Helsinki wasn’t on our radar until we booked a trip to Tallin, but we knew we had to carve out time to explore this beautiful seaside city. Helsinki is the largest city in Finland and is filled with rich history, memorable architecture and charming nordic traditions.
Finland has been ranked the 1# happiest places on earth four years in a row, and Helsinki is no exception!
This post will take you through 8 of the best Instagram spots in Helsinki, Finland.
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Senate Square
The most iconic place to visit in Helsinki is Senate Square. This place has been the center of Helsinki since it came into existence in 1640. The oldest buildings reside here, and make this an excellent place to explore and take some stunning photos for Instagram.
Make sure to include this place at the top of your itinerary when visiting Finland, because Senate Square is within walking distance of so many beautiful buildings filled with rich history including some of the following:
- Helsinki Cathedral
- Government Palace
- National Library of Finland
- Sederholm House
- University of Helsinki
If you are anything like my husband and you’re interested in taking a walking tour to learn more about the history here make sure to check out the many tours available here.
To get to Senate Square you can visit this website and it will provide different options and directions.
Helsinki Cathedral
This is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Helsinki. Construction began in 1830 and lasted over twenty years before it was complete. Sadly, the original designer of the Helsinki Cathedral died before it’s completion in 1852.
The striking green domes that sit atop of the pristine white walls make for the perfect backdrop to your Instagram photo. And if you pay close attention to the roof of this cathedral you will notice twelve apostles that surround the exterior of the Helsinki Cathedral.
The view from the top of the stairs that lead to the entrance of the cathedral provides the most amazing view of the town center. Make sure to turn your apple watch on when climbing the stairs, because this real-life stair master will help you hit your cardio goal in no time!
National Library of Finland
Another popular place not to be missed while spending time in Senate Square is the National Library of Finland. It often gets overlooked, even by locals, but this place breathes history. It almost made me want to spend the day skimming the 3 million+ books and periodicals that reside here!
There is no cost associated with entering the library and exploring. If you would like a guided tour of the library that comes at a cost of 50 euros. More details can be found here.
Uspenski Cathedral
Depart Senate Square and make your way over to another beautiful cathedral located less than a mile away. The Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe.
The property provides several stunning vantage points of this Russian-inspired architecture. We visited mid-day and found this place to have very minimal visitors, which makes it a key spot to snag some great Instagram photos without the crowds!
Check Out My Helsinki Map Below
Huvilakatu Street
Possibly one of the most Instagram-worthy spots in Helsinki, this street is lined with charming pastel-colored homes. The uniquely shaped roofs attached to the beautifully crafted homes make this the perfect spot to snap some photos!
These homes were built in the early 1900s, and have been carefully preserved since then. They are still used as places of residency today. Sadly, I couldn’t locate any listed on Airbnb though.
You will find Huvilakatu Street is easily accessible as it’s centrally located. It can be found in Helsinki’s Ullanlinna district.
Kamppi Chapel of Silence
In the midst of city noise this unique structure provides a place of refuge for those seeking tranquility. Although this chapel is owned by the Lutheran church it does not hold religious services aside from the occasional prayer meetings. People of all religions are invited to enter and enjoy the peace that comes with sitting in silence.
There is no fee to enter.
Though this chapel may be small in size it still attracts over 500,000 people a year! To learn more about the Kamppi Chapel of Silence visit this page here.
Photos are discouraged inside, but the exterior provides a unique backdrop for your next Instagram photo so make sure to carve out some time to visit. I am sure your partner behind the camera could use a much needed break!
Sibelius Monument
Jean Sibelius was a famous Finnish composer celebrated for the independent identity his music brought to Finland.
In honor of Sibelius’ contributions, Eila Hiltunen assembled a monument made entirely of 600 steel pipes in the shape of a sound wave. She received criticism at the time she erected this in 1967, because many thought this did not properly honor the late composer. A large bust of Sibelius was placed at the foot of the monument to avoid any confusion from visitors. Today it has become a popular site for tourists to visit and admire this unique structure.
This structure can be found in the middle of a beautiful, heavily forested park along the seashore which makes it another great location for an Instagram photo shoot!
Cafe Regatta
I had to save the best for last, because this is the most popular Instagram spot in Helsinki and for very good reason! This is one of the most darling cafes I have ever laid eyes on. The best part is that it’s located along the seashore near the Sibelius Monument!
Cafe Regatta provides a cozy atmosphere with tasty beverages and snacks, and although it is located outside of the city center it is definitely worth a visit!
It is open 9 am to 8 pm every day, although I would recommend visiting during the day so you can catch a better glimpse of the sea!
Additional Instagram Spots to Visit
- Suomenlinna (pictured above)- We took a ferry to this island to enjoy both the nature and the history this place has to offer. Although the rain kept us from taking very many photos, we enjoyed our visit.
- Skysauna– If you are looking to really get the full Scandinavian experience make sure to book this sauna in a ferris wheel for a once in a lifetime experience. You even get to enjoy views of the sea!
- Löyly Helsinki– The most popular sauna in Helsinki! This place is located along the sea and provides incredible views. If you dare, jump into the sea to cool down after spending time in the sauna.
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