Away With The Steiners

11 Things To Do In Helsinki, Finland On A Day Trip By Ferry From Tallinn. 

Sarah Steiner

Thinking of visiting Helsinki in Finland but not sure to start?  We found a whole list of fab things to do in Helsinki – on an epic day trip by ferry from Tallinn, Estonia! 

Travel to Finland 

Finland is a famously northern country near Scandanavia in Europe.  

It is known as one of the safest countries in the world to travel to. So it isn’t exactly surprising that the capital city of Helsinki is a popular European city break destination. 

Exploring Helsinki on a day trip from Tallinn, Estonia by ferry.
Welcome to Helsinki, Finland.

About Helsinki 

Helsinki 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. 

But Helsinki is totally unique.  It is in fact an archipelago of 330 islands by the Baltic Sea!

It is an amazing city to visit and a fascinating juxtaposition of history, culture, modernity – and tastes – to explore. 

Though it is a city of contrasting history and modern way of life.

What is the best time of year to visit Helsinki? 

The best time of year to visit Helsinki is during the summer months (May to September).  

This time of year offers mild weather with long daylight hours.  Because Helsinki – and Finland – gets seriously cold during the winter! 

Getting there

Helsinki is well connected with international Europe with regular low-cost flights and on the national airline, Finnair. 

However, one of the coolest parts about visiting Helsinki is that it is a great experience to visit by ferry on a day trip from Tallinn, Estonia.  This is what we did and can really recommend as a unique outing and adventure. 

We took the ferry as a day trip from Tallinn to Helsinki.

Getting around in Helsinki

Helsinki, like most European cities, is very walkable.  The footpaths are wide and even, the streets are mostly flat, and the scenery and architecture are beautiful.  

They also have great public transport options, so you can take the metro, tram, or bus to get to all the major attractions. 

It is a very walkable city.

How long do you need? 

In all, Helsinki isn’t a huge city so the main sites to see and things to do are all relatively close to the centre.  Added to the fact that it is a very walkable city that also has lush public transport, and it really is doable in a day. 

Obviously the longer you have to explore the deeper you can go to learn about somewhere new. 

But we visited all the below things to do in Helsinki on a day trip from Tallinn, Estonia.  We had a fantastic day out! 

Things to do in Helsinki, Finland

These aren’t in order, because there really is so much to see.  But here are the top things to do in Helsinki on a day trip from Tallinn, Estonia. 

1. Helsinki Cathedral

This is hands down the most iconic of things to do in Helsinki.  The city cathedral dominates the skyline with the huge domed green roof and grand white pillars out front. 

The cathedral was constructed between 1830 and 1852 to honour Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, who also governed Finland as Grand Duke during the country’s century of Russian rule. 

The very grand and very white Helsinki Cathedral.

2. Senate Square

Senate Square and its surroundings make up the oldest part of central Helsinki. 

The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in the 18th and 19th century: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland.  

While we were there, we saw a large stage set up right in the centre.  Plus, a secondary parade march came through from the port to end in Senate Square. 

Overlooking Senate Square from the steps of the cathedral.

3. Kauppatori Market 

Kauppatori is a small boutique market in a beautiful waterfront location.

Albeit this is absolutely set up for tourists on the waterfront.  But it is a fun atmosphere and certainly one of the top things to do in Helsinki on a day trip from Tallinn. 

Kauppatori Market.

4. Reindeer at Kauppatori Market

You will find stalls selling fresh produce and souvenirs at the market. But there are also Finnish specialities such as salmon and reindeer.  

There is officially reindeer meat on sale in every conceivable form – smoked, jerky, vacuum and cooked fresh in burgers and open sandwiches.  So, we of course, had to try some! 

Would you try Reindeer?

5. Old Market Hall 

Helsinki is a city that mixes tradition and modernity, and certainly the markets in the city embody that philosophy. 

Down on the main waterfront port is the Old Market Hall.  This place has been serving customers continuously since 1889!  

Merchants sell all sorts of cheese, fish, shellfish, vegetables, fruit and cakes to spices and even reindeer and bear meat.  It is a great place to try something new if you’re feeling curious…

The historic Old Market Hall on the waterfront.
Salmon; of course.

