Helsinki, Finland
I have visited Finland multiple times to see Saana, and every time I go back it’s a new experience. Helsinki, which is located on the Gulf of Finland, offers travelers a great time during any time of the year. From exploring the streets in the summer to skiing in the winter, Helsinki is a place you should consider seeing.
In total, I’ve stayed in Finland for a little over two months, spanning from autumn to winter. I would recommend visiting Helsinki for 4-5 days, as this gives you enough time to see the city, and surrounding towns.
When To Visit
Finland is warm during the summer and early fall. In the months of June, July, and August the temperature is around 70-85º fahrenheit or 21.1-29.4º celsius. This is the perfect weather as you can explore the city without getting to hot. During the summer, the sun stays up for nearly 20 hours. This is an experience that many people do not get the opportunity to witness, and if visiting Finland during this time, be prepared for lots of sun! Even when the sun does set for the 4 hours of the day, it is still relatively bright out.
If you do not want to visit Finland during the summer, fall or winter may interest you. During September-October, the weather starts to change rapidly. It rains a lot during these months, and the sky is often cloudy or gray. It is sweatshirt weather, so you can still walk around without worry. Saana does not recommend traveling here during these months, as there is not much to do when the weather is like this. The winters in Finland are extremely cold. It is almost always below freezing, and when I was visiting in January, temperatures dropped to -10º fahrenheit or -23.3º celsius. It snows a lot during the winter, so if you are interested in skiing or snowboarding, this time of year would be good for you. Be prepared as you have to wear multiple layers every time you go outside.
Food
The food in Finland wasn’t too different from what I eat in the U.S., but there are some notable differences. Many restaurants offer different types of meat, such as reindeer/caribou, moose, and fish. These items are popular in Finland, and if you see it on a menu, you should try it! During the summer, crawfish are very popular as well and is a Finnish tradition. Additionally, soup is common to find in restaurants. I highly recommend getting mushroom soup, as its delicious and can warm you up.
Where To Stay
When I visit, I always stay at Saana’s house, but we have traveled to nearby towns and gotten a hotel room. Hotels are around 100-130 dollars a night depending on where you stay, so this can add up if staying for a long time. I would recommend getting an Airbnb, especially if traveling with other people to cut down on the cost of living. Do your research on where it is located, and how far it is from public transportation.
Transportation
The public transportation is extremely easy to use in Helsinki and across Finland. Buses and trains are constantly going, and you can buy tickets on your phone or at the stations. An app I have on my phone to buy train tickets is called VR Matkalla. All you do is select whatever city you are in, where you want to go, and what time you want to depart and it will show you all the available times. Unless you have a car or someone picking you up at the airport, the train is the only other way to get into the city, so make sure you have the app downloaded before landing in Helsinki.
Language Barrier
Luckily for the english speaking people traveling to Finland, almost everyone there speaks english as well. When I walk around the city and go into stores or cafes, I have no trouble at all ordering or talking to people. I don’t think I met one person who didn’t speak english, so you don’t have to worry about a language barrier while visiting. Many Finnish people also speak Swedish, so if you happen to know Swedish you can get around easily too.
Places To See
While visiting Helsinki, these places should be on your list to visit. I’ve linked tickets to some of the places listed below:
- National Museum of Finland
- Day trip to Estonia
- Lapland
- Suomenlinna
- Downtown
- Senate Square
- Porvoo
- Sauna
Description Of Sites
National Museum of Finland: Explore the history, culture, and artifacts of Finland.
Day trip to Estonia: Take a short ferry ride across the sea and spend the day in Estonia. With great sites and food, this should be something on your list.
Lapland: This is the northernmost part of Finland, and it is great to visit in winter. Get a chance to see the northern lights and activities the area offers!
Suomenlinna: Is a castle on an island off of Helsinki’s coast. This sea-fortress was created during the 18th century.
Downtown: Explore the downtown of Helsinki, with large shopping malls, restaurants, and beautiful buildings.
Senate Square: A popular landmark in Helsinki, it was built in the 17th century.
Porvoo: One of the oldest towns in Finland, it is located only 50km outside of Helsinki. Walk down cobblestone roads and explore the medieval old town.
Sauna: Finland is most known for their saunas and if you get the chance to use one, you should take it!
Nightlife
The nightlife in Helsinki is the best throughout the entire country. There are many bars and clubs everywhere in the city. Many of these places offer live music and karaoke for people to enjoy. Drinks are pretty expensive in Finland, so I would recommend drinking at your hotel or Airbnb before going out.
One bar I would recommend going to is Ateljee. It is one of the most iconic rooftop bars in Helsinki. It offers great views of the city and sea while drinking your favorite beverage. It is located on the 12th floor of hotel Torni. You can also stop by during the day to grab a coffee or food items.
Crime
The crime rate in Finland is the lowest out of every country I have visited. People there are very friendly and you shouldn’t expect to feel unsafe or worried at all throughout your trip. The only thing I would mention is that Helsinki is the biggest city and Finland, and large cities usually have higher crime rates. Even still, I haven’t had a problem and everyone I’ve talked to doesn’t have any bad experiences with crime.
Overview
Finland is a great country to travel to, with many different things to do and see. The fast changing weather can make this country a interesting place to visit. The food, history, and overall atmosphere of Helsinki will be something that stays with you long after you leave.
