In Finland, Valentine’s Day is traditionally known as Ystävänpäivä (Friend’s Day) and has long been more about celebrating friendships than romance. But times are changing, and it’s steadily becoming a more classic, hearts-and-flowers kind of Valentine’s Day.
Whether you’re celebrating with a best mate or the love of your life, these ideas will help you do Valentine’s Day properly. This year, Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday, 14 February 2026, which means you’ve got a full day to spend with your favourite person in the world. Lucky you.
Kick things off with one of Helsinki’s most stylish breakfasts at Brasserie Lyon. The French-inspired interior is classic without being over the top, with large windows looking out onto Pohjoisesplanadi. The warm, elegant atmosphere sets the tone for the whole day.
At Activate in Itis shopping centre, your body becomes the controller. This new experience hub throws you into games that feel part Mission: Impossible, part Super Mario, part Squid Game. Great fun with a friend or a partner.
Itis is also home to Finland’s best cinema and the country’s only IMAX screen. For Valentine’s Day, there are two stand-out choices: the heartbreakingly tender Hamnet and Wuthering Heights, which premieres the day before Valentine’s and promises some seriously steamy moments.
Just by virtue of its name, Kahvila Rakastan is made for Valentine’s Day. This small, atmospheric café sits in an outbuilding of Hakasalmi Villa. Pair your coffee with a visit to the Helsinki by Night exhibition, showcasing stunning photographs of the capital city in the past by Stefan Bremer.
If you want to escape the freezing temperatures and curl up in the steam or on a soothing heated lounger, head to Usva Spa by Terhen on Mannerheimintie. Located in connection with NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, this spa offers excellent value for money (€39) and is a great way to spend a relaxed Valentine’s Day. The price also includes access to the hotel gym, so how does this plan sound: start with a proper workout in the well-equipped gym, then move on to the sauna and cold plunge pool, and finally unwind (or catch up on gossip) on the heated loungers? The spa area is fairly small, so it’s best to book in advance.
Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest nights of the year for dining out, so book well ahead. Whether you’re after something romantic, relaxed or celebratory, our guide to Helsinki’s restaurants covers a wide range of styles and budgets. But if you’re after a specific Valentine’s Day tip, one of Helsinki’s most atmospheric restaurants is Wellamo, located in Katajanokka.
The best bar in Helsinki for a night where your attention stays firmly on your date is hard to beat: Chihuahua Julep bans phones entirely, so distractions are off the table. For something smaller and delightfully theatrical, head to Struts.
Local rapper Ares launches his new tour with two Valentine’s Day shows at the legendary Tavastia music venue. The later show is already sold out, but at the time of writing there are still tickets for the early one. Expect a visually striking and artistically ambitious set.
Funk fans should head to On the Rocks, where legendary Finnish funk band Eternal Erection will have hips swinging all night. Known for ecstatic live shows, the band has toured internationally and even warmed up crowds for George Clinton’s P-Funk All Stars.
Round off Valentine’s Day with a night at Grand Central Hotel. The rooms are romantic and almost cinematic, and the magic continues the next morning with breakfast served in the hotel’s winter garden.
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