Best things to do in Helsinki: a local’s guide for 2026

What is it? Linnanmäki’s wooden roller coaster is like a thrilling ride 75 years back in time. While the technology has been updated, the cars and the pace are the same as in 1951, when Vuoristorata opened.

Why we love it? While other amusement parks compete to build the fastest and wildest rollercoasters, Linnanmäki’s best-loved ride puts its faith in wood and gravity. Built for the 1952 Olympics, this wooden rollercoaster is a real rarity: it is one of just six in the world still operated by a brakemaster standing at the back of the train. The ride is perfect: fast enough to make you scream, but not so intense it brings your lunch back up. Because a person is in control, no two rides are the same. The trembling and creaking of the wooden structure adds an extra thrill.

Time Out tip: Every seat is excellent, but for the maximum dose of adrenaline, head for the front row, where you’ll get that genuine ‘floating in mid-air’ feeling on the drops. If you’re planning to film a video, keep a white-knuckle grip on your camera; this classic’s jolts and speed are much wilder than they look from the ground.

What is it? This is Helsinki’s grand parade ground and a dramatic snapshot of the city’s origins. The cathedral, university, and government buildings were all dreamed up by German architect Carl Ludvig Engel. He arrived in 1816 planning a short stay, but stayed for the rest of his life; when you’re handed the chance to design an entire capital from scratch, you put your other life plans on hold. Engel never quite warmed to this chilly northern outpost, but his handiwork turned Helsinki into a neoclassical showpiece. 

Why go? To see Helsinki at its most majestic yet surprisingly lived-in. The iconic Helsinki Cathedral rises above the square like a giant white angel, and its massive granite steps serve as the city’s communal living room. In the summer, it's the ultimate spot to soak up the sun; in the morning, a brutal outdoor gym; and in the winter, a high-stakes sledding hill. Climb to the top for the ultimate postcard view, or hang around the cobbles and imagine 19th-century merchants and Russian officials bustling about – minus the selfie sticks. Fun fact: The square’s resemblance to St. Petersburg is so uncanny that Hollywood filmmakers have frequently used it as a stand-in for Russia in Cold War spy thrillers.

Don’t miss: While the cathedral is breathtakingly plain inside, the National Library of Finland right next door is a total showstopper. Engel himself considered its Cupola Hall his finest work, and with its soaring frescoes and endless shelves, it feels like stepping onto a period drama set. Entry is free, just keep your voice to a ‘scholarly hush.’ Afterward, grab a window seat at Café Engel across the square for a coffee with a front-row view of the architect’s legacy.

Nearest tram: Senaatintori (Lines 2, 4, 5, or 7), metro Helsinki University

What is it? For decades, Finlandia Hall – architectural legend Alvar Aalto’s final masterpiece – was something you could only admire from the outside, unless you had a ticket to a conference or concert inside. After a major renovation, it now hosts the Finlandia exhibition, bringing Aalto’s architecture, life, and ideas up close for visitors.

Why go? The exhibition is broad and revealing, offering a different angle on Aalto than the Aalto Museum in Jyväskylä. Together they complement each other. At Finlandia Hall, Aalto’s architecture is tied directly to the idea of Finnish identity. The show makes it clear just how deeply Aalto shaped what the world (and Finns themselves) consider 'Finnish design'.  

Don’t miss: After the exhibition, drop by the new Finlandia Café & Wine, naturally furnished with Aalto’s own chairs and lamps. And if you really want to immerse yourself, a handful of Aalto-designed rooms – originally built as living quarters for janitors and staff – can now be booked for an overnight stay.

Nearest metro: Central Railway Station (Rautatientori)

Price: €20 for the exhibition. Entry to the lobby and café of Finlandia Hall is free.

What is it? Helsinki Central is a masterpiece of Art Nouveau and one of the world’s most stunning station buildings. After a major face-lift, it has finally shed its ‘commuters only’ skin to become a full-service lifestyle hub. It’s no longer just a place to catch a train; it’s a destination for culture, cocktails, and soaring views.

Why go? You don’t need a ticket to enjoy the station's new life. Start outside with the obligatory selfie between The Lantern Carriers – the four colossal stone giants who have guarded the entrance since 1914. Once inside, head to Restaurant Taulu for a dose of high art with your drink. Dominating the wall is Eero Järnefelt’s legendary mural of Koli, Finland’s most famous national landscape. It’s arguably the most impressive backdrop for a cocktail in the city. If you’re after a pint, hit up the Clock Tower Brewery (Kellotorni) or the stylish La Komia bar. For a quick cultural fix, the second floor houses the Finnish People’s Museum, a charming ‘micro-museum’ with rotating exhibits that are usually free to enter. And yes, you can even stay the night here – though not in the old-school Interrail sense of sleeping on a station bench. Instead, check into the stylish Scandic Grand Central Helsinki, set right inside the station itself.

