The Scandi Series – Finland Edition
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Welcome to the ‘The Scandi Series’ a four-part travel series exploring the North of Europe and sharing everywhere you need to go to tick off those TikTok trends while feeling like a local.
Starting from the bottom and working our way up the map, this series will cover everything from food, drinks, adventures, and places to stay so you can live your best Scandi-girl life next Euro summer.
If you missed part two of this series – which explores Stockholm – you can read it here
For week three, we are turning northeast to the happiest country in the world, Finland, and its capital city, Helsinki.
Before moving to North Europe, I will admit Finland wasn’t on my bucket list of places to visit, but I was fortunate enough to have created friendships with three amazing Finnish girls during my exchange semester at Stockholm University, so paying a visit to their homeland wasn’t even a question anymore.
Spending only 48 hours in Helsinki, I’ve wrapped up a couple ideas on to how to best fill your mornings, days, and evenings in this Nordic city.
Morning.
Treat yourself at Way Bakery
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Way Bakery was a tasty find I first saw on TikTok and then visited as recommended by one of my friends.
This neighbourhood artisan eatery is located in the trendy Kallio district and is best known for their seasonal sweet and savoury treats; however, the café also serves a range of breakfast and lunch plates for those looking for something more filling.
Operating as a bakery in the morning, this venue transforms into a cosy wine bar in the afternoon, so if your visiting Helsinki with some friends or a partner, this could be a good spot to socialise one evening.
Tick off the sites in the Senate Square
One good thing about Helsinki being such a small city, is that it is quite digestible to navigate and easily tick off all the key landmarks in one morning.
If you have seen any imagery of Finland before you’ve probably seen Helsinki Cathedral, the city’s most famous and photographed building. Located in the Senate Square, this old stone cathedral is part of the city’s empire era centre and overlooks Helsinki harbour. Sadly, the cathedral was undergoing summer renovations when I visited, so I can’t say I got the perfect landmark photograph but climbing the 43 steps up to the building was a great way to see the city skyline.
The square with a rich history is also home to Helsinki’s other major landmarks including Government Palace, the Alexander II Statue and The National Library of Finland.
Midday.
Shop at Marimekko
Marimekko is a brand I hadn’t heard of until I moved over to Sweden but let me tell you this; it is the signature brand for Scandinavia. Pretty much every Scandinavian girl I have met owns something from this label!
This Finnish design house is best known for their printmaking and has wonderful range of products that you can deck out from homes with, use to accessorise your daily outfits or even add that pop of colour to your wardrobes.
Walking into a Marimekko store is nothing but a vibrant, quirky experience with plenty to explore. While I am usually not a huge lover of patterns, there is something about this brand’s prints that achieve the perfect balance of boldness with simplicity, which I love! If I wasn’t travelling on a budget, I would have filled my kitchen with all their crockery by now!
Grab lunch on the go and try a traditional Karelian pie
You may be wondering, ‘What on earth is a Karelian pie?’. These savoury Finnish delights made from thin rye crust with a rice filling, are the go-to snack amongst the locals and definitely took me by surprise on just how tasty they are.
As one of the nation’s most beloved baked goods, you can get your hands on these pies just about anywhere in the city for as little as 90 cents from the nearest supermarket. While they might not be everyone’s cup of tea, these bite-sized snacks make the perfect lunch treat when on the go.
Hot tip: If you’re eating at home, warm these pies up in the toaster and serve with an egg butter and salt – so yummy!
Relax on the terrace at Ekberg
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Ekberg is the oldest patisserie and bakery in Finland. Located in the heart of Helsinki along Bulevardi, this historical café is the place to go if you are wanted to try some traditional Finnish sweets and spend the afternoon on a terrace.
Evening.
Sail out to Suomenlinna
In just 20 minutes using the HSL Ferry you can be at Suomenlinna, a UNESCO World Heritage site on the coast of Helsinki.
This sea fortress was first built in 1748 by Sweden and has served to defend Finland’s three different sovereign states. Spanning over six islands and with various defence buildings from its military eras, Suomenlinna’s rich history makes it the perfect destination for those wanting to combine adventure and education.
Today, Suomenlinna is a residential area with plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. So, if you are heading there in the evening during the summer be sure to pop past the brewery for a refreshing beer to end the day.
Relax and reset at Löyly Helsinki
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Löyly had to be one of my favourite activities I did while visiting Helsinki. Looking onto the Baltic Sea, Löyly is a contemporary sauna restaurant that can only be described as luxurious yet authentic.
One thing to know about the Finn’s is that they love their saunas, so when visiting Helsinki, it was almost mandatory that I experienced sauna culture. For tourists, like me, who aren’t yet brave enough to strip down to nothing in front of everyone, Löyly public sauna is the perfect place for you (it is compulsory to wear swimmers).
With both a traditional smoke sauna and multiple wood-burning sauna rooms, the Löyly experience is all about trialling different spaces and getting a good steam that will have you walking out feeling refreshed.
Also, if you’re up for it, there is direct access to dive into the sea and cool off after exiting the saunas. However, just a warning: it’s freezing in that sea, even during the summer!
Tip: Be sure to book in advance to secure a two-hour session here during your next visit.
Dine by the waters edge at Birgitta Hernesaari
Located just next door to Löyly lies Birgitta Hernesaari restaurant, a casual eatery by the water’s edge.
We went here for a quick bite before heading to our sauna session and got their grilled sandwiches. If we weren’t in such a rush this would have been a great spot to sit by the seaside and have a glass wine with plenty of deck chairs to choose from on their outdoor deck.
Traveller advice: If aren’t on a budget like I was, and you’re happy to splurge on a nice dinner I would go to Löyly’s restaurant instead.
