Finland is a hidden gem that doesn’t make it onto enough people’s bucket lists. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I touched down to visit Helsinki, but I quickly found that this city is absolutely AMAZING.
Stockholm and Copenhagen are incredible Scandinavian must-see cities, but there’s a certain “something” about Helsinki that you cannot find anywhere else in Europe. Hard to believe?
Let’s explore a few reasons why you should consider a Helsinki stay for your next Euro-trip!
Museum of Contemporary Art
Art-Lover’s Paradise
As a huge are love, I specifically look for museums when I travel where I can check out famous local art to really get a feel for a country’s culture and heritage.
Not only are Finland natives big on art, but you can find a diverse array of museums everywhere in Helsinki. Be sure to check out the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, in which thousands of local and international art pieces are housed in a visually striking and modern structure.
A favorite and highly recommended must-see is the Finnish Museum of Photography where you can find an amazing collection of works from a thriving population of incredible Finnish and Scandinavian photographers.
These museums each have unique character with incredible architectural installations, and like other Scandinavian cultures, the focus on architecture as art is ever-present. There are so many more art museums around the city as well, so be sure to have a look at this list to see what type of museum might be up your alley.
Picnic at the Park
Exploring the parks around any new city often offers a calming balance to the bustle of a city. When I arrived at Helsinki, I found that their local parks are not only amazing places to relax, but also thriving hubs of street performers and locals listening to music with elaborate picnic spreads.
Take a visit to Kaivopuisto Park or Esplanade Park on a warm afternoon to enjoy the vibrant sights and sounds, and of you’re lucky enough to visit in spring or summer, you’ll may be amazed to find a cornucopia of gorgeous flower blossoms that some people would never envision in a country as notoriously cold as Finland.
Tour Around the City
No Helsinki visit is complete without a guided tour of the local foodie haunts around the city. We recommend doing both with Heather’s Helsinki food tour! And trust me, Helsinki’s food is definitely something to write home about.
Because of its large coastal line and access to the best open-sea fish, Finland is known for its fresh and seasonal seafood selection that’s simply out of this world. Try the fresh catch of the day anywhere you stop, and if you’re feeling something sweet for dessert, traditional Finnish cinnamon buns are life changing.
If you’re not really invested in a tour that includes sustenance, definitely check out Walking Tours Helsinki, which I loved (the best part is that it’s free!). I recommend doing that upon your arrival so that you get a general feel for the city and zero in on locations that you’d like to explore in greater depth.
Helsinki Love
Helsinki (and Finland in general) deserves more of a spotlight that it receives on the international stage, and I truly believe that it’s a very underrated locale.
Stockholm and Copenhagen and lovely cities in their own right, but Helsinki is one of those cities that is quite often overlooked and just might become your next favorite low-key destination.
Listed in this article are just a handful of reasons why you should add Helsinki to your next travel endeavor, but there are so many more than what I’ve included here. I encourage you to explore and make the most out of your Finland vacation!
Have a favorite Helsinki spot to visit? Let us know and comment below! 🙂
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