During my trip to Finland, I obviously made a short stop in this young European capital, which is quite cold in winter, I must admit, and has the particularity of being located along the Baltic Sea. I say young capital, because we must remember that Finland declared its independence on December 6, 1917, and it was at that moment that Helsinki became the capital of the young Republic. A small detail regarding dates: you will note that the country is celebrating its 100th anniversary of independence this year.
This article is therefore intended as a practical guide to discovering the city with some tips and suggestions for things to do and places to see that I experienced during my short stay in the city (less than 3 days). For some good addresses on where to eat, you will need to check my upcoming Finnish Food Tour.
_
Table of Contents
Practical Information about Helsinki
Getting around Helsinki
The city’s public transport (tram, bus, metro) is quite practical and easy to use, and it remains the cheapest way to travel around the capital. However, the distances are not huge, and in my opinion, many things can be done on foot if you enjoy walking.
_
Getting to the airport
Using public transport, you can easily take a train from the central station to reach the airport; the ticket costs only €5.50 and it’s quite fast (allow about 30 minutes from the central station). I tested the trip myself with a large suitcase, and it works well.
The great little extra: there is free wifi throughout the airport, so if you have a little time to wait there, you’ll know how to keep yourself busy…
_
Wifi in Helsinki
Even if you don’t have an international data plan (as is my case for now), be aware that free wifi (Helsinki City Open Wlan) is easily accessible almost everywhere in the city, and it is very convenient.
_
Visiting the Arabia Ceramics Factory in Helsinki
In Finland, design is present everywhere, and it is truly a lifestyle for the inhabitants of this country. This ceramics factory has existed since 1873 and obviously produces many objects with Finnish design, but it also offers exhibitions centered around this theme.
In particular, there is a permanent exhibition on the evolution of ceramics and design in Finland since the 19th century and temporary exhibitions focusing on contemporary ceramic artists.
The shop on-site is also the perfect place to find typically Finnish creations to bring home or to buy nice gifts. The establishment also has a restaurant if you want to eat on-site, though I didn’t test it, so I don’t know if it’s worth it.
Iittala & Arabia Design Center Hämeentie 135 A 00560 Helsinki
_
Visiting Helsinki with a Green Cap Tours guide
This agency of young local guides regularly offers tours of the city with different themes.
The tip: You can take advantage of their Free Walking Tour, a short one-and-a-half-hour walking sightseeing tour of the city center of Helsinki. The walk will show you some historic sites and different architectural styles of the city. The guide will also talk to you about daily life in Finland and give you recommendations on places, restaurants, and attractions to visit.
This tour is free, but obviously, if you want to leave a small tip for the guide, it is always appreciated! However, the tours are, for the most part, only in English. During the winter season, the walks start every Wednesday at 10 am and every Friday at 4 pm on the main steps of the white cathedral of Senaatintori (Hallituskatu 9, Helsinki).
Green Cap Tours
_
Take a Free Tour in Helsinki with Civitatis
Civitatis is a platform specialized in the online distribution of activities, excursions, and guided tours for the world’s main tourist destinations. The best part is that they organize Free Tours (free guided tours) in several major cities around the world, which do not have a fixed rate, and at the end of the tour, each person is free to give the guide a cash amount based on their level of satisfaction. Enjoy a great introduction to the history and culture of the Finnish capital, discover Helsinki and its must-see monuments thanks to this free tour in English!
Free tour in Helsinki by Civitatis Duration: 1h15 - 1h40 Link to book your free tour
_
Visiting the Helsinki Cathedral
This Protestant church built by a German architect in the 19th century is in the Russian neoclassical style, since its model is the Kazan Cathedral in Saint Petersburg. Inside, the style is very stripped-down, nothing like the Mexican churches if you remember our little trip to Central America last year!
We were lucky enough to go behind the scenes with a Green Cap Tours guide, and via a small wooden staircase, discover the attic under the dome of the Cathedral. It was very interesting, but it’s a shame that this kind of tour is not accessible to the public. I still tried to convey it to you via some photos. Plus, it is obviously a great spot to get a breathtaking view of the city.
A good idea: come on a Wednesday at 12 pm to attend a short organ recital.
Helsinki Cathedral Unioninkatu 29 open every day from 9 am to 6 pm (and until midnight from June to August) free admission
_
Visiting the HAM, Helsinki Art Museum
HAM is the fine arts museum of the city of Helsinki and it has a collection of more than 9000 works. The HAM exhibition spaces are located in the Tennispalatsi, in the heart of the capital in a functionalist-style building completed in 1937, which at the time was a complex of indoor tennis courts.
Until July 30, 2017, you can see the exhibition “Moderne Life!” which shows the evolution of art, architecture, and design in Finnish society between 1917 and 1968.
Helsinki Art Museum Tennis Palace, Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8 open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm Price: €10 / €8 / free for under 18s
_
Take a tour of the Stockmann department store
If you are a fan of shopping, you absolutely must take a tour in this Helsinki department store located in the Kluuvi district, which will remind you of our Galeries Lafayette or Printemps.
Stockmann department store Aleksanterinkatu 52, 00100 Helsinki, Finland
_
Take a tour of the old indoor market KauppaHalli Hakamiemen
This market, which has existed since 1914, is located north of the Hakaniemi Market Square in the Kallio district, very close to the hotel where we were staying. The place houses 38 food stores on the ground floor and 28 shops on the first floor, so it is a perfect place to do some shopping and bring back souvenirs, whether they are culinary specialties or products from local craftsmanship.
Hakaniemi Market Hämeentie 1a, 00530 Helsinki, Finland open from Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and Saturday from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
_
Staying at the Scandic Paasi Hotel in Helsinki
This 4-star hotel, which was renovated in 2012, is quite well located in the center of Helsinki and is part of the “Scandic Hotels” chain. For info, the KauppaHalli Hakamiemen indoor market that I told you about just above is only about a 5-minute walk from the hotel.
Room prices: between €98 and €225
Scandic Paasi Hotel Paasivuorenkatu 5, Helsinki
_
And you, have you ever been to Helsinki? If you also have your recommendations and tips for visiting this city, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments!
Find all my articles about my trip to Finland in 2017 below:
⇒ All my articles about Finland
MY STOPS IN FINLAND
⇒ Practical Information about Finland
⇒ Stay in the Lahti region
⇒ Finnish Food Tour
⇒ Helsinki
Photo credits: Melle Bon Plan (with the Lumix GX80K) Photos are not royalty-free; the photographer's authorization is mandatory before any use
