City trip: Making the most of 24 hours in Helsinki

At work, I was asked: ‘Have you ever been to Helsinki? If not, would you like to go?’ My answer was: ‘No, I've never been, but I love visiting new places, so I'd love to go!’ Since I thought it would be a shame to fly to Helsinki just for work and not see anything of the city (except for the exhibition halls), I added an extra day to my visit. That gave me one evening and one day to explore the city.

Helsinki in February

Be prepared for cold weather! The average temperature in Helsinki in February is between -2 and -6 degrees. The streets are mostly frozen, and snow that has fallen earlier quickly turns to ice. So make sure you have warm clothing and good shoes with sufficient grip.

Transport

Public transport in Helsinki is well organised and inexpensive. I mainly used the trams, but the ferry to Suomenlinna is also part of the public transport system. By downloading the HSL app, you don't need to buy tickets; you can arrange everything in the app. Walking is also a great option in the city centre itself.

What to do in Helsinki?

Because of my work at the trade fair with a local company, I was able to ask locals this question to get the best tips. Based on those tips, I was able to compile a nice list of activities.

• Saunas: Finland = saunas. Logically, this was also the first tip I received. My hotel had a large public sauna. After a long day at the trade fair, this was my first experience with a sauna in Finland. It soon became clear that the sauna is a common way to end the day. The room was filled with beer-drinking Finns. Whereas most Finns were quite reserved and quiet during the day, in the sauna it was exactly the opposite. Quite different from the quiet saunas in the Netherlands, where people go for peace and quiet. A good first experience!

  
  

• Allas Sea Pool: As the name suggests, a swimming pool in the sea. When I got this tip, I did express my doubts. But it soon became clear that this is a real must-do when you're in Helsinki. A platform has been built in the harbour. On this platform is a heated swimming pool, the sea pool and a number of saunas. All this with a view of the harbour and the sea. I did this in the evening and I have absolutely no regrets! A dip (read: a slow immersion) in the literally ice-cold water and then back into the sauna was a perfect way to recharge.

  
  

Good to know:

- A visit to the Allas Sea Pool costs between €18-22 (depending on the day). This includes 3 hours of access and a locker for your belongings.

- Don't forget your swimwear. While most saunas do not require swimwear, it is required here. Swimwear can be rented if necessary.

- Bring your own towel. Towels are not included in the price. They can be rented for €8.90.

- Bring slippers. The ground outside is freezing cold. The short walk to the saunas suddenly takes a long time when your feet feel like ice cubes.

• Fortress Island Suomenlinna: Suomenlinna was built starting in 1748, when Finland was part of the Kingdom of Sweden. The fortress was then named Sveaborg by Frederick I of Sweden. In 1918, Finland officially became independent and Sveaborg was renamed Suomenlinna. The island has not had a military function since 1973 and was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1991. The island can be reached by ferry, which is part of the public transport system. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and is certainly not a chore, as you sail past small islands and have a beautiful view of the harbour and the outskirts of the city. In the winter months, the sea is partially frozen, so the ferry also acts as an icebreaker. I took a lovely walk around the island, passing all the remains of the old fort.

  
  

• Old Market Hall / Vanha kauppahalli: In this old market hall, you will find a wide range of delicacies that Finland has to offer. There are various types of stalls, from caviar to reindeer and from liquorice to cinnamon buns.

  
  

• Helsinki Cathedral / Helsingin tuomiokirkko: The cathedral is an imposing Evangelical Lutheran church located on Senate Square. The church was built as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I of Russia, but now serves as a bishop's church. Due to the size and height of the building, you can't really miss it, as it can be seen from almost every part of the city.

  
  

• National Library of Finland / Kansalliskirjasto: This National Library is the largest and oldest scientific library in Finland. The interior of the building is beautifully decorated with high ceilings and ornate decorations. The entrance is opposite the entrance to the cathedral. Admission is free, so it is definitely worth a visit!

  
  

Where to eat in Helsinki?

For the best food, I also followed the tips of the locals I was working with. That's how I ended up at the following places.

• SOUP+MORE Vanha Kauppahalli: As the name suggests, SOUP+MORE specialises in soups. I had a delicious traditional smoked salmon soup with potatoes and dill for lunch here.

  
  

• Bakery Eromanga Oy: Here I bought a korvapuustit, literally translated as “closed ear”. Better known to us as a cinnamon roll. This is a typical Finnish treat to accompany coffee and is slightly different from what we are used to.

  
  

• Chocolate at Fazer Cafe: This cafe has a wide selection of pastries and is located in a classic and chic building. The Karl Fazer brand is known for its chocolate bars. Definitely worth a visit for the chocolate lovers among us!

  
  

• Ravintola Kuu: At Kuu, you can choose from traditional Finnish dishes as well as modern versions of Scandinavian cuisine. They also offer a number of set menus, which saves you from having to make difficult choices. I opted for the Helsinki menu.

  
  

In conclusion

This short city break gave me a good impression of Helsinki in 24 hours and a little insight into the culture and food. It just goes to show that a short stay in a country or city doesn't have to stop you from exploring.