Experience our whirlwind family adventure during our stopover in Helsinki before we reached Lapland! After months of planning, we were off on the ultimate holiday family adventures to Santa Claus Village in the Finnish Lapland! Like most, our travel to Lapland was through the country’s capital, Helsinki. Our itinerary left us with a brief 5 hours between our flight into Finland and our our overnight train departing to Lapland. So of course, we set off on a crazy family adventure to explore as much of the city as we could during our stopover in Helsinki!
Take Time to Dress Warm
It was snowing heavily when we arrived, so we first grabbed our coats and winter gear from our checked bags. This is a really important step to enjoying your stopover in Helsinki! It is COLD so don’t skip this! I have included a list of our recommended cold weather layers at the bottom of this post.
Navigating the Railways
Then, we took the train from the Helsinki airport to the Central Railway Station. Signs clearly marked the way from baggage claim to the train. There are kiosks where you can purchase train tickets to the Helsinki Central Railway station (zones A, B, C). It took us a few minutes to make sure we were getting the right train. But, but once we got use to navigating the train system, we became much faster!
Central Railway Station Luggage Storage
The ride to the Central Railway Station was about 25 minutes. This is the same station where our overnight train to Rovaniemi left from. Once at the station, we stored our luggage in the downstairs lockers. We could fit 3 suitcases in one of the XL lockers. Operating them was really easy, using the kiosk at the front of each row.
With everything securely locked up, we were ready to explore the enchanting city of Helsinki! Given our limited time for our stopover in Helsinki, we decided to use Uber to transport to our furthest destination and walk back. This allowed us to maximize our time exploring everything the city had to offer.
Reason #1 Why You’ll Love a Stopover in Helsinki Before Lapland:
Senate Square & Christmas Markets
Upon arriving at Senate Square, we were immediately greeted by the iconic Helsinki Cathedral, its majestic white façade. The square was alive with the spirit of the season. The Christmas markets were just starting for the season. They offered an array of delightful stalls filled with handcrafted goods, festive decorations, and an assortment of delicious Finnish treats.
As we walked through the streets, the sun had already gone down and snow was falling steadily. The girls were so excited about the snow! They paused every few feet to scoop it up and toss it into the air or at each other. In the north, the sun sets early, giving us about 4 hours of partial “daylight” on average. This was likely the most challenging adjustment for us! It doesn’t get completely dark until later, but the twilight made it feel much later than it really was.
Reason #2 Why You’ll Love a Stopover in Helsinki Before Lapland:
Uspenskin Katedraali
We made our way to Uspenskin Katedraali, also known as the Russian Cathedral. I was immediately captivated by its stunning architectural design, which is a remarkable example of the Byzantine Revival style. This architectural gem, with its striking red-brick exterior, stood out as a grand and elegant feature of the skyline. The intricate details of the façade, with its decorative motifs and elegant arches, showcased the craftsmanship of its construction. The cathedral’s golden onion-shaped domes symbolize the Russian Orthodox faith and enhance its majestic presence.
Reason #3 Why You’ll Love a Stopover in Helsinki Before Lapland:
Presidential Palace Area
From the cathedral, we ventured toward the Presidential Palace area, where we were captivated by the elegant historical buildings. Here we took a moment to appreciate the beautiful views of the waterfront that framed this regal site.
Reason #4 Why You’ll Love a Stopover in Helsinki Before Lapland:
Old Market Hall
We missed our dinner plans, so we opted for some local dishes at the charming Old Market Hall. This historic venue is known for its vibrant atmosphere and amazing food. As we entered the hall, the warm and inviting ambiance enveloped us! The Old Market Hall is renowned for its focus on local and seasonal ingredients. Our dinner of local reindeer dishes were a testament to that commitment. We decided to try a selection of specialties. Each was prepared with care and creativity, showcasing the unique flavors of this traditional Nordic delicacy.
Reason #5 Why You’ll Love a Stopover in Helsinki Before Lapland:
National Library of Finland
Our adventures continued as we made our way to the National Library of Finland. This building is a true masterpiece of architecture that seamlessly blends classical and modern design elements. The grand entrance, with its impressive columns and intricate detailing, beckoned us inside. Once within, we were awestruck by the vast collection of books and the serene reading spaces. The library serves as a center for knowledge and as a cultural hub that reflects the spirit of the Finnish people.
Santa Express Train to Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village
Before long, it was time to make our way back to the Central Railway Station for our overnight journey aboard the Santa Claus Express train. Our family adventures in Finland were only just beginning with our brief stopover in Helsinki! The Santa Claus Express train would now transport us overnight to Finish Lapland and the enchanting city of Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi, known as the official hometown of Santa Claus, is our stopping point for our family adventures in Santa Claus Village!
The Family Verdict
After a long day+ of travel, we were tired, but exhilarated and ready to explore Helsinki. The girls were thrilled by the late November snow, which made our time in Helsinki that much more memorable! Although our adventure in Helsinki was very short, it had been a delightful blend of festive cheer, historical exploration, and architectural wonder, leaving us with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for this beautiful city.
If you loved this family adventure, check out our adventures aboard the Santa Claus Express and at Santa Claus Village.
Follow along on our other amazing family travel adventures at www.adventureisinoursouls.com.
Recommended Supplies
Don’t miss out on these recommended supplies for your family adventure!
For Packing:
For the Airport / Airplane:
For the Hotel:
Cold Weather Clothing:
- Women’s Base Layer Socks
- Women’s Wool Socks and These
- Women’s Base Layer Tops
- Women’s Base Layer Bottoms
- Women’s Mid Layer Tops and These
- Women’s Mid Layer Bottoms
- Women’s Jacket
- Women’s Snow Pants
- Women’s Snow Boats
- Women’s Snow Gloves
- Women’s Glove Liners
- Balaclava
- Men’s Base Layer Socks
- Men’s Wool Socks and These
- Men’s Base Layer Tops and These
- Men’s Base Layer Bottoms
- Men’s Mid Layer Tops
- Men’s Jacket
- Men’s Snow Pants
- Men’s Snow Gloves
- Kid’s Base Layer Socks and These
- Kid’s Wool Socks, These, These and These
- Kid’s Base Layers, These and These
- Kid’s Mid Layer Tops, These and These
- Kid’s Mid Layer Bottoms
- Kid’s Jacket
- Kid’s Snow Pants
- Kid’s Snow Gloves
- Kid’s Glove Liners
- Kid’s Beanie
- Kid’s Snow Boots
For Extra Fun in the Artic:
