City break (noun): a short holiday spent in a city, such as when on business travel.
Before there was bleisure travel, there was the city break—the short space of leisure time that grants you access to the cultural and culinary amenities that big cities offer. In this series from TripIt, we explore some of the world’s best cities for planning a quick getaway or extending a work trip.
Here are our tips for making the most of your city break in Helsinki, Finland.
Where to fly in
Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL) is the main airport serving the city. It’s located about 20 kilometers, or 12.5 miles, north of the city center.
Once on the ground, travelers can continue on to their final destination by train, bus, taxi or rental car. Train and car journeys take about 30 minutes to reach the city center. Bus journeys average 40 minutes.
Where to stay during your city break
For a stay steeped in history, look no further than Hotel Kämp. Open since 1887 and located in the heart of Helsinki, the five-star hotel offers a variety of room options, on-site restaurants, bars, a spa, and more.
Also located in the heart of the city, Hotel F6—a boutique hotel that touts “Nordic home-like luxury”—offers three room types: standard, superior, and deluxe. My favorite reasons to stay? The on-site bar, Runar, is open late on weekends—and the breakfast buffet is included in your room rate.
The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki—just a two-minute walk from Helsinki Central Railway Station—is ideally located for business and leisure travelers alike. The hotel features over 300 rooms, free Wi-Fi, an on-site restaurant, and a lobby bar.
Hotel St. George, a luxury hotel featuring nearly 150 rooms and five suites, focuses on offering guests a unique, mind-body experience during their stay. The on-site spa features spa treatments, a sauna, and pool. There’s also a gym for hotel guests’ use. There are also four restaurants on property, including a bakery, Thai restaurant, and the Wintergarde Bar—featuring seasonal dishes and artisan cocktails.
Vacation rentals, like those booked through Airbnb, are also available in Helsinki.
How to get around
Part of Helsinki’s charm is its easy walkability. Plan accordingly by packing comfortable shoes for walking from place to place.
When walking isn’t feasible or desirable, Helsinki offers myriad public transit options, including bus, tram, metro, train, and ferry. All of these modes of transport are accessible with a single ticket.
Travelers can purchase transit tickets via the Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) mobile app, from HSL ticket machines, at R-kiosks (local convenience stores), as well as at other sales and service points. With the mobile app, you can also plan your journey, get service updates, and more.
Related reading: A Guide to Walkable Cities: Where They Are and Why You Should Visit Them
Thinking about exploring Helsinki on two wheels? You have several micromobility options for getting around, including a bike-sharing program provided by the city and scooter-sharing programs provided by Voi, Bird, TIER, and others.
Helsinki city bikes are available from the beginning of April until the end of October. Day, week, and seasonal passes are available; day passes start at €5 for unlimited 30-minute rides in a 24-hour period.
Taxis and Uber are also available in Helsinki.
Where to eat
Have breakfast on the brain? Local favorites Levain, Way Bakery, Green Hippo Cafe, and Ravintola Kappeli—located within Esplanadi Park—serve up everything from coffee and pastries to pancakes, avocado toast, and more. Hint: All four eateries also serve lunch; Green Hippo and Kappeli serve dinner, as well.
For a variety of freshly baked pastries, visit the first floor of Hakaniemi Market Hall for local eats and treats, including baked goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, local cheeses, coffee, tea, and more. Head to the second floor of the market to Kirsikka—open for lunch and dinner—for international dishes with a local twist.
Speaking of dinner, you can opt for casual dining, Michelin stars, or anything in between during your time in Helsinki. Make a reservation at Grön to experience Michelin-star dining with an emphasis on what’s in season.
Restaurant Spis also focuses on what’s local and fresh, serving Nordic dishes with a focus on vegetables—but with at least one meat and fish entree available, as well.
If you’re thinking ‘one fish dish isn’t enough’—I get it! Dig into fresh oysters and caviar at Finlandia Caviar or head to Fisken på Disken, known for their seafood bar.
Finally, for four courses that will please—well, everyone—head to Vinkkeli, a Michelin-star restaurant that delivers “an uncomplicated take on classic cuisine.”
Tip: Use TripIt’s Nearby Places feature to easily find places to eat, drink, pick up supplies, or even seek medical care within walking distance from where you’re staying. For example, if you’re looking for a restaurant that’s close to your hotel, simply tap on the restaurants option in Nearby Places to view an interactive map with each option tagged. Tap the tags to view useful information like the restaurant’s contact details, hours, reviews, and more. If you find a place you want to visit but can’t get there right away, you can save it in TripIt to visit later.
What to do on your city break
As mentioned above, Helsinki is a great city to explore on two wheels. Rent a city bike and explore some of the city’s main sights: Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Esplanadi Park, and the Sibelius Monument. If biking isn’t feasible or desirable, hop on Tram 2 to make your way from sight to sight.
If you only have a few days (or hours of leisure time, if you’re on a business trip), make like the locals and sauna! Head to Löyly—the public sauna located right on the harbor—to steam your worries away. Or, if sauna isn’t your thing, take in the beautiful views to the Baltic Sea from Löyly’s restaurant or terrace.
Also located right on the harbor are Helsinki’s Market Square (open spring to autumn) and Old Market Hall—both worth a wander through if nothing but to mingle with locals buying and selling their fares.
A trip to Helsinki isn’t completed without a visit to Suomenlinna—the 18th-century sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the 20-minute ferry ride to explore the series of connected islands; there’s also a restaurant and brewery to pop into for a bite and beer, too.
Speaking of beer, Helsinki is home to many microbreweries worth visiting, including Stadin Panimo, Taproom Helsinki by Sori Brewing, Teerenpeli, and Helsinki Bryggeri Brewhouse.
Finally, if you have time to plan a day trip from Helsinki, take the ferry to Tallinn, Estonia for the day. The ferry ride is two hours each way and can cost as little as €20 when booked in advance. Several ferry operators serve the route, so it’s very doable to criss-cross the Baltic Sea while on your city break in Helsinki.
