"What to see in Helsinki" is one of the most searched phrases on Google throughout the year. The Finnish capital attracts thousands of tourists and is a highly sought-after destination for those looking for extraordinary experiences in Nature.
Finland is an extraordinary country, rich in varied attractions, with breathtaking landscapes and panoramas, a splendid sea, and modern, welcoming cities. Moreover, being relatively compact, it is a place that can be visited in just a few days without missing out on anything.
In this article, we will describe an ideal 3-day itinerary, enough to enjoy the beauties Helsinki has to offer.
Thanks to its very diverse architectural heritage , it is also considered the design capital. Additionally, with many restaurants available, it offers an extraordinary food and wine experience for those wanting to discover Scandinavian and Northern European cuisine. Europe.
What to See in Helsinki: Day 1
A visit to Helsinki cannot but start from its charming historic center, where several neoclassical buildings erected around 1800 stand tall. Many of these are located in the city's most famous square, namely Senate Square, home to the Government Palace and the most important work of German architect Carl Ludvig Engel.
Here you can visit the Senate Palace, the National Library and the University of Helsinki Palace. Also, overlooking the square is the Lutheran Cathedral, a symbol of the city that houses statues of Luther and Mikael Agricola, fathers of the Finnish Reformation.
Staying near Senate Square, there is one of the city's most important churches, the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, considered the largest outside Russian borders. Besides the extraordinary beauties inside, it features a panoramic terrace from which you can enjoy an incredible view of Helsinki Bay.
On the opposite side from the Orthodox Cathedral is Market Square. Here you can stroll in a truly atmospheric setting, among stalls of characteristic crafts, fish stands, and food booths where you can stop to eat. Also, nearby is the Covered Market, where you can taste traditional foods like salmon, herring, and reindeer meat.
Another very important monument in Helsinki is the Havis Amanda Statue. Surrounded by a beautiful fountain decorated with sea lions and fish, it is famous because during the May Day celebrations, university students clean it and adorn it with the lakki, the traditional cap worn by graduates.
If you enjoy walking, you can instead enjoy Eteläesplanadi, the long tree-lined avenue that, during Christmas, hosts the traditional market full of stands and stalls selling all kinds of items. Moreover, the avenue leads to the city's largest shopping center , Stockmann, in front of which runs another important street, namely Alexanderinkatu. This is the shopping street, along which, also during Christmas, a spectacular parade of reindeer-drawn sleighs takes place.
Finally, if you love art, Helsinki offers as many as 80 museums. Among the most curious and visited are certainly the Toy Museum, the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Ateneum, the country's most important art gallery.
What to See in Helsinki: Day 2
The second day in Helsinki can be dedicated to a trip to Suomenlinna Island. It is one of the most fascinating in the area because it was once used as a fortress to defend Helsinki from enemy attacks.
Since 1991 it has been included among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is reachable in 15 minutes by ferry departing from Market Square. Not being too large, visits can be done in a morning on foot, since there are no cars.
The route to follow is the Blue Route, through which you will visit all the main points of the island. With the help of a guide, you can visit the military remains and the War Museum. Finally, you can conclude the trip with a picnic in Nature Nature.
What to See in Helsinki: Day 3
The last day in Helsinki can be dedicated to visiting the Töölö district, one of the most characteristic in the city. Its main attraction is the bay overlooking the Baltic Sea, which freezes in winter and allows walking across.
The evocative walk on the ice can be concluded with a visit to the Finlandia Hall, the concert hall designed by Alvar Aalto, the most famous Finnish architect, where heavy metal concerts are often held.
Among the attractions in this district is also the Temppeliaukio Lutheran Church, known as "the church in the rock". Its characteristic is that it was built inside a hill, making it a truly magical and evocative place.
Finally, the day can end with a trip to Seurasaari Island, one of Helsinki's most important islands. Rich in lush vegetation and wildlife, it also hosts a curious open-air museum and one of the many Finnish saunas where you can try a truly unique experience.
Some Curiosities About Helsinki
Helsinki, like all of Finland, is a very special place where sometimes you feel out of this world. Here, in fact, you can change your perspective on life and live at a different pace, moving easily with public transport.
Visiting Helsinki means living a truly special experience, also thanks to some interesting curiosities that make it unique. Among these is its territorial layout, since around the city area there are over 300 islands. This is not very surprising, considering that the Gulf of Finland as a whole counts more than 98,000 islands.
Another interesting curiosity concerns sports activities , because one of the most popular is the so-called"eukonkanto" or "wife carrying", that is the "carrying the wife" . In Helsinki and throughout Finland, championships are organized, including the world championship. Discover ourorganized trips . You will find many opportunities full of charm and fun.. You will find many opportunities full of charm and fun.