A short, ferry ride brings you to Lonna Island, where the public sauna offers a quintessential, authentic experience. Once a base for the Russian Navy to store mines, the island has been transformed into a peaceful recreational haven. Offering two saunas overlooking the sea, guests climb one of the ladders, reminiscent of a kids treehouse, to experience true Finnish calmness. When the heat is no longer bearable, a dip into the frigid sea beckons to refresh the body and mind; awakening all senses to feel revitalized and become baptized as a true Fin. After your sauna and swim, the nearby Lonna Restaurant, serves exquisite seasonal Nordic cuisine crafted from local, organic ingredients.

On your second day, trade the city bustle for the historical depth of Suomenlinna, a sprawling sea fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site. Accessible by a short public ferry ride, this island district is a lively mix of nature, culture, and lets visitors explore a restored 1930s submarine at the Submarine Vesikko museum. For lunch, enjoy the welcoming and whimsical atmosphere at Restaurant Adlerfelt. Located within a magnificent 250-year-old building, the restaurant captures the spirit of Suomenlinna, providing those sweet, memorable moments where everything feels just right.

Back in the city, the afternoon offers a journey through the evolution of Finnish culture. A guided city tour will introduce you to the neoclassical beauty of Senate Square and the legendary Market Square, before contrasting this with Helsinki’s modern architectural marvels, such as the Kiasma Museum. No cultural tour of Helsinki is complete without a visit to Alvar Aalto’s Finlandia Hall and Oodi, the city’s central library. More than just a collection of books, Oodi is a library that fosters connection and collaboration. A living, functional, and architectural masterpiece, that serves as a communal meeting place for learning, work, and relaxation.

After a quick refresh, a visit to Dance House Helsinki invites guests to a diverse year-round program of dance and multidisciplinary performances. Finland’s leading venue dedicated to dance and contemporary performing arts offers a selection of world class performances along with workshops for the public and musical offerings. Dinner takes you to Nolla Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant which is a pioneer in zero-waste as every aspect of the menu is guided by a commitment to minimizing impact. Meaning ‘zero’ in Finnish, Nolla offers a fresh and seasonal a la carte menu, along with a chef’s choice menu and the opportunity to sit at the Chef’s Table for a behind the scenes experience.

Snooze your alarm, and make sure your blinds are closed shut, to avoid the early sunrise, before enjoying a mid-morning cycling tour with Pelago Bicycles. Riding through the city streets, then to Lauttasaari, also known as the official island of happiness, this tour pairs gorgeous views and fresh air with historical tidbits for a great experience. The tour culminates at Löyly, a great spot on a beautiful summer’s day to sit out on the terrace with views of the Gulf of Finland and enjoy classic dishes like Jasper’s Fish Soup and Sautéed Reindeer. The seaside restaurant also offers a private and public sauna for guests.

After your adventure across the city, the next stop is the Helsinki Design District. Spanning over 25 streets and nearly 200 design-forward establishments, this compact area is a living showcase of Finland’s rich design heritage and contemporary flair. From Artek 2nd Cycle, a store which buys and sells rediscovered furniture, lighting and other everyday objects, to glass and ceramics, the district offers an immersive experience into the world of Finnish Design. Walkable, welcoming and full of surprises (like Salakauppa, which means “The Secret Shop”), stop by Byroo Helsinki, a quaint neighborhood cafe, for a craft coffee or blue matcha alongside fresh pastries.

The visit culminates in true style with your last meal at Restaurant Grön. The second restaurant in Helsinki to achieve a second Michelin star (they had one Michelin star since 2018), Grön, which translates to Green in Swedish, offers a set menu based on the seasonal highest-quality Finnish and Nordic produce. This tiny nondescript restaurant features 16 seats and two seatings per evening, 5pm and 8pm, and the plant-forward menu is fully served by the chefs. The menu shifts with the seasons, yet the tomato tart and scallop dishes remain perennial favorites; and to accompany every meal, the restaurant’s current bread service features a warm potato bread. Whether a long-standing staple or a new seasonal addition, every plate is a true tribute to creativity, beautifully presented, and tasting as good as it looks.

By embracing both the heat of a seaside sauna and the quiet sophistication of stunning design and world-class food, you leave Helsinki with a renewed sense of clarity. A rare capital city that leaves each traveler with a sense of restoration and offers a perfect escape for those looking to find happiness not in doing more, but in experiencing it better.