Family trip to Helsinki: 5 best activities

Helsinki is a comfortable and easy city to explore with children. Distances are short, public transport works well and many attractions are located close to each other. Parks, islands and museums offer activities that work for both adults and younger visitors. If you are visiting with family, these five activities give a good mix of nature, culture and fun experiences.   Visit Suomenlinna Sea Fortress One of the most popular places for families visiting Helsinki is Suomenlinna, a historic sea fortress located on several islands just outside the city centre. Ferries leave regularly from Market Square and the journey takes about fifteen minutes. Suomenlinna is a great place for children because it offers large open areas, walking paths and plenty of places to explore. Families often spend time walking along the old fortress walls, visiting small museums or having a picnic near the sea. There are also cafés and restaurants on the island, which makes it easy to spend several hours there. Suomenlinna Sea Fortress, a historic island fortress just off the coast of Helsinki.   Explore Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari Island Helsinki Zoo is located on Korkeasaari Island and is one of the oldest zoos in the world. It is home to animals from many different climates, including snow leopards, brown bears and Amur tigers. The island setting makes the visit feel relaxed and spacious. Walking paths connect different areas of the zoo, and there are several viewpoints overlooking the sea. During summer, the zoo can also be reached by boat from the city centre. Korkeasaari Island, home to Helsinki Zoo and surrounded by scenic sea views just east of the city center.   Spend Time at Linnanmäki Amusement Park Linnanmäki is Helsinki’s well known amusement park and a favorite among local families. The park includes roller coasters, classic rides and attractions suitable for different age groups. It is most known for it’s special wooden rollercoaster. The park also has restaurants, games and viewing points where you can see the city skyline. Linnanmäki Amusement Park, one of Helsinki’s most popular attractions, known for its rides, skyline views and family-friendly atmosphere.   Discover Science at Heureka If your family enjoys interactive experiences, Heureka Science Centre is worth visiting. Located just outside central Helsinki in Vantaa, easily reachable by public transport, the center focuses on science and technology through hands-on exhibitions. Children can experiment with different activities, learn about physics and nature, and watch shows in the planetarium. Because the exhibitions are usually interactive, many families find it engaging even during longer visits. Science Museum Heureka offers a lot to learn and discover. Image: Museot.fi   Enjoy Parks and Outdoor Areas Helsinki has many parks where families can relax and spend time outdoors. Kaivopuisto Park, located by the sea, is a popular place for picnics and walks. The views across the water and nearby islands make it one of the city’s most scenic parks. Esplanadi Park near the Market Square is a perfect stop for coffee and people watching. Another good option is the Töölönlahti area, which has walking paths, playgrounds and open green spaces near the city centre. These areas are easy to reach and give children room to run and play.   Relax in the city greenery with your family after a day of activities.   Traveling with family in Helsinki is simple because many attractions combine outdoor space with interesting activities. Helsinki is definitely designed with kids in mind. The city offers a balance between nature, culture and entertainment, making it possible to enjoy several different experiences during the same trip. If you’re curious how a wind tunnel flying training week flows, read our blog post entailing What a Performance Week at Fööni Is Really Like.

How to spend a week in helsinki?

Helsinki is a compact coastal capital where culture, design and nature sit close to each other. You can move around easily by walking, tram or metro, and many of the city’s most interesting places are within a short distance. A week in Helsinki gives enough time to explore the main sights while also experiencing everyday Finnish life.   Explore the Historic Centre Start by spending time around the historic centre. Senate Square is one of the most recognizable places in Helsinki, surrounded by neoclassical buildings and the well-known Helsinki Cathedral. From there it is a short walk to Market Square by the sea. Market stalls sell fresh berries, fish, pastries and local snacks, especially during the warmer months. Nearby you will also find the Old Market Hall, which is a good place to try Finnish food in a relaxed setting. Walking through Esplanadi Park is another simple way to experience the city. Locals often meet there for coffee, lunch or an evening stroll.   The Helsinki Cathedral is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Finland.   Experience Helsinki’s Architecture and Design Helsinki has a strong design culture and architecture plays a big role in the city’s identity. Temppeliaukio Church, often called the Rock Church, is one of the most unusual buildings in the city. The church is carved directly into solid rock and natural light enters through a circular copper dome. Another interesting place is Oodi Central Library, which functions as a public living room for the city. It’s architectural design is a must-see. Visitors can read, work, relax or enjoy views of the city from the upper floors. The surrounding Design District also offers galleries, design shops and small cafés. Oodi Helsinki Central Library, a modern landmark of Finnish architecture located next to the Parliament House in the heart of Helsinki.   Try Finnish Sauna Culture Sauna is an important part of Finnish culture and visiting one during your stay is highly recommended. Helsinki has several public saunas where both locals and visitors come to relax. Many of them are located by the sea, which allows people to cool off outside between sauna sessions. The experience is simple but memorable and gives a good sense of everyday Finnish life. An aerial shot of the Löyly public sauna in Helsinki’s Hernesaari. Image: Kuvio   Sports and Outdoor Activities Helsinki offers many opportunities for sports and outdoor activities throughout the year. Cycling is a popular way to explore the city, and there are well-maintained bike paths that run along the coastline and through parks such as Töölönlahti. During summer, many visitors try activities on the water. Kayaking, paddleboarding and swimming are all common in the Baltic Sea, and several beaches can be found within the city area. If you prefer something more active indoors, Helsinki also has climbing gyms, trampolining parks and karting tracks. In winter, ice skating and cross-country skiing become popular activities, giving visitors a chance to experience the city in a different way. Helsinki also offers plenty of activities for families. If you are visiting with family members, you can explore more ideas in our guide Family Trip to Helsinki: 5 Best Activities. Kaivopuisto Park offers scenic coastal views and is a popular place for enjoying Helsinki’s seaside atmosphere.   Visit the Archipelago or Nearby Towns The Helsinki archipelago contains hundreds of islands that can be reached by ferry. Some have beaches, walking paths and small cafés that are perfect for a relaxed afternoon. Another popular option is visiting Porvoo, one of the oldest towns in Finland. Its colorful wooden houses and small streets make it a charming destination for a day trip. The Helsinki archipelago is made up of hundreds of islands, offering sea views, small harbors and peaceful places to explore just by the city.   Spending a week in Helsinki allows you to experience both the cultural side of the city and the nature that surrounds it. The combination of sea views, quiet parks, modern design and Finnish traditions makes the city feel calm and welcoming for visitors. If you’re looking for a more active experience during your stay, read our article What a Performance Week at Fööni Is Really Like.

