With its symmetrical Greek cross layout and impressive dome tower surrounded by smaller domes, the cathedral stands out as a symbol of Finnish architectural beauty and religious significance.

The Helsinki Cathedral, also known as the Dom Church of Helsinki, is an iconic Lutheran church located in the heart of Helsinki on Senate Square. Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel in a neoclassical style, this church was built between 1830 and 1852 as a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It's definitely a must-see landmark if visit Helsinki.

With its stunning architecture, this library is not just a feast for the eyes, but also of cultural importance with over 3 million books and periodicals that document the country's heritage.

The National Library of Finland can be found in the heart of Helsinki, right next to the famous white Cathedral. It's a must visit for book lovers and history buffs! When you enter the building, it feels like you are stepping inside a Harry Potter movie.

I really enjoyed spending some time on my own here, flipping through all the books and admiring all the old details. Whether you're a bookworm or just appreciate beautiful buildings, this spot is definitely worth a visit!

Fazer is Finland's most famous chocolate brand and they have a few cafes in Helsinki. Café Kluuvikatu is one of the biggest locations in Helsinki and a prime spot to grab a delicious cup of coffee and some tasty pastries.

With it's big silver letters and light boxes on the facade, it almost looks like a vintage cinema from the outside. The café is beautiful inside as well and they sell a lot of Fazer treats. The coffee is excellent and with its central location and friendly staff, it's a great place to unwind and recharge while exploring the city.

This popular department store is known for its wide range of products, from fashion and cosmetic to home goods. Stockmann is like a one-stop shop where you can find everything you need, whether you're looking for trendy clothes or stylish home decor.

With its convenient location in the city centre and variety of brands, Stockmann is a go-to destination for locals and tourists alike, especially on a rainy or snowy day. They sell a mix of high-end brands and affordable international and Finnish products. There's really something within every price range.

On the ground floor they have a very nice bakery shop with sweets and pastries. They also sell the typical Finnish Runeberg Tarts.

From elegant lunch options to artistic interpretations of classic French dishes for dinner, Chéri serves up a culinary journey that delights the senses.

Chéri Helsinki is a modern French restaurant located in the heart of Helsinki, offering a Parisian brasserie experience with a contemporary twist.

The place is playful and colorful with all it's shades of pink. With a cocktail hour that extends into the late night, you can enjoy desserts, champagne, and more after your colorful meal. Whether you're looking for a leisurely lunch or a decadent dining experience, Chéri is ready to charm your taste buds.

It's one of Finland's most famous art nouveau buildings, designed by Eliel Saarinen and opened in 1919. Nowadays, the Helsinki Central railway station is used by approximately 200,000 passengers daily, making it Finland's most-visited building.

The iconic station is covered with Finnish granite, and its distinguishing features are its clock tower and the two pairs of statues, the "Lantern carriers" by sculptor Emil Wikström, holding the spherical lamps on both sides of the main entrance.

Serving as the terminus for both commuter and long-distance trains, it's a key spot for travelers hopping on and off trains in the capital region. There's a big mall right across the Central Station. On rainy and snowy days, you can take the underground corridor which takes you there directly.

Bonus tip: Take the train to Lapland (or any other place in Finland)

The train network in Finland is amazing. Although, still not many travellers know it, taking the train to Lapland is still one of the best transport options. Not only is it more sustainable, it's also incredibly fun and sometimes even cheaper than flying!

There's a special Santa Claus Express train which drives you directly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi with just a couple of stops in between. You can opt for the night train (which saves you money on a hotel night), with private sleeping cabins - optional with your own toilet and shower. The cabins are very comfortable and clean.

There's a restaurant on board, they have a playing area for kids and even dog-friendly cabins. Trust me, it's a very fun way to travel long distances in Finland. I even saw the northern lights right from my cabin window once! Just make sure to book the train tickets upfront on the website of VR Finland.

This public library is a modern and vibrant hub for all things bookish and beyond. With its striking architecture blending glass, steel, and wood, Oodi offers a innovative spot to meet friends, dive into a good read, or get creative in their studios and Urban Workshop.

Whether you're looking to work, relax, or explore, Oodi's got you covered with a range of services and facilities available seven days a week. It's basically the coolest hangout spot for bookworms and creatives alike in Helsinki. They even have music studio's, game rooms, cooking classes and creative ateliers with 3D printers and sewing machines. There's a café and you can play a match of backgammon at one of the tables.

The books are sorted out by robots and everything feels very high-tech and innovative. I really like going here when I am in Helsinki. It's a nice place to relax, look around and hide on a rainy or snowy day.

This is a cool spot where contemporary art vibes meet in Helsinki. It's all about art and playful designs, welcoming everyone to check out exhibitions, events, and even grab a coffee at the café.

With a mix of Finnish and international artists on display, the Kiasma museum is the place to soak up some creative inspiration and have a blast while doing it.

Designed by brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, this unique church was built directly into solid rock in 1969. The Temppeliaukio Church, also known as the Rock Church, is a Lutheran church in Helsinki.

With its iconic copper dome roof and excellent acoustics, it's a popular tourist attraction and concert venue, attracting half a million visitors annually. The interior, bathed in natural light, features exposed rock walls and a stunning altarpiece made from an ice-age crevice. It's definitely a must-see spot for architecture enthusiasts!

This is a great place to end a day of sightseeing in Helsinki. Whether you're looking to unwind in the sauna or savor delicious food with a view, Löyly Helsinki offers a memorable and relaxing experience by the water's edge.

Löyly is a unique sauna and restaurant located by the Baltic Sea, known for its stunning views and relaxed atmosphere. They also serve really nice cocktails! With it's large wooden exterior and modern architecture, it's also a very famous building in Helsinki.

Hop into one of the sauna's and take a refreshing dip into the ice cold sea afterwards. It took me a moment to mentally prepare for this cold plunge, but it's definitely a must-do if you are at Löyly. Just make sure you are properly heated up in one of the Finnish sauna's.

This is probably my favorite hotel in Helsinki and not just because of it's esthetics! The Scandic Grand Central hotel is part of the Central Station building, so it's very convenient if you want to use the public transport in Helsinki or take the train to Lapland or other parts of Finland. It's also in the heart of the city centre, so everything is within walking distance.

What this hotel really makes it stand out, is the fact that they offer luxury rooms with a unique view over the train tracks. From your room you can actually look into the trains and see all the hustle and bustle of Finland's most important station.

After spending the night here, I could actually see the train that I was going to take to Rovaniemi, standing right in front of my window. Since it only took me 5 minutes to walk up to the train, I could maximize my stay here and enjoy my breakfast in peace. And don't worry about any noise, the rooms are very sound proof and there are no trains leaving or arriving in the middle of the night.

I really liked the interior design of this hotel as well. The decor of timeless elegance and the classic style of the beautiful Art Nouveau building, combined with muted colors and vibrant prints. With nearly 500 stylish rooms it's a big hotel with a long history. They have a nice restaurant and bar. In the morning the hotel offers a very luxurious breakfast buffet and at night you can sit next to the fireplace in the lobby lounge with a glass of wine. There's even a traditional Finnish sauna in the basement.