HELSINKI WITH ARTO
What´s the route? How should I prepare? Where do we stop?
Typical Itenerary
(subject to change according to weather conditions, public holidays, and events / We will stop at the attractions written in bold):
Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, National Library of Finland, Tori Quarters, City Museum, City Hall, Central Railway Station, National Theatre of Finland, Ateneum, Citizens´ Square, Musiikkitalo (Helsinki Concert Hall), Parliament House, Oodi Library, Kiasma, Lasipalatsi, Amos Rex, Kamppi Chapel, Stockmann, House of the Nordics (Pohjola Insurance building), Swedish Theatre, Esplanadi Park, Kappeli Restaurant, Statue of the Sea Maiden,Presidential Palace, Uspenski Cathedral, Allas Sea Pool, Market Square, Senate Square
The tour is about 5km of walking, so bring comfortable shoes. The duration of the tour is about 3 hours. We will return to the same location as we started from.
What you will learn & hear
Well, the short answer is – a lot! The way I do my tours is not to drown you with dates and times and names, but rather go behind the reasons why things are where they are. See, there´s always a reason for statues and buildings to be where they are. This also applies to the entire country of Finland. You´ll learn about the brief history of this nation, basically how did we come to exist in the first place? You´ll learn about the Finnish culture and heritage, along with our also bit quirkier habits, customs and traditions. No tour is ever exactly the same, as I keep them fun, entertaining and talkative. This means, that you´ll b able to get the most out of your experience with your visit to this my beautiful city and country.
Accessibility
We walk on public pavements and cobblestone streets. There are only few hills, so the profile of the tour route is quite even. You can attend in a wheelchair, assuming you can usually get out and about in city pavements and curbs. If you have crutches or other disabilities, I ask to bear in mind, that the group progresses in a moderate pace. So if you can get around in a normal city, this tour is no exception to that, and you´ll be able to move with the group. During our small break, there is also an accessible toilet available for free.
Please note, that during the winter months, the snow might cause some challenges to accessibility. You´ll still be able to get around, but it might take longer and bit more effort. You also might want to consider special winter tyres for your wheelchair to have more firmer grip on icy sidewalks and slippery snow. You can read more on how to prepare wheelchairs for winter conditions here.
Summer Weather in Helsinki
Summer weather in Helsinki and in Finland is as we say “always a surprise”. During the summer months, average temperatures vary from 10.9C(51.6F) to 21.5C (70.7F). Apart from the historical average data, there can also be temperatures as high as 38C(100F) and clear sunny skies as we had in the summer of 2021. Then again, the day can be quite chilly with low temperatures of 11C(52F).
If the day looks to be a bit chilly, it´s a good idea to have a sweater or a light jacket with you at all times. Umbrella wouldn´t hurt either 🙂
My tour operates in all weather conditions, so dress appropriately.
Winter Weather in Helsinki
Winter weather in Helsinki and in Finland is Arctic. This means below freezing point temperatures of about -25C in the North and from -10 to +4C in Helsinki. During the winter months (November through April), average temperatures in Helsinki vary from -10C(14F) to +3C (37.4F). Apart from the historical average data, there can also be temperatures as low as -25C(-13F) and clear sunny skies. On crisp winter days like these, the nature is truly magical.
It also snows in Finland. During the winter time, our average snowfall in Helsinki adds up to roughly 0.5 to 1.0 metres.
Proper warm clothing during the winter time is essential. Especially important is to make sure you always have warm clothes to cover your head, neck, hands and feet. Also it´s a good idea for all genders and ages, to wear a set of thermal underwear (“Long Johns”) as a first layer of clothing against your skin. Thermal underwear items are widely sold in Finland with very reasonable prices.
Proper winter shoes are also very important. Preferably you´ll want something with no flat soles (no sneakers or loafers etc) but shoes with a patterned soles. This means that they´ll have a better grip on icy sidewalks and on slippery snow. You´ll also want your wintershoes to be warm.
My tour operates in all weather conditions, so always dress appropriately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before the Tour
We meet at the Senate Square (Finnish: Senaatintori). Look for the orange streamer to find me. Trams 2 (also 2B), 4 (also 4S), 5 and 7 have a stop called Senaatintori on their routes. This is displayed on the screens and announced in the intercoms.
I´ll be checking-in guests at the Senate Square always at least 15min before the tour starting time.
Check-in for the tours starts about 15min before the scheduled start. If you´re not at the meeting point by the time the tour starts, you´ll forfeit your seat and it can be sold to walk-in guests waiting. The tour starts on time and once it starts, it´s not possible to join in anymore. I think it´s not fair to the group to ask them to wait for anyone. But always do let me know if you´re delayed, as some accommodations can always be made.
Please check out my Terms&Conditions for more details.
Yes. If you purchased your tickets from my Eventbrite-webshop, you can request to have them transferred to another date and time. Naturally this is subject to the availability on the date&time in question. You can cancel your tickets purchased via my Eventbrite-webshop all the way until 24 hours before your tour starting time (please note that the Eventbrite service fee is not refundable). Read more about my Terms&Conditions.
My guest´s safety is of an upmost importance to me. The COVID-19 situation in Helsinki is currently getting better. The coronavirus spreads mainly through airborne particles. The tour takes place entirely in outdoors and my wireless audio system allows social distancing (range of the audio signal from my microphone is about 50m/50yards). All receivers are desinfected between groups.
I myself also am fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
With all these precautions considered, the risk of you contracting the virus from this tour is very minimal. Though is not non-existent.
No. I am the owner and the sole proprietor of the Helsinki Walking Tours Ltd, and I’ll be always guiding every single group that departs.
Comfortable shoes, water bottle, an umbrella and weather appropriate clothing.
During The Tour
Yes. I operate the tour in all weather conditions, so please dress accordingly. Helsinki is a seaside city with almost a constant breeze, so you might want to wear something that blocks the wind. Also, comfortable shoes are recommended. Please note also the seasonal changes in weather and the requirements to clothing they bring with them.
Yes, there is a small break about half way through with an opportunity to use free toilets, fill up your water bottle (the tap water in Finland is the same quality as sold in bottles) and rest your feet a bit.
Yes. The entire route is completely accessible so you´ll stay in pace with the rest of the group the whole time. We have only few small hills in the beginning of the tour and there might be few regular street curbs to tackle here and there – just like in any other urban environment. So if you can get around in a normal city, this tour is no exception to that, and you´ll be able to move with the group. During our small break, there is also an accessible toilet available for free.
Please note, that during the winter months, the snow might cause some challenges to accessibility. You´ll still be able to get around, but it might take longer and bit more effort. You also might want to consider special winter tyres for your wheelchair to have more firmer grip on icy sidewalks and slippery snow. You can read more on how to prepare wheelchairs for winter conditions here.