visit helsinki in one day

• CITY BREAK , HELSINKI

One Day in Helsinki – The Best 1 Day Helsinki Itinerary

• January 23, 2024
• No Comments

1 Day in Helsinki might not seem like much time when, in fact, it’s quite enough to get acquainted with the city. And to help you make the very most of your time, I’ve put together this perfect 1 Day Helsinki Itinerary.

We recently spent just over 24 hours in Helsinki, so we can share what we got up to, and what we consider to be the best things to do in Helsinki in 1 day. We cover all of the Helsinki hotspots, where to eat, sleep, and drink, as well as all of our top tips, to ensure you have the best possible time exploring the city.

Helsinki is an underrated city, bursting with art, culture, nature, and architectural gems. It’s not a place you hear come up in conversation very often, which makes it easy to disregard. But if you’re planning a trip to Finland, I guarantee you won’t regret allocating some time to look around.

Truth be told, we knew very little about the unassuming seaside capital before our  winter trip to Helsinki . So we were quite surprised by just how much there is to see and do. Having planned to spend only one day in Helsinki before moving on to Lapland, it meant we had to be strategic with our time. But by following this exact itinerary, we were able to cover the very best of Heliskini in a day.

If you’re wondering what a typical Helsinki itinerary might look like, think traditional Finish spas, abstract art galleries, cool history museums, and uber-cool cafes.

Sound good? Let’s get to it then. Here’s our tried and tested 1 Day in Helsinki Itinerary.

Disclosure:  Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you purchase a product through these links, we will earn a small commission  at no extra cost to you.  And we can continue bringing you free tips and advice. If you found the content helpful and are kind enough to use our affiliates –  you are awesome, and we thank you! 

Is One Day in Helsinki Enough?

Let’s face it; 24 hours isn’t a lot of time. But if you plan those hours wisely, you should be able to cover all the best things to see in Helsinki in 1 day.

Thankfully, the city is relatively compact and easy to navigate. If you don’t mind walking, you can quickly get around on foot, which means that ultimately you get to see a lot more than you would by taking public transport.

While we felt we could have easily spent longer exploring Helsinki, our wallets were certainly grateful that the trip was short-lived.

It is by far one of the most expensive cities we’ve ever visited. And we lived in London, so that says a lot! If we had any complaints about the city, it would only be that it isn’t at all budget-friendly.

Other than that, we had a truly wonderful time. See our guide to travelling  Helsinki on a budget  if you’re eager to keep the costs down.  

Helsinki Travel Essential Info

With Helsinki being such a unique and exciting city, you’ll find it difficult not to have an incredible time. However, the tips and tricks below can help you make the very best of your winter getaway.

• Save money on public transport, attractions, and restaurants with a Helsinki card .
• Book a hotel or hostel here  or check out these best air bnbs in Helsinki.
• Stay connected in Helsinki with a portable wifi hotspot or a local sim card .
• Get to know the city on a best-selling Helsinki tour .
• Don’t forget travel insurance.

Save Money with a Helsinki Card

Are you going to be visiting all of the cities top attractions and taking full advantage of the public transport network? If yes, you should consider purchasing a  Helsinki Card in advance. 

Where to Stay with One Day in Helsinki

There is no shortage of accommodation options in Helsinki, catering to various budgets and tastes. However, if you only have 24 hours in Helsinki, it makes sense to locate yourself centrally. This way, you can avoid journey time eating into your valuable exploring time. I’ve made some hotel suggestions below, or you can click the link for a list of all hostels, guesthouses, and hotels in the city.

• Hostel & Budget Rooms $ – Cheap Sleep Helsinki
• Mid-Range $$ – Hotel Indigo Helsinki-Boulevard
• Luxury $$$ – Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki

Alternatively, you may look at staying nearby, in which case you can compare hotels here . Or use the Map below to see all your options​:

Best Things to See in Helsinki in 1 Day

I go into quite a lot of detail in this comprehensive Helsinki Itinerary, so if you’re short for time, here’s a quick overview of the best things to do in Helsinki in a day.

• Learn about Finnish history and culture at the National Museum
• Visit the incredible Temppeliaukion Rock Church
• Enjoy a hot drink at Oodi Library Terrace – Possibly the funkiest library in the world.
• Check out some unusual art at the Kiasma Contemporary Museum
• Have a traditional Finnish Sauna
• Enjoy a cinnamon bun at the ‘ insta-famous ‘ Regatta Cafe
• Wander around Sibelius Park

1 Day Helsinki Itinerary

OK, let’s dive into our suggested itinerary for one day in Helsinki. I’ve tried to make it as strategic as possible, so to minimise your travel time, and ensure you experience as much of the city as you can. With just 24 hours, I suggest sticking around the city centre which concentrates most of Helsinki’s major landmarks. However, if you did want to mix it up a bit, I’ve proposed some alternatives further down the article.

Helsinki Free Walking Tour

If you don’t want to explore Helsinki alone, why not join one of the free walking tours. Not only will you cover all the city highlights, but you’ll learn about the history of Helsinki from a licensed local guide. The tours are completely free to join, but be sure to tip your guide generously if you enjoy it!

Book Your Tour: Helsinki Free Walking Tour

Cafe Regatta

Alright, assuming you’ve stayed the night in Helsinki, you’ll want to be up bright and early to ensure you make the very most of your day. If you have breakfast included with your hotel, that’s awesome, but you’ll want to save some room. As our first stop of the day is the Instagram famous Cafe Regatta.

You’re probably wondering why I’m suggesting to start the day here, but I have a good reason. The whole idea of our blog is to give you fantastic advice and recommendations, while at the same time, ensuring you don’t make the same mistakes as we did.

This was one of those mistakes. We visited Cafe Regatta at lunchtime, and the queue was all the way down the street. With such limited time in the city, we couldn’t afford to queue for hours to get in. And of course, a shot ‘ for the gram ‘ was out of the question.

We were disappointed as we’d heard incredible things about the coffee and cinnamon buns at Cafe Regatta. So for now, we will have to live precariously through you. The cafe opens at 8 am, and if you get there early, you can enjoy the magical vibe of this Lapland inspired cafe without the pressure of crowds.

Entrance: Free (must buy something to take a photo)/Allow: 30 mins – 1 hr

Related Read

Sibelius Park & Monument

Next up you can make your way to Sibelius Park where you can take a walk around and burn off some of those cinnamon buns. While the park itself is nothing more than a series of scenic walking trails and green open spaces, the primary attraction is the unusual Sibelius Monument.

Known for his captivating music & symphonies, Jean Sibelius was and still is the most respected Finnish composer of all time. Designed to capture the essence of his music, the Sibelius Monument is an abstract structure of 600 steel tubes. Similar to a pipe organ, the tubes create musical notes using the wind. It’s really quite impressive and a worthy stop on your Helsinki itinerary. 

Entrance: Free/Allow: 30 mins-1 hr

Temppeliaukion Rock Church

In many ways, Helsinki is a futuristic city. Especially their architecture, which is generally quite modern and abstract. The same goes even for their churches, and the Temppeliaukion Rock Church is a prime example. Engineered directly into solid rock, the church is a highlight of our one day in Helsinki.  

You could say that the Rock Church gives a paradox impression. From the outside, it is mysterious and unassuming – just an entrance into a towering pile of rocks. But on the inside, the awe-inspiring dome ceiling, the majestic brass organ, and bright purple seating area create a truly unique display. I’ve never seen a church like it, and I doubt I ever will again.

Entrance:  €3 /Allow: 30 mins

National Museum of Finland

We don’t consider ourselves museums buffs; however, if there’s a national museum, we will generally take the time to go. They are especially useful if you know very little about the country, as they provide a fascinating insight into its history and culture.  

For us to really enjoy a museum, they have to be quite interactive otherwise we lose interest. Thankfully, the National Museum in Helsinki has created a fully immersive and fun experience for all the family. We particularly enjoyed the digital photo booth, which saw our photo end up on the wall next to a wealth of Finnish Kings and Queens.

The only downside about the museum is that it is quite expensive, especially if you’re travelling as a family. A great tip to keep in mind is that the museum is free to enter on Fridays from 4 pm – 6 pm. Other  museums offer free admission  on selected days as well, so keep  this list  saved for when you travel.

Entrance:  €12 /Allow: 1-2 hrs

Oodi Library

• Follow us on Instagram

A short walk from the National Museum is the remarkable Oodi Library. A new addition to Helsinki’s diverse collection of architecture, the multi-storey library has quickly become one of the cities most significant landmarks.

To walk around inside the new age library is free of charge, and it’s worth it to experience the co-existence of literature and digital intelligence. The library acts as a working space on the one hand, with all the mod con technology and quiet areas. On the other, there’s a sprawling library of books that occupies the entire top floor.

Again, Oodi is unlike any other library I’ve ever visited, and you won’t regret stopping by during your 1 day tour of Helsinki.

Entrance: Free /Allow: 30 mins – 1hr

Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

Located directly next door to Oodi Library, The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art sits under the same umbrella as the Finnish National Gallery. As the name suggests, the museum displays a realm of contemporary, and one might even say unusual artwork. 

If it hadn’t been for it being the last Friday of the month when admission to the museum was free, I’m not sure we would have paid to go. We enjoy art in general, but I often don’t understand a lot of contemporary art, and this was certainly the case at Kiasma. I believe the exhibitions rotate frequently, and one of ours involved a film of an animated man removing his body parts. Yes, very bizarre indeed.

I have, however, seen photos of some quite vibrant and captivating exhibitions at Kiasma. So I would suggest checking out  the website  to check what’s on during your time in Helsinki.  

Entrance:  €15 /Allow: 1hr

On your way to lunch, you’re going to walk past the playful landscape of Amos Rex. Amos Rex is an art gallery displaying art from an emerging generation of artists. However, we didn’t go inside. We only admired the domed subterranean galleries that pop up from the ground in Helsinki Plaza.  

Amos Rex is another example of Helsinki’s contemporary and forward-thinking architecture. You’ll often find groups of families and friends here running up the slopes and sliding back down again. The area also makes for some unusual photo opportunities. 

Entrance: Free to visit the outside galleries/Allow: 15 mins

Moomin Cafe

If you’re a 90’s kid, it’s very likely the Moomins played a big part in your childhood. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, the Moomin’s are a fictional troll family created by a Finnish creator named Tove Jansson. Although the family are designed to look like Finnish trolls, I can’t help but think they look white hippos.

Nevertheless, the Moomin’s are a national icon to Finland, like Harry Potter is to England and Hello Kitty to Japan. You’ll find Moomin themed souvenirs and memorabilia all over Helsinki, as well as, you guessed it, a Moomin themed cafe. 

While neither of us was into the Moomins growing up, we were excited to visit the Moomin cafe. So imagine our disappointment when it was closed!   We didn’t have much luck on the cafe front, did we ? Alas, I hope you guys will get to experience the fun-filled cafe, where you can dine with your favourite Moomins and indulge in various sweet treats.

Senate Square & Helsinki Cathedral

Located in the oldest area of Helsinki, you can find some beautiful architecture around Senate Square. Most notable is the Helsinki Cathedral, often referred to as the ‘ white jewel’  of the city. Designed in a traditional neo-classical style, the 17th-century cathedral stands in stark contrast from the contemporary architecture you’ve encountered elsewhere in the city.

While we didn’t experience it ourselves, the cathedral is open for viewing at certain times of the day. Otherwise, walk around the square and admire the other buildings which include the University of Helsinki, the National Library of Finland, and the Government Palace. Afterwards, if you need a coffee, we can recommend Paulig Kulma, a cute little cafe just a 5-minute walk from the square. 

Entrance: Free to walk around the square/Allow: 15-30 mins

Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. Even though we’ve never actually been to Russia, we immediately recognised its resemblance to Russian architecture. Boasting a facade of red brick with golden cupola domes, it’s one of the most beautiful architectural gems we saw during our 24 hours in Helsinki. 

Entrance: Free/Allow: 15-30 mins

Allas Sea Pool Sauna

After an action-packed day in Helsinki, what better way to wind down than to enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna. I’ll be honest; we didn’t end up doing this ourselves. The only reason being that we wanted to save the experience for Lapland. But if this hadn’t of been the case, we would have visited Allas Sea Pool sauna 100%. 

If you aren’t already aware, saunas play a significant role in Finnish culture. Most family homes have them, and they are considered a necessity for a happy and healthy life. Generally, saunas are separate for men and women, and it’s not unusual for locals to get completely naked. Of course, you can to, or you can wear a towel if you feel uncomfortable. Read more on  sauna etiquette in Finland here .

While there are several Finnish saunas in Helsinki, Allas Sea Pool is arguably the most popular. Here you’ll find a variety of saunas and swimming pools, including a heated outside pool that overlooks the ocean. If you’re feeling brave enough, you might even try the local tradition of a hot sauna followed by a cold dip in the seawater pool. Not for the faint-hearted but a memorable experience all the same. 

Entrance:  €14 /Allow: 1-2 hrs

Dinner & Drinks on Kanavaranta

Just a few minutes walk from Allas Sea Pool is Kanavaranta – A coastal strip that boasts a variety of bars and restaurants. It’s the perfect spot to round off the day by enjoying a drink or some food overlooking the water. And if you’re travelling with your other half, why not seal your love with a padlock at the nearby Love Lock Bridge.

For more places to eat and drink in Helsinki see this guide on the best restaurants in Helsinki as well as this nocturnal guide to Helsinki.

Save Time and Book a Tour

For a more local experience, we recommend checking out the guided tours on  Get Your Guide :

Additional things to do 1 Day Helsinki Itinerary

If you have longer than one day in Helsinki, that’s great. You have time to check out some of the less touristy stuff to do in the city, and perhaps even take a day trip to other areas of the country. Here are a few suggestions for inspiration.  

Seurasaari Island

Unbeknown to some, Helsinki is an archipelago of around 330 islands, which means a peaceful getaway from the hustle and bustle is never far away. Seurasaari Island is the easiest of the islands to get to as it isn’t entirely isolated, and you can get there by bus or on foot.  

We had some time spare on the day of our departure from Helsinki, and so we used it to visit Seurasaari Island. Boasting a combination of walking trails, dense forest, and an open-air museum, it was an awesome addition to our Helsinki itinerary.  

Suomenlinna Island

Suomenlinna Island , on the other hand, requires a return ferry journey, and it’s an activity that will cost you most of the day. Having said that, many people consider it to be one of the best things to do in Helsinki, and as I haven’t done it myself, I can’t argue.

The island does appear to be very scenic and beautiful, so if you have the time, I expect it would be worth the trip. Once you’re there, you can explore the island on foot, which is home to a stunning 18th-century fortress and beautiful nature areas. 

Day Trip to Tallinn

If you fancy an easy day trip out of Helsinki, Estonia’s beautiful capital Tallinn is just a 2-hour journey away via ferry. If you book with Get Your Guide you can catch an early boat there and the late boat back, allowing up to 10 hours to explore the charming medieval city.

• Visit Estonia’s capital on an easy day trip and enjoy the comfortable 2-hour ferry ride
• Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town, and shop, eat, and stroll as you please
• Book ahead to secure a place on comfortable crossing times
• Upgrade your comfort to Business Class, which includes food and drinks

Book Your Tour :  From Helsinki: Return Day Trip Ferry Ticket to Tallinn

Sightseeing Boat Cruise

“Head to the water and experience a canal cruise on your visit to Helsinki. Admire the most beautiful shorelines of the city and see many of its top attractions from the comfort of your boat.

You’ll pass by the historic Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, the Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari Island, the impressive fleet of icebreakers, and stunning Degerö Canal.

On this 90-minute ride, you’ll also hear about Helsinki’s fascinating history from the commentary that’s provided during the cruise. Enjoy a refreshing drink, a beer, a glass of sparkling wine, or a cup of coffee and a pastry in the boat’s cafeteria.” 

Book Your Tour :  90-minute Helsinki Boat Sightseeing on Beautiful Canal Route

Tips & Advice for One Day in Helsinki

Here I’ll list some of the travel tips that we accumulated during our stay in Helsinki. Hopefully, they will help you have a hassle-free break in the city.

• Follow us on Youtube

Currency & Exchanging Money in Helsinki

The unit of currency in Finland is the Euro. We recommend travelling with some cash in your pocket; however, if you don’t want to carry large sums, there are several ways to  exchange currency in Helsinki . Though naturally, some are more cost-effective than others.

The easiest option is to withdraw cash directly from an ATM. Some ATMs may ask if you want to proceed  “with or without conversion” . Whatever you do, never proceed with conversion because it leads to disastrous exchange rates. Trust us; we learnt the hard way. Instead, choose to be charged in the local currency, and you’ll receive a far more favourable rate on your conversion.

Another money-saving tip is to carry a  currency card such as Easy Fx  rather than withdrawing money using your debit or credit cards. This way, you can make purchases, withdraw cash and make transfers, all with no international fees. Again, so long as you proceed ‘without conversion.’

Helsinki Budget

As I mentioned earlier, Helsinki is an expensive city. However, if you are sensible with your cash, you could get away with spending £50/$60 a day. We were able to manage this, but we ate cheap, stayed in a hostel, walked everywhere, and were selective about the attractions we spent our money on.  

If you insist on paying for every attraction, eating at fancy restaurants, drinking alcohol, staying at a nice hotel etc. you can expect to triple or even quadruple that budget.

If like us, you are travelling on a tight budget, you might want to check out our  budget guide to Helsinki.  We’ve included a ton of useful tips in there that will allow you to maximise your time in the city, but minimise the cash you spend. 

Getting Around in Helsinki

If you just want to get around the spots on our suggested 1-day itinerary, you can easily do so on foot. But if walking isn’t an option, or you want to travel further afield, your best bet will be to take public transport. The public transport in Helsinki is reliable, albeit a little expensive, and consists of trams, buses, trains, and the metro.  

We only used public transport twice, and that was to get to & from the airport. But, if you plan to use public transport regularly, it’s worthwhile purchasing a  Helsinki Card . The card not only includes unlimited access to the cities transport network, but you’ll also get free entry at many of the cities museums and top attractions, as well as discounted dining, shopping, and tours.

For more in-depth info, see this article about  getting around in Helsinki . It gives extensive information regarding the different modes of transport, including getting to & from Suomenlinna Island.

The Best Time to Visit Helsinki

Though you’ll find plenty of things to do and a great atmosphere all year round, the best time to visit Helsinki is during the summer months of June, July and August. During this time you can expect ideal conditions for sightseeing, and the days are long, which is perfect if you’re only visiting for a day or 2.  

Of course, the downside is that the summer can often be the busiest and most expensive time to travel. So if you want to avoid that, try to go at the very beginning or end of the season. That way, you get all the positives, such as good weather and affordable accommodation, but without the bad stuff like crowds and inflated prices.  

We visited  Helsinki in Winter , and I expect several of you will be doing the same if you’re heading to Lapland afterwards. Thankfully we had all the right gear to keep us warm, and we thoroughly enjoyed the magical winter vibes. We only wished that the days were longer so that we could fit more into our schedule.

Staying Safe in Helsinki

In short, Helsinki, and Finland in general, is exceptionally safe. So much so, Finland often finds it’s way into the  top 20 of the safest countries in the world . That’s not to say crimes never happen. But they are rare and can often be avoided by exercising caution.

Like many places, theft and pickpocketing pose the biggest risk to tourists. We suggest  keeping your belongings close to you at all times  and use a small padlock or compartmental bag to keep your valuables safe.

Although  we never once felt unsafe in Helsinki , when travelling at night, it’s sensible to avoid being alone in parks or dimly lit areas.  

For  LGBT Travellers in Finland , there is little risk of hate crime; however, you may find rural areas to be more conservative than the bigger cities.

Drinking water in Helsinki  is not only safe to drink but delicious as well!

Get the best deals on travel insurance!

If you become sick or injured, those medical bills can really add up. Or perhaps you have your bag stolen, or a flight cancelled.  Although these events are unlikely, they do happen, and having travel insurance gives you that extra piece of mind that you are protected. 5% Discount for our readers using the button below! (discount applicable for non-American citizens).

Did you Enjoy our One Day in Helsinki Itinerary?

Let us know . That concludes  One Day in Helsinki – The Best 1 Day Helsinki Itinerary.  We hope you enjoy your time in this fascinating city. If you have any questions or feel we have missed anything, please reach out to us in the comment section below.

Stay adventurous and Happy travels.

Planning a trip around Finland? Check out our Finland series  for more travel tips and advice. 

PIN IT FOR LATER

Sharing is caring ♥

Related Posts

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

We’re Charlotte & Natalie, a British lesbian couple with a passion for travel and adventure.

Here you will find everything from lgbtq+ travel & lifestyle advice, to comprehensive guides and itineraries designed to make your travel planning easier., we want to inspire you to live the life of your dreams..

💌 Get discounts & updates in our monthly newsletter

Find Hotels Via Booking.com

Book Tours & Activities Via GetYourGuide

Get Travel Insurance Via Heymondo

Get discounts & updates in our monthly newsletter

Destinations

LGBTQ+ Lifestyle

Start A Blog

Teach English

Digital Nomad

Privacy Policy

Guest Posts

Work With Us

© 2022 Our Taste For Life Blog – All Rights Reserved. Website Designed by us via Fresh Creatives

One Day in Helsinki Itinerary – How to Spend a Perfect Day in Helsinki, Finland

The capital of Finland, also known as “The White City of The North”, nestles on the Gulf of Finland and overlooks more than 300 islands. Founded in 1550 under the name Helsingfors, Helsinki’s main purpose was as a trade competitor to Tallinn. It stayed a small fishing village until the 16th century when Russians took an interest in the Baltics. Finland was annexed to Russia as an autonomous Grand Duchy, and in 1812 Helsinki became Finnish capital. The 20th century started a little rough with the Finnish Civil War and the Winter War with the Soviet Union, but in the 1970s Finland went through rapid urbanization and Helsinki’s population tripled. Travelers spending one day in Helsinki can enjoy the remains of history, delicious cuisine, and astonishing architecture.

GUEST POST BY ROMI R. BLOG: Medium

What’s the best time to visit Helsinki ?

If the weather plays a significant part in your decision, the best time for your 24 hours in Helsinki is in the summer. From June to August , days are the longest, the attractions are open later, and the surrounding flora is in complete bloom.

The fall months of September to November are visually stunning with crimson, gold and orange colors taking over the city, but the weather starts to get unpredictable.

From December to March temperatures get quite cold, but there is still plenty of activities. From the famous Finnish saunas to ice water jumping, if you dare. If you want to experience real Finland and don’t mind the cold, winter is the best time to visit, with plenty of typical Helsinki things to do. 

A few facts about Helsinki

• Readers digests “dropped” 192 wallets with cash and cards around the world, with 12 in every city. Helsinki deemed to be the most honest city in the world, with its citizens returning 11 out of 12 wallets.
• Helsinki is the world’s coldest capital, with a yearly average of a whopping 0 degrees celsius.
• The water quality is so high in Helsinki that the country sells it to the rest of the world.
• There is no snow in central Helsinki because the city government heats the roads so the snow and ice melt.

One Day in Helsinki Itinerary

There are plenty of things to do in Helsinki, but if you’re only taking a short trip and want to make the best out of your Helsinki itinerary, here’s a list of best things to do in Helsinki in a day.

Start Your Day at The Kamppi Chappel

Your first stop of the day will most likely be the Helsinki Central Station, where you’ll either arrive from the airport, or with a train. Start your day meditating at the Kamppi Chappel also known as the “ Chappel of Silence .” The wooden structure stands out with its delicate simplicity. Pause for a few minutes and reflect, communicate your gratitude and step out into the world with a newfound appreciation for life and travel.

After your enlightenment, step into Mori Cafe for a delicious coffee and a healthy acai bowl! For those wanting to check-in to a hotel before beginning their 24 hours in Helsinki, check out the Hotel F6 , located in the best area to stay in Helsinki – Kaartinkaupunki.

Visit the Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

Walk east from the chappel and try to pronounce your next stop’s Finnish name – Helsingin Tuomiokirkko. Before you master the pronunciation you will reach the Cathedral. If you prefer taking the tram, head to Lasipalatsi station and take the number 4 to Tove Jansson’s park.

Originally built as a tribute to the Tsar Nicolas I of Russia, after the independence of Finland, the Helsinki Cathedral remained a major landmark and a site for celebrations.

Architect Carl Ludvig Enge designed both, the Cathedral and the Senate Square located in front of it. Check out the neoclassical interior, and don’t worry about the entrance fee. The entrance is free ! While they were always known around the world, in 1999 the Cathedral and Senate Square gained extra international fame when they were featured in the opening sequence for Darude’s  “Sandstorm” video.

Admire The Uspenski Cathedral

Since you’re on a church tour, take a short walk from the Cathedral to another famous Helsinki landmark – The Uspenski Cathedral, the main Cathedral of the Finland Orthodox Church . Designed by the Russian architect Aleksey Gornostayev and built around 1868, the Cathedral is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Its name comes from the old word “Uspenie” meaning “Dormition” which stands for the passing of the Virgin Mary from the earthly life. There is no entry fee for the Uspenski Cathedral, and it’s definitely one of the most interesting things to see in Helsinki, so don’t miss a chance to do so.

