The capital of Finland, this city has a unique buzz and breath-taking scenic views. Book a cheap holiday to Helsinki and enjoy fine food, local culture, rollercoasters, and much more.
Let Off Some Steam
Built in 1928, Kotiharju Sauna has served the local community for decades, retaining its original architecture and features. The traditional wood-burning sauna here produces a soothing, soft steam and is a great way to relax on a Helsinki holiday.
Baltic Herring Fair
If you’re visiting in October, you can sample the mouth-watering dishes on offer at the annual Baltic Herring Fair. Taking place in the Market Square, this popular event has been a tradition for hundreds of years and originated as a way for locals to stock up during the cold months when the river froze over.
The fair has something of a carnival atmosphere, with live music, and is the perfect opportunity to try crispy fried Baltic herring, salmon soup, and other local delicacies.
Tasty Treats
A former abattoir, Teurastamo is a fashionable courtyard and open air market, with a range of tasty treats on offer. From freshly roasted coffee at Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo, to fresh ice cream at Jädelino, there’s plenty here for foodies to enjoy during a holiday in Helsinki.
Castles in the Sand
Just ten minutes from the city centre are a group of islands that offer a tranquil retreat from the everyday hustle and bustle. It’s here that you’ll find the sea fortress Suomenlinna, built in 1748 and now a World Heritage site.
Take a guided tour of this fascinating attraction and explore the six museums on the islands, if you have enough time. You can buy a combined ticket for all the museums which covers the Suomenlinna Museum, the Ehrensvärd Museum, the submarine Vesikko, the Military Museum’s Manege, the Toy Museum and the Customs Museum, but note that some of these are only open during the summer.
Thrills and Spills
Opened in 1950, Linnanmäki amusement park retains a pleasing retro look and is a great day out for all the family. Entertaining generations of locals, the park has forty rides to choose from, including the popular Wooden Roller Coaster, the Rocket free fall tower, and the water coaster, Vonkaputous.
The park also has a theatre, the Peacock Teatteri, which presents musicals, and nearby is Sea Life Helsinki where you can get close to over 100 underwater species, from scary sharks to cute seahorses.
