We Had Just 16 Hours in Helsinki: Here’s Where We Stayed and What We Did

Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you purposely choose a longer layover. That’s exactly what we did this summer when I redeemed 30,000 American Airlines AAdvantage miles per person to fly my family from Naples, Italy to Toronto, Canada on Finnair. Instead of taking the shortest connection, I booked an itinerary with a 16-hour layover in Helsinki, Finland so we could break up the journey and introduce our kids to a new country.

Our first flight departed Naples on June 30, 2026 and arrived in Helsinki just after midnight on July 1. With our connecting flight to Toronto scheduled for 4:50 p.m. that afternoon, we needed somewhere comfortable to sleep and a plan to see a little of the city before heading back to the airport.

I booked the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel through Hotels.com, and although our stay was short, we managed to get a good night’s sleep, explore some of Helsinki’s most famous attractions and discover some delicious Finnish treats.

Getting From Helsinki Airport to the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel

Our Finnair flight landed at Helsinki Airport at 12:10 a.m., and we arrived at the gate at 12:16 a.m. Despite the late hour, the airport was easy to navigate, and one of the first things that caught my attention was how nice the bathrooms were. They even piped in the sounds of birds chirping, which was a surprisingly relaxing touch. I wish more airports would do this!

Another thing that stood out was the sky. Even though it was around midnight, it wasn’t nearly as dark as you’d expect. Finland’s long summer days are something special, and we were also treated to an amazing strawberry moon. Between the unusual light and the beautiful sky, our first impressions of Helsinki were already memorable.

We decided to take a Bolt to our hotel rather than deal with public transportation after midnight. The designated rideshare pickup area required a bit of walking, so keep that in mind if you’re traveling with young children or have a lot of luggage. Our ride cost €22.60 after a small discount, which I thought was an excellent deal for a family of four with bags. The drive took us into the city, where we’d booked a room at the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel.

Travel tip: Both Bolt and Uber operate in Helsinki, so compare prices before booking. We found Bolt convenient and reasonably priced, although the drivers we encountered weren’t particularly friendly or helpful with luggage.

Checking Into the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel at 1 A.M.

We arrived at the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel at approximately 1 a.m. The front entrance was locked, which isn’t unusual for hotels late at night, but it was a little unsettling when we first pulled up. The immediate surroundings didn’t make the best first impression either, especially at that hour, although we didn’t encounter any problems.

Fortunately, the hotel clerk was friendly and welcoming, and we were able to check in without any issues. After a long day that began on the Italian island of Ischia, followed by a 90-minute ferry ride, a taxi to Naples Airport and a three-hour flight, all we wanted was a comfortable bed.

The Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel is located at Ruoholahdenranta 3, near Helsinki’s waterfront. It’s not right in the middle of the main tourist attractions, but it’s close enough that getting around by car is relatively quick and inexpensive. For our short stay, that worked out perfectly.

Our Room: Two King Beds and a Great Night’s Sleep

The best part of our hotel stay was the room. We had two king-size beds, which felt downright luxurious after a long travel day with two kids.

Even better, the beds had separate duvets, something you frequently find in Northern Europe. I’m a big fan of this setup because nobody has to fight over the covers, and everyone can sleep at their preferred temperature.

We all slept well, which was really the most important thing considering how little time we had in Helsinki. One thing worth mentioning is that the curtains weren’t completely blackout, and that’s particularly noticeable in Finland during the summer when daylight lasts well into the night. If you’re a light sleeper, you might want to bring an eye mask.

The room also had a television with approximately 22 channels, but there wasn’t much for English-speaking visitors. I only found a couple of English-language options, including BBC, and nothing that would interest our kids.

Fortunately, we weren’t there to watch television. We just needed a comfortable place to sleep before exploring the city.

What About Breakfast?

Breakfast wasn’t included in our hotel reservation, although the hotel’s buffet looked quite good. The Radisson Blu Seaside offers a breakfast buffet with hot and cold options, and the hotel had advertised a discounted breakfast price of €26 per person when ordered in advance.

For a family of four, that could add up quickly, especially when you only have a few hours to explore a new city. Rather than spend our limited time and money eating at the hotel, we decided to head into Helsinki and find something local. I’m glad we did because we ended up having a much more memorable morning.

Taking a Bolt to Helsinki’s Famous Market Square

After checking out, we ordered another Bolt and headed to Market Square, known locally as Kauppatori. The ride took approximately 10 minutes and cost around €7, which was a bargain compared to what a similar ride might cost in many major American cities.

Market Square is one of Helsinki’s most popular attractions, located right along the harbor. It’s filled with vendors selling fresh produce, local foods, souvenirs and other Finnish specialties. There are also beautiful waterfront views and boats coming and going, giving the area a lively atmosphere.

We bought fresh strawberries for €7 and apple-filled donuts for €5. The strawberries were delicious, and there’s something special about eating fresh local fruit while standing in a market in a country you’ve never visited before. It was exactly the kind of simple experience I’d hoped our kids would enjoy during our layover.

