This list of places to see in Helsinki It will help you get to know the most tourist places and visit one of the most modern cities open to the sea in Europe.
Located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, this city can be known perfectly in a day or a weekend, by concentrating all its most interesting places within walking distance of the center, making it a perfect getaway for a few days.
In its architecture the classic and modern buildings are mixed with Swedish and Russian influences and also has countless museums, coffee shops, parks and amazing churches, which will be just some of the places you can meet in your getaway.
Based on the day we spent in the city during our trip to Tallinn and Helsinki in 4 days, we have made a list of what we believe are the 10 places to visit in Helsinki essential. We start!
1. Senate Square
The Senate Square in neoclassical style and nerve center of the old town, is one of the most essential places to see in Helsinki. Its three most important buildings are the Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko), the University Library, located in a corner and the Sederholm House, the oldest stone building in the city.
Keep in mind that the Lutheran cathedral, one of the symbols of the city that stands out for its white exterior, if you come to the city for a short time, does not deserve Worth the entrance.
If you visit the city at Christmas, in this square there is a large market full of wooden stalls that sell all kinds of Christmas items and local food, a spectacle for the senses!
A good option to get to know the most interesting places in the city with a guide in Spanish is to book this free tour of Helsinki Free !, which starts in this square.
Senate Square
2. Temppeliaukio Church
The Church of Temppeliaukio, also known as the Stone Church, is a Lutheran church that was built in 1969 and in which its interior stands out, excavated in a rock, which allows it to have excellent acoustics, perfect for all types of concerts.
From the outside you can see the glazed dome, which allows you to illuminate the interior with natural light.
Visiting hours: Monday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm. Sundays from 12h to 17h.
Temppeliaukio Church
3. Vanha Kauppahalli
Vanha Kauppahalli or the old market, is located very close to the Market Square and is another of the places to visit in Helsinki. This store, the oldest in the city, was completely renovated a few years ago to make it one of the best covered markets in the world and it is a place that we are sure, you will love it.
Inside the red, white and yellow brick building there are 25 stalls of authentic Finnish delicatessen such as smoked fish, reindeer meat, deer and bear, chocolates, pickles, among many other products.
Vanha Kauppahalli
4. Market Square, one of the best places to see in Helsinki
The Market Square located on the banks of the Baltic Sea is one of the main attractions and places to see in Helsinki. When the good weather approaches, from spring to autumn, it becomes a hotbed of people and stands of fresh food and souvenirs from which you can also see the great activity of the port.
From here, ferries to the nearby island of Suomenlinna and cruises along the canals of Helsinki, which are one of the most recommended activities in the city.
We spent a couple of hours in this area, eating at one of their stalls, enjoying the atmosphere.
Marketplace
5. Sibelius Park
The Sibelius Park, located by the sea, in the trendy district of Töölö, is the most famous green space and another of the places to visit in Helsinki.
Its most prominent place is the sculpture formed by 580 steel tubes that, when the wind blows, makes a musical sound and is dedicated to the Finnish composer and violinist Jean Sibelius.
Near the monument is the Cafe Regatta, an old fisherman's cabin where you can recover body heat by eating some typical cinnamon rolls although for the less chilly, you can always have a drink on the terrace overlooking the lake, which according to the time You can find totally ice cream.
This park is located a little away from the center, so if you do not have much time you can book the tourist bus, which stops next to the park and at the main points of interest in the city.
Sibelius Park, one of the best places to see in Helsinki
Our recommended hotel in Helsinki
Given that the price of accommodation is very high in Helsinki, we recommend the Omena Hotel Helsinki City Center, located in the best location to tour the city and 7 minutes walk from the Central Station. The hotel has functional rooms with a good quality / price ratio and uses an easy entry system without reception.
6. Esplanadi
Esplanadi, is an urban park located between Erottaja Square and the Market Square that stands out for its luxury stores, wooden kiosks, high-priced restaurants, historic buildings such as the Kamp Hotel and charming places such as the Havis Amanda fountain.
In summer, it is one of the most lively corners of the city where locals and tourists take pleasant walks while listening to the music of street artists.
In addition, near this esplanade is the Hotel Torni, which has on its terrace the best viewpoint in the city.
Esplanadi
7. Orthodox Cathedral Uspenski
The Uspenski Cathedral, considered the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, is another of the places to see in Helsinki and it stands out for being built in red brick and for its thirteen golden domes that represent Christ and the twelve Apostles.
Located on a hill with good views of the city, you can reach the cathedral from the Market Square across the Bridge of Love, full of locks in love.
Visiting hours: Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral
8. Rautatientori Station
Rautatientori is the main railway station and another of the buildings what to see in Helsinki. This jewel of Art Nouveau, with great daily activity, entered service in 1919 and was chosen by the BBC as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
The station is formed by a large building of brown and green details, which highlights its high clock tower and the 4 huge statues that welcome you and hold a lantern that illuminate at night.
Rautatientor Station, one of the places to visit in Helsinki<>
Recommended travel cardsRemember that in order not to pay commissions and always have the current change we recommend you use the N26 card to pay and the Bnext and Revolut cards to get money at the ATMs. They are the ones we use, They are free and will save you a lot.
You can find more information in this article about the best cards to travel without commissions.
9. Kampi Silence Chapel
The Chapel of Silence in Kampi, built in 2011 and located on the great esplanade of Narinkka Square, is one of the most original buildings in the city. Oval shaped and built entirely of wood, it is an ideal place to enjoy absolute silence and meditation.
Its interior stands out for its simplicity, having a few benches and a music stand.
Visiting hours: Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm. Saturdays and Sundays from 10am to 6pm.
Kampi Silence Chapel
10. Fortress of Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna, Unesco Heritage, is a fortress built by Sweden in 1748 that sits on six islands and is another wonder to see in Finland. This fortification that was created to repel the attacks of the navy of Imperial Russia, has become over time, in one of the most essential places to visit in Helsinki.
In addition to seeing the buildings, canyons, walls and bastions, you can visit one of its 6 museums that are scattered around the island.
To reach the fortress, located 2 kilometers away, you can take the ferry or the JT-Line water bus, which depart from the Market Square. Another more interesting option that will allow you to learn more about the history of this fortress is to book this guided tour in Spanish, which includes a guided tour of Helskinki.
Suomenlinna
How to get to Helsinki
The most common way to get to Helsinki is by air, landing at the international airport of the capital, located 20 kilometers away. To go from the airport to the center of Helsinki you can take the circular train that will leave you at the Central Station in less than half an hour for 5.50 euros.
Another option is to take the Finnair City Bus or the 615 bus line that will leave you at the station in about 45 minutes for a train-like price. Given the high frequency of daily trains and buses, we do not recommend paying the 50 euros that it would cost to take a taxi.
We visited the city by taking a ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki, on a journey of about two hours and about 40 euros round trip, this being a good option to meet two of the most famous Baltic capitals.
If you feel like helping us complete the list of the 10 places to see in Helsinki essential, add yours in the comments.
