Helsinki is somewhat off the beaten track in terms of tourism.
Yet this undiscovered gem is the perfect destination for a city break, giving you the chance to appreciate everything from natural scenery and relaxing saunas to high art and history.
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If you are planning to spend 2 days in Helsinki then you might be wondering which of the capital’s attractions to include on your itinerary.
So we’ve compiled this handy guide to help, suggesting what to do each morning, afternoon, and evening of your stay.
We’ve also recommended some of our favorite places to eat and provided accommodation options to suit every budget.
To save money during your weekend in Helsinki we recommend buying the Helsinki Card.
Available in 1, 2, and 3-day versions, it covers all public transportation, plus access to most of the city’s main attractions.
Day 1
On the first of your two days in Helsinki, you’ll be visiting a unique church, a modern library, and several museums, before relaxing in a typical Scandinavian sauna.
Morning
Start your day with a delicious pastry and coffee at Ekberg 1852, the oldest and most popular bakery in the city. Then take the 15-minute stroll along Fredrikinkatu to your first stop – the Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church).
Quite unlike any church you’ve ever seen, it is carved into natural bedrock and has a spectacular copper domed ceiling.
The acoustics inside are quite wonderful! If you are lucky, you may even get to hear a performance from an organist – a wonderful experience you won’t forget.
After soaking up the serene atmosphere, walk to Central Library Oodi. This opened in December 2018 and is one of Helsinki’s newest buildings.
You don’t have to be a book lover to appreciate the fabulous architecture of this unique wood-clad structure, packed with reading nooks, gaming rooms, 3D printing areas, and lots more. You can even see robots at work, organizing the books!
From there, head to the Ateneum Art Museum, just a short walk away. Home to the largest exhibition of art in Finland, this modern museum houses sculptures, paintings, and drawings from the mid-18th century onwards.
Your final stop before lunch is at another museum – this time, the Amos Rex museum.
Another new attraction opened in December 2018, this museum of visual arts became an instant hit and is now famous internationally for its contemporary exhibits.
The building itself is an architectural marvel, with domed exhibition spaces and underground areas.
As the morning draws to a close, either walk or take the number 25 bus to Cafe Regatta for sweet treats and coffee or hot chocolate.
This iconic little red log cabin is a ‘must see’ when visiting Helsinki. It sits right on the water and is picture-postcard perfect, with outside seating and a welcoming wood fire to keep you warm.
Afternoon
You have one more stop after lunch before heading to the sauna, and that’s at the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.
Even if you’re not an art lover, this is somewhere you must visit simply to marvel at the amazing architecture. In fact, architects competed in 1992 to design the building and the winning proposal was selected from 516 entries!
The works of around 8,000 artists are now displayed inside, and the interior of the building is quite spectacular!
The museum’s name comes from the Greek word chiasma, meaning ‘crossing’, and you’ll notice many crossing and twisting details in the building’s design, particularly the lobby.
And now – after all that sightseeing – you’re probably more than ready to relax! So make your way to the Löyly public sauna, which is located on the Baltic sea, just a bus ride away.
Saunas are an important part of Finnish culture and it is said that there are about 2 million of them in the country. When you consider that the population of Finland only numbers 5 million, you can understand just how popular they are!
The Löyly is located in a striking Scandinavian building and has 2 saunas to choose from – a traditional smoke sauna and a wood-burning sauna.
If you’re feeling brave, you can take advantage of the outdoor seating area to cool off afterward and even enjoy a dip in the Baltic Sea!
Be sure to book in advance and bring your swimsuit – the saunas are mixed-gender, so swimsuits are mandatory.
If you don’t have one with you, they are available to rent on-site. A towel, seat liner, shampoo, and shower gel are included in your admission fee.
Evening
For a great night out, head to The Cock Restaurant and Bar.
Popular with locals and visitors alike, this lively venue serves some amazing food, including delicious organic beef tartare and mouthwatering truffle risotto.
You can enjoy a variety of innovative cocktails along with your meal or choose from the huge selection of beers. And if you’re in the mood, you can even take part in a game of ping pong at one of the tables!
Day 2
On the second of your 2 days in Helsinki, you’ll be visiting some of the city’s most important buildings, taking a stroll in the park, and trying the local specialties at the bustling market. You’ll also see some more of the sights before taking an outdoor swim in a heated pool!
Morning
Your second morning in Helsinki starts in the historic center, at the Senate Square plaza. Here you can see some of the city’s oldest and finest buildings, including the main University building.