What a performance week in Helsinki really looks like

Indoor skydiving, also known as bodyflying, recreates the sensation of freefall inside a vertical wind tunnel using powerful airflow. At Fööni in Helsinki’s Kalasatama district, both beginners and experienced athletes train throughout the year, using the tunnel to practice technique, receive coaching and develop their flying skills. For professional flyers and serious hobbyists, a performance week in a wind tunnel is a focused training period built around flying sessions, coaching and recovery.   Training in the Tunnel A performance week at Fööni is built around intensive tunnel time in a full-power vertical wind tunnel. The week includes 5 hours of training, spread across several sessions throughout the week. The Fööni wind tunnel can run at full power when needed, without limitations. As a fun fact, it is one of the few wind tunnels located directly in a city center, inside a shopping mall. The tunnel can operate at different wind speeds, allowing both slower speeds for beginners and higher speeds for advanced flying. This makes it possible to train everything from basic stability to fast dynamic movements and transitions. You will train with the same world-class coach throughout the entire training camp, although you are also welcome to train with your own coach if you prefer. Our goal is to provide the best possible training environment so that you can get the most out of your performance week.   The wind tunnel allows multiple training sessions in a single day. Coaching and Skill Development Coaching at Fööni focuses on structured progression. Instead of simply accumulating tunnel time, flyers train with clear goals that help them advance step by step. Coaches guide athletes through specific skill levels, helping them improve stability, controlled movement and awareness in the airflow. As flyers develop, training shifts toward more complex skills such as transitions, dynamic movement and coordinated flying with others. Between sessions, flyers review footage, discuss technique with coaches and plan the next exercises before returning to the tunnel. Wind tunnel coaching session at Fööni, where flyers work on technique, control and bodyflight skills inside the vertical flight chamber.   The Atmosphere of a Training Week A performance week at Fööni brings together flyers from different backgrounds and skill levels. Some participants are experienced skydivers looking to refine advanced bodyflight skills, while others are developing their technique in a focused training environment. The atmosphere is both focused and social. Flyers spend time together between sessions, watching each other’s flights, sharing tips and discussing techniques with coaches. This creates a supportive environment where everyone can learn from one another. Because the wind tunnel allows repeated practice in consistent conditions, it becomes possible to work on the same skills many times in a single day. Combined with coaching and shared experience, this makes training weeks an effective and motivating way to develop bodyflight skills. A supportive and encouraging training environment at Fööni, where flyers train together, share feedback and celebrate each other’s progress.   TIME Outside the Tunnel Tunnel time is intense, but the time outside the tunnel is just as valuable. Between flying sessions, many athletes use the time for recovery, light mobility work or reviewing training with their coach. This balance between training and recovery helps flyers stay fresh and make the most of every session in the tunnel. Because Fööni is located right in the city center of Helsinki, it is easy to combine training with everything the city has to offer. Cafés, restaurants, parks and the seaside are all just a short walk away, making it simple to relax and recharge between sessions. The location also makes it a great option for families. While one person trains in the tunnel, others can explore the city, visit nearby attractions or enjoy Helsinki’s outdoor spaces. If you are planning to spend more time in the city, take a look at our guide on Family Trip to Helsinki: 5 Best Activities, where we highlight some of the best things to do around Helsinki with family and friends. Old Market Hall in Helsinki, a historic indoor market near the harbor where visitors can explore local food, cafés and Finnish specialties.   An Active Stop in Helsinki Indoor skydiving offers a unique way to experience something active during a visit to Helsinki, whether you are trying it for the first time or watching experienced flyers train. It adds a different perspective to the city’s activity scene alongside nature, culture and seaside experiences. If you are planning a longer stay, you can explore more ideas and attractions in our guide on how to spend a week in Helsinki, where we highlight several places and experiences worth adding to your itinerary. Allas Sea Pool in central Helsinki, offering seaside views and a relaxing place to unwind near the city’s waterfront.   A performance week in the tunnel is built around repetition, focus and steady improvement. Short flying sessions, coaching and careful preparation allow athletes to refine movements and build confidence in the airflow. Over the course of several days, small adjustments turn into noticeable progress, which is why many flyers return to the tunnel regularly to continue developing their skills.