Have Lunch And Shop at The Old Market Hall

Vanha Kauppahalli or Old Market Hall is just a short walk west from the Uspenski Cathedral. It is a must-do in Helsinki, especially if the weather is not on your side. You can warm up with a salmon soup and try the salmon sandwich on rye or some deer meat.  Shop for souvenirs as you stroll through the historic building. The best thing about the experience is that it is one of the more affordable places to eat in Helsinki, so if you’re looking for top things to do in Helsinki on a budget, the Old Market Hall is a perfect cozy stop on your Helsinki itinerary.

Take A Ferry to Suomenlinna Island

You will find the ferry port in front of the Old Market, the ferries are frequent and it only takes 15 minutes to reach the Island. You can buy the ferry tickets from any Helsinki City Transportation service points or from the vending machine at Market Square. It’s easy to spend a whole day here, but if you have one day in Helsinki, walk around the fortress just to get a taste of the history.

Suomenlinna is one of the largest sea fortresses in the world, and a UNESCO world heritage site. It was built as a protection point all the way back in the 18th century. Spend some time here, but be wary of time. The fortress is captivating with its superiority, but there’s a lot more of Helsinki to see.

Lose Yourself in The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

Once you return from Suomenlinna Island, take the number two tram from Salutorget station to Lasipalatsi and step into the interactive world of Kiasma. Architect Steven Holl built the Museum guided by light, and you can clearly see it the moment you step into the building. The name Kiasma comes from a Greek word that means “ intersection of optical nerves .” The museum allows for interaction with the art, as well as the people.

Often you will see visitors interacting with each other and you might meet new artsy friends yourself. Each of the 25 galleries has a different treatment of natural light and the building is arranged with hidden curvy details. Try to find as much as you can! Tickets will cost you around 11€, but every first Friday of the month is completely free!

Check Out The Finlandia Hall

You’ll find The Finlandia Hall seven-minutes north from the Kiasma museum. Designed by Alvar Aalto the bright stylish hall hosts events, concerts, and meetings for the whole country. The building blends perfectly with the surrounding scenery and the interior is a blend of asymmetry and nature. Stop by for a coffee in the Cafe Veranda and if you have time, check out the public art gallery!

Step Down Into The Temppeliaukio Church

Walk just five minutes across from the Finlandia Hall to the Temppeliaukio Church, also known as “ The Rock Church ” because of its unique location, in a rock. That’s right, the Suomalainen brothers designed the Lutheran church right in the middle of a massive rock and it’s one of the most interesting places to see in Helsinki. The church bathes in the natural light combined with the excellent acoustics created by the rock surface. There are no bells at the church, but the recording of bells plays through loudspeakers. The entrance costs 3€, and you can check out the top floor for free.

Stop By The Sibelius Monument

The Sibelius Monument , dedicated to Jean Sibelius, a famous Finnish composer, won’t take much of your time but it is worth seeing.  Take the bus from Kauppakorkeakoulut station, maybe write that down, and ride to Tölö Bibliotek station that is by the Sibelius Park. The wave-like monument resembling organ pipes was made by Eila Hiltunen and it’s a really cool photo opportunity. If you have time check out the Cafe Regatta down by the shore and grill your own sausage!

Have Drinks At Hotel Torni Atelje Bar Rooftop

Rooftops are always a perfect way to end a sightseeing day and this bar should be on your list of fun things to do in Helsinki. Take the 24 bus down to Erottaja station and you will find the Hotel Torni , the rooftop is the perfect sunset spot , but even if you don’t make it by sunset, it has fabulous views of Helsinki at night. Take the elevator all the way to the top floor and then take the stairs up. The bar is open all year round, but it’s best to go in the summer so you can enjoy the outdoor patio. Try the Mojito!

Have Dinner And a Try a Finnish Sauna

By now you’re going to be ready for a nice dinner, so try the Löyly restaurant that doubles as a sauna. Located at the waterfront, it’s a beautiful way to end your day in Helsinki. The place is open all year round, but make sure to reserve your table and sauna spot online. A two-hour sauna session costs 19€ and it’s totally worth it! If you have the courage, you can jump into the Baltic Sea in January, as the Finns do. Don’t forget to bring your bathing suit!

Go Out to Kallio

Once you’re relaxed from a nice dinner and a trip to the sauna, if you have the energy to go out, the local favorite is the Kallio district. You can take the tram or the subway and be there in less than 15 minutes. If you’re looking for a hotel in Kallio, a good choice is CheapSleep Helsinki an affordable hostel close to all the bars, such as the popular Bar Molotow where you can enjoy a fair priced beer or, if you want to stay out to the early morning,  Kuudes Linja nightclub! If you prefer to stay in the downtown area, try Gate A21 cocktail bar , where you can enjoy the crafty cocktails till the late hours!

Where to Stay in Helsinki

Now that you’ve figured what to see in Helsinki in one day, we can help you with the hotels. If you have an early flight and want to stay close to the airport, that’s an option, but if you are trying to see the most of your Helsinki itinerary, here are a few hotels we recommend.

Hotel Katajanokka

Merikasarminkatu 1 A, Katajanokka, 00160 Helsinki

A very interesting hotel with an even more interesting restaurant. Located on Katajanokka island, near the Uspenski Cathedral, this hotel used to be a prison. The comfortable rooms, and the new decor still play off the prison story, but with plenty of added comfort. If you’re a lover of unique stays with an amazing backstory, this is a hotel for you!  Free sauna and the gym definitely do not feel like a prison, but check it out for yourself because you can say you’ve been in prison, without the uncomfortable part!

BOOK A ROOM HERE

Fabianinkatu 6, Kaartinkaupunki, 00130 Helsinki

Hotel F6 is in the best area of Helsinki and you will receive comfy bathrobes and slippers as soon as you check-in. Close to the attractions, restaurants, bars and the central station, Hotel F6 is an ideal choice for travelers looking not to waste any time in Helsinki. Design lovers will love this hotel due to its unusual approach! All the shopping is in your backyard, so if you want to treat yourself, you don’t have to go far.

Cheap Sleep Helsinki

Sturenkatu 27, 00510 Helsinki

In the midst of all the nightlife, Cheap Sleep Helsinki offers the most affordable, but comfortable accommodation in Helsinki. Close to bars, nightclubs and live music combined with a shared lounge makes this hostel a favorite of the travelers looking to meet new people and party in Helsinki. Great staff, good atmosphere, and great security features. If you’re looking for a decent price, Cheap Sleep is the way to go.

Best Day Trips From Helsinki

45 minutes east of Helsinki rests The idyllic town of Porvoo. The second oldest city in Finland and a UNESCO world heritage site is also accessible by a steamboat. The river flows through the city where you can see the cute red houses painted in honor of the arrival of the Swedish king Gustav III. Cobbled streets, quaint shops, and small adorable cafes make Porvoo one of the best day trips from Helsinki. They even call it an Instagram paradise!

The medieval European historic city along the Aura river is about a two-hour drive from Helsinki. You can enjoy the tango, music, art, dance and medieval festivals in the summer and visit the Turku Castle. In the winter, you can experience the Christmas market by the main cathedral. Like Helsinki, Turku has a contemporary art museum (maybe you can compare the two) as well as a museum of art. Spend the day exploring Turku and it’s Old Town and try out one of the restaurants along the shore of the Aura river.

Overnight Cruise to Stockholm

Just like you can book a cruise from Stockholm to Helsinki, you can do so the other way around. Party all night long, wake up in a Stockholm, explore it and come back the next day. The cruise has karaoke, bars with live music and a Finnish sauna! You can check out the one day Stockholm itinerary here.

A shuttle ferry takes you to the capital of Estonia in just two hours. Explore Tallinn and check out the Alexander Nevsky Catedral, the Tallinn city wall and the Danish King’s garden, among many other sites and attractions. Get lost in the Old Town’s secret passages, over 300 are now open to the public. Sip on Estonian coffee in Maiasmokk cafe that opened its doors in 1864!

Extra tips for visiting Helsinki

Buy a daily ticket for 8€ – you can buy one at the airport. It’s valid for your trip to the city center as well as trams, buses, metro, and the public ferry.

Rent a bike for 5€ a day – you can find yellow bikes all over the city, although some hotels will supply you with bikes as well!

Visit Helsinki at the end of August – you will get to be a part of the Helsinki Festival, the largest multi-arts festival in Finland.

The Helsinki Card – The Helsinki card covers all your public transport costs and you can enter a lot of sites for free. You can buy a 1,2 or 3-day card and it is an investment you will see a return on!

Pin for later!

If you have any other propositions for this One Day in Helsinki Itinerary, feel free to share it in the comments below!

Make sure you have everything you need

What to pack for your next trip.

Make your next trip as simple and as enjoyable as possible by packing smart. It’s amazing how much stress top travel items can save you, so choose carefully. Things like lightweight travel backpacks, for example, are ideal for short trips and allow you to move around with ease, and a passport holder will make sure you keep your documents safe at all times. Check our travel checklist guide for 2021 to make sure you haven’t missed anything, and travel to your next destination in style and with maximum comfort.

Related posts:

Romi is a llama coach from Split, Croatia. This sounds made up but it’s true. ​She lived in Toronto, Canada for about ten years, give or take, but she wasn’t working with llamas. She was working in PR, restaurants, daycares, one yoga clothing store. She doesn't know how she got that job as she has never done yoga at that point. She taught English in Colombia and Vietnam. Traveled the world for two years. Then she got into writing. Actually, she was always writing, but then someone paid her to write. Then more people paid because they saw she was making them money. Then it became a thing she does for a living. And here we are now. Specializing in travel, real estate, and digital nomad guides, familiar with SEO, and always ready to learn something new so she can branch out and take over the world.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

How to see Helsinki in one day: best things to do and walking route

Helsinki, the beautiful capital of Finland, has plenty to see and do, but what are the must-sees if you’re only in Helsinki for a short time? Here’s how to see the best attractions in Helsinki in one day.

When I visited Helsinki, I was keen to keep costs down by spending only two nights in the city, which meant we only had one full day to visit the top sights. It’s an approach that I’ve used before in the pricey Nordic countries – most notably in Norway where we crammed a visit to Bergen, a tour of the fjords, the Bergen to Oslo railway and a day in Oslo into a 3-night trip. While the Finnish capital has lots to see and do – easily enough for a longer trip – the must-see sights in Helsinki are easy to see in one pleasant, chilled out day.

Helsinki is relatively small, and most of the city’s attractions are within walking distance of each other. If you only have one day in Helsinki, here’s an itinerary that’ll help you make the most of your sightseeing time in Finland’s capital.

This post contains affiliate links – all that means is that if you buy something as a result of clicking on a link in the post, I’ll receive a small commission that helps me with the costs of running this site. Thanks!

Helsinki sightseeing itinerary in one day

Here are all the best things to do in Helsinki, and how to see them in the shortest time.

This guide covers:

• The art nouveau Helsinki Central Station

Parliament and National Museum of Finland

Temppeliaukion rock church, ham helsinki art museum, kamppi chapel, lasipalatsinaukio square and amos rex.

• Esplanadi park and shopping area
• Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral
• Harbour and archipelago boat tour
• The waterfront

Allas Sea Pool

• Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral
• The ice breaker ships and Tar Island

More things to do in Helsinki

Helsinki railway station.

Start your day in Helsinki at the stunning Art Nouveau Central Station. If you’ve flown into Helsinki Airport, direct trains take you straight here. If you’ve arrived by ferry by Tallinn or Stockholm, it’s just a short tram ride away or around 30 minutes on foot. If you haven’t checked into your hotel yet or if you’re just here for the day, there are luggage lockers available. Outside, the station is covered in pink Finnish granite and is tremendously impressive. Don’t miss the clock tower and the huge “lantern carrier” statues at the main entrance.

From Central Station, walk north along Mannerheimintie, passing the imposing Finnish Parliament building and turn left at the National Museum of Finland. With only one day in Helsinki there isn’t much time to visit these two buildings, but both are very impressive from the outside. When we visited Helsinki there was an interesting vintage market in the small park outside the National Museum.

From here it’s just a few minutes’ walk to the Temppeliaukion Rock Church, one of Helsinki’s top attractions.

Temppeliaukio Church is also known as the Church of the Rock, or the Rock Church, and with good reason – the entire space the church occupies was dug out from solid rock in the 1960s. It’s topped with a copper dome, surrounded by skylights which bathe the church in gorgeous shards of natural light.

The Church of the Rock is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki, and is at the top of most visitors’ must-see lists. It’s also a popular venue for concerts, thanks to its excellent acoustics, with several musical events each week. Tickets to visit the church are just 3 Euro – make sure you check opening times in advance.

From the Rock Church, walk down Fredrikinkatu towards HAM and Kamppi Chapel.

If you’re interested in art, then a visit to HAM , the Helsinki Art Museum is a must. The museum and all the works inside belong to the people of Helsinki, plus a range of works that are on loan to schools, hospitals, libraries and other public spaces, so they can brighten everyone’s day.

Even if you’re not an art buff, HAM’s building, the Tennis Palace, is still worth a look. It was built for the 1940 Olympics which were cancelled because of the outbreak of World War II. It did eventually host events during the 1952 Summer Games.

When we visited, there was a giant seagull sculpture on the roof of the Tennis Palace – a fun and quirky sight.

From HAM, take a left into the open spaces of the Narinkkatori shopping plaza to see another of Helsinki’s most interesting attractions, the Kamppi Chapel.

A shopping centre and a chapel designed for peace and reflection might seem like strange neighbours, but in Helsinki, they go together perfectly. Kamppi Chapel is a serene, wooden chapel, dropped into a busy square and open to everyone. The materials are simple, but the effect is very powerful.

The next Helsinki attraction is just around the corner in Lasipalatsinaukio Square.

Lasipalatsinaukio is one of Helsinki’s strangest attractions. The surface of the square is covered in paved mounds, which the local children love running up and down. These mounds are actually the roof of another art gallery, the brand new (and almost entirely underground) Amos Rex . The gallery hadn’t yet opened when we visited in August 2018, but we did enjoy having a quick rest in the otherworldly landscape its roof has created.

Turn back onto Mannerheimintie street, and head for the large Swedish Theatre, which sits at the head of Helsinki’s grandest street, Esplanadi.

Visiting Esplanadi and enjoying the park, open-air events and shops of this elegant area is one of the best things to do in Helsinki, and even if you’re rushing to see Helsinki in one day, it’s worth pausing here for a moment to see what’s going on.  When we visited there was a pop-up food festival with interesting stalls lining the park’s central avenue. The famous Marimekko design shop is just around the corner as well.

At the end of Esplanadi nearest the harbour, you’ll find the beautiful Havis Amanda statue, depicting a mermaid rising from the waves, surrounded by sea lions. It was placed here in 1908 and is intended to represent the revival of Helsinki.

Before you visit the harbour and take a boat tour, double back on yourself and head up the hill to Senate Square and Helsinki’s beautiful Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral.

Helsinki Cathedral

It’s important to distinguish which cathedral you’re visiting, as Helsinki has two – one Evangelical Lutheran, one Finnish Orthodox. The two stately buildings face each other across the harbour, and although they’re very different, they’re both absolutely beautiful.

The Evangelical Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral is a gorgeous white building, which at sunset reflects the colours in the sky. It’s topped with five green domes, four of which are dotted with golden stars.

From Helsinki Cathedral, head back towards the harbour, and if you have time, take a boat tour of the harbour and Helsinki’s archipelago.

Harbour, archipelago and canal boat tour

Like Stockholm , Helsinki is protected from the open sea by an archipelago of small, rocky islands, some of which have holiday homes, fishing cabins and summer retreats. They look so idyllic – who wouldn’t want to spend time on a beautiful island with your own seaplane?

As we got closer to the city, the rustic cabins gave way to ultra-luxurious houses. Getting out into the archipelago is a fabulous way to understand Helsinki a little better.

Waterfront and harbours

When you get back from your boat trip, take a walk around the waterfront area. Helsinki has a number of harbours – from the main harbour which is large enough for naval ships, cruise ships and ferries, to smaller inlets for fishing boats and yachts.

Enjoying a sauna and a dip in the sea is part of everyday Finnish culture, and Helsinki residents and tourists alike can take part in the tradition at Allas Sea Pool . There are three saunas and several pools, one of which is filled with sea water. If you don’t have time for a dip, there’s a relaxing cafe with a great view of the harbour, waterfront and the two cathedrals.

Uspenski Cathedral

Helsinki’s other cathedral is Uspenski Cathedral , the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. Built with Russian influences from red brick, it has a very different style to the Lutheran cathedral across the harbour. The two beautiful churches face each other across the water, each on their own hills, rising above the rest of the city centre.

Uspenski Cathedral is free to visit, but be sure to check in advance that there isn’t a service taking place.

Ice breaker ships and Tar Island

If you visit Helsinki in the summer (and it’s a wonderful time to come, with long days for sightseeing and lovely weather), then you’ll be able to see the Finnish ice breaker fleet. During the winter these ships play a vital role in keeping shipping routes open between Finland, Sweden and Russia.

If you are visiting Helsinki during the warmer months, you’ll find the ships moored on Merikasarmin laituri. There’s a really good view of them from Tervasaari (Tar Island), a pretty island park which also has lovely views of Uspenski Cathedral.

If you decide to spend more than one day in Helsinki, two days would give you plenty of time to visit the Suomenlinna fortress, on an island in Helsinki’s harbour. You could also visit some of Helsinki’s attractions that are a little further outside the city centre, like the Sibelius monument , or enjoy a traditional Finnish sauna .

Three or more days in Helsinki would allow you to take a day trip to Estonia’s capital Tallinn . Ferries operated by Viking Line, Tallink Silja and Eckerö Line make the journey across the Gulf of Finland in just over 2 hours, 12 times a day. Tallinn is one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities and is well worth the trip.

Pin it for later!

Save for later or share with a friend

12 thoughts on “How to see Helsinki in one day: best things to do and walking route”

Such resourceful blog. Than you! We will be visiting Helsinki in June, and just for one day (21 hours layover). We really want to see Suomenlinna. How long we should expect to spend there? I just want to do the tour and walk around. Will be with kids ages 10 and 8. Is this reasonable or it takes to much time of the day and we should just do canal tour? Thank you.

Thank you! Glad you found it useful 🙂 I didn’t have time to go to Suomenlinna but wanted to see Helsinki from the water after we’d done the same in Stockholm. The ferry to Suomenlinna takes 20 minutes each way, and then the tour is about an hour, so a visit will be minimum 2 hours but probably closer to 3 or 4. I think it depends what else you want to see in Helsinki, for me the rock church and the Kampii chapel were my priority so we had to miss out on Suomenlinna but it does look amazing! And in June you’ll have plenty of daylight to enjoy your visit. Hope you and your family have a wonderful time in Helsinki!

I visited Helsinki a couple of zears ago, but in the vinter time. I see it looks great also when it is warmer, great informative post. Will come useful for mz next trip up there 🙂

Hesinki’s fantastic in the summer – beautiful light and everyone’s really loving being outside. I hope you get to visit in the warm weather as well.

That Kamppi Chapel is wild — I have never been inside anything like that! Looks like you had a very full day of exploring and there seems to be some very cool architecture throughout the city!

It’s really cool, the thing I liked most about it was that it’s an oasis of calm right outside a shopping centre. Helsinki’s a great city to visit if you’re interested in architecture.

I love the architecture. Especially the seagull face, hehe. Great guide-this gets me excited to visit one day!

Thank you, I hope you get to visit soon!

Helsinki looks so cool with so much interesting architecture! I especially like that rock church!!

It’s really cool, I was so surprised because I really wasn’t expecting to like Helsinki so much!

Wow, you really saw a lot in just one day! How cool is that rock church?! I really want to visit Finland, so this blog will be a great resource when I eventually make it there. 🙂

Thank you, I hope you get to visit soon, Helsinki is really awesome.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

About Helen

Visiting Castello Aragonese on the island of Ischia, Italy

How to take the perfect day trip to bath from london.

Helsinki in One Day: Your Perfect Itinerary for 24 Hours in Helsinki

February 7, 2020

Make the most of one day in Helsinki with our itinerary for 24 hours in Finland’s cool capital.

We have one itinerary that covers the classic tourist attractions. And another itinerary based on tips from Helsinki locals. Moomins and saunas await. Each within a single day. 

As local Antti puts it, “Helsinki doesn’t just show you its secrets. You have to work a bit to get to know it, but that’s very rewarding.”

Table of Contents

Can You See Helsinki in One Day?

Yes! Well, not entirely, obviously. But you can have a great day and see plenty of the city. Finland’s icy capital rewards visitors with a compact centre and hot design. Snack on cloudberries and lingonberry cocktails in chrome bars, nourish your mind with modern museums, then strip off to join the locals in a traditional sauna. All possible in Helsinki in one day.

Just one day in Helsinki. In winter? No problem. Let’s go!

Helsinki in One Day: Classic Sights

How this itinerary works.

This 24 hour itinerary includes classic Helsinki attractions as well as a few unusual spots. I’ve divided suggestions into three blocks: morning, afternoon and evening. 

That way, you can easily slice and dice it depending on what time you arrive in the city. The recommended activities and places to eat flow within the itinerary. At the end, I’ve suggested some other places which don’t fit quite as neatly into this one day in Helsinki plan. If you have more time (or really want to miss one thing for another) then swap around as you prefer.

Also, as an exciting bonus, we have a one day in Helsinki itinerary for you curated wholly by locals via the ever excellent Spotted by Locals team.  

However you want to see the city, we have you covered!

Disclosure – If you book or buy through some of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Morning in Helsinki

Button up against the cold and stride out to see Helsinki’s classic landmarks. Luckily, they’re clustered close together and walkable with the right footwear.

Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Helsinki has the glacial Helsinki Cathedral. It’s served as the city’s landmark since its completion in 1852 and the Senate Square gives the building space to breathe (and visitors space to selfie.)

Torikorttelit Historical Centre

Warm up with cosy cafes in the narrow streets of Torikorttelit, Helsinki’s historical centre. Take your fill of design shops here (you may not be able to explore the Design District fully with only one day in Helsinki as it’s a little further away.)

Walk on to…

Uspenski Cathedral

In contrast to the white and aquamarine of Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski roars in blood red and deep green. It’s one of the largest Orthodox Churches in Western Europe and home to many icons and paintings. 

Optional: if you decide the afternoon plan is not for you, then walk from Uspenski Cathedral to Market Square to hop on a sightseeing cruise. This may work better as a summer option, however…

Esplanade Park

Known as “Espa” locally, this main city walkway runs between Erottaja square and Market Square and makes a good place for a stroll. 

Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi streets make up the north and south borders.

Stockmann Department Store

The self-proclaimed biggest department store in the whole Nordic region, Stockmann’s covers several floors and glitters in the winter lights of Helsinki. Worth a quick look but then move on.

Lunch: Three Options in Helsinki

With only one day in Helsinki, it pays to combine lunch with another activity.

Here are three suggestions:

• Eat at the small café at the Deign Museum. As the World Design Capital 2012, Helsinki is no stranger to the idea that good ideas are good ideas.
• The Old Market Hall – running since 1889, find a wide range of local delicacies like salmiakki (salted liquorice) and sweet cinnamon Pulla. Grab and go or sit down at one of the many cafes and restaurants.
• Hietalahti Market Hall – this gourmet street food market lives in a cute old fashioned building a little way out of town. Food is international, though, so for local dishes, check out the One Day in Helsinki Like a Local Guide.

Afternoon in Helsinki

Swap tradition for modernity by taking in a series of world-class museums with astonishing structural design.

Helsinki Central Station

This deserves a shout out for its Art Nouveau exterior and useful point as a meeting place. It’s just a short walk past the station to a complex of four interesting buildings connected by a rather dreary flat square.

Oodi Library with Swirling Designs

Described as a “living meeting place,” Helsinki’s Central Library is an inspiring, uplifting, brilliant piece of community architecture. Check out the events page or just walk below its curving roof and clear glass angles. Look for the double staircase inside that creates an optical illusion of a spiral.

Helsinki Music Centre

Great for a concert and worth a quick look as it’s so close to the Oodi library. A café and crossing staircase show Helsinki’s flair for design again.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Enjoy the building of this Contemporary Art Museum as much as the exhibits inside, with its curving walls, walkways and windows.

National Museum of Finland

This beautiful Art Nouveau building presents Finnish history from prehistoric times to the 19 th century. The most interesting part is the exhibition on Sibelius, the great Finnish composer, and the jewellery collection.

That’s all you’ll have time for with only one day in Helsinki, but I’ve gathered a list of other cool museums further down in the article.

Evening: Sauna with the Locals

Sauna (pronounced S-OW-nuh) is BIG in Helsinki. Indeed, in the whole of Finland.

It’s not some tepid, add-on afterthought as it is in the gyms and swimming pools of the UK and beyond.

It’s  the  social activity, bordering on  the  reason for being.

Friends sauna together, strangers sauna together. Work colleagues sauna together.

I’ve visited Finland for work on two occasions now and each time, the first proper meeting took place in the sauna.

