Helsinki in One Day: Your Perfect Itinerary for 24 Hours in Helsinki

Make the most of one day in Helsinki with our itinerary for 24 hours in Finland’s cool capital.

We have one itinerary that covers the classic tourist attractions. And another itinerary based on tips from Helsinki locals. Moomins and saunas await. Each within a single day. 

As local Antti puts it, “Helsinki doesn’t just show you its secrets. You have to work a bit to get to know it, but that’s very rewarding.”

Can You See Helsinki in One Day?

Yes! Well, not entirely, obviously. But you can have a great day and see plenty of the city. Finland’s icy capital rewards visitors with a compact centre and hot design. Snack on cloudberries and lingonberry cocktails in chrome bars, nourish your mind with modern museums, then strip off to join the locals in a traditional sauna. All possible in Helsinki in one day.

Just one day in Helsinki. In winter? No problem. Let’s go!

Helsinki in One Day: Classic Sights

How This Itinerary Works

This 24 hour itinerary includes classic Helsinki attractions as well as a few unusual spots. I’ve divided suggestions into three blocks: morning, afternoon and evening. 

That way, you can easily slice and dice it depending on what time you arrive in the city. The recommended activities and places to eat flow within the itinerary. At the end, I’ve suggested some other places which don’t fit quite as neatly into this one day in Helsinki plan. If you have more time (or really want to miss one thing for another) then swap around as you prefer.

Also, as an exciting bonus, we have a one day in Helsinki itinerary for you curated wholly by locals via the ever excellent Spotted by Locals team.  

However you want to see the city, we have you covered!

Disclosure – If you book or buy through some of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Morning in Helsinki

Button up against the cold and stride out to see Helsinki’s classic landmarks. Luckily, they’re clustered close together and walkable with the right footwear.

Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

Paris has the Eiffel Tower, Helsinki has the glacial Helsinki Cathedral. It’s served as the city’s landmark since its completion in 1852 and the Senate Square gives the building space to breathe (and visitors space to selfie.)

Torikorttelit Historical Centre

Warm up with cosy cafes in the narrow streets of Torikorttelit, Helsinki’s historical centre. Take your fill of design shops here (you may not be able to explore the Design District fully with only one day in Helsinki as it’s a little further away.)

Walk on to…

Uspenski Cathedral

In contrast to the white and aquamarine of Helsinki Cathedral, Uspenski roars in blood red and deep green. It’s one of the largest Orthodox Churches in Western Europe and home to many icons and paintings. 

Optional: if you decide the afternoon plan is not for you, then walk from Uspenski Cathedral to Market Square to hop on a sightseeing cruise. This may work better as a summer option, however…

Esplanade Park

Known as “Espa” locally, this main city walkway runs between Erottaja square and Market Square and makes a good place for a stroll. 

Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi streets make up the north and south borders.

Stockmann Department Store

The self-proclaimed biggest department store in the whole Nordic region, Stockmann’s covers several floors and glitters in the winter lights of Helsinki. Worth a quick look but then move on.

Lunch: Three Options in Helsinki

With only one day in Helsinki, it pays to combine lunch with another activity.

Here are three suggestions:

• Eat at the small café at the Deign Museum. As the World Design Capital 2012, Helsinki is no stranger to the idea that good ideas are good ideas.
• The Old Market Hall – running since 1889, find a wide range of local delicacies like salmiakki (salted liquorice) and sweet cinnamon Pulla. Grab and go or sit down at one of the many cafes and restaurants.
• Hietalahti Market Hall – this gourmet street food market lives in a cute old fashioned building a little way out of town. Food is international, though, so for local dishes, check out the One Day in Helsinki Like a Local Guide.

Afternoon in Helsinki

Swap tradition for modernity by taking in a series of world-class museums with astonishing structural design.

Helsinki Central Station

This deserves a shout out for its Art Nouveau exterior and useful point as a meeting place. It’s just a short walk past the station to a complex of four interesting buildings connected by a rather dreary flat square.

Oodi Library with Swirling Designs

Described as a “living meeting place,” Helsinki’s Central Library is an inspiring, uplifting, brilliant piece of community architecture. Check out the events page or just walk below its curving roof and clear glass angles. Look for the double staircase inside that creates an optical illusion of a spiral.

Helsinki Music Centre

Great for a concert and worth a quick look as it’s so close to the Oodi library. A café and crossing staircase show Helsinki’s flair for design again.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Enjoy the building of this Contemporary Art Museum as much as the exhibits inside, with its curving walls, walkways and windows.

National Museum of Finland

This beautiful Art Nouveau building presents Finnish history from prehistoric times to the 19^th century. The most interesting part is the exhibition on Sibelius, the great Finnish composer, and the jewellery collection.

That’s all you’ll have time for with only one day in Helsinki, but I’ve gathered a list of other cool museums further down in the article.

