Helsinki Holiday Weather Overview
Helsinki is the largest and capital city of Finland. Helsinki can be found in the region of Uusimaa, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland that is a branch of the Baltic Sea.
Helsinki is one of Finland’s major centres for politics, finance, education, culture and research as well as being one of the most northern major cities in Europe.
Best food and places to eat in Helsinki
Helsinki has a wide variety of different cuisines on offer that include Mexican, American, Mediterranean, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, French, Indian and Global themed restaurants.
Some of the best restaurants in the city include the Kolo Restaurant, Olo Ravintola, Café Regatta, Hoku, Chef & Sommerlier, Kontan Molja, Ask, Farang, Ravintola Kuu and Muru.
Top hotels in Helsinki
Helsinki has a slightly limited range of different types of accommodation on offer in the city with very little in the way of bed and breakfasts, converted houses and apartments to rent; instead accommodation is focused on hotels.
There is quite range of hotels on offer in Helsinki that include the Fabian Hotel, Hotel Haven, the Scandic Paasi, the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, the Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka, the Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa, the Hotel Kamp, the Hotel GLO and the Klaus K Hotel.
If you still prefer cheaper and slightly more private accommodation then there is the Vuokrahuone Vallila, the Villa Vuosanta, the Aallonkoti Hotel Apartments, the City Apartments, the SATO Hotel Home and the Kongressikoti Hostel to choose from.
Things to do and see in Helsinki
Helsinki offers a wide range of different attractions that range from points of interest to natural beauty spots and from cultural pursuits to historic centres, though there is little in the way of nightlife to be found in the city.
For attractions that are unique to Helsinki there is the Allegro High-Speed Train, the Bicyclean Helsinki and the Suomenlinna Toy Museum, alternatively there is the Swimming Stadium water park that not only has a charming atmosphere to it but a sauna to boot.
If you are more interested in nature and the great outdoors then there are places such as the Seurasaari Island, the Well Park, Toolo Bay, the Pihlajasaari Recreational Park, the Helsinki IcePark, the Haagan Alppiruusupuisto, the Botanical Gardens and Hietaranta Beach.
For a more historical and cultural insight into the city there is the Esplanade, the Fortress of Suomenlinna, the Kamppu Chapel of Silence, the Rock Church, the National Library of Finland, the Design District, the Lutheran Cathedral, the Mannerheim Museum, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, the National Museum of Finland and the Natural History Museum.
When is the best month to visit Helsinki?
For those that enjoy the sun and warm temperatures, summer is the best time to visit Helsinki though the city is still lovely to visit in the depths of winter with snow thick on the ground and the chance to see the Northern lights.
Climate in Helsinki
Helsinki has a maritime continental climate that is affected by the Gulf Stream current system bringing in milder elements to the colder climate created by the proximity of Helsinki to the Arctic and North Atlantic Oceans. Helsinki experiences four distinct seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter.
Summer in Helsinki
Summer begins in end of May and ends in the end of September and has long bright days that have sunlight for around 19 hours a day in the later part of the season. Temperatures are average between 20°C and 25°C at their high point.
Autumn in Helsinki
September to November is typically when autumn arrives in Helsinki and brings with it shorter days, the turning of the leaves and drops in temperature that dip much lower in November as the city is preparing for winter.
Winter in Helsinki
Winter arrives in December and finishes in February and often Helsinki experiences heavy snowfall due to its northern location. Temperatures average around -4°C across the winter season through the coldest time of the year is during January when the temperature can drop as low as -15°C. The days are very short during the winter months which combined with the low temperature may offer tourists a chance to glimpse the Aurora Borealis.
What to pack and wear in Helsinki?
The season that you choose to visit Helsinki in dictates the clothing that you will need. During the summer months light clothing is more than enough given the warm temperatures, though you may want to carry an umbrella with you just in case you get caught in the rain. By contrast the winter months will mean that you need thick, cold weather and snow clothing that will keep out the snow as well as the bitter cold.
Spring and autumn will require warmer clothing either side of winter, but either side of summer light clothing with the addition of a jumper or coat will be more than enough to make sure you enjoy your holiday.
Best months to visit Helsinki?
June and July are the best month to go for holiday or travel to Helsinki. The weather averages gathered from Helsinki weather forecast and Helsinki weather history also forecast these months temperature to be around 18°c and average of 197.9333 hours of sunshine in a month.
Coldest months of Helsinki?
February and January are the coldest months with temperature at around -5°c.
Which months receive most rainfall in Helsinki?
July and August receive most rainfall with precipitation count of 88.05mm.
Travelling to Helsinki? Check out our Weather averages of Helsinki to better plan your holiday or travel.
If you would just like to know what the weather was for a past dates for research or education or you are just curious then visit our historical weather of Helsinki section.