6. Uspenski Cathedral 

The Uspenski Cathedral is the main cathedral of the Orthodox Parish of Helsinki and the Diocese of Helsinki.  

Uspenski Cathedral was completed in 1868 in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki and is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe.  

It is in the typical orthodox style of the era with red-brick exterior, green domes and golden crosses on the top. 

We walked up from the waterfront market to Uspenski Cathedral first before heading further inland to Senate Square. 

Uspenski Cathedral is one of the most popular sites in Helsinki.

7. Esplanadi 

Esplanadi is as it sounds – an esplanade and urban park in downtown Helsinki.  It is the most famous park in the city and a beautiful space to include in your day. 

The surrounding buildings and neighbourhood of Esplanadi have a tangibly Central European feel. 

Green spaces and statues are all around Helsinki.

8 & 9. Sibelius Park and Sibelius Monument 

Located in Helsinki’s Sibelius Park, the Sibelius Monument pays homage to Finlands renowned composer, Jean Sibelius. 

Albeit the sculpture is quite remarkable.  It is made from stainless steel pipes that create a soft whistling noise.  The idea of the design embodies Sibelius’s music with its abstract, wave-like shapes.

10. Hietalahden Market Hall 

Hietalahden Kauppahalli is an atmospheric café and restaurant hall about halfway back from the waterfront towards the ferry terminal for Tallinn. 

We had it pinned on our map of things to do in Helsinki but walked past anyway.  Which was just as well.  We ended up having an afternoon meal and a wine sitting outside in the square before our ferry back to Estonia. 

One last stop at Hietalahden Kauppahalli on our way back to catch the ferry.

11. Kotiharjun Sauna 

Food aside, one of the most traditional things to do in Helsinki is to try a Finnish Sauna.  Sauna is a foundational part of the culture in Finland.  

Moreover, it is certainly a relaxing way to immerse yourself in the heart of Finnish culture. 

There are many sauna options in Helsinki, and in fact most hotels will offer one as well.  Though I have to say I was gutted we didn’t get to try one in Helsinki!  Though we did in Tallinn – which I can highly recommend for the experience. 

Albeit this one is in the Children’s Museum – but you get the idea; Sauna-culture is big in Helsinki.

Other things to do in Helsinki, Finland

If you have more time, there are plenty more things to do in Helsinki.  The city is renowned for its modern art museums and historic museums too. 

We took the kids to the Children’s Town history museum which was fantastic. 

The popular SkyWheel Helsinki on the waterfront dock.
The Children’s Museum opposite Senate Square.

Food in Finland 

Finnish cuisine features fresh, natural ingredients gathered straight from the waters, fields and forest.  There is a strong emphasis on locally sourced ingredients like fish, meat (especially reindeer), vegetables, and berries.

Albeit I can’t pronounce many of the traditional and most popular foods to try.  But try them we did! 

While yes, there is a lot of meat and fish on the Finn’s list of food to try in Helsinki.  But it is also a very progressive city with a lot of vegetarian and vegan restaurants around. 

Finland is also notably known for delicious pastries.  The most famous of which is their cinnamon bun, or Korvapuusti. You can find it in every bakery. 

Pastries we can’t pronounce but had to try.

Restaurants, cafes and where to eat in Helsinki

We knew it wasn’t going to be a cheap city to eat and try food in.  But as well as the delicious bakeries and cafes, there is plenty that is ready to eat at the markets set up especially for tourists.  

The first coffee and pastry of the day at Fazer Cafe.

Where to stay in Helsinki, Finland 

While we visited and covered the above things to do in Helsinki on a day trip from Tallinn, Estonia.  Most visitors spend a few days in the capital city. 

I would suggest choosing accommodation in the city centre, making it easy to walk to most of the things to do in Helsinki. 

Here are some recommendations for each budget: 

It is a brilliant city to explore on a day trip from Tallinn.

Read more about travel in Europe 

More useful links for your travels in Europe and beyond

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

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