Winter in Helsinki starts approx. end of December. Winter starts when it snows for the first time. And that's when it apparently has been happening during past years. Talking about snow it's fantastic and inspiring! Here are some ideas what can you do during winter time

 

Outdoors

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Did you know big rock's are great sled hill's? There are plenty of these spots even near Helsinki central area. Also parks like Koffinpuisto and Alppipuisto are great for riding the hill with a sledge. Cheap sledges you can get from different shops to supermarkets or even second hand. So much fun, and it doesn't look at the age! Get you'r warm gear from secondhand shops.

 

Walking on ice is one thing to do on a sunny Sunday. Watching Helsinki from totally different angle as well as the empty space surrounding you is so calming and fun. But don't go walking on the ice if no one else is doing it and check out if it's safe. If there has been a proper winter, walking on ice time starts around mid-January. Totally worth doing it! Great spot's to enter are Eiranranta and Hakaniemenranta. 

 

Lux Helsinki - the festival of light - takes part beginning of January. The idea of Lux Helsinki is not just to make central Helsinki a colourful journey by local and international artists, it's also a place to meet new people by accident. The light performances are designed so that it gives sense of community. 

 

Ice fishing is something to experience. There are certain spots where you'll find holes through the thick ice. Dip in your ice fishing rod! Get the items from bigger supermarkets or if you want to go as a pro, go to my favorite fishing shop Wirginia kalastus ja vapaa-aika. There you'll get some professional advices too.

 

 

 

Indoors

 

Art gallery tour is a great way to get some perspective. You'll find plenty of art galleries from Kaartinkaupunki and Bulevard areas all the way to Hietaniemi market.

 

Beach volley is a good way to escape winter for a couple of hours. Play beach volley at Salmisaari sports centre.

 

Sauna. Yes, you were probably waiting for this one. There are plenty of public saunas from design saunas to very typical Finnish saunas. Also some sauna's that you can rent if you have a group of people going.

 

Go to library. Helsinki has very good libraries which include lots of international books. Rikhardinkatu Library and Kallio Library are one of the best libraries to visit.  The National Library is a beautiful place to discover.

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Or take a metro to East Helsinki.

 

 

Hot tip!

 

A day trip to Tallinn. To get a bit more perspective you'll have easy access to our neighbour country Estonia. From Helsinki to Tallinn it takes approx. 2 hours by bigger cruise ships. There's only 82 km between these two cities. In Tallinn you should have a walk at the old town, visit bohemian part Kalamaja and just meet the locals in Tallinn. Estonian people are very different from Finnish people! Also Estonia is fresh new country where conservative mind is not part of the deal. Sure from some places you'll get the USSR type service, but it makes just all slightly more funnier.  

 

Just enjoy. Helsinki has so much to offer if you just dive in the flow. Go for drinks where locals go, try slalom or ice-skating, take train or metro to the suburbs like Itäkeskus, visit winter garden, go to the flea markets...