Helsinki SouthCoast
5
Day Itinerary •
Finland
Five days in Helsinki and the Finnish South Coast gives you the full extraordinary depth of the finest Nordic capital and its remarkable hinterland, from the UNESCO Suomenlinna sea fortress and the extraordinary Temppeliaukio Rock Church to the remarkable day trip to Tallinn's medieval Old Town, the fine Nuuksio forest, the extraordinary Loyly waterfront sauna and the remarkable Ateneum collection of Finnish national art. This extended route covers Helsinki and the south coast completely. Senate Square and Suomenlinna on Day 1, Rock Church and Seurasaari on Day 2, Porvoo and Nuuksio on Day 3, the extraordinary Tallinn day trip by ferry on Day 4, and the remarkable Ateneum art museum, Hakaniemi market and the fine Oodi library on Day 5.
Best Time To Visit
June to August for midnight sun and Tallinn ferry conditions
Getting There
Fly into Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL)
Getting Around
Metro, tram and walking. Ferry for Tallinn. Hire car for Porvoo and Nuuksio.
Budget Per Day
Approx 80 to 220 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
TALLINN DAY TRIP
MORNING
TALLINN DAY TRIP BY FERRY
The extraordinary Tallinn, the finest medieval Old Town in the Baltic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2 hours by ferry from Helsinki across the Gulf of Finland. The remarkable Toompea castle hill, the extraordinary 13th-century Town Hall Square, the fine Viru Gate medieval towers and the outstanding limestone walls and towers of the Old Town make Tallinn the finest medieval city in northern Europe that most visitors overlook. Tallink Silja ferry from the West Harbour approx 20 to 50 EUR return. 1.5 hours Tallinn
MIDDAY
TALLINN OLD TOWN EXPLORATION
The extraordinary Tallinn Old Town walking tour from the remarkable Town Hall Square to the fine Toompea hill with the outstanding views over the lower town rooftops from the Kohtuotsa and Patkuli viewing platforms. The extraordinary Alexander Nevsky Cathedral on Toompea, the remarkable Danish King's Garden and the fine Kiek in de Kok artillery tower are the finest medieval sights in Tallinn. The outstanding Tallinn Street Food in the extraordinary St Catherine's Passage is the finest medieval market lane in the Baltic. 2 hours ferry back
AFTERNOON
RETURN HELSINKI AND WATERFRONT EVENING
The extraordinary return ferry to Helsinki with the fine Helsinki peninsula and the remarkable white Cathedral dome growing on the horizon as the ferry approaches the South Harbour. The outstanding Helsinki evening waterfront at the Market Square in summer, with the remarkable midnight sun light still bright at 10pm, is the finest evening atmosphere in any Nordic capital.
đź’Ž HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Kadriorg Park in Tallinn, a fine baroque park and palace built by Peter the Great in 1718, contains the remarkable Kumu art museum, the finest contemporary Estonian art collection in a beautiful 2006 building. The extraordinary Song Festival grounds adjacent to Kadriorg hosted the remarkable 1988 Singing Revolution that began Estonia's path to independence.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast before ferry Early breakfast before the West Harbour ferry. First departures at 7:30am. | Lunch: Tallinn Old Town restaurant Outstanding medieval Estonian lunch. Extraordinary elk stew and fine dark Estonian bread at a Tallinn town hall restaurant. | Dinner: Savoy or Palace, Helsinki Outstanding classic Finnish restaurant with fine Baltic views on return to Helsinki.
DAY 5
CITY CULTURE
MORNING
ATENEUM ART MUSEUM
The extraordinary Ateneum Art Museum, the finest collection of Finnish art in the world, housed in a remarkable 1887 Renaissance building opposite the Helsinki Central Station. The outstanding Finnish Romanticist and National Realist paintings including Akseli Gallen-Kallela's extraordinary Kalevala illustrations, Albert Edelfelt's remarkable portraits and the fine Albert Edelfelt seascape collection are the finest expression of Finnish national identity in art. Entry approx 20 EUR. 10 min walk
MIDDAY
HAKANIEMI MARKET HALL AND KALLIO
The extraordinary Hakaniemi Market Hall in the fine 1914 red brick building, the finest traditional Finnish market in Helsinki with the most remarkable selection of Karelian produce, outstanding reindeer products, fine Finnish cheeses and the extraordinary salt-cured Baltic herring alongside the remarkable traditional Finnish handicrafts on the upper floor. The fine Kallio neighbourhood surrounding the market is the most authentic working-class district in Helsinki. 20 min walk
AFTERNOON
OODI HELSINKI CENTRAL LIBRARY AND FAREWELL
The extraordinary Oodi Helsinki Central Library, opened in 2018 and the finest modern public building in Finland, a remarkable three-storey wooden and glass structure directly opposite the Finnish Parliament building where the extraordinary civic culture of Finland is expressed in the most remarkable public library in the world. Free entry. The fine farewell walk along the Helsinki waterfront to the extraordinary Market Square for the last Finnish salmon soup is the finest departure from the city.
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 Ateneum. | Lunch: Hakaniemi Market Hall Outstanding traditional Finnish lunch at the extraordinary market hall. Fine reindeer soup and Karelian pasty. | Dinner: Ravintola Nokka The finest traditional Finnish restaurant in Helsinki. Extraordinary Finnish game and remarkable archipelago fish.
Where To Stay
Helsinki Centre Hotel Kamp or Klaus K. Approx 150 to 350 EUR per night. Design District Hotelli Finn or Hotel Fabian. Approx 120 to 280 EUR per night. Budget Hostel Academica or CheapSleep Helsinki. Approx 30 to 80 EUR per night.
Top Tips
1. Book the Tallinn ferry at least one week ahead in summer. Sells out completely on peak weekends.
2. Book Loyly sauna online. Evening slots give the finest midnight sun Baltic swimming experience.
3. Restaurant Olo and Nokka require booking well ahead. Two of the finest tables in Finland.
4. The Ateneum closes Monday. Plan accordingly for the extraordinary Finnish art collection.
5. Nuuksio National Park is free. The remarkable everyman's right allows camping and foraging.
6. Finnish midsummer is extraordinary. Book everything months ahead as the city empties and fills simultaneously.
Total Budget
80 to 540 EUR/day