You have to try it! (Obviously, within the caveats of not having low blood pressure, pregnancy, etc etc, and all the usual medical caveats involved when searching online.

Do You Really Have to Sauna Naked in Finland?

Traditionally, people sauna in the nude in Finland. But Helsinki has taken pity on her foreign visitors and allows swimsuits at most public saunas to ease you into it.

Sauna at Löyly 

I’d highly recommend Löyly in Helsinki for a number of reasons:

• It’s beautifully made of fresh wood and clean design
• You can book in advance (in fact you should)
• It’s close to the sea, which becomes important for the next part

How Does Sauna Work ?

• First, you put your coat and boots into a communal locker before you pay. Finland is designed for people to battle with the snow and so cloakrooms are plentiful and work well.
• At reception, you pick up a towel, cloth mat and key with rubber ankle band. Note, don’t make my mistake and put it around your wrist. That just makes you stand out. As if the rest of it didn’t.
• Changing rooms are segregated by gender, so change into your swimwear and put everything into the locker. Yes, everything. It’s not the place for a mobile phone or camera. Or book. Or anything except…
• All the local women brought cotton robes, flip flops, hairbrush, make up remover and moisturiser as these aren’t supplied.
• Take the towel and cotton mat and head into the communal area. Hang your towel on a hook for later and use the mat to sit on in the sauna itself.
• Get hot in the sauna
• Walk into the Baltic Sea (even below freezing in winter.)
• Traditionally, the idea is to rinse and repeat up to 6-8 times. In between, you can get water in a reusable plastic cup or order food. Although the setup suggests low-carb sprig-light salads, the way the locals prefer is to order a portion of chips with pickle, sliced chorizo-like sausage and mustard.
• The whole session lasts two hours and then it’s time to shower and change and head either out to the bar or off home.

Unlike the UK, sauna rooms are dark, smell nice and people chat. In fact, it’s closer to a pub atmosphere than anything else. Except hotter. Much hotter. There’s no timer or clock and people tend to stay in the sauna for 20-30 minutes at a time before…

So Did I Do It?

Yes, I did/ Did I enjoy it? It actually didn’t feel all that cold, but I did get electric shocks pinging their way up and down my skin.

Did I do it again? Erm. No.

Sauna Options in Helsinki

Traditional smoked sauna and wood heated sauna right by the Baltic sea. Fantastic view by day.

Allas Sea Pool

New spa complex with large pool area and saunas.

Lonna Island Sauna

Log built cabin open in summer.

Kotiharjun Sauna

Traditional wood-heated sauna that dates back to 1928.

Late Evening in Helsinki – The Sky Bar

If you have the energy, then make the most of your one night in Helsinki on the 13 th floor at the Sky Bar of the Clarion Hotel [hosted.] The bar sometimes has live music but always has a fantastic view.

Entrance is open to non-guests and the view in the lift includes all the classics of Helsinki like the two main cathedrals. It’s right by tram 9 so incredibly easy to get to from Helsinki town centre.

Top Tip: Try a Finnish gin and tonic. It comes with lingonberries and a sprig of rosemary and is both bitter and refreshing at the same time.

Helsinki in One Day: Itinerary From a Local

This off the beaten track itinerary for Helsinki comes from the team at Spotted by Locals. They start their 24 hour itinerary in Helsinki early. Buckle up and see the overlooked sights!

Getting Around

No matter whether you’ve come by plane, train or ferry, you’ll need walking boots and a metro ticket to get around for the day.  Helsinki’s metro and orange trains have kept the  ‘70s decor but function easily and efficiently.

It goes without saying that you should get a day ticket!

You can appropriately start your exploration at the famous Central Railway station, a local favourite meet-up point.

Alternatively, you can get off at the adjacent station, Kamppi, to admire the brilliant artwork Roots of the City.

Coffee and Breakfast in Helsinki

Finns are the top consumers of coffee in the world, with 8-9 cups per day considered normal. 

You can have your own first cup of the day at  Ekberg , Helsinki’s oldest café (founded in 1852.)

It’s one of the few cafés where you get table service. Locals of all ages feel comfortable here; local Janiina comes here with her sister every year on their birthday. You must be hungry by now, so you can do as she does and celebrate with the breakfast buffet — or some pie.

Helsinki’s Design District

• Nearby, Lokal is a bright art gallery featuring Finnish designers and artists. You can peruse one of the temporary exhibitions, buy a gift for someone special or get a cool piece to remember this little trip forever. Our Spotter Antti admits he’d easily go there every day if he could.
• While in the Design District, you can also drop by the Five Corners (or Viiskulma ), Helsinki’s “place-to-be” from 10 years ago. Its cool lustre hasn’t completely worn off — you can still find a lot here, especially if you’re interested in record stores like local Joonas (e.g. Digelius Music , Eronen & A.H. Records ).

Now: time for a walk.

Moomins and Sculptures

Remember the moomins?   All sorts of honours dedicated to author Tove Jansson (who passed away in 2001) can be found in Helsinki today. You’ll find a park named after her in the elegant suburb of Katajanooka, her former home.

Her father, Victor Jansson, was a famous sculptor himself, and used his family as models. You can make a game of finding statues of young Tove everywhere in Helsinki, but the best known one is in Kaisaniemi park, behind the National Theater. Would Mr. Jansson have ever imagined that his young daughter would go on to far surpass him in international acclaim?

Take in the Helsinki Skyline

Time for some views! Hotel Torni means “hotel tower” in Finnish. They weren’t joking: at 70 metres high, it used to be the country’s tallest building for a long time. You can have an early drink or take another step towards taking the Finns head-on in their coffee-drinking records at the rooftop ateljée bar.

You can even feel free to pop by and just use the restroom as a vantage point; from the ladies’ you can spot the Parliament house, Finlandia house, Music house, National Museum and Kiasma Museum. Local Aino-Marja often comes up here just to use the bathroom and enjoy the view. Shh. Not that we told you that.

Kallio: The Bohemian District & Sauna

Next stop: the famous neighbourhood Kallio. Use your metro day pass and get off at Sörnäinen station. There are few better ways to start your exploration in this vibrant, bohemian district than by treating your body & soul to a sauna visit. There are two excellent options in the area that have survived the general gentrification that’s taken place around them: Sauna Arla & Kotiharjun Sauna .

Which one you choose will depend on whether you visualise your authentic sauna experience in a more tranquil, private setting, or as a chance to socialise with strangers, respectively.

No matter which one you choose, our Spotter Joonas recommends you bring your own drinks (drinks are allowed but not sold in the premises.)

But bringing your swimsuit or towel is not advisable, at least if you want to make friends with the locals. 

More About the Sauna

Keep in mind that Finns do not consider being naked in the sauna as something sexual, and generally feel more comfortable inside saunas than anywhere else.

By now, it’s time to fuel up.

Where to Eat in Helsinki : The Local View

Nearby Ipi Kulmakuppila is one of our Spotter Janiina’s favourites: it’s a cool café with a white/wooden interior and big windows that manages to stay cosy rather than feel too trendy. Here they serve brunch and lunch and have a mostly vegetarian menu. Why not also grab a local craft beer to enjoy together with your lunch? A welcome social plus: the café gives employment to disabled people.

Alternatively, you may go for the vegetarian buffet at Silvoplee or the experience of eating seafood on the floating restaurant Meripaviljonki .

Helsinki’s Winter Garden for the Afternoon

Now, here’s a beautiful tip for the afternoon: Helsinki’s Winter Garden, or Talvipuutarha . It’s a “secret” yard inside a big, 120-year-old greenhouse. Its three rooms are filled with cacti, palm trees, magnolias and all kinds of plants. It also has benches where you can enjoy another coffee-on-the-go or you can get inspired by our local Janiina and have a picnic — in case you opted to skip lunch. You can come here with something from traditional bakery Leipomo K. E. Avikainen .

Speakeasy Helsinki

As the day is winding down, If you’re up for another beer, try Pub Sirdie , one of the few places in Kallio that haven’t changed a bit! It’s actually been here for more than 5 decades, and it’s said that, during Prohibition (1919-1932) it was already home to a speakeasy. You won’t find another bar that still has this rough and rugged punk rock vibe Kallio used to be known for.

The old (working!) jukebox has international and Finnish rock classics and, for a couple of years now, the bar has actually been run by its fans. After the announcement it was closing down, they came together and bought it! 

Helsinki Nightlife

Here are some suggestions for enjoying Helsinki’s nightlife.

• You can stay in Kallio and visit Elanto Block , which is actually the district’s main hub all day long, but truly shines after dark. It consists of old factories (including one for matches from 1874!) and warehouses that have been transformed into a buzzing hive around a club complex. It is an ideal choice if electronic music is your jam. In Elanto Block’s inner yard, our Spotter Joonas favourite part of the complex, you will find Kaiku and Kuudes Linja, both excellent venues for DJ sets and live music respectively. You can also find places to have something to eat before you continue your evening adventures.
• If you’re looking for a more relaxed night out, you can try Orion , a cinema back in the area around Kamppi. Housed inside an art déco gem, it is an independent cinema and has been screening films since the 1920s. It’s one of local Janiina’s favourite places not only in Helsinki, but on Earth!
• Last but certainly not least, how about pizza for dinner? Via Tribunali has two restaurants, one in the centre and one in Kallio, and it’s the only pizzeria in Finland to have received the supreme accolade, the authenticity certificate by Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. Local Joonas hasn’t found a more balanced Pizza Siciliana anywhere else in Finland. Who said you can only get good pizza in Italy? Hyvää ruokahalua! (Buon Appetito!)

For more local favorites in Europe, the Middle East and North America, check out Spotted by Locals .

How to Spend More Time in Helsinki

Nature and the outdoors, suomenlinna sea fortress unesco world heritage site.

According to many, this is THE place to visit in Helsinki. When the weather is good.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can reach the island by ferry on public transport, or you can take a tour.

Tööjönlahti Bay

Popular with joggers, this large bay in the centre has historical wooden villas on the opposite shore.

Seurasaari Island Open Air Museum and Beach

See wooden buildings relocated from across Finland and relax on the beach and in the many restaurants and cafes.

Family Attractions in Helsinki

Helsinki zoo.

The island of Korkeasaari is home to one of the oldest zoos in the world. Helsinki zoo dates back to 1889. Reach from the centre on bus 16.

Outliers and Day Trips from Helsinki

While we’re lucky in that so many of Helsinki’s top attractions live so close together, there are a few outliers that you might want to know about if you have a little more time.

The Kamppi Chapel of Silence

Contemporary wooden architecture provides a place for meditation in Helsinki City Centre

Finlandia Hall

Finland’s legendary Alvar Aalto designed this venue for conferences, concerts and events.

Temppeliaukio – The Rock Church

Built into solid rock, this church looks as though a disc of gold has landed on the wintry capital.

The Ateneum Art Museum

The Ateneum holds one of the biggest collections of classical art in Helsinki and is one third of the Finnish National Gallery.

This new art museum looks like a cross between Gaudi’s Par Güell ceramic works and a Moomin. Inside live private art collections but it’s the outside that intrigues the most.

Helsinki Art Museum HAM

Modern and contemporary art run by the city.

Kunsthalle Helsinki

More contemporary art but also design, architecture and events and a building worth visiting.

Iittala & Arabia Design Centre

Take tram 6 or 8 to learn more about these celebrated Finnish design and lifestyle brands.

Uunisaaren Sauna

Steamrooms and whirlpool saunas on a small island in Helsinki. Absolutely fascinating in the midst of winter, when bathing holes are carved into the ice.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

The clarion hotel.

Design focused and with spectacular views across the city of Helsinki and her landmarks, the Clarion is a comfortable, restful place to stay with the option of a buzzing 16 th floor Sky bar if you’re looking for more energy.

Its rooftop gym, sauna and swimming pool help you to embrace the Finnish way of life . And I loved the living room area on the ground floor for coffee, map planning and sketching out ideas. (By the by, the pool is too small for swimming laps. It’s also outdoors and designed for splashing in as part of the sauna experience.)

It’s is a short ride on tram 9 into the centre of town and the tram stop is right outside the hotel.

• Check prices and availability for the Clarion Helsinki here.

Other Hotels in Helsinki

I haven’t stayed at these but from talking to people, I’d suggest: 

1 – The Kämp Hotel exudes classical five star luxury in Helsinki.

2 – Hotel Lilla Roberts lives off a quiet side street in a former police station and electrical sub-station. But the eclectic design makes up for it!

3 – The GLO Hotel is an affordable hotel near the central train station.

Getting Around Helsinki

Our one day in Helsinki itineraries are deliberately designed to minimise your travel time. Helsinki city centre is walkable but the public transport can help if time is short or legs are tired.

The Tram and Bus System

Use Google Maps to easily find your way around this system. Tickets can be bought via the HSL app, which sounds like a fiddly nuisance but is actually really easy. Otherwise, you can buy tickets in the local supermarkets (which is simple enough as most people speak English but it’s still more hassle than quickly downloading the app.)

Tap to validate your ticket on boarding and then you can use it for two hours before it expires.

If you plan on more than two trips in a day, then it’s worth buying a day ticket instead.

The Helsinki Day Pass

This pass gives free public transport and reduced admission to several attractions across the city. It’s cheaper if you buy online in advance but the big question is… is it worth it?

Possibly but probably not, is the answer. If you plan on pelting through the expensive attractions and plan to use public transport a lot, then yes. If not, you may be better off to pay for things separately.

If you have more than one day in Helsinki, then the equation changes. It seems much more worthwhile to buy the 48 hour or 72 hour pass.

Taxis and Uber

Taxis are easy enough to track down at the airport or from a hotel. Elsewhere, Uber is much easier for non-locals.

Uber is alive and well in Helsinki and incredibly easy to use if you haven’t before.

Simply download the app, enter where you want to go and book your trip. You can trace the progress of the car as it reaches you, you’ll be given a numberplate so you know you’re getting in the right cab and, best of all, there’s no haggling over directions or the price. At the end, it bills the card you have registered with the app. Business travellers, note, you can switch to business Uber for free and get a receipt and expense the receipt. It’s also easy to switch back to your personal Uber account for anything, well, personal.

Visiting Helsinki in Winter?

It may be very, very cold! As in minus 30 degrees. But it could also be 10 degrees. Check before you go.

Many outdoor attractions are closed. The canal cruises are not running.

Flying to Helsinki

Helsinki airport is a beauty! Full of cool design features like curving natural screens and sounds of nature, it’s also a good place to stock up on Moomin merchandise and Marimekko.

It’s not in Helsinki proper, it’s in Vantaa. Leave around an hour to get in and out of town.

Taxis and ubers cost in the region of 40 euro at the time of writing.

• Find the best prices for flying to Helsinki through Skyscanner.

What to Pack: Travel Essentials for Helsinki

• In winter, at the very least, bring shoes with a thick sole, a hat, gloves, scarf and sturdy warm, winter proof coat. Consider thermals.
• Pocket size guidebook to Helsinki from Lonely Planet
• International plug adapter or EU adapter for your electronics.
• Gloves with touchscreen function can be very helpful when finding your way around using Google Maps! 
• Download the Spotted by Locals App Helsinki for local information and cool tips for your one day in Helsinki.
• Check out our ultimate travel checklist to get completely ready for your trip. 

More About Travel in Europe

• How to spend 48 hours in Copenhagen
• What is hygge and why does it matter?
• Your guide to visiting Lahemaa National Park
• A new form of slow travel in Austria
• Traditional dishes in Austria:  the 15 dishes you need to try
• 15 Beautiful lakes in Austria
• Is the Swiss Travel Pass worth it?
• How to plan a train trip through Switzerland
• 21 fun facts about Sweden
• What is fika?  The secret from Sweden that will change how you relax
• What is Norway famous for?
• One Day in Bergen: Your Gateway to the Fjords

Leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Home » Destinations » Europe » Finland » One Day in Helsinki, Finland: The Perfect Day Itinerary By a Local

One Day in Helsinki, Finland: The Perfect Day Itinerary By a Local

Links in this article may earn us a little money if you book/ order stuff. More here .

Got One Day in Helsinki? Here is Your Perfect Itinerary!

Exploring Finland? Awesome – great choice! The country is a nature lover’s paradise, a northern lights “hot spot” , and the capital, Helsinki, is full of life! if you’ve got 2 days in Helsinki – then you’re going to need to find more to do! This guide is just for a one-day tripper!

There are lots of common questions about the Finnish capital like “is Helsinki walkable?” The answer is yes! Eric actually visited back in 2017 but only for a very quick day trip from Tallinn to Helsinki by ferry . 

Some of you might want to explore Tallinn, Estonia and travel beyond to Latvia and Lithuania. We cover these awesome countries in our general  Baltic travel itinerary  and we’ll cover each of these cities in their own posts very soon!

For this post, we asked our friend Nick to give us the details about what a local would do on one day in Helsinki. Nick is a Scandinavian-based visual producer who was kind enough to share his experiences after living in Helsinki for a year!

His knowledge, mixed with Eric’s experiences, brings you this useful post – regardless of the season you visit. Remember, one day in Helsinki in the winter is going to look very different than what do to in Helsinki in the summer.

If you’re interested, there are actually a few one-day Helsinki tours you can do. In fact, Finnair has a stopover program that includes a tour if you book a flight with them – but that’s for another day. If you’re ready to discover Helsinki – here’s the perfect day.

Staying Over? Read Our Guide on Helsinki Accommodations

Table of Contents

Tours in Helsinki

If you’re looking to add a bit of a a guided experience to your day in Helsinki, consider a tour with a local or hitting the waterways.

These kinds of experiences allow you to discover the city with a local guide – and see things or places that might be hard to do/find on your own!

>> 90-minute Helsinki Boat Canal Sightseeing – Explore the Beautiful Canal and See Helsinki! >> Helsinki: Private Tour with a Local Guide – Discover Helsinki Like a Local >> Helsinki Half-Day City Tour – Book a Private Tour of Helsinki for Hidden Gems

One Day in Helsinki

To bring you the best Helsinki knowledge we could, we’ll let our local guide walk you through from here. That said, if you are planning to stay in Helsinki for more than just one day, you’ll need a place to sleep.

You can check here for accommodation in Helsinki . Without further ado, here is Nick and his recommendations for one day in Helsinki!

Start Your Day in Market Square

So… there is no better place to kick off your day than the Market Square. You’re sure to find strong coffee there. The Finns are one of, if not the, biggest coffee consumers per capita.

As part of this rich coffee culture, they like their coffee strong. If you are looking for something hearty to get you started on your day of exploring, local delicacies like reindeer and potato (which is VERY good) and classics like Baltic herring are a good place to start!

Planning A Nordic Trip? – Find Out Which Nordic Capital is the Best to Visit!

Explore Suomenlinna

From the Market Square, you can take the ferry directly to Suomenlina. Suomenlinna is an 18th-century sea fortress that has since been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The island is perfect for a mini-adventure through history, but the island has even more to offer. You can explore the restored Submarine Vesikko – a Second World War submarine that is now a museum – and there are lots of restaurants and cafes on the island.

Overall, the island is a great place to take photos and to get away from the city centre. If you want to learn more about opening hours and the ferry schedule, you can visit the official website for Suomenlinna .

Go For a Finnish Sauna

Afterwards, you may be tempted to try the beautifully designed Loyly Sauna near the Market Square. You could – but don’t because it is not an authentic sauna experience. 

For something more authentic try any one of these amazing places:  Kothijarun Sauna , Sauna Hermanni , or Sompasauna .

If getting naked and being whacked on the back with frozen birch leaves isn’t your thing, there’s always the stunning Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall. You can check out their website here .

Enjoy a Finnish Lunch

There are so many great food places to enjoy a nice lunch in Helsinki. Whatever your style of cuisine, you’ll find it here. Of course, lunch can be had in any of these places. Nick suggests you go to either Fafa’s or Sandro.

Fafa’s is a Middle Eastern inspired fast food place that prides itself on high quality and fresh ingredients. Their portions are large and reasonably priced – making Fafa’s a great place for a quick Helsinki lunch stop. You can check out their website here .

Sandro is another place for a good, clean lunch. Specializing in fresh veggie salads and meat/fish portions for a fixed price (including coffee and tea), Sandro will leave you full and ready to explore more of the city. You can also do brunch there – but be sure to book a table! To learn more, visit the Sandro website .

Indulge in a Sweet Afternoon Treat

Next, I really really really recommend you make a pilgrimage to Cafe Regatta for a coffee and cinnamon bun. 

If you’re there in the fall or winter you can get a sausage to roast over the open fire. You can check out their website to see their location and to look at the delicious photos they have!

If Regatta is too far for you to get to, you can also check out the famous Fazer Cafe downtown. Known for its pristine cakes and beverages, Fazer is a classic stop that is sure to wow you when you enter. Just wait until you try the desserts!

Afternoon Activity – In Summer and Winter

Depending on the season (and your energy level after eating all those goodies), you’ll have a few things that you can do in the afternoon. Here they are below:

Go to Hietaranta Beach

If you’re there in the summer, make your way down to Hietaranta Beach. This popular summer location was created accidentally back in the late 1920s.

The sand that was dumped there for other reasons started to be used by the locals as an area for relaxing – and the trend was born! It’s a popular spot for beach volleyball and other beach activities.

Explore Downtown or the Cathedrals

Go shopping along Aleksanterinkatu for all the big stores and a few smaller shops that are sure to catch your eye. In the winter, the lights strung across make for a beautiful photo when the trams scoot by and the snow is falling.

To visit the classic centre of the city, head for Helsinki cathedral. It is located in Senate Square and you can go inside for free if there is no service going on.

The real gem of the experience is climbing the steps to the base of the Cathedral and taking in the city and the harbour from the Cathedral.

Fun pop culture fact: Helsinki Cathedral is the iconic structure used in the music video for the popular club song “Sandstorm” by Darude. He’s a Finnish DJ if you didn’t know! You can visit the website for more information.

Address:  Unioninkatu 29

There is also Uspenski Cathedral which isn’t too far away. It’s a Russian/Finnish Orthodox church that is beautifully decorated inside and out.

If you want to check it out, it’s worth the walk over. Here is the website for opening times and ceremony hours.

Address: Kanavakatu 1

Have an Authentic Dinner

After a low-key afternoon of walking and exploring or laying on the beach, you’ll need a nice dinner. For that, there are a few must-tries for you to check out. One of which is Olo.

Olo is known for its Scandinavian flare. Rated as one of the best restaurants in Finland and around the world, Olo rarely disappoints.

It is a little pricier, but the quality and the experience there is close to perfection.  Check out their website to read their menu and to book a table.

Address: Pohjoisesplanadi 5

The other place you might want to check out is Troikka. While it’s a little bit less expensive that Olo, their menu options are made to impress.

The style is more Russian food than Finnish so if that’s what you are looking for then Troikka might be for you! If you want to check it out, here is the website for Troikka .

Grab Evening Drinks

After dinner, you’ve got a few options for an evening drink. Whether you want to go somewhere relaxing or dance the night away is up to you!

For a casual drink and an amazing view, go to the top of the Torni Hotel . Nick says that this is the best little-known view of the city.

If hitting the dance floor is more your style, then head to the top of Kampii Mall for something more clubby. If you want something more “underground” but still in the Helsinki club scene, then hit up Kaiku. You can find the Kaiku website here .

And there you have it – our one day in Helsinki itinerary! What do you think? A huge thanks to Nick for providing us with his favourites – we couldn’t have done this post without him!

If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to get in touch – we’d love to hear from you!

As always, Happy Finnish Waddlin’, -L&E

• Compare flights on Skyscanner
• Check for Hotel Deals or Book A Hostel
• Get A Rental Car (depending on the destination)
• Research plug types and possibly get a travel adapter
• Go over our packing list

Pin it for later!

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Destinations

Privacy policy

Disclaimer & Affiliate Disclosure

Terms of use

© 2024 Creativlier Media Inc.

One Day in a City

24 Hour Travel Itineraries to Make the Most of a Day in a Destination

One Day in Helsinki, Finland

November 2, 2020 By Gina Posts on this site may contain affiliate links. Read the full disclosure here .

What to Do in Helsinki for the Perfect 24 Hours

If you ever get an opportunity to visit Helsinki, even just for a day, you should take it by all means. How to explore Helsinki in one day is what this post is all about to help you maximize your time in the city and have an interesting, unforgettable day filled with culture, sightseeing, and entertainment.

Helsinki, known as “Daughter of the Baltic,” is the capital and largest city of Finland. The beautiful city has an eye for design and is located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and is a vibrant city of islands, large parks, notable architecture, and unique Nordic design. It is well-known to be a multicultural city with a lot to offer for sightseeing and things to do.

How to Get to Helsinki

Before we get into the One Day in Helsinki itinerary, let’s quickly cover the ways to get to Helsinki.

The most popular ways to travel to Helsinki is via ferries from Sweden, Estonia, or Russia, or to fly to Helsinki via FinnAir or other airlines.

By Airplane: Helsinki International airport will welcome you and right away inspire you with its unique style of architecture and its minimalist design.

To get into the city center, transportation is available by Uber, taxi, or train. I highly recommend the train option as you can buy the affordable ticket you need right from the airport before making your way to the ground floor.

