16 Fun Things to do in Helsinki in Winter
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Looking for the best things to do in Helsinki in winter? You’re in the right place! From drinking hot chocolate in cafes to visiting Helsinki’s landmarks, I have you covered!
If you’re visiting Helsinki in the winter, I’ve compiled some of the best things to do whilst you’re there.
Helsinki is packed full of fun things to do, and you only need a day or two to experience most of it.
Here’s my list of the best things to do in Helsinki in winter (oh, and let me know if you have anything to add!)
Visiting Finland for the first time? Check out some of my other posts!
- What to Wear in Lapland: Finland Winter Packing Guide
- 16 Fun Things to do in Helsinki in Winter
- 18 Unmissable Things to do in Rovaniemi, Finland
- 11 Top Tips for Visiting Finland for the First Time
Best Things to do in Helsinki in Winter
1. Visit Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square
Helsinki Cathedral is the most recognisable landmark in the city, or even Finland.
Senate Square and the Cathedral make up the oldest parts of Helsinki, and the cathedral is a big ‘woah’ moment when you see it for the first time.
Either stroll around Helsinki Cathedral at your own pace, or book onto a tour with a local guide (which is a better option, as they tell you much more about the city and its history).
The Helsinki Cathedral is a great sight to see in the city at any time of year, and is one of the best things to do in Helsinki at winter.
2. Join a small group Helsinki walking tour
One of my favourite things to do in cities is to join a small group walking tour.
Not only do you get to hear about Helsinki’s history, but you get to meet other like-minded travellers (which often turns into a beer in a pub after!)
You can book your walking tour here.
3. Try a traditional Finnish sauna
I’ve detailed just how important saunas are for the Finnish in my top tips before visiting post here, but if you haven’t read it, I outline just how important saunas are!
There are plenty (and I mean, plenty) to choose from around Helsinki, but our favourite was Uusi Sauna, located in Välimerenkatu 10.
There’s separate saunas for men and women, as well as a large restaurant and two outdoor terraces.
However, I’ve heard a lot of good things about Allas Sea Pool (I’m gutted we didn’t have time to visit, it looks incredible!) and Sauna Hermanni.
4. Go ice skating at Helsinki Ice Park
If you’re a lot less clumsy than me, you can try your luck at ice skating.
Located at Helsinki Ice Park, the large ice rink is open to the public and you can hire skates on site.
Remember, it gets COLD in Helsinki at winter, so wrap up warm! (I’m talking double socks here).
❄️ You can check out my detailed Finland packing list here!
5. Check out (and warm up) in the free museums
Helsinki is known for its art and design, and the museums show just that.
Check out the Helsinki City Museum for free exhibitions and a comfy lounge to rest your tired feet in the warm.
For museums with paid exhibitions (like the Design Museum), you can get a Helsinki card for a discount. Your Helsinki card also gives you unlimited public transport journeys.
6. Visit the Helsinki Winter Gardens
Another amazing thing to do in Helsinki in winter is to visit the winter gardens.
There are two large greenhouse indoor gardens in Helsinki to explore, and both are fun days out of the cold weather.
Helsinki Winter Garden (Talvipuutarha in Finnish) is free of charge, and is a short walk from the sea.
Alternatively, Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden, which costs 12 EUR to enter, is right by the railway station and has aesthetics taken straight from a dreamy Instagram page.
7. Grab a hot chocolate at Cafe Regatta
One of our favourite things to do in Helsinki in winter is to sit right next to the Gulf, sip on hot chocolate and watch the world go by.
This is all made possible by the family-run Cafe Regatta.
Situated about 15 minutes away on a tram from the centre, cafe Regatta is a traditional Finnish red hut cafe, serving up cakes, hot drinks, and sausages for you to cook over an open fire.
The aesthetics are worth the trip, as you’ll find swings, quirky cars, bikes and plants to make your visit that extra bit special. It’s truly something.
If you visit in winter, the Gulf of Finland (leading on to the Baltic Sea) will be frozen over, and you’ll find locals and tourists sledding and taking a stroll over the frozen water.
8. Check out the Sibelius Monument
About a 3 minute walk from Cafe Regatta, you’ll find the Sibelius Monument in Sibelius Park.
Although there’s not much to do there but see it, it’s a cool, unusual monument made out of 600 hollow steel pipes and it makes for a good photo.
The Sibelius Monument is dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, and I’d only recommend making the journey out of the centre if you’re planning on stopping off at Cafe Regatta to make a morning of it.
Oh, and if you’re planning on walking through the park in winter, BE CAREFUL!
It is very slippy and took us (well, me) about 30 minutes longer than it should have to make the journey from the park to the bus stop.
But I am terrible at walking on ice.
🌎 Travelling for the first time? Yay! I’m here for you every step of the way. Check out my first-timer hub for travel tips and advice!
9. Visit Esplanade Park
If you’re visiting Helsinki around Christmas time, you’ll find Christmas markets and lights leading the way at Esplanade Park.
It’s a festive and fun during winter, and links downtown Helsinki to the Market Square.
