Helsinki, Finland and Stockholm, Sweden are two Pretty Scandanavian cities on the water
Finland and Sweden Tips:
Both Helsinki and Stockholm are quite small and easily explored on foot and in a short period of time.
This area of Europe is incredibly expensive. Lodging is pretty affordable but food, drinks, activities, and transportation are all very, very pricey.
Saunas are extremely popular in the Nordic region of Europe so if that is your thing you can pack your trip with them!
Ateljee Rooftop Bar
Helsinki, Finland
Helsinki is a nice clean and compact city on the water.
Download the HSL app for public transit. You can use this for the train from the airport to the city as well.
If you are traveling between Helsinki and Stockholm I would recommend the overnight ferry to get a beautiful cruise through the islands + overnight accommodations all for a cheap price. I took the Viking Line, and Tallink Silja is another option.
Beer Room Haka/Oluthuone Haka: A fun beer bar in the heart of the Kallio neighborhood with a great beer selection.
SalamaNation: A great beer bar—pro tip get pizza delivered to you from next door at Restaurant Argegno.
Uppenski Cathedral: A beautiful cathedral worth checking out.
Stay at Hotel Indigo: This is a nice hotel in the heart of the city center. It is walkable to nearly everything you’ll want to explore.
Esplanadi: A pretty green space in the city center with art installations.
Helsinki Cathedral: Another beautiful cathedral to check out.
Ateljee Rooftop Bar: A really nice rooftop bar with crazy views. Go up the spiral staircase after you get off the elevator for the best spots. They have a few different seating options both inside and out.
Lazy Fox: A tasty spot for breakfast with nice vibes.
Pien Shop & Bar: A solid beer bar and bottle shop in the heart of the city.
Suomenlinna: This island is a UNESCO World Hertiage Site and can be reached via ferry, which runs every 15 minutes.
Harju 8: A great little café overlooking a park serving up small plates to mainly locals.
Old Market Hall: A historic food hall near the port.
Beer Restaurant Pikkulintu Ruttopuisto: A solid beer bar with chill vibes.
Restaurant Juova Hanahuone: A beer bar with a solid selection in the Kaisaniemi neighborhood.
Kaisla: A beer bar with a full food menu and nice patio in the Kaisaniemi neighborhood.
Hietaranta Beach: A nice beach with volleyball courts and different amenities.
Sibelius Monument: A unique, neat monument near the beach.
Kallio neighborhood: I found this “hipster neighborhood” to be overhyped with not much to do, but Citybox Helsinki is a good basecamp if you decide to stay over here which is very affordable.
Puu-Vallila: Helsinki’s wooden house district is historic but not worth venturing too far out of your way for.
If you do venture to Puu-Vallilia, Bar Petiit is a little bar on the corner with a wine-heavy menu and plant-filled interior.
Temppeliaukio Church: A unique church in the rocks—not sure it is worth the admission fee but it is pretty cool to see.
Museum of Contemporary Art: I would only recommend this if you love contemporary art, otherwise it is not worth the cost of admission.
Skip Helsinki City Museum: This is a free museum but very lame, I would not recommend it.
National Museum of Finland: I have heard good things but this is closed until 2027, so if you’re reading this in the future check it out and let me know how it is.
Sightseeing cruises are popular here as well but since I took the ferry to Suomenlinna and took the cruise from Helsinki to Stockholm I got a pretty good sightseeing experience—if you’re just flying in and out or training, it may be worth checking the tours out.
Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholm is a beautiful little city on an archipelago. You can see it all in just a day or two.
Download the SL app for public transit. You can take the express train to airport but it is a little pricey. Also consider taking the train to your next destination.
Eat some cinnamon buns—this is very Swedish, they are everywhere, and they are delicious.
Gamla Stan: This is the old town of Stockholm which can be quite touristy but also charming.
Stigbergets Fot: A great brewery and beer bar with 50+ taps and a food menu as well. It is a popular spot with solid beers.
Omnipollos Hatt: Omnipollo is one of the best breweries in Europe, and their Stockholm taproom is a cool little spot with solid beers and a pizza menu.
Stay at Hotel Frantz: It is a beautiful, trendy hotel in a fantastic location while still being very affordable.
Fotografiska Museum: A small but neat museum with 4 exhibits that is a little pricey but enjoyable.
The Royal Palace: A massive structure with numerous buildings to explore: The Treasury is home to the crowns and jewels. The Hall of State is where business gets kicked off. The Apartments are very fancy and arguable the main attraction. Museum Tre Konor is essentially the construction of the palace. Riddarholmen is the church with a beautiful exterior and underwhelming interior.
Barrels Burgers and Beer: A beer bar and burger restaurant in Gamla Stan with Mariatorgets Mikrobryggeri beers. Solid spot.
National Museum: Nice art museum.
Monteliusvägen: A walking path with elevated views of the city that is popular for sunset.