• A regional day ticket costs 12 euros per day and it entitles you to unlimited travel in Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo, and Kauniainen.
• A Vantaa internal day ticket costs 8 euros per day and it entitles you to unlimited travel within Vantaa.

Also, this ticket is not only valid for the train, but it is valid for all public transportation – trams, buses, and even ferries.

A private taxi is available to take you to your destination but it is expensive (50-60 euros) for a 30 minute-ride. Uber is also operating in Helsinki airport (some drivers call it Vantaa airport).

By Ferry: If you entered Helsinki via ferry, then go straight to the train station to buy the day pass to make your trip efficient and affordable.

Another Fun Way to Get Around: Bikes! If you happen to visit within the bike season (closed during winter but opens in April), look for bike rentals that you can get for just 5 euros/day (or) 10 euros/week.

Your hotel in Helsinki might even offer bicycles that you can use free of charge during your stay.

Best Helsinki Local Transportation

The city is walkable and very easy to navigate, and I’ve heard that it takes only 40 minutes to get from one end of the city to another end.

However, when the weather does not cooperate, or you just don’t feel like walking, you can take the public transportation using the same pass you bought in airport or train station.

Trams go all over the city and you can also access regional trains and ferries.

As previously mentioned, you can also look for bicycle rental options at the hotel, or find one of the yellow-bike rentals in the city; there, you can get to more places on dedicated bike lanes.

Best Time to Visit Helsinki

Summer (June, July and August) is a prime time to visit Helsinki, when the outdoor activities come to life and the late sunsets make the evenings most enjoyable. July is the hottest month in Helsinki with an average temperature of 62°F (17°C) and the coldest is February at 22°F (-6°C).

However, the wettest month is August with an average of 90mm of rain. The best month to swim in the sea is also in August when the average sea temperature is 55°F (13°C).

One Day in Helsinki Itinerary

Now for my recommended way to spend one day in Helsinki.

Breakfast at Cafe Regatta

Start your day in the most famous Café Regatta, a cozy coffee place that overlooks the Baltic sea and beaches. Not sure what to order? It’s hard to go wrong with a coffee and a traditional cinnamon bun.

• Address: Merikannontie 10, Helsinki 00260, Finland
• Phone: +358 40 0760049
• Hours: Sun – Sat 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Skywheel is the Ferris wheel and the highest observation center in Finland. It is over 130 feet tall and provides a beautiful 360-degree view over the city’s skyline. If you buy a VIP gondola, you can also enjoy champagne in the air. One thing we have noticed is that the windows have a blue tint so the pictures you take in the air might be a bit blue in color.

• Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2, Helsinki 00160, Finland
• Phone: +358 40 4804604
• Tickets: Adults: 13 EUR; Children (3-11 years): 9,50 EUR; Toddlers (0-2 years): Free
• Hours: Sun: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Mon – Fri: 12:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sat: 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

Helsinki Cathedral is the most popular attraction of the city and is located in the Senate Square area. This is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the centre of Helsinki, Finland.

The church was originally built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St Nicholas’ Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. It is a major landmark of the city and dominates Senate Square with its beautiful white minimalist design.

More than 350,000 people visit the church each year, some to attend religious events, but most as tourists. The church is in regular use for services of worship and special events such as weddings.

On a side note, if there are people with you who have trouble climbing too many stairs, take the sidewalk to the left of the front of the cathedral and you will find a ramp to the side and a few steps only.

When we were there in May of 2019, we were lucky that the area of the church and the senate square was completely filled with people celebrating an annual art festival as you can see in the below picture.

We enjoyed taking photos of people dressed in many costumes, watching dancers on the stage, listening to music, and enjoying some delicious food and drinks to end the fun evening.

• Address: Unioninkatu 29, Helsinki, Finland
• Phone: +358 9 23406120
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. most days

Hietalahti Market Square

Hietalahti Market Square located on the eastern side of Helsinki is the most famous open-air market with fresh produce from the local farmers – fruits and vegetables, hand crafted items, and food stalls.

This is also a perfect place where you can shop for souvenirs to remember you day in Helsinki by.

We had our lunch at this market: a fresh salmon with vegetables on the side.

• Address: Lonnrotinkatu, Bulevardi, Helsinki 00180, Finland
• Phone: +358 9 31023580

The Old Market Hall

Walk a bit further from Market Square and you will find The Old Market Hall with countless wooden stalls and plenty of food, ice-cream, fresh produce, shopping center with more souvenirs, handicrafts, all kinds of meat, and many gifts made of recycled items.

One Day Tip : Salmon in The Old Market Hall is a must to try. There are at least three kinds in most places and we recommend you try all of them – roasted, lemon, cold smoked, and Rose marinated — and so fresh!

Also try the Salmon soup in a store called Story which offers the most traditional soup of Finland. Story is right in the middle of The Old Market Hall.

• Address: Etelaranta | Along the South Harbor, Helsinki 00130, Finland

Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki

The Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki is 30-minutes long 4D experience where you just sit in a movie theatre kind of a room with the seat belt on and you are fixed on the chair but the chair tilts, moves, and swoops along with the ride.

Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki is highly recommended to virtually glide over the city’s landmarks all at once. This educational movie tour brings many parts of the city to life and teaches you much more about Helsinki, including its seasons, the culture, and what the city is famous for.

As the weather in the movie changes, there is water spray on your feet and cold air to give you the real feeling of flying on top of the city in winter. Th images of the Northern Lights will take your breath away.

For people with motion sickness, it’s recommended to avoid the tour.

• Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2B, Helsinki 00160, Finland
• Phone: +358 45 6981858
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Temppeliaukio Church

Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the “Church in the Rock” is carved from rock and has a stunning copper dome. This church was built in 1969 and is partly underground.

This is a most unique church designed by two young architects with incredible rock formation that is best experienced with your own eyes.

• Address: Lutherinkatu 3, Helsinki 00100, Finland
• Phone: +358 9 23406320
• Hours: Sun: 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Mon: – Fri 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.; Sat: 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
• Entrance Fee: 3 euro/person

The Sibelius Monument

The Sibelius Monument is located in one of the most popular parks in Helsinki. The Sibelius Monument is an abstract sculpture resembling an enormous pipe organ, and it is a monument to celebrate Finland’s most renowned composer, Jean Sibelius. A bust of Sibelius stands next to the sculpture. A miniature size of this monument is present in the UNESCO House museum in Paris.

• Address: Sibelius Park, Helsinki, Finland

The above eight attractions should be good enough for a day’s tour to Helsinki followed by an evening of relaxing by the sea, or enjoying a Finnish meal in one of Helsinki’s many restaurants.

If you have extra time at hand or want to go back to Helsinki, there are many other notable attractions to see, including:

• Sea Fortress Suomenlinna (one of the biggest sea fortresses in the World)
• The Suomenlinna Unesco World Heritage Site
• Helsinki Zoo (oldest in the world; opened in 1889)
• Nuuksio Reindeer Park where you can feed the Reindeers
• Linnanmaki Amusement Park (water rides and roller coasters that are especially fun for kids)
• Take a swim in Allas Sea Pool (in warm and cold waters right on Baltic Sea)
• Spend some time in a Sauna, a popular Finnish pastime.
• Visit the real prison that operated until 2002; you can even sleep in the cells for a bizarre accommodation experience
• Many museums of Helsinki of contemporary art
• Have a drink at Torni Hotel, which offers lovely views (though is pricey) – make sure to visit before sunset for beautiful views of the city from the top floor
• And finally…If you have a time during the night, go to a nearest pub and have Finnish beers and enjoy talking to the locals and have an unforgettable experience of the city’s night life.

Tours and Cards for a Hassle-Free Day in Helsinki

Helsinki hop-on hop-off bus tour starts at Senate Square, but you can board at any of the 18 stops between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. You might want to take a seat on the bus’s open-air top deck if the weather cooperates.

• Click here for pricing and more details and to easily and quickly purchase tickets.

Another neat option is to take a private tour of the city with a local at an affordable price per person, where you can customize what you want to see on the tour during a pre-tour chat with your guide.

• You can see the details and tour options here.

Another option to save money and make your day more hassle-free is by getting the Helsinki Card. This lets you skip ticket lines and includes public transportation, admission to some of the city’s top sites, and other city discounts, including ones at restaurants and shops.

• Click here to get the Helsinki Card.

What to Pack for Helsinki

For a summer visit, layering is smart due to the cool evenings that Helsinki often has. Other things you should pack include:

• Waterproof shoes
• Lightweight backpack
• Scarf (good to have for visiting churches since you can tie it around your shoulders, which often must be covered in European churches)
• A blazer or a dress for women and a blazer for men for a more formal presence, good to have on hand if you dine in a more upscale restaurant.

For a winter visit, much of the above list applies, but you’ll also likely want to bring a heavier jacket, waterproof boots instead of shoes, and other winter gear (gloves, beanie, sweaters, thermals, etc.) to protect you from the windy cold weather.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

For a limited time stay in Helsinki, you’ll want to lodge as close as possible to the city center.

Below are some options I’ve curated for you, which are rated ‘Awesome’ in Booking.com and have wonderful reviews by its guests.

• Apartment @ 5 Narinkka C8, Kamppi, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
• 2ndhomes Deluxe Kamppi Center Apartment @ 3 Urho Kekkosen katu, Kamppi, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
• Marski by Scandic @ Mannerheimintie 10, Kamppi, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
• Hotel St. George Helsinki @ Yrjönkatu 13, Kamppi, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
• Apartment Hotel Aallonkoti @ Alvar Aallon katu 3 B, Kluuvi, 00100 Helsinki, Finland

15 Interesting Facts about Helsinki and Finland

Before we finish up, here are 15 more fun and interesting facts about Helsinki and Finland you may be interested in knowing before your trip.

• Finland revolutionized their education system and is routinely ranked as one of the best education systems in the World
• The World Economic Forum has ranked Finland second in its annual gender gap report
• Economist rated Finland as the third best country to be a working mom
• Helsinki has a population of around 650,000 with 53% women
• Life expectancy for men is 75 years and women is 82 years
• 79% speak in their mother tongue ‘Finnish’, the language is known to be complicated. Most of the locals in Helsinki also speak fluent English.
• Moi Moi = Bye
• Kiitos = Thank You
• Anteeksi = Sorry
• Helsinki was declared as the World Design Capital for 2012
• Helsinki hosted 1952 Summer Olympics and also became the first city to host World Championships in Athletics and other contests
• The city is routinely ranked as the most liveable city in the world
• The archipelago of Helsinki consists of around 330 islands. To get away from the modern world, all it takes is a short ferry trip to wander into nature
• The city claims 3.5 million saunas i.e. one sauna for every 1.6 people
• Helsinkians love to eat fish (the city is on the water) and have coffee with cakes (one of the top coffee consumers in the World)
• Helsinkians are environmentally conscious and disciplined to carry recycled bags for shopping. Plastic and paper bags are not free when checking out while shopping and must to be purchased.
• Helsinkians are known to be reserved, generally speak less, maintain long pauses to ensure they do not interrupt anyone and prefer personal space

About the Author: Simi is a science graduate and a passionate lifestyle blogger who loves to share her amazing travel destinations. You can read about her travel adventures on her blog, A Lovely Place to Land , and also follow her on Facebook or Pinterest .

Note : All opening hours, prices, and info was believed to be correct at the time of writing, but is subject to change. Double check all attraction info before leaving for your trip.

I'm a former travel agency marketing director turned freelance travel writer. My editorial and copywriting work has been published on and in USA TODAY, Travel + Leisure, the Travel Channel Cities app, TripSavvy, and many more online and print publications. I especially love sharing my knowledge of traveling with limited vacation time, making the most of cruise ports of call, and vacationing with kids. I also enjoy sharing my favorite travel gear and products to make traveling easier!

Search for a Destination…

One Day in Helsinki, Finland | The Best 24 Hour Guide

Sharing is caring!

Discover what to do with one day in Helsinki and make the most out of your time in this Finnish capital.

Welcome to Helsinki, Finland’s vibrant capital, where old and new meet in perfect harmony. With just one day in Helsinki, you can get a taste of this dynamic city, from its stunning architecture and green spaces to its captivating museums and bustling markets. Prepare to walk a lot and have a busy day – but one that is well worth it to see and experience the highlights of Helsinki.

Get ready to fall in love with the Finnish charm with this one day in Helsinki guide.

(Disclaimer: Some links in this post may be affiliate links, meaning if you click on the link and make a purchase, I receive a small commission. This is at no extra cost to you and you may even receive a small discount. See  disclosure  for more information.)

In This Post

Is 1 day enough in Helsinki?

YES! Only 1 day is definitely enough time in Helsinki to see and experience a lot of what the city has to offer. In fact, I think one day is the perfect amount of time in Helsinki to see and explore the city without overdoing it.

There is not a ton to do and see and some people think Helsinki is “boring”. I think it’s a beautiful city that actually surprised me, but I think after one or two days you’ll see it all.

Things to do in Helsinki

Admire helsinki cathedral.

Helsinki Cathedral, known as Tuomiokirkko, is a must-visit landmark in the heart of Helsinki. Its Neoclassical architecture and pristine white exterior grace Senate Square, making it an iconic symbol of the city. Exploring its interior reveals exquisite frescoes, sculptures, and a grand organ. This cultural treasure holds historical significance as a representation of Finnish national identity.

You can conveniently reach the cathedral by foot or public transport. Typically, entrance to the cathedral is free, but there may be fees for guided tours or special exhibitions. Check the official website for updated visiting hours and events to experience this Helsinki gem.

Visit the National Library of Finland

The National Library of Finland, or Kansalliskirjasto, beckons with its rich literary and historical treasures. A must-visit for culture enthusiasts, it houses a vast collection of literature and manuscripts, including rare and ancient texts, offering profound insights into Finnish heritage. Conveniently located near Helsinki’s city center, it’s easily accessible by foot or public transport.

Typically, admission is free, allowing you to explore its extensive collections at no cost. Please check the official website or contact the library for updated opening hours and any special exhibitions. A visit to this cultural gem promises a captivating journey through Finland’s literary and historical legacy.

Enjoy Local Pastries

While in Helsinki, savoring local pastries is a delightful culinary experience not to be missed. Head to one of the city’s charming cafes, like Café Ekberg or (my personal favorite) Café Esplanad , and indulge in traditional Finnish treats.

Start with a korvapuusti, a cinnamon roll that’s a Finnish classic. Then, try a mustikkapiirakka, a blueberry pie, or a Runeberg torte, a pastry dedicated to Finland’s national poet. These delightful pastries pair perfectly with a cup of rich Finnish coffee or tea. It’s a cozy and delicious way to immerse yourself in Finnish culture and satisfy your sweet tooth.

Walk Around Senate Square

Visiting Senate Square (Senaatintori) is a must when exploring Helsinki. The square is not just a historical hub but also a picturesque embodiment of the city’s Neoclassical charm. The focal point is the Helsinki Cathedral, an iconic white masterpiece. Surrounding it are stunning buildings housing government institutions and the University of Helsinki.

The square’s open space and architectural grandeur make it an ideal spot for leisurely strolls and photography. You can easily reach Senate Square on foot from various parts of the city center or by using Helsinki’s efficient public transportation system. It’s a captivating glimpse into Helsinki’s history and elegance.

Go Shopping in Market Square

Market Square, or Kauppatori, is a vibrant and iconic Helsinki destination. Visit to immerse yourself in Finnish culture and flavors. Whether you’re seeking fresh berries, traditional salmon soup, handmade crafts, or unique souvenirs, this bustling market has it all. Its prime waterfront location offers a stunning view of the Baltic Sea, making it the perfect spot to enjoy a meal or simply soak up the atmosphere.

You can easily access Market Square on foot from the city center or via public transport. With varying hours and open days, it’s a year-round delight for travelers looking to experience authentic Finnish goods and cuisine, a one day in Helsinki must-visit.

View Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral, an architectural gem with its distinctive red-brick exterior and golden onion domes, offers a compelling reason to explore Helsinki. Inside, ornate icons and a rich Orthodox history await. This cultural and religious landmark sits conveniently near the city center and can be reached by foot or public transport. While opening hours may vary, the cathedral is typically accessible daily.

Be sure to check the official website or local sources for the latest information. Visiting Uspenski Cathedral provides a unique opportunity to appreciate both its architectural grandeur and its role in Finnish Orthodox heritage, making it a must-see for travelers in Helsinki.

Stroll Around the Esplanadi Park Area

A visit to Helsinki wouldn’t be complete without a leisurely stroll through Esplanadi Park. Nestled in the heart of the city, this verdant oasis offers a tranquil escape from the urban bustle. With lush greenery, delightful statues, and inviting benches, it’s perfect for relaxation and people-watching. The park frequently hosts outdoor concerts and art exhibitions, adding a cultural dimension to its charm.

Nearby, you’ll discover high-end boutiques, cozy cafes, and top-notch restaurants – which I enjoyed admiring more than the park! Accessible on foot from various city center points, Esplanadi Park encapsulates Helsinki’s fusion of nature and urban sophistication, beckoning travelers to explore and unwind.

Walk Mannerheimintie

Mannerheimintie, Helsinki’s principal avenue, invites exploration through its blend of modernity and heritage. A visit offers a glimpse of the city’s architectural diversity, from sleek skyscrapers to historic theaters like the Finnish National Theatre. The avenue’s array of boutiques, eateries, and cafes caters to shoppers and diners. It culminates at the serene Töölönlahti Bay, providing a picturesque ending to your journey.

Easily accessible on foot from multiple points in Helsinki’s city center, Mannerheimintie encapsulates the city’s contemporary culture and history, making it an engaging and convenient route for travelers to experience the best of Helsinki.

Explore Aleksanterinkatu

Embarking on a journey along Aleksanterinkatu, Helsinki’s iconic avenue, offers a captivating blend of history, shopping, and culture. The street boasts architectural marvels, including the magnificent Helsinki Cathedral and the historic Kappeli restaurant. It’s a shopper’s paradise, with an array of local boutiques and global brands. As you wander, you’ll encounter cultural treasures like the Swedish Theatre.

Aleksanterinkatu encapsulates Helsinki’s rich tapestry of the past and the vibrant present, making it a must-visit destination. Conveniently located in the city center, it’s easily reachable on foot or via public transportation, providing an enriching experience for travelers exploring the heart of Helsinki.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do in helsinki in 3 hours.

If you have a short layover or a brief visit to Helsinki and only three hours to explore, you can still make the most of your time by focusing on some of the city’s top attractions. Here’s a suggested itinerary for what to do in Helsinki in 3 hours:

⭐️ Visit Senate Square

Start your visit at Senate Square, one of Helsinki’s most iconic and historical landmarks. Here, you’ll find the impressive Helsinki Cathedral with its striking neoclassical architecture. Spend some time exploring the square, taking photos, and admiring the cathedral’s exterior.

⭐️ Stroll Through the Market Square

Head down to Market Square (Kauppatori), which is just a short walk from Senate Square. This lively waterfront market offers a chance to experience local life. You can browse through stalls selling fresh produce, local crafts, and souvenirs.

⭐️ Explore the Esplanadi Park

From Market Square, take a leisurely walk along Esplanadi Park (Esplanadinpuisto), a beautiful green space in the heart of the city. Admire the park’s gardens, sculptures, and pleasant atmosphere. This is an excellent spot for a short rest.

⭐️ Visit the Uspenski Cathedral

Continue your exploration by making your way to the Uspenski Cathedral, an Eastern Orthodox cathedral with striking red-brick architecture. Even if you don’t have time to go inside, the exterior and its setting atop a hill overlooking the city are worth seeing.

This whirlwind tour will give you a taste of Helsinki’s architecture, culture, and beautiful waterfront. Keep in mind that it’s a brief introduction to the city, and Helsinki has much more to offer for those with more time to spare.

What’s Helsinki famous for?

Helsinki is celebrated worldwide for its distinctive design and architecture. The city’s modernist and neoclassical buildings contribute to its unique visual identity. The Helsinki Design District, with its boutiques, galleries, and design studios, showcases the city’s commitment to creative innovation.

Additionally, Helsinki is famous for its vibrant cultural scene, featuring numerous museums, galleries, theaters, and music festivals. The annual Helsinki Festival, in particular, draws artists and performers from around the world.

Is Helsinki a walkable city?

Helsinki is a very highly walkable city, and this attribute is one of the reasons why it is so appealing to visitors. The city’s well-organized layout and compact city center make it remarkably pedestrian-friendly. The heart of Helsinki encompasses a plethora of attractions, including Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Market Square, and the Esplanade Park, all within walking distance of one another.

Moreover, Helsinki’s safety and security are major assets when it comes to walking. It’s consistently ranked as one of the safest cities in the world, offering peace of mind for pedestrians. The well-maintained streets, clear signage, and availability of multilingual information further enhance the walkability of Helsinki.

Is Helsinki cheap or expensive?

Helsinki is an expensive city, and the cost of living can be relatively high compared to many other European cities. The prices for accommodation, dining, and entertainment are typically on the higher side. Here are some key factors contributing to Helsinki’s reputation as an expensive destination:

⭐️ Accommodation: Hotel prices in Helsinki can be quite steep, especially in the city center and during peak tourist seasons. While there are accommodation options to suit various budgets, high-end hotels are prevalent.

⭐️ Dining: Eating out in Helsinki, particularly at restaurants, can be expensive. Finland’s value-added tax (VAT) on food services is relatively high, which can influence menu prices. However, you can find more affordable options like street food stalls, local markets, and casual eateries.

⭐️ Alcohol: Alcoholic beverages, especially in bars and restaurants, are subject to high taxes, making them relatively expensive. If you’re on a budget, consider buying drinks from government-run Alko stores.

⭐️ Transportation: Public transportation in Helsinki is convenient, but the cost of tickets can add up. Taxis are also relatively expensive.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

The best place to stay in Helsinki is the city center, especially around Esplanade Park and Aleksanterinkatu. This area offers proximity to major attractions, shopping, dining, and vibrant cultural scenes and with only one day in Helsinki this is a must.

Best One Day in Helsinki Tours

Travel insurance.

Getting travel insurance before you travel is a MUST. It’s the number one thing you should always pack before travelling that can save you a lot of money, time, and stress. With how crazy travel has gotten recently you need that peace of mind that no matter what happens there is something protecting you from losing out. I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should.

I always travel with travel insurance and think everyone should. Below is my favorite travel insurer Safety Wings , enter your details to get a free quote!

Like this post? Pin “One Day in Helsinki” for later!

Samantha Karen is the owner and author of the travel blog Sam Sees World, a travel blog dedicated to sharing the world's most beautiful and unique travel destinations. As a full time traveled she has visited over 50 countries with more on the way.

One Day in Helsinki, Perfect Itinerary

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a fascinating city that is wonderful to explore both as a weekend break and as an interesting stopover destination. Due to its location high up in the Northern Hemisphere, Helsinki has huge seasonal changes in terms of climate and daylight hours. This one-day Helsinki itinerary is great for the summer when the days are long (18-19 hours of daylight!) and you have time to visit everything.

Whether you have a few hours between flights and want to choose some of the top attractions, or you are visiting for a few days or want to squeeze some sight-seeing while you’re on a business trip, this one day in Helsinki itinerary should give you plenty of ideas of what to see and do in the city.  

We visited Helsinki after spending a weekend in Tallinn . It took us around 2 hours to cross from Tallinn to Helsinki with the ferry .

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that should you click on certain links, and then subsequently purchase a product, I will receive a small commission. It costs nothing extra to you but helps keep my site running. Thank you for supporting me in this way.

Table of Contents

How to Spend One Day in Helsinki 

Map of one day helsinki itinerary.

Your one-day Helsinki itinerary will take you around some of the city’s best tourist attractions including historical buildings, churches, sculptures, and squares to give you a taster of the top spots. In between your cultural attractions you’ll want to pop in and out of Helsinki’s cafés, restaurants, and rooftop bars to try some local fare and take in the sights with a drink or a bite to eat. Baltic herring, pea soup, grilled sausages, and cabbage rolls are all savoury favourites and sweet treats like lingonberry pie and pulla (Finland’s version of cinnamon buns) are must-tries!

1. Central Railway Station

Helsinki Central Station, also known as Helsingin päärautatieasema, is the main train station in the city which thousands of people visit every day for both transportation means and as a tourist attraction. It is often featured in lists of the World’s Most Beautiful Railway Stations so it is well worth a visit.

The grand central station building was designed in an art nouveau style by Eliel Saarinen and the 48.5m clock tower is one of the city’s main landmarks. It is thought that around 400,000 people walk past and check the time here every day! The station also has two large “Lantern carrier” statues on each side of the main entrance which were designed by Emil Wikström as part of the Romanticism movement.

2. Esplanadi

Helsinki’s Esplanadi is an urban park located in the heart of the city that is a favourite for both locals and tourists alike. Known colloquially as Espa, the Esplanadi is a lovely place to enjoy a stroll on a sunny summer’s day. The Esplanadi is situated between the Erottaja square and the Market Square and it’s, therefore, a picturesque way of connecting some of the city’s main sights.

