After visiting once in the winter snow, it was super special to come back and explore this beautiful city in the warmth of summer. We got up to many things in the hub of Helsinki this summer: from picnics in the park, to events all around the city. We were especially amazed at how many hours of sunlight we received!
British Charlie Pauly & Lauren Cliffe visited Helsinki in summer, and published several blog posts and photos as a result, on their popular Instagram account charlieandlauren_.
Here follows a short summary of those photos with 5 tips out of their recommendations in Helsinki:
1) One thing we love about Helsinki is that most things are within walking distance. However, if one attraction is just a stretch too far, transport around the city is also super-efficient. Read about Helsinki's public transport system here. Get out as early as possible and enjoy the extensive days of sun!
2) However, we used bikes to get around the city and we would definitely recommend it. You can get to each place so quickly using the specific bike lanes. Plus you can be amidst it all, without having to look through a bus window. Read more about cycling in Helsinki here. Plan some spots for sunset. Töölönlahti Bay is a good one, or hunt out some other quiet areas around the city.
3) Our favourite spot to have a drink was at Allas Sea Pool. From this point, you can see the cruises dock up and the whole eastern side of the city do their thing. You can peer over the markets, as well as look down below at the stunning sea pools. We also ate at the beautiful Savotta restaurant (among others) in Senate Square and enjoyed watching the crowds stroll by. Don't forget to visit the bustling market square, and take a souvenir home as a reminder of the great time you've had in the Finnish capital. Plan your restaurant bookings ahead of time. With so many to choose from you may have to make some reservations. However Yes, Yes, Yes was our favourite. Enjoy an ice cold beverage at one of the many beer gardens. Our favourite place to relax was at Cafe Regatta, or you could choose the outside seating in one of the restaurants located at Senate Square.
4) Another must see in the summer would be Suomenlinna, a world heritage site with masses of history. It's just a short ride on the ferry to the island. Or if you have the whole day spare, you can visit the other two popular islands Vallisaari and Lonna too! We spent one whole day over on the island and switched from sunbathing on rocks to dipping in the refreshing sea.
5) There are endless museums also dotted around Helsinki, all worth paying a visit if you have time. With it being such a creative hub, the vibrant, artistic community lies within all the museums. You can study how art has developed over time and even see art created by lights.
See all their blog posts here!