Things to do in Helsinki

Things to do in Helsinki

1. DoKamppi and Southwest

   Annantalo

   Feel creative? Annantalo, a multimodal "house of art" arranges art workshops and courses for both kids and grownups, as well as performances and exhibitions.

   Mon-Fri 08:00–20:00, Sat Sun 10:00–16:00

2. DoInner East

   Arlan sauna

   Sauna Arla

   Old public sauna in Kallio. Separate saunas for men and women. Washing service and traditional bloodletting (kuppaus) also available.

   €9 for adults, students €7

3. DoEastern suburbs

   Aurinkolahti Beach

   Aurinkolahden uimaranta

   Spacier and calmer than Hietsu in Western Helsinki, the Aurinkolahti Beach is frequented by everyone from youth to families.

4. DoSouth

   Beach of Uunisaari

   One of the better kept secrets of Helsinki is the beach on Uunisaari, an island a short ride away from the south coast.

5. DoNorthern suburbs

   Bodybuilding Club

   BBC

   A gym founded in 1968. It has been visited by bodybuilding legends Arnold Schwarzenegger, Franco Columbo and Frank Zane, among others.

   Open now · open 24 hours

6. DoInner East

   Brahenkenttä

   Brahe field

   An open sports pitch in northern Kallio where you can play football (soccer) in the summer and ice hockey or bandy in the winter or watch a home game of the Finnish bandy league team HIFK.

7. DoCentral

   Casino Helsinki

   Finland's only gambling casino. It's next to the railway station. The only gambling casino in the world to donate 100% of its profits to charity. 2600 m² of floor space on two floors. About 300 slot machines and 20 gaming tables and several bars. Also includes a luxurious Show & Dinner restaurant, with prices ranging from €70 to €90 per person.

   12:00–04:00

8. DoNorthern suburbs

   Fallkulla Farm

   Fallkullan kotieläintila

   In Fallkulla you can get to know the traditional farm animals: sheep, goats, cattle, ducks, chickens, rabbits and horses.

9. DoWest

   Hakuna Matata Sup Rental

   You can rent a SUP, a kayak, a canoe, a wooden rowing boat or even a paddle boat.

10. DoNorthern suburbs

    Haltiala Farm

    Haltialan kotieläintila

    A kind of a zoo with farm animals in a real countryside environment. The Haltiala farm has many domestic animals such as cows, sheep, pigs and chickens. They are outdoors from summer to autumn, allowing them to be seen in the courtyard from morning to night. For the rest of the year, the animals are indoors. Occasionally country music concerts are held at Haltiala.

    free

11. DoWest

    Helsingin Jäähalli

    The home of ice hockey team HIFK. Tickets for matches start from €10.

12. DoNorthern suburbs

    Helsinki Central Park

    Keskuspuisto

    This is a huge park starting just north of the Olympic Stadium and extending northwards for 10 km. It encompasses an area of over 1,000 hectares. The park is mostly in a natural state, with plenty of walkways, bikeways, riding paths and sports facilities including Pirkkola Sports Park (ice hockey, swimming, running) and Paloheinä (skiing, golf). A popular jogging area.

13. DoInner East

    Helsinki Fair Grounds

    Helsingin Messukeskus

    For many business travellers the reason to visit Helsinki, but there are also some events around the year that aren't exclusively geared towards professionals like the American car show in April, the book fair in October, ski expo in November and the travel expo in January.

14. Do

    Helsinki Pride

    Finland's biggest and most famous LGBT pride event. Held over a week in late June, culminates in a parade and open-air party on Saturday.

    Parade 13:00–14:00, party 14:00–18:00·Free of charge

15. Do

    Helsinki Samba Carnaval

    The biggest samba show in Finland, inspired by the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnaval in Brazil. Held on a Saturday in early June. A great samba parade fills the streets of central Helsinki, with dancers and music players from practically every samba school in Finland.

    15:00–17:00·Free

16. DoWest

    Hietaniemi Beach

    It's safe to say that most people don't come to Helsinki for the beaches, but on a hot summer day in July Hietsu (as it is known to locals) is a good place to be. Beach volleyball, swimming and various events are popular. It's wide city center sand beach and moreover, surrounded with large park area, where people sunbathe and picnic in the summer time.

17. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Huone

    Huone ("Room") claims to be the world's first event hotel, providing premises and services for their customers to hold their own events. There are twelve rooms of different sizes, and each can be rented for a day, a morning or an evening. Huone can host various kinds of events such as business meetings, birthday parties or sauna evenings. The customer holds the event; Huone provides the premises and services, including catering, with alcoholic drinks or without.

    08:00–24:00 mostly·€44-59 per person

18. DoSouth

    Jääherne

    Try some ice hockey with your friends in the Jääherne ice hall on the southwesternmost tip of Helsinki.

19. DoInner East

    Kallio Kukkii

    A cultural summer festival held in the bohemian district of Kallio not very far from the city centre. Held over a week in middle May. Various art galleries, workshops and street art performances. Culminates in a samba parade on Sunday, held by Império do Papagaio as their final practice before the main Samba Carnaval in the city centre.

    Parade at 13:00-14:00·Free of charge

20. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Kasinonranta Beach, Lauttasaari

    A popular place in summer with a large playground for children and a pleasant café Kasinonranta (in summer season open M-F 15:00-19:00, Sa Su 10:00-19:00). At the beach and the park around you can picnic, kick a ball, play a beach volleyball, swim, canoe or skatefurf. In winter it is possible to snowkite here or hike, skate or cross country ski on frozen sea around Lauttasaari island and even reach some nearby islands.

21. DoEastern suburbs

    Kontufestari

    Yearly music festival in Kontula with performances by Finnish 1980s rock artists and hip hop crews from Eastern Helsinki among others.

    free

22. DoWest

    Korjaamo Cultural Factory

    Situated in the old tram depot, Korjaamo is made up of galleries, a café, bar, club space, a theatre, shop, and even the Tram Museum is still here. Since the Vaunuhalli was opened in the summer of 2008, Korjaamo is now the biggest cultural centre in the country. While the work is diverse, you could say that the kind of art on offer at Korjaamo is independent, different, and worth keeping an eye on.

23. DoInner East

    Kotiharjun sauna

    This is the last wood-burning public sauna in Helsinki. Separate saunas for men and women. There's a good chance you'll find a top level chess match in the dressing room. Don't miss cooling off outside, especially in winter. On Saturdays you'll find bachelor parties (Kotiharju is pretty near to Kallio's nightlife).

    Tue–Sun 14:00–20:00 (bathtime until 21:30)·€12 for adults, students & pensioners €8.5, towel €3 extra.

24. DoInner East

    Kulttuuritalo

    Helsinki Hall of Culture

    The Helsinki Hall of Culture is a concert hall designed by Alvar Aalto in the 1950s, and part of the Aalto Works UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since its opening, many world-famous artists and groups such as Jimi Hendrix, AC/DC, Tina Turner, Iron Maiden and Lady Gaga have held concerts there.

25. DoCentral

    Kämp Spa

    Kämp Spa is in the heart of Helsinki. In addition to the spa treatments, the spa has a gym and 3 different saunas.

    Mon–Fri 09:00–20:00, Sun 09:00–13:00 and 16:00–20:00 (gym and sauna area)

26. Do

    Lautapelaamaan

    Finland's biggest board game event, hosted by the Finnish Board Game Society. Held on a weekend in early November. A whole hall at the Helsinki Cable Factory is available to play board games for the entire weekend, from Friday evening to Sunday evening (the event closes for the nights though). Hundreds of board games available provided by the organisers (to borrow a game to play, you must leave something valuable as a pawn token, such as your phone or wallet). You can also bring your own board games to play. Suitable for people of all ages, both adults and children.

