Helsinki Travel Guide: Top Sights, Saunas & Easy Day Trips

Helsinki: A Friendly & easy follow Guide

Cold sea breeze, bold design, world-class saunas, and islands you can ferry to on a city ticket—Helsinki is built for easy adventure. This guide rounds up the must-see sights, short walks, and local tips. Where tickets apply, I point you to the official sites so you can check current details or book ahead.

At a glance

Helsinki is a compact, coastal capital where neoclassical landmarks meet edgy design and everyday sauna culture. Base yourself downtown, stroll Senate Square and Market Square, ferry to the UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna, step inside the Rock Church, and warm up in a public sauna like Löyly. Use HSL transit and the Suomenlinna ferry with the same ticket.

Essential sights in Helsinki

1) Market Square (Kauppatori) & Old Market Hall

Start by the harbor: browse seasonal stalls at Market Square, then duck next door into the Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli, 1889) for coffee, salmon soup, and Finnish delicacies in a gorgeous brick-and-iron hall. Official info & opening hours are here: Market Square; Old Market Hall.

Pro tip: Watch out for fearless seagulls—great photo ops, terrible sandwich thieves.

2) Havis Amanda fountain

Steps from the square stands Havis Amanda (1908), a beloved bronze mermaid symbolizing Helsinki’s rebirth. On April 30 (Vappu), students wash and crown the statue to kick off May Day—an iconic local tradition. See details and annual program on city/organizer pages.

3) Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral

Red-brick, green-domed Uspenski brings a touch of the East to the skyline; it’s the largest Orthodox church in Northern and Western Europe. Check current visiting info at the Orthodox Parish site. (There’s also a little “love-lock” footbridge on the canal below.)

4) Senate Square & Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko)

Climb the broad steps for classic city views and the snow-white Lutheran Cathedral. The neoclassical ensemble around Senate Square—Cathedral, Government Palace, University, and National Library—is Helsinki’s historic heart. Cathedral visiting info and fees vary by season—check the official page before you go: helsingintuomiokirkko.fi

5) Temppeliaukio (Rock Church)

Carved straight into bedrock and crowned with a copper dome, Temppeliaukio Church has extraordinary acoustics and a quietly otherworldly vibe. Confirm visiting hours or buy entry on the official site—services can affect access: temppeliaukionkirkko.fi

6) Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (UNESCO)

Hop the HSL public ferry from Market Square—your regular city ticket works—and in ~15 minutes you’re walking ramparts, tunnels, and shoreline paths on a string of green islands. Check timetables and seasonal museum openings at hsl.fi. Pack a picnic if it’s sunny.

7) Kiasma & Parliament House

On grand Mannerheimintie, the curve of Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art (by Steven Holl) faces Finland’s austere Parliament House. For exhibitions or free guided Parliament tours, check the official site: kiasma.fi

8) Helsinki Central Station

Eliel Saarinen’s granite masterpiece—look for the lantern-bearing figures—anchors the city’s rail, metro, and tram network. Station services and travel planning live on VR’s official site: vr.fi

9) Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

A short bus ride from the center, Seurasaari gathers historic wooden buildings in forested island scenery—perfect for a calm, cultural walk.

10) Sibelius Monument & Park

A sea-side park honoring composer Jean Sibelius, featuring a striking, organ-pipe-like steel sculpture. Combine it with a stroll around nearby Töölönlahti Bay paths.

Eat & sip in Helsinki: a few easy anchors

- Ekberg Café & Bakery (1852): Helsinki classic for coffee and pastries.

- Old Market Hall counters for soup, fish, cheeses, and picnic supplies.

- Kauppatori stalls for seasonal berries and street bites (mind those gulls).

Modern Helsinki highlights you might miss

- Oodi Central Library: an architectural love letter to public space—books, makerspaces, terrace views.

- Löyly public sauna (by the sea): mixed-gender areas, swimwear required; reserve ahead on the official site. Allas Sea Pool is another scenic option by the harbor.

- Kamppi Chapel of Silence: a sculptural wooden bubble for a few minutes of calm. MyHelsinki Design District for Finnish brands, galleries, and cafés.

- Amos Rex museum for bold underground exhibition spaces.

- Linnanmäki (summer) for vintage rides and city views; Nuuksio National Park (easy day trip) for lakeside trails and forest.

Getting around Helsinki

- One ticket, all modes: Trams, metro, buses—and the Suomenlinna ferry—run on HSL tickets. Zones are A-D; most central sights sit in AB. Buy in the HSL app or at machines.

- City bikes: April–October, Helsinki’s yellow bikes are a fun, flat way to hop between sights (passes via HSL).