What can I do in Helsinki for a few hours?

Question

En route to another location, I have 5.5 and 8 hour stopovers in Helsinki. Rather than just waste time in the airport, I want to go out and see what of Helsinki I can. I am going in late winter (Dec 23 and Jan 4) and arriving in the morning and leaving in the afternoon. Can anyone suggest what to look at while I'm there, how to get into & around town, etc? And especially if it is possible to see the aurora? Or any special Christmas events? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot!

Answer 1

Hi,

Well, There lots of museum in Helsinki,
if you want you can visit one of them,

The Central Art Archives (CAA) is the custodian of primary documentation and library resources on Finnish art intended mainly for the use of art historians and scholars. The CAA also engages in research, publishing and exhibition projects related to its collections. The archives and affiliated Library of the Finnish National Gallery are based at two locations in Helsinki, in the Ateneum building and at the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, the latter specialising in photographic and library resources on contemporary art.


Ref : http://www.helsinki.fi/en/index/taidejakulttuuri.html

Regards and Have Fun

Answer 2

You asked about Aurora Borealis especially, so here's some help. Because the oval doesn't extend symmetrically, in the case of Finland this rotation means the best time for viewing the Northern Lights is around 10.30 in the evening (Standard Time).
Some places to check this: the website Today’s Space Weather, which provides an estimate in easily understood layman’s language of the situation over the next three days. Another site, http://www.spaceweather.com which is aimed specifically at the general public and provides an excellent commentary on near space phenomena, includes precise details of predicted sightings of the Northern Lights.

About your several hours free time, maybe it's worth investing in a Helsinki card, since it will save you a lot of trouble planning this short period. It is for 24 hours. What you can do with it - (it costs 21€): you can visit a lot of the museums for free, you can use public transport, get special deals in shops and restaurants and even the sightseeing tour is free with it. I think the card is worth it, if only for public transportation and the sightseeing:)