Evening: Sauna with the Locals

Sauna (pronounced S-OW-nuh) is BIG in Helsinki. Indeed, in the whole of Finland.

It’s not some tepid, add-on afterthought as it is in the gyms and swimming pools of the UK and beyond.

It’s the social activity, bordering on the reason for being.

Friends sauna together, strangers sauna together. Work colleagues sauna together.

I’ve visited Finland for work on two occasions now and each time, the first proper meeting took place in the sauna.

So.

You have to try it! (Obviously, within the caveats of not having low blood pressure, pregnancy, etc etc, and all the usual medical caveats involved when searching online.

Do You Really Have to Sauna Naked in Finland?

Traditionally, people sauna in the nude in Finland. But Helsinki has taken pity on her foreign visitors and allows swimsuits at most public saunas to ease you into it.

Sauna at Löyly 

I’d highly recommend Löyly in Helsinki for a number of reasons:

• It’s beautifully made of fresh wood and clean design
• You can book in advance (in fact you should)
• It’s close to the sea, which becomes important for the next part

So Did I Do It?

Yes, I did/ Did I enjoy it? It actually didn’t feel all that cold, but I did get electric shocks pinging their way up and down my skin.

Did I do it again? Erm. No.

Late Evening in Helsinki – The Sky Bar

If you have the energy, then make the most of your one night in Helsinki on the 13^th floor at the Sky Bar of the Clarion Hotel [hosted.] The bar sometimes has live music but always has a fantastic view.

Entrance is open to non-guests and the view in the lift includes all the classics of Helsinki like the two main cathedrals. It’s right by tram 9 so incredibly easy to get to from Helsinki town centre.

Top Tip: Try a Finnish gin and tonic. It comes with lingonberries and a sprig of rosemary and is both bitter and refreshing at the same time.

Helsinki in One Day: Itinerary From a Local

This off the beaten track itinerary for Helsinki comes from the team at Spotted by Locals. They start their 24 hour itinerary in Helsinki early. Buckle up and see the overlooked sights!

Getting Around

No matter whether you’ve come by plane, train or ferry, you’ll need walking boots and a metro ticket to get around for the day.  Helsinki’s metro and orange trains have kept the  ‘70s decor but function easily and efficiently.

It goes without saying that you should get a day ticket!

You can appropriately start your exploration at the famous Central Railway station, a local favourite meet-up point.

Alternatively, you can get off at the adjacent station, Kamppi, to admire the brilliant artwork Roots of the City.

Coffee and Breakfast in Helsinki

Finns are the top consumers of coffee in the world, with 8-9 cups per day considered normal. 

You can have your own first cup of the day at Ekberg, Helsinki’s oldest café (founded in 1852.)

It’s one of the few cafés where you get table service. Locals of all ages feel comfortable here; local Janiina comes here with her sister every year on their birthday. You must be hungry by now, so you can do as she does and celebrate with the breakfast buffet — or some pie.

Helsinki’s Design District

• Nearby, Lokal is a bright art gallery featuring Finnish designers and artists. You can peruse one of the temporary exhibitions, buy a gift for someone special or get a cool piece to remember this little trip forever. Our Spotter Antti admits he’d easily go there every day if he could.
• While in the Design District, you can also drop by the Five Corners (or Viiskulma), Helsinki’s “place-to-be” from 10 years ago. Its cool lustre hasn’t completely worn off — you can still find a lot here, especially if you’re interested in record stores like local Joonas (e.g. Digelius Music, Eronen & A.H. Records).

Now: time for a walk.

Moomins and Sculptures

Remember the moomins?   All sorts of honours dedicated to author Tove Jansson (who passed away in 2001) can be found in Helsinki today. You’ll find a park named after her in the elegant suburb of Katajanooka, her former home.

Her father, Victor Jansson, was a famous sculptor himself, and used his family as models. You can make a game of finding statues of young Tove everywhere in Helsinki, but the best known one is in Kaisaniemi park, behind the National Theater. Would Mr. Jansson have ever imagined that his young daughter would go on to far surpass him in international acclaim?

Take in the Helsinki Skyline

Time for some views! Hotel Torni means “hotel tower” in Finnish. They weren’t joking: at 70 metres high, it used to be the country’s tallest building for a long time. You can have an early drink or take another step towards taking the Finns head-on in their coffee-drinking records at the rooftop ateljée bar.

You can even feel free to pop by and just use the restroom as a vantage point; from the ladies’ you can spot the Parliament house, Finlandia house, Music house, National Museum and Kiasma Museum. Local Aino-Marja often comes up here just to use the bathroom and enjoy the view. Shh. Not that we told you that.