The chief attraction, though, is Helsinki Cathedral, a gorgeous and iconic structure painted a dazzling white and featuring a distinctive green dome.
You can pay to enter, but the interior is nowhere near as spectacular, so we recommend enjoying the building from the outside instead!
From there, a 2-minute walk will take you to another beautiful building – The National Library of Finland!
Even if you don’t want to read, you simply must visit just to admire the architectural detail of the building. The interior is stunning too, with pillars, vaulted ceilings, grand staircases, and Greek and Roman-inspired statues.
Next, walk to the Havis Amanda Statue and fountain, which is the spot where people gather to celebrate the eve of Labour Day.
This is when students will wash the statue and then place a high school graduate cap on her head to signify the start of the celebrations.
This is also where the Helsinki Christmas market is held from November to January.
After seeing the statue, head towards Esplanadi Park, which runs from the shopping district to the waterfront.
Depending on when you visit, you can see locals enjoying picnics, admire the Christmas lights, or perhaps catch an outdoor concert!
All that walking will have given you an appetite, so make your way now to the Kauppatori marketplace.
Visiting a city’s market is always a great way to get a real feel for local life and Kauppatori is no exception. It has an exciting atmosphere and features a range of stalls, selling fresh local foods (the berries are to die for!), fish, souvenirs, and handicrafts.
Lots of booths sell prepared food so it’s easy to grab some lunch and the prices are very reasonable too!
Afternoon
After lunch, take the short journey by ferry to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, located on a group of islands off Helsinki.
This UNESCO world heritage site is one of the city’s most popular attractions, with a fascinating old maritime fortress dating back to the mid-18th century.
It also has a lovely white church that doubles up as a lighthouse, along with museums and cafes.
If you’re visiting in winter, be sure to wrap up – the islands are VERY cold!
Next, get the ferry back to the mainland and head to the SkyWheel Helsinki, one of the city’s newer landmarks. The panoramic views from the top are unmissable, looking across the capital and out to sea.
The final stop of the day is at Allas Sea Pool, which you’ll find right next to the Skywheel.
Open all year round, it features a cold seawater pool and a welcoming 25m heated pool. There are also plenty of deckchairs upon which you can relax and soak up the sun in the summer months!
Evening
Now you’ve seen the best of Helsinki in 2 days it’s time for a delicious dinner to round off your trip.
For this, we recommend Juuri (which translates to ‘root’).
With a mention in the Michelin guide every year for the past 10 years, this modern restaurant serves amazing dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
It has even created a Finnish version of tapas, known as ‘sapas’, which are delicious starters designed for sharing!
How Many Days In Helsinki Is Enough?
Wondering if two days in Helsinki is enough? The truth is that it depends on your arrival time and departure time.
For example, if you get to Helsinki late, you won’t have a lot of time to make the most of your holidays in Helsinki.
That said, looking at this 2-day itinerary in Helsinki, you probably noticed it’s possible to see Helsinki during a weekend.
If you arrive late, we suggest you add one more night so that you can fully enjoy your time in Helsinki.
To help you figure out how many days you’ll need in Helsinki, we suggest you list the things you wish to see and do. Then, look at the map and see if it seems realistic.
Adding the arrival time and departure time to your Helsinki itinerary, you’ll see exactly how many days in Helsinki is going to be enough. It also helps to book your tours and activities in advance.
Where To Stay In Helsinki
Here are some of our favorite places to stay for a weekend in Helsinki.
Best Budget Accommodation
Located just a 5-minute walk from Helsinki Central Station, the Yard Hostel offers both private rooms and dormitories.
It is close to a range of eateries and has a large common lounge where you can meet other guests.
Best Mid-Range Accommodation
The Hotel Finn is centrally located and features bright, modern rooms displaying the works of local artists.
All rooms have private bathrooms and cable TV, and an indoor Swimming Hall with saunas is conveniently located just 100 yards away.
Best Luxury Accommodation
The stunning Marski by Scandic is an environmentally friendly hotel located near the Esplanadi shopping district.
Its restaurant serves traditional Finnish dishes with an international twist, and guests can also enjoy the onsite cocktail bar and cafe.
There are a variety of rooms to choose from, some of which even have their own saunas!
Final Thoughts On Two Days In Helsinki
If you have been wondering what to do in Helsinki in 2 days, we hope you have found this itinerary useful in planning your stay.
Offering good food, spectacular design, and a very warm welcome, Finland’s capital is a great place for an unforgettable getaway.
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