Father's Day in Helsinki – make it one to remember

Why wait until Sunday? Kick things off on Saturday with a hotel stay, so you can wake up in peace and head straight to breakfast. A perfect staycation spot is the art-filled Hotel Hanaholmen, located on its own island in Espoo – just six kilometres from central Helsinki. For a truly unforgettable experience, book a session in the hotel’s glass sauna out in the courtyard. Find more staycation inspiration in Time Out’s hotel recommendations.

And what better way to start the day than with a perfect croissant? The city’s best are baked at the tiny Layers Bakery in Töölö. Or go for an old-fashioned cake moment with bubbles at Café Cajsan Helmi. Check out our guide to the best cafés in Helsinki for more sweet ideas.

When the clock strikes 12.00, the best brunch in the capital region is served in Helsingin pitäjän kirkonkylä in Vantaa. At Kahvitupa Laurentius, the buffet table groans under the weight of Italian delicacies. Other great options include LaBra, which serves excellent Middle Eastern flavours. Culture-loving dads will appreciate the newly renovated Finlandia Bistro at Finlandia Hall, while carnivores will feel right at home with the juicy steaks at Lönkka Bull & Bottle.

Escape rooms are brilliant family fun – and a real workout for Dad’s grey matter. The kids might even outsmart him. In Helsinki’s escape rooms, you can try everything from fleeing a sinking Titanic to pulling off the perfect heist.

Esport Extreme is an activity park where you can try a ninja course just like in American Ninja Warrior – albeit on a smaller scale. It’s not easy, but it’s a great way to challenge yourself. If the ninja course sounds too intense, there are plenty of other activities too, from trampoline basketball to climbing walls.

At Föön, inside the Redi shopping centre, you can experience what it feels like to fly – and feel like Superman, or at least Superdad. Giant fans generate enough wind resistance in the flight chamber to make you float weightlessly. The experience usually includes two flights: the first to learn the basics with an instructor, and the second to try spins and dives. It’s especially fun on Father’s Day, when the place is full of families cheering their dads on from behind the glass.

If Dad’s more into culture than action, take him to Ateneum’s major exhibition Gallen-Kallela, Klimt and Vienna. A smaller but equally fascinating show is Helsinki by Night, a new photography exhibition by Stefan Bremer at Hankasalmi Villa. The works by one of Finland’s most legendary street and fashion photographers capture Helsinki’s subcultures, bands and cult figures from the 1970s and 1980s – including the city’s very first mohawked punk.

Admittedly, Sunday can be a tricky day for dining out, as many restaurants close in Helsinki. But don’t worry – cosy and delicious Laivakoira and the stylish yet lively Alexanderplats are both open on Sundays and perfect for a Father’s Day feast.

Let’s face it: nostalgia is the driving force of fatherhood. Who hasn’t heard Dad’s old stories – again and again? Like that time he hitched to that random rock festival in 1992, listening to The Look on repeat. So what better way to end Father’s Day than with a full-on nostalgia trip – a Roxette concert. Tickets are still available.