ozmatt : I will be in HEL for the first time next week for only 2.5 days on my way home. Staying at the Holiday Inn City Centre as per OZDUCK's suggestion that is was a nice easy train trip in from the airport. What in your experience are the " must do's " cheers CM
Super easy hotel rail connection there if you are at the Holiday Inn
Must do's in my book are probably not what the tourism board suggests but for me...
Finnish sauna - especially if it is a cough day. I went to a lovely one down on the harbour last year here:
Löyly If you can find my trip report on here from a year ago I put some details on it.
The Lutheran cathedral is a must see. You will recognise it from this clip -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6120QOlsfU I love the architecture of Helsinki. I can get lost just wandering the streets looking at buildings. Yes my friends think I am strange!
For your daily caffeine needs head to this place -
https://www.kaffaroastery.fi/ It is on the way to the sauna place.
There are a few rooftop bars and restaurants which are good. Head to level 5 of Kamppi shopping centre for a nice view. It is a sort of up-market food-court with small restaurants.
I am not sure if it will still be open now that Summer is over, but there is a nice rooftop terrace close to your hotel here
https://www.raflaamo.fi/en/helsinki/restaurant-loiste
Make sure you check out the markets down near the harbour and also the old market hall towards the LindaLine ferry terminal. There is also a nice park this way with views over the harbour.
Esplanade park is beautiful too. It is probably not as crowded now when compared to Summer. Cafe Esplanade is a great place to people watch on a nice day.
I guess the main thing I would do is just walk and explore. I found this gorgeous little cafe years ago when I went for a random run around a lake here
http://cafetaideterassi.fi/
Talking of running, I need to run to a flight