10 Things to Do in Helsinki in Winter

Helsinki is a magical destination in winter, as cold weather and festive atmospheres fill every corner. From December to March you can expect average temperatures ranging from 7° to -11°. Snowfall is also common at this time of year, sliding down the paths and even freezing the Baltic Sea. In addition, the low season starts, so you can take advantage of the most sought-after attractions without the crowds.

If you want to make the most of Helsinki's best activities, you can enjoy a typical sauna bath, sip a hot glass of glögi, see the city illuminated by the LUX Festival or check out the winter gardens. The Finnish capital is also home to the Reindeer Park, much like the one in Lapland. Other fun plans include visiting an ethical husky farm, floating on ice in a hovercraft or making the most of the skating rinks.

Suomenlinna is an area where winter snowfall has the greatest impact, so make sure you take advantage of all the entertainment on offer. It's a fortress just a fifteen-minute ferry ride from Helsinki that won't leave you indifferent. From the moment you set sail and enter the Baltic Sea, it is impossible to ignore the winter landscape covered with Christmas decorations, typical of the first weeks of the season.

During the trip you will feel the crash of the boat against the chunks of ice, product of the freezing of the sea. However, this is part of the experience and there is nothing to worry about as the journey is short. Upon arrival I recommend heading to the local markets to warm up with a Finnish glögi, a kind of spiced mulled wine unique to this season.

Afterwards, take a stroll around the most emblematic places to see the old buildings completely covered in snow. You can take in the snow-covered scenery along the marked trails, but be careful to avoid the wastelands as you may slip and not find help in time.

In addition, don't miss the opportunity to play in the snow, as there is plenty of it all over the island. If you prefer to keep warm, you can visit the Suomenlinna Museum, where you can see an old Finnish submarine. You can enjoy this activity on your own or join one of the best excursions from Helsinki.

Helsinki' s best museums are an excellent choice for entertainment at any time of the year, allowing you to learn while having fun. In winter, they become an ideal blanket to protect you from the bitter cold. Considering that temperatures can sometimes drop to -4°C, it never hurts to have indoor plans for the day.

Another reason to visit museums this season is that much of the winter is lit up with Christmas decorations and LUX festival exhibits. In addition, some are included in the Helsinki Card, priced from 64 euros, which offers free entry to major museums and attractions, as well as unlimited use of public transport. Here are the most emblematic museums that are embellished with winter touches and are not to be missed:

• Ateneum: one of the most centrally located museums, with the most important collection of classical art in Finland.
• Kiasma: if you want to see a contrast to the previous museum, you must visit its contemporary art halls, where special exhibitions are prepared for Christmas.
• Design Museum: it is a marvel with national and international works, focused on industrial design, fashion and graphic design. It is also one of the many attractions exempted by the Helsinki Card, which is a tourist pass that allows you to save some euros during your trip.

The Northern Lights are a colourful and visually appealing phenomenon, but unfortunately they cannot be seen from just anywhere. The Nordic countries and those around the North Pole belt are privileged, although it is difficult to determine exactly when and where they may appear, in Helsinki they are quite common in winter.

In fact, it is the reason why many tourists venture out during this season. To increase your chances of catching one, you can subscribe to weather alerts such as Aurora Alert Realtime which tells you when they are strongest and most visible, as well as upcoming dates with high sighting statistics. Another option is to check the Finnish Meteorological Institute which gives an overview of the weather in every city in the country.

Some people think you need to go far out of town to see one, but there are places within walking distance with the right conditions to witness this phenomenon. Among them are:

• Helsinki's docks: these are key viewing points, especially those located at Kaivopuisto and Eira. The contrast of the winter landscape with the frozen Baltic Sea and the rippling colours of the aurorae is simply breathtaking.
• Nuuksio National Park: while the reindeer are the main attraction, this remote, light-pollution-free spot is ideal for viewing all the colours of the aurora.
• Local observatories: the most prominent is the Ursa Observatory, although the Tähtiorninmäki Observatory has a privileged hillside location that favours views of the aurora. If you prefer, you can join one of Helsinki' s best tours to take part in a guided search.
• Suomenlinna Island: A guided tour of Helsinki and Suomenlinna increases the chances of witnessing the phenomenon, as Suomenlinna Island is located away from the city lights, making it easier to spot.

The Finns are looking for a way to balance the darkness during the winter to encourage a festive atmosphere in the capital. So every year the city is filled with bright lights that line the main streets and landmark buildings. In addition to the twinkling Christmas decorations, you can find the LUX Festival or the Festival of Luminous Arts, which takes place between December and January, after the winter solstice.

You can find interactive displays in the streets of the city, for example those simulating natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights. Generally, most lightings are available for 5 days and start every evening after 17:00. The most emblematic places that are usually decorated are Senate Square, Esplanade Park, Korkeasaari Zoo and various galleries or cafes in the city. Note that there are free exhibits, but some require admission.

If you want to understand the history of this event and marvel at the amazing locations, then I suggest joining the best tours in Helsinki. This way, you can enjoy a customisable experience with night-time schedules, which allows you to explore the whole city to the fullest and find the most beautiful illuminated spaces.

