Day tour in Helsinki - in the dark
Mar 14, 2018, 1:55 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 969
Day tour in Helsinki - in the dark
Doing some advanced planning here, but was thinking of taking a longer layover in Helsinki to do a 3-4 hour tour of the city. However, we will be landing in HEL at 16:00 on a December afternoon, which will be around sunset.
Is it still worth doing a tour of Helsinki when it's dark out?
Thanks.
(Flight times don't allow for a tour on the outbound journey.)
Is it still worth doing a tour of Helsinki when it's dark out?
Thanks.
(Flight times don't allow for a tour on the outbound journey.)
Mar 14, 2018, 7:50 am
#2
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: KBOS
Programs: BA GfL
Posts: 921
Get yourself to Senate Square and check out the Christmas market; they're open late. There's also a small one across from Stockmann (department store) on Aleksanterinkatu. The string of lights floating above Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie streets set the Christmas spirit. The Nordics do a great job of celebrating darkness. You should also check out the (Christmas) window displays at Stockmann. Also there will be several indoor pop up stores on Aleksanterinkatu that sell Christmas items. If you get chilly, you can always grab a mug of mulled wine from the Christmas shops.
Last edited by Peregrine415; Mar 14, 2018 at 8:08 pm
Mar 14, 2018, 8:08 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Helsinki
Programs: AY Platinum
Posts: 303
I think that's good advice. December is a quite dark month anyway even between sunrise and sunset. If you're lucky, there will be some snow and it will be less dark but in each case, there will be Christmas lights and decorations everywhere so I think the city should look nice despite the dark season and time of the day.
Besides we'll be coming in from Iceland.
Apr 2, 2018, 3:23 pm
#5
Join Date: Apr 2018
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 8
Yes! I agree! I've been to Helsinki in the wintertime and there is still lots going on. They are very big on Christmas markets, and there will be lots of places to get good mulled wine! And if you get really cold--Helsinki has a burgeoning beer scene. Look up a few of the local breweries before you go and you can always duck into one for a flight of local brews! : )
