Yes, I’m at it again! I recently booked a weekend flight to Helsinki on Finnair, a One World alliance airline.
I’ve never been to Finland and I don’t know anyone there but I have a good feeling about this city.
Of course, I intended to do some advance planning, but you know the story. I was busy traveling and working and the time has flown. Add a death in the family to the equation and … I’m leaving in 5 days and have no idea where to go and what to see in Helsinki. I’ll only be there 2 nights so I won’t have time for ferry rides to St. Petersburg and beyond.
Any words of advice, from transport from the airport, to sights and tours, to local transit around the city, to restaurants and pubs and funky shopping – I’m grateful for your comments and advice!
In addition, I’m always interested in places to run and in local street art!
Thank you!
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
Word of caution when ordering/eating pizza. They put tuna fish on their pizza!!! It looks harmless enough, like some sort of shredded beef or chicken, but once you take that first bite, it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!!
See the rock dome church, run along the waterfront, enjoy a sauna. Its more of an “experience” city to just hang out and see the designs of buildings and shop. Cafe Kappeli by the pier and food hall has wonderful coffee and soup.
Shame you won’t be there long enough to do a day trip to Tallinn, it’s much more historic and beautiful than Helsinki.
Just take the train from the airport to the city center, takes about 30 minutes
I highly recommend a food tour. My wife and I enjoyed our tour and guide. You not only get the taste of Helsinki but a lot of history and other recommendations from locals. If you need a recommendation please let me know.
Yes, details please!
Chapel of silence, rock church are both beautiful.
The Finns do avantouinti (ice swimming) for good reason….it feels great when you are done. My first dip was,so I could see what it was,about, the next four dips after sauna were because it feels great.
I have done it twice in winter, and will be there again the first weekend of May when it won’t be ice swimming, but the sea will be 34 degrees, so close enough.
You don’t feel high, you’re not woozy….you just feel so “present” afterward.
If the water is too much for you, just go from the sauna and then take a seat outside in the below freezing air. You’ll be surprised how great it feels, and how long you stay outside, wet in your bathing suit, in freezing temperatures.
Okay, enough, but you get my excitement for the hot/cold magic that is avantouinti.
Take the ferry to Tallin for a nice day trip. Go to one of their public saunas in downtown Helsinki for a real Finnish company experience.
Do the ferries run in the winter?
Yes, ferries run in winter. I just went in January. I was there for 3 days and did a day trip to Tallinn; really nice!
Helsinki:
Go to Helsinki Cathedral and Temppeliaukio Church (the Rock Church) which are both awesome. Sibelius Monument is also worth a gander.
But *definitely* make sure you take a ferry to Suomenlinna. It’s a UNESCO site and definitely worth a half day trip.
+1 James K’s comment Suomenlinna is a must.
I am really looking forward to your posts about Helsinki. The Helsinki and Reykjavik Marathons are on consecutive weekends, and someday I want to go for both!