Teerenpeli microbrewery in Narinkka Square. Shop till your knees shake in a trillion different stores. Alternately, pull up a picnic blanket at Old Church Park. When evening falls, expand your mind at the artsy Tennispalatsi’s 3D cinema hall.
Places to stay from £22 per night
Punavuori
0.6 miles from city centre
This come-up district is filled with savvy shoppers. Dubbed part of the “Design District,” you’ll find the best Finnish, Nordic and Scandinavian names here. From pop-ups to permanent, from the quirky to the cool–this maze of stores sells it. Sinebrychoff Park’s not far and it’s lovely for post-shopping picnics.
Places to stay from £51 per night
Kruununhaka
0.6 miles from city centre
Seaside Krunikka offers more than salt-kissed air. Dense, urban and a helix of high-end vintage and up-cycled stores, this area is slice of creative consumerism. Iittala, the benchmark of Finnish glassworks, sells the cutest espresso cups on the planet. Unfurl post-shopping with a plate of bear from a Russian inspired cafe.
Places to stay from £63 per night
Katajanokka
0.9 miles from city centre
Walk Katajanokka’s windy maritime streets. The allure of living in a secluded part of the city drew affluent city dwellers to this district. Succumb to the sight of the beautifully bricked Uspenski Cathedral. In winter, gather your sisu (guts) and do as the locals do: go ice swimming! Or take off on a ferry to Estonia or Sweden.
Places to stay from £15 per night
Taka-Töölö
1.1 miles from city centre
A liveable and lovable borough. Taka-Töölö is set to a backdrop of parkland, and it’s only a stone’s skip from the centre. Wander for hours in Sibelius Park. Töölö Bay is a paradise for sun-seekers and bird-watchers, so you better bring your binoculars. Come winter, Keskuspuisto Park is flecked with cross-country skiers and snow bunnies seeking fresh air.
Places to stay from £64 per night
Kallio
1 miles from city centre
Stop and smell the beard oil. Every hipster magazine on the planet has a spotlight on Kallio. Start-ups, bike mechanics, and DIY musicians rule these roads. This former working class ‘hood is now awash in vintage shops, tattoo parlours, and artisan coffee. On Saturdays, the trendy and indie settle in at Sandro’s for the vegan/veggie brunch.
Places to stay from £121 per night
Kluuvi
0.1 miles from city centre
No country in the world consumes more coffee than Finland. Twin your cup of Joe with a korvapuusti (cinnamon bun) and prepare to shop writ large. Unwrap chocolates at Karl Fazer’s then detour to Stockmann’s for a look into the region’s faddish fashions. Finish your day at elegant Esplanade boulevard, energetic during summer.
Places to stay from £42 per night
Kaartinkaupunki
0.4 miles from city centre
Sleepy, stylish and seaside. Unfurrow your design curiosity at the Design Museum, then pay respects to legendary Alvar Aalto at the neighbouring Architecture Museum. For an afternoon of interior inspiration, peruse Marimekko’s flagship shop just down the road. Then end your day with a nap under the neo-Gothic spires of St. John’s church.
Places to stay from £47 per night
Despite the common misconception that Helsinki is only worth visiting in summer, there's plenty to suggest it's actually a city for all seasons. Thanks to its unrivalled drinking and dining scene, beautiful architecture and innovative design, there's never a shortage of things to see and do.
Enveloped by the Baltic Sea and a colossal archipelago, Helsinki is renowned for its impressive collection of churches and museums, a few of which can be explored via a coastal stroll. Museums are usually easy to spot thanks to their striking exteriors, with Kiasma art museum and the National Museum of Finland offering wonderful examples of contemporary and classical architecture.
The city's Market Square has been a centre of trade for centuries and hosts popular festivals and a huge number of shops. Most outdoor markets are only open in summer but market halls are available all year round. Here you can sample Finnish flavours like herring, cheeses and fried vendace (a freshwater whitefish).
You can also take a ferry over to the former fortress of Suomenlinna, with guided tours available daily and several museums focusing on the island's captivating history. This UNESCO World Heritage Site also include Finland's last remaining WWII submarine, and plenty of scenic picnic spots and cafés.
All flights touch down at Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, located 18 km north of the city. Regular taxis depart from the airport, and there's also a ring rail connection which takes around 30 minutes.
Tonight
From £33 per night
Next weekend
From £63 per night
Most popular time to visit | October–December |
Cheapest time to visit | January–March |
Local currency | € 10 = £8.58 |
Language | Finnish |
Average weekend price | £99 per night |
Average weekday price | £99 per night |
Typical stay | 1 night |
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
2.4 miles from city centre
Helsinki Olympic Stadium
1.2 miles from city centre
Temppeliaukio Church
0.6 miles from city centre
Helsinki Cathedral
0.4 miles from city centre
Helsinki is a very easy City to get around.
8 April 2024
Helsinki is a very easy City to get around. Public transport is very good. A very interesting city, with numerous cultural/historical venues to visit - Sea Fortress, Olympic Stadium, Temppeliaukio Church, Kamppi Chapel, Amos Rex and various museums.
Helsinki is a fantastic city that hides well its treasures.
4 March 2024
Helsinki is a fantastic city that hides well its treasures. Take time to discover it, as well as the surroundings, its subculture, its great specialty and slow food cafes and restaurants, its nature and museums. That does not show immediately but once you start digging, you are up for an exceptional experience
The city is nice, laid-back and full of really nice people.
19 February 2024
The city is nice, laid-back and full of really nice people. But we faced an unfortunate incident where my wife's purse got picked at Senate Square and the entire cash was gone. I later heard that this is common across Helsinki. One should be extremely careful about personal belongings.
The reason I arrived was a live concert i promised myself to...
28 January 2024
The reason I arrived was a live concert i promised myself to go. The weather was not perfect but it wasn’t bad neither. It’s obvious it’s cold in January in Helsinki. There are many nice places to eat. Check the port area for some nice bites.
It's a great little city in the Northern Europe.
15 January 2024
It's a great little city in the Northern Europe. If you expect something magical, than probably better to avoid it. It's freezing cold (-25C is normal in January) so dress properly. To maximize the utility of winter stay, probably try to catch snow. Then Helsinki is magical.
Firstly my only criticism of the hotel was that at breakfast...
14 January 2024
Firstly my only criticism of the hotel was that at breakfast when I went at 9am the hot food was always dry like it had been out on the buffet for a long time rather the replenishing it regularly. The hotel staff were great, very polite and very helpful Helsinki was very interesting I wish I had booked a couple of extra days
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