HELSINKI, FINLAND

Helsinki (and its metropolitan area) is home to more than 25% of the entire country’s population. There are plenty of options to keep a solo traveler busy here and I encourage you to include it on your itinerary! Although Finland’s capital usually gets a bad rap for being boring and expensive, I found neither of these adjectives to be true during my three days here. Yes, it was a bit quieter than other cities in Europe, but I found the serenity and calm to be enjoyable and relaxing!

Attractions:

Market Square: One of Europe’s oldest open markets with many different types of cuisine! It is situated right next to the lovely Esplanade Park; be sure to swing by during your stay!
Löyly Sauna: Going to a sauna while in Finland is mandatory; it is arguably the most popular aspect of Finnish culture! Of the many options, my favorite is Löyly because it is right on the Baltic Sea, which allows you to jump into the freezing cold water between sauna sessions! Hours of operation depend on the day and can be found on their website. Entry for 2 hours costs €19.
Helsinki Cathedral & Senate Square: Located in the heart of Helsinki’s old town, this Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral sits picturesquely on top of the staircase of Senate Square! It is open daily from 9am-6pm and free to enter.
Kaivopuisto Park: One of the oldest parks in Central Helsinki is just a 20-minute walk from the city center. It sits right on the harbor and is home to sprawling fields making it a great place to relax!
Explore Tallinn, Estonia: Float to a separate country in just 2 hours! See my Tallinn travel guide for more information.
Uspenski Cathedral: Can you spot the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe? Sitting atop a small hill, visitors will be pleased with the commanding view it has over the city. It is free to enter and closed on Mondays; hours can be found here.
Visit Suomenlinna: This 18th century sea fortress is just 4km from Helsinki and requires a ferry ride to get to. It is built upon eight islands and a must-see for those interested in history, artillery, and submarines! One-way tickets cost €2.80 and ferries leave approximately every 15 minutes.
Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church): A church excavated into solid rock! If you like unique architecture, you have to see this! Entrance costs €4 and opening hours can be found here.
Allas Sea Pool: Looking for a relaxing afternoon on the Gulf of Finland? This sea spa is fit with three pools in addition to saunas, yoga studios, and a rooftop terrace/café! Entrance costs €15 and opening hours can be found here.
Other attractions include: Winter Garden (Talvipuutarha), Sibelius Monument, National Museum of Finland, SkyWheel Helsinki, and Sipoonkorpi National Park.

Accommodation:

Hotel - Hotel Indigo: Tucked away on a historical boulevard in Central Helsinki, this spot is a great choice for backpackers, couples, or families. Hotel Indigo is located in the Design District on the border of two prominent Helsinki neighborhoods, Kamppi and Punavuori. Kamppi offers chic boutiques and bustling shopping malls, while Punavuori is the hip, artsy, and trendy part of town. Both Senate and Market Squares are just a short, 15-minute walk away.
Hostel - The YARD: In a world full of hostel chains, feeling at home while traveling is not always easy. The YARD is different though. Not only is it locally run, but it also has a warm, cozy ambiance you feel the second you walk through the front door. The staff are super friendly and the common areas are perfect for meeting fellow travelers! The cherry on top is that it is centrally located less than 10 minutes on foot from both Helsinki Central Station and Kamppi Kampen.

Transportation:

Helsinki’s main train station is Helsinki Central Station; all trains below leave from here. The main bus station is Kamppi Kampen; all buses below leave from here. The main ferry terminal is Silja Line Terminal; all ferries below leave from here.

Tampere is 1.5 hours by train from Helsinki and costs €18. The bus ride is 2 hours and costs €7.
Tallinn, Estonia is 2 hours by ferry from Helsinki and costs €40. The flight is 30 minutes and costs €125-€140.
Saint Petersburg, Russia is 3.5 hours by train from Helsinki and costs €90. The bus ride is 8 hours and costs €30. The flight from Helsinki to Saint Petersburg is 1 hour and costs €115-€140.
Oulu is 6 hours by train from Helsinki and costs €49. The bus ride is 8 hours and costs €32.
Stockholm, Sweden is 17 hours by ferry from Helsinki and costs €105. The flight from Helsinki to Stockholm is 1 hour and costs €30-€100.
Copenhagen, Denmark is 23 hours by ferry and train from Helsinki (indirect; via Stockholm) and costs €164. The ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm is 17 hours and costs €105. The train from Stockholm to Copenhagen is 5.5 hours and costs €59. The flight from Helsinki to Copenhagen is 2 hours and costs €40-€110.
Oslo, Norway is 23 hours by ferry and train from Helsinki (indirect; via Stockholm) and costs €169. The ferry from Helsinki to Stockholm is 17 hours and costs €105. The train from Stockholm to Oslo is 5.5 hours and costs €64. The flight from Helsinki to Oslo is 1.5 hours and costs €50-€120.

Helsinki Airport (HEL) is 20km (12 miles) north of the city center and accessible via bus, train, and taxi.

Bus: The ride via Pohjolan Liikenne is 30 minutes and costs €6.30; buses leave every 20 minutes from 5:45am-1:10am.
Train: The ride via HSL 615/620 is 40 minutes and costs €5; trains leave every 30 minutes from 5:00am-03:55am.
Taxi: The ride is 25-30 minutes and costs €40-€45 depending on the time of day.