Kallio: The Bohemian District & Sauna

Next stop: the famous neighbourhood Kallio. Use your metro day pass and get off at Sörnäinen station. There are few better ways to start your exploration in this vibrant, bohemian district than by treating your body & soul to a sauna visit. There are two excellent options in the area that have survived the general gentrification that’s taken place around them: Sauna Arla & Kotiharjun Sauna.

Which one you choose will depend on whether you visualise your authentic sauna experience in a more tranquil, private setting, or as a chance to socialise with strangers, respectively.

No matter which one you choose, our Spotter Joonas recommends you bring your own drinks (drinks are allowed but not sold in the premises.)

But bringing your swimsuit or towel is not advisable, at least if you want to make friends with the locals. 

More About the Sauna

Keep in mind that Finns do not consider being naked in the sauna as something sexual, and generally feel more comfortable inside saunas than anywhere else.

By now, it’s time to fuel up.

Where to Eat in Helsinki : The Local View

Nearby Ipi Kulmakuppila is one of our Spotter Janiina’s favourites: it’s a cool café with a white/wooden interior and big windows that manages to stay cosy rather than feel too trendy. Here they serve brunch and lunch and have a mostly vegetarian menu. Why not also grab a local craft beer to enjoy together with your lunch? A welcome social plus: the café gives employment to disabled people.

Alternatively, you may go for the vegetarian buffet at Silvoplee or the experience of eating seafood on the floating restaurant Meripaviljonki.

Helsinki’s Winter Garden for the Afternoon

Now, here’s a beautiful tip for the afternoon: Helsinki’s Winter Garden, or Talvipuutarha. It’s a “secret” yard inside a big, 120-year-old greenhouse. Its three rooms are filled with cacti, palm trees, magnolias and all kinds of plants. It also has benches where you can enjoy another coffee-on-the-go or you can get inspired by our local Janiina and have a picnic — in case you opted to skip lunch. You can come here with something from traditional bakery Leipomo K. E. Avikainen.

Speakeasy Helsinki

As the day is winding down, If you’re up for another beer, try Pub Sirdie, one of the few places in Kallio that haven’t changed a bit! It’s actually been here for more than 5 decades, and it’s said that, during Prohibition (1919-1932) it was already home to a speakeasy. You won’t find another bar that still has this rough and rugged punk rock vibe Kallio used to be known for.

The old (working!) jukebox has international and Finnish rock classics and, for a couple of years now, the bar has actually been run by its fans. After the announcement it was closing down, they came together and bought it! 

Helsinki Nightlife

Here are some suggestions for enjoying Helsinki’s nightlife.

• You can stay in Kallio and visit Elanto Block, which is actually the district’s main hub all day long, but truly shines after dark. It consists of old factories (including one for matches from 1874!) and warehouses that have been transformed into a buzzing hive around a club complex. It is an ideal choice if electronic music is your jam. In Elanto Block’s inner yard, our Spotter Joonas favourite part of the complex, you will find Kaiku and Kuudes Linja, both excellent venues for DJ sets and live music respectively. You can also find places to have something to eat before you continue your evening adventures.
• If you’re looking for a more relaxed night out, you can try Orion, a cinema back in the area around Kamppi. Housed inside an art déco gem, it is an independent cinema and has been screening films since the 1920s. It’s one of local Janiina’s favourite places not only in Helsinki, but on Earth!
• Last but certainly not least, how about pizza for dinner? Via Tribunali has two restaurants, one in the centre and one in Kallio, and it’s the only pizzeria in Finland to have received the supreme accolade, the authenticity certificate by Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana. Local Joonas hasn’t found a more balanced Pizza Siciliana anywhere else in Finland. Who said you can only get good pizza in Italy? Hyvää ruokahalua! (Buon Appetito!)

For more local favorites in Europe, the Middle East and North America, check out Spotted by Locals.

How to Spend More Time in Helsinki

Nature and the Outdoors

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress UNESCO World Heritage Site

According to many, this is THE place to visit in Helsinki. When the weather is good.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and you can reach the island by ferry on public transport, or you can take a tour.

Tööjönlahti Bay

Popular with joggers, this large bay in the centre has historical wooden villas on the opposite shore.

Seurasaari Island Open Air Museum and Beach

See wooden buildings relocated from across Finland and relax on the beach and in the many restaurants and cafes.

Family Attractions in Helsinki

Helsinki Zoo

The island of Korkeasaari is home to one of the oldest zoos in the world. Helsinki zoo dates back to 1889. Reach from the centre on bus 16.

Outliers and Day Trips from Helsinki

While we’re lucky in that so many of Helsinki’s top attractions live so close together, there are a few outliers that you might want to know about if you have a little more time.

The Kamppi Chapel of Silence

Contemporary wooden architecture provides a place for meditation in Helsinki City Centre

Finlandia Hall

Finland’s legendary Alvar Aalto designed this venue for conferences, concerts and events.

