Helsinki: Pastries, Parliament, Pizzas…

Our Helsinki adventure began with a game of real-life Tetris—bags versus boot. The taxi arrived right on time, but it was a wagon, not the van we were expecting, and getting all the bags in required a little creative manoeuvring. Once sorted, we set off for Rovaniemi Airport, surrounded by snowy landscapes and ready for coffee.

The flight to Helsinki was easy and uneventful, and within 30 minutes of landing, we were on the train to the city. From the station, a “quick” 10-minute walk to our luggage drop-off spot stretched into what felt like a half-marathon with suitcases. Case-dragging fatigue was setting in, and we were definitely over hauling bags around town.

Bags to the Barber

For the second time this trip, we used the Bounce app to find bag storage so we could roam the city hands-free. The storage location this time added a little spice to the story: a barbershop tucked away on a quiet backstreet. At first glance, it seemed sketchy. One employee was mid-hair wash while casually chatting to us about our luggage, and a tiny cat prowled around the space. But once inside, we spotted heaps of other stored bags and felt reassured. We took all our valuables just in case and stepped back out into the city.

On the walk over, we’d noticed a Vietnamese restaurant called Que Em, and it called us back for lunch. Pho for all! The vegan version was especially good—fresh, flavourful, and soul-warming.

With full bellies, it was pastry time (obviously). We headed to St. George Bakery, apparently the best in Helsinki. The pastries were nice—though to be fair, nothing compares to Portugal, Norway, or Denmark. Still, a sweet treat is a sweet treat.

Walking Tour in Helsinki

Next stop: walking tour! We met our guide Daniel, a Russian language and history student originally from Colorado. A bit louder and less tuned-in than other guides we’ve had, but undeniably passionate and knowledgeable. Over the next couple of hours, he walked us through Helsinki’s history and landmarks.

At Senate Square, we learned about Finland’s bilingual identity (Finnish and Swedish, though they’d rather forget the Swedish part) and how Helsinki was founded in the 1550s by Sweden’s King Gustav I to compete with Tallinn.

We saw the Prime Minister’s office and the stunning Helsinki Cathedral, a Lutheran church finished in the 1850s. Despite scaffolding marring its exterior, the interior’s beauty still shone through, especially the grand organ.

The nearby National Library of Finland was a hidden gem. After stashing our bags in lockers, we wandered its halls, marvelling at books dating back to the 1400s. The same architect designed both the library and cathedral. During WWII, books were stored in basement boxes to protect them from bombing—thankfully, the building remained untouched.

As we strolled toward the Presidential Palace, we stumbled upon a changing of the guard. Not quite the pomp of Buckingham Palace, but still a fun surprise. From a distance, we saw the Uspenski Cathedral—its 750,000 red bricks originally from a Crimean fortress. Built in the 1860s, it later became the main Orthodox Church after Finland’s independence.

Esplanade Park brought a breath of fresh air—literally. With the sun shining (despite the chill), we soaked in the spring atmosphere among blooming daffodils.

Daniel showed us old photos of the park from 150 years ago—surprisingly little has changed. A short walk then brought us to the impressive Oodi Library. This place is something else: a modern haven where locals can use everything from sewing machines to recording studios, gaming consoles, and even musical instruments—all for free. The top floor felt like a warm solarium. And just like that, our guide disappeared into the city.

Retrieving the Bags

After snapping a photo by the Helsinki sign outside the library, we made our way back to the apartment, collecting our bags on the way—which were all present and accounted for, to our delight! The boys hit the gym while I hit the shops. With no more baggage weight restrictions (finally!), I took full advantage of the end-of-winter sales and stocked up on activewear.

We wrapped up the day with dinner at Ristorante Argegno, a cozy and authentic pizza spot right next door. Delicious wood-fired pizzas, crisp salads, and the perfect way to end a packed and wonderful day in Helsinki.