Introducing

Helsinki

Helsinki – the cool and sustainable capital by the Baltic Sea

Helsinki is a charming seaside city with a unique twist. Located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki is a place where urban culture meets coastal nature. The easy-going Nordic lifestyle and friendly locals make it easy to fall in love with this northern city – the capital of the happiest country in the world!

Best reasons to visit Helsinki in a nutshell

Marvel at the city's world-renowned architecture, design, and museums. Visit the free public events co-created by the locals, such as Helsinki Day on the 12th of June. Taste the clean palette of Finnish cuisine at some of the best restaurants in the country. Flaneur around lush Töölönlahti Bay and try local delicacies at some of the picturesque cafés. And of course when in Finland, take a refreshing dip in the sea and enjoy the gentle warmth in one of the city’s many public saunas.

Helsinki is a safe, easy, and compact city to explore. Discover the city sustainably on foot, by bike, or via its excellent public transportation. Did you know that Helsinki has the northernmost metro system in the world?

Discover Helsinki like a local

Find out the best things to see and experience on your trip to Finland's capital.

Credits: Jussi Hellsten / Helsinki Partners

Must-experience saunas in Helsinki region

Get introduced to our ten favourite saunas in the area.

Credits: André Alexander Baumann

Top museums in Helsinki region

Helsinki region has a great selection of museums. Here are our top 10 choices.

Credits: Harri Tarvainen

Best of summer in Helsinki

Uncover some of the locals' favourites places and events during summer months.

Credits: Mikko Huotari

Architecture icons of Helsinki

Visit the must-see architecture sites in downtown Helsinki.

Credits: Tuomas Uusiheimo

Top events in Helsinki

Discover some of the best annual happenings in town.

Credits: Mariia Kauppi

Useful things to know about Helsinki

How can I get to Helsinki?

The easiest way to reach Helsinki is by airplane. However, if you're travelling via Sweden, Estonia, or Germany, you may also take a ferry ride to Helsinki.

How can I get from Helsinki Airport to the city?

The Helsinki Airport (HEL) is located about 30 minutes away from the city centre, and you can reach there by train or bus. Alternatively, you can travel to your destination by taxi or rent your own car from the airport.

What’s the best way to move around in Helsinki?

The modern and timely public transportation system of Helsinki is an excellent way to get around. With a single ticket, you can hop aboard trams, buses, commuter trains, the metro, and even the municipal ferry to Suomenlinna as long as your ticket is valid. Single and day tickets for all zones can be purchased using the HSL mobile app or from HSL ticket machines, R-kiosks, and other HSL sales points.

Is Helsinki safe?

Helsinki is the second safest city in the world according to Mercer 2019 Quality of Living Rankings. Whether you're travelling solo, with family, with friends, or together with your same-sex partner, here you can feel secure. In fact, very few famous people feel the need to employ safety measures, so you might bump into a president or a sports star on your visit to a regular grocery store. It's the Nordic way.

What languages are spoken in Helsinki?

While Finnish and Swedish are Finland's official languages, you can easily get around speaking English almost everywhere. Finns start learning English in primary school. 17 percent of the population in Helsinki speaks a mother tongue other than Finnish, Swedish, or Sámi, so you might hear plenty of other languages as well.

What's the population of Helsinki?

The population of Helsinki is 658,457 (Dec 31, 2021). However, there are more than 1.5 million people living in the Helsinki region, including the nearby cities of Espoo and Vantaa. This makes up nearly a third of the whole country's population.