How should tourists spend their time in Helsinki? Itineraries for 1, 2, and 3 days. What to see with children? Attraction opening hours and admission prices.
Some tourists unfairly call Helsinki a boring and unremarkable city. And in vain — the Finnish capital deserves no less attention than its popular European counterparts. So, what should a traveler see in Helsinki in 1, 2, and 3 days?
Day one: Senate Square and the waterfront
If this is your first trip to Helsinki, it is worth sticking to the classic route: see the Cathedral, Senate Square, and Uspenski Cathedral, stroll along the waterfront, and visit Market Square.
City tram No. 3 departs from the railway station and runs in a loop past the main attractions. When you buy an hourly ticket, you can get off at any stop and then continue your journey. This is very convenient in cold weather.
To get to the famous Cathedral, you need to walk 15 minutes from the city center along Aleksanterinkatu Street. This is a popular meeting place for locals, and in the warm season, crowds of vacationers always sit on its steps. Be warned: the snow-white Lutheran church is not impressive with its rich interior decoration.
After exploring Senate Square with its monument to Alexander II and government buildings, head towards the sea, where you will find the Assumption Cathedral. Then cross the road to Market Square. Here you can enjoy a delicious lunch in the fresh air, do some shopping, and, if the weather is warm, take a walk to Esplanade Park to listen to live music.
What else is there to see in Helsinki in one day? Not long ago, a Ferris wheel was installed on the Helsinki pier, and now, for €12, you can see the entire city from above. Romantic souls should go up to the 14th floor of the Solo Sokos Torni hotel, located next to the railway station, where the Ateljee bar is located, and the terrace offers the best panoramic view of the city. Prices here are high, but the view is worth it. On weekdays, the bar is open until 1 a.m., and on Sundays until midnight.
Day Two: Market Square and Islands
From May to October, pleasure boats run along the islands of Helsinki. Nowadays, the fortress houses a museum. Ferries run every 30-60 minutes from Market Square starting at 6 a.m. The trip to the island takes 15 minutes, and a one-way ticket costs €5. Tourists can see the defensive structures and visit a real World War II submarine. Children will be interested in visiting the toy museum. Children will be interested in visiting the toy museum. Its collection includes 2,000 exhibits.
Admission to the territory is free, museum admission fees range from €2 to €7, and family tickets cost €12-15. All museums are closed in winter, except for the Suomenlinna Museum, which has a permanent exhibition. In summer, cultural and sporting events are often held on the territory of the fortress, and in winter, Christmas concerts are held. There are cafes open for tourists.
What to see in Helsinki with children? We recommend visiting the zoo on Korkeasaari Island. Tickets cost between €6 and €12, and children under 4 years old are free. The zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 4 or 8 p.m., depending on the season. It is better to come in the morning, as after lunch the animals hide in their enclosures.
Another beautiful part of the city worth visiting is Seurasaari Island. Part of the territory is occupied by historical buildings from the 18th-19th centuries. The museum is only open from May to September, and you can get there by bus No. 24 from the central station. Admission is free.
Day Three: Museums and Parks
You can plan a three-day itinerary in Helsinki around museums and parks. Visit the Botanical Garden: you can take a tram from the railway station, or walk there in 15-20 minutes. During the cold season, only the greenhouses are open to visitors. After visiting the garden, you can return to the railway station and walk to the Temppeliaukio Church. If you’re lucky, you can catch a free concert, which takes place here every week.
During the cold season, you can pop into the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art on Mannerheimintie Square in the city center for an hour or two, or visit the Ateneum Art Museum, located opposite Helsinki Central Station.
Those vacationing with children can visit the Linnanmäki amusement park, which has fun rides, or the Sea Life aquarium, which is open all year round. Admission to the park is free, rides cost €8, and some of them are free.
At the end of your trip, it is worth visiting the Jean Sibelius Monument. This is a giant monument made of 600 metal pipes, located half an hour’s drive from the city center in the Teele district. Not far from the monument, on the seashore, is the cozy Regatta café, one of the most popular places in Helsinki.