Helsinki nighttime view with the ferris wheel
local perspective

6 things to know before visiting Helsinki - from a local

Ronja Talala

Contributing writer

Planning a trip to Helsinki? Here are our top picks...

Stay: Lapland Hotels Bulevardi

Discount card: Helsinki Card

Walking tour: Small group walking tour

Experience: Hike and sauna experience

Day trip: Guided tour to Tallinn

Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is the biggest city in the country. Eighty per cent of people traveling to Finland either stay in Helsinki or have a connecting flight from there to Rovaniemi, Lapland.

Most visitors to Helsinki usually go ahead and see the popular sights. But here are a few alternate things to do when you arrive - and a couple of things to remember about us Finns!

View of the Mustalampi Pond in summer, Nuuksio National Park, Espoo, Finland

1. Helsinki is very close to nature

In Helsinki, nature is never more than a 10-minute walk away. When you're in the city, it can be hard to believe that the hustle and bustle can disappear just a few steps away and be replaced by the peace and freshness of nature. But there are many opportunities to be experience nature, even in the middle of the city.

The happy people's island, Lauttasaari, is full of greenery and you can enjoy time in nature simply by walking around the island. As a bonus, you'll also be walking by the sea and during wintertime, you can walk on the ice! Other islands to visit are Seurasaari and Pihjalasaari.

There is also a national park just outside Helsinki - Nuuksio National Park has so many trails, all opportunities to experience Finnish nature in a heartbeat.

 People walking down the street in the center of Helsinki, Finland

2. In Helsinki, people are almost always in a hurry

In Helsinki, people are always running from one place to another. And, to visitors, they may seem rude. Finland might be the happiest country in the world but don’t expect us to walk around smiling and eager to help. For people not used to this, Finns can appear a little rude, especially in Helsinki and other big cities.

Saying that, Finns are generally friendlier and happier during the summer months, so you may be in luck and meet a happy and talkative Finn then. Just don’t expect happy Finns everywhere - and know that there are a few unspoken rules which we generally follow.

People walking in Senate Square, Helsinki, Finland

3. You can walk pretty much everywhere

Unlike most capitals, where distances are long or it might not even be safe to walk from place A to place B any time of the day, Helsinki is both safe and walkable. There is a great public transport system in Helsinki, but most of the time you can actually walk to your destination. Distances are short, especially in the heart of Helsinki, and it’s a great way to explore the city.

Tip: If you are going to use public transport, download the HSL app. From there you can buy your tickets in advance. Not many, if any, public transport sell tickets when you are “on board”.

People relaxing in a park on a summer's day

4. Helsinki is a safe destination

Helsinki is also a very safe city. You can walk from a friend's house late in the evening without having to look over your shoulder every second. In Finland, even in Helsinki, people leave babies in their strollers outside cafes to sleep, without worrying about them. It’s just something people do here.

Reflection of Turku's downtown and the Aura river.

5. Helsinki hasn’t always been Finland's capital

A fun fact about Helsinki and Finland is that Helsinki hasn’t always been the capital. Prior to 1812, when Helsinki became the capital, Turku was the capital of Finland for hundreds of years. So, why change?

Finland has had a rough past, including being a part of Sweden and Russia from time to time. And as Finland was then part of Russia, the Russian tsar thought Turku was too close to Sweden, and changed the capital from Turku to Helsinki. Helsinki was also protected by Suomenlinna, an inhabited sea fortress, that you can still visit today!

Helsinki nighttime view with the ferris wheel

6. Most people in Helsinki speak at least two languages

Finland has national languages, which are spoken frequently in Helsinki. These are Finnish and Swedish. Six per cent of people in Helsinki speak Swedish as their first language. Most Finns also speak fluently English. So don’t get confused if people start talking Swedish (or another language) besides Finnish!

Planning a trip to Helsinki? Stay at Lapland Hotels Bulevardi for comfortable rooms in a central location.

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Ronja Talala

Author - Ronja Talala

I'm Ronja, a budget traveler from the magical country of Finland. I speak three languages fluently (Finnish, Swedish, and English) and I'm learning French. Ronja Goes Abroad is the home for all my secrets about budget travel, solo travel, and my new love van life.

Last Updated 27 April 2024

Aerial view of Punkaharju Nature Reserve in Finland

Finland

Unlike craggy Norway and Sweden, Finland is a land of low, rolling plains interspersed with lakes and hills. The capital, Helsinki, straddles several islands, brightened by colourful architecture and the former capital Turku is also well worth visiting.