The bashful capital of Finland, Helsinki, often gets overlooked in favor of other Nordic capitals. This charming city is steadily growing a stream of visitors over time. I can completely understand why too. I figured spending a few days in the capital city would be good during our time in Finland, but I wasn’t expected to be won over by it. The city is compact yet youthful in personality. The compactness of the city makes it easy to see a lot in only one day in Helsinki.
One thing that surprised me was the sense of pride in design. From the buildings – both classic and eclectic to the adorable outdoor cafes, to pristine parks (even when they’re covered in snow). There are plenty of museums and galleries to check out, as well as unique restaurants and bars. You can also go shopping or enjoy an ice cream treat (yes, even in winter!) or warm up with coffee or hot chocolate at a number of cafes.
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Getting To Helsinki
Helsinki is connected by ferry with neighboring cities. From Tallinn, Estonia, you can reach Helsinki in 2 hours by fast ferry. Helsinki is connected to other European countries via ferries. Fast ferries connect Helsinki to Stockholm in Sweden, St. Petersburg in Russia, and Tallinn in Estonia. Tickets can be booked in advance online for cheap fares.
We got to Helsinki by air. Finnair is Finland’s own airline has its hub in Helsinki. It was easy (and relatively cheap) to get a flight. I was impressed with Finnair’s commitment to safety – they handed a hand sanitizer and a surface sanitizer to all passengers. We also exited the plane by row so people could stay in their seats (though I think this should be an all-the-time thing, not just a covid thing).
How to Spend One Day in Helsinki, Finland
Take a Walking Tour
There are guided Design Walks on Saturday morning for a deeper dive into the unique designs of Helsinki. The Design District itself spans 25 streets and has over 200 members.
This small-group tour is hosted by a city planner – so who better to learn about the buildings of the city from?!
OR for the best bang-for-your-buck – pick up the Helsinki City Card. It includes a free sightseeing tour and free public transportation in the city center. Perfect for exploring the city on your own! If you want to dive into the architecture of the city, check out this walking tour hosted by an architect!
Take a Guided City and/or Bus Tour
Hop-on hop-off tours operate between May and September. Sightseeing tours by bus are available throughout the year. Tours operated by Hop-on hop-offs are great for getting around quickly. However, if you want to see more than just the main sights, then consider booking a private tour. Private tours are also ideal for those who want to take in the culture and history of Helsinki. Private tours are often better valued, and allow you to get off the beaten path.
There are a number of tours to hit the highlights of the city. This one is under two hours and includes the Parliament buildings, Sibelius Monument, and Temppeliaukio church! This one is five hours long and includes a visit to Suomenlinna Fortress!
Visit the island fortress of Suomenlinna
The fortress of Suomenlinna is an island fortification located across the Baltic Sea from Helsinki. The fort was originally constructed during the late 17th century. The Helsinki Fortress is located on a tiny island between the sea and Lake Vantaa. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and definitely worth visiting if you have one day in Helsinki. Unfortunately, due to covid restrictions, we were unable to visit during our trip.
Walking through the fortress typically takes an hour. There are also six small museums where you can learn about the history of Suomenlinna and the city of Helsinki.
You can combine many of the sights of Helsinki and the Suomenlinna on this sightseeing tour! It includes hotel pick up from many hotels and a round-trip ferry ticket.
The Sibelius Monument
The Sibelius Monument is an impressive piece of art. The sculpture features hollow pipes each one has a unique design on the outside. The design of the monument was a competition, and it was critiqued because Sibelius did not use the organs. His face is nearby with a look of discontent. Sibelius Park is a lovely place to visit. It is a great park for children and families and was a beautiful winter wonderland when we visited. There is also a wonderful view of the sea. The monument is a modern design, harmonizing well with the young atmosphere of the city. The statue is made of bronze and is surrounded by beautiful flowers.
Cafe Regatta
This is one of those places that is “Instagram famous” because of the cute red design. It’s located near the waterfront by Sibelius Monument, so I figured a great way to warm up in winter is with a hot chocolate from the Cafe.
It was here, in freezing weather, at sunset, that I saw the Finnish people not letting the cold stand in their way of a good time. “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” is a lesson that will stay with me.
Fun Fact: On average, Finns drink 5 cups of coffee a day! Learn more about Finnish Coffee Culture and dive in!
The Temppeliaukion Kirkko (The Rock Church)
The Temppeliaukion Kirkko (Temple Church) in Helsinki, Finland is an example of Finnish architecture. It was designed by the architect Eero Saarinen who won a competition in 1959. He later went on to design the TWA terminal at JFK airport in New York City. The building is made of concrete and granite and has a copper-colored roof. The interior contains many features such as stained glass windows, marble floors, and wood carvings. The church is located in the center of Helsinki, Finland, and is open to visitors. The Rock Church is included in the Helsinki Card, and costs €10 per person. A church in Helsinki is a beautiful place to be during the day. But at night, it is even more impressive. There are no services or formalities at this cathedral. You simply sit and contemplate your life. This is a wonderful place to visit during your one day in Helsinki.