Don’t miss The ultimate insider move is the newly opened Clock Tower. Previously off-limits for decades, you can now join a guided tour to climb the atmospheric, winding stairs. Along the way, you’ll hear the station’s juiciest stories – and possibly start wondering if Helsinki has its own Quasimodo lurking somewhere in the shadows. (No confirmed sightings… yet.) At the top, you’ll get the most central 360-degree view of Helsinki. It’s a perfect vantage point in the very heart of the city.

Nearest metro: Railway Station

What is it? Helsinki’s most striking church isn’t a spire on the skyline, but a cavern in the bedrock. Blasted into solid granite in 1969 and capped with a massive copper dome, this brutalist masterpiece feels less like a sanctuary and more like a Bond villain’s secret lair.

Why go? To witness how unpolished rock walls and raw granite can feel surprisingly cozy. When it first opened in 1969, many Helsinkians hated it, dismissing it as too raw, too modern, and too weird for a church. Over time, the critics quieted, and the faithful got used to praying inside a Bond villain’s lair. Today, it’s considered the city’s most impressive place of worship—a must-visit for both architecture buffs and tourists looking for Instagram glory. The architect brothers, Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, never again matched this level of brilliance; if they’d been in a band, they’d be remembered as Finland’s ultimate one-hit wonder.

Don’t miss: The acoustics. Because of the jagged, exposed rock surfaces, the sound quality here is world-class. Check the schedule for the church's frequent concerts; hearing a choir inside this monument of rock is a spine-tingling experience that makes a standard concert hall feel a bit pedestrian.

Nearest tram: Sammonkatu (Lines 1 & 2)

What is it? A 1960s architectural utopia just a quick metro ride from the city center. Tapiola was designed as a ‘garden city,’ but it feels more like a mid-century vision of the future. The crown jewel is the Futuro House at EMMA (Espoo Museum of Modern Art) – a bright yellow, flying saucer–shaped holiday home designed in 1968 that looks ready to lift off from the museum's deck.

Why go? To lean into Finland’s quiet fascination with the extraterrestrial. To outsiders, the Finnish language sounds like it arrived from another planet, so you might as well see where the ‘locals’ live. While you can't move into the Futuro House, you can step inside and imagine a retro-futuristic life in a cabin designed for small green men. Afterward, head to the nearby Tapiola Church – a stark, uncompromising slab of concrete brutalism that will force you to decide once and for all if you're a fan of ‘ugly-cool’ architecture.

Don’t miss: The museum itself. EMMA is housed in the WeeGee building, a former printing house that is a masterpiece of industrial design in its own right. After exploring the UFO, wander through the museum's vast, light-filled spaces to see world-class modern art and the WeeGee’s other museums, including the Finnish Museum of Horology and Jewellery.

Nearest metro: Tapiola (Follow signs for the WeeGee-talo)

What is it: Visiting a public sauna isn’t just something to try in Finland – it’s the thing to do. Step into the heat and you’ll be closer to the Finnish state of mind than anywhere else. At traditional spots like Kotiharjun sauna, the rule is simple: swimsuits stay at the door. Men and women bathe separately.

Why go? This is a sauna in its purest form: steam, heat, and humanity. No one’s staring; everyone’s sweating. You slip into a rhythm of heating up, cooling down, and heading back in again. It’s both social and deeply relaxing– and you may even find yourself sharing life stories with strangers. For reasons no one quite understands, Finns – usually reserved to the point of silence – become surprisingly chatty when sweating naked with strangers. Friendships have been forged, deals struck, and life stories spilled on those wooden benches. 

Don’t miss: On Thursdays and Fridays, a traditional washer is in attendance. In her care, it feels as though time has slipped back to childhood and you are once again being gently bathed by your parents. You emerge with a refreshed body and a heart at ease.

Address: Harjutorinkatu 1, 00500 Helsinki

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday 2pm–8pm (bathtime until 9:30pm)

Nearest metro: Sörnäinen

Price: €16, professional washing €14 

What is it? Not ready to strip? Head to Löyly, a modern sauna complex that looks straight out of the pages of Architectural Digest. Here, swimsuits are expected in the mixed saunas, and the vibe is more chic spa than gritty tradition.

