Helsinki SouthCoast
3
Day Itinerary •
Finland
Three days in Helsinki and the Finnish South Coast delivers the most extraordinary Nordic capital experience in northern Europe, from the remarkable neoclassical Senate Square and the extraordinary rock-carved Temppeliaukio church to the UNESCO Suomenlinna sea fortress, the finest design quarter in Scandinavia and the remarkable Finnish sauna culture on the Baltic waterfront. This focused route covers the essential Helsinki and south coast experience. The extraordinary Senate Square and Old Market Hall, the remarkable Suomenlinna UNESCO fortress islands, the fine design museum and Punavuori quarter, the extraordinary Temppeliaukio Rock Church, Kiasma museum and Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, and the remarkable Porvoo medieval town, Nuuksio forest and Loyly waterfront sauna on Day 3.
Best Time To Visit
June to August for midnight sun, midsummer and archipelago season
Getting There
Fly into Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), 30 min to city centre
Getting Around
Metro, tram and walking within Helsinki, hire car for Porvoo and Nuuksio
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 200 EUR per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat city walking
DAY 1
WATERFRONT HELSINKI
MORNING
SENATE SQUARE, CATHEDRAL AND MARKET HALL
The extraordinary Senate Square, the finest neoclassical urban space in northern Europe, where the remarkable white Helsinki Cathedral rises on its broad steps above the fine square and the Russian Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral in red brick looms on the headland to the east simultaneously. The outstanding Old Market Hall on the harbour, in continuous operation since 1889, is the finest covered market in Finland with extraordinary Baltic herring, remarkable Karelian pasties and the fine Finnish cheeses of the archipelago. 15 min walk
MIDDAY
SUOMENLINNA SEA FORTRESS
The extraordinary Suomenlinna UNESCO World Heritage sea fortress spread across six islands 15 minutes by ferry from the Market Square, built by Sweden from 1748 as the finest maritime fortress in the Baltic and home to a remarkable community of 800 permanent residents living inside the extraordinary 18th-century fortifications. The fine tunnels, remarkable cannon batteries and the outstanding views over the Helsinki archipelago from the extraordinary fortress walls are the finest cultural experience accessible from Helsinki. Ferry approx 3.50 EUR. 15 min ferry back
AFTERNOON
DESIGN MUSEUM AND PUNAVUORI DESIGN QUARTER
The extraordinary Punavuori design quarter, the finest neighbourhood in Helsinki, where the remarkable Design Museum housing the finest collection of Finnish design objects from Alvar Aalto to Marimekko sits amid the outstanding independent design studios, the fine Olo restaurant and the extraordinary concentration of Finnish jewellery, furniture and textile designers that make Helsinki the finest design capital in northern Europe. Entry approx 14 EUR.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kallio neighbourhood on the hill northeast of the city centre, the finest working-class district in Helsinki with the remarkable Church of Kallio whose extraordinary tower dominates the Helsinki skyline, is the finest and most authentic residential neighbourhood in the capital. The remarkable Hakaniemi Market Hall inside the extraordinary 1914 red brick building is the finest traditional Finnish market in the city.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe Regatta or Market Hall Outstanding traditional Finnish breakfast. Fine karelian pasties and remarkable coffee at the extraordinary Old Market Hall. | Lunch: Suomenlinna Cafe Outstanding lunch on the extraordinary sea fortress island. Fine Finnish salmon soup and remarkable archipelago bread. | Dinner: Restaurant Olo, Helsinki The finest modern Finnish restaurant in Helsinki. Extraordinary seasonal Finnish tasting menu. Book ahead.
