You will definitely need more than just a weekend to Helsinki to experience all this historic yet rather trendy city has to offer. But if you only have a few days to spare, there are several highlights you do not want to miss. 

The ornate Uspenski Cathedral with its red brick exterior overlooks the Gulf of Finland and is a must-see when in Helsinki. Spend a few hours exploring a real fortress; Suomenlinna Fortress is now a UNESCO site. 

Wander through the open-air markets and mingle with the locals while you are exploring. Make a plan and check out what grabs your attention. Choose museums for history lovers or food tours for foodies. 

Out and about shopping in town? Leave your packages and heavy bags with a luggage storage service in Helsinki to keep them safe while you explore the capital city of Finland. 

Before starting with our journey, however, here’s a tip for you. Maybe you are traveling around Europe and plan to visit some more cities? In this case, check out our blog for many other interesting tips and trends for exploring Europe.

Helsinki Cathedral

Located in the Kruununhaka neighborhood at Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral is a Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral. Construction started in 1830 and was completed in 1852 as a tribute to Czar Nicholas I of Russia the Grand Duke of Finland. 

While investigating this magnificent structure, be sure to look up and try to locate the 12 apostles that sit atop the cathedral. The five green domes make it a very noticeable part of Helsinki’s skyline. 

Senate Square

Many of the buildings in Senate Square were designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, a renowned German architect. Helsinki Cathedral should be your starting point when visiting the square. Then head over to the Helsinki Central Railway Station. 

Senate Square is actually one of the oldest parts of Helsinki and is filled with 19^th-century buildings and massive statues. Take a stroll through the Eira district and snap photos of the pastel-painted buildings. 

Sibelius Park

Don’t miss the steel monument of Jean Sibelius, a famous Finnish composer located in Sibelius Park in the Töölö district. The monument was created by Eila Hiltunen and overlooks the Baltic Sea. 

Pack a picnic and enjoy a light meal after taking a stroll through this small, peaceful park. Snap photos of the Passio Musicae, the sculpture of Jean Sibelius. There is also a smaller bronze bust of Sibelius next to the large sculpture. 

Kotiharjun Sauna

Relax at the Kotiharjun Sauna and feel all your worries melt away. Katiharjun is not the only public sauna, there are several throughout Helsinki to offer excellent health benefits. 

Saunas are gender-segregated but towels are provided for those a little shy about being naked with strangers. Using vihta, a birch twig is a common practice to improve the circulation of your blood through your body. It is known to enhance the effects of the sauna and stimulate the skin.

The Design District

Shopaholics will rejoice when they come to Helsinki for a weekend trip. The Design District has over 200 buildings brimming with shops, art galleries, and museums. Finnish fashion is highlighted here. 

Search for accessories, jewelry, antiques, and furniture. Almost everything you can imagine can be found in the Helsinki Design District. After a day of shopping, head over to the Museum of Vietto and the Design Museum. 

Kauppatori

A weekend trip to Helsinki is not complete until you have visited Kauppatori, the Finnish market square. This square is located at the end of Esplanadi near the Baltic Sea. The market is housed in a 19^th-century building that you do not want to miss. 

Make time to visit the Hongiston leipämyymälä, the oldest bread shop in the market, serving bread, pies, cakes, and tarts. Wander through the different food stalls and enjoy the sights and smells. Enjoy a few tasty samples along the way. 

Suomenlinna

Spread out over six interconnected islands, Suomenlinna is a sea fortress built during the 18^th century. Visit the parks and enjoy the walking trails while at the fortress. Snap photos of the King’s Gate drawbridge, and then visit the Suomenlinna Museum. 

You can even see the Vesikko Submarine that was in action in the 1930s. Admission to Suomenlinna is free but the museums and other attractions do charge a fee. The fortress is only a short ferry ride from Kauppatori. 

Temppeliaukio Church

Located in the Töölö neighborhood, the Temppeliakio Church was opened in 1969 and designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. It is one of the most unusual churches in Europe because it was built directly into solid rock and is partially underground. 

Also known as the Church of the Rock or the Rock Church, this Lutheran church has a copper dome with a skylight and the altarpiece is carved out of an Ice Age stone. Admission to the church is not free unless it is on Sunday morning. 

Kamppi Chapel of Silence

The Kamppi Chapel is the perfect place to escape to for a little peace and quiet when you are visiting Helsinki. The chapel is a wooden building, typical of 19^th-century Finnish architecture, and is located near the Kamppi Shopping Center and Esplanadi Park. 

The thick walls block out the noise of the city and you can sit in prayer or meditation. Cameras are not allowed inside, but you can snap photos of the outside. Admission to the chapel is free and the best time to visit is right before closing to beat the crowds. 

When you are in a time crunch and only able to plan a weekend trip to Helsinki, you will want to hit the highlights. One of the best ways to see more of the city in a limited amount of time is to sign up for a walking tour. 

Pack your bags and plan your trip to Helsinki for a weekend you will not soon forget. See these suggested spots during the day. Spend your evenings living it up at some of the trendiest nightclubs in the city or relax over a fantastic meal and a bottle of wine.