8 Best Things to do in Helsinki, Finland

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Planning a trip to Helsinki? You’re in the right place!

We’ve explored this seaside capital in every season, and it never fails to surprise us. One moment you’re cruising past sleek Nordic design and art nouveau architecture, the next you’re nibbling on smoked reindeer in a bustling food market or unwinding in a lakeside sauna after a forest hike. Helsinki is a city that blends the wild and the urban in the most beautiful way.

From sampling local flavors on a guided food tour to hopping over to medieval Tallinn by ferry, we wanted to share some of our favorite experiences that show off the city’s charm, creativity, and connection to nature!

Let’s dive into the best things to do in Helsinki!

Things to do in Helsinki

1. Sample Finnish delicacies on a guided food and walking tour

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Time: 11 am (also 2 pm for the private tour option)
• Highlights: Guided walking tour through central Helsinki, sample smoked reindeer, rye bread, caviar, and blue chocolate at the Old Market Hall, explore landmarks like Senate Square and Esplanadi Park
• Inclusions: Professional guide, snacks and tastings, soft drinks
• Rating: 4.8 stars (check 70+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

If you’re anything like us, the fastest way to fall in love with a new city is through your taste buds, and this walking food tour of Helsinki absolutely delivered.

The experience starts in the heart of the city, where your guide (we had Lara, who was warm and really funny!) leads you through some of Helsinki’s most iconic sights, from the neoclassical splendor of Senate Square to the colorful charm of Katajanokka’s Art Nouveau buildings. 

But the real treat is what you’ll taste along the way. Inside the historic Old Market Hall, we got to sample smoked reindeer, traditional rye bread, salty-sweet caviar, and even bright blue chocolate.

What we loved most was how our guide tied each flavor to a piece of Finnish culture or history. From learning why rye bread is such a staple to discovering the story behind Finland’s obsession with all things sweet and salty, we learned something new with every dish.

This is a walking tour with a relaxed pace and plenty of opportunities to sit or linger. It’s a great intro to Helsinki, especially for first-timers or anyone curious about the local food scene.

We’d absolutely recommend this as an early stop on your trip, it gives you both a taste of the city and a list of local favorites to return to!

You can read their glowing reviews and book this tour here!

2. See Helsinki’s top sights and cruise to Suomenlinna Island

• Duration: 5 hours
• Time: 10 am
• Highlights: Guided city tour of Helsinki’s landmarks, take the ferry to UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna Island, explore a sea fortress with stops at the church, Jetty Barracks, and Great Courtyard
• Inclusions: Your local guide, hotel pickup (selected hotels), transport, return ferry tickets to Suomenlinna
• Rating: 4.7 stars (check 190+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

We didn’t expect to cover so much ground (and water!) in one day, but this half-day city tour made it easy to soak up Helsinki’s highlights and explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site in a single, seamless experience.

It began with a coach or minivan tour through the city, which was perfect for getting oriented. We swung by Helsinki’s must-see spots like the stately Senate Square, the striking Sibelius Monument, and the lush green stretch of Esplanade Park. Our guide, Tania, was fantastic at mixing big-picture history with fun tidbits (like how the white Helsinki Cathedral became a city icon).

From there, we boarded a ferry to Suomenlinna, a centuries-old sea fortress spread across a handful of islands. We loved how peaceful it felt, with stone walls, seaside views, and winding footpaths connecting historic sites like the Great Courtyard, Jetty Barracks, and Suomenlinna Church. There’s plenty of time to explore, take photos, and imagine what life was like for the soldiers once stationed there.

This tour runs around five hours total and is a great fit for curious travelers who want a rich mix of city sights and coastal history. It’s especially ideal for your first or second day in Helsinki, giving you context and a memorable excursion all in one.

Check out over 150+ 5-star reviews and book this incredible city tour here!

3. Cruise across the Gulf of Finland and explore Tallinn’s medieval old town

• Duration: 13 to 14 hours
• Time: 7:45 am
• Highlights: Take a round-trip ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn, explore Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, enjoy panoramic views from Toompea Hill, discover medieval architecture and cobbled streets
• Inclusions: Return ferry ticket, guided walking tour of Old Town Tallinn, hotel pick up/drop off
• Rating: 4.5 stars (check 390+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

Tallinn’s Old Town is one of the best-preserved medieval centers in Europe, and you can visit it in a single day from Helsinki! This guided day trip makes it easy, with round-trip ferry tickets and a fascinating walking tour that brings the city’s layered history to life.

The adventure begins at Helsinki’s West Harbour, where you’ll board a modern ferry for a scenic 2-hour crossing of the Gulf of Finland. Once you arrive in Estonia, you’ll dive straight into a guided exploration of Tallinn’s UNESCO-listed Old Town. 

