Location: Helsinki
Top Things to do in Helsinki
Top Restaurants in Helsinki
The 10 Best Things to do in Helsinki, Uusimaa
Sitting on the edge of the Baltic, the modern, cosmopolitan city of Helsinki is the World Design Capital for 2012. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly with high-tech achievements and contemporary trends. Walking tours of the city center show layers of history, while modern architecture and cutting-edge style stake the city's claim to the future. Choose Helsinki during its endless summer days or get adventurous on crisp, snowy winter nights.
Restaurants in Helsinki
1. Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,129 reviews
Reviewed By M6281VPmarks - Scottsdale, United States
Must visit this UNESCO world heritage site of a fortress in Helsinki south harbor across several islands which was built by the Swedes in the 18th and 19th centuries to unsuccessfully prevent Russia from capturing Finland. It is a remarkable piece of engineering, architecture and history. Visit the several museums on the connected islands. There are also fortifications, barracks, residences (people live there full time), church, workshops, shops, cafes and restaurants. You will need at least half a day to visit and will take a 15 minute scenic ferry ride starting at Market Square but the ferry convenienty runs all day starting very early and ending late in the evening because people live there. Children who are into forts and guns will enjoy. Younger children will have the chance to run around to their hearts content.
2. Seurasaari Island and Open-Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,357 reviews
Reviewed By Zuevy
Excellent combination of natural park and wooden building museum. Many historical wooden houses from different parts of Finland. Some of its are unique. Also natural park where you can see squirrels, swans, ducks and some other bitrds in their wild life.
3. Uspenskin Cathedral (Uspenskin Katedraali)
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,859 reviews
Reviewed By Lil0G
This cathedral for me was the most beautiful architecture, the largest orthodox cathedral in Western Europe, the golden Coppola, the contrast of the red brick with the green is amazing, inside is so beautiful too.
4. Ateneum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,095 reviews
Reviewed By MikaelF413 - Vantaa, Finland
Before the pandemic lockdown, we managed to see this stunning exhibition. Magnus Enckell (1870–1925) was a known Finnish symbolist painter. He was one of the most significant names during the golden age of Finnish art in 1880-1910. Magnus Enckell is best known for painting naked men and boys. Another very known painter Hugo Simberg was his good friend. Together they decorated the interior of Tampere Cathedral in 1904-1906.
5. Old Market Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,043 reviews
Reviewed By MikaelM786
The old original indoor market hall of Helsinki in the southern harbour in city center is a very beuatiful, historical buliding. Still in use as a market for various food, nice cafeterias. Delicious local and international fresh food and dishes, berries, vegetables, fruits, cheese, bread, fish, sandwiches, salads, ice cream etc. Nice and cool in summer time.
6. Temppeliaukio Church
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,654 reviews
Also known as "Church in the Rock," this modern church is carved from rock and has a stunning copper dome.
Reviewed By DS_018987
We almost skipped this, but are really glad we didn't. It was the farthest site on our list for the day, and we were tired, but it's an extremely unique and lovely church. We walked there from Esplanadi and it was about 25 minutes. The church was free to enter and there were musicians playing really relaxing music, so we just sat and chilled while enjoying the unique architecture. After about 20 minutes we left and walked on top of the church on the rock structure it was built into. Pretty cool visit.
7. Kamppi Chapel of Silence
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,895 reviews
Reviewed By Hawk470 - Baltimore, United States
The breathtaking wooden exterior resembles nothing other than Noah’s Ark plowing through the waves with the future of life on Earth in the balance. Inside you sit and rest in the presence of magnificent emptiness. The ceiling exemplifies the Cosmic Egg from which everything emerged according to some traditions. The outer walls are spruce and the inner walls, made from alder, surround the simple ash furniture. Each wood perfectly suits its purpose. In the bustling heart of the city, an opportunity to pause and reflect for a few moments or longer in total silence upon whatever you believe the eternal to be and then get on with the rest of your day; your perspective altered (if only a little).
8. Helsinki Tram System
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,758 reviews
Reviewed By jennifermA5114KN - Bangor, United States
This was my main mode of transport around Helsinki. To me it makes no sense whatsoever to do a Hop On Hop Off Tour bus, when this is far more economical, and easy to use. Service is fast and frequent, and the best part is that you can purchase your tickets and passes right on your phone with the Helsinki public transport app. I wish every city would do that- it was nice having a ticket machine right in my pocket. I noticed that everything was fast and smooth because the authorities expected that everyone had bought a ticket, so there were no barriers or slow downs trying to tap in or out like you must do with other city transit systems. The honor system really speeds things up. Trams were clean and tidy for the most part, although sometimes I'd encounter a spilled beer on the floor. If I wasn't sure what I wanted to do just then, sometimes I'd get on a tram and just ride it until I decided to get off.
9. Oodi Central Library
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 448 reviews
Reviewed By ngaanh1234
Visiting Oodi was one of the best experiences that I had in Helsinki. I'm sure you can't find any similar library! I can stay here all day long doing different kinds of things: reading books, having a cup of coffee or even playing games! What I like about Oodi is that no matter what your purpose is, there is always a suitable space for you.
10. Helsinki Cathedral
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 5,987 reviews
Reviewed By petermY2777LY - Melbourne, Australia
This landmark Cathedral together with the Uspenski Cathedral is a major tourist attraction in the centre of Helsinki and well worth a visit
