We may receive a commission if you make purchases through affiliate links (at no extra cost to you). Read why our approach to travel is different.
Finland’s capital Helsinki is the largest city of the country, and yet it maintains a fairly peaceful atmosphere on the whole. This Nordic capital is a city of Scandinavian design, architecture, research, and sustainable solutions. Yet it is also full of beautiful nature and parks, and of course, creative Finnish people. Although we recommend spending at least a few days exploring it, one day in Helsinki can also be a nice way to get introduced with this seaside city.
Having spent time in Helsinki over the years, I’ve come to appreciate the diversity this city has to offer. You can spend a whole day immersed in nature on one of Helsinki’s many islands or in one of its parks. And yet, the next moment you might visit the busy harbor with a vibrant marketplace, or take a walk along one of the large streets of Helsinki city centre, lined with tall, historic buildings, modern shopping centres, and bars and restaurants.
I know Helsinki like the back of my hand, so I’ve put together this itinerary for spending one day in Helsinki – the right way. And that means exploring the city’s atmosphere, architecture, and nature, characterful to Finland and especially Helsinki.
When to visit Helsinki
Helsinki blossoms in the summer months: the parks of the city offer refreshing shade under green canopies to shelter from the sun, and the atmosphere is incredible. Helsinki’s islands are perfect for picnicking. Locals and visitors crowd the streets, and you’ll find a colorful number of street artists and musicians dotted around, especially at Esplanadi park.
The market stalls have lovely fresh produce for sale, and it is simply blissful to enjoy a nice Finnish ice cream while strolling the cobbled streets or the tree-lined avenues.
If you visit in winter, you’ll certainly have a more peaceful time. There are far fewer tourists in Helsinki in winter, and some venues have lower prices. During snowfall, you’ll find Helsinki’s buildings covered in a beautiful, shiny coating.
But winter doesn’t mean everything shuts down: there is still plenty to do, from visiting the various museums and exhibitions to visiting the zoo which is open all year round. Just bring enough warm clothing and nothing will stop you from enjoying Helsinki in winter.
How to get around
Helsinki city centre is very walkable, if you’re keen. There are no hills, lots of trees and parks, and the walking paths along the roads are safe and well maintained.
Though not as large as some Western European metropolises, Helsinki is still a rather big city, especially by Finnish standards. If you only have one day for visiting Helsinki, we recommend buying a one-day HSL ticket for public transport in order to make the most of your day in Helsinki. Such a ticket is valid for buses, trains, trams, and metros, as well as the Suomenlinna ferry. You can purchase a ticket at various kiosks, shops, HSL ticket machines, or via an HSL app. A day-ticket costs 10 euros.
Using a car in the city of Helsinki is not really worth it, because of the wonderful public transportation system. But of course, if you wish to visit some locations further out, then renting a car is always an option. Or, rent a bicycle – that’s another great way to get around the city and the islands.
Where to stay
If you’re staying overnight in Helsinki, we have a few recommendations for you. I personally have always highly enjoyed Scandic hotels in Finland, and Scandic Grand Central in Helsinki is no exception. They offer comfortable, neat, budget accommodation right in the city centre, with wonderful breakfast and sauna included (sauna, as you’ll come to find, is an essential part of the Finnish lifestyle).
Another good option is the mid-range Solo Sokos Hotel Torni Helsinki. This historic, yet modern, hotel is just five minutes from the central railway station.
Or, if you’re just looking for a simple budget hotel for one night’s stay, Citybox Helsinki is a great choice. It is a neat 3-star hotel, 1.5 km from the central railway station.
One Day in Helsinki
Breakfast
To start your day in Helsinki the right way, you absolutely must visit the historical Fazer Café Kluuvikatu for a coffee or a breakfast. Their breakfast buffet costs about 20 euros which is incredible value given it includes delicacies such as Fazer bread rolls, croissants, and Karelian pies with egg butter, along with a selection of meats and cheeses, yogurt and Fazer muesli, and juices, coffees, and teas.
The restaurant also has a patisserie and sweets section with mouth-watering baked goods and chocolates. And while you’re in Finland, there’s plenty of Finnish sweets that you simply must try.
Another wonderful place for breakfast is café Story at Helsinki’s old market hall situated by the harbor.
Morning activities
Helsinki market place at the harbor
After your breakfast, head over to Esplanadi, a lovely park and walkway that leads you to South Harbor and Helsinki’s main market place. You’ll find plenty of stalls selling their crafts, foods, and snacks, and these are also great places to pick up unique Finnish items and gifts like superbly made Finnish knives, wooden kuksa drinking cups, or products made out of reindeer horn.
The stalls are also a great place to buy snacks for your morning. We recommend you try Karelian pies or meat pastries, and there are also several fresh water fish dishes that are traditionally Finnish. My personal all-time favorite is a popular finger food, fried vendace – small whole fish fried in butter and flour.
The islands
For the rest of the morning, an activity you’re sure to remember is visiting one of the many islands that make up Helsinki city. Suomenlinna sea and military fortress is one popular destination and a world heritage site. It can be reached by a ferry that leaves from the harbor by the market place, and the HSL day ticket works on this ferry as well.
During a walking tour on Suomenlinna main island, you’ll get to admire the various parts of the fortress, visit museums, enjoy nature, or have a coffee at one of the cafés of the island.
Another great island destination is Helsinki’s zoo, Korkeasaari. You can reach Korkeasaari by bus, but the greatest way to get to the zoo is by a traditional paddle wheel ship that leaves from the harbor by the market place. You’ll need a separate ticket for this ferry.
