Helsinki has been described as one of Europe’s most walkable cities and the Finnish capital is often a gateway stop for tourists visiting the country’s lakes or Lapland.
It’s also a popular Baltic cruise destination and its compact size makes it a great option for cruise passengers who only have a few hours to explore.
When I went to Helsinki, I found it was easy to visit many of the city’s main attractions without the need for public transport or a car.
I particularly loved the beautiful Uspenski Cathedral and the Gamla Saluhallen, the city’s fresh food market which sells delicious fish.
However, while it wasn’t difficult to get around Helsinki as a pedestrian, there’s one issue to consider.
I was in Helsinki in November and it was absolutely freezing. Although temperatures are often around four degrees in November, it was much colder when I was there.
While there I joined a walking tour to visit the city’s main attractions but it was so cold it was hard to focus as we stopped to hear about landmarks.
I lived in Stockholm for a year so I’m more used to cold weather but that November in Helsinki felt particularly brutal.
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I can imagine exploring Helsinki during spring or summer is absolutely delightful on foot but if you’re going in winter, make sure to wrap up really warm.
It’s also important to take sturdy footwear as snow and ice can make the footpaths slippery. However, if you’re ready to brave the cold, Helsinki is absolutely a walkable city.
The city also feels safe to walk around as strict rules on speeding mean that cars tend to stick to the speed limit.
If you have time, make sure to catch the ferry over to the Suomenlinna fortress for history and beautiful sea views.
Finland is of course renowned for saunas so if you’re keen to try a bit of cold water swimming, there’s plenty of options in Helsinki.
Looking for a warm winter destination instead? Take a look at the Italian island that’s over 20 degrees in winter.
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