What to Do in Helsinki
What to do in Helsinki
Wondering what to do in Helsinki? There are a variety of things to see, do, and eat in the capital city. Find handmade treasures at local markets, visit picturesque churches, sample Finnish specialties at some of the many restaurants, and more! If you’re going on our 7-Day Lapland, Finland trip, you can use this list to give you an idea of what do to with your time in Helsinki!
Many of Helsinki’s landmarks are within walking distance from one another but we recommend the Helsinki City Card which offers unlimited use of the city’s public transport for your day in Helsinki, entrance to major sites, and discounts on dining, shopping, and tours.
Our suggestions below for what to do in Helsinki in the winter include traditional Finnish activities and some more unusual ones. Choose what you like and enjoy your time in Finland’s capital city! Just make sure to bundle up in warm winter clothes as you explore!
#1 Explore Helsinki markets
Helsinki boasts a variety of outdoor and indoor markets. Two major ones are located close to the harbor, starting with the outdoor Market Square where you can find homemade food, hand-crafted souvenirs, and everything in between. Locals frequent this bustling square which offers a glimpse into daily life and is the ideal spot to pick up souvenirs and gifts.
Senate Square at the harbor
If you’d like to warm up a bit, you can eat your way through the indoor Old Market Hall, also known as Vanha Kauppahalli. Operating since 1889, you’ll discover a diverse range of food, from local bread, cheeses, and jams, to more unique items such as canned bear!
#2 Visit Helsinki’s unique churches
Helsinki has some very interesting churches that are well worth the visit. If you are taking part in our trip to Lapland, Finland, the 3 churches below are within walking distance from your hotel.
Helsinki Cathedral is located on the lively Senate Square, just a 5-minute walk from Market Square. The cathedral is perched on a small hill and it stands out in the city’s skyline. It offers exceptional views over the city. Admission is voluntary but there is a suggested donation of 5 EUR.
TIP: Around Senate Square, you’ll also see other notable landmarks like the Government Palace, the University, and the Sederholm House, the oldest stone house in Helsinki. Beyond its historical charm, Senderholm House is home to the Helsinki City Museum, a great place to learn about the city’s vibrant past.
Market Square Helsinki
Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church) is carved directly into a rock with a one-of-a-kind shape and construction. The admission is 8 EUR and it’s worth stepping inside to marvel at the fusion of nature and architecture.
Rock Church
Kamppi Chapel, also known as the Chapel of Silence, sports a unique cone shape. Entry is free to view its deliberately simple interior. 
Kamppi Chapel
#3 Go to the National Library of Finland
The National Library of Finland is a hidden gem thanks to its gorgeous frescoes and murals. Don’t forget to look up to see gleaming marble columns and endless shelves of books! (Entrance is free)
National Library of Finland
#4 Try traditional Finnish food
Treat your tastebuds to a traditional Finnish meal consisting of fish or meat accompanied by a hearty Karelian pasty. If you’re a more adventurous eater, you can even try reindeer or bear! Wash it all down with a healthy shot of sea buckthorn juice followed by a spongy farm cheese in a cinnamon sauce with sour cloudberry jam for dessert.
If you want to dig deeper into Helsinki’s food scene, you can also try a guided food tour which you can book with Viator or Get Your Guide, for example. These food tours tell a story about the more delicious aspects of Helsinki’s identity and culture!
#5 Take a stroll in the Design District
Helsinki’s Design District is one of the best in the world; so much so that it is a designated UNESCO City of Design. Design aficionados will enjoy its lifestyle shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It is spread out over 25 streets in the city center’s Punavuori, Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi, and Ullanlinna neighborhoods. If you’re exploring on your own, check out this blog’s walking route of the Design District.
The members of the Design District Helsinki Association have stickers on their windows like this one.
#6 Choose from the countless museums
There are more than enough museums in Helsinki to learn more about the city’s culture, history, and art. Below are a couple of our faves but you can also check out this list for more museums.
Amos Rex is an art museum where the past, present, and future meet. It is located within the functionalist landmark of Lasipalatsi in central Helsinki and contains experiential and experimental exhibitions by contemporary artists. (Entrance fee is 20 euros.) If you have a Helsinki City Card, entrance to the Amos Rex museum is included.
Amos Rex Museum
The Ateneum Art Museum has the largest collection of paintings and sculptures in Finland. The collection includes nearly 30,000 national treasures. Entrance to the Ateneum Art Museum is also included on the Helsinki City Card. 
Ateneum Art Museum
#7 Travel through the frozen sea to Suomenlinna Fortress
Suomenlinna Fortress is one of the largest sea fortresses in the world built on a group of several islands. To get there, hop on a ferry and travel through a frozen sea with beautiful views of the fortress on the way there. Once you arrive, you’ll find adorable cafes in colorful wooden houses, the Suomenlinna Museum, and the submarine Vesikko, a restored submarine whose cramped living quarters you can enter. If you have a Helsinki City Card, entrance to the Suomenlinna’s Fortress is included.
You can also find guided tours combining Helsinki’s main monuments and Suomenlinna on platforms such as Viator and Get Your Guide, for example.
PRO TIP: To see all the sights above, just follow the blue signs and take the “Blue Route”.
Suomenlinna sea fortress in winter
#8 Take a Virtual Flying Tour Of Helsinki
This virtual flying tour of Helsinki takes you around and inside Helsinki’s most interesting landmarks rain, sun, or snow. Soar over Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and dive into the catacombs, enjoy the speed of Finnish lakeside roads. You can buy tickets online, or at the cinema itself. If you have a Helsinki City Card, it includes entrance to this activity.
Flying cinema tour of Helsinki
How to get around Helsinki
We recommend using Helsinki’s public transport (buses, trams, boats, etc.) to make the most of your day in Helsinki. With the Helsinki City Card, you can get unlimited use of most of the city’s public transport for 24, 48, or 72 hours
Hop-on/Hop-off bus tours and free walking tours are 2 other convenient ways to explore Helsinki. Tours are a great way to see the major sites and learn about Finnish culture, history, and society from a local guide. You can find an example of a free walking tour at Freewalkingtourshelsinki.com. Other walking tours and hop-on/hop-off bus tours can be found on platforms such as Viator and Get Your Guide. 
Helsinki is a charming city chalked full of cultural, historical, and culinary delights. So bundle up and enjoy the winter wonders of Helsinki! Happy travels!