It’s an eclectic beauty, blending modern design with natural beauty, where innovation meets tradition. Two days are enough to visit Helsinki if you want to see the highlights. Before I explain the best ways to spend two days in Helsinki, let me show you the main reasons why many visitors are charmed by this city:
- Dazzling effects of the early sunrise
- Finnish sauna combined with outdoor pool experience in Allas sea pool
- Classic Finnish food to try
- Mix of architectural styles in top sights in Helsinki
- Nature-inspired Patterns For Bold Design Enthusiast
- Quirky cafes you will never want to leave with outdoor seating to observe people
- Avant-garde street style, piercing & tattoo enthusiasts everywhere
We’re fortunate to have friends who’ve lived in Finland for over 20 years. Their apartment in Helsinki sits in Katajanokka, a district next to the city center. Following their recommendations made our first visit to Helsinki fantastic. They don’t own a car and wanted to show us that it’s not necessary in Helsinki.
Enjoy the long daylight hours in Helsinki
On the first night in Helsinki, my friends gave me sleeping masks as a precaution. I knew about the early Finnish sunrise and long daylight hours. I mentally prepared for it, but I didn’t anticipate the intense sun rays so early.
At 5 o’clock in the morning, I couldn’t sleep. However, when I glanced out the window, I instantly forgave the sun for interrupting my sleep. In late May, during our visit, the sun rose around 4:30, so it’s wise to be ready for that.
Discover the sauna experience not only in Helsinki swimming pools
In Finland, you might find a sauna in your building instead of a big flat or spacious balcony. The sauna is spacious and relaxing, where even small kids can spend 3-4 times more time than me. After a sauna session in winter, the greatest pleasure and fun is going outside to the balcony for some fresh air.
Our hosts invited us to experience Finnish culture at the Allas sea pool sauna, located across from Helsinki’s Market Hall. Outside, visitors can enjoy heated swimming pools and a sea water pool. The sea water pool at Allas was very cold, but it was worth it!
Different types of saunas are available, and it’s common to see children or babies enjoying them for longer periods than the average European tourist.
Classic Finnish food to try recommended by locals
In the past, the cold environment limited access to fresh fruits and vegetables, so people relied on turnips, potatoes, dark rye bread, and fermented dairy products. Only salt, dill, and chives were available as spices in the summer. Lakes and forests were major food sources, shaping Finnish cuisine. Horse, reindeer, and lamb meat are widely available but not commonly eaten. Finnish cuisine heavily features Arctic wild berries.
Finns prepared fish using various methods like boiling, frying, drying, cold smoking, or fermenting, and sometimes ate sea fish raw. Helsinki’s regular street food festival in September offers a wide variety of dishes to try. At Market Square, locally known as Kauppatori, visitors can find everything from fresh salmon steak to reindeer meat.
Saaristolaisleipa – Finnish archipelago bread
My friends quickly noticed my love for trying local food while traveling. One of the tastiest Finnish breakfast experiences was Saaristolaisleipä, Finnish rye bread with a unique flavor. It combines wheat, rye, malt, and dark syrup.
People often enjoy Archipelago bread during Christmas, paired with fish, lettuce, prawns, smoked salmon, or other cured fish.
Voileipäkakku – traditional Finnish sandwich cake
Voileipäkakku, also known as Smörgåstårta in Swedish, is a savory sandwich cake. It features layers of light rye bread filled with cheese salad, ham, and pickles. The cake is topped with whipped cream cheese and decorated with tomatoes, fish, or ham slices and herbs. It’s typically enjoyed during special occasions like birthday parties or weddings. Served cold, it’s sliced like a dessert and often accompanied by a side salad for lunch.
Cloudberry juice and Lingonberry jam
Tourists can find some small surprises on the shelves of Finnish grocery stores. For me it was Finnish specialities jams made of wild berries . Major part of Finland is covered with forests which are home to delicious wild berries. The best known and most valuable berries are :
- Cloudberry (lakka)
- Lingonberry (puolukka)
- Bilbery (mustikka)
- Arctic bramble (mesimarja)
Berry picking is an essential Finnish tradition and reflects their love of nature. Finns typically boil and sugar the berries before consuming them as jam, juice, compote, or jelly. Berries are highly nutritious, especially when eaten raw, as they contain antioxidants and provide a good source of fiber and vitamins.
Arctic wild berries jams are often used as a filling in pies like Rönttönen, a traditional food from northern Finland. Very commonly a spoonful of jam is added to the traditional finnish porridge eaten for breakfast.
Karelian pasty / pirogs / pies
Originally from Karelia region dates to 17th century. Karelian pasty (Karjalanpiirakka) is an oval shaped pastry commonly made of rye flour and filled with mashed potato or vegetables, puree of rice or barley. It is the most popular snack in Finland.
Finnish salmon soup – Lohikeittoa
A true comfort food made in Finland is commonly eaten in colder months. Lohikeitto is very often served with Finnish rye bread and eggs, enhancing the overall experience. Combined with potatoes and dill cooked in a fish or meat broth spiced with bay leaves is an ideal comforting meal after a long walk.
I tried it homemade with archipelago bread and i can’t wait to make it at home.
The beloved Cinnamon delights
I initially sought a bakery selling traditional Pulla cake to try. However, due to my limited time in Helsinki, I opted to sample various cinnamon rolls from grocery stores. I found the taste of the cinnamon filling to be more intense compared to those in Central Europe.
Finnish bakeries commonly use Cassia cinnamon, which is slightly spicier than Ceylon cinnamon. The final pastry taste may vary depending on different bakers and recipes, influenced by additional ingredients like butter, sugar, and cardamom.
