Making the most of Helsinki
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Keep a camera close as cruise ships pass through Helsinki’s scenic island archipelago on their approach.
International cruise ships berth (Map) in either South Harbour or West Harbour.
South Harbour has four quays and is an easy walk from the central Market Square. Allow 15 min waik.
West Terminal has two quays, neither conveniently close to one another or to town. It is a 30 min walk, but 2 tram lines (5 & 6) stop immediately outside the port. A Market Square ticket costs 2 Euro and is valid for 110 minutes on buses and trams. Day passes cost 8 Euro for AB zones or 12 Euros for ABC, and include public ferries.
Check Helsinki’s cruise calendar and quay allocation.
Hernesaari is West harbour.
Find public-transport information at every quay.
The Tourist office runs shuttles for €6 one way or €10 for a full day.
An 8 Euro all-day public-transport ticket covers the Suomenlinna ferry and the scenic 2 and 3 tram routes. Trams generally arrive every 10 minutes. Drivers sell day tickets for cash only.
See webcams for the various ports.
Helsinki is Finland’s most visited cruise port by a considerable margin.
Helsinki is a wonderful, simple city to navigate. Start at Market Square, where most sights are nearby, then walk to Senate Square, ferry to the fortress, browse the numerous stalls and shops, and stop for something to eat.
Helsinki forms a gateway between East and West. It expresses Finnish character and a forward-looking hi-tech drive, yet differs from other Finnish cities because of its compelling Swedish and Russian influences. The sea and surrounding natural setting shape city life, while summer warmth and the midnight sun draw residents into parks and terraces. The centre surrounds the main harbour, home to the celebrated Kauppatori, or Market Square, also called the fish market. Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplenadi are the twin main shopping avenues. Helsinki…
Attractions in Helsinki
Getting around
An 8 euro day ticket covers all public transport, including the Suomenlinna ferry. Trams 2 and 3 work almost like hop on/off buses, tracing a figure-eight route past many visitor sights. The No 9 tram at Market Square is a city-circle service that connects with other tram lines at several stops; it calls at Helsinki’s main cathedral and central railway station.
The Suomenlinna ferry departs Market Place (Kauppatori) every 20 minutes and needs 20 minutes to reach the island. It costs 8 euros per person and remains valid for 12 hours, so purchase the day ticket instead! Use the HSL app to buy tickets or check the next bus, tram or ferry. Once on the island, you may roam freely; some museums charge a small fee.
Hop on/off buses call at every cruise terminal. Their approximately 90-minute route includes Helsinki’s leading sights, including Senate Square/Helsinki City Museum, Market Square, Helsinki Art Museum (Amos Rex) and Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church), Sibelius Monument, Helsinki Zoo, Helsinki Olympic Stadium and Swedish Theater.
The Helsinki Card can be a convenient, economical way to see Helsinki. It gives unlimited public-transport use, admission to the major sights and ca 50 museums, entry and boat travel to Suomenlinna Sea Fortress and Helsinki Zoo, discounts such as on sightseeing tours, and a Helsinki guide book with maps. Adult holders also receive a daily Audio City tour, valued at 25 EUR. For a short cruise call it is not really worthwhile. Taxis can be booked by telephone or taken from ranks, and major international credit cards are accepted for payment as well…
The Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki is a virtual-cinema sightseeing ride and one of the most exhilarating ways to experience sights and attractions from above and inside. Located at Market Square, it costs 14 Euros.
Finnish Railways runs the country’s fairly extensive rail network.
Car hire is available in Finland but normally costly, with prices generally from € 80/day upwards.
Nearby places
Suomenlinna fortress.
Kept intact through its military role, this 250-year-old fortress is now part of the world heritage. It entered UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1991. One of Finland’s best-known visitor attractions, Suomenlinna is also a Helsinki suburb, with 900 residents in restored ramparts and barracks.
Food and shopping
In summer, Helsinki shops are open on Sunday from 12 noon - 6:00 p.m.
Stockmann department store is the Nordic region’s largest. It is surrounded by the principal shopping streets: Aleksanterinkatu, Mannerheimintie, Northern Esplanade and Southern Esplanade.
Money
Finland uses the euro (EUR), divided into 100 cents. The country does not use 1 or 2 cent coins, instead rounding every total to the nearest 5 cents.
Staying connected
Finnish (93%) and Swedish (7%) are Finland’s two official languages, although English is also widely spoken.
All signs appear in Finnish and Swedish, which can sometimes be complicated.
For police and every other emergency service, dial the national number 112.
The City of Helsinki provides free wireless access in the city centre, including on some buses. Shopping centres such as Kamppi also have free wi-fi.
Opening Hours and
Weekday opening is 9:00 am to 9:00 pm; Saturday hours are 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, and Sunday hours run from noon to 6:00 pm.