Day Trips from Helsinki. Excursions, Nearby Cities, Tours

Nearby Destinations

Porvoo: A historic old town known for its colorful wooden houses. It is approximately 50 km east of Helsinki.

Tallinn, Estonia: The medieval capital across the Gulf of Finland. The journey takes approximately 2-2.5 hours by ferry. Consider booking ferry tickets in advance via GetYourGuide ferries.

Accessible Day Trips

Porvoo: Historic old town, 50 km east. Bus from Kamppi Center.
Tallinn, Estonia: Medieval capital, 2-2.A five-hour duration by ferry. Departures from West Harbour, Olympia Terminal, or Katajanokka Terminal.
Nuuksio National Park: Wilderness close to city, 45-60 min. HSL train to Espoo, then bus 245A.
Turku: Former capital, historic castle. 2 hrs by train from Central Railway Station.

Natural Escapes

Helsinki’s surroundings showcase beautiful natural landscapes for a refreshing break.

Nature Exploration

Nuuksio National Park: Features forests, lakes, and cliffs. Great for hiking, mushroom, and berry picking.

Local Green Spaces

Sipoonkorpi National Park: Diverse forest area with peaceful trails.
Keskuspuisto (Central Park): Large urban forest for hikes or cycling.
Archipelago: Thousands of islands and rocky islets.

Coastal & Seasonal

Beaches: Hietaniemi Beach and Pihlajasaari Island (accessible by ferry) are popular for swimming and relaxation.

Phenomena to Witness

Autumn Foliage (Ruska): Beautiful autumn colors during The month of september and October.
Midnight Sun: Very long daylight hours in June and early July.
Northern Lights: Possible outside city on clear, dark winter nights.

Planning Your Outing

Independent vs. Guided

Porvoo: Easy independent by bus. Organized tours available.
Tallinn: Independent taking the ferry. Organized day tours from Helsinki via GetYourGuide Tallinn tours include transfers.
Nuuksio: Straightforward public transport. Guided hiking tours available for structure.
Turku: Best independent by train for flexibility.

Typical Duration

Porvoo: Half-day or full-day. Explore Old Town, river walks, local shops.
Tallinn: Full-day (10-12 hours). Explore Old Town, museums, meals.
Nuuksio: Half-day or full-day. Hike trails, visit Haltia Nature Centre.
Turku: Full-day trip. Visit Turku Castle, Cathedral, riverside.

Activities for All

Hiking TrailsNuuksio National Park
City ExplorationPorvoo Old Town
Cultural VisitsTurku Castle & Cathedral
Island A boat tripsHelsinki Archipelago

Berry & Mushroom PickingNational Parks
Ferry JourneysTo Tallinn
Nature PhotographySipoonkorpi Forests
Relaxing BeachesHietaniemi & Pihlajasaari

Tips for Day Trip Planning

Always check ferry schedules, bus routes, and opening hours for attractions, especially during public holidays or off-season.

Cultural Excursions

Expand your cultural exploration beyond Helsinki’s city limits.

Historical Sites

Porvoo Old Town: A well-preserved medieval town. Turku: Visit Turku Castle and Turku Cathedral.

Rural Villages

Experience the Finnish countryside by visiting smaller towns in the Uusimaa region. Observe local life and agricultural practices.

Other Cultural Spots

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum has historical rural Finnish life. Local craft markets show regional traditions.

Museums & Heritage

The National Museum of Finland and the Helsinki City Museum display deep historical narratives. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is an UNESCO World Heritage site.

Further Exploration

National Museum of Finland for national history.
Helsinki City Museum for local narratives.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress via ferry.

Art & Design

Helsinki is a hub for design and modern art. The Design District showcases local designers, galleries, and boutiques. Numerous galleries present diverse collections.

Artistic Pursuits

Ateneum Art Museum of classic Finnish art.
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.
Design Museum and the Design District.

Transportation Connections

To Finnish LakelandVR Trains

To LaplandFinnair Flights

To StockholmFerries

To TallinnFerries

Regional BusesUusimaa towns

Helsinki Commuter TrainsNuuksio, Espoo

Suggested Routes for Longer Regional Travel

Baltic Sea Cruise: Combine Helsinki with Stockholm, Tallinn, and potentially St. Petersburg (when viable).
Nordic Capitals Tour: Link Helsinki with Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen, using flights and ferries.
Finnish Nature Tour: Combine Helsinki with Nuuksio, then travel further north to The lakeland or Lapland for extensive outdoor exploration.
Finnish Lakeland Tour: Explore cities like Tampere or Savonlinna for lakes, national parks, and cultural sites.
Lapland Adventure: For a different experience, especially in winter (Santa Claus Village, Northern Lights, husky safaris).