Korkeasaari is known for their emphasis on species conservation and environmental education. Some of the special species found on the island include Amur tigers, snowy owls, and Finnish bears, moose, and wolverines. I also found it especially touching to see the Przewalski wild horse, one of the species that Korkeasaari has helped reintroduce into the wild in central Asia.
Cathedrals
On your way back from the ferry, if you have time, you might want to make a quick visit to Uspenski Cathedral, overlooking South Harbor. Uspenski is the largest place of prayer of the Finnish Orthodox Church, and although majestic from the outside, it is even more beautiful on the inside.
You may also have seen the mighty, white form of Helsinki Cathedral from the ferry. Standing a little bit inland from the harbor, it is another historic building worth visiting. I often enjoy also just sitting and relaxing for a moment on the cathedral steps by Senate Square, to take in the views of the surrounding city.
Lunch
After your morning outing, you’ll be ready to dig into a hearty lunch at one of Helsinki’s trendy restaurants. A popular place for lunch is Green Hippo Punavuori. Their mission is to make mealtimes fun, delicious, and healthy for everyone, with any dietary requirements. Some of their colorful, tasty dishes that I can recommend include beetroot pasta and kale bowl with halloumi cheese. Lunches are well priced, between 10 and 20 euros.
Café Lasipalatsi is another wonderful option for lunch. It has for decades been a popular, central place to meet with friends or enjoy a coffee or a lunch. They also serve lovely baked goods such as Finnish pulla and berry pie.
Afternoon
Visit one of Helsinki’s fascinating museums
Ateneum Art Museum is right next to the central railway station, and it contains the largest collection of classical Finnish art. The pieces displayed at Ateneum are well known by most Finnish people, and they offer a touching portrayal of Finnish natural-cultural heritage.
I highly recommend a visit to Ateneum if you’re interested in art, or if you’d like to get a small glimpse into the deeper mental landscape of the Finns. Entry costs about 20 euros.
Also centrally located, the Natural History Museum of Helsinki is a research institution as part of Helsinki University. It has several permanent exhibitions, about Finland’s and world’s nature and history. There is also a lovely gift shop and a café at the museum. Entry fee is about 20 euros at this museum, as well.
Admire impressive buildings along Mannerheimintie
Mannerheimintie is Helsinki’s largest, perhaps most important road, in the sense that various significant establishments are found along its course. Right by the city centre, you’ll find the Finnish parliament house with its impressive front staircase and pillars. Close by is Helsinki’s contemporary art museum Kiasma, also recognizable by its unique shape.
Local tip: Between Kiasma and the railway station is Helsinki’s new central library Oodi. The dreamy ship-like shape of the building is yet another celebration of Finnish architecture and design.
The library offers amazing services, from books, of course, to music or game rooms for rent, reading spaces, and a lovely café downstairs. I find Oodi to be a wonderful place for an afternoon coffee break, during a Helsinki visit.
Visit design shops at Esplanadi
Esplanadi is another important road, and a park, in central Helsinki. It runs from Mannerheimintie to the harbor. Esplanadi is lined by beautiful trees and design shops. Some of the shops worth visiting include the Moomin Shop, Iittala famous glassware store (most Finnish people have some Iittala at home), and Marimekko, with their uniquely printed clothes and fashion items.
Dinner
Mid-range and high-end
For dinner, you won’t be lacking in choices in Helsinki. If you wish to eat at a mid-range restaurant with traditional Finnish food, I recommend restaurant Kolme Kruunua. Their interior design is classical Finnish, and they serve dishes such as fried herring, meatballs, reindeer, and pyttipannu (hash). I find their salmon soup exceptional, and their escargots are superb as well. On the dessert menu they have unique Finnish dishes such as blueberry pie and Finnish squeaky cheese.
Savoy Helsinki is a high-end, classic restaurant, located at Esplanadi park. They’ve been serving quality Finnish-French food for over 80 years. The interior was designed by famous Finnish designers Alvar and Aino Aalto.
Food features seasonal ingredients and Finnish treasures, such as game, wild mushrooms, and berries. Some dishes worth trying include vorschmack (truffle potato pure with beetroot and pickles) and Marshal Mannerheim’s favorite pike perch.
Less pricey, special local experience
Or, for another truly local, and much less pricey experience, you could head over to Jaskan Grilli. Grilli is a thing in Finland – a small food joint or kiosk that serves wonderfully filling and tasty albeit usually rather fatty fast food. This is a great place for grabbing French fries and sausage after a night out, or a quick hamburger during your day visit in Helsinki.
After dinner
If you feel like heading out for drinks after dinner, you’ll again have almost endless choices, from bars and pubs to night clubs and cocktail bars.
Torni’s Ateljee bar is the great place for cocktails, sparkling wines, beers, ciders, and glögi (a type of glühwein). Torni has 13 floors and the cocktail bar is on the top floor, so you can enjoy your drinks with a view, and observe Helsinki at night.
Share This Article
Traveling soon? Subscribe to The Insight below and get exclusive access to our personalized travel advice community via WhatsApp so you can ask all your burning travel questions.
Looking for the best comprehensive travel insurance? SafetyWing has you covered.
And for your eSIM in every country, there is only one option we recommend: Airalo.
Read more of our best insights from around the world
- A Flying Visit to Sin City: One Day in Las Vegas
- 10 Best Restaurants In Pattaya: Fine-dining, Views and Beachfront Locations
- The Perfect 10 Day Itinerary for Türkiye: History, Culture and Sea
- 6 Best Restaurants in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin for 2025
- 7 Best Things To Do In Pattaya: 2-Hours From Bangkok!
- Helsinki vs. Stockholm – Deciding Which Baltic Sea Capital to Visit
