Helsinki is the capital of Finland. It is such a great place to visit that you find a perfect mix of modern architecture, blissful nature and vibrant cultural atmosphere. Accordingly, if you are planning a short trip to this place and do not know how to proceed with the things to do in Helsinki, let us guide you in this blog with a 2-day itinerary. Do not worry, as in this 2-day itinerary, you will be able to explore most of the best attractions. You will even taste the delicious local food and experience the astounding culture of Finland.
One more thing: if you need any help regarding the Finland Visa from UK, we will provide some information before the end of this blog.
As the day begins, you should definitely fill yourself with a great Finnish breakfast to stay energetic the entire morning. Additionally, there are plenty of local cafes available, try any one of them. There are even some of the best popular spots like Cafe Engel and Ekberg. Try their fresh pastries, rye bread and coffee.
After finishing breakfast, you can head straight to the Senate Square. It is considered one of the most iconic landmarks in Helsinki. As you move around this place, you will eventually catch a glimpse of the grand Helsinki Cathedral. It is a beautiful white church with a magnificent green dome.
Furthermore, the entire square is surrounded by many historical buildings. Some of the notable mentions are the Government Palace and the University of Helsinki. Do take some time to walk around so that you can take many photos of favourite moments.
Take your time till the mid-morning to finish the sightseeing of Senate Square. Just a small walk from there you will reach the reknowned Market Square. It is a crowded outdoor market where you can check out the cute Finnish crafworks, purchase some souvenirs for home and of course, sample the splendid street foods, which are the best things to do in Helsinki. We absolutely recommend trying the local treats such as reindeer meat, salmon soup and Karelian oasties.
After finishing the exploration of Market Square, proceed next to the Old Market Hall. It is one of the oldest food markets in Helsinki, established in 1889. Furthermore, here, you will find absolutely fresh seafood, famous Finnish cheeses and traditional flavoured baked products. A truly great place to try some authentic Finnish products.
You get a lot of ferry rides available from Market Square. Take a ferry ride straight to Suomenlinna. It is considered one of the best UNESCO World Heritage sites. You will get to see a grand historic sea fortress that was built in the 18th century. The amazing thing about this place is that it is spread across six islands and offers absolutely stunning views of the Baltic Sea. Accordingly, take your time to explore the walls of the fortress. Then, visit the nearby museums to fascinate yourself with the great military history of Finland and consider yourself with best things to do in Helsinki.
After that, take a relaxing walk along the beautiful trails. Finally, stop by a charming cafe known as Cafe Vanille. You get a perfect homemade pastry and coffee. Thus, Suomenlinna is a perfect spot to spend some time exploring history and nature and is also one of the best things to do in Helsinki.
After visiting the islands, return back to the island to enjoy a fine dinner at any of the popular Finnish restaurants. We recommend that you go to the Ravintola Savotta. Here you will get to have traditional Finnish cuisine in a great atmosphere. The next option you can choose is Restaurant Kuu, which is known for preparing modern versions of Nordic dishes. Visiting any of these restaurants is also one of the best things to do in Helsinki.
One of the most famous and beloved traditions that every person in Finland experiences is the sauna. It is truly among the finest things to do in Helsinki. There are many public saunas available. Try the Loyly, which is located in front of a season. You can even go to Kotiharjun Sauna, which has the system of traditional wood-heated beased sauna. Just relax and let all the worries go away here at the sauna before heading back to the hotel to sleep.
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Now the second day begins of your stay. Get yourself to do some of the amazing things to do in Helsinki. Without any second thoughts, head straight to the Temppeliaukio Church, which is also known as the Rock Church. It is astounding to see that the church is built directly on a solid rock. This creates a magnificent combination of nature and human architectural skillwork. The acoustic musicians are excellent. They often play in the concerts.
Next, walk for a short distance towards the Sibelium Monument. This monument was built to dedicate the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. Furthermore, the extraordinary thing about the monument is that it consists of hundreds of steel pipes and has a kind of abstract yet striking design.
Every experienced traveller knows that Helsinki is a beautiful city of design and creativity. If you travelling for the first time, then visit the Design District to experience this creativity. You will get to see a lot of extraordinary Finnish art, Fashion, and home decorations. As you walk through the street, you will be seeing the art galleries, boutiques and design studios.
We recommend that you go to some of the must-visit places here, such as the Design Museum, where you will get to the history of Finnish design and Marimekko, which is a famous fashion and textile brand in Finland.
It’s time to experience the beautiful nature of this city, and it will also be one of the best things to do in Helsinki. First you go straight to Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. It is located on a very beautiful island just outside of the centre of the city. Consequently, you get to see the traditional Finnish wooden houses. Then you have farmland and churches that are based out of different regions in Finland. Just walk the entire island yourself. You can even feed squirrels and learn about the history of Finland.
Next, for a more relaxing afternoon, visit the Esplanadi Park. This is a beautiful green space in the heart of the city. Accordingly, sit down somewhere and relax, or go to Cafe Esplanad to enjoy some hot coffee. If you are lucky, you will even get to see the street performers.
So, it’s the final Evening to explore and things to do in Helsinki. Just relax and take a ride on the SkyWheel Helsinki. It is a giant Ferris wheel that truly offers a great panoramic view of the city. As you are going in the Evening, enjoy the mindblowing sunset experience.
Thus, it’s time to end your trip. Have a farewell dinner at any top restaurant available there. Try the Olo, which offers a comfortable experience with Nordic dishes. Additionally, you have is Nokka, which offers a variety of Finnish ingredients.
If you are confused about how to apply for a Finland Visa from UK as a resident, then don’t lose hope. Welcome to the SCHENGEN TRAVEL GUIDE. We have completely experienced and trained staff available at your service for visas related to getting the Finland Visa Appointment. Apply online immediately if you are in need of a Finland Visa with your details.
Our backend executive will get back to you immediately, within one or two working days. Furthermore, you can clear all your doubts with that person. Then, an appointment will be booked. Go to the Visa Centre on time on the appointment day. Then finish the rest of the procedures. This includes biometric registration, photo sessions, Visa interviews, and medical checkups. It’s that simple.
Thus, in simple words, if you want to curate things to do in Helsinki, then it will cover a mix of everything. Such as nature, history and modern vibes. We have that this 2-day itinerary will help you to visit the famous landmarks. Additionally trying the traditional Finnish dish and experience the ultimate sauna culture. Whatever you love, be it history, architecture of buildings or just the beauty of nature, Helsinki has something for everyone.
Get your Finland Visa from UK today so that you can make all the necessary arrangements and start packing.
Helsinki has the finest public transportation system. Accordingly, you will have trams, buses, and ferries available. Get yourself a Travel card. This will allow you to travel unlimitedly for two days. Apart from that, walking and renting a bike are great options.
The entire year is a pleasant time to visit Helsinki. We recommend that you choose summer, which stays from the month of June to August, which will offer you long daylight hours and outdoor festivals. Furthermore, you have the winter season, which stays from the month of December to February. You will get to see plenty of snowy landscapes, Christmas vibes and the astounding Northern Lights.
Yes, Helsinki is expensive. But you can keep your expenses under control by choosing the public transport, prefer eating at the Old Market Hall and visiting the ticket free attractions like Senate Square and Sibelius Park.
Check out Marimekko textiles, Littala glassware, Fazer chocolates, Moomin merchandise and local handicrafts from Market Square.