Multi-Day Extensions

Consider extending your trip to explore more of Finland or the wider Nordic-Baltic region.

Northern Adventures

Finnish Lakeland: Travel inland to cities like Tampere or Savonlinna for a landscape of thousands of lakes, national parks, and cultural sites.

Extended Stay Options

Lapland: Winter wonders (Santa Claus Village, Northern Lights).
Requires flights or long train journeys.
St. Petersburg, Russia: Not currently recommended.

Baltic & Nordic Links

Stockholm, Sweden: Another Countries in europe capital easily reachable by ferry. Combine it with your Helsinki visit for a broader Nordic experience.

Next Destination Ideas

West: Stockholm (by ferry for a city-to-city hop).
South: Tallinn and the Baltics (a straightforward ferry journey).
Nordic Capitals Tour: Copenhagen, Oslo.

Longer Journeys

Consider a multi-day Baltic Sea cruise, combining Helsinki with Stockholm, Tallinn, and possibly other ports. Or, a Nordic Capitals Tour linking Helsinki with other major cities.

Regional Travel Options

Baltic Sea Cruise: Helsinki, Stockholm, Tallinn.
Nordic Capitals Tour: Helsinki, Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen.
Finnish Nature Tour: Helsinki, Nuuksio, Lakeland or Lapland.

Finnish Interior

Travel towards the center to experience Finnish Lakeland, characterized by its vast network of lakes and serene forests. Cities like Tampere and Savonlinna offer culture amid nature.

Inland Exploration

Finnish Lakeland: Thousands of lakes and national parks.
Tampere: Historic industrial city, lakes.
Savonlinna: Opera festival, Olavinlinna Castle.

Planning Longer Trips

When considering multi-day extensions, research transportation options and accommodation in advance. Booking through platforms like GetYourGuide simplifies planning for tours and activities in other cities.

Transport Logistics

Trains (VR) connect Finnish Lakeland and the North. Flights (Finnair) serve Lapland. Ferries connect to Stockholm and Tallinn.

Accommodation Booking

Secure hotels, apartments, or hostels in your next destinations early, especially during peak season.

Activity Planning

Pre-book tours and experiences to maximize your time and avoid disappointment.

Travel Flexibility

Multi-day trips offer a dive into the region, consider an assortment of modes for a varied travel experience.

Recommendations for Extensions

Extend your journey to discover further afield regions and attractions.

Beyond Helsinki

1

Finnish Lakeland

Thousands of lakes, national parks, and cultural sites. Cities include Tampere or Savonlinna.

2

Lapland

Winter experiences like Santa Claus Village, Northern Lights, husky safaris. Summer walking too.

3

Baltic Capitals

Tallinn and Stockholm are easily accessible by ferry for a broader regional exploration.

Travel Connections

Trains (VR) connect to Finnish Lakeland and the North.
Flights (Finnair) serve Lapland for rapid access.
Ferries connect to Stockholm and Tallinn, ideal for city-to-city travel.
Regional buses offer connections to smaller towns in the Uusimaa region.
Car rental provides flexibility for exploring rural areas.
Public transport networks extend to nearby national parks.

Suggested Regional Routes

Baltic Sea Cruise: Combine Helsinki with Stockholm, Tallinn.
Nordic Capitals Tour: Link Helsinki with Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen.
Finnish Nature Tour: Explore Helsinki, Nuuksio, and further north to Lakeland or Lapland.
Coastal Finland Drive: Discover charming coastal towns and scenery.
Cultural Loop: Connect Helsinki with Turku and Porvoo for historical insights.
Wilderness Retreat: Head to a cabin in a national park for deep connecting with the outdoors.

Further Information

Seasonal Considerations

Some tours and accommodations are seasonal; verify availability as per your travel dates.

Booking Early

For popular routes and destinations, especially in peak season, early booking is highly advisable.

Local Guides

Consider local guides for in-depth insights into culture and nature.

Day Trips from Helsinki