Several tourist attractions in Finland are just a short trip away from Helsinki. Easy daytrip destinations from Helsinki include the medieval old city in Porvoo and Finland’s third biggest city Tampere. For nature lovers, the Nuuksio National Park has hiking paths for summer days and cross-country skiing trails in the winter. And if you feel like venturing further away, Estonia’s historic capital Tallinn is only a ferry trip away.
The Old City in Porvoo, Finland
One of Finland’s oldest cities, Porvoo, is less than an hour by car or by bus from Helsinki. Its medieval Old Town dates back to the 14th century and the wooden houses, cobblestone streets and old storehouses by the river are picturesque sights. Frequent buses to Porvoo leave from Helsinki’s main bus station in Kamppi throughout the day.
Helsinki to Tampere by Train
Tampere is worth a longer visit but if you just have a day, it is two hours from Helsinki by train and doable as a day trip. Once a major industrial centre, Tampere is now a popular weekend break destination thanks to cheap flights by Ryanair from cities like London. Former industrial areas have become homes to museums, theatres, galleries, restaurants and cafés. The nightlife is famous, annual events include the Tampere Film Festival and the Tampere International Theatre Festival, and the main attraction for kids is the Särkänniemi Adventure Park. Tampere is located between two lakes, Pyhäjärvi and Näsijärvi, and in the summer you can take boat trips on the lakes. Trains to Tampere leave from the main railway station in Helsinki.
Nuuksio National Park
The Nuuksio National Park is just outside Helsinki but feels like a different world. There are hiking trails, cycling routes and places to camp overnight. In the summer you can walk, cycle, climb or pick wild berries, in the winter you can try cross-country skiing. Bus number 245(A) leaves from Espoo city centre to Nuuksio.
Ferries to Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is just on the other side of the Gulf of Finland and literally dozens of ferries and fast boats leave daily from Helsinki to Tallinn. Daytrips from Helsinki to Tallinn are very popular especially in the summer. Tallinn has a pretty medieval town centre, some good shopping, nice cafés and restaurants and enough to keep you busy until the return to Helsinki on an evening ferry. Tallink Silja, Viking Line, Linda Line and Eckerö Line offer ferries, day trips and cruises to Tallinn.