A trip to Finland voted the world's happiest country for eight years in a row

From the moment we stepped into Heathrow’s No1 Lounge at Terminal 3, the tone was set. We were able to unwind properly before boarding with good food, quiet corners, and attentive service. Finnair’s check-in was seamless, and we were quickly through to the gate. Once onboard, the aircraft was pristine and modern — quiet, polished, and full of natural light. The cabin crew were professional yet warm, and their attention to detail made even our short-haul flight feel calm and elevated.

At Helsinki Airport, the entire arrivals process took under 20 minutes. Helsinki’s public transport system — integrated with the excellent HSL app — is slick, punctual, and easy to navigate. Just 45 minutes after landing, we were already checking into our first hotel: the cleverly restored and brilliantly located Scandic Grand Central Helsinki.

This hotel is tucked into the grand old buildings of the city’s Central Station, and its impact is instant. Vaulted ceilings, elegant corridors, and a relaxed but confident sense of style. Our connecting family rooms were spacious, immaculate, and filled with soft light — perfect for catching our breath. Breakfast was equally impressive: hot breakfast, cold smoked salmon, rye breads, fresh fruit, and proper porridge with lingonberries. A simple joy, and an excellent introduction to Finland’s clean, uncomplicated flavours.

The hotel’s bar and lounge area echoed the golden age of train travel with its warm art deco interiors, high-end touches, and soft jazz in the background. Stylish without being stiff, it set the tone for the trip: Finland is cool, calm, and confident — and Helsinki wears its elegance lightly.

Our second hotel, the Crowne Plaza Hesperia, was another standout. More contemporary in design, it’s perfectly positioned near the water and adjacent to Hesperia Park. The club floor and club suites were a great choice for families. Niko, the hotel manager, went out of his way to make our stay seamless, and it showed. Club Rooms offer lounge access, where breakfast, snacks, and refreshments are served daily in a calm, top-floor setting with views across the city. But the star feature? The hotel’s gym and wellness centre. It’s genuinely one of the best we’ve encountered in a city hotel — spacious, well-equipped, with a lovely pool, sauna, and spa area that makes it easy to unwind after a day of sightseeing.

And speaking of sightseeing — Helsinki is compact but filled with variety. Getting around was a breeze, and almost everything we wanted to see was within walking distance or a few stops on the tram. One of the first stops was the legendary Linnanmäki Amusement Park. With its charming mix of retro rides and modern thrills, it hit all the right notes. The 1951 wooden rollercoaster — the year the Helsinki Olympics finally took place after WWII — is a living piece of Finnish history and absolutely worth the queue. The kids couldn’t get enough of it.

Food played a big part in our experience, and we were lucky enough to join a guided Food Tour hosted by the warm and knowledgeable Maria. We explored both the traditional Old Market Hall and the more contemporary Hakaniemi Market, sampling Finnish breads topped with white fish and salmon, alongside local cheeses and pastries. A definite highlight was the sweet treat finale — Fazer chocolates and buttery buns fresh from the bakery. Informative, relaxed, and thoroughly delicious.

For a touch of the unusual, we made a stop at the Paradox Museum. Funny, interactive, and full of brilliant illusions, it was a welcome change of pace that had everyone laughing. Later that day, we visited the Museum of Finnish Architecture — much more accessible and engaging than expected, especially for families. We spent an afternoon at the world-renowned Oodi Central Library. This building deserves every accolade it receives. Designed as a cultural living room, it is part library, part creative space, part design statement. Whether you want to read, work, play with your kids, or just take a break, it’s a place where everyone is welcome.

Of course, no visit to Helsinki is complete without a few tours. We took a guided electric tuk-tuk tour with Juho from Helsinki TukTuk Tours, who was a brilliant storyteller — mixing humour, history, and hidden local knowledge. He showed us the city’s lesser-known corners, from Soviet-era apartment blocks to buzzing modern neighbourhoods. Later, we boarded a city highlights cruise, included with the Helsinki Card, and glided past Suomenlinna, the UNESCO-listed island fortress. Windswept and stoic, it delivered its fair share of drama. A walking tour on the island helps bring its history to life, and the views of Helsinki from the ramparts are beautiful.

