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50 Free Things to Do in Helsinki

Are you planning to visit the Finnish capital but heard that Helsinki could be an expensive destination? It’s actually not and let me prove you that!

Helsinki is very special to me. Growing up, my grandparents lived here. Actually, their house was inside the Helsinki Zoo, where my grandpa cared for the animals.

As an adult, I’ve enjoyed working in Helsinki and often visit for its lively events and atmosphere. I can honestly say I’ve loved this city my whole life!

And I can’t wait to share the magic of Helsinki with you! To help you plan your next Helsinki visit, I’ve created this fantastic list of 50 Free Things to Do in Helsinki. That’s right – over a month of unforgettable activities that won’t break the bank!

Free events and local experiences in Helsinki 

Are you interested in fun events and activities that will make you feel like a local? Helsinki has plenty of that to offer! Ice dip, anyone?

1) Sompasauna: communal hippie sauna place. It is open all year round and run by everyone who uses it. 

2) Run and Gym at Töölönlahti: a scenic walking and jogging path that circles Töölönlahti Bay in Helsinki. Along the path, you’ll find free outdoor fitness equipment, allowing you to incorporate some exercise into your walk or run. 

3) Dip in the Sea in Eira: this is one of the most popular with locals place to go for a swim (or the ice dip in the winter!). No wonder – the views are stunning! 

4) Old Market Hall: admire the coziness of this old indoor market and continue your way along the shore – scenic sea views guaranteed! 

5) Hakaniemi Market Hall: it is often called Helsinki’s most authentic market hall. Free to enter and extremely popular with locals. 

6) Hietalahden Market Hall: a cozy and stylish market hall that will take you on a culinary trip around the world! 

7) Hietalahti Flea Market: open daily in the summer, this market is one of the largest and most popular flea markets in Helsinki. Make sure to get there early and have some cash with you! 

8) Linnanmäki Amusement Park: the park is free to enter and is open from April 30 to August 31, Fri-Sat in September and October 10-19. There are also free rides for small kids – they close 2 hours before the park closes. 

9) Teurastamo (Slaughterhouse) Area: this trendy area with free events, markets, and food trucks is definitely worth the visit. Check the events here

10) Superterassi: a big terrace area at Kasarmitori. The perfect spot for locals and tourists to enjoy free music and entertainment every day from mid-June to mid-August. 

11) Helsinki Park Run: every Saturday at 9:30 Helsinki hosts a free, fun and friendly weekly 5k waterside community run in Tokoinranta park. Register here

12) Kayaking: go kayaking for free and help the environment! There are two conditions – spend your time collecting trash and share the experience on social media. Bookings open on April 14 and the season starts on May 1. Book here

13) Fallkulla Farm: this domestic animal farm is especially popular among families with children. You can meet sheep, goats, cows, chicken, ducks, rabbits and horses there. 

14) Haltiala: it is the largest recreational forest area in Helsinki. Explore nature trails, a tree species park (Niskala Arboretum) and the Haltiala farm with domestic farm animals. 

15) Helsinki’s Free Public Events: look for seasonal festivals, markets, and celebrations. You can find an event here

The best views and parks in Helsinki

When I travel, I always try to find the spots that offer the best views of that place – I don’t want to miss a thing! And who wouldn’t want to have a cozy break in a beautiful park?

1) Helsinki University Main Library: go straight to the 7th floor and enjoy the beautiful view over the roofs and to the Helsinki Cathedral. Terrace is open in the summer. 

2) Winter Garden: explore and relax in a beautiful, free-to-visit indoor botanical garden overlooking Töölönlahti Bay. One of my favorite things to do when the weather is not so nice. You can bring your own snacks here, too! 

3) Esplanadi Park: located in the heart of the city, this park is perfect for people-watching and enjoying a picnic in the summer.

4) Sibelius Park: stroll through a lovely, freshly-renovated park featuring the famous Sibelius Monument. Will you be able to hear the music of its pipes? 

5) Kaivopuisto Park: grab some snacks and enjoy great views of the sea and islands. In the winter Kaivopuisto is popular too – sled, slide or build a snowman! 

6) Sinebrychoff Park: have a picnic, enjoy a drink, sunbathe – this historic park is a super popular place to have a break and socialize. In the winter, local families are sledding here.

7) Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: admission is free to the island and walking paths. Guided tours are closed for the winter season and start again on 15.5.2025; however, in the winter it’s worth walking around the island to enjoy the lovely view.

8) Helsinki Central Park: this park is perfect, if you want to have a forest getaway, but don’t want to go outside of Helsinki. Enjoy the nature trails and fresh, forest air right in the city! 

9) Hietaniemi Beach: one of Helsinki’s most popular sandy beaches. Don’t be shy to go for a swim! 

10) Lammassaari Island: this island is known for its duckboards, high reeds and beautiful walking paths, even in the winter! It is also a great spot for birdwatching. 

11) Allotment gardens: the oldest gardens date back to the early 20th century. Nowadays, every gardener has a tiny wooden cabin and the most adorable yard full of flowers, berries, and vegetables. The gardens are open for calm walks from May to September. 

12) Helsinki University Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden: a quiet, beautiful garden that is open to the public throughout the year. The outdoor area is free of charge. Free admission days of the greenhouses in 2025: 8.1, 12.3, 14.5, 9.7, 10.9, 12.11. 