The Helsinki Cathedral
The Helsinki Cathedral is beautiful and graceful. It is built in neoclassical style. The cathedral was designed by Carl Engel. When he died, his work was continued by his successor, Ernst Ludwig Lohrmann. He added four small domes to make the large dome look more like St. Isaacs Cathedral in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Helsinki Cathedral is an impressive building done in pristine white. There are some interesting details inside such as the stained glass windows, but overall it has a simplistic design. Sit for a while on the steps and enjoy watching the sea birds swoop down from the dome. Enjoy the sun if you visit during a nice weather day. With one day in Helsinki, if you see one church, make sure it’s this one.
Admire architecture at Senate Square
After visiting the Cathedral, walk around the city to see other buildings. The Cathedral is the most important place to visit. You should also visit the Government Palace, the university, and Sederholm house. These three places are located close together and make up the historical part of Helsinki. The statue in the square represents Emperor Alexander II. When you stand near the statue, you’ll hear the bells ring out. Square is an important part of Helsinki city life. It is also a place for military exercises. Concerts and exhibitions happen there as well. There are many cafes around the square.
You’ll find unique architecture all over the city. Honestly, my favorite was the Kamppi Chapel (otherwise known as the Chapel of Silence.). It’s located by the bus and train terminal with the intent of providing respite from the hustle of the city. I’m so glad we got to spend a few minutes inside. The nanotechnology keeps all the sounds of the city outside. Bonus: it’s completely free. There are no photos allowed inside.
Walk the Market Square by the Water
In the warmer months (aka NOT winter), the Market Square (Kauppatori) is filled with stalls selling produce, flowers, food, and souvenirs such as jewelry and local crafts. It’s the center of the city, with a public swimming pool and sauna open in the spring and summer. If you look across the street from Market Square, you’ll see the pleasing yellow facade of the President’s Palace. You can also see Upenski Cathedral from here.
Marvel at the Upenski Cathedral
The red Uspenski cathedral is located on a hill on Katajanokka Island, about a 5-minute walk from Market Square. The exterior of the cathedral is impressive, with its brick facade, green roof, and golden onion dome. The interior of the cathedral is also impressive, with its richly decorated walls and ceiling. The cathedral is reported to be the biggest orthodox church in Western Europe. From the water, the cathedral looks fabulous as you approach the shoreline. Visitors climb up the stairs of the cathedral to see its magnificent green roof. Beautiful views are seen from the top of the hill. Gold is everywhere in this place. The ambiance is amazing so it shouldn’t be missed during your one day in Helsinki.
Get an aerial view of the city
There are two great places to get panoramic views of Helsinki – the Olympic Stadium and the Skywheel Helsinki. The Olympic Stadium is a bit North of the city and has a giant tower for the views. There’s an elevator you can ride for a small fee. If you take the hop-on-hop-off bus tour, sometimes this admission is included.
Another way to get the views is the SkyWheel. It’s located right on the water near Market Square. It’s not incredibly high – only about 40 meters (120 feet), but it does provide a new perspective.
If you pick up a Helsinki City Card, you’ll enjoy free public transportation plus free/discounted admission to many of the city sights and museums (including the SkyWheel).
Have a Traditional Dinner
One of my favorite things to do in a new city is a tasting menu. I try to find a locally owned, locally sourced restaurant that has a comprehensive menu (not always possible, but usually it is). It allows me to try a lot of different foods which I probably wouldn’t order on my own. We did the All Out menu at Restaurant Natura. Every dish was a wonderful mixture of flavors and textures.
Try a Finnish Sauna
Sauna is a way of life in Helsinki. People invite others over for a sauna, like dinner parties. Most Finnish houses have their own saunas – so when in Finland! Be sure to research any restrictions before booking a time (and be sure to book in advance). The number of people in a sauna is limited. A sauna is a must-have experience when spending one day in Helsinki!
Löyly is one of the newest and most famous saunas in Helsinki. It’s located at the waterfront near Market Square. You can even go swimming in the sea after your sauna to cool off (don’t forget your bathing suit!). A two-hour sauna time costs 19 Euros.
Kotiharjun Sauna is an old-fashioned, wood-burning sauna also located in Helsinki. It was built in 1928 and maintains many of the original designs throughout the decades.
Map of Activities
More Tours for One Day in Helsinki
Honestly, you could do Helsinki in one day on your own – it is compact. However, sometimes it is easier to leave the coordination, navigation, and planning to someone else. That’s where these tours come into play!
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Pin “One Day in Helsinki” for Later
Fantastic guide to Helsinki! You touched on all of the main spots. I love how walkable the city is so it’s easy to see the main attractions in a day.
I’d love to visit Finland one day, and now I’m even more excited to visit Helsinki! It seems like such a cool city to explore 🙂
I really enjoyed your post and is very relevant as I’ll be heading to Helsinki in June. Love that you can fit in so much in a day and you’ve added some foodie inspiration too. Pinned so I can refer back to this too!
Helsinki looks like a fabulous city. I love all of the architecture and would especially enjoy doing a walking tour!
Helsinki looks like such a beautiful and interesting destination. I can’t wait to check out the Sibelius art piece, or the gorgeous cathedral.
Heya,
Thank you for sharing. I have saved this, for my next travel in Finland! Great article!