About Helsinki
Helsinki, until about 1930 known in English by its Swedish name of Helsingfors, is the capital and most populous city in Finland. It is on the shore of the Gulf of Finland and is the seat of southern Finland's Uusimaa region. About 694,000 people live in the municipality, with 1.3 million in the capital region and 1.6 million in the metropolitan area. As the most populous urban area in Finland, it is the country's most significant centre for politics, education, finance, culture, and research. Helsinki is 80 kilometres (50 mi) north of Tallinn, Estonia, 400 kilometres (250 mi) east of Stockholm, Sweden, and 300 kilometres (190 mi) west of Saint Petersburg, Russia. Helsinki is a bilingual municipality with Finnish and Swedish as its official languages.
Cheap flights to Helsinki
The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $583 from Boston, travelling 27 Nov – 3 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.
- YTO Toronto to Helsinki2 Jun – 9 Jun · HEL from$670
- NYC New York to Helsinki2 Dec – 9 Dec · HEL from$770
- BOS Boston to Helsinki27 Nov – 3 Dec · HEL from$583
- WAS Washington to Helsinki8 Dec – 19 Jan · HEL from$787
- LAX Los Angeles to Helsinki24 Mar – 31 Mar · HEL from$983
- ORD Chicago to Helsinki30 Dec – 14 Jan · HEL from$880
- PDX Portland to Helsinki25 Nov – 2 Dec · HEL from$670
- MIA Miami to Helsinki15 Nov – 26 Nov · HEL from$1,083
Cheapest month to fly
Airlines travellers compared most often: Finnair, United Airlines, Lufthansa, Air Canada, American Airlines, Austrian Airlines.
Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.
Search flights to HelsinkiPlaces to visit in Helsinki
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Suomenlinna
Historic · 2 mi from centreA sea fortress spread across several connected islands, reached by a short public ferry ride, with walls, tunnels, museums, cafes and pleasant walking paths by the sea.
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Helsinki Cathedral
ReligiousThe white neoclassical cathedral with green domes overlooks Senate Square, and its broad steps are a popular spot to sit and take in the surrounding Empire-style buildings.
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Temppeliaukio Church
ReligiousA Lutheran church carved directly into solid rock and topped with a copper dome, known for its striking architecture and excellent acoustics, and often used for concerts.
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Market Square
MarketThe harbor-side market sells fish, berries, snacks and souvenirs from stalls and tents, and it is the departure point for ferries to Suomenlinna and sightseeing boat tours.
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Uspenski Cathedral
ReligiousA red-brick Orthodox cathedral on a rocky hill above the harbor, with golden onion domes and an ornate interior of icons, offering views over the city's waterfront.
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Helsinki Central Library Oodi
LandmarkA strikingly designed modern public library with reading spaces, maker studios and a top-floor terrace facing the parliament building, free and open to all visitors.
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Ateneum
MuseumThe national gallery holds a major collection of Finnish art from the golden age onward, along with international works, in a stately building near the central railway station.
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Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
Museum · 2 mi from centreAn island museum reached by footbridge, with traditional wooden farmhouses, a church and manor buildings relocated from across Finland, set among forest trails where red squirrels are common.
Top experiences in Helsinki
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 21 available.
Helsinki Sights and Hidden Gems - Small-Group Walking Tour
From $47 per adult
Explore the Beauty of Helsinki by Tram – Half-Day Tour
From $93 per adult
Helsinki City and Suomenlinna – Half-Day Tour
From $151 per adult
Helsinki and Suomenlinna Day Sightseeing Tour
From $149 per adult
Helsinki Highlights Tour
From $119 per adult
Helsinki Private Walking Tour
From $255 per adult
Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki
From $169 per adult
Helsinki Sightseeing and Suomenlinna from Helsinki Harbours - Half-Day Tour
From $209 per adult
Helsinki and Porvoo Sightseeing Tour
From $119 per adult
Ferry Tickets: Helsinki - Tallinn (One-Way or Round-Trip)
From $34 per adult
Plaza Premium Lounge at T2 Landside- Ticket
From $57 per adult
Secret Food Tour Helsinki
From $109 per adult
Where to stay in Helsinki
Popular hotels in Helsinki, out of 156 properties you can book.