If you do choose to visit Helsinki in winter, the Esplanadi is likely to be doused in snow and will feature Christmas lights and decorations which make it equally atmospheric and worthwhile visiting. 

3. Market Square

Once you’ve walked eastwards down the Esplanadi, you will reach Helsinki’s Market Square. This is arguably the heart of the city where events and market stalls have been held for hundreds of years. There is always something different going on within the square so you might want to come and go here throughout the day (or over the course of a weekend if you’re staying longer).

Whether you’re visiting the market to pick up some snacks or souvenirs there are plenty of different stalls to fit the bill. The market square is also located right next to the harbor which allows you to connect to ferries to Suomenlinna, the Presidential Palace, and the Uspenski Cathedral.

4. Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is one of the most fascinating sights in Helsinki as it is an 18th-century sea fortress situated across six linked islands. This fortress is quite unlike any other settlements across Europe, with interesting features like star-shaped walls, natural beaches, churches, and a museum. Suomenlinna can only be reached by boat but it is well worth a visit if you have the time.

Of course, Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular tourist attraction, but what you might not know is that it is also home to around 800 residents!

5. Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral is a magnificent Eastern Orthodox church that is not only a tourist attraction in terms of its architecture, but it also gives an insight into the Russian impact on Finland. The grand, redbrick building stands proud against the neighboring buildings, and the golden cupolas glisten beautifully in the summer sun.

Uspenski Cathedral is over 150 years old and is considered the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. Inside the cathedral are a number of rare and valuable icons displayed on the alter and the colouful domes are intricately decorated with murals and mosaics.

Entrance to Uspenski Cathedral is free.

6. Senate Square

Senate Square in Helsinki is another huge focal point for the city as it is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. These include Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland, and are supposed to represent the political, religious, scientific and commercial powers in the centre of Helsinki.

Senate Square also includes a statue of Alexander II as well as the Sound of the Senate Square installation which is a modern version of a glockenspiel that is played every day at 17.49. This is best heard from the middle of the square to really get a feel of the composition as it moves from building to building.

7. Helsinki Cathedral

The Helsinki Cathedral is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks thanks to both its sheer size and its bright, white colour which is especially impressive in summer. The neoclassical church (now a Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral) has a number of notable features including the large green domes, two free-standing bell towers, a sweeping staircase down to the square and larger-than-life sculptures of the Twelve Apostles guarding the city from the roof of the church.

The interior of the church is fairly simplistic in style but the organ is beautiful and if you can visit during one of the free organ recitals you’ll be in for a treat.

8. Temppeliaukio Church

The Temppeliaukio Church, also referred to as the Rock Church, is a relatively new addition to the city having only opened in 1969, despite having been originally designed back in the 1930s!

The Lutheran church is built directly into the solid rock so the walls have a rustic, natural style, while the copper-domed roof looks more like a sci-fi UFO than a church. This church is a completely unique work of architecture, with slatted sides allowing light to flood the building which changes the atmosphere depending on what time of day you visit.

The Temppeliaukio Church is now a popular tourist attraction thanks to its unique style and is often used as a concert venue due to its excellent acoustics.

9. Sibelius Monument

The Sibelius Monument, designed by Finnish sculptor Eila Hiltunen, is an abstract art monument in homage to composer Jean Sibelius. The Finnish composer once stated “Pay no attention to what the critics say. A statue has never been erected in honor of a critic.” and Hiltunen decided to commemorate this with a sculpture of a cluster of organ pipes.

Of course, critics were quick to comment that Sibelius has not composed much music for organs, so the designer added a second sculpture of the composer’s face next to the original so as to ensure there was no confusion as to who the monument was for.

The monument is a beautiful collection of around 600 abstract organ pipes put together in a soundwave pattern to represent the compositions created by the famous composer.

So, there you have it, the top sights that you should be able to see on a one-day itinerary in Helsinki. This will give you a great insight into the city’s culture, architecture and history and will leave you loving Finland’s capital and longing to return for more.

Where to stay in Helsinki

Here are my top tips on where to stay in Helsinki so you are well located for seeing the sights and enjoying the city’s food scene and nightlife.

Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa

The five-star Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa is one of the best waterfront hotels in the city with excellent views and a whole host of on-site amenities. It is located a short tram ride away from the city centre. The bedrooms are modern, clean and comfortable, as you would expect from a Hilton, and the large buffet breakfast offers you plenty of options to start your day off right. The Hilton also provides guests with access to a wellness centre including a gym, sauna and swimming pool so you can unwind after a day of sight-seeing.

Click here for more information and to ckeck availability.

Seurahuone Helsinki

Hotel Seurahuone is located directly opposite Helsinki Central Station so is ideally placed for exploring some of the city’s top sights. The building was designed in art nouveau fashion, with a castle-like roof, large windows, impressive interior domes and balconies, and intricate detailing throughout. The hotel features large bedrooms giving guests plenty of room to relax and guests can even choose their own menu to ensure their comfort is second-to-none. The staff at Seurahuone Helsinki are friendly, helpful and welcoming and will be able to assist you with planning your trip.

Click here for more information and to check availability.

Staying for more days in Finland? You might be interested in this one day trip from Helsinki to Porvoo.

Sharing is caring!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

One Day in Helsinki, Finland? Complete Guide To A Perfect City Break!

Posted on Last updated: September 13, 2023

I’ve spend one day in Helsinki, Finland for a couple of times now over the years, but never really written a guide for you to help you plan your own trip! Time to change that!

So far, I’ve only visited Helsinki in Winter, but I hope to go back and also show you some of the activities to do when it’s not minus 10 degrees Celsius! Helsinki is a nice and compact city and is really easy to navigate, so if you only have a day in Helsinki, no problem at all, you can see quite a lot.

Make sure to pick up the handy Helsinki Card , as you’ll save money on transport and most of the sights in the city! 

ONE DAY IN HELSINKI, FINLAND ITINERARY

MORNING IN HELSINKI

Where to go in Helsinki in the Morning:

Go for Coffee & Cinnamon Rolls!

Did you know that the Finns are one of the biggest consumers of coffee in the world? They are! While I’m not a coffee-lover at all myself, I do like to start the day with a warm drink and a good breakfast. Helsinki has plenty of great places to do this, and the  Karl Fazer Café  is not to be missed, because this brand is one of the largest corporations in the Finnish food industry and makes some AMAZING chocolate that you simply cannot skip on your Helsinki trip.

Another option is the chain  Espresso House , which has a welcome feeling and some good places for remote working as well. When visiting Helsinki in one day, definitely don’t forget to order the ‘ korvapuusti ‘, the typical Finnish cinnamon roll. Yum! At Espresso House they also serve Matcha Latte (yass), but the guy that made mine clearly never did this before, so mine didn’t taste great unfortunately. Better luck next time, I hope!

Karl Fazer Café –   Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 Helsinki 

Espresso House –   All over the city, I went to the one in the ‘Forum’ mall. 

Places to visit in Helsinki:

Explore Incredible Architecture and More!

Helsinki is not really a city where you can do lots of sightseeing. There isn’t one particular highlight that all tourists flock to, like an Eiffel tower or Big Ben, but at the same time, that’s also exactly the charm of this city. It’s compact, you can walk everywhere in the city center and it never gets crowded. With a local Helsinki guide, you can cover the city on foot and get to know the locals.

There are some Helsinki sightseeing tours that are perhaps worth to do, such as:

• Helsinki: Private Tour with a Local Guide
• Helsinki City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
• Helsinki Half-Day City Tour
• Helsinki: Sightseeing Canal Cruise with Audio Commentary
• From Helsinki: Nuuksio National Park (Half-Day Trip)

Helsinki Places of Interest

What I like about Helsinki’s buildings, is that you sometimes definitely feel like you’re in eastern Europe, with the old trams and heavy stone buildings, but at the same time the light Scandinavian design shines through and you can find the Austrian-influenced art nouveau / Jugenstil style everywhere around you.

The more and more I visit the city, the more I learn to appreciate it and the more beauty I find. Make sure not to miss the following buildings and locations if you only have 1 day in Helsinki:

Helsinki Must See: The Central Train Station

Jugendstil Buildings on the Main Shopping Streets

Sightseeing Helsinki: Don’t miss the Helsingin Tuomiokirkko / Helsinki Cathedral

Add a visit to the Kamppi Chapel to your Helsinki itinerary

AFTERNOON IN HELSINKI

Best things to do in Helsinki:

Cheeky Lunch at Fafa’s

Fafa’s is fast food you can feel good about. They serve large portions of Falafel and other Middle East inspired dishes. Great for vegetarians and vegans! All their falafel is also gluten-free. We also ordered the Sweet potato fries with tzatziki, and they were gorgeous. They have plans of expanding to the UK -can’t wait!

Must do in Helsinki:

Go Finnish Design-Hunting

Helsinki was the World Design Capital in 2012 and if you look around, (good) design is everywhere in the city. You might know the famous architect and designer Alvar Aalto, and perhaps have heard of brands like Marimekko and Iittala, but most of the in Finland famous designers and design brands are unknown to the public. Items are passed down in families from generation to generation and design plays a big part in the Finnish society.

If you want to add some design items to your collection, then Helsinki is the place to be! Let me show you some good places to shop. Be aware: bring a full wallet and be prepared to do more window-shopping than usual to find the one item you really love and actually dare to buy. But, whether you buy something or not, looking at the amazing Scandinavian design is definitely one of those Helsinki activities you don’t want to skip.

City Sightseeing Helsinki:

Visit the Forum Shopping Center

To my surprise, I found that there are A LOT of shopping centers in Helsinki and at “Forum” you can find shops of design brand Marimekko and also the cute Moomin Shop! I guess when it gets so cold in Winter here, life in the city has to go on and a warm shopping mall is the perfect solution to still be able to have fun things to do in Helsinki and not be stuck inside.

Helsinki things to see:

Stockmann Department Store

At the massive department store of Stockmann, you can find fashion and home good from brands such as Marimekko, Moomin, iittala, Artek and many, many more. I did find the Finnish fashion not really my style (very bright colours and lots of flower patterns), but it was still fun to look around.

Places to see in Helsinki for Design Lovers:

Arabia Store Esplanadi

If you love to see (and shop) good design items for your home, then the Arabia Store is a must-stop. In this shop, you can find the complete product assortment of the Arabia and iittala brands. Careful: there are only beautiful things in here …and they are PRICEY.

Find out more about Alvar Aalto in our blog about our trip to Seinäjoki in Finland , his hometown!

When you buy a super expensive glass vase by Alvar Aalto – and there is snow and slush EVERYWHERE. No pressure.

Helsinki places to visit:

Iittala & Arabia Factory

At this incredible center, you can get a peek into the past and present of these two legendary Finnish design brands. There is a design center with guided tours, a design lab with exhibitions and workshops, a design museum where you can learn all about the history of Finnish ceramic art and glass design… and a massive store where you can get design items with a nice discount. This is one of the best things to see in Helsinki for art and design lovers.

We got a peek behind the scenes as well and toured the iittala factory , which was incredible to do!

What to see in Helsinki in Winter? Go Outdoors in Nature!

If you’re not much of a shopper, but rather get a bit more action going on, then visiting Helsinki in Winter is a great experience.

Depending on how many days in Helsinki you have, there is a wide variety on nature and outdoor activities to do in the city center and surroundings.

I did a tour with “Happy Guide Helsinki”, who offer healthy walking & Helsinki day tours with local guides, bike rides to see the real Helsinki, jogging and sightseeing tours and city tours that use Helsinki’s effective and eco-friendly public transportation. All tours are in English, additional languages possible too!

Happy Guide Helsinki Tours: Nordic Walking Around The Lake

Warm up at Forum

Ice Skating / Curling

Olympic Stadium in Helsinki Visit

EVENING IN HELSINKI

Top Helsinki Attractions:

Traditional Finnish Dinner at Savotta

We were supposed to go to another restaurant based on a recommendation of a friend, but that restaurant turned out to be closed (like, forever), so I did a quick frost-bitten Google and the Savotta restaurant seemed alright. When we arrived, we knew in an instant we made such a good decision!

‘Savotta’ is the Finnish word for a logging site, and this restaurant pays homage to the hundreds of thousands of loggers, log floaters and logging site matrons of Finnish heritage. The interior of the restaurant is rustic and features genuine old artifacts from Finnish homes and logging sites. The tableware includes old and new china of Finnish design brand Arabia.

And the food… oh man, it’s the best traditional Finnish food in the city. You can have a go at trying reindeer, salmon, elk and even bear meat (if you dig up almost 60 Euros for your meal). I went for the salt-cured elk and an assortment of the best Finnish appetizers from land and water as a starter (we shared this with three people) and smoked rump of reindeer with potato puree as a main, but they also have set menus that give you the best of their kitchen. At the end, we were so full, we didn’t even have dessert!

The restaurant is not cheap at around 15 Euro for a starter, 25-30 Euro for a main and 12 Euro for dessert… but I would HIGHLY recommend you pay a visit!

Address:   Aleksanterinkatu 22, 00170 Helsinki

Helsinki Things to do:

Go for a Drink & Dance

After dinner, go check out the nightlife of Helsinki if you want, but remember that alcohol is really quite expensive here, so pace yourself! I don’t really have a recommendation of a fun place to go as all the events I went to were private, but I’m sure the locals will be more than happy to tell you where to go!

Helsinki Highlights: Go to the Sauna

But if you really want to end your day in Helsinki as a local, then you HAVE TO go to the sauna . Sauna bathing is an essential part of Finnish culture and national identity. Did you know that there are only 5,4 million Finns but 3,3 million saunas?! Yeah, this is something they take very serious. Most apartments in the country even have their own sauna, which means there are only a few public saunas in the city.

One of the popular public saunas is Löyly Helsinki.  The funky building is a design by architects Ville Hara and Anu Puustinen of Avanto Architects and features two public saunas (a traditional smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna), as well as private saunas. There is an outdoor area where you can enjoy a refreshing swim… all year round. Yes, even when the lake is frozen over, the Finns just dig a hole and get on with it.In this public sauna, you have to wear a bathing suit. There are separate changing rooms and shower facilities for men and women and lockers for your personal items and clothing. For two hours, you pay 19 Euro, which includes a towel, seat liner and shampoo & shower gel. Every extra hour costs 10 Euro. The private sauna is 300-400 Euro for two hours, but you can fit up to 12 people in there.

Address : Hernesaarenranta 4, 00150 Helsinki

DO YOU HAVE MORE TIME IN HELSINKI?

Things to do in Helsinki in Winter:

Finnish Nature Center Haltia, Espoo

At Haltia, you can find and learn more about all of Finland’s nature. The building was designed by architect Rainer Mahlamäki and it’s the first public building in Finland built entirely of CLT wood elements.

Dive into the scenery of Finland’s national parks and get a chance to crawl inside a bear’s nest or a duck’s egg -if you fancy. On the restaurant terrace, you can enjoy a tasty meal while gazing at the stunning views of Lake Pitkäjärvi. If you’re wondering what to do in Helsinki in Winter, simply get your ski’s out and walk over the froze lake, like we did! You can rent them, and also your snow boots, at Haltia as well.

Haltia opens a gateway to the Nuuksio National Park, which is perfect for hikers. Two loop trails right next to Haltia give you the option of including a short hike into your nature center visit.

Helsinki Top Attractions:

Suomenlinna Island Visit

One of the places I still haven’t visited in Helsinki that is very high on my list, is the Unesco World Heritage listed sea fortress, Suomenlinna. It was founded in 1748 and it is only accessible by water. A ferry service runs from the Market Square to the island throughout the year, in about 25-30 minutes.

If you follow the Blue Route on the island, that runs from North to South, you will see all the main sights, such as King’s gate, the Great Courtyard, the Dry dock, Suomenlinna Church, the Jetty Barracks and much more.

There are also six museums in Suomenlinna, located in different parts of the island. Tickets are purchased separately at each museum. This makes for one of the best day trips from Helsinki.

Helsinki day trips:

Take the Ferry to Tallinn, Estonia

Helsinki lies about 80 kilometers North of Tallinn in Estonia and with the Eckerö Line, you can make this crossing twice per day. There are cabins on board, so you can even leave things on board if you only visit for the day.

Who would have thought that it would be so easy to visit two countries in such a short period of time and not even feel rushed? This Helsinki to Tallinn cruise is a great break.

[ website ]

Read more about this cool daytrip from Helsinki to Tallinn in our blog!

HELSINKI RESOURCES

Helsinki tourism office websites.

• Visit Helsinki [ website ]
• Visit Finland [ website ]

How to Get to Helsinki?

From London, flying with Finnair  from Heathrow Airport really is your best option. The times are perfect, departing around 10:30 AM and arriving around 3 PM, then you could get a return flight around 2 PM, to get back in London around 3 PM. And when you’re lucky, you’re flying in the one of the new airplanes, which have AMAZING on-board entertainment and are just really comfortable in general.

Where to Stay in Helsinki Travel Guide

I stayed in a few hotels in Helsinki over the years, here are my favourite:

• Scandic Paasi [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel  [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• GLO Hotel Kluuvi [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Hotel Helka [ see the best deals on booking.com ]
• Forenom Aparthotel [ see the best deals on booking.com ]

Where to Eat in Helsinki Tourist Guide:

Here are all the hotspots I visited that I would recommend to you:

• Karl Fazer Café [ tripadvisor ]
• Espresso House [ tripadvisor ]
• Fafa’s [ tripadvisor ]
• Savotta Restaurant [ tripadvisor ]
• Café Piritta [ tripadvisor ]

Get the Helsinki Card

To get the most out of all the things to see in Helsinki in one day, I can highly recommend getting the Helsinki Card. This card gives you free public transport, free entry to the main sights and museums, a free sightseeing tour and discounts on dining, shopping, and tours. You can choose between 24-hour, 48-hour or 72-hour validity.

>> Get the Best Deal on This Card Here >>

HELSINKI MUST SEE 1 DAY SUGGESTIONS

What to Do in Helsinki Points of Interest:

Here are all the top things to do in Helsinki Finland I would recommend:

• Forum Shopping Center  [ website ]
• Stockmann Department Store  [ website ]
• Arabia Store Esplanadi [ website ]
• Iittala & Arabia Factory / Design Center [ website ]
• Tour with Happy Guide Helsinki [ website ]
• Helsinki Olympic Stadium Visit [ website ]
• Löyly Helsinki Sauna [ website ]
• Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, Espoo [ website ]
• Suomenlinna [ website ]

Things to do in Helsinki in a day: See some great suggestions for tours in Helsinki on GetYourGuide:

HELSINKI ONE DAY MAP

Check this handy map for all locations to visit during one day in Helsinki, Finland:

Here are some great guidebooks with suggestions on what to visit in Helsinki and the rest of Finland:

SEE ON AMAZON

Disclaimer : I was hosted in Helsinki in 2014 and 2016 as part of the #NBEFinland Helsinki Blogger Conference and visited in 2018 as part of my job at Space Nation . 

FURTHER READING:

Complete Finland Travel Guide

One Day in Seinajoki : Silence and Energizing Nature

Daytrip from Helsinki : Visit Enchanting Tallinn

Behind the Scenes of the  Iitala Factory in Helsinki

Helsinki in Winter  (Travel Diary)

Welcome to Finland  (Travel Diary)

Discover Finnish Lapland In Summer And Be Amazed!

10 Places to Visit in Finland That Will Make You Grow as a Person 

THE TRAVEL TESTER CITY GUIDES

• One Day in Amarante, Portugal
• One Day in Aquileia, Italy
• One Day in Bath, England
• One Day in Berlin, Germany
• One Day in Bremen, Germany
• One Day in Brussels, Belgium
• One Day in Burgos, Spain
• One Day in Casablanca, Morocco
• One Day in Dublin, Ireland
• One Day in Exeter, England
• One Day in Exmouth, England
• One Day in Fez, Morocco
• One Day in Freiburg, Germany
• One Day in Galle Fort, Sri Lanka
• One Day in Ghent, Belgium
• One Day in Gengenbach, Germany
• One Day in Grado, Italy
• One Day in Greenwich, England
• One Day in Hamburg, Germany
• One Day in Helsinki, Finland
• One Day in Innsbruck, Austria
• One Day in London, England
• One Day in Magdeburg, Germany
• One Day in Manchester, England
• One Day in Marrakech, Morocco
• One Day in Santo Domingo De Silos, Spain
• One Day in Southampton, England
• One Day in Stockholm, Sweden
• One Day in Stratford-Upon-Avon, England
• One Day in Stuttgart, Germany
• One Day in The Hague, Netherlands
• One Day in Vienna, Austria
• One Day in Zamora, Spain

Wondering what to do in Helsinki for a Day? Bookmark on Pinterest for future reference!

Tuesday 3rd of April 2018

very insightful post, thank you for sharing :) I love the stickers on your pictures. I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my favorite places in Helsinki as well xx

https://emmas-insights.com/2018/04/03/highlights-of-helsinki/

Nienke Krook

Friday 6th of April 2018

Thanks for sharing Emma, I'll be back in Helsinki in May, so will check it out!

Ryan Biddulph

Monday 19th of February 2018

Out of all the Helsinki brilliance you note Nienke it twas coffee and rolls that pulled me in. I'm not huge on coffee but if good cups are around you know I'm having a few. Toss in my beloved cinnamon rolls and I see myself enjoying the delightful combo on a cold Helsinki morning. Inspired review.

Signing off from Thailand.

Haha, yeah they are fab right?! Enjoy Thailand!

One Day in Helsinki: What To See & Do

When you think about Scandinavian countries, Sweden or Norway would always come to mind. Finland isn’t always the top choice. However, as more travelers become more adventurous, the Finnish capital is gaining popularity. Deemed the “Daughter of the Baltic”, one day in Helsinki will give you plenty to do, see, and explore.

Why visit Helsinki?

Helsinki is a destination on the rise. It’s become a city hotspot for design and architecture, distinguished by the clean and minimalistic Scandinavian design. There are many vibrant neighborhoods that celebrate Finnish design and are tourist destinations in themselves. In fact, this small city (only covering 184 square kilometers) has the largest concentration of Art Nouveau structures in Northern Europe. 

Helsinki is also home to a long-standing sauna culture, so health and wellness during your trip should be well taken care of. Local cuisine also places importance on locally-sourced, seasonal seafood. Needless to say, prepare for an amazing gastronomical experience, too.

When it comes to exploration, Helsinki is within day-trip distance to many of the country’s national parks. You’re sure to enjoy stunning views and vistas, especially in a country with more than 187,000 lakes within its borders.

But if time is not on your side, Helsinki is compact enough to explore in one day. It’s a very walkable city where you can hit all the important landmarks in less than 24 hours.

One Day in Helsinki

Of course, we all want more time for travel, but if you only have a day, here are the things to see and do to experience the best the city has to offer.

Have Breakfast at Market Square Helsinki

The best way to start the day is to head to the Market Square and take your pick of local delicacies. It’s near the harbor so you get amazing sea views, plus a taste of fresh local herring. If it’s not your taste, there are different kinds of food booths with fresh fruit and other items to munch on. You also won’t run out of sellers who offer good, Finnish coffee. The Finns are some of the biggest coffee consumers in the world, so expect to find a good dose of caffeine to jumpstart your day.

Suomenlinna Fortress

From the Market Square, take a 20-minute ferry ride to Suomenlinna Fortress. This 18th-Century sea fortress is one of the most extensive building projects during the Swedish rule. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 for its well-preserved military design and architecture. There are several parks and museums for you to visit, plus many photo opportunities by the canons that guard the perimeter of the fortress.

Uspenski Cathedral

Right by the Market Square, atop a grassy mound, is the Uspenski Cathedral. It’s said to be the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe. The Church was built in 1862 and was completed in six years. The Cathedral is also made with bricks from the Bomarsund Fortress and Aland Islands that were completely destroyed during the Crimean War. Its golden domes, green roof, and contrasting red facade are very distinct and very reminiscent of Russian design. The interior is very ornate with vivid murals, a stark contrast to the otherwise muted and minimalistic architecture of Helsinki.

Katajanokka District

For architecture fans and enthusiasts, the Katajanokka District is your playground. This is where you’ll find the famed Art Nouveau structures of Helsinki. There are around 600 buildings in the area, emphasized by the fact that it sits on a peninsula and is surrounded by water. The pastel-colored buildings are great examples of National Romanticism in the unique design of the district. True to Art Nouveau form, you can take a closer look at the buildings to notice intricate details and picturesque motifs found on windows and arches. While the whole district is distinct in its style, Kauppiaankatu, Luotsikatu, and Vyokatu streets will give you the best examples. The best part about Katajanokka District is it’s not exactly a tourist landmark or destination. If you’re looking to break away from the crowds, this is your breather.

Lunch at Market Hall

Just a few minutes away from the Market Square is the Old Market Hall. It’s an amazing place to get some lunch when you just want to taste everything that Helsinki can offer. Here you’ll find many kinds of dishes to enjoy, especially game meat and seafood that Finland is very famous for. There are also some vegetarian and ethnic delicacies for those who have a bit more restrictions on their diet. If you’re in the market for some souvenirs, the Market Hall is also a good place to find local products. There are different kinds of pastries and bread, cheeses, gourmet meats and spices to choose from. 

