Looking for the ultimate Helsinki trip itinerary?
Written by
Emma Harrison
•
5 min read
Why visit Helsinki?
Compact, captivating and full of culture, Helsinki is a city that charms and inspires. Steeped in history, the Finnish capital is brimming with historical landmarks such as the Suomenlinna fortress, one of Helsinki’s UNESCO World Heritage sites, Turku Castle and Neristan - the old wooden town.
From Helsinki’s picturesque lakeside vistas to its diverse architecture which includes Gothic revival, art-nouveau, nordic classicism and more.
Helsinki is a travel lover's dream as there is so much to see and do. Get the Helsinki party started and create a Pinboard on the Pogo app where you can get your own personalised travel itinerary, find interesting things to do, scour out the best restaurants to eat at and you can even search for and add the hotels that you might want to stay at.
Calling all cocktail fans! Make sure you add Helsinki’s coolest cocktail bar to the ‘Eat & Drink’ section of your Helsinki Pinboard!
Conveniently located in the heart of the city centre near the Cathedral, it can be found behind a plain wooden door on Katariinankatu and it masquerades as a 1920s London detective agency -Trillby & Chadwick.
This super secret speakeasy can be found by using your very own detective skills. Simply look for a building with the blacked-out windows and head inside where you will be greeted by a vintage telephone where you can call the bar to gain entrance where you can lounge upon the sumptuous velvet sofas and choose from their fantastic range of cocktails.
Where to stay in Helsinki
For a luxurious and decor-focused stay, look no further than the Hotel St. George which just oozes sophisticated cool! Located on a quiet tree-lined boulevard, the St. George is located within a short tram ride to some of Helsinki’s most renowned attractions such as the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.
The hotel itself is like a gallery in its own right and exhibits pieces of art from Finnish artists like Klaus Haapaniemi, Pekka Jylhä and more.
There’s a fantastic spa and guests can even take advantage of the hotel’s innovative sleep consultancy, based on results recorded by sleep sensors placed under the bed.
Stay from just £543 for two nights and with flights from London from just £75.
TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Here are our top three travel tips when planning a trip to Helsinki:
Make sure you indulge in one of Finland’s most quintessential Finnish experiences - a visit to the sauna! Relax and unwind after a busy day’s sightseeing and either rent a sauna for private use or opt for a public sauna where you feel relaxed and invigorated in equal measure.
Think delicious chocolate is just associated with the likes of Bruges? Think again, Helsinki is also famed for the sweet brown stuff. In particular, the chocolatier Karl Fazer which is practically a Finnish institution, producing the very best Finnish chocolate since 1922. Be sure to add a visit here to your Helsinki travel itinerary.
Fans of culture simply must pay a visit to the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art where you can see rotating exhibitions by both Finnish and international artists. Admission is free on the first Friday of each month, so if you are in Finland the first weekend of the month, make sure you take advantage of this awesome offer!
