Share the article
Last updated
If you’ve decided to travel to Europe this winter, we know you’re the kind of person who wouldn’t shy away from braving the freezing cold. You’re probably part of the ‘no bad weather, just bad clothes’ team.
Reasonable.
Europe is magical in winter, we’ll give you that, with its snow-capped medieval sights and cozy atmosphere, but if you think London, Berlin, Paris and the like are your top choices for a December getaway, wait until you discover this hugely underrated Scandinavian city.
With spas galore, beautiful lights and countless Christmas markets, Helsinki, Finland is the winter capital of Europe, and just like these tourist hotspots, it is also a non-stop flight away for Americans:
What is so special about Helsinki that makes you want to go? Further North this winter?
Even winter lovers will think we’ve gone crazy with this one:
Why on earth would we encourage people to go to the most north-eastern tip of Europe to be outdoors at the worst possible time of year? It turns out there is No better time to visit Helsinki then now:
Think about it: unless you have a particular interest in Scandinavian culture, you wouldn’t waste a European summer here if you could be eating soft gelato in a balmy Lake Garda instead; Well, just as well, it’s just winter suit this part of the world better.
This is literally the land that would be home to Santa Claus, so grab your warmest coat, put on those woolly gloves, buy a cinnamon-sprinkled mulled wine from the nearest store, and let’s head out for a snowy Helsinki together:
Unique winter activities
From the lights that adorn Aleksanterinkatu, the city’s main shopping street, to Helsinki’s vibrant Christmas market, one of the largest in Europe, visited by more than 300,000 people every year, this is Europe’s best-kept secret this season.
Located in front of Helsinki Cathedral, which rests on a prominent plateau above the otherwise flat skyline, the market houses a food yard, urban bonfireslive events and even a cute vintage carousel that kids can ride for free.
Before you get all sad: Santa also has treats for the adults! Everyone, regardless of age, is free to skate on all artificial ice rinks of the city, including the recently opened Johanneksenkenttä, next to a red-brick St. John’s Church.
Nothing screams Christmas in Helsinki more than strolling down Kesäkatu Street, with its twinkling lights, colorful buildings and boutiques selling festive sweets, or taking the ferry to Suomenlinna, both a fortified archipelago and UNESCO World Heritage Site.-
Aside from its cultural charm – this is a sea fortress built on eight islands that has remained virtually untouched since its construction in the 18th century – Suomenlinna offers nature walks, snowshoeing and even sledding for the thrill seekers.
Quirky museums and the most incredible public library in the world
Winters in Helsinki are also the perfect time to explore the city’s wealth of museums and cultural attractions, especially if it’s a bit too cold and there’s not an Espresso House in sight – a small side note: you might end up hooked hit their hot chocolate.
Just saying.
Anyway, we digress. The museums.
For innovative art, quirky exhibitions and, you know, just now cool stuff in generalMake sure you visit the Athenaeum: it’s Finland’s national art museum and it has an exhibition big enough to keep you entertained for more than a few hours.
Sinebrychoff is the place to be for iconic art, with names like Rembrandt, Rubens and El Greco, and if you like photography – especially the kind that serves as a time capsule – there’s the Photography Museum that depicts Helsinki over the horizon . decades is a must.
Also don’t miss Temppeliaukio Church, a Lutheran church built directly into a rock, and if you want to have your mind blown: put Oodi on your to-do list: We’ve always wondered why Finland is time and time again the happiest country in the world, but this public library gives us an idea.
@uwreisvanfinland Have you ever visited this library? 😊 #yourtraveltofinland #oodi #oodlibrary ♬ original sound – Your journey to Finland
It’s not just a place where locals go studying and borrowing books; it is a whole creatively ecosystem: there are game rooms you can rent to play with friends for free3D printers for public use, cafeterias and even recording studios for independent artists!
It’s easy to see that the Finns don’t mind a snowstorm raging outside.
Saunas, saunas everywhere!
You didn’t think we’d leave out the best part, did you?
I know we’ve talked about Helsinki existing cool in winter, but is it real?
Part of the reason Helsinki is such an incredible winter city break is its thriving public sauna and spa culture: in case you didn’t know, sauna as a concept originated in Finland, and believe it or not , most households in the country have their own!
Finland has more saunas per capita than any other country in the world 3.3 million of them in a population of only 5.4 millionand as you might have guessed, you’re spoiled for choice in Helsinki – luckily for you, we’ve been there enough to find the absolute best:
@melissatravels25 A must visit when in Helsinki – Löyly Helsinki ?? #loyal #löylyhelsinki #Helsinki #Finland #finland🇫🇮 #dingenstodoinhelsinki #sauna #saunatiktok #coldwatertherapy #coldwaterswimming #icewater #spa ♬ People – Libianca
The most incredible sauna experience in Helsinki is without a doubt the relaxed Löyly: Admission costs just $27 and is extremely popular due to its open access to the Baltic Sea – as you go back and forth from a boiling environment to icy waters, it’s apparently for relaxation.
We won’t lie to you, we were initially resistant to the idea, especially after seeing the thick ice caps forming in the sea along the sauna complex, but after dipping in the Baltic Sea for a while, then straight to the warmth feels like running from a wood-fired sauna amazing.
Löyly’s restaurant is also not to be missed, especially their Finnish meatballs and creamy salmon soup.
Then of course there is the Allas Sea Pool, in central Helsinki, with a breathtaking panorama of the cathedral-dominated waterfront, with a pool heated to a pleasant 80.6° all year roundand a simple, eco-friendly Kulttuurisauna, perfect for spa treatments and ice swimming.
Fly to Helsinki from 6 US cities this winter from $433
Believe it or not, Americans can fly nonstop to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL) this winter from as low as six American departure points! Looks like we’re not the only ones crazy enough to go somewhere colder than the average American city.
Go figure, haha!
Without further ado, here it is the moment you’ve all been waiting forall non-stop routes from the United States to Helsinki, all with Finnair, the national airline of Finland:
- Chicago (ORD)
- Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
- Los Angeles (LAX)
- Miami (MIA)
- New York (JFK)
- Seattle (SEA)
From New York, one-way fares start from just $433while from Los Angeles it is equally affordable Scandinavian culture, saunas, And reasonably priced flights?
What more could you ask for from a trip across the pond at this point?
✈️Join our Travel Off Path community forum: Where travelers come together, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel companions!
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
