Helsinki (Part 1): A Must See List of Unique Sites

Helsinki is a city where modern design meets rugged Nordic nature. It’s compact, walkable, and packed with world-class attractions, yet it never feels overwhelming. But let’s be honest—most people don’t know much about it beyond saunas and Santa’s proximity.

Here’s a fact to put things into perspective: Helsinki has over 300 islands and almost 50% of the city is green space. This means one minute, you’re sipping coffee in a sleek, minimalist café, and the next, you’re kayaking through the Baltic Sea. It’s a place where you can explore an 18th-century fortress, then dive into the heart of Finland’s cutting-edge design scene—all in a single afternoon.

This guide isn’t just another generic list of attractions. It’s your insider’s roadmap to Helsinki’s best experiences, from the awe-inspiring Suomenlinna Fortress to the hidden gems that don’t make it onto every travel blog. We’ll cover the must-sees, the underrated spots, and the little details that make Helsinki special—the kind of details that turn a good trip into a great one.

Ready to uncover Helsinki’s best-kept secrets? Let’s get started.

Kauppatori

Kauppatori is the most famous market located at the entrance to Esplanadi Park. If you want to try some traditional Finnish food or buy local art, it is the best place to do that. Also, on top of the shopping experience, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the harbour and the Baltic Sea.

Kauppatori | Helsinki

Linnanmaki

The Linnanmaki Amusement Park offers 44 rides, such as the freefall tower and several roller coasters. However, you can visit the haunted house and carousel if you are not a big fan of high adrenaline levels. Furthermore, you can choose from various restaurants when you grab a snack or enjoy a meal. Moreover, besides all the fun, you must know that the profits of this park are used for child welfare work in Finland.

Linnanmaki Amusement Park | Helsinki | Source: Linnanmaki Facebook Page | Tivolikuja 1, 00510 Helsinki

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, Finland’s largest outdoor museum, opened in 1909. By visiting this museum, you can learn a lot about how Finnish people lived in the past. In addition, some farms and manors are four centuries old, though most are from the 18th to 20^th centuries. Finally, during the winter, the museum is closed, but in the summertime, visitors are highly recommended to take a picnic lunch in the museum.

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum | Helsinki

Esplanadi Park

If you need relaxation, you must spend some time in Esplanadi Park. It is a perfect place for a picnic or to attend music shows in a friendly atmosphere. Further, the park is also trendy among locals, located in the heart of Helsinki. So you can enjoy your time in the green area, listen to music, watch performances or relax at an old caffé.

Esplanadi Park | Helsinki | Source: Esplanadi Wikipedia | Pohjoisesplanadi, 00130 Helsinki

Helsinki Cathedral

If you have already searched for the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki, you have probably seen the white Helsinki Cathedral as the city’s symbol. The church was built neoclassically by the same architect who designed Senate Square. Interestingly, the church’s original name was St. Nicholas Church, after the Russian tsar, but it was renamed when Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917.

Suomenlinna

The Swedes built the well-known fortress of Suomenlinna in the middle of the 18^th century as protection from Russian invaders. It has also served as a naval base; warships were built here and can be reached by ferry. Moreover, it is also known as the Castle of Finland. It is a must-see attraction close to Helsinki and a great place to picnic in the summertime.

Suomenlinna | Helsinki

Temppeliaukio Kirkko

Temppeliaukio Kirkko is the most exciting and unique church in Helsinki, built in the 20th century. The interior is made from solid rock, also known as the Church of the Rock. It is nice to visit in the morning when the sunlight lights up the interior through a copper dome. Lastly, due to the excellent acoustics, the church is often used as a concert venue.

Temppeliaukio Kirkko | Helsinki | Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 Helsinki

Explore Helsinki’s Design District

Helsinki is renowned for its design and innovation, and there’s no better place to experience this than the Design District. Spanning multiple neighborhoods, the area is packed with boutiques, galleries, design studios, and antique shops, making it a paradise for design lovers.

Walk along Fredrikinkatu and Uudenmaankatu, where you’ll find a mix of well-known Finnish brands like Marimekko, Iittala, and Artek, alongside independent designers crafting unique home decor, clothing, and accessories. If you’re interested in learning more about Finnish design, stop by the Design Museum, which showcases the evolution of Finnish craftsmanship over the decades.

📍 Location: Punavuori, Helsinki

⏰ Best time to visit: Anytime, but shops are usually open 10 AM – 6 PM

💡 Tip: Visit during Helsinki Design Week (September) for exclusive exhibitions and events.

Bonus: Experience Helsinki’s Food Scene

No trip to Helsinki is complete without exploring its thriving food scene. The city is home to traditional Finnish cuisine, fresh seafood, and Nordic fine dining experiences.

• Try Local Dishes: Head to Kappeli or Savotta for authentic Finnish flavors like reindeer stew, salmon soup, and karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pasty).

• Market Delights: Visit Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli) and Hietalahti Market for local cheeses, fresh berries, and smoked fish.

• Modern Nordic Cuisine: For a Michelin-starred experience, dine at Olo, where you’ll find an exquisite take on Finnish flavors with a contemporary twist.

📍 Where to eat: Market Square, Esplanadi, Kallio district

⏰ Best time to visit: Lunch and dinner hours (12 PM – 10 PM)

💡 Tip: Try the famous korvapuusti (Finnish cinnamon bun) at Café Ekberg or Fazer Café.

Conclusion: Make the Most of Helsinki—Your Adventure Awaits

Helsinki isn’t a city you just visit—it’s a city you experience. You feel it when you walk through the Design District, where every storefront is a tiny museum of Finnish creativity. You taste it in the smoky, buttery salmon soup at Market Square. You hear it in the silence of the Rock Church, where music echoes off stone walls carved straight from the earth.

But here’s the thing: Helsinki rewards the curious. Sure, you can stick to the highlights, but the magic happens when you stray just a little off the beaten path. Step onto a local ferry instead of a tourist boat. Wander through a residential district like Kallio to see how the locals really live. Say yes when a Finn invites you to a sauna—even if it means jumping into an ice-cold lake afterward.

Whatever you do, don’t rush it. Helsinki is a city best savored, like a perfectly brewed cup of Finnish coffee (which, by the way, they drink more of per capita than anywhere else in the world). So take your time, explore deeply, and let this city surprise you.

Your adventure in Helsinki starts now.

If you want to learn more about Helsinki’s history and culture, book a custom tour with Amitylux and let our knowledgeable guides show you the most exciting attractions in Helsinki.