Welcome to Helsinki!

Discover Helsinki is made for tourists and visitors to the city who are seeking information and inspiration about Helsinki. Whether you are planning your visit, new to Helsinki or visiting right now as a tourist, at Discover Helsinki you will find lots of practical tips and information about what to do, how to get around, as well as about the rich history of the capital of Finland. If you are staying in a hotel room or a 1st class cabin on one of the major cruise lines, you will find the Discover Helsinki book with lots of hidden gems, must-visits and current events.

Oodi Library

Helsinki’s new central library Oodi opened on December 5, the eve of Finland’s 101st Independence Day, a fitting celebration for one of the most literate nations in the world. Located at Kansalaistori Square in the heart of the city, Oodi promises to be a transformative and multi-functional space, defying any notion of the library as a dated public […]

Linnanmäki Amusement Park

Linnanmäki amusement park offers visitors to Helsinki a family-oriented fun-filled day out. Located in the Alppila quarter of Helsinki, the park was built in 1950 and is popular with locals and tourists alike. Parking space is limited at the park, so it is best to use public transportation to get there. Both trams and buses […]

Street Food in Helsinki

When summer arrives, Helsinki’s street food scene comes alive. From food trucks and bikes to people opening their doors on Restaurant Day, there are an incredible amount of options if you know when and where to go! Here’s our guide to some of the best street food fare around town. Summer treats on-the-go Summer brings […]

A Souvenir with an Edge – the ‘Puukko’

While souvenir shopping is a universal standard for tourists, a knife as a souvenir may not be the first thing you think of when buying mementoes of your trip. But if you think that fridge magnets don’t quite cut it and prefer something that is authentic to Finnish culture, then consider the ‘puukko’, a traditional […]

Vanhankaupunginlahti – Oasis in the Heart of the City

Vanhankaupunginlahti means the “old city bay”. Helsinki was originally founded here in 1550 by King Gustav Vasa I, just a 20-minute tram drive away from the current city centre. An equally easy and rewarding way to get here is by cycling. Nowadays, the mouth of the Vantaa River serves nature lovers, tech freaks and culinary […]

Visit St. Petersburg Visa-Free via Helsinki

Helsinki’s location makes it a great starting point for anyone who wants to explore the nearby cities. From Helsinki, you can visit neighbouring St. Petersburg and it is possible to do so without a visa. Finland borders Russia on the eastern coast and Helsinki is just under 400 kilometres away from St. Petersburg. Perfectly located […]

Ateneum Art Museum

The Ateneum Art museum appears on nearly every list of must-sees in Helsinki for good reason. Its grand halls and sculpture-adorned façade make it a sight worth seeing, but don’t stop at merely admiring the exterior. Within its ornate walls is an unmissable experience for visitors; nowhere else can you enjoy such a thorough perspective of […]

Helsinki’s Talking Statues

Statues and sculptures abound throughout Helsinki, and these statues tell interesting stories that are often lost on passersby. Now, Helsinki has developed an innovative way of telling you the stories behind each statue – by letting the statue do the talking! Currently there are fifteen statues which have this feature. When you visit the statue […]

Lapinlahti Mental Hospital and Park – Hidden History in Helsinki

The Lapinlahti former psychiatric hospital stands poised on the edge of Lapinlahti Bay, a naturally beautiful site noted for its richness in biodiversity. Much like the rare butterfly (Depressaria Chaerophylli) that can be found in the area, its future is uncertain, but its history certainly deserves preservation. The Lapinlahti estate is comprised of several structures, […]

Easter traditions in Finland

The joy of spring is eternal. There is something undeniably stirring about the renewal of nature around us. Spring in Finland is a joyful time, and with the spring comes the arrival of Eastertide and its many traditions. Easter is the most important feast day for Orthodox Christians. It is also marked with reverence by […]

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