Is Visiting Helsinki in December Worth It? A First-Timer’s Guide
Yes, visiting Helsinki in winter is absolutely worth it—even if you've been postponing it for years like I did.
Yes, visiting Helsinki in winter is absolutely worth it—even if you've been postponing it for years like I did.
I took the plunge on a trip to the home of my ancestors—Finland. The plan? A German Christmas market layover in Frankfurt, then north to Helsinki. What I found: unseasonably warm December weather, a walkable city center, and locals who were happy to see tourists.
After exploring as a first-timer, here's what you need to know.
What's Special About Helsinki Airport?
Helsinki Airport Has a Grocery Store (And a Squirrel Ashtray)
As a first-timer, I was shocked to find out you can do grocery shopping at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. It’s located by the exit to the garages and transportation park. For real! We were looking for some reasonable place to grab some wine and snacks as we were leaving and there it was. It was not a US size mega market but large enough to have everything you need. It was here we discovered they sell Australian wine, in a full size plastic bottle at 8% alcohol. What a genius idea for travel right? It’s lighter, recyclable and you don’t need a corkscrew(because let’s face it-how many have your bought because you forgot this little detail?
After we stocked up, we went in search of the car-share pick up for Bolt the European version of Uber. Don’t forget to download the app before leaving home. We made a friend in the form of an ashtray shaped like a squirrel during our very brief wait. And then we were off to the big city of Helsinki.
Radisson Blu Hotel is the white building to the right of the photo, a great choice for First-Timers visiting Helsinki.
Where to Stay in Helsinki for First-Timers Who Want Walkability and the Best Location for a reasonable price
Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel next to Central Railway Station solved both problems. The location puts you on a square with restaurants, shopping (Stockmann department store), and tram lines radiating to every neighborhood. We walked to the Christmas market, waterfront, and the very festive street with all of the fancy stores called Aleksanterinkatu without needing transportation.
Price? Lower than expected for a 4-star—book directly for deals. Rates for the next 60 days after this article was published are as low as $126.36 per night.
The area feels safe even at night, and you're just steps away from the large train station.
Pro tip: Did you know in Finland everyone gets free internet by law?
Where did I see my first Moomin?
In the beautiful holiday windows of the Stockmann department store. It reminded me of the windows in New York I used to visit in my childhood. These little white characters seem very soft, friendly and maybe even made of magic snow. Have you seen one yet?
Budget Planning
While walking around the city itself is FREE, plan to spend a few euros on coffee, food, or shopping at Stockmann!
Accessibility & Practical Concerns
There is a lot of walking, there are trams, rideshare and taxis currency converter, click here. Walking seemed to be the most pleasant way to see as much as the city as possible. Don’t let that deter you-there lots of other ways to get around trams, rideshare and taxis. And you can take lots of breaks drinking coffee all over the place. Credit cards are widely accepted-it seemed like everyone had a scanner. And of course Euros work too.
The unseasonably warm weather (December 2025) made exploring easier than expected. (0-5°C instead of the usual -5 to -10°C)Just pack your waterproof boots in case you get a snowstorm when you visit.
It was empty on the streets on Saturday we walked around in the late afternoon-strange to me for a big city. I did notice the housing is high rise buildings without balconies and the retail places in the neighborhoods were closed as well.
What to pack for a Winter Day in Helsinki
Refillable Water Bottle-Finland boasts the cleanest water in the world
Tissues
Lip balm
Gloves
Waterproof boots
Hat
Charging block in case you don’t have time or can’t find an outlet. Make sure it’s an EU plug adapter (NOT voltage converter—Finland is 230V)
Sunglasses (probably not in the winter-remember it’s dark most of the day)
Ready to take your trip of a lifetime to Finland?
Which apps and sites you need to download now:
Check your mobile phones for apps in the App Store or Google Play.
Planning your next adventure?
Get my FREE Ultimate Winter Travel Packing Checklist — never forget your cold-weather gear again!
Next in this series: Where to eat in Helsinki (yes, you can have salmon for every meal), and whether the Christmas market is worth the hype.
About the Author
Darlene T Bass is a Denver-based marketing strategist and content creator who helps hesitant travelers stop postponing bold adventures. Through honest guides and real photography, she shows you these "scary" trips are totally doable—from the Arctic Circle to Colorado's mountain towns.
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FAQ SECTION
Where should first-timers stay in the Nordic city of Helsinki? (Finland is not Scandinavian - that’s Sweden, Norway, etc.)
Stay near Central Railway Station. We booked Radisson Blu Plaza for both location and price—walking distance to the Christmas market, Stockmann, and waterfront. You won't need trams if you stay here.
What are some carry-on luggage friendly things to buy at Helsinki Christmas market?
I picked up handmade candles, hand knit mittens, and a hat. All fit easily into my bags for transport.
Do I need to speak Finnish to get around?
No, it seemed everyone speaks fluent English plus menus, signs, and tram announcements were all available in English.
Tip-download and practice on Duolingo or use Google Translate in a pinch.
Should I rent a car in Helsinki?
Absolutely not. Parking is expensive, trams are easy, and the city is walkable.
Does Lufthansa first class give you bigger seats on European flights?
Not exactly. On our Frankfurt-Helsinki flight, "first class" meant two passengers got a 3-seat row to themselves—more space without a redesign. Worth it for a 2-hour flight? Depends on your budget. It was nice to have room to move while we ate our meals.
What's the one thing you'd do differently?
Check opening hours for Temppeliaukio Church (the Stone Church). We arrived during a private event and missed it. It's open limited hours—plan ahead.
Helsinki proved itself to be a large city full of very nice and happy people. It was incredibly clean. The weather was unseasonably warm,( December 2025) so we saw more drizzling rain than snow which made getting around a little easier.
Craving more Helsinki travel tips? Check back soon!
Planning your next adventure?
Get my FREE Ultimate Winter Travel Packing Checklist — never forget your cold-weather gear again!
Follow @itsthatdarlene on Instagram for:
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Going to Helsinki? Tag @itsthatdarlene in your photos—I'll reshare the best ones!