Temppeliaukio – The Rock Church

Built into solid rock, this church looks as though a disc of gold has landed on the wintry capital.

The Ateneum Art Museum

The Ateneum holds one of the biggest collections of classical art in Helsinki and is one third of the Finnish National Gallery.

Amox Rex

This new art museum looks like a cross between Gaudi’s Par Güell ceramic works and a Moomin. Inside live private art collections but it’s the outside that intrigues the most.

Helsinki Art Museum HAM

Modern and contemporary art run by the city.

Kunsthalle Helsinki

More contemporary art but also design, architecture and events and a building worth visiting.

Iittala & Arabia Design Centre

Take tram 6 or 8 to learn more about these celebrated Finnish design and lifestyle brands.

Uunisaaren Sauna

Steamrooms and whirlpool saunas on a small island in Helsinki. Absolutely fascinating in the midst of winter, when bathing holes are carved into the ice.

Where to Stay in Helsinki

The Clarion Hotel

Design focused and with spectacular views across the city of Helsinki and her landmarks, the Clarion is a comfortable, restful place to stay with the option of a buzzing 16^th floor Sky bar if you’re looking for more energy.

Its rooftop gym, sauna and swimming pool help you to embrace the Finnish way of life . And I loved the living room area on the ground floor for coffee, map planning and sketching out ideas. (By the by, the pool is too small for swimming laps. It’s also outdoors and designed for splashing in as part of the sauna experience.)

It’s is a short ride on tram 9 into the centre of town and the tram stop is right outside the hotel.

• Check prices and availability for the Clarion Helsinki here.

Other Hotels in Helsinki

I haven’t stayed at these but from talking to people, I’d suggest: 

1 – The Kämp Hotel exudes classical five star luxury in Helsinki.

2 – Hotel Lilla Roberts lives off a quiet side street in a former police station and electrical sub-station. But the eclectic design makes up for it!

3 – The GLO Hotel is an affordable hotel near the central train station.

Getting Around Helsinki

Our one day in Helsinki itineraries are deliberately designed to minimise your travel time. Helsinki city centre is walkable but the public transport can help if time is short or legs are tired.

The Tram and Bus System

Use Google Maps to easily find your way around this system. Tickets can be bought via the HSL app, which sounds like a fiddly nuisance but is actually really easy. Otherwise, you can buy tickets in the local supermarkets (which is simple enough as most people speak English but it’s still more hassle than quickly downloading the app.)

Tap to validate your ticket on boarding and then you can use it for two hours before it expires.

If you plan on more than two trips in a day, then it’s worth buying a day ticket instead.

The Helsinki Day Pass

This pass gives free public transport and reduced admission to several attractions across the city. It’s cheaper if you buy online in advance but the big question is… is it worth it?

Possibly but probably not, is the answer. If you plan on pelting through the expensive attractions and plan to use public transport a lot, then yes. If not, you may be better off to pay for things separately.

If you have more than one day in Helsinki, then the equation changes. It seems much more worthwhile to buy the 48 hour or 72 hour pass.

Taxis and Uber

Taxis are easy enough to track down at the airport or from a hotel. Elsewhere, Uber is much easier for non-locals.

Uber is alive and well in Helsinki and incredibly easy to use if you haven’t before.

Simply download the app, enter where you want to go and book your trip. You can trace the progress of the car as it reaches you, you’ll be given a numberplate so you know you’re getting in the right cab and, best of all, there’s no haggling over directions or the price. At the end, it bills the card you have registered with the app. Business travellers, note, you can switch to business Uber for free and get a receipt and expense the receipt. It’s also easy to switch back to your personal Uber account for anything, well, personal.

Visiting Helsinki in Winter?

It may be very, very cold! As in minus 30 degrees. But it could also be 10 degrees. Check before you go.

Many outdoor attractions are closed. The canal cruises are not running.

Flying to Helsinki

Helsinki airport is a beauty! Full of cool design features like curving natural screens and sounds of nature, it’s also a good place to stock up on Moomin merchandise and Marimekko.

It’s not in Helsinki proper, it’s in Vantaa. Leave around an hour to get in and out of town.

Taxis and ubers cost in the region of 40 euro at the time of writing.

• Find the best prices for flying to Helsinki through Skyscanner.

What to Pack: Travel Essentials for Helsinki

• In winter, at the very least, bring shoes with a thick sole, a hat, gloves, scarf and sturdy warm, winter proof coat. Consider thermals.
• Pocket size guidebook to Helsinki from Lonely Planet
• International plug adapter or EU adapter for your electronics.
• Gloves with touchscreen function can be very helpful when finding your way around using Google Maps! 
• Download the Spotted by Locals App Helsinki for local information and cool tips for your one day in Helsinki.
• Check out our ultimate travel checklist to get completely ready for your trip. 

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