02 December, 2024

5 ways to experience a wonderful Helsinki winter

In Finland, winter is the season of snowy escapades and a ton of festive fun. To give you a helping hand, we’ve come up with five options that locals love. So, wrap up warm, and get ready to win at winter.

Think Helsinki hibernates on freezing winter days? Think again. In Finland, winter is the season of snowy escapades and a ton of festive fun. However, with so many activities to choose from, it can be tough to decide what to do first.

To give you a helping hand, we’ve come up with five options that locals love. So, wrap up warm, and get ready to win at winter.

1. Embark on an aesthetic's city stroll

Helsinki is a vibrant city full of famous sights and hidden gems for those appreciating the beauty and artistic way of life.

Grab a warm drink from St. George Bakery and embark on an afternoon stroll visiting galleries, museums, and architectural sights all within walking distance from Hotel St. George. For modern art lovers, Galerie Forsblom right next to St. George and Kiasma some ten minute walk away are must visits.

While walking from gallery and museum to another, the architecture of Helsinki is a highlight in itself. Alvar Aalto and Art Nouveau harmoniously meet in the streets of Helsinki and create a wonderful mix of multifaceted details to admire in the crisp winter weather.

Photo: Jussi Hellsten / Helsinki Marketing

2. Life on ice

In Finland, you don’t need a miracle to walk on water. Just wait for winter. From around December to February, the Baltic Sea freezes solid. In fact, the ice is so thick you’ll see people walking their dogs, strolling out with the family, even cruising around on their bikes. There’s also, of course, the chance to practice your newly learnt ice skating skills.

Happily, there’s lots of places to start. Töölönlahti, near Finlandia Hall, is a popular option thanks to its central location.

Alternatively, you can head off to Ullanlinna, famous for its vibrant Art Nouveau buildings and abundant parks, making it a glorious sight to behold from the sea. Then there's the nearby island of Uunisaari, connected to the mainland by a bridge in winter, where you can enjoy the very Finnish pastime of ice swimming. Follow this with a hearty soup at Restaurant Uunisaari, for a winter warming end to your perfect chilled-out day.

There’s also tens of ice skating rinks in Helsinki. For an authentic Helsinki winter experience, however, head over to Brahenkenttä.

Located in the trendy district of Kallio, Brahenkenttä sports field is where Helsinki locals come to play ice hockey, skate, or to relax in the cafe with a cup of hot coffee.


Photo: Riku Pihlanto / Helsinki Marketing

3. Sledge while seeing the sights

Nothing says winter fun like flying down a hill on a sledge. In Helsinki, the most popular spot for this is Kaivopuisto Park, right opposite Uunisaari. If you need a sledge, you can buy one in the city centre, a mere 15-minute walk away.

The park with its marvellous hill for sledging offers great views of Helsinki's grand embassies, the Baltic Sea, and the iconic Ursa Observatory.

If you want to combine your sledging with culture and food, Sinebrychoff Park is the place for you. Built in 1836 by entrepreneur Nikolai Sinebrychoff, the park's steep hills are ideal for true daredevils. The park is also home to the Sinebrychoff Art Museum with the Sinebrychoffs’ impressive personal art collection.

Once you’ve had your fill of high culture, you can indulge in fabulous food at the adjacent Southpark restaurant.

Photo: Jussi Hellsten / Helsinki Marketing

4. Get steamy at Kotiharjun sauna

Needless to say, you can't fully experience Finnish culture without a visit to the sauna, and what better time to warm up than when it’s minus ten outside.

As the only original wood-heated sauna in Helsinki, Kotiharjun Sauna stands out from the crowd of more than 3.3 million saunas in Finland. Built in 1928, this authentic sauna is a public space enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

Not for the fainthearted, you can step from the 100-degree heat of the sauna into the freezing temperatures of a Helsinki day to cool off and chat with friends.

Read also: How to discover the perfect Helsinki sauna for you

Photo: Eetu Ahanen.

5. Warm yourself in wonderful winter gardens

If the cold gets a little too much, and you feel yourself craving warmth and colour, head to Helsinki’s Winter Garden, founded in 1893.

Here, the chilly whiteness of Finnish winter contrasts with striking greens and reds of plants always in bloom. Combine this with a summery climate and you’ll see why it’s one of the locals’ favourite spots for a winter picnic.

Another beautiful Wintergarden can be found at Hotel St. George. Inspired by the lush green conservatories of 19th-century country mansions, this welcoming space is a combination of art, Nordic foods and iconic cocktails by the fire.

Many cities shut their doors and draw the curtains when winter comes for a visit. As we’ve highlighted, that’s far from being the case in Helsinki. In fact, it’s often said that Helsinki's at its “hottest” when under half a metre of snow.

