Helsinki Travel Guide

With its seafront location, striking architecture, and thriving arts scene, Helsinki is one of the coolest Nordic cities. The Finnish capital is a port of call on northern Europe and Baltic cruises, and provides a starting point for trips north to Lapland. Highlights of the city range from the grand ‘Rock Church’ to island fortresses and bustling food markets. Guided tours of Helsinki offer travelers insight into Finnish culture, design, and cuisine, and avoid language hassles when dealing with transportation. For those wanting to explore further, boat cruises run around the city’s canals and the islands of the Helsinki archipelago, while regular ferries shuttle day-trippers to Tallinn in Estonia. You’ll find all of the above and more in our Helsinki travel guide below.

Temppeliaukio Church

From the 19th-century Helsinki Cathedral to the Kamppi ‘Chapel of Silence,’ Helsinki has no shortage of magnificent churches. The Temppeliaukio Church—or ‘Rock Church’—is the most unusual, carved out of solid rock and capped with a dramatic copper dome.  Visitors can attend a service or simply admire the unique architecture from both inside and out. A daytime visit is recommended to fully appreciate the effect of natural light on the interior.

Market Square

Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings

Food-lovers should consider this tour, which focuses on Finland’s cuisine and culinary heritage. Clients will enjoy tastings of regional specialties like reindeer meat, cloudberry jam, and candies.

Helsinki Red Bus 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Ticket

This bus tour lets travelers explore at their own pace, following a route that covers all the top attractions and providing on-board commentary.

Helsinki Small-Group Walking Tour

For clients needing little more attention, this comprehensive introduction to Helsinki is limited to a group size of 10 people, meaning more personal attention from the guide.

Suomenlinna

Standing watch over Helsinki’s southern coast, the island of Suomenlinna is best known for its imposing sea fortress. The 18th-century Suomenlinna Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and reachable only by boat—a scenic 15-minute cruise from the mainland. On arrival, guided walking tours take in highlights such as the Dry Dock, the Church Park, and the Great Courtyard. There are also six museums to explore including the Suomenlinna Museum, the Military Manege, and the submarine Vesikko.

Porvoo

Although not part of the city, we included Porvoo on our Helsinki travel guide because its serene atmosphere and beauty should not be missed. The town, which is just an hour north of Helsinki, offers ample photo opportunities with its remarkably preserved medieval Old Town, brightly painted wooden houses, and scenic riverfront. Although buses do run to Porvoo, the quickest and most convenient way to visit is as part of a guided day trip from Helsinki. Most tours include a walking tour of the town’s historic monuments.

Helsinki and Porvoo Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

For the best of both worlds, clients may want to consider this bus tour that combines Helsinki’s top attractions with a visit to Porvoo. It includes all transportation, plus hotel pickup.

Porvoo Half-Day Trip From Helsinki

Ideal for those on a budget or short on time, this walking tour of Porvoo Old Town includes round-trip coach transportation and is limited to a group size of 10 people.

Private Half-Day Trip to Medieval Porvoo From Helsinki

Some clients prefer a little time on their own, and this private tour allows them to explore Porvoo both with and without a guide. It includes hotel pickup and round-trip transportation by private vehicle.

Food, Wine & Nightlife