Prime 10 Superior FREE Issues To Do in Helsinki (Finland)

I used to be invited to Helsinki months in the past by its tourism board with a view to participate of their marketing campaign named #HelsinkiSecret. Their easy but thrilling goal for this undertaking was to introduce town to vacationers like me as they deliberate experiences that may give us an outline of how the locals reside on this distinguished capital of Finland. (Free Issues to Do in Helsinki)

I stayed there for per week in an important house lodge referred to as Aallonkoti, and no doubt, such a span of time and keep was sufficient for me to fall deeply in love with Helsinki.

I can’t fairly describe the precise wondrous feeling that I felt, however the closest description that I can say is that although it’s a metropolis that’s dynamic and esthetic, it nonetheless had such a ‘small city’ feeling to it — I simply felt proper at ‘dwelling’, which have to be the rationale why I left part of my coronary heart there. True sufficient, it was extremely refreshing how town strikes on in such a laid-back method.

Nonetheless, don’t let its measurement idiot you. It might not be an enormous metropolis, however it’s filled with tons of attention-grabbing points of interest and actions that may simply replenish your journey itinerary. For a begin although, it’s at all times nice to know the highest FREE issues to do in Helsinki, and so right here they’re!

» Fast Journey Planning

Free Issues to Do in Finland

1. Discover town on foot to see its well-known landmarks

With an space of round 180 km², you may think about how Helsinki is a compact metropolis making it simply explored on foot! In any other case, with their excellent tram and bus system, you possibly can attain sure areas or districts very quickly.

So aside from parks, church buildings, cathedrals, museums, and procuring areas, (which I might be discussing under in different high free issues to do in Helsinki), there are 3 different major points of interest that you should completely see; and I wager that very similar to me, you’ll be amazed at Helsinki’s charming structure. They’re, in spite of everything, awarded because the World Design Capital final 2012 and that claims a ton in regards to the prevalence of design and artwork amongst many others.

• Senate Sq.: This place shows distinctive Neoclassical structure crammed with 4 domineering buildings: the Authorities Palace, the Helsinki Cathedral, the Nationwide Library of Finland, and the College of Helsinki. You can even discover the Sederholm Home right here within the southeast a part of the sq. which is alleged to be the oldest stone constructing within the metropolis.

TRIVIA: Each 5:49PM, you’ll hear the “Sound of the Senate Sq.” which is a composition by Harri Viitanen and Jyrki Alakuijala and a moden model of the European glockenspiel (xylophone-like instrument).

• Central Railway Station (Rautatieasema): Again in 2013, this station was referred to as one of many world’s most stunning railway stations by BBC — and it’s no marvel why. As you set foot right here, you may be awed by its design and additionally, you will see 2 distinguishing options: the clock tower and the pair of male statues which can be holding spherical lamps. That is, by all means, the focus of public transport within the space and with the variety of passengers that come right here every single day, naturally, it turned Finland’s most-visited constructing.

TRIVIA: Some individuals mentioned that Batman’s Gotham Metropolis was influenced by the structure on this railway station.

• Olympic Stadium: In 1952, the Olympic Video games had been held right here. At the moment, it hosts nationwide and worldwide sports activities and out of doors live performance occasions. One of many cool issues about that is its ‘Stadium Tower’ that rises 72 meters excessive. For a small price (€5 for adults), you possibly can go as much as see a fowl’s eye view of central Helsinki. Regrettably, January 2016 marks the renovation of the Olympic Stadium however it should open up once more by 2019!

TIP: Be part of a metropolis tour of Helsinki right here, or you can too be part of a hop-on hop-off tour bus right here.

2. Benefit from the FREE museums!

Most of Helsinki’s museums are paid, however they’ve sure days when entrance is free; due to this fact in the event you can time your keep effectively, you possibly can undoubtedly get pleasure from these perks as one in all your high free issues to do in Helsinki.

Anyhow, entrance charges are sometimes low cost. However if you would like an entire package deal deal, you possibly can select to buy a Helsinki Card that’s price €41/day and this may grant you entry to museums, sightseeing excursions and a lot extra!

