Helsinki, the capital of Finland, consisting of 330 islands, is known as one of the happiest countries in the world. Vibrant in the arts, architecture, design and flourishing eateries, it has something for everyone to enjoy, learn or discover in this city. Find yourself in an unexpected adventure and experience nature blended with urban life with these tours, giving you multiple perspectives towards truly understanding and enjoying the city.
Read on to find out about the best tours you can take in Helsinki:
Tip from tour guide
Visiting Helsinki in winter? Rug up! Sure, we all know Lapland is cold, but here in the south the weather can be quite unpredictable. Winter temperatures can fluctuate between 5 and -25 degrees C, and you never know when a sudden blizzard is around the corner. Dressing in layers is recommended so that you can comfortably enjoy whatever experience our climate decides to give you!
Tip from tour guide
Navigation never stops in Helsinki, it goes on all year round! Never mind the thick ice on the Baltic Sea - we've got our heroes - our Icebreakers. But if you're planning to visit and book tours, note that the spring-to-autumn season is especially busy with the World Travel Cruises daily bringing thousands of people from all over the world to the Helsinki shores!
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1. Food tour
Bring out the inner foodie in you as this small-group food walking tour brings you to hidden foodie hotspots, lets you try the local delicacies and exposes you to the Finns culinary traditions. Meet at the Old Market Hall and stroll past Park Esplanadi, Bulevardi Street, Candy Sweet Shop, Alko the liquor store and the traditional Finnish restaurant, Kappeli.
Food tasting highlights include: Cold-smoked reindeer meat, tasty local sausages, Finnish squeaky “bread” cheese with cloudberry jam, filtered coffee with milk and snacks and champagne in Helsinki’s oldest restaurant. Experience and indulge in Finnish cuisine in this gastronomic walking tour.
Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings
Book Tours : Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings
2. Bike tour in the forest!
Helsinki’s Central Park blends in nature and urban life. Experience the Finnish forest up close in this tour which has an easy to cycle route as it is not hilly. Cycle past different types of Finnish forests and nature with local houses which blend in with its surroundings and nature. Take a break at a scenic spot with coffee and snacks while you learn about the different forest types and native floras of Finland. Bikes and helmets are provided for this beautiful journey within the forest.
Private Bike Tour in Helsinki Forest
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3. Build your own tour
Free and easy exploration; buy the Helsinki Card and you can get free public transport around the city. Choose from a 24, 48 or 72-hour card to get around the city. This card also comes with complimentary admission to many Helsinki museums and attractions including the Suomenlinna Fortress Museum and Ateneum Art Museum. You also can get a free audio city tour in 10 languages. There are many other various discounts, benefits and freebies that come along with this card, which is worth the money for a first-time traveller to Helsinki.
Tip from tour guide
Classic Finnish art may not be very well-known outside the country, but if art museums are your thing, head to Ateneum, located next to Helsinki central railway center. There you can immerse yourself in Finnish artists such as Hugo Simberg, who painted this suspicious old lady, as well as an ever-changing offering of visiting exhibitions.
Book Tours : Helsinki Card City or Region
4. Snowmobile safari
Experience an epic adventure with this snowmobile tour. Hotel pickup and drop-off are provided along with a warm snowsuit, boots, gloves, balaclava and helmet. Ride through the landscape of frozen sea and forest trails as you will be guided through the beautiful frozen archipelago. Take a break at an island where you will enjoy lunch cooked over a fire and warm drinks. Try snowshoe walking or ice fishing during your break and continue on your winter adventure! A safe and unforgettable adventure within Helsinki’s winter archipelago.
Book Tours : Snowmobile Safari in Helsinki Archipelago with Lunch
Helsinki Tour Guide
Anna Siukola
Hi, my name is Ann, and I offer author’s Helsinki and Southern Finland tours in English to individual travelers, families, friend groups, and large groups. My style is educative and entertaining, so you will have a lot of facts presented in an easy, fun, and friendly manner. I am knowledgeable in various fields, but my tours are not boring history lessons. Instead, we will have a lively narrati... Read more
Tours by Anna
Helsinki Tour Guide
Petra Vairimaa
With eight years of guiding experience and a higher education degree in cultural studies, I offer a perspective on history and culture that goes beyond the ordinary - a depth that only a local culture enthusiast can provide. At Petra's Tours, we don't offer educational lectures; instead, we create experiences designed to ignite your enthusiasm and spark new insights. Join us for moments that ar... Read more
Tours by Petra
Helsinki Tour Guide
Janica Hindle
I'm a life-long learner with a passion for all things historical. On my tours I will show you around our charming little capital city, and share with you the past and present of living in Helsinki.
Tours by Janica
5. Canal cruise
A highly rated must-see canal cruise where you can sit inside the comfortable cabin or find a spot above on the outdoor deck. Sail past Helsinki’s waterfronts and islands. Go towards the Korkeasaari Island, Helsinki Zoo; and the UNESCO-listed Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress. Drift into the scenic man-made Degerö Canal and past Helsinki’s fleet of gigantic icebreaker ships. There is free WiFi aboard as well as drinks and snacks as you listen to Helsinki’s history with the onboard commentary. A comfortable, beautiful and engaging journey around Helsinki’s many islands and rich history.
Book Tours : Helsinki Canal Cruise
6. Finnish Culture Shore Excursion
A shore excursion which exposes you to Finnish culture and tradition. Board a sightseeing bus heading for central Helsinki, visit the Central Railway Station, then to Mannerheim Street to see Finlandia Hall, the Parliament House, the Kiasma Museum, and the Olympic Stadium. Head on to the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum on an island, the highlight of the tour. Back in town, stop at a few places like the Rock Church, Sibelius Park, and take a break browsing and eating in the scenic Senate Square.
7. Super saver bus/boat combination tour
Explore Helsinki at your own pace with this hop-on-hop-off bus and boat combination tour. The hop-on-hop-off bus ticket is valid for 24 hours and available in 10 different languages. It goes past 15 stops with highlights including the Olympic Stadium, the National Museum, the Sibelius Monument, and Temppeliaukio Church. The boat departs from Helsinki Market Square at your preferred schedule. Highlights include the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, the Helsinki Zoo, and the Degerö Canal. A fun and exciting way to discover the city!
8. Music Walking Tour
Being such a cultural city, vibrant with art and music, this tour engages with your senses as you get to listen to samples of Finnish music. From traditional folk borne, and Finnish tango, to classics, jazz, rock, pop, ‘kantele’ harp music and the sounds of whooper swans with violins. The tour with music starts at the city centre visiting main sights and covers the Church of the Rock, Esplanades, Marketplace, Uspenski Cathedral, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Train Station Square, Ateneum, National Theater, National Museum, Parliament, Music Hall, Finlandia Hall, Chapel of Silence as well as Art Nouveau buildings, and one surprise building! This engaging small group walking tour is perfect for music lovers!
Helsinki Music Walking Tour
Book Tours : Helsinki Music Walking Tour
Multitudes of adventure!
These tours bring you on many epic and amazing adventures, captivate you in nature, indulge your senses, and get you up close and personal with the Finns lifestyle. With so many ways to explore and discover the city, Helsinki unexpectedly turns out to be a “must-see” city on many visitor’s lists, and it might also be on yours.
History
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