Living in Finland does not necessarily mean we get to explore every part of the country right away.
Finland is huge, and Helsinki is actually quite far from where we live.
For us, getting there meant around seven to eight hours of driving, depending on our stops along the way.
So yes, even though we were traveling within the same country, going to Helsinki still felt like a proper road trip.
During summer 2025, we finally had more time to explore Finland’s capital as a family.
Then in spring 2026, we returned to Helsinki when my parents came to visit us in Finland.
It was nice experiencing the city during two completely different seasons.
Summer gave us long days, parks, outdoor attractions, and warmer weather.
Spring gave us flowers, fresh air, and the chance to bring my parents to some of the places we had already seen ourselves.
Before moving to Finland, Helsinki was simply a city I saw in pictures.
Now we could walk through its streets, visit its churches, explore its parks, ride its observation wheel, and slowly create our own memories there.
Here are some of the places we were able to visit.
1. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
One of the most memorable places we explored was Suomenlinna.
Suomenlinna is located on islands just off Helsinki and is reached by ferry from the city.
The fortress dates back to the Swedish era, with construction beginning in 1748. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is also an actual residential district of Helsinki.
Source: Suomenlinna Official Site
Walking around Suomenlinna felt like walking through history.
There were old walls, tunnels, fortifications, buildings, sea views, and plenty of open spaces to explore.
Coming from the Philippines, the place somehow reminded me a little of Fort Santiago.
They are obviously very different places with different histories, but both gave me that same feeling of walking somewhere that had witnessed so much over the years.
One thing we definitely underestimated, though, was the amount of walking.
Suomenlinna is huge.
Your legs and endurance will definitely be tested if you want to explore a lot of it.
And traveling with a stroller added another little challenge.
Some of the old stone and uneven roads were not exactly stroller-friendly, so there were moments when pushing our little one around became quite a workout.
Still, we had a great time.
The historic surroundings combined with the sea views made Suomenlinna one of those Helsinki places I think we will always remember.
2. Helsinki Cathedral
Before living in Finland, Helsinki Cathedral was one of those buildings I only saw in postcards, websites, and travel photos.
Then suddenly, we were standing right in front of it.
The white cathedral overlooking Senate Square is probably one of the most recognizable sights in Helsinki.
The present cathedral was designed as part of Helsinki’s Neoclassical city centre and was completed in the 19th century.
Source: Helsingin Tuomiokirkko
Seeing it in person felt completely different from looking at photographs.
The large steps, white exterior, green domes, and surrounding buildings make the whole area very beautiful.
We returned again in spring 2026 when my parents came to visit us in Finland.
It felt special bringing them somewhere that has become such a symbol of the country we now call home.
Sometimes a landmark becomes more meaningful when you get to return with people you love.
3. Temppeliaukio Church – The Rock Church
Another church that surprised us was Temppeliaukio Church, commonly known as the Rock Church.
This one felt completely different from Helsinki Cathedral.
Instead of a traditional church building standing above the ground, Temppeliaukio was built directly into solid rock.
The church is still an active Lutheran church as well as one of Helsinki’s well-known visitor attractions. temppeliaukionkirkko.fi
The architecture immediately caught our attention.
You look around and naturally wonder:
How did they build this?
The rock walls give the interior such a unique character.
And just like when we visited old churches during our other travels, I found myself thinking about all the people who had sat inside those walls, prayed, celebrated, grieved, and gathered there throughout the years.
It was something very new to us.
Definitely different from any church we had previously visited.
4. SkyWheel Helsinki
Of course, when we saw the big observation wheel near the harbour, we had to try it.
SkyWheel Helsinki gave us a chance to see the city from above.
The wheel rises about 40 metres and overlooks the centre of Helsinki, the sea, nearby historic buildings, and parts of the archipelago.
Source: SkyWheel Helsinki
Once we reached the higher part of the ride, the view was beautiful.
You could see Helsinki from a completely different perspective.
Buildings that looked huge while walking beside them suddenly became part of a much wider city landscape.
Our little one also enjoyed the experience.
It was one of those touristy activities that we happily tried because sometimes you just have to be a tourist in your own country.
