We decided to depart the St. Peter Line cruise in Helsinki rather than returning to Stockholm. Had we not done so, we would have had only about six hours in this lovely Scandinavian capital and missed out on an awesome hotel. As our entire European leg was a last minute decision, we were afraid that we’d have difficulty securing accommodation in Helsinki’s city center. Lucky for us, Glo Hotel Kluuvi had availability and we were greeted with the utmost hospitality.

After taking a quick tram directly from the ferry port to the Glo Kluuvi, we checked into our fantastic Glo Luxe Suite and took off to explore Helsinki.

Need to explore Helsinki in one day? No problem! Here are 5 things you must do while visiting Helsinki:

1. Temppeliaukio Church (Church in the Rock)

If you’re staying in the city center and want to explore Helsinki in one day, hop on a tram and make your way to Temppeliaukio, otherwise known as the Church in the Rock, before exploring the rest of the city. Carved underground, into the rock itself, this church is quite special. Go there before noon and you’ll find a sunlight House of Worship! This church should be visited by Believers and non-Believers alike, as it's an architectural masterpiece.

2. Töölönlahti Park

Walk from Tempeliaukio to Töölönlahti and stroll along the flat path surrounding Töölö Bay. The park is a lovely oasis set within Helsinki that offers beautiful views and a relaxing afternoon.

Since you will be on-the-go trying to explore Helsinki in one day, break for a “Business Lunch” and eat at Pompier! Their all-you-can-eat lunch buffet was as healthy and filling as it gets. 

3. Helsinki Cathedral

If there’s one landmark that comes to mind when thinking about Helsinki, it’s its pristine Cathedral. Built in the 1830s, this Cathedral stands at Helsinki’s center and is visited by numerous tourists. Despite being labeled a tourist attraction, the Cathedral is still regularly used for services and special events.

4. Uspenski Cathedral

The Uspenski Cathedral is said to be the largest Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. Designed by a Russian architect, and plated with a golden interior, this should definitely be included on your “church tour” through Helsinki. Entry is free of charge.

5. Suomenlinna

The UNESCO-deemed military fortress, Suomenlinna, offers a beautiful escape from the city. Take a quick and easy ferry to Suomenlinna and spend a few hours exploring Helsinki’s main fortress and naval base. This fortress once served under the rule of Sweden and Russia before Finland finally attained its independence in 1917.

Where to Sleep?

Well, the Glo Kluuvi of course! We were truly blown away by this hotel. The hotel itself is about as centrally located as it gets, and within walking distance to all of the key sites. If it’s too hot or your legs are too tired though, the tram stop is right around the corner. Our Glo Luxe room was absolutely beautiful.

Aside from the ridiculously comfortable beds and spaciousness of the room itself, it also had a nice couch and coffee table, desk, flatscreen TV, fast WiFi, and ample outlets to get plenty of charging done. The toilet and shower were in two different areas of the room and came with the most comfortable hotel slippers I’ve ever seen.

The Glo Kluuvi also had a fabulous gym and spa center for those looking to get a nice workout or relax some.

Each morning breakfast was served in the room adjacent to reception. They had everything someone could want for breakfast, but my favorite was that they had the freshest of fresh jams! I couldn’t get over how phenomenal the blueberry jam was.

When we checked out of the Glo Kluuvi, we only had to walk about ten minutes to reach the port for our ferry to Tallinn — it was just too easy! If you’re looking to explore the sites of Helsinki, know that you’ll have a fantastic bed waiting for you upon your return at the Glo Kluuvi!

Want To Explore Helsinki In One Day? Pin It Please!

**Special thanks to Glo Hotel Kluuvi for sponsoring our stay. As always, all opinions are my own.