Why go? You get the essential Finnish cycle of hot steam and icy plunge to the sea, but in a more accessible package than in the traditional saunas. You won’t feel out of place, as many of the visitors here are international guests just like you. It’s the easy way to tick 'Finnish sauna' off your list without baring it all.

Don’t miss: After a few sauna rounds and icy dips, head to Löyly’s restaurant for seasonal Nordic flavours with a sustainable edge. Or just grab a cocktail and sprawl on the terrace, feeling like a film star – until you remember you’re fresh out of the shower and without the make-up.

Address: Hernesaarenranta, 400150 Helsinki

Opening hours: Monday to Thrusday 12am-10pm, Friday 1pm-11pm, Saturday 9am-11am & 1pm-11pm, Sunday 11am-9pm

Nearest public transportation: Tram station Eiranranta, tram 6T

Price: €26, the price includes a towel, seat cover, plus shampoo and shower gel

What is it? Forget the image of dusty shelves and 'silence, please' signs. Helsinki’s Central Library Oodi isn’t just a temple of books, it’s a futuristic spaceship of knowledge, boldly taking libraries where no library has gone before.

Why go? Oodi feels more like a cultural hub than a library. The shelves are just the beginning. Inside you’ll find a cinema, music studios, 3D printers, gaming rooms, sewing machines, and even a kitchen for cooking classes. In the lobby you can also borrow a basketball to shoot hoops on the courts right outside. Because why not? Here, slam dunks and crime novels both count as culture.

Don’t miss: At Oodi’s makerspace you can print your own Helsinki-themed tote bag for a fraction of the price souvenir shops charge. Just pick a design from the library’s catalogue and have it pressed onto fabric – prices start from as little as 50 cents. One of the city’s most creative (and cheapest) souvenirs, guaranteed.

Adress: Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 Helsinki

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-9pm, Friday to Sunday 10am-8pm

Closest metro: Central Railway Station (Rautatientori)

Price: Free

What is it? It’s a shimmering, otherworldly wave of over 600 hollow steel pipes that looks like a galactic organ straight out of a Star Wars cantina. Built in 1967 to honor Finland’s national composer, Jean Sibelius, this abstract landmark is more than just a statue – it’s an interactive instrument. Visitors are encouraged to shout, whisper, or drum on the pipes to see what kind of music the steel echoes back.

Why go? To witness a classic Finnish national drama: the journey from pure, unadulterated hatred to hopeless devotion. When sculptor Eila Hiltunen unveiled her abstract design, the public lost its mind. Critics branded it a ‘metallic monstrosity’ and fumed that it didn't actually look like the legendary composer. One particularly dedicated hater even mailed the artist a ‘gift’ from their own backyard – and let’s just say it wasn't a bouquet of flowers. Today, however, the fury has faded, and it stands as the city’s most beloved piece of public art.

Don’t miss: Once you’ve finished making a racket at the monument, head down to the water’s edge to Cafe Regatta. This tiny, charismatic red shack is the ultimate Helsinki vibe – perfect for a coffee and a traditional cinnamon bun (korvapuusti), or for roasting a sausage over the open fire like a true local. If you’re feeling restless, you can rent a kayak right next to the cafe and paddle out to explore the stunning Seurasaarenselkä seascape.

Nearest bus: Sibeliuksen puisto (Lines 24, 25 or 500)

What is it? Café Engel is a Helsinki classic, sitting in prime position on Senate Square, directly opposite the gleaming white Cathedral. Senate Square itself is the city’s historical heart: built from scratch in the early 19th century, when Helsinki became Finland’s capital.

Why go? Few cafés in the city are more atmospheric. Candlelit tables, windows that look onto Finland’s most beautiful square, and a setting that feels made for romance. If Cupid’s arrows don’t fly here on a date, you’re probably with the wrong person. Despite the postcard-perfect location, Café Engel has resisted turning into a tourist trap – it’s still a place locals genuinely love.

Don’t miss: The café takes its name from architect C. L. Engel, who designed the entire square. Fun fact: Engel himself thought his best building wasn’t the Cathedral but the National Library tucked on its corner. Step inside to admire its domed reading room. As for the Cathedral – honestly, it looks better from the outside, where it soars in snowy-white majesty. Inside it’s Lutheran plainness all the way.

Read more on Helsinki's best cafés.

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 26, 00170 Helsinki

Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8am-9pm, Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-7pm

Closest metro: Helsingin yliopisto