Experiencing Helsinki in 48 Hours

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I have a confession to makeโ€ฆ. Once upon a time, I used to be an absolute travel snob.

This was a few years back, but I can still remember the moment with crystal clarity.

A friend of mine had recently been accepted to study abroad in Europe, and was excitedly gushing about his future plans.

I shared in the excitement too, envisioning his semester sipping sangria in Spain or breaking baguettes in France

I asked the obvious question of where he was headed, and with a big smile on his face, he told me: โ€œI’m going to Helsinki!โ€

My face probably said it all. With a scrunched up sneer of judgment, I asked why he would ever choose Finland over someplace ‘cooler’ like Spain or Italy.

In my mind, Finland wasnโ€™t a place people ever vacationed to, let alone moved to.

After my recent trip to the Finnish capital of Helsinki, I must say to my past self, oh, you were such a fool.

Helsinki, as it turns out, is an undeniably cool city, with plenty to offer and plenty to do.

In fact, I would say it’s a ‘live-in’ city, one whose true charm requires several weeks or months to fully absorb. Cool restaurants, bars and museums are abundant, and while my visit was short, I got a great feel for the city โ€“ enough at least for me to crave a return very soon.

So what exactly did I get up to? Hereโ€™s a photo diary and recap.

Helsinki

1. I dove head first into sightseeing.

Because this was my first time in the country,ย I went into full tourist mode.ย 

Alongside aย panorama bus tour, I had the advantage of a knowledgable friend/tour guide who brought me to see the city’s main sights.

We started off our visit with a stop inย Senate Square, where many of Helsinki’s main attractions can be found, including the Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace and the University of Helsinki’s main building.

The steep staircase leading up to the cathedral was a perfect spot to soak up the sunshine and people watch (or apparently, an ideal spot to procrastinate studying, as my friend explained).

Senate Square Helsinki

Another charming aspect of Helsinki was itsย abundanceย of open green spaces to relax in.

The Esplanadi, located near the seaside by Market Square, is a locals’ favourite, and offers a quiet place to relax in the heart of the city.

Happy to Wander Helsinki-0109

We also stopped by some gemsย of architecture, my favourite of which was theย Temppeliaukio (Rock) Church, which is built directly into/around solid rock.

Brilliantly lit by natural light, this place is also home to some of the best acoustics in town, making it a popular venue for concerts.

As a matter of fact, I caught a sneak peek of rehearsals during my visit!

Rock Church, Helsinki
Temppeliaukio Church ft. some musicians in the front

We alsoย devoted a few hours to the Suomenlinna Fortress, which is spread over 6 islands and found only a short ferry ride away from mainland Helsinki.

While ratherย quiet in the off-season, Suomenlinna is still one of the coolest places in the city, largely due to its diverse landscapes and opportunities for exploration.

Real talk,ย at some points I felt like I had walked into a Finnish version of The Shire:

Suomenlinna Island, Helsinki
Suomenlinna or the Shire?

2. I absorbed culture through museum hopping

Helsinki is home to dozens of museums, with a little something for everyone,ย from art and design fiends to the science and tech-obsessed.

With my limitedย patience and stamina, I settled on two of the city’s most famous: the Ateneum Art Museum and the Kiasma.

The Ateneum is home to Finland’s largest art collection (which means over 20,000 Finnish paintings, sculptures, drawings and more).

While I’m not usually much of an art person, the museum’s special Rodin exhibition was very cool, as wasย their wide array of traditional Finnish paintings (which, as expected, often depicted scenes of nature and plenty of snowy landscapes).

Ataneum Museum, Helsinki
The Ateneum

The Kiasma is a contemporary art museum, known in Helsinki for its striking glass architecture and extensive collection of modern art.

I must admit, the impact of modern art often escapes me… I’m much more of a history and science museum person, but the Kiasma does modern art properly.

With explanations and write-ups on each piece, it’s easy to grasp the meaning and intentions behind each piece of work, which makes the overall visit much more enjoyable.

The Kiasma, Helsinki
The main lobby of the Kiasma

3. I went full-nerd at Helsinki’s prettiest libraries

For me, few things inspire whelps of joy as easily as a beautiful library.

There’s just something so irresistible to me about perfect stacks of books, beautiful architecture and a cozy atmosphere. This is why I feel Helsinki’s libraries deserve a mention of their own.

The National Library of Finland is a beautiful place to visit for a classic take on library goodness, while the Helsinki University main library puts a more modern slant on things.

Regardless, both are beautiful and worth a visit.

National Library of Finland
National Library of Finland
Helsinki University Main Library
Helsinki University Main Library

4.ย I ate my way through the city

I never gave much thought to what Helsinki’s food scene might entail, but my visit left me pleasantly surprised.

From devouring vegan soy burgers in the city’s hipster ‘hood, to tucking into an all you can eat Finnish buffet, my taste buds learned to love Helsinki as much as I did. Finnish food is hearty, with plenty of fish, meat, potatoes and cheese to warm you up.