Of course, you can't miss a visit to an ethical farm where you can meet Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Alaskan Malamutes and Eurohounds, Nordic breeds known for their fondness for the cold and energetic athletic bodies. These animals enjoy playing, running and exercising, so they will be your faithful companions during a sleigh ride in the snow. In charge will be a musher, a driver who leads the dog crew, but you can also get advice on how to drive yourself.

You can learn how the dogs are trained, their lifestyle and feeding behaviours. You can also explore the snow-dappled forests and other winter scenery typical of Helsinki. It is one of the best things to do in the city, but it is essential to opt for those where the animals are treated humanely with veterinarians, routines suited to their abilities and breaks. This way, you can enjoy a sustainable tourism experience.

Nuuksio National Park is a popular winter destination, ideal if you plan to spend at least 3 days in Helsinki. It was founded in 1994 and offers spectacular natural surroundings featuring escarpments, lakes, forests and different animal species.

Add a touch of magic to your holiday with its Nordic landscapes, where you can feed reindeer, try the typical Finnish coffee and bun combination, keep warm with a spiced wine and roast sausages on an open fire. Of course, if you plan to visit Helsinki for Christmas you can enjoy the unique reindeer parks, with educational tours that take you on an insight into the history and importance of this mammal to Sami culture.

Siberian birds and flying squirrels are also very popular, just watch out for the latter as they are playful and may steal your stuff. Overall, you'll feel like you're at the North Pole and can enjoy the beauty of the reindeer without hurting them. Other fun activities in the park include fishing on the frozen sea, climbing in the nearby mountains, picking fruit in the forest, taking advantage of boat rides in Helsinki and cross-country skiing in the snow.

Admission usually starts at 25 euros for adults and from 10 euros for children.

Floating on ice is an extraordinary and unusual experience, which takes place in the depths of the frozen archipelago of the Baltic Sea. You can venture out into the Arctic waters, without ending up frozen, as the activity is designed so that you can have a great time in a heated cabin. Note that a hovercraft is an amphibious craft that allows you to travel over land, sea, snow, ice and sand. Therefore, during the tour you may make stops to walk on ice, preferably thick and solid.

You can also float on ice in a raft, wearing a special wetsuit to keep you warm. Of course, it is important to do this type of visit with professionals and never on your own. However, the only way to reach such depths of the Finnish sea is if you decide to join the best excursions from Helsinki.

Cheers! Glögi is a traditional drink whose history dates back to the 1500s, when it was brewed for messengers travelling through Finland's snowy landscapes to withstand the relentless cold. At one point in history, it was even believed to have healing properties. Another curious fact is that it almost disappeared during the Nordic era, when alcohol was banned, but the Finns managed to create a berry juice version.

It is now consumed exclusively in the cold winter months, especially at Christmas markets in Helsinki and several nearby regions. It is usually accompanied by pipari, a type of ginger biscuit made in northern Europe. There are variations but the traditional one has spices, grapes and blueberries. Some have rum, vodka, madeira wine, berry juice or almond juice added. Here's where you can find a delicious hot cup of this drink:

• Christmas markets: the most famous is the market in Helsinki square, better known as Kauppatori. At this time of year, the tradition is to have a cup of glögi and then enjoy a fresh fish dish.
• Hvitträsk: this is an old mansion, where you can taste the original version of this wine.
• Festivals: at most outdoor events, people order a glögi to keep warm.

If you plan to visit Helsinki in summer, you can take advantage of other traditional drinks such as lonkero, a refreshing treat made from gin and grapefruit juice.

Don't forget a swimming costume if you're heading to Helsinki in winter - as crazy as it may sound, you'll need it for one of the most incredible experiences of the season. Finland's sauna culture is all about relaxing your body and mind in the open air while admiring the winter scenery, or soaking in dimly lit cabins with dreamy views. Unlike traditional steam baths, here a dry environment is created without water or steam, with humidity between 5-20% and temperatures ranging from 80-100°C.

It is undoubtedly one of the best activities in Helsinki, and some of the highlights include:

• Löyly: a seaside restaurant with modern sauna facilities to suit all tastes, you can choose between public wood-fired saunas and private cabins.
• Kuusijärvi: is a café by the lake, which offers electric saunas. Here you can find a fusion of classic and Nordic saunas, they are called Finnish smoke saunas and are meticulously prepared. Before you enter the room, they will burn wood inside to create a steamy backdrop with a pleasant aroma.

There are a couple of general recommendations, the main thing is to respect silence, the Finns are very friendly but prefer a quiet atmosphere during sauna evenings. In any case, there are private experiences, but it is fun to enjoy the cultural diversity that public saunas offer.

Additionally, these experiences are not suitable for newborns or people with health problems, especially those with heart problems. Be aware that it is common to be offered to shake a couple of birch branches to purify yourself, or to be asked if you would like a beer.

The winter gardens are a must-see exotic beauty, which unfortunately sometimes go unnoticed. In their greenhouses you will find educational experiences through different botanical themes. Its cosy indoor spaces will keep you warm while you explore the exquisite local flora. You have two options:

• Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden: owned by the local university,Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden offers workshops, seminars and lectures in winter. You can also see lichens, mosses and Arctic flowers through its winter landscapes.
• Helsinki Winter Garden: it is free of charge and is located next to a harbour facing the sea. Its age makes it a local gem, as it was built in the 19th century. Its winter activities and exhibitions are very interesting. It also has a rose garden on the terrace.