If you’re traveling across Scandinavia, make sure to spend some time in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. The city’s attractive location in the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea, its rich history, and extremely friendly people make Helsinki a great destination. Moreover, its proximity to both Stockholm and Tallinn makes visiting the city quite easy. We caught a flight from Stockholm and 45 minutes later we were in the land of Moomins. Below are my suggestions on how to spend 4 days in Helsinki, Finland.
How to spend 4 days in Helsinki, Finland
1. Start each morning with a coffee and pastry
Helsinki, similarly to Stockholm, has lots of coffee shops, so mosey on down to one of them, sit outside, and enjoy the atmosphere. Honestly, going out for coffee is one of my favorite activities all year round. I highly recommend Cafe Engel on Senate Square overlooking the Helsinki Cathedral. It is a great place to relax and take in the beautiful church. Another wonderful place to visit is Cafe Ekberg. It it one of the oldest bakeries in Helsinki and is located along Bulevardi. Finally, don’t overlook Espresso House. While it is a chain coffee house, they make great lattes and have really comfortable chairs. We stopped at several of them in Stockholm and in Helsinki, and were always more than happy with our order.
2. Visit Senate Square and the Helsinki Cathedral
The Helsinki Cathedral is a lovely white building with green domes and multiple statues. It’s an impressive structure that dominates the square. A statue of a Russian tsar Alexander II (who sold Alaska to Lincoln’s Secretary of State, Seward) stands beneath it. The Parliament Building and the University building frame two other sides of the square. Walk around the area or sit down on the stairs, and take in the sights. It’s quite enjoyable.
3. Visit Helsinki’s Eastern Orthodox Cathedral
Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki’s Eastern Orthodox Cathedral, is believed to be the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe. It was constructed during the time when Finland was under Russian rule to accommodate the ever expanding orthodox population. The church is visible from many parts of the city and is definitely worth a visit. The interior is quite ornate with many orthodox sculptures and paintings decorating the church. The entrance is free of charge.
4. Walk along the Esplanade
I think it’s always enjoyable to check out local parks and doing so in in Helsinki is easy. The most popular park, Esplanade, connects main areas of the city, so you will most certainly find yourself in this urban green space. Stroll along, sit down on one of the benches or enjoy a concert on a summer afternoon. It’s certainly very pleasant.
5. Have lunch at Market Square
If you’re hungry, definitely walk to Market Square (Kauppatori) for lunch. The stands offer delicious local cuisine, fresh fruit, and great views over the area. We came here several times for lunch and greatly enjoyed it.
Sibelius Monument
If you have time, make a point of visiting Sibelius Park. While the park has a nice location along the water, many people just to see the monument dedicated to the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. The monument resembles a sound wave and is made of steel pipes. We enjoyed relaxing in the park and admiring the unique structure.
1. Visit the Töölö area Presidential Palace, library, etc.
Helsinki is a walkable city, so head north of Kluuvi, the commercial heart of the city, to the Töölö neigborhood. Here you will find the Finnish Parliament House, the Central Library with a great bakery, and the Helsinki Music Center. Stroll along Töölö Bay, and enjoy a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
1. Walk along the waterfront
Helsinki is surrounded by water, so there is no shortage of water views. I particularly enjoyed walking along Merisatamanranta and Ehrenströmintie – long streets with lovely harbors, views of nearby islands and interesting buildings along the way. If you need a break, stop by one of the cafes for a snack or a drink, or sit down on one of the many benches and relax for a while.
1. Enjoy a Finnish meal
Whether you’re after fish, meat or simply pizza, you’re not going to have a problem satisfying your craving. Helsinki has lots of places that specialize in Finnish cuisine, from elegant restaurants to casual vendors. We tried meatballs with potatoes, reindeer hot dogs, fried herring and fish pizza and definitely enjoyed every dish. Combine it with a cold beer or aperol spritz and enjoy the friendly Finnish service.
1. Take a side trip to Tallinn, Estonia
Taking a boat to Tallinn for a day is a wonderful thing to do. The boat ride is very pleasant, inexpensive and fairly quick – less than 2 hours. What’s more, the Old Town of Tallinn is amazing! I fell in love with the charming streets, lovely buildings, and the medieval feel to the town. It is in fact listed on the UNESCO Heritage Site as one of the best preserved medieval European cities. Read more about the Tallinn Old Town here.
