RunCity

Helsinki on foot: a self-guided walking route

This route takes you past 10 of Helsinki's best-known sights, including Sibelius Monument, Temppeliaukio (Rock Church), Kamppi Chapel of Silence and more. It is about 9.5 km on foot, roughly 3 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Follow the list on your own, or play it as a free GPS checkpoint game with RunCity and race the clock on the Helsinki leaderboard.

  • 10Stops
  • about 9.5 kmDistance
  • 3 hoursWalking
  • about 77 minRunning
Play Helsinki in RunCity

Free during launch. Runs in your phone's browser; the app is in English, German and Hungarian.

Helsinki
Photo: Bahnfrend · CC BY-SA 4.0

This route crosses Helsinki from the Sibelius Monument in its seaside park to the harbour, about 9.5 km. It starts at the steel-pipe Sibelius sculpture and reaches Temppeliaukio, the church cut into solid rock, and the curved wooden Kamppi Chapel of Silence. The stone lantern-bearers of the Central Station and the wave-roofed Oodi library are next door to each other.

Senate Square and the white cathedral at the top of its steps lead down to the Market Square and the Havis Amanda fountain, then along the Esplanadi park past Runeberg's statue. The red-brick Uspenski Cathedral looks over the harbour, and the bonus stop is Löyly, a wooden public sauna on the seafront where you can swim in the sea year round. Trams cover the longer gaps, and the ferries to Suomenlinna leave from the Market Square.

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Download the route as GPX (for Komoot, Strava or a watch)

The stops

A suggested order. In the game you can visit them in any order.

  1. Sibelius Monument

    Sibelius Monument Photo

    The steel pipe organ sculpture.

    Photo: Tappinen · CC BY-SA 3.0

  2. Temppeliaukio (Rock Church)

    Temppeliaukio (Rock Church) Photo

    The copper dome from the outside.

    Photo: Jens Strauß · CC BY-SA 4.0

  3. Kamppi Chapel of Silence

    Kamppi Chapel of Silence Photo

    The wooden curved chapel exterior.

    Photo: Vadelmavene · CC BY-SA 4.0

  4. Helsinki Central Station stone men

    Helsinki Central Station stone men Photo

    One of the lantern-bearing statues at the entrance.

    Photo: SebastianJFromTheBurg · CC BY-SA 4.0

  5. Oodi Central Library

    Oodi Central Library Photo

    The glass front entrance with the wave-shaped roof.

    Photo: Cope Baronet · CC BY-SA 4.0

  6. Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square

    Helsinki Cathedral, Senate Square Photo

    The cathedral steps with the Alexander II statue in front.

    Photo: Manster323 · CC0

  7. Market Square (Kauppatori), Havis Amanda

    Market Square (Kauppatori), Havis Amanda Photo

    The Havis Amanda fountain statue.

    Photo: Jean-Pierre Dalbéra from Paris, France · CC BY 2.0

  8. Esplanadi park, Runeberg statue

    Esplanadi park, Runeberg statue

    The park boulevard with the statue of the national poet.

    Photo: Vadelmavene · CC BY-SA 4.0

  9. Uspenski Cathedral

    Uspenski Cathedral Photo

    The red-brick façade with the golden domes.

    Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

  10. Löyly sauna waterfront

    Löyly sauna waterfront Bonus

    The wooden public sauna on the seafront.

    Photo: Vadelmavene · CC BY-SA 4.0

Play Helsinki in RunCity

Leaderboard

    Questions

    Can you see Helsinki on foot in one day?

    Yes. The 10 stops on this route add up to about 9.5 km, roughly 3 hours at an easy pace with short stops. Some stops are far apart, so you may want public transport for a leg.

    Is this self-guided walking tour free?

    Yes. The route and map on this page are free, and the RunCity game for Helsinki is free during launch.

    How does the RunCity game work in Helsinki?

    Open Helsinki in RunCity, walk to a stop and tap Validate: your phone's GPS confirms you are there. Some stops also ask for a photo. Timed runs go on the Helsinki leaderboard.

    Where does the route start?

    This page suggests starting at Sibelius Monument and finishing at Löyly sauna waterfront. In the game you can take the stops in any order.

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