Moomin house toy in Finnish house
As a genuine Moomins cartoon movie fan, I felt transported back to my childhood when I saw the Moominhouse toy at my host’s house. Finnish kids adore this beloved and popular toy. Any Moomins fan spending more than a couple of days in Finland should visit the Moomin World theme park, near Turku.
In Helsinki, there are at least three Moomin shops offering themed items, but my favorite is at the airport. It stands out for its unique architectural design, lighting, and amusing art installations.
Different architectural styles among top sights in Helsinki
Helsinki is a perfect place for architecture lovers, ready to explore the city to find the true gems. There are not many other cities where such a wide range of architectural styles can be seen. In my opinion this is the underrated perspective of Helsinki. Travellers should pay more attention to the architecture tours. In many cases of modern buildings the design emphasizes the connection of natural elements to the land.
- Löyly is a public sauna and restaurant situated on the Helsinki sea shore. The building resembles a natural landform and was designed with this in mind. In Finnish, “löyly” means “sauna steam.
- Temppeliaukio Church is an underground church with circular shape and granite rock walls.
- Oodi is a central library featuring glass, wood, and steel structures that blend traditional and modern styles.
- The gently shaped wooden Kamppi Chapel represents a peaceful space amidst the bustling city.
- Uspenski Cathedral sits atop a hillside on Katajanokka island. It stands as the most prominent example of Slavonic architecture with Byzantine influence.
- The Aalto House, also known as the Alvar Aalto Museum, showcases the villa of Finnish architect and designer Alvar Aalto. His works are influenced by Finnish nature and tradition. Finlandia Hall is part of Alvar Aalto’s plan for Helsinki’s city center.
- Amos Rex sits in the same complex as the Lasipalatsi building, known for its functionalist and modernist architecture. It lies below ground level and boasts a series of large skylights, creating captivating visuals above. The square above connects with Lasipalatsi Square. The roof, at ground level, features domes where children can run, climb, and cycle.
- Helsinki Airport – the new terminal received an international award for architecture and design in 2022. It is where you start your design journey in Helsinki.
- The Mall of Tripla It is one of the most significant urban redevelopment projects in Helsinki and has transformed the area into a dynamic living space. Tripla features various elements, including transportation, commercial, residential, and cultural aspects. It’s worth visiting not only to explore the commercial side of it but also to observe the architectural blend, a mix of modern and functionalist architectural styles.
Art Nouveau / Jugendstil architecture of Helsinki
Helsinki ranks as a key European city for Art Nouveau architecture, alongside Brussels, Paris, Vienna, Nancy, Munich, and Darmstadt. We lived in the Katajanokka district for a couple of days. While the south of the island is dominated by the passenger harbor, Katajanokka Terminal, the East was a long-time military base. The rest of the neighborhood comprises a residential area, with the upscale side primarily known for its Jugendstil architecture.
Nature-inspired Patterns For Bold Design Enthusiast
In 2012, Helsinki earned the title of World Design Capital. The city showcases its longstanding design traditions throughout. It boasts multiple design flagship stores, including brands like Artek, Lokal, Frenn, Nomen Nescio, Iittala, Marimekko, Pentik, and others. These brands draw inspiration from nature, incorporating botanical motifs that reflect Finland’s strong tradition and appreciation for the environment.
Marimekko is best known for its original and distinctive prints recognizable worldwide, such as “Unikko” (Poppy pattern) or “Kivet” (stones).
Marimekko designs and prints adorn dinnerware, clothing, and interior decoration. Discovering the variety of floral and geometric patterns on the Maripedia amazed me.
I visited the Mall of Tripla in the Pasila district of Helsinki to explore Pentik, another home decor store with vibrant prints. It sits next to the splendid Ittala store. I struggled to decide what to purchase but eventually chose a plastic tablecloth with a colorful floral pattern.
I bought a discounted classic from Ittala, which was next to Pentik. I’ve always admired this brand for its timeless design and collaborations with talented creators like Alvar Aalto.
Breathe and drink easy
In Helsinki, the air quality surpasses that of other major European cities. Even on hot summer days, the air remains clean, thanks to the fresh sea breeze preventing stagnation. I was also pleasantly surprised to find excellent quality tap water readily available in many places, including hotels and the airport.
Quirky cafés that locals love with outdoor seating
Helsinki café and bar culture is vibrant and most of the visitors want to experience it. The city has no shortage of really hip cafés. The most interesting places in Helsinki to enjoy drinks and watch people:
- Cafe Regatta offers outdoor seatings, rocking swings and sea views. It’s also a place to rent equipment during summer season: canoe, kayak and more.. You can order a sausage or marshmallows and roast it outside in the fire pit. I strongly recommend this place to try the most delicious and authentic Finnish blueberry pie (Mustikkapiirakka).
- Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila is a beautiful, idyllic café away from the usual sights of Helsinki, not overcrowded by tourists. It offers great views of the lake, a relaxing, quiet spot to rest, and is situated among the trees. Set on a walking journey from the railway station around Töölö bay, and stop at the cafe for a refreshing drink or a snack.
- Löyly Restaurant is situated by the Baltic Sea. The architecture of Löyly Restaurant features modern Nordic design elements with a focus on sustainability. Löyly Restaurant offers an immersive dining experience where guests can try the traditional Finnish cuisine while surrounded by a tranquil ambiance that celebrates Finnish sauna culture. This place is great for their famous salmon soup and delicious bread!
- Holiday Bar – Helsinki live music bar with outdoor terrace seating with a sea view and a great, welcoming atmosphere.
