Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about visiting Helsinki, the capital city of Finland. Finland is a beautiful country, and Helsinki is a fantastic travel destination. We like to share the good and the bad with our readers, so here we’re sharing the best of Helsinki and the worst of Helsinki.
Best of Helsinki
Summer in Helsinki is amazing! With long daylight hours and constant activity on the Esplanade, you will quickly fall in love with Helsinki. It’s the place to be in summer, with bands, food carts, buskers, and more!
Central Market & Market Hall is another place to fall in love with Helsinki. It’s at the end of the Esplanade and sits right on the harbor. You can catch a ferry here, and it’s the best place to try some traditional Finnish food. You can try reindeer meat, and the strawberries are so good in season! If you’re visiting Helsinki in winter, there’s an indoor market as well, so you can still enjoy Finnish food without freezing to death!
The architecture and museums of Helsinki are fantastic! It’s a more modern city than other European capitals, so there’s a lot of art deco, modern art. If you only visit one Helsinki museum during your trip, make it the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. This is the museum where Mark grew to love modern art; it’s one of the best contemporary art museums in the world.
It’s so easy to get around Helsinki. No matter your age or abilities, you can get around on Helsinki public transportation. There are trains, trams, buses, and even public bikes you can rent! Helsinki is a very compact, walkable town. There’s even an affordable train from the city center to the airport.
The sauna experience is one of the coolest traditions of Finnish culture. The sauna is the central hub for Finns; they say “Sauna is life.” It’s a place to make new friends or bond with your family. There are public saunas, but they’re not always easy for tourists to find. They are divided by gender, as clothing is optional.
The cleanliness of Helsinki is amazing. The streets and the parks are so pristine, the air is fresh and clean. You just feel healthier in Helsinki because it’s so clean. As Jocelyn says, “the air in Helsinki is so clean, it sparkles.” It also just feels super safe being in Helsinki.
Worst of Helsinki
Helsinki is expensive. Finland tends to be more expensive than a lot of other European countries, and Helsinki is the most expensive spot in Finland. Flights, restaurants, and accommodation are all pricey in Helsinki. However, it’s the capital city, so that’s to be expected. It’s not much different than comparing prices in New York, Paris or London to other parts of those countries. It’s totally worth the splurge, just don’t expect a cheap trip to Helsinki.
Winter in Helsinki can be brutal. It’s not just cold, it’s also very dark. Mark lived here for a while and can still remember November mornings when the sun didn’t appear until 10:00. Then it’s gone again before 4 pm. If you’re visiting Helsinki in the winter, be prepared to make the most of your short daylight hours. And of course, research the weather for your trip and make sure you have the right clothes to keep you warm!
Helsinki lacks the Old World European charm that you might expect after seeing other European capitals. It’s a relatively new city, and even the famous cathedrals were built in the 1800s. Old by United States standards, but pretty new in terms of European capitals. If you’re visiting Helsinki and want to experience a historic European capital, take the ferry over to Tallinn, Estonia.
Surprisingly, finding Finnish food in Helsinki can be tough. Helsinki is a very cosmopolitan international city. You can find all nationalities of food in Helsinki, from pasta to sushi, but finding traditional Finnish cuisine is not that easy!
Meeting locals in Helsinki can be difficult, too! First of all, it’s a large city, so they won’t notice tourists as much. Finland also has a very reserved culture, so people don’t go out of their way to have conversations. That can make you feel like you’re missing out on some of the local culture.
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Clearly, our “worst” things about Helsinki are mild annoyances and not a reason to avoid planning a trip to this beautiful city. Helsinki is a safe and clean city, with plenty for families to do. Want more Scandinavia travel tips? Check out these blog posts!