7 Top Things To Do in Helsinki

Prior to going to Helsinki, I didn’t really know too many things about the Finnish culture or the city itself. In my first few days, I learned that they’re incredibly introverted and quirky. It’s very challenging to assign only a few personality traits – but these are the leading two that stood out to me during my time there. Small talk and meaningless banter are not common – but rather, they like to engage in more purposeful dialogues. They enjoy speaking when they have something essential to say.

I thought this was an incredibly genuine and endearing quality of their’s as they truly want to create meaningful relations with others. They may come off as a bit shy and reserved when it comes to letting outsiders in — but once you break down that initial wall, you have a bona fide friend for life! I love the Finns and cannot say enough good things about Helsinki. I stayed a week with MyHelsinki in an apartment for a truly immersive, local experience. I also had the opportunity to stay at an amazing hotel and try too many wonderful Finnish dishes to count! Here are some of my top suggestions:

1.Kiasma – the perfect way to spend a few hours: The Museum of Contemporary art is a wonderful way to spend a few hours. There is a roster of international exhibits that are quite impressive. In the past, Kiasma has also welcomed local Finnish designers to work collectively to construct their own unique pieces.

During my visit, I especially enjoyed Mamyshev – Monroe’s exhibition – a Russian artist who showcased photographs of his face impersonating a myriad of well-known personas. The architecture of the museum itself could also be considered art. The space is chock full of natural light & stunning architectonic details!

2. Visit The prettiest street in Helsinki: Huvilakatu, Ullanlinna: The arguably most beautiful street in Helsinki. The famous Finnish TV show “Salatut Elämät” has even been filmed and featured here. I found the colors and architecture so incredibly photogenic. The walk from Central Railway Station is about 2km and quite lovely. I personally would recommend walking there as it’s a fantastic way to truly get a feel for the city. During the walk, I passed many local cafes, beautiful parks, and unique design stores.

3. Stay in an old prison: Hotel Katajanokka used to be a prison. Some of the oldest parts of the hotel date back to 1837. Many aspects of the hotel are incredibly modern – but they’ve also done a wonderful job at sustaining some of the more historical elements. The location is conveniently located near a Tram stop – and about a mere two-minute walk from some wonderful restaurants and shops by the port. The staff is incredibly warm and accommodating. Make sure to stop by the hotel’s restaurant, Linnankellari for some delicious & cozy Nordic cuisine.

4. Soak up the Design: This is a bit of a broader recommendation but I cannot pass up the opportunity to highlight how amazing the design culture is in Helsinki. In 2012, Helsinki was named the World Design Capital and rightfully so.

There are many Finnish legends who work across the spectrum in design: in everything from glassware to furniture, and of course, architecture. I wrote a caption on one of my Instagram posts to why I love Finnish design so much — that I will further emphasize here: Finnish design is so much more than just minimalism and objects – it’s very much a lifestyle and is incredibly embedded within the culture. Their design creation approach possesses a great deal of purpose and thoughtfulness. There is a beautiful balance of modernity, functionality, and serenity in Finnish design.

5. Try Finnish cuisine with an unexpected twist: I wanted to mention a few different restaurants that I really enjoyed since I couldn’t possibly narrow it down to just one. Restaurant Nolla is a special little gem. Their innovative approach to zero waste has really captured both a local and international audience. Their daily menu is customized and tailored to fit each customer’s dietary needs. Their zero waste ideology is incredibly expansive as they have taken everything into account from local farmers that they work with to source the produce and ingredients – to rejecting wasteful packaging. They’ve also created an intricate in-house compost system that creates rich soil. They give the soil back directly to the farmers that they source ingredients from.

Restaurant Juuri sources local ingredients and & every dish is wonderfully thoughtful– consisting of some seriously elaborate & bold flavors. I really enjoyed The Goat Milk with peas and spinach!

Restaurant Olo: if you want an outstanding Michelin restaurant — then this is your place! You can choose either a 6 or 9-course meal: that captures a modernly rendered Scandinavian approach — every dish has ingredients that harmoniously work together beautifully. A wonderful atmosphere and staff that are assuredly willing to accommodate your dining experience. A+ meal!

6. Sweat out that stress: at Löyly – a wonderful Finnish sauna experience. The Finns believe that the sauna is the ultimate way to decompress and relax. The perfect place for both physical and mental cleansing. I personally love it but can only handle about 20 minutes at a time!

7. Day-trip to Tallinn: While Tallinn is obviously not in Helsinki, I wanted to throw out a day-trip that I really enjoyed. There are multiple ferry rides each day leaving from the South Harbor Makasiiniterminaali, Eteläsatama. The ferry ride takes approximately 2 hours each way. Tallinn is a charming little city that will make you feel as if you’ve transported back to Medieval times. There is a myriad of cobble-stone streets, merchant buildings from the 11th century, and loads of little artisan shops!

Many thanks to MyHelsinki for an amazing time in Helsinki. For more of my favorite things to do in Helsinki – check out some lists that I created here!