When to Go in Helsinki

The best time to visit Helsinki, Finland is during the summer when the days are longer and the weather is warmer. Aside from the weather, there are many seasonal activities to consider when planning your vacation.

Festivals

Helsinki Day is June 12th and there are many activities that don’t happen the rest of the year. Enjoy exhibitions, concerts, guided tours around the city, and many other fun activities. Also during the summer, mid-June, is Juhannus or the Midsummer Festival which takes place in the city but also out in the countryside where a bonfire is lit and celebrations commence. At the end of August is the Night of the Arts, a week festival where revelers take to the streets to celebrate. There are all kinds of performances from the evening into the morning. 

Seurasaari Open Air Museum

The Seurasaari Open Air Museum is a great place to go during the summer. This is a small island near Helsinki that has a collection of old Finnish homesteads you can explore. There are walking trails and guides in traditional dress demonstrate what life was like during the past. It only costs €5 to go and see all the buildings. 

Pihlajasaari

Pihlajasaari has sandy beaches on which to sun with a great restaurant. Ferries run to the area hourly from 9:30 am to 8:30 pm and cost €5. Watch out because there is a mixed nude beach on site. Hietaniemi Beach is another great beach in town. Here you can play volleyball and swim with the locals.

Helsinki Zoo

Visit the Helsinki Zoo in the summer time for a great experience. You will find 200 different animal species. The Zoo is on an island called Korkeasaari and can be reached by bus or car since there is a bridge connecting in to the city. You can also take the ferry. Cost to the zoo is €5 for adults and €3 for children. 

Serena Water Amusement

Serena Water Amusement park is one of the largest water parks in the country featuring pools, saunas, hot tubs and activities for kids. Many activities are indoors but during the summer there is an outdoor section too.

Hohtogolf

Try your hand at golf at Hohtogolf from noon to midnight during the summer. This miniature golf course is motorized with a special horror section and it all glows in the dark. Cost is about €4.

Linnanmaki

The oldest amusement park in Finland is Linnanmaki and it is only open in the summer. It is adjacent to Sea Life Aquarium so you can patronize both without having to go far. All day passes to the Amusement park with a famous wooden roller coaster is €35 for adults and €22 for children.