10 Best Things to Do This Summer in Helsinki

The Fortress of Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a must-see on your list of summer destinations in Helsinki. It’s a sea fortress spread across six small islands off Helsinki, where you can admire the wonderful Royal Gate (Kuninkaanportti), the great fortress courtyard and the imposing Zander bastion.

As well as the fortress, there’s plenty more to see on the islands: museums, the historic Vesikko submarine, art galleries, coffee shops, restaurants and shops, and lots for kids to do. When the weather is beautiful, you can also visit a beach, go on a picnic, or just admire the sea. From the center of Helsinki, you can visit Suomenlinna by first going to Kauppatori and continuing from there via ferry or waterbus. You should also check out Vallisaari Island, southeast of Suomenlinna. In the spring, you can get from there to Suomenlinna on a direct waterbus connection between the islands; it takes just a few minutes.

If you’re visiting Helsinki in the summer, don’t miss the city’s famous Market Square (Kauppatori). Next to it are several of the city’s most beautiful buildings, such as the Presidential Palace, the Vanha Kauppahalli indoor market hall, Helsinki City Hall and the Orthodox Uspenski Cathedral. In the Market Square itself, you can find the imposing and beautiful Keisarinnankivi memorial and the iconic Havis Amanda fountain.

If you get hungry or thirsty, there are stands and kiosks. The options vary, but usually include coffee products and BBQ foods, as well as traditional marketplace offerings such as smoked fish, peas, strawberries and fruits. You can also visit the Fortress of Suomenlinna using the ferries and waterbuses from the edge of Market Square. During the summer season, there are ferries to Korkeasaari Zoo, the Fortress of Suomenlinna and Vallisaari, and for short cruises. Whatever your reason for visiting Market Square, it’s easy to find. If you set out from Kamppi, just follow the main routes: to the end of Mannerheimintie and then through Esplanadi.

Seurasaari Island, to the west to the city, offers a great atmosphere for summertime activities. The most important sight is the outdoor museum that covers most of the island, and consists of a collection of old wooden buildings from different parts of Finland. It’s worth a visit, but you can also visit the island just to swim, eat or enjoy a picnic.

The island is full of great natural sights: rock-hewn shores, forest groves and lots of birds, squirrels and other small animals, as well as sheep in the summertime. The island is reached via a long wooden footbridge. From the center of Helsinki to Seurasaari, you should either travel by city bicycle (the nearest bicycle station is next to the wooden bridge) or by Bus 24.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park, known by everyone in Finland, is a great place to have some fun. This park has Finland’s most famous rollercoaster and nearly 50 other rides. There are all kinds of options, whatever your age or size. Those looking for something more relaxing can visit the amusement park’s 4D theater, or the 50-metre high Panoraama sightseeing tower, with views across Helsinki.

If you get hungry or thirsty, you can buy some classic amusement park snacks, such as sodas, hot dogs, popcorn and cotton candy, or visit one of the many restaurants in the area, where you can choose from Finnish, Italian or Mexican cuisine, or just buy a hamburger. Those who like a show should head for the Peacock Theater in the park area. You can get there from the center of Helsinki via city bicycle or Streetcars 1, 3 and 8.

Helsinki Zoo at Korkeasaari (Korkeasaaren eläintarha), which has been welcoming visitors since 1888, is a popular option in the summer. And why not? The location and the setting are top-notch, there are all sorts of animals, and profits go to a good cause. The most popular animals in the zoo are probably the large animals such as Siberian tigers, Asiatic lions and snow leopards, but the bears, lynxes and elks are also worth a look. As well as animal enclosures and zones, the island offers a sightseeing tower, a lean-to, a dining cabin and restaurants, and the Arkki school of nature.

Many people come just for the animals, but if time allows, you should also participate in the zoo’s shows and events, or just admire the sea from the island. You can get to Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari from the center of Helsinki either from Market Square or from the district of Hakaniemi, via water buses or Bus 16.

Helsinki Bathing Stadium (uimastadion), built in 1947, is the perfect choice when you want to get out of the sunshine. The stadium was built for the Helsinki Summer Olympics in 1952, and was then transformed from a mere bathing pool to a place for entertainment.

The stadium currently offers a 50-metre fitness pool, as well as a plunge pool, a kids’ pool and a wading pool, and lots more, like a water slide, a gym, basketball and volleyball courts, and a coffee shop. There’s also a large auditorium next to the main pool. Even though the outdoor bathing pool is very near the center of Helsinki, you can always be assured of a swim. If it’s really hot outside, you should also consider the Hietaniemi shoreline. It’s an easy trip to the Helsinki Bathing Stadium on a city bicycle or Streetcars 2 or 3.

Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden (Kaisaniemen kasvitieteellinen puutarha), between Helsinki Central Station and Kaisaniemi shoreline, is a beautiful spot -- it’s a great place to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the center. Due to its location, the outdoor space is limited, but there’s still lots there: a tree park, a moss garden, a lichen garden and stone garden, the fascinating Tree of Evolution, and several botanical rooms, like the great Palmusali hall.

As for individual plants, you should check out the great Santa Cruz water lily. Its leaves can hold an adult person’s weight. After seeing this and the rest of botanical wonders, you can relax at Kaisaniemi Park next to the garden. The easiest way to get from the center of Helsinki to Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden is on foot. The garden can be found directly behind Helsinki Central Station, to the right of the train tracks. From Kamppi, you can also go through tunnels that go under the train tracks.

Hietaniemi Beach (Hietaniemen ranta), also known as Hietaranta or Hietsu, is one of Helsinki’s most popular beaches. It’s right next to central Helsinki, so it’s easy to take just a small break there before the next museum, or spend an entire day there, if you wish. The waters are quite shallow, so it’s also a great place for families with children.

On sunny days it gets very busy, but there’s always a spot. As well as the shoreline, Hietsu also has dressing rooms, toilets and a coffee shop, and popular beach volley and basketball courts. From Kamppi it’s only about a mile to the beach, so you can easily get there on foot. From further away, take Bus 24.