With 131 kilometres of shoreline and a green space that covers 40 per cent of the city, Helsinki was recently recognised as the most sustainable city for tourism according to the Global Destination Sustainability Index. The capital of Finland has quirky and interesting museums, jaw-dropping architecture, a superb public transport network, and excellent food. It is home to people who are often deemed “the happiest in the world,” which shows in every interaction you have with the friendly residents. While undeniably a modern city in every respect, the pace of life in Helsinki encourages visitors to live with greater depth and authenticity, in tune with the more-than-human world and with one another.
Here’s your complete guide to the top attractions of Helsinki.
The Suomenlinna sea fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located on the coast of Helsinki and a city suburb with around 800 residents. Composed of eight islands, six of which have been fortified, it is popular with tourists and locals who enjoy it as a picturesque picnic site. Originally named Sveaborg (“Castle of the Swedes”), or Viapori as referred to by Finnish-speaking Finns, it was renamed in Finnish to Suomenlinna (“Castle of Finland”) in 1918 for patriotic and nationalistic reasons. There are six kilometres of walls, 100 cannons, tunnels and beautiful parks, along with museums, guided tours, events and restaurants at Suomenlinna.
Less than an hour away by public transport from Helsinki lies a large, unspoiled nature preserve with numerous trails winding through quiet forested hillsides and valleys. At Nuuksio National Park, visitors can escape in to a green oasis for a day hike, family picnic or weekend campout. The park has more than 30 kilometres of marked trails which offer the best way to explore the beautiful scenery and its diverse flora and fauna. In summer, local operators rent out canoes, stand-up paddle (SUP) boards and fat bikes to visitors. It’s possible to swim in almost all of the lakes and ponds in the park, and there are camping sites and lean-to shelters for overnight stays. Try to spot the adorable flying squirrel during your time there, and for guidance, check out the Haltia Nature Centre for equipment rentals. It also has an on-site sauna and restaurant.
The Ateneum is the home of Finnish art and part of the Finnish National Gallery. Its collection includes more than 20,000 national treasures, with art dating from the 18th century to the present time. The façade of the museum is decorated with statues and reliefs which contain a lot of symbols. For instance, above the main entrance on the second floor are busts of three famous classical artists: architect Bramante, painter Raphael and sculptor Phidias. Above the busts on the third floor are four caryatids that support the pediment, symbolising the four classical art forms: sculpture, painting, geometry and architecture. In recent years, the museum has held successful temporary exhibitions starring artists such as Tove Jansson, Amedeo Modigliani, Pablo Picasso and Ilya Repin. Currently, there are exhibitions on the Gothic modern era and a focus on artist Lars-Gunnar “Nubben” Nordström’s work.
Founded in 1893, the Winter Garden brings joy to visitors all year round, with seasonal flowering plants adding variety to the floral splendour. At Christmas time, you can witness the blooming of the poinsettia, azalea and belladonna-lily, while Easter is ripe for wild daffodils and tulips to bloom. During Christmas, the festive atmosphere is enhanced by a large Christmas tree, candles and Christmas elves. This historic destination features more than 200 different plants that flourish in three rooms: the Cactus Room, the Palm Room and the Western Wing. The oldest plant is a camellia tree that is over 130 years old. Do check out the Rose Garden too, where groups of roses bloom from July to September.
The Helsinki Central Library Oodi at Kansalaistori Square is one of 38 branches of the Helsinki City Library. The striking building is a beautiful example of Finnish architecture, its glass and steel structures and wooden façade coming together in traditional and contemporary design. Apart from the top floor, the energy-efficient library is made entirely from wood, which softens the general appearance of the architecture around Töölö Bay. The design divides the functions of the library into three distinctive levels: the ground floor has a lobby, public facilities, event venues and a café; the second floor is dedicated to work, activities, learning, interaction, and spending time with friends and family; and the third floor is home to “book heaven,” a place where visitors can relax and unwind with books, reading oases and cafés. One can also admire urban landscape from the library’s Citizens’ Balcony. Once inside Oodi, you won’t want to leave.
