10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Helsinki

The Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden features 10 glasshouses that cultivate over 1,300 plant species from deserts, rainforests and tropical wetlands around the world. The Palm House exhibit is particularly popular as it houses the world’s biggest seed and colorful orchids, while the Waterlily Room is where you can see the gigantic Santa Cruz lily pads, which span 2 meters in diameter and can hold an adult human. The glasshouses are open from 10am till evening, and closed on Mondays. If you’re not keen to pay €9 to explore these glasshouses, the 10,000 sq m outdoor gardens are free to explore all year round.

SkyWheel is a traditional Ferris wheel located on Helsinki’s southern harbor. It takes passengers to an impressive height of 40 meters, offering expansive views of the city and Baltic Sea. A full ride on SkyWheel takes about 10 minutes, but couples can opt for the Veuve Clicquot VIP Experience, which offers a 30-minute ride in a glass-bottom gondola with leather seats and a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Brut champagne to share.

Nuuksio National Park, located 40 km northwest of Helsinki, attracts nature lovers with its scenic forests, valleys, and diverse wildlife. There are over 80 lakes and ponds within the park, with Lake Pitkäjärvi being a popular spot for canoeing. The park is typically busy during the summertime, as you get to enjoy activities such as camping, rock-climbing, and walking along nature trails. You’re also free to explore the forests and forage for mushrooms and fresh lingonberries during the late summer.

Ekberg is a traditional Finnish patisserie that’s been serving locals and tourists since 1852, making it one of the oldest cafés in Finland. Grab a seat at the outdoor terrace for the best view of downtown Helsinki. The café serves a generous smörgåsbord (Finnish buffet spread) of cold cuts, vegetables, porridge, and muesli for breakfast, while the bakery offers freshly baked breads and desserts such as Napoleon cake and macarons.

Helsinki has a thriving sauna culture, with locals believing that it offers health benefits such as curing insomnia and providing stress relief. A common practice at saunas involves gently whipping the skin using vihta (a leafy silver birch), which helps improve blood circulation within the body. Public saunas usually have separate sections for men and women, so opt for a luxury sauna center if you prefer to sweat it out alongside your partner. Award-winning Löyly Complex offers private wood saunas which cost €300 for a 2-hour session. Enjoy a unique experience at Helsinki’s SkySauna, where you get to ride a sauna gondola with expansive views of Market Square and the Baltic Sea.

Take a daytrip to Pihlajasaari Island, a former villa island that’s known for its clean beaches and natural trails. Ferries depart from several harbors on the mainland of Helsinki, with prices starting from €6 for return fares. The journey usually take about 10 minutes, giving you plenty of time to explore the island or enjoy a few hours of sunbathing. There’s a local restaurant of the same name that serves local specialties, including cured salmon from its very own smokery.

Ateneum Art Museum has an extensive collection of Finnish art from different time periods, starting from the 19th century. The museum’s permanent exhibition, Stories of Finnish Art, takes you through masterpieces from 1809 until the 1970s. Check out prized paintings include Ilya Repin’s Portrait of Natalia Nordmann (1900), Le Corbusier’s Two Women (1939), and Hugo Simberg’s The Wounded Angel (1903). Experimental films, sketchbooks, postcards and photographs of reputable artists are also on display at Ateneum Art Museum. Admission costs around €15 and includes a complimentary guided tour of the permanent exhibit.

Uspenski Cathedral, built in 1868, is the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe. It’s modeled after a Russian church, featuring a classic Byzantine-Russian redbrick façade and 13 greenish gold cupolas. Inside, the walls are decorated with intricate paintings of saints and the Virgin Mary. As Uspenski Cathedral is located on the Kanavakatu hilltop, you get to see expansive views of the neighborhood and landmarks such as Market Square and SkyWheel Helsinki.

Kaivopuisto Park is a recreational space with rocky cliffs overlooking the Baltic Sea and Suomenlinna Fortress. Ursa Observatory, located on the highest peak of the park, is where you get to enjoy stargazing in the evening. Admission to the observatory costs about €4 for adults and €2 for children. Kaivopuisto is free all year round, attracting couples and families looking to enjoy picnicking, jogging, and strolling along the sea-facing trails of the park.

Nordic cuisine is among the healthiest in the world, thanks to Finland’s affinity for traditional cooking using fresh berries, seasonal produce, and seafood from the Baltic Sea. Helskinki has several one-starred Michelin restaurants that serve innovative delicacies that are sure to impress your date. Ora is a 23-seat modern restaurant that offers a 6-course dinner, personally served by its chefs. Alternately, Grön has vegan and non-vegan menu options that are based on seasonal and organic Scandinavian produce.