Helsinki Walking Tour - Small Group
Description
Would you like to explore Helsinki like a local? Keep on reading! Forget those crowded and impersonal touristy tours and join this walking tour to experience Helsinki in a fun and informative way. All the tours are be led by me, Jonna, a local helsinkian and the founder of Rento Helsinki Tours. You’ll get to explore Helsinki’s sights at an easy-going pace and learn about the country’s history, culture, and society. You’ll get to ask all of your questions, and as the group size is limited to 8, you’ll get more interaction with your guide. You’ll hear stories that only a person born and raised in Finland would know about. After the tour, you’ll know why is there a statue of a Russian Czar in the most famous square of Helsinki? Is Finland really the happiest country in the world? When do Finns gather in the market square to swim in a fountain? What’s the “unicorn block”? Is Finnish that difficult to learn? Join this tour to get a real idea of Helsinki, instead of the touristic one!
Tour Options
Itinerary
The most important square of the city and the postcard view of Helsinki. Here we'll see the Helsinki Cathedral, the old Senate, the University of Helsinki, the National Library and the Statue of Alexander the II. On the Senate Square you'll learn about Helsinki's past, how did the city develop from a tiny fisherman town into a bustling capital of Finland?
Helsinki's main sight, the mighty Helsinki Cathedral, inaugurated in 1852. Join this tour and you'll learn anecdotes about this famous building. The architect of Helsinki Cathedral actually hated Helsinki, what's the deal with that?What's the major religion of Finland? When do Finns gather to do picnics at the staircase in front of the cathedral?
The Bank of Finland, a building from 1883 right behind the Helsinki Cathedral. Here you'll meet te statue J.V Snellman, a 19th century poet and philosopher who influenced heavily to the nationalistic movement of pre-independent Finland. You'll also learn, why is there big bullet holes in Snellman's statue?
The House of the Estate is a stunning neo-renassaince building, were the different estates of 19th century Finland gathered to discuss politics. On this stop, you'll learn about Finland's political system.
The largest Orthodox Cathedral of North-Western Europe. Why is is located in a Lutheran country though?
This stop is dedicated to talk about SAUNA. Finns favorite past time, and that one thing that all the Finns share love towards. You'll learn about the importance of saunas in our every day life, and also you'll learn what is the sauna etiquette.
The famous Helsinki Market Square. Loved among tourists and locals. We'll pass through the market, and talk about Finnish Gastronomy. In the market square you'll also see the President's Palace and the Helsinki City Hall.
Picturesque Parisian style park in the heart of Helsinki. Here you'll meet the statue that seagulls love the most.
Helsinki Central Railway Station from 1919, by a famous Finnish architect, Eliel Saarinen. We'll pass by it and comment about the wide and incredible railway network of Finland. On the Railway Square you'll also see our National Gallery, Ateneum and the National Theater of Finland.
The last (and the best) stop of the tour. Oodi Central Library is considered one of the best public libraries of the world, and for me personally, I consider it my second living room. Have you ever seen a library with recording studios, 3-D printers, lunch restaurant, boardgames and sawing machines? Not to forget the books obviously. To finish the tour, you'll get an extensive library tour, and I promise you'll be amazed by this library.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(163)
Jonna was very knowledgeable and answered all our questions. She was friendly, a great storyteller of history, and made sure we were all comfortable (letting us pick sun or shade for several stops and ensuring we took routes that have fewer stairs as my step-dad has a hard time with them). She made sure to understand what we wanted out of the tour up front so she could deliver that (and more). We got to see and better understand several really interesting places and how the Finnish country has changed over time. Our whole group of 6 thought she did a fantastic job.
Thank you Michelle, it was great to meet you and your family. I had really fun on the tour as well. I hope you have a good time on the rest of your trip. Best, Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
This was an outstanding tour. Jonna was very friendly and knowledgeable. She provided great insight into Finnish history and culture. Highly recommended
Thank you for joining my tour, it was a pleasure to show you around Helsinki. I’m glad you enjoyd the tour. All the best to you! -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
Can we give 6 stars? This tour couldn’t be better, we were a small group of 3, which makes it very personal, Iona is an excellent guide, it’s like you meet a friend in Helsinki. We learned a lot, highly recommend it!
Thank you so much for all the good vibes, it was great to meet you both. All the best! -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
We had an absolutely amazing tour with Jonna today. She took us all around Helsinki and made the entire experience unforgettable. She is incredibly knowledgeable, highly professional, and shares so much fascinating information in such an engaging and interesting way. What truly makes her special is the incredible enthusiasm and energy she brings it’s contagious and unlike anything we’ve experienced before. We highly, highly recommend this tour and feel very lucky to have had Jonna as our guide.
Thank you so much for joining my tour. I had such a good time with you! Thank you for the good vibes and enjoy the rest of your trip. -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
We were originally booked to tour with Jonna but they were unwell so they offered to move us to the same tour with a different guide Emek, this was handled really smoothly without any issues, The actual tour was fantastic, Emek was really knowledgeable and showed us things that we wouldn't have seen had we just toured on our own, The library being one of the highlights, We learnt about the history and culture of Finland and gained an insight into life there, it was a great introduction to the city and Emek was able to suggest other things to do during our stay, Being part of a small group worked well as it was a nice to meet other travellers, the tour was not rushed and everyone got chance to ask questions and we even had time for coffee and cake. I would definitely recommend this tour !
Thank you for your review. Happy you enjoyed the tour with Emek when I was recovering from flu. All the best to you! -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
It was a very educational and exciting tour through downtown Helsinki. Jonna is a great guide. She quickly understood how to adapt to what is interesting and important for us. Thus, we learned a lot about the history, but especially about today's life in Finland and Helsinki. Two and a half hours is a perfect timeframe for the tour, and Jonna really made good use of the time. Finally, there were some tips for restaurants and other attractions in Helsinki. A perfect tour! Highly recommended.
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was a great tour with you guys! -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
Jonna was a wealth of knowledge on the history and sights of Helsinki. She was fun and engaging and kind. We had so much fun on our tour. From government to politics, sauna and food, Jonna explains it all. Thank you for the best tour of our time in Finland and thank you for your kindness and positive energy! - Patricia and Kyr
Thank you so much for your kind words Patricia and Kyr, it was a pleasure to show you my city. All the best to you! -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
Our guide Jenna minor only met, but exceeded our expectations. She was quite knowledgeable and really enjoys her job as a guide We highly recommend this tour when visiting Helsinki!!!!
Thank you for your kind words Bryan. It was nice to meet you both. Enjoy the rest of your trip! Best, Jonna Rento Helsinki Tours
Jonna is such an awesome person and a fantastic guide. Her energy is the perfect vibe and her tour of the city was informative and educational. I will absolutely reach out to her again next time I visit Helsinki!
Thank you very much for your kind words. I had such a good time with you all. Looking forward to meeting you again in Helsinki!
The was a superb walking tour. I was going to book another tour then I saw this one and read the reviews, all 5 star. I booked it for my wife, me and our two German “ daughters” ( our exchange students from 25 years ago) and her husband. Jonna was an outstanding guide. She was knowledgeable and had a great sense of humor. We did 6 or 7 different tours on our trip and this was one of the best, if not the best. We all would highly recommend it.
Thank you so much for your kind words Gary! It was a pleasure to meet you all, and I’m happy to hear you enjoyed my tour. I wish you all the best! -Jonna/Rento Helsinki Tours
