We visited Helsinki during a day trip while we were staying in Tallinn for a few days. We traveled to Finland with Eckerö Line. They have daily ferry connections between the two cities. The journey goes by very quickly as it barely takes two hours. The ferry has plenty to keep you busy during the two-hour crossing, with its many stores, cafés, cafeterias and even a duty-free supermarket. You can even step out onto the deck to admire the bay of Tallinn and Helsinki. We were at sea for sunrise, and took full advantage of the view from the ferry's upper deck.

Once in Helsinki, it's fairly easy to reach the city center by tram or bus. However, transport is very expensive in Finland compared to other European countries. One tram ticket costs 3.20 euros and is only valid for 80 minutes. On several occasions, we used a taxi to get around Helsinki, as the price was exactly the same as traveling by tram or bus.

We visited Helsinki in March. The temperature was - 5 degrees and it was snowing.  Winters are very cold in this part of Europe, with temperatures reaching -20 degrees in the middle of winter. I might as well tell you that -5 degrees is a temperature announcing spring for the Finns! In fact, it was quite amusing to see the stores getting ready for Easter, when the weather outside suggests that Christmas is just around the corner.

In other words, if you're visiting Helsinki in winter, make sure you're equipped for the cold weather with merino wool underwear, spiked shoes for icy sidewalks, and a waterproof jacket. When we were in Helsinki, the Baltic Sea was frozen around the coast and the city was covered in snow. It was immaculately beautiful and gave us the perfect excuse to sit down in a cozy café for a cup of hot chocolate. 

Once in central Helsinki, start by visiting the main railway station, an imposing building that has been in service since 1919. Helsinki station is home to a number of attractive cafés and welcomes some 250,000 commuters every day.

Continue on to Helsinki's Lutheran Cathedral, located on Senate Square. This white cathedral with its five green domes is one of the city's symbols.

Just a 10-minute walk away is the market square, where you can buy street food and souvenirs while watching the ferries go by. 

Nearby is Hietalahden kauppahalli, the city's retro-decorated covered market. The perfect place for a lunch on the go. Order a meal and enjoy it at one of the small tables or while strolling around the market. Tourists love to buy canned elk meat at this market.

Continue on to Ouspenski Cathedral. This red-brick cathedral was built on a hill in the late 19th century. It is impossible to miss it from the market square. 

To round off your day in Helsinki, head to Café regatta for a little immersion in Scandinavian culture. Café regatta is located in a small red wooden cottage by the water. Only 4 tables are available inside, however, you can find plenty of seats outside with an amazing view over the sea and even a fire pit. They serve lunch and their cinnamon buns are to die for! You can even buy sausages and grill them yourself with the café fire pit. Grab a warm drink and sit by the water to watch the Finns dip into the frozen sea and go back to the sauna.

After this lovely break, we went back to the city center to explore it a bit further but also check the permanent Christmas shops and the shop dedicated to the Finnish cartoon Momin that Toni grew up with. After that, it was time for us to head back to Tallinn.