Helsinki

Helsinki is a city which thrills by its contrasts. A cutting-edge metropolis with one of the world’s most electrifying design scenes, it also places great importance on the natural, with parks and gardens running like veins through its centre. And though it may be one of Europe’s younger capitals, it also has more than its fair share of grand architecture – from opulent Neoclassical buildings to Uspenski Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe.

For too long overshadowed by its better-known Nordic neighbours, Helsinki is finally emerging from the shade. Take time to discover for yourself its intriguing mix of Scandinavian and Russian influences; to try out the ever-increasing array of hip eateries, craft-beer bars and contemporary cafés; and to marvel at the Finnish capital’s unfaltering and inspirational sense of style.

Explore the city

Notes for a self-guided walking tour included

Notes for a self-guided walking tour included

Not for nothing was Helsinki awarded the title of World Design Capital. The city is bursting with boutiques, workshops and galleries showcasing the work of iconic producers like Iittala, Marimekko and Artek, and a wander through the famed Design District should be towards the top of any visitor’s tick list. For a taste of something more traditionally Finnish, we recommending delving into a kauppahalli (‘market hall’) or two to sample some local specialities, or you could head over to the incredible, excavated Temppeliaukio (‘Rock Church’) to test out the acoustics. A canal cruise past the Suomenlinna sea fortress, an amble along the waterfront trail that begins by lovely Hietniemi Bay or a session in a typical Finnish sauna are all excellent ways of getting to know the city.

To help you explore, we include notes for a self-guided walking tour, in addition to a City Card, which gives you free travel on public transport, as well as free entry to Helsinki’s many museums, whose themes range from design to photography, architecture to art, technology to theatre. Also covered by the card is the National Museum of Finland, which charts the nation’s history.
Beyond Helsinki

Take a day trip to Tallinn

Take a day trip to Tallinn

For something a little different, you might like to take a ferry across the Gulf of Finland to the Estonian capital, Tallinn. The UNESCO-protected Old Town is full of wonderful sights – ancient churches, medieval streetscapes and noble merchants’ houses – and, if you visit in December, a beautiful Christmas market (the ferry takes two hours each way; pay locally).

Accommodation

Our chosen hotel is ideally located for exploring the city. We provide suggestions for where to eat out in the documentation that we send you prior to your holiday.

We also offer an alternative hotel, which we use when the first is full, or if you’d prefer. Please state your hotel preference at the time of booking. (NB prices for Hotel Katajanokka are on request – we will confirm these when confirming your booking)

2 nights
Hotel Lilla Roberts
Helsinki
Cosy yet elegant, modern yet historically alluring with its 1930s Art Deco interior, the Lilla Roberts – which claims to be the city's most welcoming hotel – is an ideal place to stay in trendy, design-led Helsinki. Located within the Kaartinkaupunki ‘design district’, it occupies a very special building, conceived in 1908 by one of Finland’s top architects as the headquarters of the Finnish capital’s energy supply. There is a cocktail bar, and the recommended, Art Deco style Krog Roba restaurant – a former police station – is just next door.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
Alternative hotel
Hotel Katajanokka
Helsinki
This attractively converted prison is a delightful place to stay. Located bang in the middle of the small, heart-shaped Katajanokka Island, dominated by elegant Art Nouveau buildings, it is just a short walk away from Helsinki’s city centre with its Design District and thriving restaurant scene. The décor is bright and modern (the ‘cells’ are now comfortably enlarged bedrooms), but there are some quirky nods to former ‘guests’, such as the black-and-white striped uniforms worn by staff and framed keys adorning the walls. The former prison canteen is now an inviting restaurant, specialising in Finnish food with an international twist.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only

Prices

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.

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Prices for first-named hotel (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Add-on price

Hotel Lilla Roberts, 2 nights: 01 December 2021 - 31 March 2022

Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Add on 2 nights	Single supplement
1 - 18 Dec 2021	£286	£192
19 Dec - 9 Jan 2022 #	£246	£152
10 Jan - 20 Feb 2022	£258	£164
21 Feb - 5 Mar 2022	£246	£152
6 - 29 Mar 2022	£270	£176

Includes accommodation and meals as described. No travel is included as it is assumed that you are travelling via the city as part of your main Inntravel holiday.

# Add £36pp/n (£72pn in a single room) if staying on 31 Dec

If you are flying via a different airport and would like us to arrange connecting travel, please contact us for a quotation.

Room upgrades & extra nights for first hotel

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

Hotel Lilla Roberts, Helsinki (B&B)	Double room	Single room
01 Dec - 18 Dec 2021	£100	£185
19 Dec - 09 Jan 2022 #	£80	£148
10 Jan - 20 Feb 2022	£86	£158
21 Feb - 05 Mar 2022	£80	£148
06 Mar - 31 Mar 2022	£92	£170

# Add £36pp/n (£72pn in a single room) if staying on 31 Dec

To upgrade to a 48hr City Card, add £14pp

Getting to the city centre

This information is for guidance only; no travel is included in our prices and you should pay locally for your chosen option.

For more information about the airport, visit the Helsinki airport website.

Getting between Helsinki airport and the city (19km):

Public transport	Approx. duration	Frequency
Shuttle bus	35 minutes	every 20 minutes

Other options	Approx. duration	Approx. cost
Taxi	30 minutes	varies if shared or private

Helsinki City Add-On

Holiday information

Helsinki

Sightseeing

Accommodation