Helsinki Finland in 1 day

Helsinki, Finland the capital and the most populous city in Finland. It is quite compact to explore, and it should probably take 1 or 2 days to be enough for a visit. We spent 1 day there and saw a lot, although we were not going inside any museums or churches, hence the recommendation of 1 or 2. What to do in Helsinki, Finland, in 1 day? Let’s start with how to get there?

From Tallinn, it is easy. You can choose a bus or a ferry. Flixbus will get you there from 26£ in about 4 hours and 20 minutes. The ferry will get you there in around 2 hours, and the price may vary – the average is 27£, so not that expensive but much more comfortable. We chose the ferry. What to do in Helsinki, Finland, in 1 day?

By the time you arrive, chances are you’ll be feeling hungry. So, where should you eat in Helsinki, Finland? We highly recommend The Old Market Hall (or Vanha kauppahalli in the local language). It’s not only full of local charm, but it’s also conveniently located — just about a 10-minute walk from the port. You can easily find it on Google Maps here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/2hyXP8uhyRDsFS9u9. And what can you enjoy there? Let’s take a look!

Where to Head Next After a Tasty Meal?

There is a lot of choice, so everybody should find something that suits them. I chose the local salmon soup, and I must say that it was really good! If you are not interested in local cuisine, you can go for a sandwich, pastry, Thai food, or simply for a coffee, just to feel the vibe of this place. It can get busy during lunchtime. Where to go after the meal?

After lunch, it is time to explore! The surroundings of Helsinki’s port have a lot to offer. Senate Square, the oldest part of central Helsinki, is one of them. You can admire a view of the Heslinki Cathedral. Where to go next?

Climb up the stairs of the Cathedral and turn around. This is where the main photo of this post was taken. We were not going inside, but if you would like to, the current price is 10/8 euros, under 18 years old can enter for free. What is the next stop?

A Day Well Spent in Helsinki: What’s Next on the Journey?

After a wonderful day exploring Helsinki, we eventually made our way to the train station. From there, we happily boarded a train to Turku, which was the next exciting stop on our Eastern European trip 2024. All in all, that’s everything you can comfortably see and do in Helsinki, Finland, in just one day. What’s more, every place we visited was within walking distance, so there was absolutely no need for additional transport between the sights. If you’re curious, stay tuned as we share more highlights from this unforgettable journey across Eastern Europe!

Check here for more stops of our Eastern European trip: Tallinn: https://www.journeyjoy.org/2024/10/12/tallinn-estonia/ Riga: https://www.journeyjoy.org/2024/09/29/the-best-pubs-in-riga-latvia/ Vilnius: https://www.journeyjoy.org/2024/09/24/vilnius-lithuania/ Trakai: https://www.journeyjoy.org/2024/09/17/trakai-lithuania/ Kaunas: https://maps.app.goo.gl/8DZUyrHVQeDct5fc9

A few more photos from Helsinki, Finland: