15 Cozy Things to Do in Helsinki in Winter (+ Seasonal Tips!)

I live in Finnish Lapland, and one place I constantly end up visiting during the winter months is Helsinki, since every plane and train ride takes me through there. This guide contains some of my favorite things to do in Helsinki in winter!

I genuinely don’t think that there’s a bad time to visit Finland. Sure, a Finn might tell you to refrain from the harsh winter temperatures, but give me a pair of snowshoes, a hot coffee (Finns drink more than any other nation), and a country that has an insane sauna culture… I am there.

While the weather in Helsinki may not be ideal during the winter, there is so much to do inside that I don’t particularly care. I love Christmas in Helsinki and I love the food in the city. And nothing warms me up better than a soup at one of the Asian spots in town or a black coffee at one of the many cafes.

This winter in Helsinki guide also contains some exciting tours and activities, tasty coffee shops, and some worthwhile day trips. I also give you some details about the weather, daylight, and more!

Did I miss anything exciting to do in Helsinki, Finland in winter? Let me know your tips and thoughts in the comments!

When is it winter in Helsinki?

Technically speaking, winter in Helsinki starts in December and lasts until the start of March.

But, letʻs be honest, it will feel like winter far beyond that to travelers! I would say expect ʻwintryʻ conditions from November until April or so.

Each year is a bit different, however, so check it out prior to coming to the city!

Helsinki Winter Daylight Hours

Is Helsinki dark in winter? Yes! Unless you have visited Arctic Finland on the trip, you will definitely think that Helsinki is super dark during the winter months.

At the winter solstice, the sun rises at around 9:24am and sets at 3:15pm. So, be prepared for a lot of darkness.

But, donʻt worry, there are cozy cafes and lots of candles to make you feel comfortable and so that you can enjoy the winter there.

Helsinki Winter Temperatures

Helsinki is pretty cold in the winter, and its location on the Baltic Sea doesn’t warm things up! Here are the average temperatures during the winter months (and the shoulder season around it):

• Helsinki in November: average highs of 4C (39F) and lows of 0C (32F)
• Helsinki in December: average highs of 1C (33F) and lows of -4C (24F)
• Helsinki in January: average highs of -1C (29F) and lows of -7C (20F)
• Helsinki in February: average highs of -2C (29F) and lows of -7C (19F)
• Helsinki in March: average highs of 2C (36F) and lows of -4C (25F)

Does it snow in Helsinki?

Yes, it usually should, but climate change has its hands on the city just like anywhere else, so it is harder to predict these days.

Whenever I have been to Helsinki in winter, I have had snow and the Baltic Sea has even been partially frozen closer to the city!

The average snowfall (or rain) in December in Helsinki is 58mm (or 2.3 inches). You can expect snow from the end of October until the middle of April on average. January is the snowiest month in Helsinki.

Can you see the northern lights in Helsinki?

No. I mean, on a random occasion, you might get extremely lucky, but Iʻd place a hefty bet on the fact that you won’t see them from the city when you’re there. There is also a lot of light pollution in Helsinki.

If you are keen to see the northern lights in Finland, head north! Rovaniemi is a great starting point (and I live here, so I am used to seeing them).

Best Things to Do in Helsinki in Winter

1. Go ice skating in Helsinki.

One of the best things to do in winter is to go ice skating! And, youʻll find plenty of places to go ice skating in Helsinki.

Some of the popular favorites are:

• Oulunkylä Sports Park
• Käpylä Sports Park (has a hockey rink, as well)
• Pukinmäki Sports Park (free!)
• Lassila Sports Park (also free and has a cafe)

2. Drink coffee in the world’s coffee capital.

The Finns really do drink more coffee than any other nation, and it is said that they drink up to 8-9 cups of coffee… per day!

So, it would be remiss of you to visit Helsinki and not explore some of its coffee shops!

Some of my favorite cafes in Helsinki are:

• Andante Specialty Coffee: Fredrikinkatu 20
• Kaffa Roastery: Pursimiehenkatu 29
• Rams Roasters: Neitsytpolku 10B

But, while you can find a good cup of coffee at these cafes, you can really just find standard black coffee anywhere in Helsinki, and it is always going to be pretty tasty.

3. Try floating in a survival suit.

It is only a 1.5-hour activity and it is one of Helsinkiʻs best-rated! You basically get to pretend youʻre on an Arctic adventure and put on a thick floating suit!

You will then get to hop into the icy water where youʻll be warm and weightless as you admire the scenery around you. It was such a cool experience, but it does take some adjusting if youʻre claustrophobic like me.

This activity is meant for everyone except those with mobility impairments or who are under 5ʻ1″ (155cm) tall. Click here to check ice floating rates and availability.

4. Enjoying Helsinkiʻs best hot chocolate.

Finns are famous for their coffee drinking, but did you know that they make a mean hot chocolate, too?

Donʻt worry, I already covered coffee in the guide (I couldn’t leave that out), but you’ll find plenty of delicious cups of cocoa in the city, and it is imperative to give one a go!

• Xocolab Helsinki (artisan chocolates with hot chocolate on the menu!): Fredrikinkatu 41
• Chjoko (handmade laskiaispulla and cocoa – delicious!): Liisankatu 9
• El Fant – Coffee & Wine Bar (I usually get coffee here, but their hot chocolate is also quite good): Katariinankatu 3

5. Marvel at the Helsinki Cathedral.

Another Helsinki landmark that you can visit at any time of the year (but has fewer crowds during winter!) is the iconic Helsinki Cathedral.

Built in a neoclassical style, this church was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel and is easily the most photographed place in the city (on a global scale).

It was originally built from 1830-1852, and while I have never been inside, I love strolling and grabbing some photos before finding a cafe or restaurant nearby to take it all in. This is a must-visit in Helsinki… but don’t be shocked if it is engulfed in its usual scaffolding.

6. Visit the Helsinki Design Museum.

I can confidently say that Helsinki has some of the best museums in Europe.

The Helsinki Design Museum has three locations (Nuutajarvi, Iittala, and Arabia) and is definitely worth a visit when youʻre in the city, as it gives a glimpse into why the Finns are so famous for their design!

During the winter, youʻll find fewer hours (from September 1 – May 31) as it is open Tuesdays (11am-8pm), Wednesdays through Sundays (11am-6pm) and is closed on Mondays. An adult ticket is around €20 and a student ticket is €12. 

You can reach the museum via Tram #10 or Bus #24 (close to the harbor and Esplanades).

7. Check out the Helsinki Christmas Market.

While it may not be among the most popular Christmas market destinations in Europe, the Helsinki Christmas Market (Tuomaan Markkinat) is still worth a visit if youʻre in the country during the time it is held!

When visiting, you will get a chance to see works by local craftsmen and women as well as a lot of food stalls, an old-time carousel, and more.

It is visited by over 300,000 people annually and is definitely a must-visit place during winter in Helsinki!

It is also the oldest outdoor Christmas market in Helsinki and is held every December in Senate Square. This year, it will run from November 28 to December 22, 2025.

8. Rejuvenate yourself in a Finnish sauna.

If there is one thing that Finland is highly recognized for, it is its sauna culture. Not only is it the birthplace of the word ʻsaunaʻ, but the world sauna capital is up in Tampere, a little bit further north. But Helsinki is a gem for sauna culture too!

If youʻre visiting Helsinki in winter, I strongly advise you to take a few hours (or days!) to visit one of the cityʻs best public saunas. 

Many of them offer dining experiences and much more. It is an entire experience and one that is not to be missed. Here are some of the best public saunas in Helsinki:

• Allas Sea Pool (I have been here several times and even eaten at its restaurant): Katajanokanlaituri 2a
• Sauna Hermanni (been around since the 50s): Hämeentie 63
• Kotiharjun Sauna (last wood-heated traditional public sauna in the city): Harjutorinkatu 1
• Löyly (another favorite of mine – an entire complex!): Hernesaarenranta 4

9. Take a day trip to Tallinn.

While I strongly advise spending as much time in Helsinki as possible, it would be silly not to hop on a ferry to Tallinn for a day trip if you have enough days on your itinerary!

Tallinn, Estonia is a mere 2-hour ferry ride across the Baltic Sea, and it is just as easy to do during the winter as it is during the summer.

I have actually only taken this ferry during the winter months and I never experienced rough seas (knock on wood), but I did experience horribly cold temperatures when I got to Tallinn – so dress warmly! 

In Tallinn, the ferry port is quite close to the city, so you can get off and walk into the city or grab a taxi/public transportation there.

The city has some cute Christmas markets and youʻll find plenty to do in Tallinn in winter, but some of the cityʻs top attractions are:

• Alexander Nevsky Cathedral
• Tallinn Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
• Toompea Hill
• Town Hall Square (in the Old Town, where the markets are)

One thing I would definitely advise when taking this trip is to book your tickets early.

While it might not seem as though it would sell out in the winter, a lot of Baltic residents actually work in Helsinki and will take this ferry for those purposes. It is not just a tourist boat. Click here to check Tallinn ferry ticket rates and availability.

10. Connect with nature in Nuuksio National Park.

Another place I absolutely love near Helsinki is Nuuksio National Park. And, while some people love strolling through a forest during the summer, I have to say, I much prefer the peacefulness of one during the winter!

