16 of the best · Helsinki, Finland
Suomenlinna, the two cathedrals, the church in the rock, Oodi, the harbour and the islands.
Our 16 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Helsinki.
Inscribed 1991
The 18th-century island fortress at the mouth of the harbour, 15 minutes by ferry from the Market Square.
Cut into the bedrock
The church built into a granite outcrop in Töölö, under a ring of skylights.
Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map
Red brick above the harbour
The red-brick Orthodox cathedral on the Katajanokka hill, above the South Harbour.
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
A sea fortress on the islands, two cathedrals above the harbour, a church cut into the rock and a library for everyone: the sights, and how to see them well.
The sights everyone comes for.
White, above Senate Square
The white Lutheran cathedral at the top of the steps on Senate Square.
Unioninkatu 29, 00170 HelsinkiExplore View on map
Views from the tower
The Olympic Stadium, with a public viewing tower.
Ferries to Suomenlinna
The harbourside market square, where the Suomenlinna ferries leave.
Open to everyone
The Central Library on Töölönlahti Bay, with a glass-walled reading floor upstairs.
Töölönlahdenkatu 4, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map
The city’s grand square
The square below the Cathedral, framed by the Government Palace and the University.
Old buildings on an island
Historic wooden buildings from around Finland, on a wooded island west of the centre.
In Sibelius Park
The monument to Jean Sibelius in Sibelius Park, by the sea in Töölö.
Over the harbour
The observation wheel on the Katajanokka quay, beside Allas Sea Pool.
Katajanokanlaituri 2, 00160 HelsinkiExplore View on map
Inscribed 1991
The 18th-century island fortress at the mouth of the harbour, 15 minutes by ferry from the Market Square.
Cut into the bedrock
The church built into a granite outcrop in Töölö, under a ring of skylights.
Lutherinkatu 3, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map
Red brick above the harbour
The red-brick Orthodox cathedral on the Katajanokka hill, above the South Harbour.
Quiet places.
A quiet room in the city
A curved wooden chapel of silence on Narinkkatori, in the middle of Kamppi.
34 of the best Restaurants
12 of the best Cafés
13 of the best Bars
21 of the best Hotels17 of the best Museums & Arts
14 of the best Parks7 of the best Walks
18 of the best Shopping
19 of the best Saunas & Health7 of the best Property6 of the best Developments5 of the best Motoring11 of the best Getting Around