11 Fascinating Things To Do In Helsinki In Winter

1. Oodi Central Library – Best Helsinki Winter Activity

Address: Töölönlahdenkatu 4 Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8-21; Sat-Sun 10-20 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

The new Helsinki central library, called Oodi (meaning “ode”), was built to celebrate Finland’s 100th Independence Day.

It’s a modern building that’s so much more than just a library—definitely a must-visit when you’re in Helsinki. You can easily spend a few hours or even an entire afternoon here without battling the weather outside.

What’s Inside

The building has three floors, with the top floor being the actual library.

First floor: You’ll find an info stand, a restaurant, and a few chess boards where you can test your skills against another passerby or your travel companion.

Second floor: This is probably our favorite. There’s so much on offer—from a fully equipped kitchen you can rent to music rooms with instruments, game rooms with the newest consoles, and remote office spaces.

For more information on what’s available and how to use these facilities, visit the library’s official website. Some facilities need to be booked in advance, and you can check availability here.

Third floor: This is where you’ll find the library in the traditional sense. There’s also a café and a kids’ playground here.

Thousands of books and magazines are available, plus a decent collection of board games. You’ll need a library card to borrow the board games, but you’re free to browse any books and magazines and read them in one of the super comfy chairs or sofas scattered around the floor.

There’s plenty of material in English and other languages (German, French, Spanish, Korean and Arabic, to name a few), covering a wide range of topics. You’re bound to find something that interests you.

2. Helsinki City Museum

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 16, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11-19; Sat-Sun 11-17 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

The museum is located near Helsinki Cathedral and close to the Old Market, which is a great spot for lunch (more on that below).

Entry is free, and it gives you solid insight into Helsinki’s history.

One floor is reserved for temporary exhibitions that change every 3–4 months. There’s an entire section on the history of sauna in Helsinki, plus a time machine where you can see how the city has evolved over the last 100 years.

While it’s not the most interactive museum, there are some hands-on elements. The standout is a quiz game using a 3D model of the city where you need to locate things—think Where’s Waldo on a city model.

The museum was voted Finland’s most popular museum in 2022 and is worth a visit if you have a couple of hours to spare.

3. Helsinki Flying Cinema and/or SkyWheel

Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2 B, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11-18; Fri 11-20; Sat 10-20 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

Very close to the Helsinki City Museum and the Old Market, you’ll find the Flying Cinema and SkyWheel located directly on Helsinki’s tourist harbor.

Flying Cinema

The Flying Cinema is a 4D experience where you can choose between two options (or watch both)—a tour of Finland or a tour of Helsinki.

Showings happen every 15 minutes, and each film lasts about 15 minutes. You can buy tickets on-site. We saw both Finland and Helsinki, and it was a nice experience to see the major sights even as a film.

There’s also a combo ticket option where you pick one film and get a ride on the SkyWheel.

Prices: 10.50 EUR for a single ticket or 24 EUR for a combo with the SkyWheel.

SkyWheel

The SkyWheel is your typical Ferris wheel, but with heated cabins. It does four rotations, giving you plenty of time to take pictures and videos or just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view.

Prices: 15 EUR for a single ticket or 22 EUR for a combo with the SkyWheel.

4. Have Lunch in the Old Market Hall

Address: Eteläranta, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 8-18 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

The Old Market Hall is a great place to grab lunch.

Different stalls offer everything from traditional Finnish fish stew to more international options like burgers or Asian food. Here’s an overview of the shops located there.

5. Sauna—Allas Urban SPA

Address: Katajanokanlaituri 2a, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6.30-21; Sat-Sun 08-21 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

If the weather just isn’t cooperating, you can always hit up a sauna—it’s what Finland does best, and it’s one of the best Helsinki winter activities you can do!

We found this beautiful place right at the harbor, next to the SkyWheel. It’s open year-round and popular with locals even in the depths of winter. We visited in early January, and it was packed.

What to Expect

The spa has saunas plus two types of pools—a warm-water pool (around 27°C) and a sea pool (temperature depends on the seawater; it was about 1°C when we visited).

You’ll find people in both pools even in winter.

Cost: 18 EUR for adults, giving you two-hour access. Single-entry tickets are only available to purchase on-site currently..Towel rental is available for 8.90 EUR if you didn’t bring one.

6. Temppeliaukion Church – The Rock Church

Address: Lutherinkatu 3, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Sun 10-16 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

This is an active Lutheran church in central Helsinki that was built directly into solid rock. The result? Interesting acoustics and an even more interesting visit.

Tickets: 8 EUR

🌟 Inside Tip: Check their events page for guided tours. The tours last about 15 minutes and give you background on the church’s history and architecture. Tour tickets are an additional 5 EUR.

7. Have Coffee (or Kahvi) in a Cosy Café

Finns love their coffee. In fact, Finland tops the list of Europe’s biggest coffee consumers per capita—yes, even ahead of the Italians. Finns drink 7–8 cups a day, and coffee culture is huge here. Perfect for warming up during a freezing Helsinki winter day.