    10:00-18:00 mostly·Free of charge

27. DoInner East

    Linnanmäki

    The oldest amusement park in Finland, famous for its wooden roller coaster. Entrance to the park is free of charge, all-day passes €42. Open only during the summer, however the adjacent Sea Life aquarium and the Peacock theatre (not a traditional theatre but rather a venue for musicals and slightly Las Vegas-like shows) at Tivolikuja 1 is open throughout the year. In middle October, the amusement park holds a week-long closing ceremony where just about everything, particularly the rides, is illuminated with colourful lighting. The ceremony holds live music events in late evening and there is a fireworks show at the very end just before the park closes down for the winter.

28. Do

    Liquorice and salmiak festival

    Finns are known for their taste for liquorice flavoured with the salt ammonium chloride, popularly known as salmiak or salmiakki in Finnish, even if many foreigners may find the taste strange and even repulsive at first. Wanha Satama in Katajanokka holds an entire festival for salty liquorice candy on a weekend in middle November. More liquorice candy than you can shake a stick at, with salmiak and without. Several vendors offer their candy for sale and give you free samples.

    11:00-17:00 mostly·€12

29. DoNorthern suburbs

    Malminkartano Apple Garden

    Malminkartanon Omenatarha

    There are 350 trees in Malminkartano garden. Most are apple trees, but there are also pear, plum and cherry trees. Guests are free to pick fruit from the trees.

30. DoNorthern suburbs

    Malminkartanonhuippu

    With a height of about 90 m, this is the highest point in Helsinki and when you've climbed the 426 stairs to the top you're rewarded with a nice view in all directions. In winter this is a great place for sledding. The hill itself is actually an old landfill and consists mostly of building material which has given the hill nicknames such as the dump hill or filling hill! Can be accessed from two directions, either from the east (Naapuripellontie) or from Paperitie (west), which is within a walking distance (0.8 km) of Uusmäki bus stop, Espoo.

    free

31. DoCentral

    Maxim

    The oldest film theatre in Finland. It is owned by Finnkino, carrying the more artistic side of Finnkino's programme. Only two auditoriums, and no 3D or IMAX technology, but this is still a unique experience. All the seats in both auditoriums are large and plush armchairs with plenty of leg room. The bar at the theatre is well stocked with tapas-style food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and you can take all of it with you to the film.

32. DoEastern suburbs

    Metro

    A little known fact is that Helsinki Metro is the world's northernmost metro system. Why not ride all the way to Mellunmäki, which is the world's northernmost metro station?

33. DoEastern suburbs

    Mustavuori forest and Östersundom bird waters

    Mustavuoren lehto ja Östersundomin lintuvedet

    The area is protected under the European Union's Natura 2000 ecological network program. There are many different forest types and bird species here.

34. DoInner East

    Mäkelänrinne swimming hall

    Mäkelänrinteen uimahalli

    Indoor swimming pool which has also been used for international competitions. Great if you feel like swimming in the winter but don't care for the traditional Finnish "hole in the ice" swimming.

35. DoWest

    National Opera

    Kansallisooppera

    Lavishly subsidized, but it's still easy to get good seats. Tickets €14-84. Students can buy discount tickets for performances on the same day for €10 if there are still seats left, but these tickets have to be bought in person. An international student card is valid. Pensioners get €5 off, and children get their tickets at half regular price. Also runs the National Ballet (Kansallisbaletti).

36. DoEastern suburbs

    Natura Viva - Vuosaari Paddling Center

    Kayak rental open from the beginning of June until the end of August every day. In May and September on demand. Guided tours, trips and courses are also possible.

    Rentals start at €14 per 2 hours

37. DoWest

    Oodi

    The main library of Helsinki, also hosting some minor events.

38. DoCentral

    Outdoor Icepark skating

    A pair of skates can be rented for an additional fee. The connected café offers the opportunity of defrosting with a cup of hot glögi. There are also dozens of other places to go skating in Helsinki, including outdoor and indoor skating rinks.

    In winter

39. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Outdoor skating Lauttasaari

    Two outdoor skating rings, open approximately 2 Jan - 24 Feb, depending on weather.

    Daily 08:00-21:00

40. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Salmisaaren Liikuntakeskus

    New sports mall in Helsinki, includes indoor beach, bowling, ice hockey, wall climbing, gym, Megazone, restaurant and lots more...

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Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Helsinki (CC BY-SA 4.0).