Free Things To Do In Helsinki

Did you know that the capital city of Finland is famous for its incredible glassware? It’s not uncommon for traditionally made Finnish glassware to be passed down to younger generations and the pieces are kept within the same family for years!

Helsinki’s glassware fame is just one of the reasons to visit the city; it’s also known for its beautiful churches and cathedrals, vast public parks and over 30 beaches next to the sea and along the river!

If you’re planning a trip to Helsinki (we don’t blame you; it’s a fabulous place!), then we’ve got just the guide for you!

Below, you can find our list of the top 10 free attractions in Helsinki, as well as the 10 best paid activities and attractions in the city too.

Free Attractions in Helsinki

Top Rated Helsinki Attractions

Free

Uspenski Cathedral

The towering ornate red-bricked Uspenski Cathedral is one of Helsinki’s most famous and beautiful free attractions.

Overlooking the harbour, the cathedral makes for a great addition to the city’s skyline and is a real delight to photograph! The green and gold onion-style domes that sit atop the cathedral reflect the influence that Russia had on the making of the church.

Uspenski Cathedral is actually the largest...

Suomenlinna Museum and Self-Guided Tours in Helsinki

clock Duration: 3 to 4 hou
  • Suomenlinna is a XVIII century fortress, which has seen more than a few power struggles between Finland, Sweden, and Russia and now hosts 6 museums. They present the history of Finland in a fun way. Enjoy a 30 minutes film about the sea fortress's colorful past.

    Complete your experience with a self-guided tours sightseeing tour of...read more
Free

Helsinki Cathedral

Throughout this guide of the top 10 free attractions in Helsinki, you’ll soon realise that there’s a common theme amongst things to do and see in the city and that’s notably Helsinki’s abundance of churches and cathedrals!

If you arrive in the city by sea, then undoubtedly the first thing you’ll see upon your arrival is Helsinki Church.

While it might have not have as an extravagant name as the...

Temppeliaukio Church and Self-Guided Tours in Helsinki

clock Duration: 60 to 90 m
  • Temppeliaukio Church will definitely leave you speechless! It is one of the world's most unique and beautiful church buildings. It is hewn right into a solid rock formation!

    Complete your experience with a self-guided tours sightseeing tour of Helsinki.

    This tour is available in the Lokimo app. It includes ready-to-go itinerary, GPS...read more
Free

Sibelius Park

Named after the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius on his 80th birthday in 1945, the Sibelius Park and Monument is one of the top free attractions in Helsinki.

The Sibelius Monument consists of 600 steel tubes that capture the wind and play a soft, gentle tune as the breeze blows, as well as a bust of Jean Sibelius’ head to complete the Monument.

Even if you’re never heard of the Finnish composer, the...

Private Helsinki Budha Tour Half Day

clock Duration: 5 hours
  • What a lovely day out in an amazing city with a wonderful guide! Awesome isn't a good enough description of Tony's guidance, stories and insiders...read more
Free

Töölönlahti Bay

What you need to know:

Without a doubt one of the most beautifully picturesque areas in the city, and therefore one of the top free attractions in Helsinki is Töölönlahti Bay.

Töölönlahti Bay resides right in the heart of Helsinki and is surrounded by numerous parks, woodland areas and popular walking paths.

The entire Bay looks and feels completely different depending on...

Helsinki Card City or Region

clock Duration: 1 to 3 day
  • Discover Helsinki independently with the Helsinki Card. The card is a handy, economical way to make the most of your visit in Helsinki. It is a transport ticket and entrance ticket all in one and has a number of great value reductions and bonuses attached. Don't leave home without one!

    Helsinki Card CITY and Helsinki Card REGION include all...read more
Free

Temppeliaukio Church

Often referred to as the ‘Rock Church’, Temppeliaukio Church is yet another one of Helsinki’s most famous landmarks and a top free attraction in the city.

The church is teeming with a rich historical past, which you can spend time learning about from the frequent churchgoers at Temppeliaukio, or you can just spend some time wandering around inside and admiring the ornate structure.

It’s a place...

SEA LIFE Helsinki Entrance Ticket

clock Duration: 2 hours
  • Dive into underwater adventure at SEA LIFE Helsinki! Your basic entrance ticket includes the entrance to the centre, transporting you into the amazing underwater world. With your ticket you can explore SEA LIFE with your own pace and participate on free fish feedings throughout the day. Be wowed by beautiful and fascinating creatures of the deep...read more
Free

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Not just a popular tourist attraction in Helsinki, but one of the top things to see and do in the whole of Finland, the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most fascinating places in the city.

You’ll have to take a short ferry ride across to the fortress where you’ll be greeted by the impressive fort that sits atop six islets connected by bridges and houses some of Finland’s most...

Helsinki Canal Cruise

clock Duration: 1 hour 30
  • This is a canal cruise sightseeing in Helsinki with audio commentary.
  • Travelers can choose between lower saloon or deck to enjoy the islands of Helsinki.
read more

Helsinki Highlights Sightseeing Guided Tour

clock Duration: 3 to 4 hou
  • A guided sightseeing tour covering important attractions of Helsinki.
  • Travelers get to visit the Temppeliaukio Church during this tour.
read more

Private Walking Tour: Helsinki in Half a Day

clock Duration: 4 hours
  • This is a half-day private walking tour around Helsinki.
  • This walking tour covers landmarks of Helsinki.
read more

Small-Group Walking Tour of Helsinki

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • This is a small group walking tour in Helsinki.
  • The walking tour covers eminent and hidden attractions of Helsinki.
read more

Architecture Tour of Helsinki with a city planner

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • Helsinki is a gem for architecture enthusiasts. It is difficult, if not possible, to find another urban space that houses a wide range of architectural styles like Helsinki; neoclassical, gothic revival, (largest collection of) Art Nouveau, Jugendstil, Nordic classicism, modernism, functionalism, and contemporary styles in a compact city centre....read more

Tour Helsinki with a City Planner

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • We will walk together in and around the city center for three hours, discovering Helsinki's secrets, learning its history, culture and traditions. Why do Helsinki people have picnic on top of graves? What was the meeting point of the bohemian people of 1880s in Helsinki? How did they build a church inside a giant granite rock? Where did Lenin hide...read more

Private Tour of Helsinki with a City Planner

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • We will walk together in and around the city center for three hours, discovering Helsinki's secrets, learning its history, culture and traditions. Why do Helsinki people have picnic on top of graves? What was the meeting point of the bohemian people of 1880s in Helsinki? How did they build a church inside a giant granite rock? Where did Lenin hide...read more

Tram Tour of Helsinki with a city planner

clock Duration: 3 hours
  • Helsinki trams are iconic! One of the oldest tram systems in the world that dates back to 1891. In the city centre areas, trams are the first choice of the locals when it comes to public transportation. This is also the city where things simply work, and public transportation is no exception. It works flawlessly and ranks among the best, not just...read more
View All Helsinki Attractions

Helsinki Attractions Maps

Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Map

Print Map

Helsinki Metro Map

Print Map

Helsinki Transport Map

Print Map