If you’re looking for something less chaotic, there are tons of sit-down restaurants that offer great meals. Fafa’s, a Middle Eastern inspire fast food joint, or Sandro, a clean eating type of restaurant, are popular options among the locals.

Helsinki Senate Square

The Helsinki Senate Square is the central place for the city’s politics, religion, and science. It’s the best spot to get your bearings if you only have one day in Helsinki. There’s a large statue of Emperor Alexander II at the center to signify the Russian rule over Finland in the 19th Century when the square was built. The surrounding buildings are created in Neoclassical design, a favored design by the square’s builder, German Architect Carl Ludvig Engel. 

Helsinki Cathedral

The Helsinki Cathedral, also located in the Senate Square, is Helsinki’s most recognizable landmark. It’s another example of classic Neoclassical architecture, characterized by large Corinthian pillars on its facade. You’ll also find zinc statues of the Twelve Apostles who serve as guardians of the Cathedral. Despite its grandeur, its simple yet stunning white exterior hints at the simplicity of Lutheran cathedrals on the inside. The unpainted interior walls are illuminated by orange lamps that hang down from the ceiling. At the center part of the cathedral is an enormous organ that guides mass songs during service.

The National Library of Finland

Architecture buffs will swoon at the frescoes and murals inside the National Library. Book lovers will marvel at the massive collection of important texts housed within its walls. Another overlooked attraction in Helsinki, the National Library is home to both architectural gems in its marble columns and vaulted ceilings as well as the largest collection of books in the whole country. You can spend as little or as much time as you want (or have) here. It can also be a good spot to take a break from exploring.

Aleksanterinkatu

From the peace and quiet of the library and cathedral, head over to Helsinki’s chief commercial hub. Aleksanterinkatu is the oldest street in the city and home to many landmarks, civic institutions, eateries and bars. It’s also where most tourists and locals do their shopping with a mix of international and local brands. 

Kamppi Chapel of Silence

Another quick side trip is a look at the Kamppi Chapel of Silence towards the end of Aleksanterinkatu. It’s a small Lutheran church built in an oval wooden structure with a copper exterior. The chapel is such a distinct sight that most people stand outside just to admire the structure. It’s open to all faiths and another respite in the midst of the vibrant city center.

Helsinki Central Station

Take a 20-minute walk towards Helsinki Central Station to see one of the world’s most beautiful train stations. It’s another prime example of the National Romantic style of Finnish Art Nouveau designed by Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen. As the hub for Finnish transport, it’s one of the most visited buildings in the whole country. The main landmark of the train station are the clock tower and four stone statues of men holding lamps. More than being decor, these images are some of the most iconic Finnish symbols and are recreated as mascots in various Finnish events.

Mannerheimintie

Since you’re already at the station, why not take a ride? Take route 43 from Elielplatsen, 43 Kuninkaantammi via Kannelmäki as., and off at Folkpensionsanst (16 minutes). Here you’ll find Mannerheimintie, Helsinki’s longest and most prominent street. Its 5.5-kilometer distance cuts through several neighborhoods and is lined with some of the city’s most notable landmarks. If you explore through the whole street, you’ll come across other must-visit places such as the Finnish Parliament Building, Finlandia Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, and the National Museum of Finland.

Dinner at Mannerheimintie

As one of Helsinki’s most bustling streets, there’s a huge selection of Scandinavian, Ethnic, and International restaurants at Mannerheimintie. Scandinavian restaurants such as Viisi Pennia, Ravintola Kuu are quite popular. You’ll also find surprising Asian restaurants like Thai Ocha and Hokkaido. There’s a huge selection of Italian restaurants for your pizza cravings, as well as cafes and bakeries to end your day with a nice cup of coffee or hot chocolate.

Enjoying your time in Helsinki

As with any destination, one day is not usually enough to really get to know a place. However, if you’re really pressed for time, this one-day itinerary can bring you to some of the best places the city has to offer. There is so much more to explore, and hopefully, after spending one day in Helsinki, you’ll be encouraged to come back!

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

Leave a Comment:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Overview Guide
• 1 Week Itinerary
• Train Journeys
• Epic Drives
• Stunning Lakes
• Historic Castles
• Lauterbrunnen
• Grindelwald
• Chocolate Tours
• Swiss National Park
• Majestic Mountains
• Spectacular Waterfalls
• Famous Things
• Tasty Fondue
• 10 Day Itinerary
• Cherry Blossoms
• Tokyo Shrines
• Dos and Don’ts
• Osaka Guide
• Osaka Itinerary
• Osaka or Kyoto
• Kyoto Day Trips
• Matsumoto Castle
• Tokyo Luxury Hotels
• Island Hopping
• Best Campsites
• Driving Tips
• Beaune, France
• Barcelona Itinerary
• Spain Itinerary
• Greece Itinerary
• Italy Road Trips
• Berlin Day Trips
• Norway Northern Lights
• Netherlands National Parks
• Mostar, Bosnia
• Best Airlines
• Midwest Ski Resorts
• Florida RV Parks
• Washington RV Parks
• Oregon RV Parks
• Utah Camping
• Texas Camping
• Chicago National Parks
• East Coast National Parks
• Colorado National Parks
• Joshua Tree
• Yellowstone
• Alberta Hikes
• Flashlights
• Water Filters
• Sleeping Pads
• Solar Lanterns
• Tent Brands
• 4-Person Tents
• 4 Seasons Tents
• Backpacking Tents
• Beach Tents
• Cabin Tents
• Multi-room Tents
• Pop-up Tents
• Truck Bed Tents
• Underwear (Men)
• Backpacks Under $100
• Microspikes
• Boonie Hats
• In The World
• New Zealand
• Hardisde Luggage
• Lightweight Luggage
• Luggage Sets
• Spinner Luggage
• Durable Suitcases
• Duffel Bags
• Kids Luggage
• Teen Luggage
• Space Saving Luggage
• Business Carry-Ons
• Garment Carry-Ons
• Suitcases Under $50
• Travel Briefcase
• Zipperless Suitcases
• Rolling Briefcase
• Luggage Straps
• Luxury Brands
• American Tourister
• AmazonBasics
• Delsey Chatelet
• Anti-Theft Backpacks
• Backpacks Under $50
• Baby Carrier Backpacks
• Cooler Backpacks
• Backpacking Backpacks
• Climbing Backpacks
• Backpacks for Back Pain
• Beach Backpacks
• Hiking Backpacks
• Business Travel Backpacks
• Laptop Backpacks
• Backpacks for Tablets
• Commuter Backpacks
• Travel Backpacks (Men)
• Travel Backpacks (Women)
• Waterproof Backpacks
• Wheeled Backpacks
• Down Jackets
• Down Parkas
• Fleece Jackets
• Hardshell Jackets
• Rain Jackets
• Softshell Jackets
• Eco Friendly Jackets
• Gore Tex Alternatives
• Heated Jackets
• Lightweight Jackets
• 3-in-1 Waterproof Jackets
• Parajumper Jackets
• Rain Poncho
• Ski Jackets
• Travel Hoodies
• Travel Jackets
• Winter Coats
• Helly Hansen
• Mammut Jackets
• Patagonia Nanopuff
• Survival Jackets
• Flower Captions
• Waterfall Captions
• Tree Captions
• Sunset Captions
• Sunflower Captions
• Rainbow Captions
• Paddle Boarding Captions
• Hot Air Balloon Captions
• Kayaking Captions
• Airplane Captions For Instagram
• Forest Captions

The value of a trip is not the time it lasts, but the intensity with which it occurs

10 Essential Things to Do in Helsinki in One Day

If you only have 24 hours to visit the capital of Finland , don’t miss these things to do in Helsinki in one day.

I always say that the best way to see a city is by planning well, knowing what to see, the main activities and tourist attractions.

You should create an itinerary so you won’t miss any important places.

And don’t forget to walk and explore the least touristy places , to discover the small shops that are hidden and the best local restaurants for a delicious dinner!

Even so, there are times when we don’t have enough time to discover a place the way we’d like to. And on these occasions, we have to choose well which essential monuments to visit to get a first impression of a city. 

If you’re wondering what to do in Helsinki in one day, you’ve come to the right place.

This guide is packed full of the best sights and attractions in the city, for you to add to your one day Helsinki itinerary. 

Ready to discover the best Helsinki one day tour? Here are the top 10 places that you can’t miss. And I assure you that you’ll love to visit the city.

✏️ Post content

Market Square Helsinki: Kauppatori

Uspenski orthodox cathedral, helsinki senate square, lutheran cathedral (tuomiokirkko), temppeliaukio church, rautatientori metro station, helsinki station square, where to stay in helsinki, how to fly to helsinki, how to get around helsinki, one day in helsinki – things to do.

The following destinations are my favorite places to visit in Helsinki in one day.

They offer a brilliant cross-section of what the city has to offer, and make for an amazing day of exploring!

This outdoor market located at the harbor very close to the Uspenski Cathedral is one of the Helsinki attractions that will surprise you.

Full of food booths, the Finns buy herrings, fruit marmalades, and giant pickles with vinegar. So delicious!

I recommend that you walk around the market to breathe in the good environment they have, with live music, boats where you can savor the local cuisine and small vessels where you can buy fresh-caught products.

It’s the perfect place to eat Finnish famous white sausages while enjoying a day at the market. Without a doubt, it’s one of my favorite places to visit when spending a day in Helsinki.

Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral is one of the beautiful things to see in Helsinki in one day . This red brick with green domes cathedral that is crowned with orthodox crosses, takes you immediately to Russia .

After passing the Bridge of Love, full of many colorful locks, you can locate the Uspenski Cathedral.

Once inside, the smell of incense is strong, the walls are full of paintings, and the golden color prevails on all of them.

Once outside, from the top of the Uspenski Cathedral, you can see the dome of the Lutheran Cathedral (also known as Tuomiokirkko or Helsinki Cathedral), another of the indispensable places to see in Helsinki.

Among the many Helsinki tourist attractions , the Senate Square is quite impressive. It could be said that all streets run into it.

There are lots of elegant and colorful buildings and here is where you can find the oldest stone house in Helsinki.

There is another magical place : the central statue where tourists and locals sit down on the benches surrounding it, to calmly enjoy the greatest attraction of the square: the amazing Tuomiokirkko (cathedral).

Built between 1830 and 1852, the magnificent Helsinki Cathedral is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks.

If you’re deciding what to see in Helsinki in one day, The Senate Square and its constituents are a great place to start.

It’s one of the most famous monuments and one of the must-do things to do in Helsinki in a day.

Located at the top of the stairs that start at the Senate Square, as soon as you see that stunning building, it will surprise you.

It’s so white, that it seems that it’s cleaned every day. Its giant columns, its huge doors, and the light-green colored domes decorated with stars are the final touch.

Inside, it has the simple characteristics of Lutheran churches and cathedrals.

Without paintings on the walls, the only things that stand out are the precious orange lamps that hang down from the ceiling and the enormous organ that crowns the central part of the cathedral.

For contemporary art lovers, this modern building with squared cuts, surrounded by green grass and fish sculptures is one of the Helsinki places to visit .

It’s located in front of the Parliament and next to the Music Center.

Esplanadi is a long avenue, with symbolic and elegant buildings on both sides, in downtown Helsinki.

This avenue is very famous in Helsinki and on weekends, it’s filled with people that pass it by to shop, (as the best shops in the city are located there), or simply to have a great time at one of the coffee shops and spend the afternoon there.

It’s a must on your itinerary for one day in Helsinki.

Helsinki Parliament is an austere building but gets the attention because of its beautiful location, in front of the Kiasma Modern Art Museum .

One of the best things to do in Helsinki, Finland is to visit Temppeliaukio Church ! What a wonderful monument! I never imagined I would see a church like this!

You start out with your itinerary in a residential area and you can’t imagine what’s next. A church made from rock appears right in front of you.

When you go inside, everything is just silent. There are 2 floors so don’t forget to go to the second one before leaving, from where you have a panoramic view of the whole church .

The ceiling is a giant spiral that makes you go crazy if you look at it for a long time.

The fuchsia accents get your attention and the rock walls make this church a masterpiece. It’s the perfect place to visit for one day in Helsinki in winter. 

Around the world, there are train stations with a special touch.

Some of them are famous for their interior, like New York’s Grand Central Terminal , and others for their exteriors, like Helsinki’s train and bus station.

In the same square as the Rauratientori station, the historic buildings that surround it grab most of the attention, now occupied by private companies and other institutions.

The one in the picture is the building that I liked the most, with its medieval-looking red roof tiles. Don’t miss it!

• Looking for more Helsinki sights? Check out these one day trip itinerary ideas .
• If you are traveling to Finland , don’t miss all these things to do in Lapland and this guide to visit Lapland with kids .

Useful information for Visiting Helsinki in a Day

Now that you know what to do in Helsinki for a day, you may be wondering about some of the practicalities. Here are some helpful tips and travel resources for your day in Helsinki.

Looking for cheap hotels in Helsinki? Here you have the best options to stay in Helsinki .

Numerous Airlines fly to Helsinki from main cities in Europe. Its official airline is Finnair. When I traveled to Helsinki, I flew with Lufthansa via Frankfurt.

Once you arrive at Helsinki’s airport, the best option to get to the city center is by bus or taxi. The last one takes 20 minutes and it cost less than 40 euros.

The most economical option is the bus. There are 2 different tickets; one for 4.5 euros for the public bus and another one for 6.5 euros for Finnair’s official bus.

Both leave you at the Rautatientori station, located in downtown Helsinki and takes 25 minutes.

I hope you like these 10 Essential things to do in Helsinki in one day and that they are valuable additions to your Helsinki one day Itinerary.

For more secret town inspiration, here are Secret Places to Visit in Rome and A day in Saint Petersburg .

Over to you

Have you been to Helsinki? Did you find other musts that we need to know about?

Tell us in the comments below!

SPREAD THE WORD!

Pin this to your travel pinterest boards ↓.

Sara Rodríguez

A passionate traveler with a mission: Help you plan your next trip easily and enjoy it to the fullest.

In this travel blog you will find everything you need to get inspired and organize your next adventure. Read more about my story here.

If You Liked This Post You May Also Like:

How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Europe in 2024

12 Best Things to Do in Zadar, Croatia in 2024 (with Map!)

Are there Jellyfish in Croatia? All You Need to Know (2024)

10 Best places to visit in Ukraine in 2024

10 Best Places to Visit in Europe in Summer

10 Most Beautiful Places To Visit In Croatia in 2024

22 responses to “10 essential things to do in helsinki in one day”.

Yes! I’ve lived in Helsinki, and after 2 years of travel blogging abroad I’m moving back to Finland for the winter time: first stop, Helsinki. Funny how on this list there were almost the same things I’d show to anyone visiting Helsinki also – maybe add Ateneum (the National Museum) and the old wooden house area in Käpylä or Vallila. Some architecture too…oh well, there’s actually quite a lot in Helsinki, well done squeezing so much in 10 points!

I just love city guides like this, as it makes my planning much easier. We haven’t been to Helsinki yet, so we will save this for when we do go. Lovely photos too.

Thanks for this guide – I especially love how you highlight old and new. The Kiasma and Temppliaukio Church look really interesting. Must have been really fun to research this article :)

Now I won’t run out of things to do when I do get to Helsinki! Quite a list of options.

Great list! I must confess I didn’t really know what there was to do in Helsinki, even though I’ve seen a few other bloggers write about Finland. This list is really helpful – and I always love anywhere that has good markets!

In the central part of Senate Square there’s a statue of Alexander II, not a fountain. Tuomiokirkko is a Finnish word for “cathedral”, so saying “cathedral of Tuomiokirkko” is like saying “cathedral of cathedral” which doesn’t make much sense. Correct name for another attraction you’ve written about is “Esplanadi”, not Esplendi. And “Temppeliaukio”, not Temppliaukio, tho this I understand can be a typo. Very good list, it’s just missing a bit of actual research.

Thank you so much Sandra! Already change errors, thanks for your help!! Sometimes in English is difficult to have the exact names. Would you add more essential things to visit in Helsinki? Have a great day!

I’m guessing that Sara is thinking of the fountain at Havis Amanda, between Esplanadi and Kauppatoi; very close to Tuomiokirkko and with Uspenski dominating the background. Very easy to confuse everything after just a 24 hour visit and photos as memories.

Thanks for the blog about my home, Sara!

Great list of things to do! It’s actually *Temppeliaukio* church and *Esplanadi*

Thank you so much Eva! Already change the names, thanks for your help!!

Such a fab post – Helsinki is one of my fav European destinations. So glad you included the Temppliaukio Church; I affectionately call it the rock church & direct everyone who is heading to Finland there first. My parents loved it to.

Hoping to get back again soon!

Your list is great for a day! (I spent a whole summer in Finland.) Make sure to go to an island by ferry boat (and get a great view of Helsinki from the water like in the first photo in your article), Suomenlinna (fortress), Korkeasaari (zoo), Seurasaari, (open air museum) or many others. This might make for a long day, however, if you are visiting in the summer the days are nice and long!

Some great things! I haven’t had any idea about Helsinki as a place to visit. Thanks for changing my mind.

I’ve never been to Helsinki, but if I were planning a trip there this is just the kind of quick and to the point kind of article I’d be referring to! Well put!

Such a comprehensive list! I’m bookmarking this for next year when I plan to be in Helsinki :)

I’ll definitely be heading to the market and Kiasma when I finally get here! A great list and introduction to what Helsinki has to offer :)

I’m a slow traveller so 24 hours is a no-go for me, but as you say, we don’t always choose the time we stay in a place. Nice to know it is possible to cover so much of Helsinki in only one day!

When I make it to Helsinki I hope to have more than a day but just in case I appreciate your list. One of the best things about travel is that you never really know exactly where or for how long you will be somewhere.

Jussi Hellsten. Finnish photographer Jussi Hellsten has captured local moments in Helsinki throughout one year.

Suomenlinna is nice place to visit.I have recorded a video from suomenlinna in winter. It’s really beautiful with the snow and everything.I really recommend visiting Suomenlinna Fort if you are visiting Helsinki. I used my go pro camera to record footage so sorry for not perfect quality.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2ZZOWFqfsw&feature=youtu.be – Suomenlinna Fort

Hi Sara, I am visiting Helsinki soon and stumble upon your blog. May I please ask where exactly did you take a photo of the first photo? The one consisting of the sea, harbour and the cathedral? Do you mind sharing it with me?

This article will help the internet viewers for setting up new blog or even a blog from start to end.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Política de privacidad I have read and accept the Privacy Policy

Únete a la comunidad viajera. ¡Ya somos más de 300 mil viajeros!

Helsinki – What to Visit: 1 day itinerary (map included)

• December 25, 2022

Home > Finland > Helsinki – What to Visit: 1 day itinerary (map included)

Table of contents

I have already had the opportunity to visit Helsinki twice. The visits happened at different times of the year, so they were completely different experiences. And so I have many tips to help you plan your trip to the Finnish capital.

Throughout this post, you will find tips on what is the best time of year to visit Helsinki, how many days are needed to visit the city, accommodation suggestions, what are the main points of interest and much more.

Note: the photos you will see throughout the post were taken on my two trips to Helsinki (one in June and one in December)!

What is the best time of the year to visit Helsinki?

As you would expect, Helsinki is known for its very harsh and snowy winters and not-that-hot summers. Definitely, in order to enjoy the city more, I suggest visiting the city in the warmer months – June to September.

In the winter months, apart from the rather low temperatures, the days are very short, tending to reduce the number of places we visit per day. However, in December there is a Christmas market in the city, which can be a good reason to visit Helsinki at this time of year.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: I visited Helsinki at two different times of the year and the experience was very different. In June the city was full of life, while in December the streets were much emptier. Despite the magic of the snow, I won’t deny that in winter this visit can be more uncomfortable due to the low temperatures. However, there’s nothing like wearing the proper clothes and footwear to survive the cold. Find out more here .

How many days do you need to visit Helsinki?

Despite being a European capital, Helsinki is a small city. On the longest days of the year (i.e. with the most sunlight), it is perfectly possible to visit Helsinki’s main points of interest in just one day.

However, to ensure a more relaxed itinerary, I suggest you reserve two days to explore Helsinki.

How to get to Helsinki?

Helsinki has one airport – Helsinki Vantaa which has direct connections to several cities in Europe such as:

• United Kingdom (London, Manchester, Edinburgh)
• Italy (Milan, Rome, Venice, Bologna, …)
• France (Paris, Nice)
• Germany (Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, …)
• Spain (Barcelona, Malaga, Madrid, …)
• Netherlands (Amsterdam)

Another very common option to reach Helsinki is by ferry from Tallinn, Estonia . In fact, this is how I visited Helsinki on a day trip on my first visit to the city. In the next part of this post, you can find more details about this option.

How to get to Helsinki from Tallinn?

The ferry trip between Helsinki and Tallinn takes about 2 hours, is very comfortable and relatively inexpensive (in my case the outward journey cost 29€ and the return journey 19€). The boats are huge and have many services available inside (restaurants/cafes, shops, …). There are 3 companies that offer this service: 

• Tallink : offers a few trips a day in both directions and the conditions inside the boat are spectacular
• Eckeroline : also with plenty of timetable options available, but the boat conditions are inferior
• Viking Line : I have not tried this company, but the prices are similar to the others

In my opinion, the differentiating factor between these companies is the timetables available. Therefore, I suggest you choose the one that suits you best in terms of price/timetable.

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you choose to visit Helsinki on a day trip from Tallinn, I recommend trying to depart on the earliest ferry and return on the latest. For example, I left Tallinn at 7.30 am and returned at 9.40 pm, which allowed me to enjoy the whole day in Helsinki.

How to get from Helsinki airport to the city centre?

There are two ways to get to the centre of Helsinki (other than by car or taxi!) and they are both quite simple:

• Bus no. 600 : the journey takes about 40 minutes and tickets can be bought online or directly on the HSL App
• Train : the journey takes about 30 minutes and can also be bought online or from the ticket machines available at the station

How to save some money in Helsinki?

Depending on what you decide to visit Helsinki and how much you plan to use the city’s public transport, it might make sense to get the Helsinki Card . This card is available in 3 different versions (24h, 48h or 72h) and gives access to the city’s public transport and some discounts at Helsinki’s points of interest.

The card prices are as follows:

• 24-hour version: 51€
• 48 hours version: 63€
• 72 hours version: 74€

💡 EXTRA TIP: If you want to buy this card in advance, but want to be safe in the event of something happening, you can buy it directly here with the free cancellation option.

Accommodation in Helsinki

I only know one hotel in Helsinki – Hotel Finn . Although the hotel conditions were not extraordinary, the hotel was very clean, comfortable and very central. It is an excellent option in terms of value for money for those looking to stay in the city centre.

Anyway, I’ll share with you other options for different budgets:

💼 TRAVEL INSURANCE: Unexpected events happen anywhere in the world, so I always recommend getting travel insurance. I regularly use Heymondo , which offers some of the highest coverages on the market at very competitive prices. As well as covering medical expenses, Heymondo’s insurance also covers the loss or theft of luggage, electronic equipment and more. They also have a 24/7 customer service through their App. As A Ticket to Take Off reader, you get a 5% discount when purchasing Heymondo insurance . The purchase must be made using this link , and the price shown on the website already includes the discount.

Activities & tours in Helsinki

What to visit in helsinki.

To better plan your trip to Helsinki, here is a map version of the main points of interest in the city.

» Kamppi Chapel

We begin this Helsinki itinerary in one of the most out-of-the-box chapels I’ve ever visited. Located in Narinkka square , this chapel is also known as the chapel of silence. The chapel is quite small and has an almost conical structure and a very simplistic design.

This space was built with the aim of promoting moments of silence in one of the busiest areas of the city. Nearby, you can also visit the Amos Arex art museum.

💡 EXTRA TIP: The Kamppi Chapel is open Monday to Friday from 8h to 20h and Saturday to Sunday from 10h to 18h.

» Central Train Station

We headed towards the Helsinki Train Station, which was once considered one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. Be sure to also pay attention to the clock tower, which also belongs to the station.

» Temppeliaukion Church

Another spot worth visiting in Helsinki is the Temppeliaukion church. Also known as the Rock Church, this church was built in 1969 directly into solid rock.

📝 USEFUL INFORMATION: The visit costs 5€ and tickets can be bought directly at the entrance. You can find all the information here .

» Sibelius Park

Sibelius Park is one of the city’s main parks and is named after a Finnish composer. One of the main attractions of the park is the sculpture with some metal pipes, which are supposed to represent the forest.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Relatively close to Sibelius Park, you can find one of the cutest cafés in Helsinki – café Regatta.

» Helsinki Cathedral

Helsinki Cathedral is probably one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, and it’s easy to see why. The white façade makes the beautiful colour of its domes stand out even more.

The interior is simple and neat, and the visit is free.

» Esplanadi

Opened in the early 1900s, Esplanadi is an urban park in the city of Helsinki. It is relatively small, so you can visit it quickly.

» Senate Square

To get to Helsinki Cathedral, you will most likely have passed through Senate Square. It is a more touristy place because many important buildings are located here.

Besides the Cathedral, you can also find here the Government Palace and the University of Helsinki .

