In her Guide to Helsinki, Judith Baker reveals her own favourite spots to explore.
The Finnish capital is cool and quirky with an unusual mix of old and new, classic and contemporary. This year offers a wealth of festivals and events making 2025 a good time to visit the capital of Finland, the country that is regularly called the happiest on earth.
Must see
Helsinki has more Art Nouveau buildings than anywhere in Northern Europe, and a good starting point to admire them is the magnificent Grand Central Station with its statues of lantern carriers holding spherical lamps guarding the entrance. Other Art Nouveau features such as the friezes, sculptures and frescoes can be spotted throughout the city. Senate Square has fine examples of neoclassical architecture including The Government Palace, Helsinki Cathedral and the main university building.
Futuristic buildings designed by the Finnish mastermind of functionalism Alvar Aalto include the Finlandia Hall, completed in 1971 and reopened this January 2025. His work can also be seen at The Aalto House in the Munkkiniemi area. Don’t miss the Oodi Library with its dramatic spiral staircase and robot librarians.
After a morning sightseeing take time for coffee at one of Helsinki’s iconic coffee shops such as Fazer café on Kluuvikatu Street which opened in 1891 and has a beautiful Art Deco interior. The rustic red cottage Regatta café in Töölö, Helsinki, between Sibelius Park and the rowing stadium, Is a charming spot for the Finns favourite cinnamon buns.
Sauna
There are more saunas than cars in this city. There are sauna gondolas in the Sky Wheel hovering over the city (only open when the temperature rises above zero). from which you can get a great view of the city while sweating out. Visit the Allas Sea Pool down at the harbour near Market Square where there is an outdoor pool for the brave to jump into before rushing to the sauna; most saunas have restaurants and bars like the pretty Loyly sauna offers traditional Finnish fare such as meatballs and salmon soup.
The city has a number of Michelin starred restaurants such as the modern and intimate Finnjavel Salonki but there are plenty of cosy eateries loved by locals and tourists alike serve hearty meals of reindeer, fresh fish such as perch, pasties, herring and sausage.
Metal And Moomins – A Summer Of Festivals
There are more heavy metal bands per capita in Finland than any other country, you are never far from a metal gig or bar and this year’s Helsinki Metal Festival takes place on 8th August at Helsinki Ice Hall.
Moomins’ 80th Anniversary Year The Moomins, Finland’s beloved kind and peace-loving characters, mark their 80th year in 2025 with festivities running throughout the country, championing the whimsy and warmth that have captured hearts worldwide: Revel in the genius of Tove Jansson at the dedicated exhibition until early April HAM Helsinki, celebrate her birthday at the world’s only Moomin museum in Tampere Hall in August and join exhibition at Helsinki Architecture & Design Museum starting in October that unveils a new perspective on Jansson’s art.
The Flow Festival on 8th August showcases a diverse lineup of artists in the Suvilhalti district. From June to September the international art event The Helsinki Biennial takes place on Vallisaari Island in Esplanadi Park and at HAM Helsinki Art Museum.
This is a city by the sea and you are just 15 minutes by ferry to a number of islands including Vallisaari.
Moomins credits Yiping Feng and Ling Ouyang
Tell me more about this Guide to Helsinki
For more information about the places featured in Judith’s Guide please visit Visit Finland
Finnair offers six daily flights from London to Helsinki year-round
Return fares from the UK to Helsinki start at £170 in Economy, and £558 in Business Class, including taxes and charges