5. Roihuvuori Cherry Park – Kirsikkapuisto
When my parents visited us in spring 2026, we also went to Roihuvuori Cherry Park, or Kirsikkapuisto.
We specifically wanted to see the cherry blossoms.
The problem with cherry blossoms is that they do not wait for your travel schedule.
Their blooming period depends heavily on the weather.
Roihuvuori Cherry Park is especially popular in May when its cherry trees bloom, and the area also hosts Helsinki’s Hanami celebration.
Source: Helsingin kaupunki
I think we arrived almost at the end of the flowering period.
Our timing was not exactly perfect.
There were already fewer blossoms left than we had hoped.
But thankfully, there were still enough flowers for us to appreciate how beautiful the place could be.
And honestly, we were simply happy that my parents still got to experience some of the cherry blossoms during their visit.
Sometimes traveling is not about arriving at the absolute perfect moment.
You enjoy whatever nature decides to give you.
6. Vanhankaupunginkoski Rapids
Another place we enjoyed was Vanhankaupunginkoski, the rapids on the Vantaanjoki River.
This was less about sightseeing and more about simply slowing down.
We had a lovely morning walk around the area.
The air was cool and fresh.
We could hear and watch the water rushing through the rapids.
There were birds around, children enjoying the outdoors, and people fishing nearby.
The mouth of the Vantaanjoki River and the Vanhankaupunginkoski area are also well-known fishing areas in Helsinki.
Source: Helsingin kaupunki
Sometimes we just sat near the water and watched.
No schedule.
No rushing to another attraction.
No need to do anything.
Just water, fresh air, and a quiet family morning.
Those simple moments can be just as memorable as visiting famous landmarks.
7. Uspenski Cathedral, Ateneum Art Museum and Helsinki Central Railway Station
While exploring central Helsinki, we also stopped to take photos of some of the city’s well-known landmarks.
Including Helsinki Central Railway Station, the Ateneum Art Museum, and Uspenski Cathedral.
Uspenski Cathedral immediately caught our attention with its red-brick exterior, green roof, and golden domes.
It has such a different architectural style compared with Helsinki Cathedral, which made it even more interesting to see in person.
Sometimes our sightseeing is simply walking around the city, stopping whenever something beautiful catches our attention, taking a few photos, and continuing on.
8. Helsinki Outlet
We also made time for something less historical:
Shopping.
We visited Helsinki Outlet, which has dozens of fashion, lifestyle, and other brands at outlet prices.
Source: Local Web Store
We found plenty of shops to browse through and some good bargains.
Of course, whenever Filipinos travel, there is always one familiar word that eventually comes up:
Pasalubong.
There isn’t really one perfect English translation, but it basically means gifts or souvenirs you bring home for family and loved ones after a trip.
So yes, we bought some pasalubong for our loved ones back in the Philippines.
And naturally…
we bought a few things for ourselves too.
It would have been unfair to leave ourselves out. Haha!
9. Haaga Rhododendron Park
Another beautiful nature stop was Haaga Rhododendron Park, also known as Alppiruusupuisto.
The park is especially popular when the rhododendrons and azaleas bloom around early June.
It is also interesting because the area serves both as a public park and as a plant breeding research area.
Source: Palvelukartta
We enjoyed simply walking through the park.
There were flowers, trees, paths, and plenty of fresh air.
It was the kind of place where families could walk without needing a complicated itinerary.
For us, that was perfect.
After hours of driving and city sightseeing, spending time surrounded by plants and nature gave us another peaceful break.
One thing I have come to appreciate about Helsinki is how easily city life and nature can exist close to each other.
10. Linnanmäki Amusement Park
For our little one, Linnanmäki was easily one of the most exciting places we visited.
The amusement park had everything you would expect:
rides,
games,
families walking around,
children getting excited,
and adults enjoying the attractions too.
What worked especially well for us was that there were rides suitable for young children.
During our visit, our little one was able to enjoy several attractions that suited her size and age.
Linnanmäki currently lists more than 40 rides, including several aimed specifically at children and families, with ride access depending on height and age restrictions.
Source: Linnanmäki
She absolutely loved it.
When traveling with children, places like this can easily become one of the highlights of the trip.
Adults might be excited about architecture and historic buildings.
