Helsinki is a vibrant urban metropolis and the largest city in Finland, and it is consistently ranked among the world's best places to live. Helsinki boasts many museums, music halls, and theaters, and the city is renown for its various art and cultural festivals. The city is likewise famous for stunning architecture, but while Helsinki is an ideal destination for architecture enthusiasts, it will also appeal to travelers in search of a thriving nightlife scene and world-class entertainment venues. Our Helsinki travel guide will help you plan your itinerary top to bottom.
Things Not to Miss in Helsinki
Your Helsinki travel plans would not be complete without attending one of the various festivals held each year. In August, Helsinki holds its Night of the Arts festival. With circus troupes in the parks, opera performances displayed on screens throughout the city, and philharmonic orchestra performances, this festival is designed to help tourists and residents alike see the city's museums and theaters in a new light, hopefully enticing them to return to visit Helsinki throughout the year.
During the winter solstice, the Forces of Light festival begins. This festival was created to help the inhabitants combat the dark days of winter by lighting fires; now, it has morphed into a city-wide event in which all people are encouraged to create light of any kind. Colored light is especially encouraged, and makes for a stunning visual display for those who travel to Helsinki in the winter months.
When to Go to Helsinki
Helsinki and the rest of Finland tend to stay warmer than their northern latitude may indicate, with average temperatures in January around 23 degrees (not for the tropical traveler!). The latitude does, however, dictate the amount of sunshine per day. In the winter, the sun is often out for only 6 hours, but in the summer, you'll enjoy sunshine for up to 19 hours per day. If you value your sunshine, be sure to visit in the summer.
DON'T MISS
Drinking a Karhu—the city’s local lager—at Ateljee Bar, the rooftop bar at the Sokos Hotel Torni, which has some of the best views of the city.
Perusing the kiosks at city’s outdoor food market, Kauppatori, known for its cloudberries, lingonberries, pickled herring, and smoked salmon sandwiches, among other goodies.
Exploring the 35,000 objects on display at the Design Museum, and learning how and why Finland became the design mecca it is.
RECOMMENDED LINKS
- For more activities in Helsinki, visit NileGuide
-
I Stripped Down With Strangers for a Real Finnish Sauna Experience — Here's Why You Should Too
As the cab slows to a stop, I scrape some of Jack Frost’s handiwork from the window and peer into the depths of the polar night. We’re only 15 minutes... Read More
-
The One Thing Prince George Asked Santa for This Christmas
This story originally appeared on People.com. Prince William personally delivered a very special note to Santa Claus on Thursday.Bumping into the guy... Read More
-
All of Helsinki's Saunas — Public and Private —Will Open to Visitors for One Day
Sure, it may only be October, but that doesn’t mean it’s too early to start thinking about exciting spring break destinations.Next year, instead of... Read More
-
Finnair Just Sent Its Final Friday the 13th Flight 666 to HEL
Flight 666 to HEL arrived safely — and two minutes ahead of schedule — today, on Friday the 13th.The flight departed from Copenhagen just after 1 p.m. ... Read More
-
This City Is Europe’s Most Underrated Design Capital
Finland is celebrating its centennial this year, and Helsinki is getting its long-overdue moment in the sun. The Nordic capital has plenty to recommend... Read More
-
The 10 Best Cities to Live in Around the World
The Australian city of Melbourne has taken first place for the world’s most livable city for the seventh year in a row as part of The Economist... Read More
-
The 21 Most Expensive Cities Around the World to Rent a 2-bedroom Apartment
This story originally appeared on BusinessInsider.com. Housing costs likely eat up the biggest share of your paycheck, no matter where in the world you... Read More
-
Helsinki Pop-up Restaurant Takes Solo Dining to a New Level
Fear not takeout lovers, a new restaurant in Helsinki wants to turn eating alone into a group activity.The pop-up called “Take In” in the Finnish... Read More
-
Finnair Picked Friday the 13th to Send Flight 666 to HEL
Finnair wins Friday's award for subtle but hilarious pranks.The airline sent Flight 666 from Copenhagen to Helsinki on Friday,... Read More
-
Helsinki Knows Exactly What Type of Traveler Visits in Winter
Helsinki thinks its winter tourists are badasses.When travelers come through in the coldest months of the year, the Finnish capital salutes them in... Read More
-
12 Delicious (and Unpretentious) Restaurants You Must Try
Snagging a reservation at one of the finest restaurants in the world is an occasion worth celebrating, but sometimes you’re not in the mood for a suited... Read More
-
6 Trips to Take Before You Get Married (Video)
The world is filled with incredible honeymoon destinations and spots for a romantic getaway, but there are also plenty of places best explored solo... Read More
-
The 14 Best European Cities for Solo Travelers
When I was a teenager, my family went on one of those bus tours of Europe, where we saw everything—we took 15-minute photo stops in front of landmarks... Read More
-
Best Romantic Summer Getaways
Imagine sipping Argentina’s finest wines with the snowcapped Andes in the distance, sailing the fjords of Finland while the midnight sun shines down, or... Read More
-
This Burger King Has a Spa Now
Until now, spa experiences and American fast-food chains were pretty separate entities. In fact, the idea of doubling-down on a Whopper... Read More
