City or town
Things to see in Helsinki (Finland): 123 places and when to go
Helsinki is a major city in Finland with around 1,115,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 123 places in and around it, mainly Nature (28), With kids (19), Wildlife (19). The best known are Suomenlinna, Helsinki Cathedral and Aalto University. The best time to come is December to March and June to September; also possible: April to May and October. In June there are 18 h 30 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 30. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.
In a nutshell
- Where
- Finland · 60.1775, 24.9322
- Population
- About 1,115,000
- Places
- 123 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- What people come for
- Nature (28) · With kids (19) · Wildlife (19) · Food and drink (16) · Temples (14) · History (13)
- Best time
- December to March and June to September.
- Also possible
- April to May and October.
- Nearest airport
- HEL Helsinki (Vantaa), 16 km as the crow flies
What to see in Helsinki
The places in and around Helsinki, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.
- SuomenlinnaSea fortress by Helsinki, Finland4.5 km
- Helsinki CathedralCathedral in Helsinki, Church of Finland1.4 km
- Aalto UniversityFinnish university5.8 km
- AteneumArt museum in Helsinki, Finland1.1 km
- National Museum of FinlandMuseum in Helsinki, Finland284 m
- Temppeliaukio ChurchChurch building in Helsinki, Finland636 m
- Uspenski CathedralOrthodox cathedral church of Helsinki, Finland1.8 km
- Presidential Palace, HelsinkiAdministrative building in Helsinki, Finland1.7 km
- Sibelius MonumentSculpture and memorial in Helsinki, created 1967 by Eila Hiltunen1.2 km
- St. Henry's CathedralCatholic cathedral in Helsinki, Finland2.4 km
- LinnanmäkiAmusement park in Helsinki, Finland1.3 km
- Korkeasaari ZooZoo in Helsinki, Finland3.0 km
- Espoo Museum of Modern ArtArt museum in Espoo in southern Finland7.6 km
- Espoo CathedralCathedral church building in Espoo, Finland16 km
- Sipoonkorpi National ParkNational park in Finland21 km
- Finnish Aviation MuseumAviation museum in Vantaa, Finland14 km
- Gallen-Kallela MuseumArt museum in Espoo, Finland6.1 km
- HeurekaScience centre in Vantaa, Finland14 km
- VanhankaupunginselkäBay in Helsinki, Finland4.7 km
- Helsinki University ObservatoryObservatory in Helsinki, Finland2.0 km
- Töölö bayBay in Helsinki, Finland406 m
- Museum of Technology, HelsinkiMuseum in Helsinki, Finland5.1 km
- South Harbour, HelsinkiBay and harbour next to the centre of the city of Helsinki, Finland2.0 km
- Haaga Rhododendron ParkChristian missionary5.4 km
And the other 99, by what you come to do:
- Temples: Helsinki Finland Temple, Viikki Church, Myyrmäki Church, Espoonlahti Church, Kulosaari Church, Östersundom church, Malmi Church, Herttoniemi Church, Espoon helluntaiseurakunta
- Architecture: Helsinki Lighthouse, Kruunuvuorensilta, Rönnskär Lighthouse
- Beaches: Hietaniemi beach, Pikkukoski beach
- History: Espoo Manor, Kulosaari Manor, Alberga manor, Glims Farmstead Museum, Herttoniemi Manor, Bastvikin kartano, Lasipalatsin salava, Sillböle Mine, Backbyn kartano
- Food and drink: Old Market Hall, Helsinki, Hietalahdentori, Hakaniemi market hall, Hietalahti market hall, Töölöntori, CoolHead Brew, Fat Lizard Brewing Company, Henry’s Distillery, Masis Brewery, Rosendal Brewery, Salama Brewing, Stadin Panimo, The Flying Dutchman Nomad Brewing Company Oy, The Helsinki Distilling Company, The Smiling Dutchman Kombucha, Vallilan Panimo
- With kids: Serena Waterpark, Tropicario, Haltiala farm, Panoraama, Rinkeli, Fallkullan kotieläintila, Flamingo Spa, Glims 4-H Farm Animal Yard, Heureka planetarium, Katrinebergin 4H-kotieläinpiha, Koivuhaan lammasaitaus, Leo's, Leo's Helsinki, Outlet, Leo's Tripla, Sea Life Helsinki, SuperPark Vantaa
