Things to do in Helsinki

Hiking and cycling

Nuuksio National Park (www.nationalparks.fi/nuuksionp) is a rolling terrain of lakes and forests just north west of Helsinki, and makes a fabulous place to go trekking or biking. The 4km-long (2 miles) Haukankierros Trail gives a good introduction to the park, and climbs over high rocks, affording great views towards Haukkalampi and Brook Myllypuro valley.

Join a nation of swimmers

Helsinki is renowned for its swimming halls: Mäkelänrinne Swimming Centre (www.urheiluhallit.fi/eng/makelanrinne.html) is the largest in the country, whilst Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall (www.helsinkicard.com/attraction/yrjonkatu-swimming-hall) is Finland's oldest indoor public pool and offers the atmosphere of a Roman bath. If you're brave/mad enough, Kuusijärvi Recreation Centre (www.cafekuusijarvi.fi/english/) offers ice swimming in winter.

Saunas

There's little so Finnish as stripping off and sweating up in a sauna: to immerse yourself in this local tradition, head to Sauna Arla (tel: +358 09 719 218; www.arlansauna.net) or the Kotiharju sauna (tel: +358 09 753 1535; www.kotiharjunsauna.fi). The latter is oldest public wood sauna in the city and the perfect location for this distinctly Finnish experience.

Take it to church… underground

Whether or not you're religious, a trip to Temppeliaukion kirkko (church) is a must for anyone with an affinity for unique architecture. With its domed roof propped up by a circular wall of hewn stone and vast glimmering indoor skylight, its somewhere between church, farmhouse and extraterrestrial landing base.

Take the mic in a karaoke bar

Finnish people are second only to the Japanese in their ardent love for a night spent wailing their troubles away in a karaoke bar, and you shouldn't leave town without at least one shared rendition of 'You Can Call Me Al'. Check out Karaoke Bar Pataässä (tel: +358 09 626 076; www.karaokebar.net/pataassa) or Anna K (+358 09 676 128; www.karaokebar.net/annak).

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

How Helsinki sparked a restaurant revolution

Gavin Haines visits an abandoned abattoir in Helsinki, which is changing the concept of eating out for millions of diners.

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Hilton Helsinki Strand

Just north of the centre, in the Hakaniemi district, the Hilton Helsinki Strand makes the most of the water views from its rooms, restaurant and rooftop sauna, pool and gym complex. The 192 rooms have every convenience, including wireless internet access, and the Helsinki hotel offers excellent services for families, including a babysitting service. The hotel is less than a mile from shops and entertainment areas in the city.

Hotel Kämp

Founded in 1887, the Hotel Kämp has attracted high fliers for more than a century, and its public areas swim with period charm. Restored throughout, the Helsinki hotel offers 179 spacious rooms with luxurious amenities and high-quality dining at the elegant Kämp Café Brasserie & Bar and Yume, which serves innovative Japanese/Scandinavian fusion cuisine. Other facilities include a gym, spa, sauna suite and a stylish bar and nightclub. The hotel has five meeting and conference rooms, plus the flamboyant Mirror Room, with banqueting space for 120.

Hotel Helka

Housed in a building designed by architect Wivi Lönn in 1928 and furnished with furniture designed by Alvar Alto, this inexpensive and comfortable Helsinki hotel also scores points for its convenient location, just west of the centre. Refurbished throughout in 2006, Hotel Helka has 150 rooms, sauna facilities, a restaurant and bar. Limited parking spaces are available.

Hotel Arthur

Offering reasonably priced accommodation in the heart of Helsinki, Hotel Arthur is just a stone's throw from the railway station, the Kauppatori fish market, Esplanad Park and big department stores. There are 182 comfortable and well-appointed rooms with en-suite facilities, plus a large restaurant, a lobby bar and banqueting and conference facilities. Around 18 of its rooms are decorated in an art nouveau style following a refurb in 2012 to coincide with the city being awarded World Design Capital of the Year.

Klaus K

A designer hotel with influences that stray well beyond traditional Nordic design, the Klaus K opened in 2005, bringing the boutique hotel concept to Helsinki for the first time. The 137 rooms are named for the emotions they are intended to inspire - Mystical, Passion, Desire and Envy - and the hotel has two elegant restaurants and a thoroughly Modernist bar and club. Other facilities include a day spa, a gym and meeting space for 12 to 350 people.

Hotelli Seurahuone Helsinki

Established in 1833 as a seurahuone (meeting place for dignitaries), this is one of the most distinguished hotels in Helsinki. Amongst other landmark events, the hotel hosted the first opera performance in Finland in 1852, and the first film screening in 1896. Facing the train station, the hotel still offers a taste of 19th-century grandeur, though the 118 rooms have all the expected modern amenities. Facilities include wireless internet access and a grand restaurant and bar.

Introducing Helsinki

While you’re there

Plan your trip

Finland Information

Airports