Dining in Helsinki was consistently impressive. At Kuurna, a beloved neighbourhood bistro in Kruununhaka, the white fish and pepper steak were flawlessly cooked, and the mille-feuille dessert was rich without being heavy. The wine pairings were thoughtful and elevated the whole experience. At Restaurant Nokka, located in a converted waterfront warehouse, we were treated to a tasting menu that leaned deeply into local ingredients. The reindeer was earthy and tender, the king crab intensely fresh. Homemade birch stick ice creams, foraged by the chefs themselves, brought a gentle whimsy to the end of the meal. Our waitress Nicha was a font of knowledge and we were blown away with thecae they put into their entire food and drink offer.

One of our most adventurous and uplifting experiences — quite literally — was at Fööni, the indoor sky diving, wind tunnel centre near the city’s Redi Mall. Known as the most urban free-flight wind tunnel in the world, Fööni is also a world-record holder for the most indoor flyers in one go. It was well-organised, clean, and incredibly safe. It was an adrenaline-filled but beautifully inclusive moment — and one we won’t forget anytime soon.

To take things even higher, we booked a day trip to Tallinn on the Eckerö Line ferry. It’s only a couple of hours away, but feels like a completely different adventure. The onboard buffet was superb — full of Nordic favourites like herring, salmon, and potato salad — and the private cabin gave us space to stretch out. Kids loved the live music, karaoke bar and onboard shops, and we loved being able to relax and gaze at the sea. Tallin was quaint and fun but I would struggle with more than a few days there.

One of the absolute highlights, and something uniquely Finnish, was our visit to Allas Sea Pool. Set right on the Baltic shoreline, this modern sauna and swimming complex is a fusion of tradition and cool urban design. From just €25, guests have access to five saunas (including mixed options), heated sea pools, a seawater plunge, and clean, stylish changing facilities. There are places to sit with a drink or a meal overlooking the harbour. Watching locals plunge into the icy Baltic while others floated peacefully in the heated pool was a powerful moment. It was a reminder that Finland does things differently. More honestly. More simply. And with more joy.

That joy is perhaps why Finland continues to be ranked the happiest country in the world — an accolade it has held for an astonishing eight consecutive years. Clean streets, respectful public spaces, reliable infrastructure, and a calm, measured pace of life all contribute. It’s a country that’s stylish without being showy. Everywhere we went — from city libraries to fine dining restaurants — there was an emphasis on accessibility, thoughtfulness, and calm.

Leaving Helsinki, we felt grounded and recharged. It wasn’t just the activities or the scenery — it was the mindset. A sense of balance. Finland doesn’t try to dazzle with over-the-top attractions or overly curated tourism. Instead, it invites you to participate in its rhythm, taste its flavours, share its air, and just be. This wasn’t just a city break. It was a lesson in how to live well

Trip Supported By: Visit Finland (www.visitfinland.com) and Helsinki Partners (www.helsinkipartners.com)

Flights: Finnair (www.finnair.com) offers return fares from London Heathrow to Helsinki. Direct flights also from Manchester and Edinburgh.

Airport Lounge: No1 Lounge at Heathrow T3 from £40 per person. Helsinki’s Schengen lounge offers à la carte meals, a full bar, and sweeping runway views.POA

Accommodation:

• Scandic Grand Central Helsinki:https://www.scandichotels.com/en/hotels/scandic-grand-central-helsinki
• Crowne Plaza Hesperia: https://www.ihg.com/crowneplaza/hotels/us/en/helsinki/helmh/hoteldetail

Transport:

• HSL App: Real-time public transport and ticket access
• Helsinki Card: Unlimited travel and museum access (from around €51/adult)

Activities:

• Electric TukTuk Tour: www.helsinkituktours.fi
• City Highlights Cruise: Free with Helsinki Card
• Suomenlinna trip - Free with Helsinki Card
• Fööni Skydiving: Indoor flying for beginners and pros www.fooni.fi
• Allas Sea Pool & Saunas: around €23 includes five saunas and pools
• Eckerö Line Ferry to Tallinn: Cabin and buffet highly recommended around €30 for the return trip and €36 for the buffet

Dining:

• Kuurna: Refined Nordic bistro
• Nokka: Seasonal tasting menus with forest and sea flavours
• Oodi Library Cafeteria: Simple, fresh, and affordable

For more information on planning your trip to Helsinki, visit: www.visitfinland.com