48 Hours in Helsinki: Things to Do in Finland’s Snowy Capital
Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland. This cosmopolitan city blends its rich history with contemporary architecture and picturesque green parks. Located on the southern coast of Finland, Helsinki’s position offers stunning waterfront views of the Baltic Sea. A popular location in the summer, my friends and I decided to visit in February and were overjoyed to spend 48 hours in this winter wonderland. Of course, you are more than welcome to devote a considerate amount of time exploring all 3 million saunas in Finland. However, this guide is for travelers who only have a short amount of time to discover the must-see highlights of the Finnish capital. Please enjoy this bucket list of things to do in Helsinki!
Table of Contents
Day 1
Lace up your walking shoes for day one in Helsinki. We will be exploring large avenues, historic cathedrals, and a unique urban island.
(1) Walk Down Esplanadi and indulge in cinnamon rolls
Start the day by walking down Esplanadi – a beautiful tree-lined boulevard right in the heart of the city that serves as a gateway to further attractions. It is home to numerous cafes and restaurants and is the host of regular events throughout the year. In the winter, it may be difficult to find open-air events, but don’t worry, the cafes will always be welcoming.
Feel free to stop at Café Esplanad for a much-needed famous Finnish cinnamon roll and coffee. If you are visiting Helsinki in the winter as we did, the best start to your morning is a warm pastry and a hot latte. Trust me, you’ll need all the energy you can get before walking down the icy streets.
(2) Helsinki Cathedral
Arrive at the Helsinki’s most iconic landmark: the neoclassical cathedral. It is located in Senate Square, and it will not be hard to imagine that it is one of the most photographed buildings in the entire city. Not sure which one I’m referring to? See the picture below and realize that you’ve definitely seen photos before.
Note: I’m not sure if this is common in other Scandinavian cities, but we did notice the lack of salt on the sidewalks. While this is great for the environment, it provides a bit of a hindrance for your daily walk. Don’t forget to pack the right shoes if you’re visiting Helsinki in the winter. In the summer, do not fret – there will be very little snow coverage (hopefully).
(3) Upenski Cathedral
Head to one more cathedral – the stunning Eastern Orthodox Upenski Cathedral built in the 19th century. Upenski Cathedral’s red brick façade was quite a bright sight amongst the white winter scene. Entrance is free and it is worth taking a peek inside to marvel at the Byzantine-style frescoes.
(4) Market square
Next, wander to Market Square, a perfectly located outdoor market along the Baltic Sea waterfront and at the end of Esplanadi. Market Square is ripe with food stalls serving Finnish delicacies and artisans selling hand-crafted goods. This market is also home to Helsinki’s ferry port, from which you will head to the next stop.
(5) Suomenlinna
Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that we happened to stumble upon because we decided to board a ferry leaving in five minutes to see where it was going. We were awe-inspired by the striking tundra coastal scenery. Suomenlinna is a sea fortress from the 18th century that spans across six different linked islands.
We had the amazing opportunity to be one of the only groups that ventured deep into the island, feeling like we had the entire place to ourselves. With the sea frozen over and the fortress covered in snow, we felt like we were the main characters in one of the Narnia films. The 15-minute ferry ride from Market Square makes the journey even more worth it.
Day 2
For our second day, let’s head down to the Southern end of Helsinki.
(6) Observatory Park (Tähtitorinunvuori)
Stop by Observatory Park (Tähtitorinunvuori) for panoramic views of the city and sea atop a hill. It is home to the Helsinki Observatory, dating back to the 19th century, and if you happen to be there in the winter, it is also said to be the best spot in the city to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis. When we went in February, we took an icy midnight trek to watch the sky and see the lights. Verdict: if you have to spend days debating whether or not you saw the northern lights, you probably did not.
(7) Design District & Huvilakatu Street
After spending some much-needed time in greenery, explore Helsinki’s Design District – a vibrant neighborhood celebrating Finnish design and creativity. With over 200 shops, galleries, and studios, it is well worth an addition to your Helsinki bucket list. Don’t forget to walk down Huvilakatu, an iconic street lined with brightly colored art nouveau-style villas. Even if you aren’t an architecture enthusiast, the beautiful colors are sure to lighten up your day.
(8) Löyly Sauna
I can’t vouch for going to the modern complex of Löyly as it was out of reach of our low, low college budget at the time, but not a lot sounds better than ending your stay in Helsinki at a beautiful sauna and waterfront restaurant. With traditional saunas offering views of the Baltic Sea and modern Finnish-inspired cuisine, if your budget allows for a few hours here, it will be time and money well spent. After getting a good sweat in the saunas, don’t forget the Finnish tradition of jumping into the cold sea.
That’s all for Helsinki! We hope you enjoyed today’s fast-paced and walkable itinerary for a short 48 hours in Helsinki, Finland. If you are looking to tack on another destination for your long weekend, take a look at our 36 hours in Stockholm, Sweden guide. The flight between Helsinki and Stockholm is exactly one hour, which makes puddle jumping a very appealing addition to your weekend. Looking for other European weekends? Check out our European Destination Guides.
Happy sampling!