If you’re boarding a Northern Europe or Baltic cruise out of Helsinki, consider yourself very lucky! Helsinki is not only an incredibly easy port for embarkation, but it is also is a perfect place to explore before your cruise. You’ll feel like you’re adding an extra vacation into your vacation! I embarked out of Helsinki in July 2026 for a 9-day Baltic cruise aboard the Norwegian Sun. It was an incredible trip visiting so many new cities and countries! I couldn’t recommend a Baltic cruise more. Here is how to spend the perfect pre-cruise day in Helsinki, Finland!
Read More: Full Review: 9-Day NCL Sun Baltic Cruise
Landing in Helsinki & Hotel Indigo
As with any cruise, it’s always recommended to fly in the day before embarkation! When you arrive at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport, you’ll need to clear customs and collect your luggage. To get to the city center, there are several options including a train, bus (HSL bus 600), or taxi. I’m all for being frugal, but in this case where you likely have a lot of luggage, I’d recommend a taxi. Upon arrival, you’ll see the taxi stand right past baggage claim with several companies offering transportation. They all have fixed prices to the city center, and I found Firu Taxi to be the cheapest. It was about €35 for a direct ride to my hotel and I didn’t have to lug around my heavy bags. Worth it, in my opinion!
I stayed at Hotel Indigo in the city center and I’d highly recommend it as a landing spot for a pre-cruise day in Helsinki. It is part of IHG so if you have status with them, it is honored here. Even without status, if you are an IHG rewards member (which is free to sign up for), you get a complimentary late checkout. You bet I took advantage of that! The hotel was very centrally located, clean, safe, and even had a sauna for guests to enjoy. When in Finland!
Morning Coffee at Fazer Café
To start your pre-cruise day in Helsinki, you’ll need fuel! Start off strong with a coffee and baked good at Fazer Café. My day in Helsinki landed on a Sunday so my options were more limited, but if I were ever to find myself back in Helsinki I would pick Fazer Café again! There are several locations around the city, so no matter where you are staying the chances are high that you’re not too far from one. Fazer Café has lots of options so whether you’re in the mood to sit for a full traditional Finnish breakfast or just a grab-and-go pastry, you can find it here. I opted for a classic iced vanilla latte (which are sometimes hard to come by in Europe!) and took it to go on my morning wandering.
Esplanadi
The Esplanadi (or the “Espa”, as it is commonly known) is a beautiful park in the center of the city that connects Erottaja square and the Market Square. I walked Espa early in the morning before the rest of the world woke up and it was so peaceful! There were gorgeous flowers and trees in full bloom, fountains, and statues. The buildings that line the park are equally as stunning and are fun to gawk at and photograph. In the summer, they even have stages and live music set up from time to time! Espa is the perfect place for a slow stroll through the city. Or if you fancy a sit to people watch as the world slowly wakes up, it checks that box too!
Kauppatori Market
At the far end of Espa, you’ll find the famous Kauppatori Market. The market is open every day at 6:30 am, except on Sundays when it opens at 10:00 am. I arrived just as it was opening and it was great to get to enjoy some crowd-free shopping! Here, you’ll find vendors selling a little bit of everything. Fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade goods, souvenirs, and some restaurant pop ups selling Finnish dishes like reindeer! I couldn’t resist getting this little skiing mouse ornament for my Christmas tree. If you’re looking to squeeze in a visit to Suomenlinna during your pre-cruise day in Helsinki, the ferries depart from Kauppatori. Suomenlinna is often a full-day excursion though, so you’ll definitely need to be very mindful of time if you choose to visit on your pre-cruise day in Helsinki!
Tip: Keep in mind that if you purchase any produce, you will not be permitted to bring it on the cruise ship
Helsinki Cathedral
Visible from so many places around Helsinki is the grand Helsingin tuomiokirkko (Helsinki Cathedral)! The church took 22 years to be built and was completed in 1852. It sits atop a hill that makes it an iconic symbol for the city of Helsinki! Climb the steps for great views of the city and harbor below. The church is also free to enter and is open on most days from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm. Fridays and Sundays have adjusted hours for masses, so it wasn’t open at the time I visited. But I got my fill just taking in the views from the top!
At the bottom, you’ll find Senaatintori (Senate Square) which is a quaint public square with cafes, restaurants, and the famous statue of Alexander II. In this square, you will find the University to one side and the Government Palace on the other. This really is the heart of Helsinki!
Kauppakeskus Citycenter
While out exploring on my pre-cruise day in Helsinki, the sky opened up and it started to rain. In search of some cover, I randomly stumbled upon the Kauppakeskus Citycenter. What an absolute gem that was not on my radar! Even though very few stores were open on a Sunday morning, I absolutely loved exploring through the covered arcade and window shopping. A particular highlight was the glass domed roof in the center atrium. When the rain let up a bit, I made the short walk past the Helsingin päärautatieasema (main train station in Helsinki) and over to Arnold’s for a donut. Both stops were a great place to escape the elements and still be experiencing gems in the city!
Oodi Library & Helsinki Sign
Just a short walk from the train station and Kauppakeskus Citycenter is the incredible Oodi Library! It is open every day at 8:00 am (10:00 am on the weekends) and is free to enter. I was there a little too early, so I enjoyed just admiring the insane structure from the outside. The building is covered in Finnish spruce planks and truly give an out-of-this-world experience just being outside of it. Out front of the Oodi Library is Makasiinipuisto (Warehouse Park) which is a public park with lots of green space. It’s also where you’ll find the iconic Helsinki sign!
Boarding the Cruise Ship
When it comes time to board the ship, you can order an Uber from the city center pretty affordably. My Uber from the Hotel Indigo to the cruise terminal cost less than €10. The port area and terminal buildings are both pretty small and I found the lines to move quickly. You’ll first drop your luggage with the porters. You’ll then move to the next building for check-in and security. Even though I had one of the latest boarding times, I was on the ship less than 45 minutes after arriving. After this sailing, I am now officially a Platinum latitudes member with Norwegian Cruise Line, so I can’t wait to have priority boarding on my next cruise! Once on board, activate cruise mode and celebrate a great trip that awaits!
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