Helsinki holidays

Helsinki’s beach scene tots up over 30 bays, and that’s not including the many beaches and coves around its island archipelago. Many of the island beaches can be reached by ferry and come with their own particular highlights – like bird-watching opportunities. The city beaches are maintained by the council and often come with cafés, snack bars, and even saunas.

Hietaniemi Beach is the largest and most popular beach in Helsinki, thanks to its soft sands, cafés and handy facilities. The seawater can reach over 20°C in the summer months, which is pretty toasty for Nordic waters. Visit in the late afternoon for the warmest swimming conditions and spectacular sunsets.

Head north out of the city and up to Vanhankaupunginselka Bay on the Vantaa River, and you’ll stumble upon Pikkukoski Beach. This remote and beautiful beach is a secret to tourists and visited mainly by local families. It’s got its own sauna, a jumping-in deck, showers, and a snack kiosk.

For cheap and cheerful food-related purchases, head to Vanha Kauppahalli. This indoor market is packed with lots of stalls selling all kinds of traditional Finnish food. It’s a tip-top spot for lunch, plus a great gift-buying hotspot – think local alcohols, sweets and oils.

For something less foodie and more souvenir-y, pop by the Market Square in the city centre. Here, you’ll find a daily market where you can get your hands on Finnish hand-crafted goods, like colourful woven Takana wall hangings and Kusas wooden drinking mugs.

Take home something a little pricier to remind you of your Helsinki holiday – in the form of a Kalevala piece of jewellery. The designs are inspired by Finnish folklore, with many pieces made in gold, silver and bronze – think Iron Age vibes. These excellent gifts range from tie pins and cufflinks to pendants and necklaces.

Get your evening off to a wholesome start at the red-fronted Cafe Regata. This very Instagrammable spot overlooks a marina, and you can buy sausages and marshmallows to roast over open fire pits. It’s a great visit for any time of year, and stays open until 9pm each night.

Helsinki’s no stranger to live music and festivals, and the city’s calendar is studded with events from January to December. The summer months flaunt upbeat outdoor festivals in the city centre. Flow Festival, in August, is one of the biggest musical events, and has previously featured artists like Bjork and Iggy Pop.

Lohikeitto – or Finnish salmon soup – is super popular throughout the Nordic countries. It’s sort of like a creamy fish chowder, made with fish stock and fresh salmon, then packed with leeks, potatoes and carrots. Enjoy it with a doorstep slice of bread and butter and some white wine.

Tours of the Helsinki Distillery Company show off the production of various Finnish spirits, including gin, akvavit, apple jack, brandy, and lingonberry liqueur. There’s a trendy concrete bar where you can sample some of these drinks, accompanied by occasional live music.

Karjalanpiirakka – or Karelian pasties – are typically a salty rye-based pie, filled with hard boiled eggs and butter. They’re something of a Finnish speciality, perfect if you count yourself as a savoury-not-sweet person. You’ll find lots of filling varieties in Helsinki’s cafés, from carrot and raisins to mashed potatoes and shrimp.

Finnish rye bread, AKA ruisleipa, is exactly what it says on the tin – a rye-based bread from Finland. This simple bread is made from four ingredients – water, leaven, salt and rye flour – and it can be dark or light in colour. Rye bread is usually eaten as a sandwich or served with soup.

If salty liquorice sounds up your street, have a taste of salmiakki. This sweet is a common treat across the Nordics, and has a very distinct flavour due to the ingredient of salmiak salt. The sweets are usually soft and chewy. You might also come across salmiakki-favoured ice-cream during your Helsinki visit.