Children?
Give them a carousel and they are happy.
And honestly, seeing her having fun made the visit enjoyable for us too.
11. Helsinki Central Library Oodi
One of the most impressive modern buildings we visited was Helsinki Central Library Oodi.
Calling it simply a library almost feels too simple.
Oodi is designed as a public meeting place where people can read, work, study, attend events, use different facilities, and simply spend time.
Source: Oodi
When we went inside, there were plenty of people reading, working, studying, or just relaxing.
Of course, as someone who loves books, seeing such a beautiful public library was interesting in itself.
The architecture outside was equally impressive.
Its curved wooden facade gives the building such a modern appearance and makes it another great place for photographs.
Oodi felt very Finnish to me.
Practical.
Modern.
Open.
And designed so people could actually use and enjoy the space.
Where We Stayed: Our Airbnb in Espoo
During one of our Helsinki trips, we stayed in Vantaa, which is just outside Helsinki.
We booked our accommodation through Airbnb.
It was a two-storey row house, which gave our family plenty of space during the few days we stayed there.
The place was clean, comfortable, and convenient for us.
Based on our own stay, I would give it:
★★★★☆ 4 out of 5
After spending entire days walking around Helsinki, it was nice having somewhere comfortable to return to in the evening.
Traveling as a family has taught us that accommodation does not always need to be luxurious.
What matters more to us is that it is clean, comfortable, practical, and gives us enough space to rest properly.
Was the Long Drive Worth It?
Seven or eight hours inside the car is definitely not a short journey.
There were food stops.
Restroom stops.
Toddler stops.
And probably a few moments when everyone was ready to finally reach the destination.
But yes.
It was worth it.
Helsinki gave us history, architecture, churches, parks, amusement rides, shopping, nature, and family memories.
And even after these trips, there are still many places in Helsinki we have not explored.
So I don’t think this will be our last Helsinki travel post.
More From Our Journey to Finland
Exploring Helsinki feels even more meaningful when I think about the journey that eventually brought our family here.
Finland was once simply another country on the map for us.
Then it became the place where we started another chapter of our lives.
You can also read:
Moving to Finland: Why It Wasn’t Part of Our Original Plan
Read Here
How We Actually Got to Finland: Our Recruitment and Residence Permit Journey
Read Here
From Dubai to Finland: Our Adventure in Migration
Read Here
Slowly, we are not only learning how to live in Finland.
We are also discovering more of the country we now call home.
Important Note: This post is based on our personal visits during summer 2025 and spring 2026. Opening hours, admission fees, ride policies, blooming seasons, ferry schedules, and attraction information can change. If you are planning to visit any of these places, check the attraction’s official website for the latest information before your trip.
“Sometimes discovering a new home also means slowly discovering all the beautiful places within it.”
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
- Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
Helsinki was once simply a place we knew from photographs. Now, every visit adds another memory to our life in Finland, and there is still so much more for us to discover.
Sources & Useful Links
- Suomenlinna – Official Website – https://suomenlinna.fi/en/
- Helsinki Cathedral – https://www.helsingintuomiokirkko.fi/en/
- Temppeliaukio Church – https://temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/en/
- SkyWheel Helsinki – https://skywheel.fi/en/
- City of Helsinki – Parks and Nature – https://www.hel.fi/en/culture-and-leisure/outdoor-activities-parks-and-nature-destinations
- Linnanmäki Amusement Park – https://www.linnanmaki.fi/en/
- Helsinki Central Library Oodi – https://oodihelsinki.fi/en/
- Ateneum Art Museum – https://ateneum.fi/en/
- Helsinki Outlet – https://www.helsinkioutlet.fi/
Sometimes the simplest moments turn out to be the most memorable. It’s lovely how travel gives us a chance to slow down, enjoy the surroundings, and make memories together.
The Sea Fortress is so impressive! It’s amazing how it can be so beautiful even though it was designed for defense.
i would love to visit Finland one day, and all of these spots are why. Finland is one of those countries that has the perfect blend of natural beauty, man-made structures, and so much history.
Eleven places in one trip! I’d love to explore Helsinki someday, and your list gives me a great place to start. Which stop was your favorite?