Helsinki Holidays 2025/2026

Helsinki is full of character. It’s a relatively small city, and many of the main tourist spots are within walking distance of each other. This means you naturally take in much more of the city than you may on another city break – there are striking buildings as far as the eye can see and so many treasures to discover, from boutique shops and market halls to hip coffee bars and seafood restaurants. You could spend hours meandering the city streets and never get bored!

Along with sightseeing and gazing at the city’s spectacular architecture, there are so many more cool things to do in Helsinki. For example, you could spend the afternoon at a tranquil Finnish spa, warming up in a traditional sauna. Feeling hungry? You could take a food tour of Helsinki. Want to spend some time chilling on your city break? There are some beautiful parks to explore – we’d recommend checking out Esplanade Park or Kaivopuisto Park.

The Perfect City For Walking

As we mentioned earlier, Helsinki is the perfect city for those who love to sightsee on their feet. There’s something new and intriguing around every corner and you don’t have to walk too far between each of the city’s most famous tourist spots. Wandering the streets, you’ll discover some beautiful neighbourhoods loved by the locals, and you’re also never far from sweeping sea views. Be sure to bring your camera along on your trip!

Helsinki is a city surrounded by gorgeous natural scenery, from sprawling green spaces to peaceful coastline. Those who take walking seriously will find some incredible hiking trails to follow on their Helsinki city break. Shortly after leaving the city centre, you could find yourself beneath towering forest trees or passing by twinkling fishing lakes. If you’re particularly keen on hiking, be sure to pack your walking boots and research some of the best walks in Helsinki before your trip.

Brilliant Buildings Around Every Corner

Helsinki is certainly not short of impressive buildings. It’s famous for its neoclassical style, with everything being on a large scale, looking clean yet dramatic. One of the hotspots when it comes to architecture in Helsinki is the iconic Senate Square, which is home to Helsinki Cathedral, the University of Helsinki, the Government Palace and the National Library of Finland. Those with an eye for architecture won’t want to miss this on their city break.

If you’re looking for something a little quirkier than the traditional buildings of Senate Square, don’t worry – there’s plenty more to discover! The Töölönlahti area is a must-visit, with green open spaces scattered with angular, modern buildings by a beautiful bay. You could also opt to visit the ‘Church in the Rock’, Temppeliaukio Church, which is quite literally a religious house carved into rock and topped with a spectacular glass dome.

Things To Do On Your Helsinki Holiday

There are so many fun activities to fill your days with in Helsinki. You could hop on a vintage tram ride, take a walking tour of all the city sights, treat yourself to a leisurely boat trip or even get your adrenaline fix at Linnanmäki, Finland’s most famous theme park. You can spend hours exploring within the city itself, but many visitors also like to see more of Finland on excursions while they’re staying in the capital.

There are so many breathtaking experiences to be had in Finland, and Helsinki is a great base for exploring. Some of the astonishing places to visit from Helsinki include the beautiful Sipoonkorpi National Park where many love to take a hike, the impressive medieval town of Porvoo, and Suomenlinna, a sea fortress home to centuries-old artillery which is also a UNESCO world heritage site. All are totally unique but equally fabulous experiences!