Nuuksio National Park is located around Espoo, Finlandʻs second largest city by population. It is fairly easy to reach via trail or bus (take the S, U, L, or E to get from Helsinki to Espoo).

Once youʻre there, you can do a variety of winter activities from snowshoeing to ice fishing to winter hiking (and more)!

I had my trip planned with Eventure, a company that specializes in sustainable tourism in Nuuksio. I went both snowshoeing and ice fishing and then ended my day in a kota with coffee and pancakes.

I seriously think this was one of my favorite travel experiences to date, as it was my introduction to this special Finnish forest!

11. Indulge in a cinnamon bun.

Okay, I can eat these any time of the year, but there is something so special about sitting down to enjoy one with a cup of coffee during the winter.

I used to love them during Christmas time in Oslo with a Julebrus (Christmas soda) but in Helsinki, it is all about the coffee, a candlelit cafe, and some headphones on.

You can find them literally anywhere in the city… but some of the top-rated places for a cinnamon bun (korvapuustit) are:

• Story Old Market Hall: Vanha Kauppahalli, Eteläranta 
• Gateau City Center: Kaivokatu 8 (Kauppakeskus Citycenter 1st floor)
• Cafe Regatta (best atmosphere by the sea in Toolo!): Merikannontie 8

12. Go on a day trip to Porvoo.

I must admit, I have only visited Porvoo in summer, but my goodness, I canʻt even imagine how charming the city is during the winter. Around 50,000 residents call Finlandʻs second-oldest city home.

What has made Porvoo famous with travelers is its accessibility from Helsinki and its gorgeous wooden buildings throughout.

You can find traditional food, culture, and more in Porvoo and I highly recommend a visit! Some of the main places to visit in Porvoo are:

• Fiskars village (home to over 200 artists)
• The National Urban Park (contains Old Wooden Town)
• Little Chocolate Factory (delicious hot cocoa!)
• Restaurant Salt (I had a nice meal here)

If youʻre not interested in taking a bus by yourself and would rather visit as part of an organized excursion, no worries, it is easy!

This 5-hour tour will take travelers from Helsinki to Porvoo for a wintry day trip with an expert guide.

13. Go back in time at the Suomenlinna Fortress.

Another canʻt-miss place for any Helsinki itinerary is the Suomenlinna Fortress.

The construction of this UNESCO World Heritage Site began in the mid-18th century when Finland was still part of neighboring Sweden.

The famous structure requires a ferry or boat to reach (or you can take a tour). Ferries run regularly (year-round) from Market Square to the island and it is about a 15-20 minute journey in total.

During the winter months, there are sheets of ice you will pass on the way and itʻs really beautiful!

While not all parts of the site are accessible for those with mobility impairment, there are a few areas that are (as well as accessible toilets).

If you get hungry out there, youʻll find the following:

• Restaurant Suomenlinna Brewery
• Bastion Bistro
• Viaporin Deli & Cafe
• Restaurant Adlerfelt
• Cafe Silo
• Linna Bar

There is no entrance fee for the site, and a total of around 800 people live on the island (and 400 people work there throughout the year). 

14. Go to the Lux Helsinki light festival.

An exciting festival that takes place every January in Helsinki is the Lux Helsinki lights festival. This festival started in 2009 and is free of charge.

This festival goes across the city and youʻll see colorful light displays along a few kilometers of the city (that changes from year to year). It will take place from January 6-11, 2026.

It is definitely one of the best things to do in Helsinki in winter for those looking for a little light during the long, dark nights.

15. Go cross-country skiing at Kivikko Ski Hall.

In 2016, the Kivikko Skiing Hall reopened 15 minutes outside of Helsinki for enthusiasts of cross-country skiing! The track is about 850 meters with additional add-ons of 200 meters.

The entire width of the track is 6-8 meters and there is even a sauna for you to relax in after your adventure.

One great thing is that you can actually rent skis there, making it the perfect place for a traveler visiting the country during winter. 

Where to Stay in Helsinki

If youʻre looking for the best places to stay in Helsinki, look no further than some of my favorites below.

These cover all budgets and are many places that I have personally stayed on my many trips to Finlandʻs capital.

• Hobo Helsinki (cool boutique hotel; my new fave place to stay there)
• Hotel U14 Autograph Collection (another place I love to stay in Helsinki!)
• Hotel Helka (cool boutique hotel with Finnish design)
• Scandic Helsinki Aviacongress (where I stay near the airport)

Did I miss any of the best things to do in Helsinki in winter? Let me know your favorite activities and places to visit on a winter trip to Helsinki in the comments. Thanks!

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