The best way to explore the maritime heritage of Helsinki is with an archipelago cruise or a paddle through its shoreline. The best time to do these activities is in the summer, as cruises dial down their services during the winter months. The JT-Line Oy takes passengers on a half-day trip through a historical steamship route that starts from Market Square. Visitors will be treated to an old fisherman's estate on the island of Pentala, passing by Suomenlinna, yacht clubs, restaurants and cottages on their way. At Pentala, the old fisherman's estate has been turned into an open air museum. This home museum represents the life of the last local person living in the house—the fisherman's widow, Gurli Nyholm. There are private luxury cruises one can avail of, too. If you wish, you can rent a kayak or join a paddling club and take an archipelago boating course. Those who seek natural peace and solitude can paddle to the middle of nowhere, while those who prefer socialising can meet new people and tourists around a campfire, as many of the islands off the coast are equipped with cooking shelters, toilets and saunas.
When you walk through Helsinki, public art is never far away. The city has nearly 500 outdoor sculptures, works of environmental art and historical monuments. One of these is the collection of the HAM Helsinki Art Museum, which includes about 250 sculptures located in parks, streets and squares throughout the city. This trail, designed for runners, is just over eight kilometres long and covers both famous landmarks and less familiar pieces of sculpture in Helsinki, like Harald Sörensen-Ringi’s “Goodbye / Au revoir,” Essi Renvall’s “Statue of Peace” and Robert Stigell’s “Shipwrecked.”
There’s arguably nothing more Finnish than lying down on a sauna bench, listening to the sounds of wood burning in a stove and perspiring your worries away. Some of the top public saunas in Helsinki include Löyly, a sauna and restaurant complex in the Hernesaari district, the Uusi Sauna in Jätkäsaari, the Kotiharjun Sauna, one of the last genuine wood-heated traditional saunas in the city, the Sompasauna, a wood-heated self-service sauna that is built and maintained by a group of volunteers, and the Furuvik Beach sauna, which is open all year-round.
At the highest point of Kaivopuisto Park, Helsinki's oldest and best-known green space, is the Ursa Observatory. Dating back to 1926, it is still in active use and plays host to public events throughout the year, whether that is observing the sun in the summertime or stars in the wintertime. Public viewings are organised when there is no cloud cover and when the temperature is above -15°C. If the weather isn’t cooperating but you are still interested in the heavens, take a short walk to Observatory Hill (Tähtitorninmäki). It is the site of an astronomy visitor centre, where you can quietly marvel at the wonders of space at its exhibitions.
Patronise Finnish brands on your trip to Helsinki by checking into Artek to buy functional, practical and long-lasting furniture; Arabia, one of Finland’s best-known and highly regarded brands that makes ceramics and beautiful high-quality tableware; and Marimekko, a Finnish design house that is famous for its unique prints and colours. Some of the top souvenirs you can take back with you include METTÄ food products like wild berries, herbs and mushrooms; Goodio chocolate; Kehvola Design postcards and calendars; Kaurilan Sauna’s handmade zero-waste natural cosmetics and premium sauna products; locally roasted coffee from the Helsinki Coffee Roastery; Eira jewellery by Kalevala Koru; and traditional Finnish birch bark shoes, among others.
The food scene in Helsinki is characterised by sustainable choices and authentic flavours that are drawn from the capital's fresh urban greenery and magnificent sea. Check out the Hakaniemi Market Hall for salmon on rye and other delicacies; the Restaurant Pompier for French food; Kosmos for long-standing Helsinki cooking traditions from vorschmack to Baltic herring; Michelin-starred The Room by Kozeen Shiwan and Restaurant Palace; Konditoria Hopia for fresh Karelian pies; Rönttösrouva for Finnish delicacies from Kainuu, including hand-baked, lingonberry-filled “Rönttönen” sweet pies, classic vendace loaves and sandwich cakes; the Cajsan Helmi tea house; Café Pequeño for a homey atmosphere and quality coffee; and the Chez Janet for Parisian macarons and Marie Antoinette teas.
For a luxurious experience, book a room at Hotel Kämp or The Hotel Maria. The Omena Hotel and Hotel Arthur are suitable for those on a budget. Backpackers should consider the Eurohostel and Hostel Suomenlinna.
Take a direct flight from New Delhi to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL).
The best time to visit Helsinki is from June to August, when the city comes alive with festivals, outdoor activities, and vibrant cultural events. The long daylight hours, with up to 18 hours of sunlight, also allow for extended sightseeing. If you prefer milder weather and fewer crowds, late spring (May) and early autumn (September) are also great options. Winter, while cold and dark, offers unique charm with Christmas markets and winter sports.