Over three hours, your guide will lead you through cobbled streets and fairytale-like alleys, pointing out key landmarks like the twin-towered Viru Gates, the atmospheric St. Catherine’s Passage, and the Gothic spire of St. Olaf’s Church, once the tallest building in the world.

We were especially wowed by the views from Kohtuotsa lookout, where medieval rooftops meet the modern skyline, and the towering cupolas of the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral glowing above Toompea Hill. Along the way, you’ll also visit the Dominican Monastery and learn about the layered history of this once-thriving Hanseatic trading hub.

After the walking tour, you’ll have three hours of free time to grab lunch, snap photos, or shop for souvenirs before cruising back to Helsinki. It’s a rich, multi-country experience that fits comfortably into one fantastic day.

Book your unforgettable day trip to Tallinn from Helsinki here!

4. Explore the Finnish archipelago on a guided nature walk with lunch

• Duration: 5 hours
• Time: 9 am (dates vary)
• Highlights: Guided nature walk through Porkkala’s coastal trails and forests, enjoy a picnic-style lunch with dessert overlooking the Baltic Sea, explore the archipelago’s rocky shores and quiet scenery on a low-impact eco-certified tour.
• Inclusions: Your professional guide, raincoat, lunch, winter boots (for snowy months)
• Rating: 5 stars (check 90+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

Just under an hour from Helsinki, the city melts away, and the wild beauty of the Finnish archipelago begins. This half-day nature walk to Porkkala was one of the most peaceful experiences of our trip, the kind that helps you reset, breathe deeply, and remember why you love being outside.

After meeting in front of the Kiasma Museum in central Helsinki, we drove out toward Porkkalanniemi Nature Reserve, a coastal peninsula dotted with pine forests, rocky cliffs, and views of the Baltic Sea that feel almost untouched. The walking route is gentle and scenic, winding through forest trails before opening up to a stretch of rugged shoreline.

One of our favorite moments was stopping for lunch at a picnic spot with sweeping sea views. The meal is homemade, hearty, and includes dessert, the perfect fuel before your free time to explore or simply relax by the water.

With only around 2.5 to 3 kilometers (1.5 to 1.9 miles) of walking, this tour is suitable for most fitness levels, and the pace is refreshingly unhurried. It’s also an eco-certified experience, so you can feel good about the impact you’re making.

For nature lovers or anyone craving a quiet, local side of Finland, this one’s a must. But don’t just take our word for it—check out the glowing five-star reviews here to see why travelers say this was the highlight of their trip!

This tour is really popular, so don’t forget to check your dates and book early!

5. Meet and walk with friendly alpacas on a private farm tour

• Duration: 2 to 3 hours
• Time: 9:30 am–7:30 pm (dates vary)
• Highlights: Meet and feed friendly alpacas at a countryside farm, take a guided forest walk with your own alpaca, learn about alpaca care and wool production, visit other animals
• Inclusions: Bottled water, your professional guide, private transportation
• Rating: 4.9 stars (check great reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

If you’ve never walked through a forest with an alpaca by your side, you’re missing out! But don’t worry, this private farm visit lets you do just that.

The tour takes you to Ali-Ollin Alpaca Farm in Klaukkala, about a 40-minute drive from the city. The setting is pure countryside charm: quiet, green, and full of fuzzy faces waiting to greet you. With just your group and a private guide, you’ll get plenty of time to meet the farm’s 26 alpacas, each with their own personality. Feeding them is also so much fun, they gently take snacks right from your hands!

But the real magic happens when it’s time for your walk. Each person leads their own alpaca on a forest trail, which gives you the chance to bond with your new woolly friend in a calm, natural setting. The pace is slow and easy, perfect for kids or families.

Alongside the alpacas, the farm is also home to donkeys, rabbits, guinea pigs, turkeys, and more. It’s a sweet, hands-on experience that’s both relaxing and educational, with lots of fun facts shared by your guide.

This tour is ideal for animal lovers or families looking for something unique and memorable. It’s wholesome, adorable, and absolutely worth the short trip out of town.

You can book your VIP spot on this incredibly cute tour here!

6. Hike through Sipoonkorpi National Park and unwind in a sauna

• Duration: 6 hours 30 minutes
• Time: 11 am
• Highlights: Hike forest trails in Sipoonkorpi National Park, enjoy a lakeside barbecue lunch, relax in a traditional smoke sauna with swimming breaks, and experience Finnish wellness culture on an eco-certified small-group tour.
• Inclusions: Finnish-style lunch, private transportation, towel, your professional guide, boots, raincoats in case of rain
• Rating: 5 stars (check 130+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

If we could bottle up the feeling of a perfect Finnish day, this full-day tour would be it. Fresh forest air, a crackling lakeside fire, and the soothing heat of a traditional smoke sauna—it’s everything we love about Finland wrapped into one beautiful half-day experience.

