HelsinkiCapital
Finland · Country profile
Helsinki is the Finnish capital built between the sea and the pine forest, a calm, elegant city of the Baltic whose waterways, islands and parks carry much of its beauty. The centre, with the great cathedral, the Senate Square and the busy Esplanade promenade, spreads across the harbour, and the ferries to the islands of the fortress and the summer cottages of the archipelago run from the waterfront markets. It is a design city, of the famous buildings and the iconoclasts of the Finnish school, a sauna city of the steam rooms by the sea, and a winter city of the northern light and the snow. Quiet, orderly and deeply likable, Helsinki is a capital of the seasons.
About Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland. The city's documented population is around 674,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Finnish and Swedish are spoken; the dialling code is +358. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Helsinki Airport.
The Island Ferries, the Saunas and the Seasons of the Light
Helsinki is a small, calm capital on the Baltic, and its pleasures come in the fresh air, the islands and the strong design culture of the centre. The Senate Square and the harbour hold the classic picture; the ferries reach the famous island fortress and the quieter islands of the archipelago; and the saunas, the parks and the beaches give the city its everyday rhythm. It is a city of the seasons, from the white snow of the winter to the long, bright evenings of the summer when the sun barely sets. The people are reserved, kind and profoundly practical, and the whole city feels ordered, safe and effortlessly beautiful.
Design Blocks, the Market Halls and the Cold Bright Winter
The summer is the golden season, with the long evenings and the island trips, and the winter is cold and dark but beautiful, with the snow and the sauna culture at their best; the spring is a slow thaw, and the autumn a burst of gold. Booking the ferries and the main museums ahead saves the queues in the summer. The city is safe, walkable and covered by a clean, efficient public transport system. The saunas are a ritual rather than a luxury, so try the public ones by the sea. The euro and the card carry the small cash needs, and the English is excellent everywhere. Pack layers and expect the weather to change.
The Trams, the Sea Forts and the Walks of the Parks
The ferry to the fortress island of the Suomenlinna is the essential half-day, and the trip doubles as a harbour cruise; the ferries to the other islands and the summer beaches run through the day. The market square and the old covered halls of the harbour sell the fish, the berries and the crafts, and the saunas of the sea, like the famous big lounge of the city, give the classic steam with the view. The design district spreads the galleries and the showrooms of the Finnish school. The tram line of the centre carries the classic loop, and the walks of the green parks and the shorepaths hold the quiet beauty. It is a city of comfortable distances, where the biggest challenges are the seasons.
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- Country
- Finland
- Population
- 674,000
- Coordinates
- 60.3183, 24.9497
- Capital
- Helsinki
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Finnish, Swedish
- Calling code
- +358
- Country code
- FI
Entry requirements for Finland
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Finland for tourism.
Getting to Helsinki
Airports we list for Helsinki:
Frequently asked questions
Is Helsinki the capital of Finland?
Yes — Helsinki is the capital of Finland.
What currency do I need in Helsinki?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Finland include Finnish and Swedish.
What is the dialling code for Finland?
The international dialling code for Finland is +358.
Which airport should I fly into for Helsinki?
Helsinki Airport (HEL) is the airport we list for Helsinki.
Do I need a visa to visit Finland?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Finland visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Helsinki? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.