Listed here are the highest museums which you’ll enter for free:

• Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: this isn’t precisely a museum per se, nonetheless as one of many largest sea fortresses on the earth, its wealthy historical past is sufficient for it to be considered considerably of a ‘museum’ in itself (relaxation assured, there are distinct museums within the island). Now, this is without doubt one of the hottest points of interest not solely in Helsinki however the entire of Finland; apart from, it’s listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1991 because of the way it portrays distinctive European navy structure.
  • FREE entrance, however you’ll need to pay for the ferry to go to this island (which will be free with the Helsinki Card.
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• Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: that is one more island close to Helsinki that’s price wanting into as a result of it’s on this place the place you possibly can see a tranquil oasis of Finnish buildings which can be specifically relocated right here with a view to completely painting the normal Finnish lifestyle.
  • FREE entrance, however you’ll need to pay for the ferry to go to this island (which will be free with the Helsinki Card) or you can too go through a bridge from Meihlahti.
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• Finnish Museum of Pure Historical past: to see the variety of Finnish nature (from south to north of Lapland) but additionally of the world as an entire.
  • FREE on the first Friday of the month
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• Kiasma – Museum of Up to date Artwork: because the identify implies, Kiasma displays up to date artwork collections of the Finnish Pure Gallery.
  • FREE on the first Friday of the month
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• Nationwide Museum of Finland: to witness Finnish historical past from the Stone Age as much as the current day.
  • FREE on the first Friday of the month

3. Enterprise out into Kallio

Dubbed a ‘hipster haven’, Kallio is an attention-grabbing neighborhood that’s positioned north of Helsinki’s middle. It’s on this district the place you will discover distinctive boutiques, cafes, market halls, eating places, retailers, and extra — an array of decisions that may simply seize your fancy! So be at liberty to discover and pattern and let your senses go wild.

A few of which you shouldn’t miss which can be in and close to this space:

• Hakaniemi Market Corridor: From contemporary meals to souvenirs and handicrafts, this 2-storeyed market corridor can also be located subsequent to a market sq. whereby plenty of out of doors stalls present typical Finnish items.
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• Previous Market Corridor (Vanhakauppahalli): That is the oldest meals market corridor in Helsinki, relationship again to 1889. That is close to Kallio (particularly within the metropolis middle subsequent to the market sq.) and I LOVED getting into this place as a result of there have been plenty of colourful stalls that offered Finnish delicacies (which you’ll pattern too!) and lunch spots that promote nice dishes (akin to that of Soppakeittiö or “Soup Kitchen” the place you may get a great-tasting bouillabaisse).

4. Do some window-shopping

There are two that I can consider and so they had been each marvelous sights to see!

• Helsinki Cathedral: Smacked in the midst of Senate Sq. (talked about in #1), it’s not a marvel to know that this Lutheran Cathedral is essentially the most photographed landmark in Helsinki as it’s such a particular landmark within the cityscape — some Finnish individuals would even check with its because the image of town.
  • TRIVIA: This was initially constructed as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland.
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• Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral: That is mentioned to be the most important orthodox church in Western Europe which is a transparent signal of the Russian impression on Finland’s historical past. As historical past goes, this cathedral was devoted to the Dormition of the Theotokos (the Virgin Mary) and it’s majestic each in and out.
  • You’ll be completely joyful to know that entrance right here is freed from cost, very similar to Helsinki Cathedral which is not like most cathedrals throughout Europe that usually have an entrance price.

6. Witness the distinctive church buildings too

Very like the cathedrals that I’ve listed, I’ve additionally found 2 church buildings that had been very particular — largely due to how they had been constructed.

Like what you see within the images above (the one on high of this quantity and the brown construction within the featured photograph), these will not be the everyday church buildings that you’d typically see in cities; therefore with their uniqueness, I like to recommend that you just take the time to examine them out as a part of your free issues to do in Helsinki!

• Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church): A Lutheran church within the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki, this was quarried out of pure bedrock so each the inside and exterior had been created naturally and the remainder had been designed by two architects: the Suomalainen brothers. I swear to you, the second that I stepped into this, I used to be totally awed by its aesthetics!
• Chapel of Silence (Kamppi Chapel): That is an enthralling chapel because it welcomes everybody no matter their faith, philosophies, and background. It mainly presents itself as a spot of calm if you wish to get away from the hype of town; however aside from its perform, its facade is totally quirky — an ideal instance of latest structure.

