If you wake up one day during your stay in Tallinn with no plans, then sailing to Helsinki, Finland’s capital, might be a fun and spontaneous way to spend the day.
It sounds like quite a voyage, but it is easily manageable within a day and on nearly any budget.

How to get there

The journey takes as little as 2.5 hours by boat with departures sailing every hour or two. Tickets can be purchased up until shortly before departure, although it’s recommended to book in advance to get the best price. Tickets can cost as little as 7€ each way.

My favorite website for booking ferry tickets is Laevapiletid.ee, which compares all operators and often runs exclusive discounts. It’s worth double-checking for the best price on the ferry companies’ own websites though.

What to see and do in Helsinki

Helsinki Cathedral

The symbol of Helsinki, this church is unmissable. Literally, you can’t miss it because it’s smack dab in the middle of the city. Its interior is relatively unadorned compared to Catholic cathedrals, but it is free to visit. On a sunny day, its steps make a nice place to sit down or pose for a photo. In the winter, the square at its feet is the site of the Christmas Market.
From June through August the church is open from 9am to midnight and the rest of the year from 9am to 6pm.

Oodi Central Library

Oodi Central Library is located near the central railway station. It is free and open to the public. Opened in December 2018, its modern yet organic architecture has visitors in awe already when approaching. The interior is spread across three floors with resources such as sewing machines and 3D printers available to use. The best views are from the top floor.
Oodi is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 10pm and on the weekends from 10am to 8pm.

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Temppeliaukio Rock Church

Popularly known as just the ‘Rock Church‘, this church is quite unusual. Blasted into a rocky hill, it offers a quiet refuge from the city. It is located not far from Kamppi shopping center (home to the equally intriguing Kamppi Chapel) . Entrance costs 3€, but is free on Wednesday afternoons and evenings.

Market halls

There are two market halls where you can satiate your hunger while sightseeing. Helsinki’s Old Market Hall is open Monday through Saturday 8am to 6pm and is right next to the outdoor market square and many of the ferry terminals.
Another place to eat is the Hietalahti Market Hall in the hip Punavuori district. It offers everything from a Japanese ramen stall to gift shops.
Market halls can be a bit cheaper place to eat than the popular sit-down restaurants and offer indoor refuge from bad weather.

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