The adventure begins with a short drive from Helsinki to Sipoonkorpi National Park, a peaceful patch of wilderness just 30 minutes from the city. The hike itself is about 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) total, with gentle hills, shady paths, and plenty of time to enjoy the natural surroundings. Our guide, Alex, was warm and attentive, sharing fun facts about local plants and wildlife as we walked.

Halfway through, we stopped at a secluded lake for a barbecue-style lunch. Grilled over an open fire, the meal was hearty and delicious, made even better by the view and the chance to sit back and soak up the calm. After lunch, it was time for the grand finale—the sauna!

This isn’t just any sauna, it’s a traditional Finnish smoke sauna, the kind locals swear by for deep relaxation. You’ll have time to alternate between sweating it out inside and plunging into the cool lake for a refreshing swim. It’s a true wellness ritual, and we were left feeling totally recharged.

This tour is a dream for nature lovers, wellness seekers, or anyone curious about Finnish traditions. With a small group, eco-friendly practices, and just the right mix of movement and rest, it’s an unforgettable way to connect with Finland’s slower rhythm.

This tour is SUPER popular and books up—secure your spot here!

7. Zip through Helsinki’s highlights on an electric tuk-tuk tour

• Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Time: 8 am–8 pm
• Highlights: Private eco-friendly tuk-tuk ride through Helsinki’s top sights, explore landmarks like Helsinki Cathedral, Sibelius Park, and the Rock Church, enjoy photo stops and stories with optional custom stops along the way.
• Inclusions: Private transportation, your professional driver, audio guiding system
• Rating: 5 stars (check 50+ reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

We’ve walked, we’ve biked, and we’ve cruised, but exploring Helsinki by tuk-tuk? That was a first for us, and it turned out to be one of the most fun and flexible ways to see the city. This private 2.5-hour tour gives you a front-row seat to Helsinki’s top landmarks without breaking a sweat.

The electric tuk-tuks are quiet, comfy, and totally carbon neutral, which made zipping through the streets feel both exciting and eco-conscious. From the classic of Helsinki Cathedral to the bold architecture of Oodi Library and the quirky charm of Sibelius Park, we got to see all the highlights, plus a few hidden corners we wouldn’t have found on our own.

Our guide, Olga, shared history and local stories through audio headsets so we could hear clearly even while moving. We especially loved our quick stop at Uspenski Cathedral and the chance to hop out at Sibelius Monument for a photo. There’s also the option to visit Temppeliaukio Church (the famous Rock Church) if you like, just let your guide know.

This tour is perfect for travelers short on time or anyone who wants a relaxed, low-effort overview of Helsinki. The small size of the vehicle means you can navigate tiny streets and see the city up close, with the breeze in your hair and a local’s voice in your ear.

It’s sightseeing made easy, and way more fun than a bus. Just read the five-star reviews here to find out why it’s a top-rated tour.

Perfect for couples and small groups, you can book your spot on this tour here!

8. Explore hidden Finnish islands by RIB boat with a sauna stop

• Duration: 3 hours
• Time: 10 am
• Highlights: High-speed RIB boat ride through the Helsinki Archipelago, explore a secluded island with forested trails and sea views, enjoy a Finnish sauna and picnic-style lunch, guided by a local with stories and insights.
• Inclusions: All safety equipment, snacks, picnic lunch, your professional guide
• Rating: 5 stars (check great reviews here)
• Free cancellation: Yes
• Price: Check price here!

This action-packed tour had us grinning from the moment the RIB boat took off, wind in our hair, sea spray in the air, and the endless islets of the Helsinki Archipelago stretched out ahead. If you’re up for a bit of adventure and a lot of nature, this high-speed escape is pure Finnish magic.

Unlike the slower-paced ferries, the RIB (rigid inflatable boat) gets you out into the wild in no time. The ride is smooth but thrilling, and the guide makes sure you’re both safe and smiling as you cruise past scenic coastal views and remote islands. We loved how quickly the city faded behind us and how peaceful everything felt once we reached our island destination.

After docking, you’ll have time to explore the shoreline, wander through forest trails, and soak up the peace and quiet. Then it’s time for two of Finland’s best-loved pastimes: a lakeside sauna and a picnic lunch. The sauna is cozy and authentic, with plenty of time to heat up, cool off, and repeat. The lunch is simple but satisfying, the kind of meal that tastes even better in the fresh air.

What makes this tour special is the combination of speed, scenery, and serenity. You get a true taste of island life, all in just a few hours. If you’re looking to experience the archipelago like a local (with a little adrenaline and a lot of beauty), this is the one to book.

Read their glowing reviews and grab your spot on this tour here!

Related Read: To make the most of your time in Helsinki, follow our detailed 1 or 2 day itinerary which goes over everything from the top attractions to the best places to eat!