7. Take pleasure in nature within the metropolis’s inexperienced parks

In case you wish to escape town scene searching for inexperienced areas to lounge in, I can guarantee you now that there are plenty of parks unfold out throughout Helsinki. The perfect ones could be:

• Helsinki Central Park: With an space of over 10 sq. kilometers, that is really extra of a forest with trails moderately than a park, and folks come right here to jog, cycle, journey horses, decide mushrooms, and so on.
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• Esplanade Park: Discovered within the coronary heart of Helsinki, it is a widespread place that locals would go to. Throughout summer time, there are even free concert events which can be being performed right here from the Espa stage. Some examples of the reveals are Marimekko Style Present in June and the Jazz-Espa live performance sequence in July.
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• Sibelius Park: An enormous and wonderful patch of inexperienced, this was named after the world-famous composer Jean Sibelius and one of many standard points of interest could be the Sibelius Monument which is a grand work of metal that resembles organ pipes and rises at 8.5 meters.

8. Watch free concert events!

For extra free issues to do in Helsinki, I’ve come to know of two locations the place you possibly can have the prospect to look at concert events at no cost:

• Helsinki Music Centre (Musiikkitalo): Opened simply final 2011, this first-class live performance corridor presents a variety of musical experiences. Although a lot of the reveals are paid, there are sometimes free concert events (typically by music college students) that welcome nearly anybody. To be careful for these, try their schedule right here.
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• Finnish Nationwide Opera: It is a state-owned Finnish opera that was constructed within the Nineties and there are a number of affairs that you may partake in at no cost: the Saturday chamber music live performance, artwork exhibitions, manufacturing displays, artist briefings, and so on.
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• Finlandia Corridor: Designed by the world-renowned End architect, Alvar Aalto, it is a dynamic venue for congresses and occasions. Now I did say 2 locations, however I nonetheless wished to incorporate Finlandia right here as a result of despite the fact that they don’t have free concert events, admission right here is free so you possibly can are available in and see its wondrous structure for your self.

9. Be part of town’s annual occasions

“You don’t want cash to have a great time!” — and that’s completely true! Under are just a few of the foremost happenings all all year long that could be a should in your free issues to do in Helsinki listing.

• Lux Helsinki: (January) Because the darkest time of the 12 months, mild artworks might be displayed every day from nightfall onwards
• Style of Helsinki: (June) A superb eating competition the place guests can pattern the perfect Finnish fare at cheap costs
• Helsinki Delight Week: (June) Celebrating gender and sexual minorities — a rainbow-colored affair, that’s for certain!
• Tuska Competition: (July) A heavy metallic music competition (Finland is understood for this!)
• Helsinki Competition: (August) Held in the summertime, that is dubbed the most important arts competition within the Nordic area.
• Helsinki Design Week: (September) A world competition whereby design professionals and lovers alike would meet
• Helsinki Comics Competition: (September) Stated to be the most important comic-related occasion in Finland and Northern Europe.
• We Jazz: (December) The most important annual jazz taking place within the metropolis!

If you’d like an in depth listing of free occasions and festivals, you possibly can examine Go to Helsinki‘s web site.

10. Enterprise exterior the city metropolis

Bus fares apart, there are a few locations simply exterior of the middle that I urge you to discover as one of many high free issues to do in Helsinki as a result of I assure you that you’ll by no means, ever remorse it!

• Nuuksio Nationwide Park: A few 40-minute bus journey away from the capital, you may be greeted by the huge setting of typical Finnish pure surroundings. Now, Nuuksio presents guided excursions and companies however that doesn’t imply that you may’t do stuff by yourself — as a result of you possibly can. As an illustration, with their well-marked trails, you possibly can freely hike and bike by yourself (and relaxation assured, it’s merely not possible to get misplaced right here). Be at liberty to camp or do picnics right here too!
  • TIP: Be part of a half-day journey to Nuuksio from Helsinki right here.
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• Porvoo: In simply lower than an hour, you possibly can go to this 2nd oldest metropolis in Finland and you may be completely charmed by its iconic crimson picket shore homes and cobblestone streets. For certain, you shouldn’t miss out on visiting the Previous City which dates again to the Center Ages, in addition to the Previous Railway Station.