10. Try a new dish at the Old Market Hall
The Old Market Hall is Finland’s oldest indoor market hall, and serves up everything from Finnish snacks to cheese, eggs and coffee.
The interior of the hall is full of traditional Finnish stalls and a warm atmosphere. You can pull up a chair or just browse the shops, trying all kinds of Finnish foods along the way.
Ever fancied trying a reindeer spring roll before? 🤪
11. Try a local Finnish restaurant
There’s nothing quite like stepping into a warm restaurant after a long day exploring in the cold!
Helsinki is home to hundreds of traditional Finnish restaurants, and you can’t visit without trying one.
Our favourite was Lappi, due to it reminding us of the traditions of Lapland (and serving some incredible food!)
❄️ Check out HerFinland’s post on the best restaurants in Helsinki here!
12. Check out a Finnish library
If you’re like me, you’ll like checking out the local libraries in every new city you visit.
And Helsinki was no different.
You’ll find hundreds of locals in Helsinki’s local libraries, with the best named Oodi, which is close to Helsinki rail station.
It’s definitely architecture worth a nod to the designers in the city.
Plus, it’s a perfect thing to do in Helsinki in the winter because it’s WARM! ❄️
13. Get your adrenaline pumping during an ice floating experience
One way to get your heart racing during a trip to Helsinki in winter would be to whack on a survival suit and go ice floating!
Whilst it may not be your average Helsinki experience, it’s definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
You’ll slip on a neoprene survival suit and feel completely warm and dry in the dangerously cold water. once you’re confident enough in the shallows, you’ll have the chance to plunge in to the deeper water.
You can book your once-in-a-lifetime ice floating experience here (go on, you know you want to!)
Day trips from Helsinki in winter
There are a number of day trips from Helsinki in winter that you can make, and here are some of the most popular.
14. Take the ferry to Tallinn, Estonia
If you fancy taking a day trip out of Helsinki in winter, take an easy day to Tallinn across the Gulf of Finland.
The day trip lasts around 11 hours, including a 2-hour return ferry to and from Tallinn port.
Spend the day strolling around Tallinn’s old town, with its medieval charm and countless museums, shops and restaurants.
If you’re planning on doing the Tallinn day trip, I’d recommend booking online beforehand. The trip fills up quickly and there’s no guarantee there will be a space left if you leave it to the last minute!
You can book your Tallinn ferry day trip here.
15. Take the Santa Claus Express to Finnish Lapland
Ok, ok, it’s not a day trip, but if you have a few nights to spare, it’s totally doable!
I’m a huge fan of Lapland and Rovaniemi, a city located in norther Finland, on the border of the Arctic Circle.
The train takes around 12 hours from Helsinki to Rovaniemi (or you can fly in 50 minutes from Helsinki to Rovaniemi), and you’re dropped into the wonders of Finnish Lapland.
I’ve written a detailed guide listing all the things you can do in Lapland here (and trust me, it’s worth it!)
16. Visit Nuuksio National Park
If you fancy escaping the city, there are tours and trips out to the countryside and into Nuuksio National Park.
Known as one of Finland’s top nature attractions, you’ll step into a winter wonderland, surrounded by frozen lakes, snowy trees and ancient cliffs.
In my eyes, it’s unmissable.
You can book your Nuuksio National Park tour here.
Helsinki Winter Daylight Hours
The days in Helsinki in winter are short.
Be prepared for Helsinki winter daylight hours to be approximately six hours. The sun can rise around 9-9.30am and set around 3.30pm, although this varies depending on the month you’re visiting in.
Visit this Helsinki information website to check out the Helsinki winter daylight hours during the month you’re visiting.
Helsinki in Winter Temperatures
Helsinki in winter temperatures vary.
The coldest month is February, with temperatures averaging around -5.5°C.
However, the lowest temperature recorded in Helsinki was -34.3°C (in 1987) which is CRAZY cold. Fingers crossed that doesn’t happen again!
Check out my winter in Lapland and Finland packing list BEFORE you go to ensure you’ve got the right gear to stay warm!
❄️ DID YOU KNOW? The coldest temperature ever recorded in Finland was -51.5°C. Yikes!
The Best Things to do in Helsinki in Winter: FAQs
Is Helsinki worth visiting in the winter?
Absolutely! The winter wonderland city is well known for it’s fun winter activities, and the blankets of snow just make it that little bit more special.
If you’re visiting before Christmas, you can check out the markets and go ice skating. In January and February, Helsinki is still a frozen wonderland and has so many fun winter activities on offer.
How should I dress for Helsinki in the winter?
With lots of layers. Layer up and layer up some more.
Check out my essential winter in Finland packing list to ensure you have all of the right gear to stay warm!
The Best Things to do in Helsinki in Winter: In a Nutshell
Helsinki is an amazing city to visit in the winter, and you’ll find lots to do during a 1-2 day trip.
In my opinion, one or two days is enough to explore Helsinki, but if you’re planning a couple of day trips, you’ll need a few more.
I hope you now know the best things to do in Helsinki in winter, and have an epic trip lined up!
As always, message me on Instagram or leave a comment below if you have a question about the best things to do in Helsinki in winter!
Happy travelling 🙂
Jennie x
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