Next stop is the Katajanokka Island where lies its stunning Orthodox Cathedral. If its your only choice for a weekend escapade, go for it! The nation claims to have about 3.5 million of them -- roughly one for every 1.6 people. On the other side, Helsinki Airport and Finnair airline have also done a great job in gathering intercontinental flights from Asia to Europe and vice-versa. Depending on the day, you can get free admission into the museum, which is a great option for budget travelers. In particular, I loved this hotel’s authentic atmosphere, free breakfast, and incredibly helpful front desk. Did You know that You can meet Santa who lives at the Arctic Circle? However, if you want a quiet city stay with a dose of nature, then solo travel in Helsinki is worth visiting and will definitely meet your needs. My favorite spot was the Market Square, located in the south harbor. The fortress is amazing. Of course, they will find the usual European style architecture compared to modern Asian cities, which will please them. If you’re feeling lazy (don’t blame you), you can opt to take trams around the city center. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Helsinki is also close to both Tallinn and St. Petersburg. If you make a purchase through these links, I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. So if you’re wondering if Helsinki is worth visiting, read on. Nom, nom, nom. Blond Wayfarer is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Or will I regret it very much?”. From the outside there doesn’t seem toooooo much to do. These cookies do not store any personal information. So, if you’re in Vilnius or Riga, Helsinki will only be a quick hour flight away! The beautiful islands of Suomenlinna are only a 15-minute ferry ride away from Helsinki Market Square. The site is actually 6 joined up islands that were an 18th century fort island built when Finland was part of Sweden to counter Russian expansionism. At the end of the day, I was happy with my choice. (hides) Though what I liked the most was the cheap and … Avoid at all costs unless you want to give yourself a raging headache, in which case, be my guest. But why are so many tourists heading to Helsinki? I might have picked the wrong hobby! If you make a purchase, I earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Native Helsinki stars include Jari Kurri, who became an NHL Hall of Famer while winning five Stanley Cups with Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier, and "The Finnish Flash" Teemu Ilmari Selänne, considered a lock to join Kurri in the Hall this year. With such little time and such great … Finns love saunas. I even heard the same sentiments, “oh, Helsinki is boring,” from fellow solo travelers, and I was close to changing my entire itinerary. Solo Traveling Queen Also I took a tram going around the center circle to get a general idea about the city, and I can say it is pretty nice. Helsinki is a great city a you went at the perfect time! Try one of Helsinki's. Continue walking towards the harbor and enjoy a sunny afternoon around the harbor and city center around The Esplanadi Park. Shouldn’t I feel excited about any new destination? It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Share your thoughts in the comments. Part of me even considered extending my stay in Estonia, even if such a change would screw up my flights. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The Kamppi Chapel of Silence is a great example of modern Scandinavian design. The rest of the city you can fly in as long as you’re not exceeding 150m and not above large crowds. My doubts sprang from internet research. Bank of Finland Museum, Helsinki Cathedral, Central Market, & more! However, even though Linda ferries are zippy, they can get canceled if the seas are rough. Island of Suomenlinna and the Harbor Islands, The 18 Best Things to See and Do in Helsinki. I love their humble mentality and their passion for hockey (hehe). When asked by people what are my worst countries I’ve been to, I always get mind-blinded by the thought of having to choose even one. ", Not known for being upbeat, Simberg's masterpieces include "The Wounded Angel" and "The Garden of Death. The result is that what may seem to outsiders an awkward, borderline rude exchange is simply everyday conversing for Finnish folks. The most common complaints were Helsinki was “boring” and “expensive” – especially compared to its Baltic neighbors. So it’s “free but not really free” if you know what I mean. If its your only choice for a weekend escapade, go for it! On my second day I visited the Olympic Pool which is about a 20minute bike ride north from the city centre. So why are tourists flooding the city? Bigger ferries also mean bigger bars if alcohol tickles your fancy and you don’t get seasick. Normally “boring” and “expensive” aren’t adjectives I wanna hear attached to an upcoming destination. The Sauna has a modern luxury feel to it and provides great food and refreshments. Learn how your comment data is processed. I don’t really have any. Really appreciate it thanks Have you been? We have already been to Helsinki and Suomelinna so wanted to see a different side of Finland.Nice and compact place to stroll around. Chilling here is a great option as you can soak up the sun, take a dip, and watch the cruise ships sail