Helsinki, Finland’s capital city and the first capital, combines small-city charm with rich history and serene archipelago nature.
Awarded with ‘City of Design’ status by Unesco, Helsinki is a modern city that offers functional design, unique gastronomy and maritime appeal. The capital of Finland is filled with lively events all year round, but the peaceful archipelago and green forests are only a stone’s throw away, and can be easily reached by the efficient public transportation system.
The city area includes around 300 islands, many of which can be reached via ferries. Some you can even walk to over bridges. If you’re lucky, you can even spot a seal. In winter, you can watch the sea smoke on the shores, take a cool dip in the icy waters, walk on the ice or try ice fishing.
There is plenty to soak in, from the smooth rocks of the shoreline to the distant horizon. Observe the shades of gray, admire the ferries passing by, and speculating on seal sightings to enjoy delicious restaurant dishes. In any case, expect plenty of Helsinkian archipelago attitude and the splatter of salty waves.
Distance from port to city centre
The city centre is no more than 4 km away from the cruise ship quays. You can find instructions to the city centre for passengers arriving in Helsinki on the cruise ship quay page.
Distance from city to airport
Helsinki Airport locates 20 kilometres from Helsinki City Centre, from where it takes around 30 minutes by car or the train to reach the airport.
Airport information
Helsinki Airport is the leading Northern European transit airport. Approximately 50 airlines serve Helsinki, and there are direct connections to approximately 100 international destinations around the world.
There are several daily direct flight connections to Helsinki from all major European destinations, most within a 2–3-hour flight. Helsinki also serves as a hub to Asia and US with dozens of weekly flights.
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Helsinki is a totally unique combination of quirky urbanity and peaceful nature that gives silence and space to feel more, hear more and experience more. It offers you the freedom to have it all.
Must See & Do
Suomenlinna Fortress Island
The Suomenlinna sea fortress is a 15-20 minute ferry ride from the Market Square. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island is one of Finland’s most popular tourist destinations as well as home to around 900 Helsinkians.
Oodi Central Library
Designed by ALA Architects, this library of a new era is an ode to Finnish culture, equality and freedom of expression. Oodi offers everyone an open, non-commercial, urban public space at Kansalaistori Square, right opposite Parliament House.
Löyly Sauna
Löyly is a public sauna and restaurant complex in Hernesaari district on the southern tip of Helsinki. The complex includes a traditional Finnish smoke sauna and two other wood-heated saunas, a year-round terrace and a restaurant. The saunas offer direct access to the outdoor seating area and the sea, where it is possible to enjoy a refreshing swim, all year round.
Temppeliaukio "Rock" church
Excavated directly into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio church is was completed in 1969, and it is one of the main attractions in Helsinki. The church hall is covered with a dome, lined with copper and supported on the rock walls by reinforced concrete beams. The interior walls are of rugged rock and rubble wall.
Sibelius Park
The Sibelius Monument, designed by Eila Hiltunen and one of Helsinki’s favorite landmarks can be found in the park. The Sibelius park was named after Finland’s greatest composer Jean Sibelius on his 80th birthday in 1945.
Amos Rex
Amos Rex is an art museum where the past, present and future meet. Located within the functionalist landmark of Lasipalatsi, the newly built domed exhibition spaces lie under the distinctively undulating Lasipalatsi square. Amos Rex presents site-sensitive, experiential, and often technologically experimental exhibitions by contemporary artists and their Modernist predecessors.
Torikorttelit - Tori Quarters
Experience the new life of historical Helsinki. Torikorttelit consists of three oldest blocks in the heart of Helsinki, right by the sea. Having reopened after an overhaul, the Empire quarters now feature top-of-the-line restaurants, charming cafés, Finnish design and handcrafts, fashion, culture, the City Museum, a cinema, a speakeasy, event halls and an urban centre for creative work. Torikorttelit are also home to the administrative headquarters of Helsinki, i.e. the City Hall. The City Hall lobby is now an open event venue for various operators.
Shore Excursion Examples
Sightseeing
City tour in Helsinki by bus and foot, combined with visits to the most popular sights in Helsinki: Senate Square, Temppeliaukio ”Rock” Church, Oodi Central Libraru, Sibelius Monument etc.
You can enjoy the relaxing atmosphere of the Helsinki archipelago, get to know the city’s unique architecture and visit the best cultural attractions.
Sauna & Wellness
What would be more wonderful than laying on a sauna bench, enjoying the hot steams and listening to sounds of the burning wood in the stove.
There are many public saunas in Helsinki which allow visitors to experience the magic of an authentic Finnish sauna.
Finnish Design Treasures
Helsinki offers a wide range of unique and sustainable design, fashion and interior decorating items. The boutiques, stores, secret shops, flea markets, department stores and shopping centres are full of treasures to be found. You might also encounter great personalities behind the counters.
Food & Tasting
Guided tours that will give you a taste of the Finnish culinary excellence. Visiting the market halls, the open air market, Fazer and other foodie friendly places will give your taste buds a great experience.
Annual Events
Check out some of Helsinki’s annual events!
Lux Helsinki
- Early January
- Various locations in the city
Lux Helsinki is a light festival in Helsinki that is organised annually at the beginning of January. The festival presents a diverse range of light art. In addition to the most famous buildings in Helsinki, the route also highlights lesser known courtyards and façades.