Iconic landmarks and architecture in Helsinki

This list has everything a Helsinki visitor must see at least once! And make an executive decision to come back again (like I always do).

1) Market Square (Kauppatori): treat yourself with the goodies and souvenirs and don’t forget to take a picture of Havis Amanda – Helsinki’s most iconic sculpture! 

2) Helsinki Central Railway Station: this art nouveau building is one of the most recognized landmarks in Helsinki for its clock tower and two pairs of statues, the “Lantern carriers”.

3) Suomenlinna Sea Fortress: take a ferry to the island right from the Market Square and explore the UNESCO World Heritage site.

4) Helsinki Cathedral: this stunning neo-classical church in Senate Square is a staple! Enjoy the view of the city from its stairs and take a break inside. 

5) Uspenski Cathedral: the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, located on the highest hill of the Katajanokka district.

6) St. John’s Church: this breath-taking, neogothic cathedral stands on the hill where midsummer bonfires took place and is the largest stone church in Finland. 

7) Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Church): walk around this unique church that was built directly into solid rock!

8) Kamppi Chapel of Silence: located right next to the Kamppi shopping center, this small chapel will offer you a quiet break and peace of mind. 

9) Colorful Houses on Huvilakatu Street: it is arguably the most Instagrammable street in Helsinki! Walk around, take a picture and go straight to the sea shore. 

10) Hietaniemi Cemetery: this beautiful, old cemetery is culturally and historically the most important cemetery in Finland (notable graves include Alvar Aalto and Marshal Mannerheim).

11) City Tunnel Infrastructure: beneath the streets of Helsinki, there is a network of tunnels that locals use every day. These tunnels connect popular areas like Kamppi, Forum, Sokos, CityCenter, and the railway station. So, there’s no need to worry about bad weather — you can easily explore the city underground! 

Culture, design, and libraries in Helsinki

For those who love art, architecture and history, this list will be the priority. Pro tip: choose a library to rest from the hustle and bustle of the city – you’ll be surprised how much they resemble a cozy living room!

1) Helsinki Central Library Oodi: this modern library in the city center conquers every heart that comes through its doors. Enjoy a book or relax on one of the three levels of the library and come back the next day – because you’ll want to! 

2) The National Library of Finland: located right to the Helsinki Cathedral, this magnificent library will leave you in awe. The smell of books and stunning interior will take you back to old times. 

3) Rikhardinkatu 3 Library: this beautiful, old library originates back to 1881. It has been the place for many historical meetings. Don’t miss the most stunning part – the 1920s built book tower.

4) Helsinki City Museum: explore all free exhibitions about the city’s history and the “Children’s Town” – an interactive area for your kids to enjoy learning too! 

5) Finnish National Gallery (Ateneum): admire many of the most famous works of Finnish artists of the 19th and 20th century. Admission is free on the following days in 2025: 20.2, 24.4, 14.8, 11.12. Always free for under 18-year-olds. 

6) Kiasma, the Museum of Contemporary Art. free admission on the first Friday of the month. Always free for under 18-year-olds.

7) Natural History Museum: free for those under 18 and for everyone on the following days in 2025: 12.2, 9.4, 12.6, 13.8, 8.10, 10.12. 

8) Helsinki Art Museum (HAM): free admission on the last Friday of the month. 

9) Iittala and Arabia Design Center: during the spring 2025, the museum is on the ground floor. The new museum, focusing on the history of ceramics, will open after renovations in May 2025.

10) Design District: wander through this area in the heart of the city, filled with design stores, galleries, and boutiques. Check the route here

11) Kallio district: explore its street art, cafés, independent shops and soak in the youthful energy. Bonus points for getting to the Kallio Church at 12 p.m. or 6 p.m. – you’ll hear a tune by Jean Sibelius played by the bells. 

12) Alvar Aalto route: you have maybe heard about Alvar Aalto, who was a Finnish design genius? Here are five easy-to-spot grand pieces by him in Helsinki city center: #1 Stora Enso’s headquarters (“sugar cubes” between the Uspenski Cathedral and Allas Sea Pool), #2 Akateeminen Kirjakauppa – the bookstore next to Stockmann, #3 Erottaja pavilion made of glass in the middle of Mannerheiminkatu (the first building that Aalto did for Helsinki), #4 Sähkötalo next to Kamppi mall #5 Finlandia hall next to Töölönlahti Bay. 

Cheap but fabulous hostels in Helsinki

My two favorite places for cheap sleeps are: The Yard hostel and Eurohostel.

The Yard is a stylish and modern independent hostel right in the centre of Helsinki! Located right next to Stockmann and Forum shopping centres, this cozy hostel offers great vibes, green sleep and vibrant social culture.

Check it out here: The Yard Hostel.

Address: Kalevankatu 3 A 45.

Eurohostel has been popular and loved by tourists for many years! It is located in a beautiful district of Central Helsinki – Katajanokka, right by the sea and close to many tourist attractions.

The hostel is comfortable and clean, and you can even book a free morning sauna there! How Finnish is it?

Check it out here: Eurohostel.

Address: Linnankatu 9.

What on this list caught your eye the most? What would you explore the first? Leave a comment and let me know!

About Varpu
I’m the founder of Her Finland. I love cultural tidbits, aha moments, Finnish folklore, and cinnamon buns. My newest interest is learning bird songs. Read more about me..

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