Some of the best day trips from Helsinki, Finland can include a lot of interesting history, while other day trips offer a more relaxing day away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city.
From the beaches near the capital to the ice hotels in Lapland and the three Christmas markets in Helsinki, the time of year makes all the difference. If you’re traveling with kids, MoominWorld, about 100 miles from the capital, is a must-see on every kid’s bucket list.
Explore Lapland for a day
You can find breathtaking landscapes and the most natural beauty in the Lapland region of Finland. Traveling to Lapland is great all year round, although the area is even better known for its winter vacations and ice hotels. Flights to Rovaniemi in Lapland only take around 1 hour and 15 minutes and are reasonably priced. While you’re there, plan to take a scenic drive, making for a one-of-a-kind day trip.
Visit Helsinki Free Attractions
There are many free things you can do in Helsinki. If you are on a budget or don’t want to spend more than you need, visit a fortress, hit the beach, visit the historic train station, or explore Helsinki Old Town.
Relax on the beach
There are two great beaches in the Helsinki area: Hietaniemi Beach and Suomenlinna Beach, which can be a nice day trip from the Finnish capital. If the weather is not in your favor, visit the Suomenlinna Fortress, which is located on the same island as the beach.
Explore the Christmas markets
If visiting Helsinki in December, a must for every visitor is to spend a day or so wandering through one of Helsinki’s cozy Christmas markets. Make sure to keep warm and bring some cash for the many craft items and hot drinks for sale. The markets are the Women’s Christmas Market in early December, the St. Thomas Christmas Market in mid-December, and the Indoor Christmas Market immediately before Christmas.
Visit MoominWorld Park
Direction
Kailo, 21100 Naantali, FinlandGet directions
Telephone
+358 2 5111111
Web
Visit the website
For a day trip from Helsinki that is perfect for families, MoominWorld is a fantasy park where Moomin fans will meet their favorite characters. MoominWorld is home to characters that have captured the imaginations of European children for decades. Moomins are a family of round white fairy tale characters with large snouts that look like hippos. MoominWorld is located on a small island in southwestern Finland in Naantali, which is 16 kilometers (10 miles) from Turku and 180 kilometers (180 miles) from Helsinki.
Join a guided tour of Helsinki
You can take a guided tour of Helsinki and see the main attractions of the capital, such as the old historical center, including the Senate Square, the City Hall, the Parliament building and the Presidential Palace. The tour also includes Finland Hall and Helsinki Opera House. Transportation is included in the price, for approximately $ 40 per person, and you can plan sightseeing tours on your own at the end of the guided portion of the tour.
