Helsinki, Finland: What to Do on your 1 Day Itinerary
This itinerary narrows down the best things to see and do with just 1 day in Helsinki, Finland.
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, sits on a peninsula in the Gulf of Finland at the southern edge of the country. It's built right on the harbor making it easily accessible for cruise ships coming in and out and for ferry rides to local islands including the eight that make up the sea fortress, Suomenlinna, now known in Finland as the "Castle of Finland". Helsinki is relatively compact making most everything walkable. Give yourself just one day to see everything that is worth seeing. The Estonian city of Tallinn across the Bay of Finland is accessible by ferry in only 2 hours making it an easy day trip from Helsinki. In safer times, we'd also recommend St. Petersburg, Russia, but sadly for some of us, that may still be many years away. Read further for our recommendations of what to see and do in Helsinki.
Note: Although not technically part of Scandinavia, it is a Nordic country and is close enough to Sweden and Norway to be considered part of our overall 10 - 14 day itinerary of exploring Scandinavia.
The Sights of Helsinki
Uspenski Cathedral
The Uspenski Cathedral is an ornate red brick Greek Orthodox cathedral that overlooks the harbor. It is the largest Greek Orthodox church in both Northern and Western Europe and was inaugurated in 1868. Admission to the cathedral is free and during the winter it is closed on Mondays.
Senate Square
Senate Square and its surroundings make up the oldest part of central Helsinki. Landmarks and famous buildings surrounding the square are the Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the Sederholm House, the oldest building of central Helsinki dating from 1757. The Palace of the Council of State (or Government Palace) was completed on the eastern side of Senate Square in 1822. It served as the seat of the Senate of Finland until it was replaced by the Council of State in 1918. It now houses the offices of the Prime Minister of Finland and the cabinet. The main University building, on the opposite side of Senate Square, was constructed in 1832. A statue of Emperor Alexander II is located in the center of the square.
Helsinki Cathedral
The Helsinki Cathedral is a distinctive landmark in the Helsinki cityscape, with its tall, green dome surrounded by four smaller domes. The cathedral was built in 1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Emperor Nicholas I of Russia, and is in the neoclassical style. It was known as St Nicholas Church until Finland declared its full independence in 1917. It is not that spectacular relative to many Central European churches, but it is free admission.
Esplanade Park (Esplanadi)
Known locally as Espa, Esplanadi (or Esplanade Park) is an urban park in downtown Helsinki, and is situated between the Erottaja Square and the Market Square. This beautiful park is lined with flowers and greenery and many public art pieces. Centered in the park is a statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg, the national poet of Finland. Other works of art are by Viktor Jansson, Gunnar Finne and Lauri Leppänen. The eastern end of the park houses the Kappeli restaurant, which opened in 1867. In front of the restaurant is an outdoor stage, which hosts numerous live music performances..
Helsinki Central Library Oodi
If you need a break from the rain or tourist activities or just need some downtime, the Helsinki Central Library Oodi is a very cool spot to go. The architecture inside is very modern and is probably not like any library outside of the Nordic countries that you've ever seen. Specially designed robots transport books to the third floor with 185,000 square feet (17,200 square-meter) designated for books. It's very Finnish in culture, and in their own words, "Oodi is a place where all people are equal. Everyone is welcome to spend time at Oodi." It's several stories high and offers a music studios, gaming services, urban workshops for printing and sewing, a restaurant / café, a children's area, and a deck with beautiful views over Kansalaistori Square and of Sibelius Academy (University for the Arts). We also saw a very similar library offering similar services The Deichmam Library in Oslo, Norway.
Market Square
On the harbor at the east end of Esplanade Park, Market Square is Helsinki's most famous market. Go to try traditional market foods and treats, as well as buy handicrafts and souvenirs. The Helsinki Baltic Herring Market, one of the oldest ongoing event traditions in Finland, takes place here every October since 1743. Close to Esplanade park stands the Havis Amanda Fountain, by Ville Vallgren (1908). The fountain is of a mermaid standing on seaweed as she rises from the water, with four fish spouting water at her feet, surrounded by four sea lions. Vallgren's intention was to symbolize the rebirth of Helsinki. Stone of the Empress (Keisarinnankivi), located in the middle of the Market Square, is the oldest public memorial (1835) in Helsinki. It was erected to commemorate Empress Alexandra Feodorovna's first visit to Helsinki. She was the wife of the Russian Emperor Nicholas I. On the far east side of the market is where you will catch a ferry connection to Suomenlinna island Fortress all year round.
