Why You Should Visit Helsinki, Finland
The Coolest Capital in the North
Helsinki doesn’t scream for attention. It whispers with style, design, and just the right dose of Nordic mystery. This is the capital that gave the world Marimekko prints, cutting-edge architecture, and a sauna obsession so strong they put one inside Burger King. Yes, really.
From luxury hotels to cozy hostels, Michelin-starred restaurants to casual harborside stalls, Helsinki is where understated elegance meets quirky eccentricities. If you’ve never been, let’s just say—it’s about time.
Getting There: By Air or Rail
Helsinki is wonderfully connected. Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) serves as Finland’s main international hub.
- Budget airlines: Ryanair, Norwegian Air Shuttle, easyJet, and Wizz Air all operate seasonal or year-round flights into Helsinki, keeping your wallet happy.
- Full-service carriers: Finnair, Lufthansa, KLM, and British Airways fly in daily.
- Trains: From St. Petersburg, you once could hop on the high-speed Allegro (currently paused, but check future updates). Domestic trains whisk you to Tampere, Turku, or straight up to Lapland via the Santa Claus Express—an overnight sleeper train to Rovaniemi and beyond.
- Flights north: Finnair and Norwegian also connect you from Helsinki to Lapland’s Arctic airports (Rovaniemi, Kittilä, Ivalo).
First Impressions
Expect clean streets, crisp sea air, and a skyline dotted with domes, ferries, and an occasional icebreaker. Everyone seems to glide around on trams or bikes, and there’s no shortage of coffee—the Finns drink more per capita than any other nation.
Popular Sights
- Senate Square & Helsinki Cathedral: The postcard-perfect white church that dominates the city center.
- Market Square (Kauppatori): Fish stalls, seasonal berries, and ferries to Suomenlinna fortress.
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: A UNESCO World Heritage site sprawled across six islands. Bring comfy shoes and perhaps a picnic.
- Temppeliaukio Rock Church: Carved straight into solid granite. The acoustics are divine—literally.
- Design District: Boutiques, galleries, and cafés that prove Finns have taste in spades.
- Oodi Central Library: Part library, part living room, part spaceship. A temple to reading and architecture alike.
(Photo: Oodi library)
Pro Tip
Buy a HSL travel card (day passes available). It covers trams, buses, ferries, and even trains within the city region. No fumbling for coins in the cold.
Parks & Nature
Helsinki is one of the greenest capitals in Europe. Stroll through Esplanade Park (great for people-watching), head to Kaivopuisto for seafront views, or hop a ferry to Seurasaari Island for open-air museums and cheeky squirrels. In summer, the islands of the archipelago turn into sun-drenched picnic spots; in winter, snow-covered silence feels like another world.
Nightlife: From Chic to Sauna
Finnish nightlife is a curious blend: sophisticated cocktail bars, gritty rock clubs, and yes, sauna parties. The Kallio district is where locals bar-hop on a budget, while downtown clubs keep the bass pumping into the early hours. And don’t leave without a drink at Ateljee Bar, perched high above Hotel Torni, offering one of the best rooftop views in town.
Pro Tip
Order your beer at the bar. Tipping is optional, rounding up is polite. And yes, you can absolutely go to a sauna before going out—it’s the Finnish pre-party ritual.
Culinary Helsinki
Food in Helsinki is far more exciting than people expect.
- Fine dining: Olo (Michelin-starred, modern Nordic) or Palace (historic and elegant).
- Mid-range: Ravintola Savotta near Senate Square, with hearty reindeer and elk dishes.
- Budget eats: Hietalahti Market Hall offers everything from ramen to vegan treats.
- Quirky: The Burger King with an in-house sauna deserves at least a peek.
Breakfast tends toward bread, cheese, and coffee, but bakeries also serve up delicious korvapuusti (Finnish cinnamon buns).
Language: Will They Understand You?
Yes. Almost everyone under 40 speaks excellent English, and older generations manage quite well too. Menus, signs, and transport info are often bilingual (Finnish and Swedish), but English is rarely a problem.
Accommodation: Luxe or Laid-Back
Helsinki offers the full range:
- Luxury: Hotel Kämp, with chandeliers and history.
- Design Hotels: Klaus K, Hotel St. George.
- Mid-range: Sokos and Scandic hotels offer comfort and convenience.
- Budget: Omena Hotels (no staff, just codes), hostels like CheapSleep or Eurohostel for backpackers.
Romance, with a Nordic Twist
Helsinki isn’t conventionally romantic, but it has a subtle magic: sunsets over the Baltic, snowflakes catching lamplight, and candlelit dinners in design-forward restaurants. For couples, it’s cozy, stylish, and refreshingly different from the clichés of Paris or Venice.
Final Word
Helsinki is the rare capital that feels both calm and cosmopolitan, with a sense of humor tucked under its stoic Nordic exterior. It’s a city where you can take a tram to a UNESCO fortress, eat reindeer for dinner, party in a sauna, and still make it to your morning flight to Lapland.
So why should you visit Helsinki? Because it will surprise you—quietly, elegantly, and with just enough quirk to make you fall in love.
