Summer in Helsinki offers ferries that feel like cruises, streets bustling until midnight, and summer desserts like no other. From early June until late August, the Finnish capital wakes up after a long frost. Tram bells welcome tourists, and berry stands line the harbour. You can swim before breakfast, picnic on an island at lunch, watch free jazz in a park during sunset, then cool off in a seaview sauna before bed. Ready to enjoy your summer in Helsinki? Then keep reading as we cover the local weather, the best islands, parks, saunas, and food spots, plus insider tips that help you stretch every minute of summer!
Key Takeaways
- Summer in Helsinki runs June to August, with highs near 21°C and almost 19 hours of light at the solstice.
- Hop to Suomenlinna, Pihlajasaari, Vallisaari, Löyly, Sompasauna, and Hietaranta for island views, sea swims, and sauna culture.
- Spend easy days at Linnanmäki, Kaivopuisto, Esplanadi, Sibelius Park, and Flow Festival for fun rides, lawns, art, and music.
- Taste summer at Karl Fazer Café, Café Regatta, Jädelino, St George Bakery, Teemu and Markus, Old Market Hall, Hakaniemi, Hietalahti, Kauppatori, and Teurastamo.
Summer Weather in Helsinki
Helsinki’s summer stretches from June through August. Average highs climb from 19°C in June to about 21°C in July, before easing to 19°C in August. Nights hover around 12°C to 14°C, so a light jacket still helps. Around midsummer in June, the city enjoys close to 19 hours of daylight, with calm twilight adding a usable glow past midnight. Visitors can enjoy the longer days, but some may need eye masks to fall asleep even after midnight! Compared with spring’s chill and autumn’s early dusk, these months feel almost endless, giving visitors time for late ferries, midnight saunas, and unhurried outdoor dinners.
Where to Go in Helsinki during Summer
With the forecast promising sun, it is time to leave the weather chat behind and follow the locals toward the water, green spaces, and lively stages that make summer in Helsinki unforgettable.
Islands & Saunas
Islands
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: A 15 minute ferry from Kauppatori places you inside stone walls built in the 18th century. Summer visitors stroll past bronze cannons, pop up art shows, and six small museums that explain maritime battles and local life. Grassy slopes invite picnics, and cafés serve fresh salmon soup with rye bread. The municipal ferry runs late, so you can watch a pink sunset before sailing back. Entry is free, and the ferry day ticket is very affordable, making this a budget friendly visit. Bring walking shoes and water for the uneven paths.
- Pihlajasaari Island: Locals treat this green island as an outer city beach. JT Line ferries leave Merisatama and Ruoholahti every hour from mid May to late August, reaching the pier in 10 minutes. Sand coves face the open gulf, rocky headlands offer diving spots, and a wood fired public sauna stands near the old villa. Trails circle wildflower meadows where nature lovers spot orchids and seabirds. Bring a grill kit because free barbecue areas let you cook fresh fish from Kauppatori. No cars disturb the calm, so children can roam safely and couples can nap under pine trees.
- Vallisaari and Kuninkaansaari: These islands were once off-limits military islands, but they now form a nature reserve linked by boardwalks and viewpoint stairs. Water buses run from Kauppatori from May until late September, and they are extremely affordable. The island’s main path leads past limestone cliffs, hidden gunpowder cellars, and ponds where you can spot dragonflies. Bird watchers visit often with binoculars, as they enjoy spotting eagles’ nests nearby. Cafés in old barracks sell cinnamon buns and blueberry juice, and swimming in the small bay is a perfect summer highlight.
Saunas
- Löyly Sauna: This timber pavilion stands on Hernesaari waterfront and offers two saunas, modern shower facilities, and stairs leading directly into the ocean. Summer slots fill fast, so we recommend booking early. The wide terrace acts as a sun deck where you can sip organic beer while cruise ships glide past. After two hours of your sauna, you can end your day beside a crackling fireplace while the sky turns pastel.
- Sompasauna: Built by volunteers on a former dock, this free public sauna stays open around the clock every day. Bring your own towel, firewood, and drinks, then share the task of heating the stove with other bathers. After sweating, step into the sea using ladders fixed to the pier, then cool off on benches that overlook cranes and city towers. The experience costs nothing, proving that Finnish sauna culture belongs to everyone all year long. Keep in mind that there are no showers or changing rooms at the facility.
Parks & Gardens
- Linnanmäki Amusement Park: This is Finland’s oldest fun park that mixes heritage with modern thrill. Admission to the grounds is free, and the 2025 wristband gives unlimited rides or new family packages that group smaller attractions at a friendly price. There are over 40 rides, and the classic wooden rollercoaster Vuoristorata still rumbles along the ridge, while the modern Taiga coaster hits speeds above 100 kilometres per hour. Evening light shows splash colour over the Ferris wheel, and fireworks pop on Saturday nights in July.
- Kaivopuisto Park: This historic seaside park stretches across rolling lawns, pine crowned hills, and a polished granite shore that meets clear Baltic water. The observatory hill rises gently and rewards hikers with a sweeping view of Suomenlinna and passing cruise liners. On May 1st, the park fills with giant picnics for Vappu, and every other Friday in summer, a pop up cinema inflates a screen near the shore.