» Love Bridge

Similar to many cities around the world, Helsinki is no exception and also has a so-called Love Bridge – a bridge where couples place the famous padlocks as proof of their love.

» Uspenski Cathedral

Uspenski Cathedral is an Orthodox church and the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. The Cathedral offers spectacular photo opportunities of the other cathedral as well.

💡 EXTRA TIP: Admission to the Cathedral is free, and you can find up-to-date information on opening times here .

» Market Square

Located by the Baltic Sea, Market Square is one of the city’s best-known shopping areas. Here, in addition to the beautiful views over the Baltic Sea, you can also find the City Hall . 

During the warmer season, you will also find a market with fresh produce, among other things. You can also take a walk by the sea and contemplate the old Vanha Kauppahalli market .

It is also from this square that small ferries leave for some of the small Finnish islands scattered around the Baltic Sea.

» Suomenlinna

Considered a World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna is one of the Finnish islands in the Baltic Sea, just a few minutes by boat from Market Square. The island is known for its sea fort – one of the largest in the world – which began to be built in the 18th century. 

During warmer months, the island has many pleasant green spaces, so we took the opportunity to have a kind of picnic in one of its many gardens.

The most recommended way to explore the island is to follow the blue route that passes by the main attractions. The route is about 1.5 km long (one way only) and is well-marked. There are several museums on the island as well as some restaurants and cafés. You can find a detailed map with everything you can visit on the island here .

How to get to Suomenlinna?

Throughout the year, there is an HSL ferry that transports people from Market Square to the main pier on the island. The ticket can be purchased at the pier and the journey takes only 15 minutes.

If you have a city day pass it is also valid for this boat trip. If you do not have a day pass, you can buy a single ticket on the pier or on the HSL App. So that you can better plan your visit, check the updated ferry timetable here .

During summer, there is also a water bus available. In this case, the daily pass is no longer valid and there are different routes available.

» Hakaniemi Market

I suggest you continue towards Hakaniemi Market. This closed market was built in the early 20th century and you can find various kinds of fresh produce there.

» Huvilakatu (streets)

This last point on the itinerary is almost a kind of bonus. In reality, it is just a colourful street that has become (sort of) famous on Instagram due to its colourful small houses.

» Extra experience: sauna

Rumour has it that there are more saunas in Finland than Finns, so I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try a sauna in Finland. I confess that I am not the biggest sauna fan… I find them too hot, and I feel sick easily. However, I gave it a try to sauna Löyly . 

Located right on the Baltic Sea, the building’s architecture is very quirky, and the space also has a restaurant/bar and an outdoor space perfect for summer days. A 2-hour sauna booking costs 19€ and includes towels, shower gel and shampoo. It is recommended to book in advance as availability is limited.

As soon as we arrive at reception, we receive all the necessary information and are taken to the changing rooms (separate for men and women). We get our bathing clothes on and then have two hours to explore the various saunas available. There are saunas for all tastes: bigger or smaller, more or less intense. Between saunas, you can always refresh yourself in the various showers available. To end this experience, how about a dip in the Baltic Sea? The location of this sauna has this unmissable advantage. It really is an unforgettable experience!

💡 EXTRA TIP: Alternatively, if you are looking for a similar experience you can also visit the Allas sea pool, which in addition to the fantastic sea pool also has saunas. More information here .

Disclaimer : this post may contain some affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you buy something through my links. This doesn’t represent any additional cost to you and you’ll be supporting my work here on the blog😊

Share This Post

I am Mariana from Porto, Portugal . I am truly passionate about traveling and all things travel related. And that’s exactly what led me to create this page: so I can inspire others to travel and help plan all those trips with my tips and itineraries.

Click here to find out more about me.

RELATED POSTS

What to visit in Geneva in 2 days – Itinerary (map included)

How to spend 3 days in Naples – the perfect itinerary (map included)

How to visit Slovenia in 5 days – Ultimate itinerary (map included)

PLAN YOUR TRIP

• 🛡️ Travel insurance with 5% discount
• 🌙 Best accommodations
• ✈️ Cheapest flights
• 🥾 Essential items for your trip
• 🚀 Experiences & tours
• 💳 Revolut: the best card during trips
• 🚗 Transfer to/from airport
• 💰 Compensation for delayed/canceled flights

FEATURED POSTS

Best international travel insurance in 2024

Travel essentials: 36 useful accessories

What to wear in extreme cold (up to -30ºC): my Lapland packing list

How to save some money while travelling: Revolut

Prepare your trip.

Book the best accommodations with Booking

• Buy your essential items at Decathlon

Find the cheapest flights with  Kiwi

• Find the best tours/attractions with GetYourGuide or Viator

Book Heymondo travel insurance with 5% discount

Claim compensation for delayed/canceled flights with  AirHelp

Join Revolut :  the best card to save money while travelling

Book airport transfers with Welcome Pickups

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE

Find out what to visit in Geneva in 2 days: from beautiful walks by the lake, to stunning viewpoints across the city and much more…

Naples is a city like no other in Italy! Find out the best things to do in 3 days in Naples with this ultimate Naples guide…

Slovenia is one of Europe’s best-kept secret: from quirky cities to beautiful mountains. Discover what’s there to visit in Slovenia in 5 days…

LEAVE YOUR FEEDBACK

• Book the best Accommodations
•  Travel insurance with 5% discount
• Find the cheapest flights
• Join Revolut: the best card for travelling
• Book transfer from/to airport
• Claim compensation for delayed/canceled flights

About Me | Work with Me | Contacts

• X (Twitter)

One Day in Helsinki Itinerary – The Perfect Day in Helsinki

Are you thinking about visiting Helsinki?

That’s a great idea! The Finnish capital has lots of places to see and interesting things to do. It doesn’t even matter what time of the year you visit, we guarantee that you won’t get bored.

If you only have one day and are wondering what to see in Helsinki, don’t worry. We have put together this guide for you, so you can easily follow our itinerary or modify it depending on your interests.

This post is also perfect for you if you are visiting on a day trip to Helsinki from Tallinn or if you are planning on catching the Santa Claus Express in the evening to head to Lapland. Keep reading, and you’ll find more information about those options below.

Are you short on time and still need to book your trip? Then check out these handy resources.

Here are some hotels in Helsinki with good ratings:

• Hotel Mestari (mid-range, stylish rooms & great location)
• Hotel Kämp (a bit more comfort, historic hotel, traditional Finnish sauna, spa & gym)
• The Yard Hostel (budget, dorms & private rooms available, common area to meet other travellers)

Coming from Tallinn? Then you can book your ferry ticket onlin e. Or you can book a return trip if you’re visiting Helsinki on a day trip.

If you want to explore with a guide, check out these awesome tours in Helsinki :

• Guided City Highlights Walking Tour
• Helsinki Archipelago: Sightseeing Boat Tour
• Hop-On Hop-Off City Bus Tour

Table of Contents

One day in Helsinki

#1 market square.

The best place to start sightseeing in Helsinki is by the harbour. Here, you can find a market where you can buy Finnish food and handicrafts.

The market is open year-round and the perfect place to buy souvenirs and gifts for friends or family. It’s also a great place to try fresh fish, and if you’re lucky, you might see a stall selling reindeer meat.

In summer, try to buy cloudberries. These yellow berries look similar to raspberries and grow best close to the Arctic Circle. The harvesting season is from around mid-July to mid-August, and as the berries aren’t commercially grown, this is the best time of the year to get your hands on fresh fruit.

During the rest of the year, opt for cloudberry jam if you want to get a flavour of this fruit.

#2 Vanha Kauppahalli

If you’re visiting Helsinki on a rainy day, don’t worry. Just next to Market Square, you can find Vanha Kauppahalli. This historic market hall houses stalls and little shops.

You can find treats for breakfast here if you haven’t had anything to eat yet or stock up on snacks. Or you can just wander around aimlessly and look at everything this market has to offer.

#3 Uspenski Cathedral

Your next stop is Uspenski Cathedral. This church dates back to the 19th century, and, as is typical for Orthodox Churches, its decorations are beautiful.

It towers on a hill just north, close to Market Square, and from up here, you also have a fantastic view of the harbour.

#4 Senate Square

Senate Square, your next stop, is a must-see in Helsinki.

The first thing you notice is the large cathedral on one side of the square. But before you head there, take a moment to look around and admire the architecture.

Around Senate Square, you can find the Government Palace, the University and Sederholm House. The latter is the oldest stone house in Helsinki and dates back to 1757. While that’s not terribly old for a European house, it’s a cool building, and it houses the Helsinki City Museum.

#5 Helsinki Cathedral

After exploring Senate Square, it’s time to climb the steps to the cathedral. This iconic building is one of the most famous things to see in Helsinki. Its exterior is so white that it almost blinds you on a sunny day, and the green domes are a beautiful sight.

Make sure to head inside to explore the simple yet elegant interior. If you have time and the weather is nice, you can also sit down on the steps and enjoy watching the crowds on Senate Square.

#6 Esplanadi

It’s time to head back towards the harbour and explore the nearby Esplanadi. This esplanade is a beautiful green space in the city. In summer, you might come across street performances or maybe even a festival if you’re lucky.

At one end of the Esplanadi, you can find Havis Amanda. This statue of a mermaid surrounded by fish, standing in a fountain, is considered an icon of Helsinki.

#7 Aleksanterinkatu

Aleksanterinkatu runs parallel to the Esplanadi and is Helsinki’s main shopping street. It’s always busy, and you can find lots of shops here. Plus, this is a great street if you’re getting hungry and are looking for restaurants.

You can also go hunting for souvenirs here. Once you’re done, it’s time to head back to the harbour to catch a ferry.

#8 Suomenlinna

It’s difficult to see all of Helsinki in a day, but if you’ve followed the above itinerary, you should just have enough time left to head to Suomenlinna.

Suomenlinna Fortress, located on one of the islands off the coast of Helsinki, is a UNESCO world heritage site. The extensive fortifications date back to the 18th century, when Sweden decided to reinforce its defences.

Suomenlinna is huge and spreads out across multiple islands. Besides the fortifications, you can visit different museums. The main museum, the Suomenlinna Museum, is excellent for learning more about the fortress.

The easiest way to see everything is to follow the blue signs and take the “Blue Route”, which takes you past the most important sights.

Also, don’t miss the submarine Vesikko, a restored submarine where you can visit the cramped living quarters.

To get to Suomenlinna, you need to catch a ferry from Market Square. The ride only takes 15-20 minutes, and you get a fantastic view of Helsinki from the water along the way.

If you have more time…

As we already mentioned, if you only have a day in Helsinki, you’re going to struggle to see everything. Visiting Suomenlinna takes around half a day already, so you don’t have much time for everything else.

If you have more than just 24 in Helsinki, there are a few other sights that you might find interesting.

The most famous one is Temppeliaukio Church , a church built directly into solid rock. It’s also known as the Rock Church and a unique and interesting sight you cannot find elsewhere.

Another famous sight is the Sibelius Monument, which, with its 600 steel pipes, resembles organ pipes. It’s a bit out of the way, so it’s hard to integrate it into a one-day itinerary. However, it’s worth seeing if you have more time in Helsinki.

Practical information

Best time to visit helsinki.

Having visited Helsinki both in summer and winter, we can tell you there is no wrong time to see the Finnish capital.

June to September, when the days are long and warm, is a perfect time if you want to spend time outside. You can sit in outdoor cafes, rest in the Esplanadi Park and enjoy the sunshine while you stroll across the market.

Unfortunately, you have to share that summer weather with lots of other tourists, especially when you visit in July or August.

A solution is to come during the shoulder months, in May/June or September/October. You still have plenty of daylight, a chance of good weather, and you avoid the summer holidays, but it won’t be quite as warm.

As an alternative, you could try visiting Helsinki in winter. We came at the end of February and used the chance to catch the Santa Claus Express from Helsinki and head to Lapland. Plus, Helsinki, covered by snow, can be very beautiful.

How to get to Helsinki

Helsinki is well-connected, so getting here is easy.

Most travellers arrive by plane. The Helsinki airport is the hub of Finnair, but many other big airlines also fly here.

If you’re coming from Tallinn and maybe even doing a day trip from Tallinn to Helsinki, you need to catch the ferry. There are multiple ferry operators ( click here to learn more about them ) with different schedules, and all of them take around two hours for the crossing.

In addition to Tallinn, Helsinki also has ferry connections to Sweden (some go via the Aland islands), Riga and Germany.

Getting around Helsinki

The city centre of Helsinki is compact, so it’s easy to walk between the main attractions.

If you need to cover longer distances, Helsinki has an excellent public transport network. You can check out the route maps online or use the travel planner to find out how to get from one destination to another.

Our itinerary covers what to do in Helsinki for a day, but there are lots of other things to discover if you have more time. Plus, Finland is the perfect jump-off point for a trip to Lapland or to the Baltics!

Let us know in the comments what’s your favourite part of Helsinki.

Also, while you’re here, make sure to check out other blog posts that will help you plan your trip:

• How to take the Santa Claus Express from Helsinki to Lapland
• The best things to do in Tallinn
• Make sure to download these apps before your trip

Until your next adventure!

Like it? Pin it!

Ilona is a world traveller passionate about sharing her experiences and giving advice to fellow travellers. Having visited over 70 countries, she is always excited about her next trip.

Related Posts

Jeonju choco pie: everything you need to know, how to get to gamcheon culture village & unmissable things to do there, zurich to liechtenstein day trip – your complete guide, write a comment cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

Cookie consent notice

Privacy overview.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Advertisement cookies help us provide our visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns.

Analytics cookies help us understand how our visitors interact with the website. It helps us understand the number of visitors, where the visitors are coming from, and the pages they navigate. The cookies collect this data and are reported anonymously.

Preference cookies are used to store user preferences to provide them with content that is customized accordingly. This includes the language of the website or the location of the visitor.

Finding the Universe

Travel tales, photography and a dash of humor

A 1 Day Helsinki Itinerary

Last updated: April 15, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 2 Comments

If you’re visiting Finland, you should definitely set some time aside to visit Helsinki – even if just for one day. There’s plenty to see and do during a day in Helsinki, from food to shopping and sight-seeing.

I’ve visited on a number of occasions, both in summer and winter, and here’s what I recommend you do if you visit Helsinki for one day.

1 Day in Helsinki

This guide goes through some of the highlights of Helsinki that you could easily visit in a day. We also have some more suggested Helsinki itineraries in our Helsinki card review .

1.  The Cathedrals

Helsinki has two cathedrals. The first is the big white one in the middle of town (top picture in this post), simply known as Helsinki Cathedral – this is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral, representing the main faith in Finland. There’s a huge square here, as well as a nice pile of steps that you can sit on and people-watch from.

The other cathedral I’d recommend taking a look at is the Eastern Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral. This impressive red brick building with gold domes is just a few minutes walk from the other cathedral, and sits impressively atop a hill.

Both cathedrals are free to enter, and differ enough to make them both worth the visit.

2. The Church In The Rocks

Ok, it all seems a bit religious so far! Fear not, we’ll move on to other attractions shortly. But the Church of the Rock, (officially called Temppeliaukio Church) is worth visiting even if you’re a pastafarian .

Built (you’ve guessed it!) into the rocks, from the outside the church looks like a UFO has taken up residence in downtown Helsinki. Inside, there is a beautiful harmony of carved out rock and design, with the interior naturally lit by huge skylight windows which circle the copper ceiling. It’s impressive stuff!

3. The Olympic Stadium

You know how I always like to get to the top of somewhere in a city to help orientate myself? No? Well, I do. Don’t worry, you have plenty of time to read the other posts on this blog where I go up things .

In Helsinki, the best place to get a view of the city, even if it is a little way north of the city centre, is the Olympic Stadium, where there’s a giant tower, from which you get a gorgeous view of the city and surrounds.

It costs a few Euros to get up the tower, although that does include the elevator ride, which will save your legs. Speaking of saving, if you take the hop-on hop-off bus tour of Helsinki you get discounted access to this (and many other!) attractions, although given the size of Helsinki, it’s only worth the investment if you’re really in a rush to see as much as possible in as short a time as possible. Or if it’s raining.

4. The Islands

Before I visited Finland, I had no idea how much of an island nation this place is. I already shared with you that Finland is home to the worlds largest island archipelago , but I also learnt that Helsinki itself is an archipelago of 330 islands!

The islands can be reached easily by ferry, allowing you to explore at your leisure, or if you are pressed for time, you can take a guided tour of the waterways.

I took the latter option, taking a boat tour which lasted around two hours. This featured an audio commentary and lots of information about everything I was seeing. Plus the boat had free Wi-fi as well as a bar, although sadly that wasn’t free.

Still, it was a wonderful way to get a feel for the layout of the Helsinki surrounds, and I can very much recommend it.

Another option is to visit the six islands that make up the Suomenlinna Fortress. This is a UNESCO world heritage site and one of Helsinki’s top attractions, so do try and fit this in to your day if you can!

5. The Harbour

The harbour area of Helsinki is a buzzing place to be, with bars and coffee shops galore, not to mention a fairly permanent market (see where to eat a little further down) where you can pick up souvenirs and the like, if that’s what you’re into. Whilst I was there I saw all sorts going on, from salsa classes to people just enjoying the unseasonably warm weather by swimming in the sea.

That all seemed like a lot of work though, so I just wandered around with my camera, trying out coffee shops and taking pictures of interesting looking boats and art installations. Which I think I succeeded at.

Where to eat in Helsinki?

I ate at a number of venues during my time in Helsinki, and was generally impressed by the food, although prices were fairly high.  I recall two memorable highlights for you to try:

Bar 9 – this was a great value find, serving up big plates of food for around €9 – €14 a go (a bargain by Finnish standards!). The pasta options were particularly good, although I have to admit that the noodles weren’t quite as exciting as they sounded.

The street food – I know, Helsinki doesn’t exactly have a rep for being a street food capital. But when I visited, I discovered that the street food scene was alive and kicking, serving up local specialties and treats from around the world. I generally ended up with some variation on reindeer or salmon, but you’ll find most cuisines are covered.

Check out the Street Helsinki Facebook Page for the latest happenings, or head down to the market square by the harbour (Kauppatori) at lunch time for street food most of the year.

Where to stay in Helsinki?

Like the rest of Scandinavia, Finland isn’t exactly a bargain hunter’s paradise, although there are some great value options in the mid-range, and it’s certainly comparable to other capital cities in Western Europe. Check here for a a selection of options for your Helsinki trip.

Save Money in Helsinki

Helsinki can be quite an expensive city to visit, so any way of saving money is a good thing! We’re big fans of city sightseeing passes – if you plan on visiting a lot of attractions, these can often save you money.

The Helsinki Card is an excellent value sight-seeing card which gets you in to over 28 attractions in the city, plus it includes a free travelcard to help you get around. Definitely one to check out to see if it could save you money on your visit. Get yours on the GetYourGuide site here .

Further Reading for your Helsinki Trip

We have some more content on visiting Finland to help you plan the perfect trip. Check these out:

• Our full review of the Helsinki Card , to help you decide if this is worth investing in for your trip
• We have a complete guide to things to do in Helsinki
• Looking to include Helsinki as part of a longer visit to Finland? Check out our 1 week Finland itinerary for some ideas of what you could get up to
• A guide to visiting Porvoo , which you can do as an easy day trip from Helsinki
• Our guide to visiting Finland in Winter , plus what to pack for winter in Finland
• An experience Husky Sledding in the Arctic Circle
• We also have some more cities and towns for you to read about. Check out  our guide to visiting Rauma in winter, our guide to visiting Oulu in winter , and our detailed guide to things to do in Rovaniemi for inspiration for your Finland trip.
• Check out our post on taking a  day trip to Tallinn from Helsinki,  which is a great option if you want to add Estonia to your list
• The official Helsinki Tourism website , which has lots of information on what to do as well as upcoming events and festivals.
• The Lonely Planet guide to Finland

And that pretty much sums up our thoughts on spending one day in Helsinki! If you have any more recommendations for what to do or where to eat in Helsinki, let us know in the comments below!

Enjoyed this post? Why not share it!

There are 2 comments on this post

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Yogesh says

17th June 2018 at 5:15 pm

We are visiting Helsinki on 11 September 2018 only day trip 7 to 4 p m. Your day trip suggestions are fine. How far city centre from harbour? Temperature during the day?

Laurence Norah says

20th June 2018 at 7:13 pm

Hey Yogesh.

September it is starting to get a bit coolder in Helsinki, with temperatures from around 10 – 20 degrees Centigrade, so dress accordingly – layers are the best option. The harbour is an easy walk from the city centre, no more than 10 to 15 minutes. Have a great trip!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let me know when there's a reply to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips. This also makes you eligible to enter our monthly giveaways!

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store your data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

• Privacy & disclosure policy
• Portfolio & Press
• NORWAY ITINERARIES

One Day in Helsinki, Finland

Psst! Some links in my posts may be affiliate links, which means that I get paid a fee if you chose to purchase something through it. This doesn't cost you anything, but makes a huge difference for me! Thanks for your support!

On my recent trip to Helsinki, I only had a short amount of time to explore the city. I was visiting a friend ( hey Veera! ), and we spent a significant amount of time at the Matka Travel Fair during the weekend (which was the main reason I visited on that exact weekend). This resulted in having to explore Helsinki in a day in order to have time for all the things on my list. Luckily we were efficient, and managed to see quite a few of the city’s attractions in just a few hours. So I figured I would share the highlights of our Helsinki sightseeing here on the blog! This will be perfect for those of you who have only one day in Helsinki, whether it’s because you’re on a quick stopover, or spending your time at conferences (like me).​​​​​

Of course, if you have more than just the one day in Helsinki, that’s great! I strongly recommend spending some more time there than that, just to give you the opportunity to explore the city without a checklist (and really get to relax and soak up the local culture and points of interest). However, that’s not always possible, and we’ve gotta take advantage of the time we have, am I right? Personally, I managed to experience Helsinki in one day, and feel as if I have properly seen the city in spite of my limited amount of time (all though I do admit that I left wishing I had more time there).

Table of Contents

One day in Helsinki – Exploring Helsinki in a day

There are plenty of things to see and do in Helsinki, but if you are short on time, this list should be your go-to guide. With just one day in Helsinki, you’ll want to make sure you hit the best sights of the city and get a few things checked off your list. But don’t forget to relax a little and simply enjoy the beauty of the Finnish capital, because there’s nothing that beats that feeling of simply walking around in a new city not knowing what’s around the next corner.

Perhaps you’re on a day trip to the city from another destination in Finland, or you (like me) are in town for a conference, and only have a few hours to spend in the city centre before you have to go back to the airport. With this guide, you can pick out your favourite Helsinki things to do and hopefully have time to do as many as possible. It’s completely possible to see them all in a day, but it would also make perfect sense to only focus on a few of your favourites. Regardless of how much time you have to spend, don’t miss these things to do in Helsinki, Finland!

On a layover but don’t have time to make it into the city? Here are my favourite ways to kill time during a stopover!

#1 Drop by the famous Cafe Regatta

This traditional little red hut was originally built as a fishnet shed for the family living in a nearby villa (actually, this was the well-off Paulig family) back in the late 1800s. Since the 1950s the shed was used as a cafe in the summer, but from 2002 it has been an established year-round location for anyone looking for a quick bite along the water.

The Cafe is incredibly charming, and everywhere you’ll see trinkets and artefacts hailing from Finnish culture and history. We visited just as the sun was setting, and in spite of the queue (as you can see in the photo below), it was such beautiful timing!

If you are visiting Helsinki in the winter, you’ll be excited to know that they have fires roaring outside where you can get warm, and you can even buy sausages from Cafe Regatta that you can roast on the fire yourself! It doesn’t get more Scandinavian than that. On a sunny day, you’ll find rather long queues, but most will say that it’s worth it to get a bite from this Helsinki staple. If you’re a food lover (and a sucker for the classics), Cafe Regatta should be on your Helsinki bucket list.

How to get there : The address of Cafe Regatta is Merikannontie 8 , and it’s a 30 minute walk from the train station. We were short on time (and you might be too, if you only have one day), and so we took a taxi, which cost about €15 and took about 10 minutes.

#2 Visit the Temppeliaukio Rock Church

My friends told me about this place before my weekend in Helsinki, and it has to be one of the most interesting churches ever. Temppeliaukio means ‘Temple Place’, and this is a Lutheran church. It is also called ‘the Rock Church’ and ‘the Church of the Rock’. What makes it so interesting is that the church is carved into a large rock formation! It has excellent acoustics due to its dome-like shape, and beautiful natural light pouring in through the dome.

From the outside, all you see is the copper dome and a bunch of rocks lined up to form a wall (the top part of the church wall, to be exact). But once you enter, you’ll see the magic of this place. It’s carved right into the rocks below and makes for an impressive sight. Definitely worth a visit on your one day in Helsinki! Get more information about the Rock Church, including opening hours and event schedules, here! The church is located just a 10-minute walk from the Helsinki train station.

