Today, the NHL Global Series event between Seattle and Carolina in Helsinki was announced. The teams will face each other twice on November 12th and 14th, and the games will be played at Veikkaus Areena. This legendary ice hall serves as the home arena for Helsinki Jokerit and has hosted many hockey games over the years.

The teams and fans will likely arrive in Helsinki on Monday, November 9th, 2026. Many will want to see the various sights Helsinki is known for. In addition to the food, you should definitely experience a sauna and explore the local Nordic architecture. I have listed my personal favorite activities to recommend for those traveling to Helsinki.

1.⁠ ⁠Hanging out, walking, and coffee in the surroundings of the Market Square in the city center.  Way Bakery / Old Market Hall, Helsinki Cathedral, Bistro Bardot, Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Esplanade Park, House of the Estates, Bank of Finland. Find more tips here: https://www.myhelsinki.fi/

2.⁠ ⁠Sauna and dining at the same time on the mainland. Löyly. A popular restaurant with a great sauna and access to sea swimming. Reservations: https://www.loylyhelsinki.fi/en

3.⁠ ⁠Sauna and dining at the same time on an island. Lonna. A popular restaurant and a beautiful spot near the city center, accessible by boat; offers sea swimming. Reservations: https://www.lonna.fi/en/

4.⁠ ⁠Helsinki restaurants. Helsinki is the food capital of Europe. The following Helsinki restaurants are featured on the new TOP 50 lists. See the full list here: https://www.hs.fi/ruoka/art-2000011868848.html – my personal recommendations *

5.⁠ ⁠Suomenlinna Island. Located near the city center, this is a historic UNESCO World Heritage site. If the weather is nice, you can just stay outdoors and walk around, but if the weather is bad, head into the restaurants and indoor spaces. NOTE! It is not a single castle but rather a sea fortress island. Additional information: https://suomenlinna.fi/en/)

6.⁠ ⁠Helsinki Museums. Ateneum is the largest and most beautiful. Tickets: https://ateneum.fi/en/. Other popular museums include Kiasma, the museum of contemporary art. Tickets: https://kiasma.fi/en/. Architecturally, the Parliament House and Finlandia Hall are magnificent. For a smaller museum, check out the Design Museum, which showcases Finnish architecture and design. Tickets: https://admuseo.fi/en/. Alvar Aalto's home museum. Tickets: https://www.alvaraalto.fi/en/architecture/the-aalto-house/ 

7.⁠ ⁠Oodi Central Library is a popular destination. It is a public library open to everyone and a stunning new building. From the top floor, you can see other central Finnish landmarks. More information: https://oodihelsinki.fi/en/

8.⁠ ⁠For some fun, there is ALLAS SEA POOL in the heart of Helsinki. It features saunas, the SkyWheel, and a restaurant. It is a trendy and cozy spot popular among young people. Tickets: https://www.allaspool.fi/en/

9.⁠ ⁠Shopping locations are almost all found along Aleksanterinkatu. You can start your tour at the Stockmann department store and walk down Aleksanterinkatu. For example, Stockmann Herkku, located in the basement, sells chocolates and other Finnish souvenirs. Marimekko, Artek Helsinki, Cos, Kämp Galleria, Beamhill, Beam, etc.

10.⁠ ⁠Helsinki is located by the sea, so the weather greatly affects how enjoyable it is. Many things in Helsinki are nearly free. You can experience quite a lot on a small budget if you head slightly outside the city center or utilize public services. For example, saunas in public swimming halls cost very little. The city offers a wide variety of sports and cultural activities. You can usually find all upcoming events on the City of Helsinki’s official website. For more details, visit: https://www.myhelsinki.fi/helsinki-event-calendar/

I have lived in Helsinki for over ten years myself. I know the city and its various spots well, so feel free to reach out on X and let me know how I can help. I would be happy to share more things to do here! 🇫🇮