Scandic Grand Marina
From $121 per night
Marski by Scandic
From $127 per night
Scandic Kallio
From $110 per night
Scandic Simonkentta
From $118 per night
Scandic Grand Central Helsinki
From $150 per night
Scandic Paasi
From $101 per night
Scandic Hakaniemi
From $97 per night
Scandic Kaisaniemi
From $105 per night
Scandic Helsinki Park
From $91 per night
Hotel Korpilampi
From $112 per night
Scandic Helsinki Aviapolis
From $63 per night
Scandic Helsinki Aviacongress
From $78 per night
Best time to visit Helsinki
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Helsinki is May to September, when average daytime highs are around 58–72°F and rain falls on about 13 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Helsinki weather forecast
- Wed 11 Nov 44° 42° 98%
- Thu 12 Nov 45° 39° 100%
- Fri 13 Nov 40° 36° 100%
- Sat 14 Nov 37° 34° 11%
- Sun 15 Nov 47° 34° 16%
- Mon 16 Nov 47° 41° 30%
- Tue 17 Nov 43° 39° 66%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
- Languages
- Finnish, Swedish
- Calling code
- +358
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/HelsinkiUTC+2
Upcoming public holidays in Finland
- Independence DayItsenäisyyspäivä
- Christmas EveJouluaatto
- Christmas DayJoulupäivä
- St. Stephen's DayTapaninpäivä
- New Year's DayUudenvuodenpäivä
- EpiphanyLoppiainen
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Helsinki
These are the airports closest to central Helsinki. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- HEM Helsinki-Malmi Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
- HEL Helsinki Airport10 mi (16 km) from the city centre
Getting around Helsinki
All public transport within the Capital Region is coordinated by HSL. This means that all public transport, such as trains, trams, buses, ferries and the metro all use the same ticketing scheme. You only need to know which zones you will travel through (see below).
Fares and zones
Tickets cannot be bought with cash on board of trains, buses, or trams. There are card readers (for dedicated cards and for NFC payment) inside buses, trams and regional trains, and before the platform areas for metro and the Suomenlinna ferry.
By tram
The SpåraKOFF Bar Tram is a bright red tram converted into a pub on wheels. The tram operates only during the summer and the Christmas season, running a non-stop sightseeing route with drinks available through the journey. The tour lasts about 40 minutes with the route slightly varying by time of day and week, but you have to board and disembark at the Mikonkatu 17 stop in central Helsinki (from November 2026 onwards, the departure stop will be at the Market Square, next to the statue of Havis Amanda).
By bus
While the trams operate in the centre, buses cover the rest of the city. The main stations for northbound and eastbound buses are on the two squares adjacent to the Central Railway Station: Eliel Square (Elielinaukio) and Railway Square (Rautatientori). Westbound buses operate from the underground bus station in the Kamppi Centre, adjacent to the Kamppi metro station.
Helsinki travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Helsinki?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Helsinki is May to September, when average daytime highs are around 58–72°F and rain falls on about 13 days a month.
What is the weather like in Helsinki?
July is usually the warmest month in Helsinki, with average highs of 72°F (22°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 19°F (-7°C). The wettest month is typically September, with about 103 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Helsinki?
Helsinki-Malmi Airport (HEM) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Helsinki. Other nearby airports include Helsinki Airport (HEL, 10 mi).
How much are flights to Helsinki?
The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Helsinki in the last 30 days was $583 from Boston, travelling 27 Nov – 3 Dec. November is currently the cheapest month to fly, with fares from $583.
What currency is used in Helsinki?
Helsinki uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.
What time zone is Helsinki in?
Helsinki uses the Europe/Helsinki time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Helsinki?
All public transport within the Capital Region is coordinated by HSL. This means that all public transport, such as trains, trams, buses, ferries and the metro all use the same ticketing scheme. You only need to know which zones you will travel through (see below).
What are the best places to visit in Helsinki?
Top sights in Helsinki include Suomenlinna, Helsinki Cathedral, Temppeliaukio Church and Market Square. A sea fortress spread across several connected islands, reached by a short public ferry ride, with walls, tunnels, museums, cafes and pleasant walking paths by the sea.
What are the top things to do in Helsinki?
Popular experiences you can book in Helsinki include Helsinki Sights and Hidden Gems - Small-Group Walking Tour, Explore the Beauty of Helsinki by Tram – Half-Day Tour and Helsinki City and Suomenlinna – Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 21 tours and activities here.
Where should I stay in Helsinki?
Popular areas for hotels in Helsinki include Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. Well-reviewed options include Scandic Grand Marina and Marski by Scandic.
How many hotels can I book in Helsinki?
Destina Holidays currently lists 156 properties in and around Helsinki, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
