2 days in Helsinki

Day by day

1. Day 1: Suomenlinna sea fortress and Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

   Suomenlinna sea fortress, Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square, Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church) and Market Square and Old Market Hall, then Kallio in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Suomenlinna sea fortress

      Several small museums cover its history, and in summer the WWII submarine Vesikko can be boarded. Grassy ramparts on the southern islands are popular for picnics and sea views.

   2. Late morning

      Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square

      The interior is plain by design; the view from the steps over the square is the city's classic image.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Salmon soup

      The Old Market Hall beside Market Square and Hakaniemi Market Hall in Kallio.

   4. Afternoon

      Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)

      The acoustics make it a popular concert venue. A small entry fee applies outside services.

   5. Late afternoon

      Market Square and Old Market Hall

      Next door, the brick Old Market Hall of 1889 has counters for smoked fish, reindeer, cheese and coffee.

   6. Evening

      Kallio

      Old-school bars and karaoke on Helsinginkatu and Vaasankatu, with the lowest drink prices in the inner city.

2. Day 2: Sibelius Monument and Allas Sea Pool

   Sibelius Monument, Allas Sea Pool, Uspenski Cathedral and Esplanadi park, then Punavuori and Iso Roobertinkatu in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Sibelius Monument

      The seaside path around Töölö bay leads on to the red wooden Café Regatta, a favourite stop for cinnamon buns and a fire pit.

   2. Late morning

      Allas Sea Pool

      Its terrace café and bar are open to non-swimmers.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Karelian pie

      Every bakery, supermarket and café; market halls often sell them warm.

   4. Afternoon

      Uspenski Cathedral

      Its terrace looks back over Market Square and the harbour, and it is a five-minute walk from the Helsinki Cathedral.

   5. Late afternoon

      Esplanadi park

      The Kappeli restaurant pavilion dates from 1867, and the bandstand hosts free concerts in summer.

   6. Evening

      Punavuori and Iso Roobertinkatu

      Cocktail bars, wine bars and summer terraces on the pedestrianised 'Roba' and side streets.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Ateneum Art Museum (Kluuvi): Head for the Finnish Golden Age rooms first; they explain the national-romantic imagery you see across the city.
• Swap in Amos Rex (Kamppi): Even if you skip the exhibition, walk over the skylight domes and look down into the galleries.
• Swap in Oodi Central Library (Kluuvi): Go up to the top floor for the terrace view, then use the free toilets and Wi-Fi as a mid-day break.

Where to stay for this itinerary

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 9–11 hours of visiting over 2 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 5.9 hours in December to 18.9 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

Getting between stops: Tram. Trams are the easiest way around the inner city, linking the Central Station, Kamppi, Töölö, Kallio, Katajanokka and the Design District.

More or fewer days

• One day in Helsinki
• 3 days in Helsinki

Questions travellers ask