6 day itinerary for Helsinki

Itinerary

Here's an ideal itinerary for 6 days in Helsinki:

Day 1: Arrival and City Tour

• Arrive in Helsinki and check into your hotel
• Take a walking tour of the city to get your bearings and see some of the top sights, such as Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, and the Market Square
• Visit the Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Rock Church, which is carved into solid rock and has amazing acoustics
• Enjoy dinner at one of Helsinki's many excellent restaurants

Day 2: Suomenlinna Fortress and Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

• Take a ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that was built in the 18th century to protect Helsinki from Russian attacks
• Explore the fortress and its museums, including the Suomenlinna Museum and the Ehrensvärd Museum
• Return to the mainland and visit the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, which showcases traditional Finnish architecture and way of life
• Have dinner at one of Helsinki's trendy restaurants or bars

Day 3: Design District and Kallio Neighborhood

• Spend the day exploring Helsinki's Design District, which is home to over 200 shops, galleries, and studios showcasing Finnish design
• Visit the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture
• In the evening, head to the Kallio neighborhood, which is known for its hipster vibe and nightlife scene
• Have dinner at one of Kallio's many restaurants or bars

Day 4: Day Trip to Porvoo

• Take a day trip to the charming town of Porvoo, which is about an hour's drive from Helsinki
• Walk along the cobblestone streets of Old Porvoo, which is filled with colorful wooden houses and artisan shops
• Visit the Porvoo Cathedral and the Porvoo Museum
• Have lunch at one of Porvoo's many cafes or restaurants before returning to Helsinki

Day 5: Sibelius Monument and Nuuksio National Park

• Visit the Sibelius Monument, which is dedicated to the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and is made up of over 600 steel pipes
• Take a bus to Nuuksio National Park, which is about an hour from Helsinki and offers hiking trails, lakes, and forests
• Spend the day hiking, canoeing, or fishing in the park
• Return to Helsinki for dinner at one of the city's many restaurants

Day 6: Market Square and Departure

• Visit the Market Square, which is filled with vendors selling fresh produce, seafood, and souvenirs
• Take a ferry to the nearby island of Suomenlinna for a final look at the fortress and its museums
• Have lunch at one of the Market Square's many outdoor cafes before departing Helsinki