Helsinki

Just two hours by ferry from Helsinki, Tallinn feels like stepping into another world. On this guided day trip, you’ll swap sleek Nordic minimalism for winding cobblestone lanes and Gothic spires. Once you arrive in Estonia’s capital, a local guide leads you through the storybook streets of the medieval Old Town, from hilltop viewpoints to hidden courtyards and bustling market squares. It's a compact but rich adventure that gives you a whole new country in a single day.

Just under an hour from Helsinki, Porvoo is Finland’s second-oldest city and a classic day trip spot. The old town, with its crooked cobbled lanes and wooden houses in reds and yellows, draws crowds year-round. You’ll find small cafés, design shops, a riverside promenade, and a view that hasn’t changed much in centuries. It’s a bilingual town, too — about a third of locals speak Swedish as their first language, which gives the place a different feel from Helsinki.

Spend two nights on board and a full day exploring Stockholm in between. The overnight ferry leaves Helsinki in the evening and arrives in Stockholm the next morning—just enough time to get a feel for the city before heading back the same afternoon. On board, there’s food, drinks, live music, tax-free shopping, and cabins to crash in. It's an easy way to see another capital without the hassle of flights.

Just west of Helsinki, Espoo’s coastline is dotted with islands you can reach by ferry in the summer. Iso Vasikkasaari is a favourite, with nature trails and a seasonal island restaurant. Back on the mainland, the 40 km long Waterfront Walkway is great for a slow wander or bike ride, with cafés and swimming spots along the way. In warmer months, you’ll see people kayaking, paddleboarding or fishing. In winter, when the sea freezes, it’s all about skiing, snowshoeing, or ice fishing.

Just 40 minutes from Helsinki, Nuuksio feels like a completely different world — all lakes, forest trails, and rocky outcrops. It’s an easy escape if you want a proper Finnish nature fix without going too far. You can hike, canoe, pick berries and mushrooms in season, or just sit by the water and do nothing. There’s even a small reindeer park, the southernmost in Finland. If you’re looking for more information or gear, the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia is located right by the entrance. In summer, you can stay overnight in a suspended tree tent or book a cabin through Nuuksio Resort.

Just 30 minutes from Helsinki (and even closer to the airport), Lake Tuusula is an easy day trip if you want to slow down a bit. The lakeside path is calm and scenic, and you can cycle around the whole thing on a safe, well-marked route. Along the way, you’ll come across homes and studios of some of Finland’s most famous artists, like Jean Sibelius’ Ainola and Halonen’s log-built lakeside studio — many of them open to visitors.