Destination: Helsinki, Finland  
Dates: December 2022 
Nights: 2 Nights 
Accommodation: Hotel Marski by Scandic 
Highlights: Espresso House, Christmas markets and outdoor pool   
Lowlights: Cold, breakfast

Three Scandinavian countries in one year, we must be obsessed! Helsinki was the last of our scandi cities we needed to explore. We thought we would do Finland in the winter as it was an opportunity to meet Santa, take advantage of the saunas and see why they’re named the happiest country in the world. We stayed in Hotel Marski by Scandic, a 4-star hotel that included breakfast and in the city centre.

Helsinki Airport to the City Centre

We took train P from Lentoasema (Helsinki Airport) to the Helsinki Central Station (Helsingin Paarautatieasema). This was definitely the cheapest way into the city centre in comparison to the other Scandinavian countries. It only cost €4.10 and took 40 minutes. Don’t worry about figuring out how to use the machines and what zone you need (which is A,B and C), there are friendly people in blue jackets to help on the platform.

Helsinki Card

The Helsinki Card includes public transport, museums & attractions, Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and guided tours. It’s valid for 24, 48 or 72 h. Click here for a list of all attractions included and see if its worth it for you. Helsinki Card REGION has all the benefits included in the Helsinki Card CITY plus public transport within zones ABC, including transfer to/from Helsinki Airport with the train. Price can be found below:

Helsinki Card CITY	Helsinki Card REGION
24h adult 54 €	24h adult 58 €
48h adult 66 €	48h adult 72 €
72h adult 78 €	72h adult 86 €
Children 7-16 years	Children 7-16 years
24h child 27 €	24h child 29 €
48h child 33 €	48h child 36 €
72h child 39 €	72h child 43 €

Allas Sea Pool

Once checked in, we headed straight to Allas outdoor sea pool. Entrance costs 18€ and is valid for 3 hours. You’ll have access to all pools, the sauna, changing rooms and lockers. You can hire towels for an extra 8.50€ or bring your own. The big pool was heated at 27 degrees and the sea water pool was -4 degrees. The idea is you sauna first followed by a cold plunge and lastly hit the warm pool. With freezing temperatures outside, I was happy to stick to the warm pool and sauna. Don’t forget to take a woolly hat whilst doing laps in the pool.

Alexander Street

Take a stroll down Alexander Street in the centre of Helsinki, the street was named for Emperor Alexander I of Russia in 1833. This where locals come to shop and dine, it is beautifully lit with A’s so you cant miss it.

Cafe Regetta

Great little traditional cabin with sea views and an opportunity to cook your own sausages in the outside fire pit. The cinnamon buns are not the greatest but it was nice to get a sense of a typical peaceful Finnish setting (If you avoid going on the weekend).

Esplanade Park

Check out the Christmas decorations in Esplanade park. Referred to as “Espa” among locals, is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki.

Frazer Café

Head down to Fazer Cafe to indulge in Helsinki’s famous chocolate. Founded in 1891. Karl Fazer was 18 years old when he decided to fulfil his dream and study to become a confectioner. He studied in St. Petersburg, Berlin and Paris. When he returned in 1891, Karl Fazer established a café that soon became the most popular in the city and the place to be seen. Still popular today and always packed, we managed to get a seat in the café, I treated myself to the Fazer hot chocolate and cheese cake. Hot chocolate was good, the strawberry cheese cake had cinnamon in it which made it taste weird. Great place to buy bars of chocolate to take home.

Helsinki City Museum

If you need refuge from the cold, there are lots of museums to see in Helsinki, as history fanatics we visited Helsinki City Museum. The museum consists of five buildings from different eras, a new building linking them, and three fine inner courtyards and is the world’s only museum focusing on Helsinki. Entrance is free which includes the exhibition on the top floor. Interestingly, we were there for the ‘Hoes – Voices in Sex Work’ An exhibition that demonstrated the realities and experiences related to sex work.

Hivalakatu

The prettiest street in Helsinki with Art Nouveau buildings in the most vibrant colours of the rainbow!

Senate Square (Christmas market)

Helsinki Christmas Market hosts nearly 90 artisans and small producers as well as over 20 vendors of delicacies and cafe and restaurant operators, it is the oldest outdoor Christmas market in Helsinki. The Helsinki Christmas Market restaurants serve organic and local food as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes – with takeaway being an option. Here is where I met Santa, tried a karelian (rice pie), Glögi (Finnish mulled wine) and warmed up near the fire place. The Helsinki Cathedral is magically lit up at night and the best views of the market are from the top of the stairs. Warning: watch out for black ice on the steps. This really lifted our Christmas spirits.

Temppeliaukion Church

Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki. The church was designed by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. Built directly into solid rock, it is also known as the Church of the Rock and Rock Church. It cost 5 € / person

Ateljee Bar

Ateljee Bar is a small rooftop bar located on 14th floor of the old hotel Torni and offers spectacular views of the city from both sides with the two outdoor patio and surprisingly from the bathroom one floor down. Now that is peeing with a view! Ateljee Bar is open to everyone and it has a relaxed atmosphere. We tried our very first Lonkero (long drink) definitely a summer drink!

Helsinki Central Library Oodi

The building encapsulates the essence of Nordic culture. You can come here to read, study, work, sew and play. It’s a fantastic library, with a café and indoor sitting area. Great place to warm up.

Places to eat in Helsinki

Green Hippo– quality, healthy and filling food that is reasonably priced

Friends & Brgrs- I always seem to try a burger wherever I go, this was good but not better than a bastard burger.

Soppakeittio– Decent soups to keep you warm for a decent price.

Savotto – Real Finnish food with a nostalgic atmosphere (positioned opposite the Senate Square with great views of the Helsinki Cathedral)

Näkemiin Finland

It was a brief but memorable encounter! Swimming outside in minus temperatures with a woolly hat was a first. Helsinki to me felt like Oslo’s little sister, on the quiet side but with still a lot of outdoor activities to embrace yourself in. We will be back!