Sights · Our pick in Helsinki
Helsinki by the sea: the back story
The back story
About Helsinki by the sea: the back story
Helsinki is a city on the water. From the Market Square the ferries cross in about 15 minutes to Suomenlinna, the island fortress built by Sweden in the 18th century and listed by UNESCO in 1991. On the shore, the white Lutheran Cathedral crowns Senate Square, and the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral looks down on the harbour from Katajanokka.
The harbour
The Market Square and the Old Market Hall sit on the South Harbour, with Allas Sea Pool and the SkyWheel on the Katajanokka side. In winter the harbour can freeze at the edges; in summer the island ferries run constantly.
Suomenlinna
UNESCO describes Suomenlinna, built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of islands at the entrance to Helsinki’s harbour, as an especially interesting example of European military architecture of the time. HSL’s ferry from the Market Square takes about 15 minutes, on an ordinary AB ticket (HSL).
Take the morning ferry to Suomenlinna and come back for the harbour at sunset.
Senate Square and the cathedrals
Helsinki Cathedral stands at the top of its broad steps on Senate Square; Uspenski Cathedral, the Orthodox cathedral, is on the rocky hill of Katajanokka across the water. Both are working churches: visit quietly, and check opening times around services.
Modern Helsinki
Temppeliaukio Church in Töölö is built into the bedrock, under a ring of skylights; Oodi, the Central Library, opens its glass upper floor onto Töölönlahti Bay; and the new Kruunuvuorensilta, Finland’s longest bridge at 1.2 km, carries people on foot and bikes, and from 7 November 2026 trams, to Laajasalo (hel.fi).
Practicalities
A day ticket covers the trams, buses, metro, commuter trains and the Suomenlinna ferry (HSL). Most central sights are within a 20-minute walk of each other.
Our advice: Suomenlinna in the morning, Senate Square and the Esplanadi at lunch, and Temppeliaukio and Oodi in the afternoon.
Why it's on our list
- The harbour
- Suomenlinna
- Senate Square and the cathedrals
- Modern Helsinki
- Practicalities
Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Helsinki by the sea: the back story before you go.
Hotels nearby
The closest hotels in our guide to Helsinki by the sea: the back story, as the crow flies.
- Hotel Haven100 m2 min walk
- Hotel F6250 m3 min walk
- Hotel U14300 m3 min walk
- Hotel Kämp350 m4 min walk
- Hobo Helsinki350 m5 min walk
What’s nearby
Distances from Helsinki by the sea: the back story are approximate, measured in a straight line (as the crow flies). Times are approximate too: walking at about 80 metres a minute, cycling at about 15 km/h and driving at typical city-traffic speeds. Traffic and routes vary.
Nearest metro and tram stops
- KauppatoriTram 2100 m1 min walk
- EtelärantaTram 2250 m3 min walk
- RitarihuoneTram 4Tram 5250 m3 min walk
Nearest taxi ranks
- Taxi rank, Aleksanterinkatu200 m3 min walk
- Taxi rank, Eteläranta250 m3 min walk
Taxis can also be booked by app or phone.
Key sights
- Market Square50 mWalk 1 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 4 min
- Esplanadi Park300 mWalk 4 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Helsinki Cathedral350 mWalk 4 minCycle 1 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Uspenski Cathedral400 mWalk 5 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 5 min
- Ateneum600 mWalk 8 minCycle 2 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Amos Rex1.0 kmWalk 13 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Oodi1.1 kmWalk 14 minCycle 4 minCar or taxi 7 min
- Temppeliaukio Church1.7 kmWalk 21 minCycle 7 minCar or taxi 9 min
- Löyly2.1 kmWalk 27 minCycle 9 minCar or taxi 10 min
- Helsinki Airport17 kmCar or taxi 51 min
Main railway stations
- Helsinki Central850 mWalk 11 minCycle 3 minCar or taxi 6 min
- Pasila3.7 kmCycle 15 minCar or taxi 14 min