Where to Stay in Helsinki

Helsinki is a stylish, design-forward capital that offers accommodations for every kind of traveler—whether you’re looking to splurge on a boutique luxury escape, settle into a sleek mid-range hotel, or keep things budget-friendly without sacrificing comfort or location.

To make planning your trip easier, we’ve rounded up three of the best places to stay in Helsinki across different price points. Each one is centrally located, highly rated, and offers a unique way to experience the city, so you can focus less on logistics and more on soaking up everything this vibrant Nordic capital has to offer!

Luxury – $$$

Located along Helsinki’s stylish Bulevardi in the Kamppi district, Lapland Hotels Bulevardi offers a luxurious urban escape infused with Nordic charm. Think private in-room saunas, plush Lappish décor, and a gourmet breakfast featuring regional specialties like reindeer pâté and cloudberries. Each room feels like a boutique sanctuary, with soundproofing, elegant design, and views over the city or a tree-lined boulevard.

Nightly rates range from €200 to €900+, depending on room type and season. Book your luxurious Helsinki stay now on Booking.com.

Mid-range – $$

Clarion Hotel Mestari is a stylish mid-range hotel in the heart of Helsinki’s Kamppi neighborhood—just a short walk from Helsinki Central Station, Kamppi Shopping Center, and the city’s top attractions. The rooms are modern and well-appointed, featuring air conditioning, soundproofing, minibars, and sleek private bathrooms. Many offer balconies or city views, and some even include a private sauna.

Room rates typically range from €150–€290+ per night. Check your dates now on Booking.com.

Budget – $

For a wallet-friendly stay in the heart of Helsinki, Hotel Finn is a top pick. This no-frills, clean, and modern hotel sits just 5 minutes from Helsinki Central Station and across the street from Stockmann Department Store. The minimalist rooms feature flat-screen TVs, private bathrooms, and sleek Nordic design, with space-efficient layouts perfect for short stays.

Private rooms start as low as €83 per night, depending on the season. Head to Booking.com to check availability and book your stay!

For more options, see all of Helsinki’s hotels listed here!

Renting a Car in Europe

Exploring Europe by car is a fantastic way to uncover hidden gems—think charming villages, scenic countryside, and off-the-beaten-path spots that trains and buses might miss. Driving here is generally straightforward, but it’s good to be prepared for some regional quirks.

We always use Discover Cars to book our rentals and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find automatic cars (which can be tricky in Europe!), and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.

Tips for Renting a Car in Europe

• Know the local rules: Most countries drive on the right, except the UK, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta. Road signs and driving laws can vary, so do a quick check before you go.
• Practice defensive driving: In parts of Europe, especially in the south, driving can feel fast-paced and a little unpredictable. Make sure you stay alert and keep a safe following distance.
• Insurance is essential: I highly recommend adding full coverage insurance to your rental. Whether it’s a parking lot ding or a chipped windshield on a mountain road, full protection gives you peace of mind. Plus, it’s super affordable through Discover Cars!
• Pick the right vehicle: Most rentals in Europe are manual, and automatic cars are limited, so book early if that’s what you need. A compact car is also ideal for narrow roads and tight parking. On Discover Cars, you can easily filter for everything you need.
• Watch for restricted zones: Many cities have low-emission or restricted traffic zones. Driving into these without a permit can result in fines, so always check local rules if you’re heading into a city center.
• Be prepared for border crossings: While crossing borders is usually easy within the Schengen Zone, some rental companies require you to declare your travel plans in advance. Always check with Discover Cars if you’re planning to drive into another country.

What You Need to Rent a Car in Europe

• A valid driver’s license from your home country.
• If you’re from outside the EU, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended—and in some countries, it’s legally required.
• A credit card in the driver’s name is typically needed for the security deposit.
• Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old. If you’re under 25, expect a young driver surcharge—and in some countries, the minimum age may be higher.

Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring Europe on your own terms!

Thanks for reading!

We love spending time in Helsinki and hope this guide has sparked some inspiration for your own adventure! From relaxing smoke saunas to reindeer tastings and island-hopping ferries, this Nordic capital has a way of blending wild nature and city culture that keeps us coming back for more.

Planning more travels around Europe? Be sure to check out our other Europe blogs here for step-by-step itineraries, tour tips, and hidden gems in cities we’ve explored from top to bottom. Some of our favorites are linked below—whether you’re heading to Sweden, Denmark, or Norway next, we’ve got you covered!

9 BEST Things to do in Stockholm, Sweden

How to Spend THREE DAYS in Stockholm, Sweden: 3-Day Itinerary 

How to Spend THREE Days in Copenhagen: The Best 3-Day Itinerary

10 Best Things to do in Tromso, Norway