To see for yourself, grab your bobble hat and come for a visit.

Wintergarden is the living room of the Hotel St. George, place for the guests and locals to meet.
Wintergarden at Hotel St. George is the living room of Helsinki locals.

Read next

Mert Otsamo: Ephemeral Beauty

Saturday 07 September, 2024

Experiencing art befits the new age of luxury

St. George Residency x Photofuss: Dream Laboratory

Tuesday 23 April, 2024

5 x tips for a magical Spring weekend in Helsinki

Moonlight Swim at St. George Care on November 1st

Friday 01 November, 2024

At Hotel St. George’s breakfast, luxury means premium ingredients and exceptional service

Tales & Cocktails Tour on Feb 14, 2024

Wednesday 14 February, 2024
Luxurious spa in Helsinki city center

Sauna yoga on Nov 17 & 24, and Dec 9

Friday 17 November, 2023

Wintergarden's Flow Brunch on 12 August, 2023

Saturday 12 August, 2023

Wintergarden's Vegan May Day Brunch 1st of May 2023

Monday 01 May, 2023
Enjoy cocktail in Wintergarden Hotel St. George Helsinki

St. George's Week 2023: Open tastings April 28 & 29

Friday 28 April, 2023

St. George House Artist Marita Kouhia

Maaria Wirkkala’s Art Looks Beyond Life’s Polished Surface

Helsinki Biennial invites visitors to the treasure island of art

Taste Sensations From Bangkok to Helsinki

BOON NAM SERVES A RICH ARRAY OF THAI FLAVOURS

Tomi Björck opens a contemporary Asian restaurant at Hotel St. George

Summer in Helsinki: 2020’s hottest events

Summer in Helsinki: 2020’s hottest events

Why Helsinki is superb for sustainable shopping

Thrill of the chill: 4 Helsinki ice holes everyone should visit

Helsinki’s art year 2020: from Van Gogh to archipelago adventures

Wintergarden Live Moments: Top 40 Lounge

Friday 17 January, 2020

Wintergarden Live: Pihlaja & D.R.E.A.M

Friday 11 October, 2019

Wintergarden Live: Pihlaja & D.R.E.A.M.

Friday 11 October, 2019

Wintergarden Live Moments: Bossa Nova

Friday 27 September, 2019

Helsinki Festival Pre-Party with Ylva Haru

Thursday 22 August, 2019
Tips what to do in Helsinki in the summer

Our tips for summery Helsinki

With over 40 diverse restaurants to choose from, Flow Festival is the place to be for those looking to experience not only the best up and coming bands but also the most delectable food trends of the year.

Why Flow is Helsinki’s most delicious festival

Ravintola Andrea x Omara Portuondo

Saturday 24 August, 2019
As Helsinki Festival's official partner, St. George offers like-minded program and inspiration. See all the program below and join us!

St. George x Helsinki Festival 15.8.-1.9.2019

Read what to do in Helsinki in the summer and how to spend it like a local

Helsinki Summer Tips - Soak up summer like a Helsinki local

St. George's Party w/ Petteri Sariola

Friday 19 November, 2021

St. George's Party w/ Petteri Sariola 19.11.

Friday 19 November, 2021

St. George's Party w/ Pete Parkkonen 22.4. (siirtyy)

Friday 22 April, 2022
In Pornaistenniemi on the western shore of the bay, you can explore a black alder forest, and duckboards through the reeds take you from Arabia to the idyllic island of Lammassaari.

If you go down to the woods today – The 6 best nature destinations around Helsinki

The long white ramp that leads to the exhibitions in Kiasma

The art museums and galleries of central Helsinki

Lux Helsinki Event in Helsinki

See & Do in Helsinki: Lux Helsinki 2019

Finnish History in 15 Short Chapters

Letting off steam: How to discover the perfect Helsinki sauna for you

DAYTRIP: Nuuksio National Park

Christmas markets in Helsinki 2018

Mehmet Gürs' Restaurant Andrea serves anatolian flavours in downtown Helsinki

How chef superstar Mehmet Gürs came home to Helsinki

St. George is a unique and elegant hotel in the heart of Helsinki city centre. Read more about the hotel, rooms, services and location!

From national awakening to Nordic design: Hotel St. George echoes Helsinki’s history

Helsinki, the city where everything works

Helsingin upea saaristo: Isosaari, Harakka, Kaunissaari, Lammassaari, Liuskasaari, Pihlajasaari, Vartiosaari ja kymmenet muut saaret. Lue vinkkimme!

Art meets nature on Helsinki’s islands