#3 Have lunch at Pizzeria Via Tribunali

When you have done a bit of exploring (and assuming you have the time to eat), I strongly recommend Pizzeria Via Tribunali . Not only is the pizza (and the wine) great, but the restaurant is also located quite close to the next tip on the list. Find them in Sofiankatu 4, just a stone’s throw from Senate Square and the Helsinki Cathedral. The atmosphere is nice and relaxed, the pizzas are amazing (I recommend the Quattro Formaggio with a white base – you can never go wrong with gorgonzola cheese), and it isn’t too pricey. This is a great little Italian restaurant in Helsinki.

Read customer reviews and get more info here!

Se dette innlegget på Instagram Et innlegg delt av Veera Bianca ✈ Travel Blogger (@veerabianca) Jan. 20, 2019 kl. 10:21 PST

#4 Drop by Senate Square

I said that the restaurant was close to the next item on the list, didn’t I? This is one of the top attractions in the city, so if you are trying to see Helsinki in one day, make sure to add it to your list!

Senate Square is technically just ‘on the way’ to Helsinki Cathedral, but it is well worth a mention on its own. The square is located right in front of the church, and it is surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in the city, such as the University of Helsinki main building, the Government Palace and Sederholm House (dating back to 1757, making it the oldest building in Helsinki). In the middle of it, you’ll find a statue of Emperor Alexander II, which was erected in 1894 back when Finland was a Principality of the Russian Empire.

Fun fact : after Finland was declared independent from Russia in 1917, there were several demands to remove the statue with suggestions of what to do with the space in Senate Square instead. But, all suggestions and intentions to make any changes fell through, and the statue is still there today.

Here’s another Scandinavian city guide for you; how to visit Oslo on a budget!

#5 See the Helsinki Cathedral

The Helsinki Cathedral is an incredibly beautiful building, perched right on the top of a little hill on the North side of Senate Square, and it is a must-see for your one day in Helsinki! The white building is particularly beautiful when it reflects the (winter) sun, and its impressive architecture will most likely take your breath away. On the roof of the church, you’ll find statues of all 12 apostles, who are said to guard the city. It is still used for regular worship services but is also open for tourists. If you have the time to visit the church, I highly recommend it, but the outside is stunning enough for those who don’t have much time in Helsinki.

Another popular (and stunning) church I’ve visited recently is the Church of the Saviour on Blood in St. Petersburg. Read my guide here!

#6 Experience SkyWheel Helsinki

If you only have a few hours in the city and want to make sure you get an amazing view of it all, a trip on the SkyWheel is a must. This 40-meter high Ferris wheel will give you incredible views of the city and bay, and ensure that you’ve checked off one of the top Helsinki attractions from your list. The whole ride around the wheel only takes 10-15 minutes, so this is a great activity if you’re short on time. With the Helsinki Card you can get a discounted price on your ticket, so make sure to get one before your trip.

Side note : The Helsinki Card also gives you discounts on other activities mentioned in this post, such as on the entrance fee to Helsinki Cathedral, FREE entrance to the Temppeliaukio Rock Church, and FREE unlimited travel on public transport. Get yours before you go here!

#7 Go on a Helsinki Stopover Tour

Another super efficient way to see Helsinki in just a day is to join a ‘Helsinki Stopover Tour’. These are tours that are tailored made for someone with limited time to explore the city (usually 3 hours ), and include round-trip transportation to and from the airport. They are customised to include the top attractions in the city in a short amount of time, and have great reviews. I didn’t go on this tour myself since I was staying in the city, but am definitely adding it to the list for my next visit!

These tours are absolutely brilliant, as they will make sure you get to explore the city and all it’s major attractions, while also ensuring that you make it back to the airport in time for your flight. Of course, if the reason you have to explore Helsinki in a day isn’t flight/stopover related, there are also private tours available that don’t involve airport transportation, such as this private 3-hour walking tour .

Visit Helsinki in one day (from the airport)

Now that you’ve read some of my recommendations of what to do if you’re only in Helsinki for a day, you have a nice starting point for your trip! You may have time dtocover all of these, but you may also just have a few hours to spend before jetting back to Helsinki Airport for your next flight. Either way, I hope you now know that it’s completely possible to visit Helsinki in one day!

If you are flying into Helsinki, and want to get from the airport to the city centre efficiently, there are several ways to do so. Personally, I took a taxi from the airport to the hotel, which ended up costing €55 because of traffic (I’ve been told it’s usually around €45). It took about 45 minutes, but if you are not arriving during rush hour (like I did), it shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.

Alternatively, there are both trains and buses going between the city centre and the airport, and the Helsinki Airport website has a live view of their departure times and destinations here . Anyone exploring Helsinki in a day will find that it’s quite easy to use the public transportation there and that getting to the airport and back is quite simple.

If you want to make sure you make the most of your day in Helsinki, you can also book a private transfer to and from Helsinki Airport in advance. This is something I do from time to time if I’m exploring a city for the first time and only have a few hours to spare.

Visiting Helsinki in the Winter?

I visited in January, and so this can also be considered to be a mini guide to things to do in Helsinki in winter . On the day we explored the city, it was absolutely freezing, so my #1 tip for anyone visiting Helsinki in the winter is to dress very well . Layers, layers, layers, guys. Trust me on this. Also, gloves with ‘phone-friendly’ fingertips are a must! You don’t know cold until you continuously have to take your gloves off in order to take a photo or answer a message. With these gloves you won’t have to! Here are some of my favourites:

Don’t miss this winter travel packing list!

Where to stay in Helsinki

As I was visiting Veera and spending most of the weekend at the Matka Travel Fair, the plan was to just stay in her apartment for the weekend. But then Clarion Hotel Helsinki , which happened to be the location of the event/party we were going to on Friday night, invited us to come stay for that night (meaning that this needs to be marked with #Sponsored, all though they never asked me to mention them in a blog post). This was super convenient, as I didn’t have the time to drop by the apartment before the party (my flight got in just a few hours earlier), and so I could get ready at the hotel.

The beds were super comfortable, we had a coffee machine in the room (those are the only things I ever need in a hotel), and breakfast in the morning was incredible. So if you are heading to Helsinki for more than a day and need to stay overnight, I can definitely recommend the Clarion!

Check prices and book your stay at Clarion Helsinki here!

Want more of this Scandinavian? Here’s a great guide to all the places to visit in Finland during your trip!

Explore more places to stay in Helsinki here:

Pin this post for later:, the best places in norway – 13 beautiful locations that will take your breath away, our prague beer tour experience, you may also like, how to be a tourist in norway, 10 ridiculous questions tourists in norway have *actually*..., how to plan a trip to norway [a..., 5 fun things to do in oslo with..., top things to do in oslo, norway [a..., 15 free attractions in oslo [a local’s guide], the best museums in oslo, norway [a local’s..., the best beaches of punta cana, the 7 best emerald coast beaches [florida], the best hotels in oslo, norway [budget to....

[…] Of course, this winter packing list can also be used for other arctic destinations, such as Finland, Iceland and […]

[…] Another popular winter destination is Helsinki , Finland. I’ve written a guide to the city here! […]

[…] Surprisingly enough, this is quite a common question and shows up rather often on the list of Googled questions about Norway. If you are one of the people who made it to this post by searching ‘Where is Norway?’, then you’ll want to read this.Norway is a country located in Northern Europe, and borders Sweden along most of its borders, and Finland and Russia in the North. It is surrounded by water on 3 sides, and (you guessed it) Sweden on the 4th. If you are looking at a map of Europe and want to find Norway, just go as far North as you can on the map. If you hit Svalbard or Greenland, you’ve gone too far (all though Svalbard is actually a part of Norway, so you wouldn’t be wrong). Heading to Finland or stopping over in Helsinki? Don’t miss my guide to one day in Helsinki! […]

[…] We spent about 2 hours exploring the local area and got on our 18:14 overnight train to Rovaniemi.  If you are lucky and have more time, check out this great way to spend one day in Helsinki. […]

[…] If you’re planning a day trip to Helsinki from Tallinn then check out this guide to one day in Helsinki. […]

Leave a Comment

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Here are the 30+ startups showcasing at HAX’s May 1 Demo Day

A few weeks back, TechCrunch ventured out to New Jersey to pay an early visit to HAX’s Newark offices. As much as I complained about the 90-minute commute in from Queens, it’s nothing compared to the last time I paid a visit to the SOSV-run hardware accelerator’s Shenzhen space.

HAX’s China operations have shrunk considerably since then, courtesy of a global pandemic and all of the ensuing lockdowns. That space had remarkable proximity to the global supply chain. One simply had to walk downstairs into mall-like spaces, filled wall to wall with component vendors.

In some ways, the Newark space is a reflection of the Shenzhen offices. There’s a faint sense of déjà vu, entering through the doors and spotting the familiar stadium seating where company and startup meetings are held. The China offices were far more lived-in by the time I visited. As the first news organization to visit the HAX space, we were greeted with walls of boxes awaiting the recycling truck — a familiar sight to anyone who’s ever moved office or house.

One key thing the new office has is plenty of space. The Newark “flagship” is 35,000 square feet, funded — in part — by $25 million from the state of New Jersey. While the city of Newark does maintain some manufacturing facilities, startups here can’t simply skip down to the massive Shenzhen markets to get a new part or have an old one machined. Instead, HAX has invested a lot into on-site equipment, including metal fab, 3D printing, CNC machines and laser and water jet cutters. There’s even a chemistry lab on-site for deep tech projects.

HAX will host its first demo day in four years here . The list includes more than 30 companies, across climate, manufacturing, computing, health and energy. We’ve got the exclusive list of all those companies showcasing (below).

Here are a few notable ones TechCrunch has chatted with over the years:

CocoonCarbon: U.K.-based CocoonCarbon has built a small factory inside a shipping container that is capable of turning steel runoff (turns out it’s called “slag”) into sustainable cement.

PureLi: Founded nearby, this Princeton University startup has designed a simple system it promises can dramatically speed up lithium extraction in brine lakes. Located primarily in South American countries like Chile, these “lakes” are produced when drilling for oil and gas. The startup is currently working on a rev share model, using a technology it says can double or triple the evaporation rate.

Renovate Robotics: We first covered this robotic roofing firm last March, when it announced a $2.5 million seed round . The news also found HAX associate/analyst Dylan Crow jumping to the startup side of the fence as COO. Renovate produced a winch-based robot that installs roof shingles in a gantry-like X,Y axis pattern. Roofing is an extremely dangerous business that’s prime for automation.

Silana: This Vienna firm is working on a robotic system that can completely automate the sewing process. Once completed, the startup says its technology (pictured at the top of the post) will be able to increase production speeds by 4x, while lowering costs and CO 2 by 82% and 38%, respectively.

Swap Robotics : Swap has been around for a minute already. The firm actually competed in TechCrunch’s Startup Battlefield at Disrupt 2022. Founded in 2019, the company has built a robotic system designed to landscape solar farms — that means both grass cutting and snow removal. Early last year , the Battlefield finalist scored $7 million in seed funding. The round was fittingly led by California-based solar provider, SOLV Energy.

HAX’s Demo Day kicks off at 2 p.m. ET on May 1.

Here’s the full list, courtesy of HAX:

Altiro Energy provides carbon-free high-temperature industrial heat where on-grid sources are unavailable. The technology uses iron as a rechargeable CO 2 -free fuel to provide the most flexible, clean energy carrier. Existing fossil fuel-based power generation assets can easily be retrofitted to use Altiro’s fuel.

Amatec developed a fast-curing, sustainable alternative to concrete. It allows for the world’s most rapid, low-cost and low-carbon production of ready-to-install, prefabricated panels for residential construction.

Arculus uses robots to upgrade gas pipelines to carry hydrogen with a unique coating process that breathes new life into stranded gas assets.

AtoMe has developed a unique approach to additive manufacturing that enables advanced materials with significant improvements in physical properties over traditional alloys. These materials can be applied in a variety of industries, including aviation, aerospace, nuclear, and oil and gas.

Aurasense quantifies neurological conditions by creating point-of-care devices to capture and analyze motor function and provide data-enabled treatment feedback.

CarbonBridge converts waste greenhouse gas into methanol using microbes. Their biological process enables the lowest energy and greenest process for methanol production, while achieving cost-parity with fossil fuels by 2027.

CocoonCarbon is decarbonizing the steel and cement industries through production of low-carbon cement additives produced from steel waste and industrial CO 2 emissions.

Cool Amps has developed a novel, low energy, low capex, distributed process for battery recycling that does not require collection of black mass. Their process allows for recovery of all the battery components, including directly yielding usable cathode-active material.

DIA is on a mission to improve human health by measuring chemical threats daily, in real time, and at the point-of-need using groundbreaking electrochemical sensing technology integrated into wearable devices. Their first product measures cortisol — “the stress hormone” — with two drops of saliva in three minutes.

3DK Tech enables local advanced manufacturing by bringing forging-level durability and reliability to metal additive manufacturing.

Hyperlume AI is already creating a huge electricity burden, with data centers that today consume more electricity than Western countries like the U.K., and this is set to grow exponentially. Hyperlume builds high-speed, ultra-low-power, low-cost optical interconnects for data centers and high-performance computing systems that can save up to 10% energy.

LightHearted has developed a novel medical device that can diagnose heart diseases cheaply, quickly and accurately, to enable preventative care, without the need of a clinician.

Lura Health creates sensors that monitor health through saliva. They enable a continual stream of critical data that can help prevent health emergencies, manage chronic diseases and help users achieve their health goals.

Material enables 3D-printed batteries for custom shapes and chemistries. This technology enables better design-engineering, improved cooling and performance and flexible production for infinite customization.

Mazlite saves automotive customers by preventing errors in coating processes. Their advanced spray monitoring and optimization technology makes industrial spraying processes sustainable and more profitable.

MesaQuantum creates grain-sized chip-scale atomic clocks. Their technology is a quantum-accurate timing standard for applications in defense, underwater, GPS replacement and secure wireless communications.

Metal Light is building a replacement for industrial diesel generators using metal and air to produce cost competitive, clean electricity with no emissions. They are applying this technology across a range of industries including construction, entertainment, mining and maritime shipping.

MIMiC has pioneered a refrigerant-free HVAC system that requires no moving parts, making it maintenance-free and reducing operating costs. This solid-state heat pump technology is a game-changer in the industry, as refrigerants are incredibly harmful GHG contributors.

Mitico has developed a point-source carbon capture system that can capture and purify CO 2 at prices below $50/ton. Their amine-free system is modular and mass manufacturable and easily integrates into existing infrastructure, and utilizes non-toxic sorbents.

OLI is building intuitive, portable hemodialysis devices. It’s positioned to be the world’s most convenient form of kidney care, accessible from virtually anywhere.

PDS has developed a “toxicology-lab-in-a-box” which enables clinicians and investigators to streamline analytical testing with a seamless on-site solution, delivering laboratory-quality data while saving time and money.

PureLi dramatically expedites the extraction of lithium using environmentally safe methods within existing facilities and enables profitable lithium production from previously un-economic reserves.

Qnetic is building the world’s largest flywheel energy storage device that is both less expensive and more reliable than lithium ion storage for grid-scale storage.

Q5D combines robotics and AI to add wiring and printed electronics directly into products, automating what is currently a manual process. This reduces cost, simplifies supply chains, enables nearshore production and improves quality in the manufacturing of automotive, aerospace and consumer products.

Renovate Robotics automates roofing and solar installation with robotics. They increase the productivity, safety, quality and speed of roof installation.

Silana manufactures modular cut-and-sew robotically powered micro-factories that enable ultra-responsive supply chains for apparel manufacturing. This technological innovation enables sustainable, cost-effective production in high-wage countries.

SWAP Robotics addresses two significant cost challenges to the CapEx and OpEx of solar farms. Their robots for solar panel laying and vegetation management at large solar farms drastically reduce install costs and continuing O&M.

Still Bright has discovered transformative reaction chemistry to enable the local, rapid, clean and complete recovery of copper. This enables domestic production of copper, a critical mineral for electrification.

Terran Robotics makes automated home construction a mass-market reality. Their robots take one of the world’s most expensive, well-understood and labor-intensive forms of construction and automates its biggest cost component: labor. The result is extraordinary homes at an affordable price aimed at solving the housing crisis.

TrelliSense has built a methane intelligence platform that detects, localizes and quantifies emissions. Their advanced spectroscopic sensors are flexible and affordable, providing unparalleled continuous monitoring for oil and gas, waste management and agriculture companies.

Unicorn Bio builds machines to industrialize biomanufacturing processes by combining cutting-edge hardware, analytics and AI-driven control systems. This enables scalable manufacturing for industries including cell & gene therapies, pharmaceuticals and cultured meat at affordable cost and reliable quality.

Vandrax Technologies is on a mission to solve the housing crisis with the first fully automated building construction system that can build homes, office buildings, multi-family housing and infrastructure in a safer, faster, cheaper and more sustainable way. Their proprietary technology combines Building Information Modeling (BIM), standardization and AI-enabled robotics.

Verdex has developed a highly scalable and eco-friendly nanofiber manufacturing process to produce advanced filtration materials. These materials can be used for energy efficient HVAC, CO 2 capture and green battery components.

• Election 2024
• Entertainment
• Newsletters
• Photography
• Personal Finance
• AP Investigations
• AP Buyline Personal Finance
• AP Buyline Shopping
• Press Releases
• Israel-Hamas War
• Russia-Ukraine War
• Global elections
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East
• Election Results
• Delegate Tracker
• AP & Elections
• Auto Racing
• 2024 Paris Olympic Games
• Movie reviews
• Book reviews
• Personal finance
• Financial Markets
• Business Highlights
• Financial wellness
• Artificial Intelligence
• Social Media

Convenience store chain with hundreds of outlets in 6 states hit with discrimination lawsuit

President Joe Biden’s limosine is seen outside Sheetz, where the President stopped enroute to Pittsburgh International Airport, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

President Joe Biden is greeted after walking into a Sheetz after stopping enroute to Pittsburgh International Airport, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon))

President Joe Biden walks into a Sheetz after stopping enroute to Pittsburgh International Airport, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, in Pittsburgh, Pa. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

• Copy Link copied

The Sheetz convenience store chain has been hit with a lawsuit by federal officials who allege the company discriminated against minority job applicants.

Sheetz Inc., which operates more than 700 stores in six states, discriminated against Black, Native American and multiracial job seekers by automatically weeding out applicants whom the company deemed to have failed a criminal background check, according to U.S. officials.

President Joe Biden stopped by a Sheetz for snacks this week while campaigning in Pennsylvania.

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed suit in Baltimore against Altoona, Pennsylvania-based Sheetz and two subsidary companies, alleging the chain’s longstanding hiring practices have a disproportionate impact on minority applicants and thus run afoul of federal civil rights law.

Sheetz said Thursday that it “does not tolerate discrimination of any kind.”

“Diversity and inclusion are essential parts of who we are. We take these allegations seriously. We have attempted to work with the EEOC for nearly eight years to find common ground and resolve this dispute,” company spokesperson Nick Ruffner said in a statement.

The privately held, family-run company has more than 23,000 employees and operates convenience stores and gas stations in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.

The lawsuit was filed in federal court on Wednesday, the day Biden stopped at a Sheetz market on a western Pennsylvania campaign swing , buying snacks, posing for photos and chatting up patrons and employees.

Federal officials said they do not allege Sheetz was motivated by racial animus, but take issue with the way the chain uses criminal background checks to screen job seekers. The company was sued under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits workplace discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion and national origin.

“Federal law mandates that employment practices causing a disparate impact because of race or other protected classifications must be shown by the employer to be necessary to ensure the safe and efficient performance of the particular jobs at issue,” EEOC attorney Debra M. Lawrence said in a statement.

“Even when such necessity is proven, the practice remains unlawful if there is an alternative practice available that is comparably effective in achieving the employer’s goals but causes less discriminatory effect,” Lawrence said.

It wasn’t immediately clear how many job applicants have been affected, but the agency said Sheetz’s unlawful hiring practices date to at least 2015.

The EEOC, an independent agency that enforces federal laws against workplace discrimination, is seeking to force Sheetz to offer jobs to applicants who were unlawfully denied employment and to provide back pay, retroactive seniority and other benefits.

The EEOC began its probe of the convenience store chain after two job applicants filed complaints alleging employment discrimination.

The agency found that Black job applicants were deemed to have failed the company’s criminal history screening and were denied employment at a rate of 14.5%, while multiracial job seekers were turned away 13.5% of the time and Native Americans were denied at a rate of 13%.

By contrast, fewer than 8% of white applicants were refused employment because of a failed criminal background check, the EEOC’s lawsuit said.

The EEOC notified Sheetz in 2022 that it was likely violating civil rights law, but the agency said its efforts to mediate a settlement failed, prompting this week’s lawsuit.

• Mock Drafts
• Scouting Reports
• 2024 Prospects

2024 NFL Draft: Penn State's Theo Johnson emerging as TE2 behind Brock Bowers

• Author: Cory Kinnan

The 2024 NFL Draft is now just two days away , and one insider seems to think that Penn State's Theo Johnson is emerging as the top tight end in the class not named Brock Bowers.

Dropping a plethora of draft nuggets on the eve of NFL Draft eve, Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson has stated that many teams have lost favor with Texas tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders after a poor showing at his pro day.

For some, Johnson has been the TE2 of this class for quite some time. His size, athleticism, and willingness as a blocker makes him one of the most well-rounded tight ends in the 2024 NFL Draft class.

This is an interesting group of tight ends after Bowers. While there are still reasons to believe in Sanders and Johnson, names like Kansas State's Ben Sinnott, Florida State's Jaheim Bell, Ohio State's Cade Stover, and Arizona's Tanner McLachlan are names to keep an eye on as well.

Latest News

Bears Out in Full Force at Caleb Williams' Pro Day Workout

Mel Kiper's New Mock Draft Has a Name We Never See in the 1st Round

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Daniel Jeremiah Chooses Chaos in New 1st-Round Projection

49ers Lose Draft Pick Over Accounting Errors

2024 NFL Mock Draft: Multiple Teams Trade Up for Top QBs

Trump vows to make his voice heard in court as first week of trial draws to a close. Here's what you missed on Day 4.

Four days into the first criminal trial of a former president, Donald Trump was showing signs of frustrations.

He had listened to scores of New Yorkers express less-than-favorable opinions about him, was restricted in what he could say in court, and had even been told to sit down by the judge.

“Sir, can you please have a seat,” said Juan Merchan, the soft-spoken judge who is presiding over Trump’s hush money trial, when the former president thought Friday's proceedings were over and got up to leave.

As Trump returned to the defense table, Merchan thanked him.

Trump exited the room minutes later looking weary and promising to testify at the trial, which he slammed as a “witch hunt.”

His comments capped a week that was filled with power reversals and accusations turned upside down.

Trump, who prosecutors say made hush money payments to interfere in the 2016 presidential election, is attempting to make a parallel case in the court of public opinion.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, the presumptive Republican nominee for president groused that “instead of being in Pennsylvania or Georgia, or North Carolina or lots of other places today, I’m sitting in a courthouse all day long,” adding that the process “will go on for another four or five weeks.”

The trial is expected to last as many as six weeks.

Trump, who is required to be in court for the duration of the trial, also accused the district attorney’s office of waging interference in the 2024 presidential election on behalf of President Joe Biden by “keeping me off the campaign trail.”

He went on to argue that he was “not allowed to speak” after the judge said he must curtail his social media attacks against potential witnesses in the case, and later told supporters in a fundraising email that he was “FULLY GAGGED.”

Much of Friday's drama unfolded outside the courthouse, where a man set himself on fire in a park facing the court. Police extinguished the flames and he was taken to a hospital where he later died.

In the courtroom, Trump sat at the defense table as prospective jurors were asked questions aimed at sussing out their ability to be impartial.

One alternate juror was excused for anxiety, which she believed would hamper her ability “to be completely fair.” Another was questioned about a social media post referencing the former president, saying, “I do believe he’s the devil.”

“I don’t recall posting that,” the man said, before being dismissed.

Trump had taken a particular interest in the man, who had volunteered for the campaign of his 2016 Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.

Social media posts made the case for dismissing several other potential jurors, even after they said they could judge Trump fairly.

A retired New York high school teacher said he could “absolutely” be fair and impartial, but was compelled to answer questions about excavated social media posts that revealed that in 2017 he had attended “a massive anti-trump rally,” according to the caption of a picture in which he had tagged himself online.

He was excused.

By Friday afternoon, Merchan had seated a full 12-person jury and assigned six alternates. All 18 will meet for the first time on Monday morning, when opening statements are set to get underway.

Trump’s defense team looked noticeably downcast during the afternoon’s proceedings, with attorney Susan Necheles slumping back into her seat, arms crossed, until addressing the judge late in the day. Lead attorney Todd Blanche was seated next to Trump, and the two sat watching and occasionally whispering to one another.

After Merchan said he would not consider a motion on presidential immunity and other motions, Blanche insisted there was still more to discuss.

“This sounds suspiciously like the 10 minutes we spent arguing this on Monday … with no new facts, no new application of the law,” Merchan responded.

“There’s nothing else to re-argue,” he added, as the first week of the trial came to a close. “We’re going to have opening statements Monday morning. This trial is starting.”

Katherine Doyle is a White House reporter for NBC News.