If you want an authentic and homey taste of Finland, I definitely recommend a visit to Konstan Molja, a family-runย buffet serving simple and delicious Finnish specialties.

A heaping plate of Finnish goodness.
A heaping plate of Finnish goodness.

Of course, for foodies and gourmets, a visit to the Oldย Market Hallย is a must.

I’m a big fan of markets (if only just to sample goods and admire the pretty displays) and with dozens of stalls showcasingย fresh meats, produce and baked goods, this little indoor market does not disappoint.

Hakaniemi Market Hall, Helsinki
Old Market Hall, aka foodie paradise

5. I embraced Helsinkiโ€™s coffee culture

This is a little known fact, but Finnsย are among the top in the world for coffee consumption.

This of course means that coffee culture is alive and well in Helsinki. While there were several cafes I wanted to visit, time was unfortunately not my friend.ย 

I did manage a few hours at the world-famous Regatta Cafe however, known not for their coffee quality (which is just okay), but for their irresistibly quaint charm.

Situated in a tiny red wooden house, the cafe has plenty of patio space, and even a crackling fire where you can roast sausages or dig into a doughy cinnamon bun.

For extra quirk points, this is the first place I’ve ever been that givesย youย money when you get a refill.

Each refill will give you back 5 cents… imagine that!

Cafe Ragatta, Helsinki

A short couple of days was all it took for Helsinki to steal my heart. If there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that this visit definitely won’t be my last.

There is SO much more that I want to seeย (check out this comprehensive guide to Finland) and I can’t wait to come back soon!

So, over to you – have you ever been to Helsinki or to a place that was unexpectedly awesome? Tell me all about it!

I was provided a 24h Helsinki Card by Visit Helsinki but my opinions (and love for the city!) are completely my own.

My Go-To Travel Favourites:

🧳 Eagle Creek: My favourite packing cubes

💳 Wise: For FREE travel friendly credit cards

🍯 Airalo: My go-to eSIM

🏨 Booking.com: For searching hotels

📷 Sony A7IV: My (amazing) camera

✈️ Google Flights: For finding flight deals

🌎 WorldNomads: For travel insurance

🎉 GetYourGuide: For booking activities

28 thoughts on “Experiencing Helsinki in 48 Hours”

  1. Helsinki seems to be really charming! I have a thing for countries up north, and I definitely hope to visit Helsinki as well some day ๐Ÿ™‚

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    • Yes Barb, it’s a super charming city, especially with all the cute cafes ๐Ÿ™‚ Hopefully you get a chance to visit sometime. This was my first time visiting Northern Europe and I loved it.

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  2. The design and architecture is gorgeous! I especially like the structure of the church, so interesting and looks beautiful with the light shining through. The library too, I could stay in there all day.

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    • Yeah! I loved the Helsinki Cathedral as well. So different and simple compared to most other huge European churches ๐Ÿ™‚

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  3. So many interesting places to see. The picture of the rock church is mesmerizing. I agree…I would have been one of those of people that would have thought, why Finland??? Thanks for opening my eyes.

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    • Yeah the Rock Church is super cool – unlike any other church I’ve been to. So happy I could open your eyes to Finland, Christina! Be sure to check it out… It’s a really beautiful country.

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    • Yess I loved Finland and Scandinavia. Northern Europe as a whole is super cool. I definitely want to go back sometime soon ๐Ÿ™‚

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  4. Definitely a cool city! Never been there though I lived for six months in a relatively nearby city (aarhus, Denmark). Haha. Its coffee culture is inviting and the Temppeliaukio Church looks simle yet catchy for me. More safe travels!

    Reply
    • Haha I find that we often forget to visit cities close to where we are because we always assume there’s time for us to do them later! Regardless, Helsinki is a great excuse for you to head back to that area ๐Ÿ™‚ Safe travels to you as well!

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    • it’s definitely very different from France! I love both for different reasons, but yes I agree with you – those Finns are lovely people!

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  5. Definitely one of the most beautiful cities from Europe. I lived there for a while and it was amazing, can’t wait to get back there, even as a tourist. I loved a lot the relationship that exists there between man and nature. I never seen something like that elsewhere in Europe.

    Congrats for the article!

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    • mmm the nature in Finland is amazing. Going in, I had no idea what to expect but I was really blown away. Thanks for reading, Stefan! ๐Ÿ™‚

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  6. I went with my husband in February this year for a concert. I was worried about how cold it would be, but everything was geared up for the snow and it was no problem, in fact it was a lot of fun. And Finnish people love their rock n roll! We found lots of great bars playing good music. And everyone we met was so friendly, we were invited to a party, and had people give us their phone number in case we needed anything – so kind. Lots of great shopping and interesting history and I loved the design museum. I would return in a heartbeat.

    Reply
    • wow that sounds lovely! I adore hearing stories like that. Travelling really exposes us to the kindness of others I think. So happy to hear how much loved Helsinki!

      Reply

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