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36 Hours in Helsinki

Stunning architecture, legendary saunas, and Nordic calm in Finland's design capital.

14 places · 3 travelers used this

Friday

May 29
Accommodations
5pm / Check In

Hotel St. George

Hotel St. George sits near the main train station in a building that used to be for government offices. The renovation is handsome. The lobby has a large Ai Weiwei sculpture. Rooms are quiet and well designed.

Restaurants
7:30pm / Dinner

Muru

Muru is small and always full. Finnish ingredients handled with care. The tasting menu is the way to go. Book well ahead.

Health
9:30pm / Evening

Löyly

Löyly is a public sauna on the waterfront. Wood architecture, Baltic views, cold water to jump into between rounds. Go at dusk if you can. Bring a swimsuit.

Saturday

May 30
Coffee
5pm / Coffee

Kaffecentralen

Kaffecentralen serves good coffee in a no-frills setting. A useful stop to warm up.

Health
7pm / Sauna

Sompasauna

Sompasauna is a free, volunteer-run sauna on the waterfront. DIY spirit, mixed crowd, bring your own drinks. It is not polished but it is real. Open late into the night.

Restaurants
9pm / Dinner

Grön

Grön is plant-based fine dining. The room is small and the cooking is refined. Tasting menu only. A good way to end the day.

Coffee
9am / Breakfast

Café Ekberg

Café Ekberg has been serving pastries since 1852. The karjalanpiirakka are traditional rice pies and worth trying. The room has old Helsinki charm.

Coffee
10am / Coffee

Andante

Andante is a small specialty shop with excellent espresso. The baristas are serious about what they do. A few seats by the window.

Cultural
11am / Morning

Amos Rex

Amos Rex is a contemporary art museum built beneath a public plaza. The architecture alone is worth the visit. The exhibitions rotate and tend toward the immersive.

Restaurants
1pm / Lunch

BasBas

BasBas does simple dishes well. Pasta, salads, a short menu. The room is relaxed and the neighborhood is nice to walk around after.

Bookstores
3pm / Afternoon

Oodi Central Library

Oodi is the central library. The building is new and striking. Reading rooms, maker spaces, a rooftop terrace. Even if you do not need a book, the architecture deserves a visit.

Sunday

May 31
Coffee
9am / Breakfast

Cafe Regatta

Cafe Regatta is a tiny red cabin by the water. Coffee, cinnamon buns, and a fireplace in winter. It gets crowded but the setting is worth it. Go early.

Cultural
11am / Morning

Suomenlinna

Suomenlinna is a sea fortress spread across several islands. You take a ferry from the market square. Walk the ramparts, explore the tunnels, eat at one of the small cafes. Plan for at least two hours.

Places to Work
2pm / Before You Go

Paulig Kulma

Paulig Kulma is a coffee lab near the harbor. Interesting roasts and good espresso. A calm place to sit before heading to the airport.

Friday Saturday Sunday

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What's included

  • 1 Accommodation
  • 3 Restaurants and Foods
  • 2 Health and Wellnesses
  • 4 Coffee and Teas
  • 2 Cultural and Artistic Venues
  • 1 Bookstores and Library
  • 1 Places to Work