Discover Helsinki, the capital of Finland and a destination filled with cultural and natural attractions, with NH Hotel Group. With a wide offer of exciting museums—the National Museum of Finland and the Ateneum Art Museum, to name a couple—myriad architectural marvels (like the famous Suomenlinna sea fortress) and plenty of peaceful green spaces where to relax, Helsinki is a city that’ll keep you excited and with endless things to do, regardless of how long you stay there for.
Thanks to the NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, our very own 5-star hotel in Helsinki, you’ll be able to stay at a privileged location near the Train Station to experience the city’s top attractions all while enjoying the personalized attention and first-class facilities that NH Hotel Group is known for offering. Book your accommodation now and let us welcome you into Helsinki and its wide-ranging charms.
Where to stay in Helsinki?
While the attractions and points of interest in Helsinki are many, the city’s also relatively compact, easy to explore on foot and features a very efficient public transport system. This means that regardless of where in Helsinki you choose to stay during your visit you will not have any problem enjoying and discovering the city.
That being said, Helsinki has several unique neighborhoods and areas, and one of them may be just right for you. Most notably, the city centre is home to many of the city’s most famous buildings (the Helsinki Cathedral, for instance), plenty of excellent traditional restaurants and cafés, and the Esplanadi Park, the city’s most important urban park.
The Punavuori neighborhood would be another excellent choice, particularly for first-time visitors to Helsinki. It also has many restaurants where you can try the local cuisine and it’s a particularly good area for shopping enthusiasts, with several high-end shops and boutiques. Punavuori is also part of the Design District of Helsinki and, accordingly, features several art galleries, museums, and antique markets.
However, if you’re looking for a lively nightlife then Kamppi might be the most appropriate Helsinki neighborhood for your stay. Beyond its party vibes, Kamppi also has stunning historical buildings and the Natural Museum of Helsinki.
How’s the weather in Helsinki?
While the winters in Helsinki are usually quite cold, the city also enjoys very comfortable summers, ideal for walking throughout the city. The months of May through September all feature average daily high temperatures of 14ºC or higher.
The warmest month of the year in Helsinki is July, with average daily high temperatures of 21ºC, while the coldest months are January and February, when the average daily high temperatures are typically around -2ºC.
What to see in Helsinki?
In a city filled with stunning architectural sights, the Helsinki Cathedral stands out as a must-see. Dating to 1852, this Lutheran church never fails to impress with its gorgeous white color and neoclassical style.
The Suomenlinna sea fortress is an undisputable symbol of Helsinki and one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. It is located on six islands just off Helsinki and can be easily reached by ferry. While it once served as a naval base, this impressive structure is now a great place to have a picnic or simply enjoy the gorgeous sights.
The Esplanadi Park has long been the most popular park and green space in the city. Located right in the heart of Helsinki, it is a fantastic place to simply unwind during a sunny day and also often hosts concerts and fashion shows, among other events.
At the end of the Esplanadi Park and along the waterfront you’ll be pleased to find the Old Market Hall. It is in a stunning historical building from 1889 and it is filled with stalls selling fresh food products along with restaurants and cafés. It is a great place where to become acquainted with Finnish food specialties.
Established in 1887, the Ateneum Art Museum features a stunning Neo-Renaissance façade and the largest collection of classical art in the country. Visit it and you’ll surely become mesmerized by the masterpieces by Van Gogh, Cezanne and Gauguin (among others) that are on display.
Located very close to Helsinki’s city center, the Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden features an impressive variety of beautiful plants and flowers. Its outdoor gardens are free to visit. It is an ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon stroll.
Stay at the NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, our 5- star hotel in Helsinki, for a convenient accommodation from where to explore all of these (and many more) attractions.
What to eat in Helsinki?
Helsinki has a vibrant culinary life that spans everything from Michelin-starred restaurants to market halls and more accessible restaurants and cafés. Be sure to try traditional, local specialties like silakat, which consists of breaded and pan-fried herrings, or salmon soup, which is particularly satisfying during the cold winter months.
Finnish cuisine, as available in Helsinki, also features plenty of pastries. Pulla, which are very common throughout the cafés and bakeries in Helsinki, are a sort of Finnish take on cinnamon buns and usually topped with walnuts. Lingonberry pies are a local delicacy that you should definitely try if you happen to visit Helsinki during the summer months.
How to arrive in Helsinki?
The main international point of entry into Helsinki is the Helsinki Airport (HEL), by far the busiest airport in all of Finland. It takes around 30 minutes to reach the city center from the airport by train (there’s a train station right at the airport). Buses and taxis also connect Helsinki Airport to the Helsinki city center.
You can also arrive in Helsinki by train or bus from other towns and cities in Finland or by boat from Estonia, Sweden, Germany and a few other countries.
How to get around in Helsinki?
Getting around Helsinki is a joy. It is both a very walkable city and one with an excellent public transport system. Most of the main attractions in the city can be easily reached by foot and a single ticket will give you access to the public buses, trams, the metro, and even the ferry to the Suomenlinna sea fortress. Cycling is another popular and convenient mode of transport in Helsinki.
While the previous options are the most recommended ways of getting around Helsinki, you may drive during your stay. Parking spaces are available throughout the city, with the cost varying depending on the parking zone. Taxis can also be found throughout the city center.
Don’t hesitate to book your stay with NH Hotels in Helsinki and discover this magical city filled with culture and beauty!