World Village Festival
- May
- Suvilahti
World Village Festival is Finland’s leading event for global action for the whole family, an admission free cultural festival, a food carnival and a trade fair for sustainable development. World Village raises global challenges and solutions, increases people’s understanding and provides concrete ways to take action to create change.
Helsinki Day
- 12th June
- Throughout the city
Helsinki has celebrated its birthday on 12 June since 1959. The day is packed with free events that are open to everyone organised by local associations, businesses, clubs, organisations and active residents. The programme includes both big and small events, music, the performing arts, guided tours, exhibitions, open doors and special activities for kids and the elderly.
Tuska
- End of June
- Location goes here
The Tuska Festival is on of the largest metal music events in the Nordic countries, bringing together fans of heavy music over three days. The event has been organized since 1998, and Suvilahti has been its venue since 2011.
Tuska’s mission is to showcase a diverse range of heavy music artists, considering various genres and different stages of artists’ careers.
Flow Festival
- Mid-August
- Suvilahti
Flow Festival is a leading European music and arts boutique festival. It has become synonymous with bringing music from old school legends to topical newcomers. Beyond the music, Flow offers a warm embrace of the arts and an exceptional array of world spanning cuisine.
Helsinki Festival
- Mid to late August
- Tokoinlahti bay
Helsinki Festival is the largest arts festival in the Nordic countries, held annually in late summer. The festival’s aim is to make art accessible for all. The programme features classical and world music, theatre, dance, circus and visual arts as well as a range of urban events.
Helsinki Design Week
- Mid-September
- Throughout the city
Helsinki Festival is the largest arts festival in the Nordic countries, held annually in late summer. The festival’s aim is to make art accessible for all. The programme features classical and world music, theatre, dance, circus and visual arts as well as a range of urban events.
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Sights
The Helsinki City Museum
The museum is an overall experience with the milieu, exhibitions and indoor decoration describing daily life in the Helsinki of the past. It offers free admission to all and is a great way to start to get acquainted with this beautiful city. Read more here.
Free admission
Tram Museum
At the Tram Museum, you can take a seat in an old tram that instantly transports you to the Helsinki of yesteryear. Let your imagination wander as you sit in the driver’s seat, watch films and study old tram tickets. You can also practice stamping a tram ticket the way it was done in the old days.
Free admission
Oodi Central Library
Helsinki Central Library Oodi is a living meeting place at Kansalaistori square, right at the heart of Helsinki. Every floor in Oodi has its own character, based on the possibilities it offers. Oodi has room for both quiet and more noisy activities. The third floor is called ‘’Book Heaven’’ where you can immerse yourself in stories, try out 3D printing, organise a meeting, play with friends, take part in a play session for the whole family or enjoy your afternoon with a nice cup of coffee on the Citizen’s balcony admiring beautiful Helsinki views.
Free admission
Espa Stage
Espa stage in the beautiful Esplanade Park is an outdoor living room for citizens and a window into Finnish culture for tourists. The activities are organized by the Savoy Theatre unit of Helsinki’s cultural services.
Admission to the events is free.
Finlandia Hall
Alvar Aalto’s iconic creation, Finlandia Hall, is an experimental event centre and a fascinating meeting place in the middle of the most beautiful part of Helsinki. See, hear and feel – a magical venue you will not forget.
Olympic Stadium
Main venue of the 1952 Summer Olympics that hosts nowadays various events and includes a 72-meter-high tower, a visitor centre and the Sports Museum of Finland, TAHTO.
Read more here.
Media Museum and Archives Merkki
Media Museum and Archives Merkki presents the history of media, modern-day media and the future of media as well as the freedom of speech in Finland and in other countries.
Read more here.
Free admission
Shopping and food
Stockmann
Northern Europe’s Largest Department Store Stockmann is a Helsinki classic and a great place for shopping, e.g. local souvenirs.
10% discount
Kamppi Shopping Centre and Kortteli
Bustling shopping centre with diverse stores. The fifth floor, known as Kortteli, has many restaurants serving local and international cuisine.
Read more here
Torikorttelit
Picturesque streets in the historic centre of Helsinki lined with restaurants, cafés and local designer shops.
Read more here
Others
Sports parks
Sports parks and fields
The City of Helsinki’s sports parks and fields are the largest sports and recreational sites in Helsinki.
Neighbourhood sports sites Neighbourhood sports sites are versatile sports facilities that serve multiple types of users. They are inspiring and enjoyable sports facilities that can be easily reached and used freely and free of charge. The City of Helsinki Sports Services has built and maintains 19 such sports facilities, and the number is growing.
Read more here
Free Wi-Fi
The city of Helsinki offers a free Wi-Fi-service in all ports as well as in several hotspots around the city. No passwords or registration required. Just look for ”Helsinki City Open WLAN” from the available networks. The following map shows the outdoor hotspots around Helsinki.
A green city
Helsinki is a green city with plenty of local nature and outdoor recreation areas. The park around Töölönlahti (Töölö Bay) begins in the heart of Helsinki and there is a popular walking path circling the bay.
Read more here
Let Helsinki charm you and your visitors! Contact me to learn more about the happiest capital in the world.
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