You can’t go wrong spending some time away from the cold in a cozy café, warming up with a cup and some nice pastry. Classic choices include the Finnish cinnamon roll or Runeberg’s torte (an almond and rum-flavored pastry).

Kahvi – Finnish Filter Coffee

When it comes to coffee, Finns have their own type called Kahvi—basically filter coffee. You can find Kahvi almost everywhere, and often you pay for one cup and get free refills.

Most places have a good selection of teas too. Whatever your mood, you’ll find something you like.

If you prefer more traditional options like espresso or cappuccino, we’ve got you covered. Here are a couple of our favorite spots for coffee in Helsinki.

Here are a few of our favorite places to have a cup in Helsinki:

Kaffecentralen

Address: Fredrikinkatu 59, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 08-18; Sat 11-17 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

A very small and cozy café, perfect for a quick stop to recharge.

You can grab something sweet to go with your drink, and if you like your beverage, you can buy beans to take home.

La Torrefazione

Address: Aleksanterinkatu 50, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30-18; Sat 9-19; Sun 10-18 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

This coffeehouse is on one of Helsinki’s main city center streets.

It’s bigger than Kaffecentralen, with more options on the drinks menu. Ideal for a longer stop to wait out a storm or just take a breather while exploring the city.

Enchanté Café

Address: Eerikinkatu 9, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 8-18; Fri-Sat 10-19 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

Just behind the Forum shopping mall, you’ll find this small neighborhood café that locals love. On top of great coffee, they serve freshly baked croissants and other flaky puff pastries. It’s frequented by locals, and the owners are extremely friendly—exactly the kind of spot you want to stumble upon.

8. Finnish Museum of Natural History

Address: Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Tue-Fri 10-17; Sat 10-18; Sun 10-16 (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

We’ve always found natural history museums fascinating and made it a goal to visit them in every city we explore.

While Helsinki’s museum isn’t as large as, say, Vienna’s, we found the exhibitions well-structured and easy to follow. The ones on Finnish nature and the history of life particularly stood out.

Cost: 20 EUR (21 from 2026) for adults, which we think is well worth it if you’re into natural history. You can buy them directly on their webshop.

There are also free entry days throughout the year—check the museum’s website for an overview.

9. Amos Rex Museum of Modern Art

Address: Mannerheimintie 22-24, Google Maps link

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 11-20; Sat-Sun 11-17; closed on Tuesdays (information correct as of Nov. 2025)

If you’re interested in contemporary art and design, this is your spot.

Located a stone’s throw from the central railway station, it offers a slightly different experience than your typical tourist sights. Well worth the 22 EUR ticket price.

⚠️ Note: It’s quite popular, so if you can’t buy tickets online in advance, you might need to queue for a while. Dress warmly!

10. The Design Museum

Address: Korkeavuorenkatu 23, Google Maps link

Opening hours: The museum has different opening hours for summer and winter; check the current ones here

Scandinavian design is famous worldwide for its simplicity.

The museum features rotating exhibitions spanning different topics, from furniture design to visions of alternative futures. There’s also a permanent exhibition on Finnish design—think Nokia or Angry Birds (yes, it’s a Finnish studio that created the game)—and how design played a role in developing the Finnish welfare state.

They also have an ongoing exhibition on another Finnish export – Moomins! If you’ve never heard of them, it’s impossible to leave Helsinki without getting to know them. They are literally everywhere.

Cost: 21 EUR for adults. You probably won’t need more than an hour and a half for your visit.

11. Visit Some of Helsinki’s Shopping Centres

Last on our list of ways to escape Helsinki’s cold and wind.

Visiting a shopping center has its perks—it’s free to enter and you get to be in a warm place. That said, it’s not something you’ll probably want to spend tons of time on.

Still, if you have an hour to kill or you’re literally feeling the cold in your bones and have already done everything else on this list, it’s a solid option.

Helsinki has quite a few shopping malls scattered across the city. We spent time in the one directly opposite the main railway station called Citycenter Mall.

Notable Shopping Centers:

Citycenter Mall

How to get there: Google maps link

Located right across from the central railway station, this is probably the most convenient shopping center to pop into. It has multiple floors with a good mix of Finnish and international brands, plus a decent food court if you need a quick bite.

Kluuvi Shopping Center

How to get there: Google maps link

A smaller, more compact mall in the heart of the city center. It’s connected to the Stockmann department store and has a nice selection of shops. A good option if you’re already exploring the main shopping street.

Forum

How to get there: Google maps link

One of the larger shopping centers in central Helsinki with a wide variety of stores spread across several floors. There’s also a cinema here if you want to catch a movie and really commit to staying indoors.

Kamppi Helsinki

How to get there: Google maps link

This is the biggest shopping center on our list and includes the Kamppi bus terminal. It’s a maze of shops, restaurants, and services. Perfect if you need to kill serious time before a bus departure or just want to explore a proper mall.