Finnish are considered the happiest people in the world. In less than two days, I learned the secret of that.

I spent about two days in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, where roughly 30% of the country’s ~6 million people reside.

Day 1 - sauna and walking tour

Compared to Oslo, Helsinki seemed more lively. Still below Copenhagen in my ranking, though. One thing stood out, and that’s Sauna. The Finnish sauna goes up to 100ºC! And that is the lovely enjoyment in the city of Helsinki. There are two Saunas that I tried, one of them in a public sauna called Sompasauna, a free, 24-hour sauna run fully by volunteers. If you are planning to go here, then go at 9 or 10 PM during summer to see the full crowd.

A man is immersed in a pool amid a Finnish sauna, surrounded by rustic wooden structures and rocky terrain, under an overcast sky.

The second one that’s more palatable to foreigners is Allas Sea Pool, this one is set up more for tourists. Travelers would prefer Sompasauna, while tourists would find Allas Sea Pool to be more convenient.

I would also recommend doing a walking tour. The history of Finland is mostly unassuming compared to many other European countries, so there isn’t a lot to see.

Afterward, spend time at the Senate Square.

A historic European square features a large building with classical architecture, surrounded by tourists and a clear sky above, contributing to a vibrant public space.

Aeolus House is considered iconic. I would choose Barcelona, Spain, much more for architecture, though.

A modern, architecturally distinctive library in Finland features sleek, curved lines and extensive glass surfaces, contrasting with surrounding urban elements. It highlights contemporary design principles.
A modern, angular building with large windows and a wooden exterior stands prominently, set against an overcast sky, showcasing contemporary architecture.

Day 2

The town has a cozy feel with trams everywhere.

A town features frequent trams, evoking a cozy atmosphere, with a ferry service to Philjasaari island costing 9€ for a round trip.

In the afternoon, I went to Philjasaari island. It is a 9€ round-trip ferry that departs every hour and returns 40 minutes past the hour mark. The trip was initially delayed when I got stuck due to heavy rains, which seemed to happen any time.

A rainy landscape with overcast skies

If you like hiking, I would recommend hiking on this island for a few hours. The island has a private sauna as well (60€ for 2 hours) and is usually booked months in advance.

A scenic island landscape with lush greenery and rocky shores is seen, offering a private sauna service for 60€ for 2 hours, often booked months ahead.

Note

  1. Unlike some other European cities, public bathrooms are free in Helsinki.
  2. From Helsinki to Tallinn, there is a two-and-a-half-hour ferry for 20€. The ferry is an old cruise ship converted into a ferry.