Flora.
Fauna.
Sauna.
Find your reason to visit Helsinki.
Welcome to Helsinki – a city where urban culture, world class design and sauna blend with untouched nature, and well-being is a way of life. In all honesty, we could give you a thousand reasons to visit Helsinki. Or 300 – that’s how many islands we have. Or 60 – that’s all the public saunas in the city. Or 700 000 – that’s the number of Helsinkians.
But for the sake of space and time, we’ve narrowed them down to 7, the core ingredients of Helsinki happiness.
7 reasons Helsinki should be your next travel destination
1. Relax in a city of fresh air and open spaces
Helsinki seamlessly blends city life with expansive parks, waterfront trails, and over 300 islands.
Take a deep breath of the incredibly clean Helsinki air, cycle through the city’s green corridors,
or enjoy a picnic by the sea—without ever leaving the urban heart.
2. Visit the global capital of sauna culture
Inscribed in 2020 on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity
sauna is part of daily life here, a simple ritual that leaves you feeling refreshed and clear-headed.
No visit to Helsinki is complete without a sauna session.
3. Explore the capital of Finnish architecture & design
From Art Nouveau to cutting-edge contemporary design, Helsinki is a UNESCO City of Design.
4. Taste the best of Nordic cuisine
From Michelin-starred restaurants to hearty Nordic comfort food, Helsinki’s culinary scene is a feast for the senses.
Savour the freshest seafood, craft cocktails, and locally sourced dining experiences that make every meal unforgettable.
5. Travel greener without compromise
Helsinki is a pioneer in promoting sustainable living and aiming for more and more responsible travel, ranked #1 on the Global Destination Sustainability Index.
6. Nordic culture at its finest
A thriving arts, music, and events scene, including world-class museums and festivals.
7. A city to both relax & have fun
What is a city without the people really? Not a city at all. First and foremost a city is made by and made of its inhabitants – the Helsinkians, the community, the neighbourhoods, the network of connections, relationships. People.
Facts that’ll make you fall in love with Helsinki
#1 Happiest country in the world
FInland is the happiest country in the world for 9 years running. We guess that makes Helsinki the world’s happiest city, right?
#1 on Global Destination Sustainability Index
The GDS-Index is a destination-level programme that measures, benchmarks, and improves the sustainability strategy and performance of tourism and events destinations.
# 1 UN Sustainable Development Report
Finland is the top country progressing towards achieving all 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The score can be interpreted as a percentage of SDG achievement. A score of 100 indicates that all SDGs have been achieved Finland has a score of 86.35.
# 1 Some of the best air quality in the world
While 92% of the global population is exposed to dangerous levels of air pollution Finland maintains a high quality of air.
3k Cycling routes
One of Europe’s greenest cities, Helsinki is a cyclist’s paradise. With 3,200 kilometres of biking paths, exploring is not only easy but planet-friendly.
50% Of the city is nature
Helsinki is a breath of fresh air—literally. With half its area dedicated to parks, forests, and water, it’s a city that lives and breathes nature. Explore: Green Getaways in the City.
131km Of shoreline
Helsinki hugs the Baltic Sea, offering over 100 kilometres of coastline and 330 islands. Whether it’s an island picnic, a seaside stroll, or a ferry ride, Helsinki is a city shaped by the sea.
24hr Of daylight
Midnight sun anyone? Helsinki’s summers boast nearly round-the-clock daylight—perfect for exploring, dining al fresco, or kayaking at “night.”
60 Public saunas
Relaxation is a way of life here. Helsinki has more than 60 public saunas, from historic wooden ones to modern design marvels. Ready to sweat?
Explore Helsinki:
Your Helsinki Stories
Why Helsinki?
Ask Lokki for personalised recommendations
Looking for something more tailored? Lokki, our friendly AI chatbot, is here to help. Friendlier than your average Helsinki seagull, Lokki is designed to guide you through the city — from wine bars and restaurants to neighbourhood tips and seasonal ideas.
Lokki is still learning, so a little patience goes a long way. Ask nicely, and it will do its best to point you in the right direction.