by. You have to visit in summer then I think . My beginners guide to Helsinki will help you plan your trip to Finland’s capital city. I became a full-time digital nomad & globetrotter more than 13 years ago! Just avoid thinking of Rudolph while you eat. There is absolutely no comparison! Either take in a hockey game, or head to one of Helsinki's artificial, There's a perfect beach for every week of the year. It’s not really the sort of … I was there one year at the end of November! And yes, hopefully I will prove to you that Helsinki is worth a visit. Is this country on your bucket list? Visiting the most popular attractions? People think I am usually too positive on my outlook of most cities I go, but in the case of Helsinki, I must be honest with myself: I cannot see the hype. Don’t forget to pack your guidebook to Finland. Are you thinking of visiting Helsinki too? After you’ve warmed up in the sauna theres a ladder leading down into the Baltic Sea for you to cool off in. “Is Helsinki worth visiting?” I would ask myself. They come in various forms, including smoke saunas, electric saunas and mobile saunas. There are much more impressive and architectural magnificent churches in most other European cities. Absolutely yes! Theres also plenty of room to sunbathe on the deck or on one of the free deck chairs that are limited in number. Planning on heading north? People are not trying too hard to find exotic destinations and organized tours will simply go for “what we hear a lot”. Walking around the island and its various sites should take you a day, including a picnic for lunch. I didn’t realize there was more than one ferry to Tallinn, or that it’s recommended to visit Suomenlinna only on a sunny day, in the morning. What did I do on my full day in the city center besides visit tons and tons and tons of churches? Helsinki is less about sights and more about experiences. My first stop was the National Museum of Finland where I learned all about Finnish history. Helsinki totally delivered. If you hear of a cool hostel in Helsinki, please let me know and I will add it to this post. Share the following Pinterest pin to your Pinterest account, by simply clicking on the top left corner. You’re right. A simple way to get more up-to-speed culturally is to head to Helsinki's tremendous. In addition to the reasons noted above there are of course your usual city walking tours, churches to visit, and … I have self funded my adventures working online and I now focus my time on helping others like you to do the same. We went in early June (2014) during our 10 hours stopover at Vantaa airport using public buses. Frequently on evenings, when the market has set down, the square will play host to cultural events like the classic car meet up that occurred when I was there. Yes Porvoo in summer is definitely worth it. ", For those demanding something a bit more contemporary, check out the collection at. Finland? So, yeah, if you like churches, Helsinki is great for your needs. It's less a matter of comfort than survival. In addition to the interesting contemporary art works inside, Kiasma's exterior is also a beauty. On the Second Day, Catch the public ferry at the harbor in direction to Suomenlinna Island which used to be a prison during Finland’s struggle to independence and during Soviet times. What do You know about our summer cottage culture? Three standouts which shouldn't be missed in Finland are salmon stew, lingonberry pie and reindeer. There are 3 no fly zones within the city of Helsinki which are around government and other important buildings. Also I took a tram going around the center circle to get a general idea about the city, and I can say it is pretty nice. Boring suddenly sounded appealing. Now Suomenlinna, one of Helsinki’s biggest attractions, is actually located outside the city itself. Did I mention I’m terrified of flying? - I have seen mixed messages about Helsinki. So is Helsinki, Finland worth visiting and is there anything to do? I especially loved sipping coffee at Helsinki Cathedral on my last full day, watching the seagulls and thinking about my plans for the future. In fact, there are 25 things about Helsinki that made me love it so, and if you’re wondering what to do in Helsinki then definitely check out some all of these things! I show You something that You catch my thoughts. Is Helsinki Worth visiting? 6 Top Rated and Recommended Cafes in Helsinki, 7 Top Rated and Recommended Restaurants in Helsinki. It's the absolute worst of the Nordic countries. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. For this visit, I stayed in Hotel Katajanokka which is an interesting hotel because the building used to function as a prison dating back to 1837. Finns do not like to interrupt: a typical chat includes, At the same time, the Finnish language lacks the words for "please" or "excuse me.". On the afternoon, try having a walk around Töölönlahti, a nice area where locals come to jog around the nice pedestrian trails. From reindeer and saunas to tango and hockey, here are 10 tips for enjoying a holiday when you visit Helsinki, the capital of Finland. This complex is situated in the harbour of Helsinki next to the big Ferris wheel. Finland hosts two of the world's most powerful men when Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin meet on July 16 in Helsinki.