Suomenlinna Island Fortress
The Suomenlinna (Castle of Finland) sea fortress, about 4 km southeast of the city center, is composed of eight islands, of which six have been fortified. It is only accessible by boat (see ferry service from Market Square above). The Swedish crown commenced the construction of the fortress in 1748 as protection against Russian expansionism, and to the Swedes and Swedish speaking Fins, it is still referred to as Sveaborg (Castle of the Swedes). There is plenty to see and do on the islands, and in fact, it is one of the most highly recommended things to do by locals while visiting Finland. Suomemlinna is meant to be seen on foot to enjoy all its outdoor splendor, so plan on at least 2 hours to walk to the Suomenlinna Museum, Piper’s Park, King’s Gate, Great Courtyard, and the submarine Vesikko. There are almost 15 cafés, restaurants and bars on the island too, so you can you can certainly make a full day of your visit here. It is definitely worth the visit and is highly recommended.
Finnish Sauna
The sauna in Finland is an old phenomenon and its roots are difficult to trace, but its earliest versions are believed to be from 7000 BC. So where better to experience a Finish sauna than in Finland, right? In fact, there is one located right in the harbor called the Allas Sea Pool. This marine spa has three saunas, two warm water pools and one sea water pool, to which the water is pumped from nearby streams and filtered clean. There's also a café, restaurant and Sky Bar.
Fun Fact: There is a Finnish Heritage Agency that is authorized by the state "to safeguard the vitality of the sauna tradition and to highlight its importance as part of custom and wellbeing".
Rock Church
The Temppeliaukio Church known as the Rock Church, looks as if a flyer saucer wedged itself into a pile of rocks and then was recreated into a church. It is very unique because it is built into solid rock and is one of the things to do while in Helsinki. Is it worth the price of admission to get in? We'd say no. We went inside and were disappointed. There really isn't much to see other than what you see in the picture below. There is a park that is built into the rocks that sits above it, so if you do make the trek to the church, take a moment to also go up above it via the park (accessible from behind on the right side).
In Search of Bubbles and Bites in Helsinki
In an ongoing segment by Bubbly Tourist, we always search for a location - if not the best location - to have some champagne wherever we go.
Savoy
Established in 1937, this Michelin starred restaurant boasts a superb location right along Esplanade Park. If you're looking for fine dining or champagne, go no further than Savoy. This local institution’s refurbishment has restored much of its original charm and its 8th floor setting boasts beautiful views over Esplanade Park. "Sophisticated classic dishes have a Finnish-French slant and a modern edge, with the occasional Russian touch". The wine list is also first class giving you plenty of bubbly from which to choose.
The Cock
Right around the corner from our hotel just off the Esplanade was the Cock restaurant, a wonderful, low-key, inexpensive restaurant where the ambiance was fantastic and the food was excellent. It was recommended as a place where the locals visit, and indeed we were the only tourists there for dinner. But then again, Bubbly Tourist tends to eat early dinners, so that might have had something to do with it. Regardless, we highly recommend it.
Where to Stay in Helsinki
Bubbly Tourist recommends staying in Kaartinkaupunki or Kruununhaka both of which are districts that border the harbor and are closest to the locations you'll be visiting most. We chose our hotel in Kaartinkaupunki not far from the Esplanade. We understand that choosing a hotel is a very personalized process that varies by individual. Use the Bubbly Tourist process in finding a hotel to help narrow down the lodging that best fits your needs.
Hotel F6
Conveniently located in Central Helsinki (Kaartinkaupunki) and only 7 minutes on foot from the Tallink Silja Cruise Terminal is the Hotel F6 Helsinki. This hotel has big rooms, comfortable beds, free bicycles, and an excellent breakfast (included). It gets outstanding ratings and Bubbly Tourist knows why. The service is incredible, the rooms are luxury without luxury pricing, and it's conveniently located to everything. Highly Recommended. As a reminder, Bubbly Tourist is not compensated in any way by any of our recommended vendors.
Getting In and Out of Helsinki
To and From the Airport
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) is 12 miles (21 km) north of city center and is the city's main international airport. Trains - accessed directly below the airport terminal - operate between the airport and the city center of Helsinki and take approximately 30 minutes. Alternatively, you can take a taxi from the city to the airport and also takes around 30 minutes. However, ask your hotel to arrange the taxi service due to lack of strict regulation in the country.
Stockholm - Helsinki by Cruise Ship
Bubbly Tourist took the Tallink Silja Line ferry which is an overnight cruise ship from Stockholm to Helsinki and was pleasantly surprised at its affordability. It's a massive cruise ship with numerous restaurants and bars on board as well as typical entertainment and gambling venues that you'd find on most cruise ships. The accommodations were average, but we were okay with that given the savings of an overnight hotel and flight to otherwise get to Helsinki. The Tallink Silja Cruise Terminal is only 7 minutes on foot to Esplanade Park.
Day Trip to Tallinn, Estonia
Only 2 hours by ferry from Helsinki, you can either catch the ferry from Market Square or arrange for a stop at Tallinn on your cruise to or from Stockholm. Tallinn, Estonia’s capital on the Baltic Sea, is the country’s cultural hub. It retains its walled, cobblestoned Old Town, home to cafes and shops, as well as Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century defensive tower. Though Bubbly Tourist did not make a trip to Tallinn, we would have preferred to have spent some time there and about a half day less in Helsinki.
Bubbly Bon Voyage!