The capital of Finland, Helsinki, is definitely worth seeing at Christmas! Helsinki is at its best at Christmas time when a magical atmosphere fills the city. The main shopping street in the city center, Aleksanterinkatu, is lit up with Christmas lights and you can enjoy a unique Christmas atmosphere in the city's many cafés, for example. I recommend trying the traditional Finnish Christmas drink, Glögi, and Finnish gingerbread.

In this blog, I answer the following questions to help you plan your Christmas holiday in Helsinki with confidence:

• Is Helsinki worth visiting at Christmas?

• What is open in Helsinki on Christmas?

• Is there a Christmas market in Helsinki?

• Where to stay in Helsinki during Christmas?

• How to get from Helsinki to Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi)

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1. Is Helsinki worth visiting at Christmas?

Twinkling lights and a unique Christmas atmosphere bring Helsinki to life at Christmas time, the darkest time of the year. Even though daylight is reduced in winter, you can still find a warm and bright atmosphere!

• Try ice swimming and sauna at the popular Allas Sea Pool, where you can swim directly in the cool waters of the Baltic Sea. Sauna is an important part of Finnish culture and something everyone visiting Finland should try!

• Drop by to warm up at the traditional Cafe Engel, where you can order a Finnish cinnamon bun (korvapuusti) or a delicious piece of cake.

• Explore the Christmas window of the iconic Stockmann department store, which has delighted children with a different exhibition every year since 1949. Stockmann also has a fantastic Christmas department full of quality Christmas decorations for souvenirs.

• Dine in the Old Market Hall, which has functioned as a market hall since 1889. Here you can have delicious salmon soup for lunch, a favourite of many Finns.

• Finally, stop by the magnificent Tuomaan markkinat, Helsinki's largest Christmas market. Here you can taste the Finnish Christmas drink Glögi and other traditional Christmas treats.

2. What is open in Helsinki during Christmas?

Helsinki doesn't even close at Christmas! In Finland, Christmas is usually celebrated with the family on Christmas Eve and the public holidays are Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Public holidays can affect the opening hours of shops and restaurants, and museums, for example, are usually closed. However, most grocery shops are open on Christmas Day and some restaurants are also open. If you want to eat out during the Christmas holidays, you should book well in advance. Otherwise, everything is open as usual in December.

So you can travel to Helsinki in good spirits during Christmas!

3. Is there a Christmas market in Helsinki?

Yes, there is! The oldest and largest Christmas market in Helsinki, Tuomaan markkinat, is held right in the city centre, at the Senate Square. The market is filled with Christmas-themed stalls and artisans selling traditional Finnish delicacies and handicrafts, such as woodwork and textiles. Senate Square, where Tuomaan markkinat is held, is located directly below the magnificent Helsinki Cathedral. From here you can easily continue your day towards Helsinki's other attractions. Tuomaan markkinat is open every day from the 1st until 22nd of December.

Fashion and design lovers should visit the Xmas Garage Christmas market organised by My o My. At the event, you can discover over 50 Finnish brands and find everything from toys to home furnishings and accessories. The Xmas Garage Christmas Market will be open from 4th until 30th of December and it is held in two shopping centres, Forum and Kämp Gallery, both located in the Helsinki city center.

In addition to these Christmas markets, there are several smaller Christmas markets and events held in Helsinki during December.

4. Where to stay in Helsinki during Christmas?

In Helsinki, you'll find accommodation to suit every budget and style. I recommend staying in a hotel in the centre of Helsinki, where you can easily walk to the most popular sights and enjoy the city atmosphere.

In Helsinki, one of my favourite hotels is Hotel Haven, located right next to Esplanade Park, which offers a luxurious atmosphere at a reasonable price. Hotel Haven has been beautifully decorated in an old-fashioned style and some of the rooms have private baths.

But what I love most about Hotel Haven is its excellent location in the centre of Helsinki and the luxurious breakfast you can enjoy while gazing out the window at the sea. The rich breakfast menu offers all the traditional hotel delicacies but also includes Finnish dishes such as Karelian pies, rye bread and oatmeal.

5. How to get from Helsinki to Finnish Lapland (Rovaniemi)?

A visit to Helsinki is easy to combine with a trip to Lapland. In Lapland you can visit Santa Claus' village in Korvatunturi, go skiing, and experience a real Finnish winter with lots of snow. Lucky travellers might also see the famous Northern Lights.

For a one-week trip, I recommend spending two days in Helsinki and five days in Lapland. The largest city in Lapland is Rovaniemi, which is easily accessible by train or flight from Helsinki. The train from Helsinki takes about ten hours and you can take the night train (recommended!). You can easily buy train tickets here. A direct flight to Rovaniemi from Helsinki takes 1.5h and flying is the fastest way to travel to Lapland.

Thank you for reading and if you have any questions about visiting Helsinki, don’t hesitate to contact me!

— Iiris