- Esplanadi Park: Locals call this tree lined boulevard Espa, and it truly feels like the city living room. The park has a stage called Espa Stage that hosts daily jazz at noon, then shifts to folk and pop later, keeping a relaxed soundtrack from June through August. Street artists juggle, paint portraits, and fold marzipan roses. In early July, a week-long food festival lines the paths with tasting huts selling various street foods, making the park a walk through picnic.
- Sibelius Park: Named after one of the greatest Finnish composers Jean Sibelius, 600 hollow steel tubes that resemble organ pipes mark the beginning of this park in a peaceful corner of Töölö. Locals bring flutes and violins to play homage pieces that resonate under the tubes, turning the park into an informal concert hall.
What to Eat in Helsinki during Summer
After running between parks, islands, and stages, taste buds demand chill treats and fast bites.
Dessert Cafés for Sunny Days
- Karl Fazer Café Kluuvikatu: Since 1998, this cafe has featured marble halls where chocolate sculptures greet you. Visitors can pick their sweets from blueberry tarts, mango mousse domes, or the legendary Fazer Blue cake with silky ganache. Summer brings limited raspberry sorbet served in crunchy chocolate cups that add playful texture.
- Café Regatta: This tiny red cottage by the water used to store fishing nets, but now it stores huge cinnamon buns that weigh almost 200 grams each. Coffee refills are affordable, and arrive in mismatched enamel mugs that feel like grandma’s kitchen.
- Jädelino: Housed in the creative Teurastamo yard, this gelato lab churns small batches daily, meaning every scoop tastes incredibly fresh. All of their fruit flavors are vegan, and their milk ice creams are made with Finnish cream and organic milk. Indoor seating shows the visible production room, so you can watch pistachio paste swirl into custard.
- St. George Bakery: Attached to Hotel St. George, this airy room smells like butter and cardamom. Classic cinnamon buns are always on display, and bakers plate croissants dusted with powdered sugar that melts instantly on warm fingers. This is a perfect spot if you are looking for something sweet in an elegant setting.
- Patisserie Teemu Aura: This famous patisserie creates pastries that look like tiny sculptures. Their signature lemon meringue tarte draws in visitors, and their sourdough is beautifully baked every day. The chef uses Finnish flour for their sourdoughs, proving that local sourcing can match fancy flavours.
Street Food Markets and Stalls
- Old Market Hall: Since 1889, this waterfront hall has sold salmon soup, elk pies, and berry jams. 20 stalls invite free tastings, and local fishers dock outside delivering fish straight to steaming pots within minutes. From truffles to fish sandwiches, you can find every Finnish dish in a street food form in this market hall.
- Hakaniemi Market Hall: Walk into this authentic market hall straight from the metro station, and you’ll see farmers arriving at dawn with baskets of chanterelles, strawberries, and new potatoes. Fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy are sold fresh, as well as textiles, jewellery, coffee, and flowers. Enjoy the busy vibes of the local market and grab a few souvenirs on your way out!
- Hietalahti Market Hall: Global street food and vintage vinyl share this red brick space that once handled fish auctions. During summer, a flea market gets set up in the market hall as well. There are 8 stalls offering Japanese, Finnish, Portuguese, and Vietnamese food, with options for vegans.
- Kauppatori Market Square: Orange tents grill salmon and reindeer beside juice presses squeezing local berries. Arrive before 10 AM for fresh food, then take the ferry to Suomenlinna from the same pier. Vendors shout prices in Finnish, Swedish, and English, keeping the mood lively. Tourists often try traditional lapland coffee brewed over an open flame, then finish with a warm cinnamon doughnut that softens instantly.
- Teurastamo Food Yard: Once a slaughterhouse, this courtyard is now a culture lab with micro roasters, a craft distillery, and weekly food trucks. During summer, there are many pop up events such as Art & Craft Fair and music concerts. Take a look at the event schedules here.
Conclusion
Long light, fresh water, fun ferries, and food that celebrates the Finnish culture make summer in Helsinki feel like a true holiday. For travellers who want every hour to flow smoothly, book an Amitylux private tour in Helsinki. Our local guides design custom routes that match your style, whether you wake early for sunrise swimming, crave an afternoon café crawl, or a visit to the food market. When planning the rest of your stay, read our guides to top attractions in Helsinki and best hotels to stay in Helsinki for even more local insight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Helsinki like in summer?
Helsinki feels open and bright. Daylight stretches close to 19 hours in June, and average highs reach 21°C. Cafés move outdoors, ferries link islands often, and public saunas invite sunset swims. The city remains compact, so you can explore beaches, parks, and markets within a day.
What is the hottest month in Helsinki?
July is usually the warmest month. Daytime temperatures peak near 21°C, and nights stay mild around 13°C. Water in shallow bays reaches 16°C, just enough for a quick swim.
What is the best time to visit Helsinki?
Late June through early August offers the best blend of warm weather, long daylight, and lively events. Flowers bloom, Flow Festival energises the harbour, and island ferries run late. If you prefer fewer visitors, late August delivers calm streets and lower prices while the sea still feels pleasant.