- Stargazing: Ursa Observatory
- Nature: Winter Garden, Helsinki, Cholera Basin, Iso Huopalahti, Laajalahti, Malminkartanonhuippu, Porvarinlahti, Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden, Slåttmossenin luonnonsuojelualue, Vuosaarenhuippu, Hamnsundshällen, Temple of Lemminkäinen, Taivaskallio, Käpylän hiidenkirnu, Pihlajamäen hiidenkirnut, Porolahti, Karhusuo nature reserve, Karvasbackan pähkinäpensaslehto, Kasavuoren luonnonsuojelualue, Kukipaasi, Lukukallion pähkinäpensaslehto, Stansvik herb-rich forest and mining area nature reserve, Tahvonlahdenharju Nature Reserve, Vilstrand
- Museums and art: Espoo Automobile Museum, Espoo City Museum
- Hot springs: Löyly, Sompasauna, Kotiharjun Sauna, Kulttuurisauna, Sauna Hermanni, bunker sauna, Palojärven talviuintipaikka, Meri-Rastilan tie 25 sauna, Suomenlinna B 19, Spa Kylpylä, sauna, Finnish Sauna Society, Villa Kuunari
- Hiking: Kattilankota, Oravankolo, Partiokämpät Suositko ja Louhi, Tikankolo
- Snow: Vihti Ski Center
When to go to Helsinki
The best time to visit Helsinki is December to March and June to September; also possible: April to May and October. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.
- JanBest time6:18
- FebBest time8:45
- MarBest time11:21
- AprPossible14:14
- MayPossible16:51
- JunBest time18:30
- JulBest time17:47
- AugBest time15:23
- SepBest time12:31
- OctPossible9:43
- NovBetter not7:02
- DecBest time5:30
Best timePossibleBetter notHours of daylight
In June there are 18 h 30 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 30. In June, 120 of the 123 places are at their best.
When to go to Finland in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in its country guide.
Getting to Helsinki
The nearest main airport is Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL, Helsinki (Vantaa)), 16 km as the crow flies. How to get around Finland (train, car, bus) is in its country guide, and what to sort out before you leave is in its checklist.
Where it is (opens in a new tab)Directions (opens in a new tab)
Other towns nearby
- Askola12 places25 km
- Kirkkonummi19 places27 km
- Järvenpää17 places32 km
- Porvoo11 places47 km
- Lohja18 places49 km
- Hyvinkää25 places50 km
And all of Finland, in its country guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to see in Helsinki?
The best known: Suomenlinna, Helsinki Cathedral, Aalto University, Ateneum, National Museum of Finland. In all, 123 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.
When is the best time to visit Helsinki?
December to March and June to September; also possible: April to May and October. In June there are 18 h 30 of daylight, and in December, 5 h 30.
How do you get to Helsinki?
The nearest main airport is Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL), 16 km away. From there, directions opens the route on the map.
How do I add it to my trip?
Create a trip with Helsinki as the destination and these 123 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.
Keep reading
- FinlandBefore travelling to Finland: 6 things worth sorting out, each with its deadline. For Spanish citizens, a Spanish ID card (DNI) is enough to get in.
- Nature436 places for nature in Finland, from Gulf of Finland to spots hardly anyone knows. Best time: June to September. Each with its own season by altitude and daylight.
- Where to travelPick what you fancy (mountains, beaches, museums…) and the months you have free, and Kokai tells you which countries to go to and what to see there.
Data from OpenStreetMap, licensed under the ODbL, from Wikidata, CC0, cities from Natural Earth and airports from OurAirports. Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in credits.