Guide to a sustainable visit in Helsinki
Welcome to Helsinki! Thank you for visiting our beloved city.
As the world’s most sustainable destination we want to encourage our visitors to be as responsible as they can possibly be.
This short guide can help you make more sustainable choices while visiting Helsinki.
When planning your trip:
- Pack only the essentials. The less luggage you bring, the fewer emissions are generated.
- Aim to travel outside of peak seasons. There’s plenty to do and see in Helsinki even after the busiest holiday periods!
- Slow down and stay longer. A longer trip reduces the daily carbon footprint and a slower pace allows you to fully enjoy Helsinki’s diverse offering.
While in Helsinki:
- Get to know the life of Helsinki residents and meet local people. Market halls, market squares, cafes, Oodi Central Library and other libraries, public saunas, etc. all offer great opportunities to experience local life.
Visit areas outside the city centre, explore nature, and enjoy the maritime Helsinki. Good options include Munkkiniemi, Lauttasaari, Lammassaari, Haltiala, Uutela, and Vallisaari. - Support local and responsible businesses, services, and products. These include restaurants focusing on vegetarian food, local production, and waste reduction, craft shops and flea markets.
- Explore Helsinki on foot, by (a city) bike, or using public transportation. Helsinki is a compact and safe city with excellent public transportation system.
- Sort waste and return bottles and cans to recycling machines, which can be found in every food store.
- Drink clean and great-tasting tap water. Avoid bottled shop-bought water, you don’t need it in Helsinki!
Avoiding crowds:
- Embrace quieter times. On the busiest days, some of Helsinki’s attractions can be crowded. If possible, prefer quieter times that create space to feel and experience things in more depth.
- Venture further away. A sunny Saturday afternoon can cause congestion at the most famous spots, whereas the best experience might be found on a peaceful rocky beach in eastern Helsinki or on a berry-picking trip in a local forest.
Silence and peace
Helsinki
Being responsible in nature:
- Get to know the National Hiking Etiquette. This ensures that everyone can have enjoyable nature experiences in the future as well.
- Also read the great Responsible Hiking in Helsinki guide before your nature outing. Helsinki’s local nature offers fantastic destinations worth exploring. You’ll find several responsible nature destinations in the city.
Recognising responsible services and companies:
- Sign the Sustainable Finland Pledge when you arrive in Helsinki to demonstrate your commitment to acting sustainably.
- Favor companies that have received the Sustainable Travel Finland badge. The City of Helsinki has also committed to the STF program and to continuous sustainability development. Sustainable Travel Finland companies have received the national, sustainability label, which is comprehensive and adheres to the UN’s GSTC standard.
- Ask service providers about their sustainable practices – this way you are actively contributing to promoting sustainability.