Travel tip: If you’re visiting Helsinki during the summer, make time for Market Square. You don’t need hours to enjoy it, and it’s a great place to pick up a quick breakfast or snack while experiencing a little local culture.

Walking to Helsinki Cathedral

After exploring Market Square, we walked a couple of blocks to Helsinki Cathedral, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. The impressive white cathedral sits above Senate Square and is one of those buildings that looks even better in person than it does in photographs.

One of the things I appreciated about Helsinki was how easy it was to explore several major attractions on foot. We didn’t have a lot of time, but we also didn’t feel the need to rush from one place to another. We could simply walk around, take photos and enjoy being somewhere new.

The kids got to see another famous European landmark, and we were able to experience a little of Helsinki’s architecture and atmosphere without committing to a full-day sightseeing tour. Sometimes that’s all you need to get a feel for a city and decide whether you’d like to return.

Visiting Stockmann and Discovering Finnish Chocolate

From Helsinki Cathedral, we walked a few more blocks to Stockmann, the famous Finnish department store. If you enjoy visiting grocery stores when you travel, as I do, this is a place you shouldn’t miss.

Stockmann has a fantastic grocery store in the basement, and we had a great time browsing the different foods and products. One of the things I always recommend doing in a foreign country is visiting a local supermarket. It’s an inexpensive way to learn about the culture, discover new snacks and pick up souvenirs that people will actually use or eat.

We stocked up on Karl Fazer chocolate, one of Finland’s most famous brands. The classic milk chocolate comes in a distinctive blue wrapper, and it’s delicious. If you’re a fan of Cadbury chocolate, you’ll probably enjoy Karl Fazer, although I thought it had its own distinct flavor. We bought plenty to bring home, and it’s one of those treats I’d happily seek out again.

Travel tip: Instead of buying all your souvenirs at the airport, stop by a local grocery store. You’ll often find better prices and a much more interesting selection of chocolates, candies and other regional specialties.

Getting Back to the Hotel and Airport

After our quick sightseeing adventure, we took another Bolt back to the hotel to collect our luggage. That’s when we ran into one of the few frustrating parts of our Helsinki visit.

We ordered a Bolt to take us to the airport, but when the driver arrived, there wasn’t enough room in the trunk for our bags because he had a bar or other equipment taking up valuable space. We ended up having to cancel the ride, which resulted in a €6 charge.

We then ordered a larger vehicle, thinking that would solve the problem. Unfortunately, the next car had a similar issue, although this driver was able to move the obstruction and make room for our luggage. The ride to the airport cost approximately €33.

One thing I noticed during our short stay was that several of our rideshare drivers weren’t particularly friendly. Most didn’t get out of the car to help with luggage, which was disappointing when traveling with kids and multiple bags. Of course, that’s only our experience over a handful of rides and shouldn’t be taken as a reflection of all Helsinki drivers.

Travel tip: If you’re traveling with several large suitcases, don’t assume that ordering a standard rideshare vehicle will provide enough trunk space. Even larger vehicles can have equipment or personal belongings taking up room. Consider booking an XL vehicle or arranging a taxi with confirmed luggage capacity, especially when you have a flight to catch.

Is the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel a Good Choice for a Helsinki Layover?

For our purposes, the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel worked out well. We arrived around 1 a.m., checked in without any problems and had a comfortable room with two king-size beds. Everyone slept well, and the hotel’s location made it easy to reach the city’s main attractions by rideshare.

There were a few drawbacks. The immediate surroundings weren’t particularly inviting when we arrived late at night, the curtains weren’t completely blackout and the television had very limited English-language programming. Breakfast also wasn’t included in our rate, although that turned out to be a blessing in disguise because it encouraged us to get out and explore the city.

If you’re looking for a hotel where you can walk out the front door and immediately find yourself surrounded by Helsinki’s most famous attractions, you might prefer staying closer to Market Square or the city center. But if you want a comfortable room near the waterfront with relatively easy access to the airport and downtown, the Radisson Blu Seaside is worth considering.

Would I Book a 16-Hour Helsinki Layover Again?

Absolutely! In fact, I’d love to return to Helsinki and spend several days exploring Finland. Our visit was incredibly short, but we managed to see the waterfront, visit Market Square, admire Helsinki Cathedral, shop at Stockmann and enjoy some delicious Finnish strawberries, donuts and chocolate.

What I loved most was being able to introduce our kids to another country without adding a separate trip. We were already traveling from Italy to Canada, so choosing a longer connection gave us an opportunity to experience somewhere new for the cost of a hotel room and a few inexpensive rides.

After our morning of sightseeing, we headed back to Helsinki Airport for our 4:50 p.m. Finnair flight to Toronto. We arrived in Canada that evening, where the temperature was a sweltering 92°F (33°C), quite a contrast from our brief stop in Northern Europe.