Helsinki Highlights: Quick Trip from Cruise Port to City Center
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a city of 650,000 and is a key destination on many Baltic cruise itineraries that sail to northern Europe. American cruise lines such as Celebrity, Norwegian, and Royal Caribbean frequently dock here. I sailed here on Holland America Line’s Zuiderdam and while I didn’t find Helsinki to be quite as interesting as some of the other ports on our itinerary, I still really enjoyed my visit there.
Related: Check out my video review of Zuiderdam.
The city features two main cruise terminals: West Harbour (Länsisatama) and South Harbour (Eteläsatama). West Harbour is the primary terminal for international cruise passengers, providing efficient services and easy access to the city’s attractions. What makes this port unique is its modern facilities and integration with the urban landscape, making it a smooth entry point for travelers.
Helsinki’s cruise port is conveniently located, allowing travelers to explore the city with ease. Known for its Nordic cuisine, Helsinki offers some culinary treats for adventurous eaters, with dishes like fresh salmon and reindeer meat — I just went with meatballs. To make navigation of the city easier, Helsinki’s tourism board has a super convenient free mobile digital map for visitor’s to download an app and use on their phone, or you can simply download their official city map.
Helsinki Cruise Port to the City Center
The cruise port is located about 2 miles from Helsinki’s city center, making it convenient for visitors to reach downtown. If you enjoy walking, it’s a scenic route that takes about 40 minutes. For those preferring quicker transport, taxis are readily available, with fares typically ranging from $15 to $25 USD.
Public transportation is also efficient and cost-effective, with buses and trams running frequently between the port and city center for about $4 USD per ride. While not always an option in all Baltic ports of call, ride-sharing services like Uber are available in Helsinki, providing another convenient option.
Holland America Line offers cruisers a shuttle from the pier to the city center at a cost of $8 USD per person one way, or $12 USD round-trip. The shuttle provides unlimited use and runs approximately every 30 minutes. This is an affordable option if you’re exploring on your own, although, as noted above, an Uber may be cheaper unless you’re traveling solo.
Top Things to Do in Helsinki
European cruise excursions tend to be quite expensive and somewhat limited, so if you’re looking for things to do in Helsinki, here are some of the top choices. You’ll likely find some of these offered as official cruise line excursions, or you can venture out and explore them on your own. Just make sure you’re aware first of the pros and cons (and risks) of independent excursions.
Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus
I had heard of the “hop on bus” option in major tourist cities, but it really got on my radar when I kept seeing these everywhere at port cities on my Baltic cruise, as they almost always include a stop at the pier to pick up cruisers, which offers an affordable and at-your-own-pace way to see that specific port city.
While I don’t always think this is the best option for all port destinations (for instance, in Kristiansand you can take the tourist train at a lower cost, or simply just walk everywhere), but for ports like this where the city center is a bit further from pier, this option can be a great one to see many sites in one short port day. The hop-on hop-off bus in Helsinki is $37 per person and allows you to see lots of the city’s top sites, some of the ones I detail below.
Helsinki Cathedral
A central feature of sites in northern Europe are its historic churches, and of course Helsinki has its own share of them. Helsinki Cathedral, a striking white structure, dominates the cityscape from Senate Square. Located just 1.5 miles from the port, it is easily accessible on foot within 30 minutes. The cathedral is free to enter, offering visitors a chance to admire its neoclassical architecture and serene interior. This iconic building is a symbol of Helsinki and a must-visit for any traveler.
The cathedral’s interior is equally impressive with its high ceilings and simplistic design, reflecting the Lutheran emphasis on modesty. Visitors often find a sense of peace while exploring this architectural masterpiece. The cathedral also serves as a venue for important national events and concerts, adding to its cultural significance.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
A UNESCO World Heritage site, Suomenlinna is an 18th-century sea fortress spread across six islands. A short ferry ride from the Market Square, it is approximately 2 miles from the cruise port. The fortress offers a fascinating look into Finnish military history and stunning views of the surrounding sea. The island also hosts several museums, cafes, and parks. Admission to the fortress itself is free, though some museums within charge a fee of around $8 USD.
The fortress is not only a historical site but also a lively community where about 800 residents live. Visitors can explore its bastions, cannons, and tunnels, or enjoy a picnic in its parks. Suomenlinna also hosts cultural events and exhibitions throughout the year, providing a rich experience of Finnish heritage.
Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)
Carved directly into solid rock, Temppeliaukio Church is a unique architectural marvel. It is situated about 2 miles from the cruise port, reachable by a 40-minute walk or a short taxi ride. It’s one of Helsinki’s most visited sites.
Given the uniqueness of this church, this is what we chose to visit on our stop in Helsinki, although the walk there from the pier was a bit long, but pleasant.
Entry costs approximately $5 USD, although visitors can enter the first part of the facility, to the ticket office, at no cost if you just want a quick (free) glimpse. The church’s natural acoustics make it a popular venue for concerts, and its copper dome and rugged rock walls create a serene and striking interior.
The church is designed by brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. Its interior is bathed in natural light entering through the glazed dome, providing a tranquil atmosphere. The combination of raw rock and modern design elements makes it an architectural gem worth visiting.
Market Square (Kauppatori)
Also located close to the cruise port, less than 2 miles from the cruise terminal, is Market Square, a central spot where you can experience local Finnish culture. The square is filled with stalls selling traditional foods, handicrafts, and souvenirs. It’s a pleasant 30-minute walk from the port, and is a great opportunity to try local delicacies like fish soup and lihapiirakka (meat pie) and pick up unique, hand-made souvenirs unlike the basic plastic, low-quality tchotchkes found at many cruise port areas.
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
Kiasma, part of the Finnish National Gallery, showcases contemporary art from Finnish and international artists. Located about 2 miles from the port, it is easily accessible via public transport or a 40-minute walk.
Admission is around $15 USD, and the museum’s striking architecture and dynamic exhibitions make it a must-see for those interested in modern art.
Designed by American architect Steven Holl, Kiasma’s unique structure stands out in Helsinki’s cityscape. The museum hosts rotating exhibitions, performances, and workshops, making each visit a new experience. Its cafe and shop also provide great spots to relax and find unique souvenirs.
Language and Currency in Helsinki
The official language of Helsinki and the entire country of Finland is Finnish, although many residents also speak English, especially in tourist areas. During our visit, all of the vendors we interacted with were fluent in English.
The official currency in Helsinki and throughout Finland is the Euro (€), and most vendors do not accept US currency. Credit cards are widely accepted, and in most European locations, tap-to-pay or contactless payment is becoming very common and quite convenient. A tap-to-pay credit card, also known as a contactless card, allows users to make payments quickly and securely by simply tapping the card against a contactless-enabled payment terminal, eliminating the need to swipe or insert the card and enter a PIN.
Helsinki Cruise Port Ship Schedule
The Helsinki, Finland cruise ship schedule can be found on Cruisemapper.
Helsinki Time Zone
Keeping track of time zones can get complicated when cruising, especially for Americans on European cruises with substantial time zone differences, and itineraries may result in time changes during the cruise. Your captain will make announcements during the cruise to update you on these changes, but it’s good to be aware of these differences ahead of time when planning your stop at the port, especially for excursions.
Helsinki follows Eastern European Time (EET), which is UTC+2 during standard time, and Eastern European Summer Time (EEST), which is UTC+3 during daylight saving time. However, please note that time zones and daylight saving time rules may change, so it’s always a good idea to double-check the current local time when planning travel or activities.
Many cruise lines operate on “ship time” corresponding with the embarkation point, so if your cruise sails from Amsterdam or Ijmuiden, which follows Central European Time (CET) zone.
