Ok, well, almost free.

I have just returned from a near week of sun-drenched Nordic summer bliss, and I must say I was thoroughly impressed. Helsinki is not blessed with an abundance of graceful architecture; however, beneath the surface is a cosmopolitan city full of joie de vivre that really inspired me. My view might be a bit different should I be plunged into the darkness of a cold Finnish winter, but from what I gather the Finns make do regardless of the weather.

Helsinki, alongside the rest of Scandinavia and the Nordics, has a terrible reputation of being an expensive experience, a status well earned. High airfares, food and drink tax, and prices in the shops will leave your credit cards feeling a bit overstretched. But there is no reason to worry – in Helsinki, some of the best things on offer are free (well, almost):

- Suomenlinna: only €4 gets you a return ticket on the ferry from the market square in Helsinki to this set of islands. Skip the museums and spend the day playing around on the old fortifications, walking through tunnels, and laying around on the rocks on the shoreline. Locals fill ferry after ferry, arms full with all the picnic gear. The amazing bit is that there is plenty of room for everyone.

- Keskuspuisto (Central Park): it is said that you can walk all the way from Helsinki to the top of Finland without leaving a park or forest. If that sounds like your bag, I would suggest starting here. Although I was disappointed by the city’s architecture, walking around the two large lakes here just north of the central station offer stunning views both day and night as well as highlighting some of the most popular attractions (the Olympic Stadium, the Opera, and Finlandia Hall).

- Eduskuntatalo (Parliament Building): the city offers free tours on the weekends. Check the visitors’ centre website for schedule and details

- Museums: the following museums offer free admission: Finnish Architecture Museum, National Museum of Finland (on Tuesday evenings), Bank of Finland Museum

- Churches: none of the main churches charge admission: Lutheran Cathedral, Temppeliaukio (the Church in the Rock), Vanhakirkko (the Old Church), or Upenski Cathedral

- Saunas: with the exception of cut-rate hostels and the like, almost all hotels in Finland offer a sauna as part of the room rate. Those that do not will often offer free or discounted passes to nearby facilities. As we all know, the sauna is at the core of the Finnish experience, so take advantage.

Do not be scared of high prices – check out Helsinki’s tourism bureau homepage to choose a season, then book. For finding good fares to Helsinki, check out Blue 1 (part of the SAS Group).

“Sunset” in Helsinki – Copyright by Andrew Hayes