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Helsinki Journey Information

If in case you’re keen to splurge a bit, listed below are some extra issues to do in Helsinki:

• Strive the SkyWheel: open all 12 months spherical, it is a 40-meter-high Ferris wheel that may offer you a panoramic view of Helsinki. (Costs: €12 for adults, €9 for kids, toddlers are free)
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• Do a tram sightseeing tour: buy a day ticket and you need to use any of the trams under for the sort of tour that you’d wish to do. Simply be certain to arm your self with a map so you already know the sights and the stops
  • Tram 2 for sightseeing
  • Tram 4 for an architectural tour
  • Tram 6 for artwork, design, and culinary tour
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• Expertise a calming sauna: you need to by no means depart Finland with out experiencing its saunas! There are public saunas within the metropolis and one which I can suggest is Sauna Hermanni (€10 for adults). However, virtually all resorts in Helsinki have their very own saunas so just be sure you reap the benefits of such.
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» Entering into Helsinki

By airplane. Helsinki-Vantaa Worldwide Airport is the principle airport and from right here, you possibly can attain town middle through airport taxi (round €30-€4o), prepare (€5.50), or bus (€5.50).

By prepare. All long-distance trains in Finland, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg can find yourself in Helsinki the place the cease is at Rautatieasema within the Central Railway Station.

By boat. There are ferry companies from Tallinn (Estonia) and Stockholm (Sweden) to Helsinki.

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» The place to Keep (Helsinki Lodging)

I extremely suggest staying in Aallonkoti House Motels particularly in the event you’re planning on staying for lengthy in Helsinki. However, getting an AirBnB flat could possibly be an important choice too since a lot of the listings will be very reasonably priced.

For those who’re extra into resorts, listed below are another greatest decisions:

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» Getting Round Helsinki

By foot. As I’ve talked about above, Helsinki is not a dizzyingly massive metropolis; so you possibly can simply discover it with out the necessity to hop on a tram or bus.

By tram, bus, or metro. All public transportation in Helsinki has a standardized cost:

• Tram ticket for 1 hour: €2.50
• Single ticket: €2.70 through cell and ticket machine, €3.20 from the motive force (card button “1”)
• Regional ticket: €5.50 legitimate for 80 minutes inside and between Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa, and Kauniainen (card button “2”)
• Full area ticket: €8 legitimate for above plus Kerava, Sipoo, and Kirkkonummi (card button “3”)
• Day ticket: €8
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By taxi. Taxis begin at €5.90 on weekdays and €9 after 8 PM and Sundays, and an extra €1.52 is charged for each kilometer.

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» Should-Strive Helsinki Meals & Drinks

For genuine Finnish breakfast. Open sandwiches are usually eaten right now of the day, if not puuro (porridge).

For lunch and dinternal. Don’t miss out on hernekeitto (pea soup that’s historically served on Thursdays) in addition to any ‘sport’ meals (moose, deer, duck, and so on. One instance could be tattikuorrutettua or reindeer fillet).

For snacks and dessert. Take a look at pulla (candy cardamom-flavored bread), Runeberg’s tart (generally served round February to commemorate the nationwide poet J.L. Runeberg), rönttönen (pastry with berry filling), salmiakki (salty black liquorice sweet), and vispipuuro (candy pink porridge).
My favourite: Leipäjuusto (contemporary cow’s milk cheese which is greatest eaten with cloudberry jam)

For drinks. Positively make it some extent to drink Finnish espresso! Do you know? Finland really has the best espresso consumption per capita on the earth so if you wish to expertise this ‘espresso tradition’, head on to cafes and check out a cup of jo. For those who’re in search of beers as a substitute, pale lagers are widespread and the preferred manufacturers are Koff, Lapin Kulta, and Karhu.

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» Useful Finnish Phrases

Finnish and Swedish are the two major languages in Finland, which is why you’ll typically see indicators which can be in each of those languages. Nonetheless, it’s really round 91% of the inhabitants who speaks Finnish — the Swedish indicators nonetheless stay as some form of adherence to their historical past.

Relaxation assured, everybody, can converse English effectively sufficient so there’s no have to exit of your solution to study the language; however after all, under are phrases that you need to use to by some means ‘impress’ the locals.

Hi there: Moi (MOI), Hei (HAY), Terve (TEHR-veh)
Thanks: Kiitos. (KEE-tohss)
Sure: Kyllä (KUUL-la), Joo (yoh)
No: Ei. (ay)
Goodbye (formal): Näkemiin. (NAK-eh-meen)
Goodbye (casual): Hei hei (HAY-hay), Moi moi (MOI-moi)

Excuse me / I’m sorry: Anteeksi (AHN-tehk-see)
Is there somebody right here who speaks English?: Puhuuko kukaan täällä englantia? (POO-hoo-koh KOO-kahn TAAL-la EHNG-lahn-tee-ah?)
Assist!: Apua! (AH-poo-ah!)
Cheers!: Kippis!

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» Prime Helsinki Excursions «