Best ways to experience winter in Helsinki

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In the foreground the handles of the stairs to the water, in the background a woman swimming the sea

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Places to try winter swimming in Helsinki

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A view of Helsinki from a rocky shoreline during dusk with a pink sky. Helsinki Cathedral can be seen on top of the cityscape on the coastline in the distance.

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Helsinki’s annual rhythms: Winter

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Towards the left a couple stand alone on a wooden walkway that stretches into the distance, looking out to the right over the untouched, snowy expanse of Kaivopuisto park. It is a clear and sunny day with a pastel blue sky.

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Cosy winter Helsinki on Instagram

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In winters Helsinki goes through a magical transformation. This is the time to wander through the streets, whilst wrapped up in something warm and visit all the fairs and treats that the city puts together for this season especially!

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Winter in Helsinki

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Walking & hiking

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Cosy winter Helsinki on Instagram

Towards the left a couple stand alone on a wooden walkway that stretches into the distance, looking out to the right over the untouched, snowy expanse of Kaivopuisto park. It is a clear and sunny day with a pastel blue sky.

5 surprising facts about winter in Helsinki

Helsinki islands you can visit in the winter

At a wintry Lammassaari, with snow dusting the ground, a small kid is being pulled in a sledge by one parent across duckboards, while the other parent walks behind.

6 Reasons to visit Helsinki in winter time

Suomenlinna is even more magical during winter

Random romances in Helsinki this winter

Pariskunta pulkassa

The best public saunas in Helsinki

Two men stand outside Kotiharjun sauna, laughing together, the recogniseable and red neon sauna sign shining above them in the background.

Long-time Helsinki experts enjoy culture and light in wintertime

A person standing the in darkness, wearing a golden colour puffed jacket, in the background a white building

Ice skating in Helsinki

Kiekonpeluuta Halkolaiturilla

6 reasons to appreciate the darkness

Sitting on the steps next to the Old Market Hall at Helsinki Harbour, a woman stares up into the night, the lights of Eteläranta behind her.

Helsinki loves knitting

A colourful array of yarn.

Helsinki's winter is also a blessing

Girls steaming at the terrace after sauna

Top winter spectator sports in Helsinki

Botnia player in a bandy game

Helsinki darkness challenge

After taking a dip in the sea at night, a woman is halfway up the ladder getting out of the Pohjoissatama harbour onto a wooden pier. In the distance city lights can be seen and on the opposite shore is an moored icebreaker.

Sledding hills in Helsinki

Sledding in Kaivopuisto

Top 5 things to do in Helsinki in winter

In a picture postcard like scene, people are skating on the ice at Halkolaituri dock in winter. A couple of sailing ships and colourful apartment blocks are in the background.

How we embrace the darkness

Jamie MacDonald standing in front of a grey wall along a narrow walkway in the mid-ground of the photo, a stream of sunlight shining down on him from the right.

Watch out for thin ice

Towards the left a couple stand alone on a wooden walkway that stretches into the distance, looking out to the right over the untouched, snowy expanse of Kaivopuisto park. It is a clear and sunny day with a pastel blue sky.

10 x Snow covered Helsinki

Next to the Central Railway station metro entrance on Kaivokatu, several bikes that have been locked to the railings are covered in snow.

10 tips for coping with the darkness

On an overcast fay, a woman walks on duckboards towards Lammassaari island, marshlands stretching to the horizon on either side.

Places to try winter swimming in Helsinki

In the foreground the handles of the stairs to the water, in the background a woman swimming the sea

Helsinki’s annual rhythms: Winter

Pohjoisranta shore

Hotels in Helsinki for every budget

Against a deep blue sky still lit gently by the now set sun, the Clarion Hotel can be seen across the harbour against the sky, lit up from within like the smaller buildings around it. The lights reflect across the water of the harbour harbour.

Saunas by the seaside

Uintia Allas Sea Poolin altaissa

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From winter sports to best Christmas events, we got you covered.

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Hotels for Helsinki winter vacations and staycations

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Design Hotels in Helsinki

Ravintola Krog Roba

Best kid-friendly hotels in Helsinki

A deluxe room with sea view through windows that fill the far wall. Armchairs and a table sit in front of the window, and a king sized bed covered neatly in white sheets, sits to the left of the photo.

Find seaside accommodation in Helsinki

A view across the Helsinki rooftops stretches out behind the facade and rooftop terrace of Radisson Blu's Seaside Hotel under a pink and purple sky at sunset.

Feel-good and fair-play hotels in Helsinki

Inside an Atelier room at Hotel St. George, a double bed sits in the center of the room on top of a grey rug, large windows on the wall to the right and a black armchair beneath them.

Accessible hotels in Helsinki

Scandic Grand Central Helsinki, Classic Room

Hotels in Helsinki for every budget

Against a deep blue sky still lit gently by the now set sun, the Clarion Hotel can be seen across the harbour against the sky, lit up from within like the smaller buildings around it. The lights reflect across the water of the harbour harbour.

Hunker down in the centre of Helsinki

Viewed at a height from a building opposite, looking down the length of Mannerheimintie, the Scandic Marski hotel stands amongst its row of buildings in the cityscape, with the sun setting in a gold sky.

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Tips to enjoy the best food Finnish winter has to offer

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More restaurants

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Michelin-star restaurants in Helsinki

Ravintola Grön

Helsinki's restaurants that embrace sustainability

Grön

Winter: How to eat seasonal food in Helsinki

A close up of blinis, fish roe, chopped red onion, pickles and soured cream neatly arranged on a plate.

Eat out with the kids in Helsinki

Perheet Safkaa -tapahtumaa vietetään jälleen tammikuussa Helsingissä.

Good vegetarian restaurants in Helsinki

Vege-annos

Hot drinks by the fireplace

On the right, surrounded by a brick wall facade, is the fireplace at Hotel Rantapuisto's restaurant. Immediately on the left are a table and 3 armchairs, in the background are dozens of tables set for service in the restaurant.

Satisfy your sweet tooth this winter

Resting in an open picture frame in a cabin of dark wood, 2 gingerbread men stand either side of a large gingerbread heart that says "Merry Christmas".

8 x Shrove buns

Gateaun laskiaispullat mantelimassalla

Helsinki’s vegan restaurants and cafés

Magu Helsinki Vallilassa

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Breathe in, breathe out and enjoy the outdoors

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Seaside Helsinki

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Sledding hills in Helsinki

Sledding in Kaivopuisto

Places to try winter swimming in Helsinki

In the foreground the handles of the stairs to the water, in the background a woman swimming the sea

Ice skating in Helsinki

Kiekonpeluuta Halkolaiturilla

Winter cycling

Talvipyöräilyä

Best cross-country skiing trails in Helsinki

Hiihtämässä Paloheinän Ulkoilualueella

Top winter spectator sports in Helsinki

Botnia player in a bandy game

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When the temperatures get low enough, the new possibilities arrive

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3 ways to explore Helsinki's art scene

Enjoyable reading places

Sounds of silence in Helsinki

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Winter tips from your local guides

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Sophia Wekesa

Tero Saarinen

Jesse Markin

Maija Tanninen-Mattila

Salma Jama

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Selection of our favourite winter spots on a map

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Oodi, Helsinki Central Library

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Allas Sea Pool

Amos Rex

Design Museum

Kaivopuisto Park

Café Regatta

Old Market Hall

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Your local guide to Christmas

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