If you only have time for 1 day in Helsinki, make the most of it by embracing Nordic flair with the city’s sweltering saunas, historic sites, and open-air cafes.
Helsinki might not have the same cult following as Stockholm or Copenhagen, but I found there’s something truly special about the Finnish capital,
Here’s everything you need to know about exploring Helsinki in a day, perfect for winter.
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Where is Helsinki, Finland?
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is on the country’s southern coast, overlooking the Gulf of Finland. It’s also Finland’s largest city and the cultural, economic, and political hub of the nation.
What makes Helsinki a unique place to visit in Europe is its thoughtful designs, vibrant cultural scene, and old-world history. You can expect a concoction of modern architecture, green spaces, and an archipelago comprising hundreds of islands when you visit Helsinki in a day.
It’s also just a couple-hour ferry ride away from another incredible capital city – Tallinn, Estonia! See my guide on things to do in Tallinn here – one of the BEST places to visit in Europe in winter!
Is 1 day in Helsinki enough?
Helsinki doesn’t have a lot of iconic sites to see in comparison to some of the most sought-after European cities. With that being said, I believe it is doable to get a feel of the city in just one day.
Many people visit Helsinki as an overnight or day trip from Tallinn, Estonia or before heading further north to Lapland for winter magic.
That’s why this Helsinki itinerary is perfect for visiting in winter (December through February).
How cold is Helsinki in winter?
Expect Helsinki to be COLD in winter. I highly suggest a full length coat. I wore this puffer coat by Mountain Warehouse.
In general, Helsinki winters are cold and snowy, typical of a Nordic climate. Temperatures from December to February usually range between -5°C to -10°C (23°F to 14°F).
Even just going from Tallinn to Helsinki, I felt a big drop in temperature. That’s part of why this itinerary involves visiting a sauna, warming up at markets, and visiting a fire-lit outdoor cafe set by a frozen lake. All the winter fun with ways to escape the frigid temperatures.
Where to stay in Helsinki, Finland
Eurohostel: Budget friendly with breakfast and two saunas (free in the morning and paid at night)
Noli Studios Katajanokka: Mid-range studios; overlooks Helsinki city centre with a sauna and hot tub on site
Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel: Popular upscale hotel with saunas and rooftop lounge
You can also see my guide on the best sauna spa hotels in Helsinki, Finland for more accommodation options all with saunas available onsite.
How to Spend 1 Day in Helsinki
Here’s the perfect 1 day Helsinki itinerary to make the most of your stopover in the city.
Uspenski Cathedral
After breakfast or getting off the ferry, start yourHelsinki itinerary off with a visit to the stunning Uspenski Cathedral.
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, the Uspenski Cathedral is one of the most picturesque places to see in Helsinki. Its red-brick Byzantine-Russian design and onion-shaped domes make it an iconic landmark, offering gorgeous views of the city and sea.
The cathedral, dating back to the 19th century, embodies the Finnish Orthodox community’s rich heritage and religious significance. Whether you take a tour (recommended) or simply see it from the outside, it’s a must-see when you visit Helsinki!
Market Square & Kauppatori
Near the Uspenski Cathedral, this is where you’ll find loads of local culture, cuisine, and crafts.
Market Square is located on the eastern side of central Helsinki, between the south harbor and Esplanade Park. It overlooks the harbor and houses the Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli), which is full of Finnish specialties and international food.
Then, there’s the Kauppatori right across the street from Esplanadi Park.
There is an array of things to find, largely depending on the season. You can purchase fresh produce, local crafts, and Finnish specialties like smoked salmon and cinnamon buns. I’m a vegetarian, but I know it’s a hotspot for freshly caught fish.
It’s the most busy and vibrant during summer and weekends, but even in winter, you can find trinkets as well as hot coffee and food – to be enjoyed under a tent with a heat lamp (much needed during Finnish winters.)
Plus, don’t forget to pick up some souvenirs! I bought pure wool earmuffs from Market Square and it’s been my warmest, go-to ear warmers ever since.
If it’s lunch time, feel free to have lunch at either Market Square or Kauppatori for a cultural experience.
Esplanadi Park
Right in the center of the city, take a stroll through Esplanadi Park for a beautiful green space lined with cafes, shops, and sculptures. This should be your next stop during your 1 day in Helsinki.
It’s a perfect spot for a picnic or to enjoy a sunny day. In winter, it’s filled with holiday lights and decorations, so it’s a great place to visit in Helsinki any time of the year!
Helsinki Cathedral
As one of Helsinki’s most iconic landmarks, the Helsinki Cathedral’s neoclassical design and avante-garde flair make it one of the best Helsinki places to visit.
Take in its impressive facade from afar or step inside for a closer look. I have only ever seen it from the outside, but it looks to be just as elegant from the inside, too. There are golden chandeliers, gleaming white pillars, and wooden pews.
Entry ranges from €5 to €8 depending on the time of year. It’s highest during the summer peak season.
It’s also just a short walk from Esplanadi Park and Market Square in central Helsinki, so it’s an easy next spot to see with 24 hours in Helsinki.
If you want to see a lot of Helsinki’s best places in a short time, I highly recommend booking this Highlights of Helsinki Walking Tour.
Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)
Hop on the tram and cruise on over to the Töölö neighborhood to find one of the coolest churches in the world, and a unique place to see during your 1 day in Helsinki.
It’s a unique place to visit in Helsinki with stunning architecture, all carved into solid rock. The copper-lined ceiling and natural lighting create a serene ambiance, making it a must-visit attraction.
It costs €8 / adult to enter. You can purchase your ticket in advance or when you arrive at the Rock Church.
Check out this art and cultural tour led by a local for a unique way to visit Temppeliaukio Church, Kamppi Chapel, and more iconic places to see in Helsinki.
Café Regatta
Café Regatta is by far my favorite place to visit in Helsinki. It’s a not-so-typical cafe where you can get to know both locals and visitors.
It’s an open-air cafe with an outdoor fire pit right next to the lake. You’ll step up to the red building where you’ll find a menu of cafe drinks like coffee or hot chocolate and food options like fresh pastries, sausage or veggie sausage, and so much more.
One of the best parts of visiting is ordering some sausage and a cozy drink and cooking your food right over the fire yourself.
The seating is rather intimate with people sitting on logs surrounding the fire.
During winter, the lake is completely frozen over and you can walk across it for a memorable experience in Helsinki.
No matter the season, I can’t recommend Café Regatta enough!
Sibelius Monument
One of the coolest things to see in Helsinki in a day is the Sibelius Monument dedicated to the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius.
The massive sculpture, created by Eila Hiltunen, is a tribute to Sibelius’s musical legacy. Resembling a sound wave, the abstract art piece is made up of over 600 stainless steel organ pipes. You can even stand under them and look up for a unique perspective.
It’s part of the seaside park Sibelius Park which is actually very close to Café Regatta, so I recommend seeing these two things together.
Besides, this is one of the BEST free things to do in Helsinki, so don’t skip out on it!
During summertime, there is an ice cream truck and some people selling souvenirs. It’s a bit quieter in winter, but I loved the gloomy magic of it.
Finnish Sauna
A must-have experience in Finland is to visit a sauna! Perhaps you’re already doing that as part of your Finland itinerary beyond Helsinki. Nonetheless, the ritual is deeply rooted in Finnish culture, and it’s one of my favorite reasons to visit Helsinki.
Saunas hold significant cultural importance in Finnish life. It’s estimated that Finland has more saunas than cars – nice! It’s not only about relaxation but also about socializing, unwinding, and even connecting with nature.
Plus, these saunas are full of therapeutic benefits. They are known to improve circulation, relax muscles, cleanse the skin, and promote overall well-being.
What is a Finnish sauna, you might ask? The traditional Finnish sauna involves cycles of hot steam followed by a refreshing rinse in cold water before returning for another session. Most Finns prefer natural dips in icy waters or rolling in the snow, known as “avanto.”
These bad boys are hot-hot, too! They range from 80 to 110 °C (176 to 230 °F), with an average around 80–90 °C (176–194 °F).
How to visit a sauna in Helsinki:
Several public saunas in Helsinki offer an authentic Finnish sauna experience. Löyly is one of the best saunas in the city, but check out this guide to find the best public saunas in Helsinki.
And if you don’t want to shell out cash to visit a public sauna, choose a hotel in Helsinki with a sauna.
This Helsinki hotel offers rooms with private saunas. Check out their Junior Suite with Sauna. It’s a little farther from the city center, but still just a short tram ride away.
For a central hotel in Helsinki with private sauna rooms, this 4-star hotel is GORGEOUS.
Otherwise, check out Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel with free access to its sauna.
Helsinki Nightlife
When the sun goes down, Helsinki’s vibrant nightlife comes to life. With trendy bars, music venues, and clubs, Finns know how to have a good time! Make sure to soak it up on your last night in Helsinki.
Plus, the city lights reflecting over the water and just the energy of Helsinki at night calls for a wander if you don’t want to go out drinking.
Check out The Riff for a cool, rock-n-roll-inspired bar with cocktails and craft beer. Bar Bronda is also one of the best bars in Helsinki if you want something a little classier with a DJ and wine room.
And that’s totally how you should end your 1 day Helsinki itinerary! Where to next?
If you have more than 1 day in Helsinki
If you have more than just a day in Helsinki, you can visit the fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could even leave Helsinki in the early afternoon in order to visit the fortress that morning.
It’s set on one of Helsinki’s 330 different islands. This sea fortress is an archipelago of islands just a short ferry ride away from Helsinki’s harbor. However, you can book this Helsinki archipelago tour to see the fortress and some of the city’s other stunning islands in 5 hours.
While there, you can explore the historic military structures, museums, and picturesque views of the Baltic Sea. It’s actually really beautiful, too. It has an almost Hobbit hole vibe about it with the grass covering the tops of most of the buildings.
For public transport options, a ferry service runs from Market Square year-round and takes 15 minutes. During summer and fall, there is also a water bus that takes 20 minutes.
And once you’re there, you can hop on a walking tour of Suomenlinna.
Thank you for reading my itinerary to help you plan the best 1 day in Helsinki, Finland! Comment and questions or comments you have below. I always try to respond as soon as I see the notification. Happy travels! <3
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