2 days in Helsinki
A trip to Helsinki had long been on my list of places to go! Once known as one of the world’s most liveable cities with fantastic infrastructure, it looked like the ideal city break! And it is… just wasn’t for me! So in this post I’ll talk about my experience and then some of the best things to do with 2 days Helsinki and some tips.
Travel Options
There’s a few ways of visiting Helsinki. There’s some great cheap flight options in and around Scandinavia or the UK which can make it easy to spend 2 days in Helsinki. Another option is going from Estonia.
I took the ferry over from Tallinn in Estonia which took about 2 hours. This is a fantastic way for combining another country on your trip! Ie. Spending 2 days in Helsinki, Finland or 2 days in Tallinn, Estonia. If your in either city with return tickets starting at around £22.
Arriving in Helsinki
On arrival to Helsinki from sunny Tallinn, the weather changed to a dreary rainy overcast day, the kind I’m very accustomed to living near London!
Although the old fashioned trams did look pretty cool, I opted to take the metro instead as I thought it was be easier… what a mistake that was. I hadn’t travelled much at this point in my life so that could have been a factor, but I have never been so confused by a metro system before or since.
The names of stations are all extremely long and very similar and with only 2 days in Helsinki, you dont want to be faffing about. After quite a few wrong trains and a tour of all places not to go in Helsinki, I resorted back to the torrential rain and trams!
Ita at this point, I should have just found one of the many local saunas, relaxed for a few hours and then head to a local bar. However, I felt like I needed to make the most of the trip worthwhile by exploring all the Design District, cathedral and market squares.
All great, just not in heavy rain. Sadly apart from being completely drenched. It’s good to prepare a few different activities for your 2 days in Helsinki for any weather.
So let’s look at all the different things you can do with 2 days in Helsinki.
Sunny Day Things To Do
Let’s be optimistic and hope that your 2 days in Helsinki consists of some great weather. Here are 5 amazing things to do on a sunny day.
1. Take a ferry to Fortress of Sveaborg
When the weather is good, boats can take you to explore many of the 300 islands that surround Helsinki! This important fortress is just a 20 minute ferry ride away. Sveaborg means “Swedish Castle” and this fortress has a fantastic history to learn about. A great thing to do if your 2 days in Helsinki includes a warm sunny day.
2. Esplanadi
Known as “Espa” by the locals, during the summer, this is one of the best places for tourists to spend part of their 2 days in Helsinki, to have a picnic, view the different entertainment and sunbathe (yes Finland does get the sun sometimes!) July is a month long jazz festival which attracts lots of locals and Europeans!
3. Linnanmaki – Amusement Park
With only 2 days in Helsinki, a great way to spend some time is at this very popular amusement Park which attracts over 1 million people each year!
This is home to the highest and fastest rides in Finland and even some rides that date back to the 50s. Great for the family and anyone who loves rides or arcade games. Or questionably old rides…
4. Helsinki Walking Tour
Walking around the city with a local is definitely the best way to see the highlights of the city. The guides will be able to explain the history of city and the culture as well as recommend more places to visit. There’s different tours available so you can spend each morning of your 2 days in Helsinki exploring different parts of the city.
5. Snowmobile Safari in Helsinki Archipelago
So this is definitely a sunny winters day activity and if your spending 2 days in Helsinki in the winter, you won’t regret booking this! You’ll be picked up in Helsiki and take to an island. Here with your guide you’ll navigate forest trails through the icy landscape. Most packages include lunch which you’ll have by a campfire. Truly amazing winter experience.
Rainy Day Things To Do
If you’re unlucky like me, you may find yourself ducking and diving in and out of torrential rain on your 2 days in Helsinki, so here’s some great places to go if it’s raining.
1. Helsinki Spa Day
By far the most relaxing thing to do when the weather isn’t great! Definitely recommend the Flamingo Spa as it is perfect for the whole family. Its split into two sections. You have the adult Spa area with eight different saunas, mineral water pool, hot water pool & a cold water pool. And on the other side you have waterpark slides, Jacuzzis and warm pools. Great for everyone! Check it out here!
2. National Museum of Finland
Kind of a standard thing to do in any major city, but this one has some very interesting things to see such as the Treasure Troves full of jewels, medals and traditional armour! Finland also has an incredible history to learn about but you’ll probably need more than 2 days in Helsinki to learn about it.
3. Finnish Sauna at Loyly
Yes another sauna but this one is seriously cool. It’s a huge modern wooden structure on the edge of the baltic sea. Which also means once you get too hot, you can take a truly baltic plunge. This incredible place will make you want to book another 2 days in Helsinki ASAP!
4. Helsinki Bryggeri
An incredible place for beer and burger lovers! This is a brewhouse restaurant who make their own beer onsite. You can walk around the fermentation tanks, learn about their beers and try a tasting pallet. Awesome place. Helsinki is home to some of the best craft beer places in Europe so you definitely don’t want to miss this out on your 2 days in Helsinki.
5. Olo Restaurant
For anyone who loves fine dining or would like to try it for the first time. It does come with a high price tag but for a set fee of €118, you can enjoy some of the finest Finnish cuisine & drinks.
So there we have some excellent things to do when you only have 2 daya in Helsinki!
