Helsinki is a compact capital on the Baltic Sea where historic squares and modern design sit side by side. Most of the main sights are within walking distance of the harbour.
Senate Square and the cathedrals
The white Helsinki Cathedral, completed in 1852, overlooks Senate Square and is the city’s best-known landmark. A few minutes away, the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral, completed in 1868, is one of the largest Orthodox churches in Western Europe.
Market Square and Suomenlinna
Market Square by the harbour is the place for local food and the Old Market Hall. From here, a short ferry ride takes you to Suomenlinna, an 18th-century sea fortress spread across several islands and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Modern Helsinki
Temppeliaukio Church, known as the Rock Church, was carved directly into solid rock and opened in 1969. Oodi Central Library, opened in 2018, and Finlandia Hall by Alvar Aalto show why Helsinki is known for design and architecture.
Try a Finnish sauna
Sauna is a central part of Finnish life. Several public saunas by the sea welcome visitors and are a relaxing way to end a day of sightseeing.
Getting there from Stockholm
Overnight ferries connect Stockholm and Helsinki, so you board in the evening and wake up in the other capital. It is an easy way to add Finland to a trip through Sweden.
Plan your visit
We plan private tours in Helsinki and journeys that combine Finland with Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Explore Finland.