DAY 2
ARCHITECTURE AND CULTURE
MORNING
TEMPPELIAUKIO ROCK CHURCH AND KAMPPI CHAPEL
The extraordinary Temppeliaukio, the Rock Church excavated directly into the solid granite bedrock of Helsinki in 1969, the most remarkable church in Finland with the extraordinary 24-metre copper dome covering the fine circular nave carved into the rock. The remarkable acoustics, the extraordinary copper ribbing above the natural stone walls and the fine natural light from the copper dome create the most extraordinary ecclesiastical space in Scandinavia. Entry approx 3 EUR. 20 min walk
MIDDAY
KIASMA MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AND ESPLANADI
The extraordinary Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art in the remarkable Steven Holl building from 1998, the finest contemporary art museum in Finland and one of the most extraordinary museum buildings in northern Europe. The fine Esplanadi park running from the Kiasma to the Market Square is the finest promenade in Helsinki with remarkable summer concerts, the outstanding cafes and the extraordinary flower stalls. 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
SEURASAARI OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
The extraordinary Seurasaari Open-Air Museum on a fine forested island 3km from the centre, where remarkable traditional Finnish farmhouses, cottages and churches relocated from across Finland create the finest outdoor heritage museum in the country. The outstanding 18th and 19th-century wooden buildings in the extraordinary forested island setting give the finest picture of traditional Finnish rural life. Entry approx 12 EUR. Ferry from the bridge in summer.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hietaniemi beach 2km west of the city centre, the finest urban beach in Finland, is where Helsinki residents swim, sunbathe and use the remarkable outdoor sauna directly on the Baltic shore. The fine beach sauna at Hietaniemi is the most accessible public sauna experience in Helsinki. In winter the extraordinary ice swimming through a cut in the frozen Baltic is the finest cold water experience in Finland.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Rock Church. Arrive at opening for the extraordinary atmosphere. | Lunch: Esplanadi park cafe Outstanding Finnish lunch on the extraordinary Esplanadi promenade. Fine salmon sandwich and remarkable rye bread. | Dinner: Savoy, Helsinki The extraordinary Alvar Aalto-designed rooftop restaurant with original 1937 furnishings. Classic Finnish cuisine.
DAY 3
SOUTH COAST
MORNING
PORVOO OLD TOWN DAY TRIP
The extraordinary Porvoo, the second oldest city in Finland and the finest medieval town on the Finnish south coast, 50km east of Helsinki, where the remarkable red riverside warehouses are the most photographed image in Finland and the extraordinary cobblestone streets of the Old Town retain their fine 18th-century character intact. The remarkable Porvoo Cathedral from the 15th century and the fine old town square with its traditional wooden buildings are the finest medieval ensemble outside Tallinn in the Baltic. 1 hour drive back
MIDDAY
NUUKSIO NATIONAL PARK AND FINNISH FOREST
The extraordinary Nuuksio National Park 30km northwest of Helsinki, the finest forested national park accessible from a European capital, where remarkable ancient lichen-covered granite boulders, fine old-growth pine and birch forest, the outstanding kettle hole lakes and the extraordinary Finnish forest atmosphere create the finest natural escape from the capital. The remarkable everyman's right to roam in Finland is the finest cultural institution in the country. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
LĂ–YLY WATERSIDE SAUNA AND BALTIC SWIMMING
The extraordinary Loyly public sauna on the Helsinki waterfront south of the city centre, the finest modern public sauna in Finland, where the remarkable smoke sauna and the extraordinary public sauna terraces descend directly to the Baltic Sea for the fine sea swimming. The outstanding Loyly architecture by Avanto Architects is the finest contemporary building in Helsinki and the extraordinary combination of sauna, sea and the Helsinki archipelago views is the finest Finnish experience in the capital. Entry approx 19 EUR.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Harakka island 10 minutes by boat from the Helsinki South Harbour, a remarkable former military island now an extraordinary nature reserve with fine resident artists studios and the outstanding bird colony including the remarkable Barnacle geese nesting on the extraordinary cliff ledges, is the finest and most overlooked island day trip from Helsinki. Seasonal boat service. The fine island studios are open to the public in summer.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Porvoo Old Town bakery Outstanding Finnish breakfast at one of the remarkable Porvoo old town bakeries before exploring. | Lunch: Nuuksio forest lunch Packed Finnish provisions for the extraordinary forest walk. Fine rye crispbread and remarkable Finnish chocolate. | Dinner: Loyly restaurant Outstanding waterside Finnish restaurant at the extraordinary Loyly sauna. Fine Baltic herring and grilled salmon.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Helsinki Centre Hotel Kamp or Klaus K. Excellent central location. Approx 150 to 350 EUR per night. Design District Hotelli Finn or Hotel Fabian. Fine Punavuori location. Approx 120 to 280 EUR per night. Budget Hostel Academica or CheapSleep Helsinki. Approx 30 to 80 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book Loyly sauna online. Peak times sell out completely. Evening slots give the finest Baltic sunset.
2. Suomenlinna ferry runs year-round. Arrive before 10am in summer for the finest uncrowded experience.
3. Book Restaurant Olo weeks ahead. One of the finest tables in Finland.
4. Nuuksio National Park entry is free. Hire a car from Helsinki. 30 minutes from the city centre.
5. The Temppeliaukio Rock Church is finest at opening before tour groups arrive.
6. Finnish midsummer (late June) is extraordinary but many shops and restaurants close. Plan accordingly.
Total Budget
80 to 500 EUR/day