One Day in Helsinki: Finnish Sauna & Waterfront Sights

Snow covered Senate Square in Helsinki with Alexander II statue in foreground and Helsinki Cathedral in the background.

Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, is known for its architecture, design, Scandinavian cuisine and Baltic saunas. We explored the city for one day while in transit from Finland to Estonia.

See the Sights

Helsinki Cathedral. A white neo-classical cathedral with 5 green copper domes located in Senate Square. During wintertime, the steps are covered in snow and become a sledding hill for children.

Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki, a red brick Orthodox church with green copper domes covered in snow against a clear winter sky.

Uspenski Cathedral. A red brick Orthodox cathedral with copper steeples and golden onion domes. Its lavish interior is decorated in finely painted patterned and gold leafed imagery of Christian symbols.

Helsinki Harbor. The city’s historic harbor is docked with wooden ships and icebreakers. It’s home to seaside saunas, food markets and government buildings including the presidential palace and city hall.

Market Square. A market with vendors selling Finnish foods, Sami handicrafts and souvenirs on the Helsinki Harbor across from City Hall. We tried the Lohikeitto (salmon soup) and Glögi (mulled wine).

Esplanadi Park. A large city park leading from Market Square into the center of downtown Helsinki. It’s lined with walkways, trees, benches and bronze statues.

Old Market Hall. Helsinki’s oldest food market focused on Finnish cuisine with vendors selling and serving traditional dishes, pastries, seafood, meats and beer. Butchers sell sausage, smoked, canned and fresh meats like reindeer, elk, and bear. Seafood vendors serve salmon soup, smoked fish, pickled herring, cold water prawns and caviar. Cafés offer lingonberry pastries, Runeberg tortes and Korvapuustit. We came here for lunch and enjoyed a Finnish feast. We tasted a blini with beluga caviar, deep fried sprats, pickled herring in mustard sauce on rye toast, skagen and a Runeberg torte.

Ateneum. Finland’s largest art museum with a collection of Finnish and European artwork. We visited during an Impressionist exhibit featuring works by Finnish impressionists Ellen Thesleff, Tyko Sallinen, Magnus Enckell and other European artists like Monet, Pissarro and Finch.

Modern wooden Löyly Sauna in Helsinki covered in snow at sunset overlooking the frozen Gulf of Finland.

Finnish Saunas

Saunas are a popular aspect of Finnish culture dating back hundreds of years. They’re built into homes, hotels and public pools.

Löyly Sauna. A geometric wooden sauna overlooking the Gulf of Finland with 4 steam rooms including 1 traditional wood burning one and 3 electric ones. Outside is a large deck and cold plunge area in the frozen harbor. Inside is a fireplace lounge, restaurant and bar. We tried all 4 saunas, they were hot, steamy and scented with wood. The wood burning one was our favorite with a pleasant smell of smoke. In between steamings, we relaxed by the fireplace with a beer and plunged into the icy harbor during freezing temperatures. Book a reservation in advance and bring flip flops and a swimsuit. Lockers and towels are included.

Elegant Helsinki restaurant interior with chandeliers, arched mirrors, and guests dining in a warm candlelit setting.

Places to Eat & Drink

Restaurant Nolla. A contemporary Finnish restaurant with dishes made from seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. We tried the grilled burbot (a subarctic freshwater fish), fried mushrooms, braised cabbage and celeriac confit with caramelized pearl onions.

Hotel Kamp Bar. A luxury hotel lobby bar in a warmly lit and historic setting dating back to 1887. Come here for classic cocktails.

Café Eliel. A well designed Finnish café and bar in the Central Station. We came here for breakfast on our way to the airport. Try the salmon and dill lihapiirakka.

Minimalist Helsinki hotel room at Bob W with double bed, neutral tones, natural light, and Scandinavian design.

Where to Stay

For our one night in Helsinki, we stayed at Bob W, a well designed and comfortable hostel in the city center with private rooms, a communal kitchen, public gym and luggage storage room.

Location Specifics

Language. Finnish, Swedish and English are the most commonly spoken languages.

Sami Culture. Show respect to the Sami people, culture and traditions.

Costs. Finland, like much of Scandinavia, is an expensive destination.

Cash vs. Card. Cash is rarely used across the country. Use credit or debit cards for most transactions.

Tipping. Tipping is not expected or required. Tip 10% for exceptional service.

Temperature. Helsinki gets very cold during the winter. The temperature dropped to -10C (14F) before windchill. Dress in warm layers and cover all exposed skin while outdoors for long periods of time.

Elsewhere in Nordic Europe

From Helsinki’s waterfront saunas and minimalist architecture to Copenhagen’s canals, Arctic Lapland and Iceland’s dramatic road trip routes, discover more of Nordic Europe through these travel guides:

Copenhagen Travel Guide: Nyhavn, Christmas Markets & Scandinavian Cuisine. Wander along Copenhagen's colorful canals where wooden ships, historic castles and Danish culture meet Scandinavian cuisine and festive Christmas markets.

Lapland Finland Travel Guide: Northern Lights, Sámi Culture & Arctic Adventures. Journey through Lapland's Arctic wilderness and snowy landscapes to experience Sámi traditions, husky mushing, Finnish cuisine and vivid auroras during the polar night.

Tromsø Norway Travel Guide: Northern Lights, Arctic Fjords & Sámi Culture. Explore Tromsø's snowy streets and historic waterfront where Nordic cuisine and Sámi culture meet dramatic fjords, dancing auroras and Arctic adventures.

Iceland Road Trip Guide: Waterfalls, Glaciers & Black Sand Beaches. Road trip through Iceland's otherworldly landscapes where volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls and black sand beaches create one of Earth's most dramatic journeys.

For Next Time…

24 hours only gave us a taste of Helsinki. We plan to return to this Scandinavian city for longer on our next trip! When we do, we have a few places we plan to experience.

Kallio and Harju. Two indie neighborhoods located in the northeast of Helsinki. They’re home to a mix of vintage shops, numerous Finnish cafés and a large food hall.

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. An 18th century maritime fortress linked across 6 islands in the harbor of Helsinki. The islands are home to parks, museums, restored ships and a small number of cafés, restaurants and bars.

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum. An outdoor museum comprised of historic and restored Finnish buildings relocated from around the country.

Nuuksio National Park. A vast park just outside of Helsinki with access to primary forests and waterways. It’s a popular place to hike, canoe and camp, especially during the warmer months.

Porvoo. A picturesque and historic village with an old town comprised of painted wooden houses, cobblestone streets and a medieval cathedral. It’s located about an hour east of Helsinki.