After a grueling 12-hour flight from the tropical heat of Singapore, I was grateful to stretch my legs in the serene Helsinki Airport during my layover en route to Reykjavik, Iceland. Little did I know that this Finnish “interlude” would offer a tantalizing preview of the beauty, design, and culinary delights awaiting me at my final destination. In this post we talk about An Interlude in Helsinki I – Stopover from Singapore to Reykjavik.
With over six hours until my connecting flight, I decided to take advantage of the Finnish airport’s incredibly generous policy allowing layover passengers to exit and explore nearby Helsinki for free. After clearing customs and immigration, I headed to the airport’s efficient transportation center.
Easy Access to Downtown Helsinki
Getting from Helsinki Airport into the heart of the city could not have been easier or more affordable. There are numerous options like rental cars, taxis, ride shares and local buses, but I opted for the classic Finnish experience: the train.
A affordable train ticket to Helsinki’s city center cost around €5 roundtrip, with the handy Finnair City Center just steps from arrival terminals. In under 30 minutes, I was whisked into downtown Helsinki and the Finnair shuttle bus dropped me off at the perfect base to start exploring: Senate Square.
I emerged into this grand plaza surrounded by neoclassical late 19th century buildings like the domed Helsinki Cathedral and Government Palace. With vivid green domes and columns contrasting the warm honey-colored stone facades, everything seemed to sparkle under the sunny spring skies after the dreary Singapore rains.
A Design Lover’s Delight
As the capital and largest city of one of the world’s global design meccas, Helsinki is a paradise for anyone interested in traditional Nordic design, sleek minimalism, or cutting-edge Finnish fashion.
My first stop was Design District Helsinki, a cluster of streets brimming with concept stores, vintage shops, and exceptional Finnish brands from classics like Marimekko to avant garde Helsinki labels. I spent a blissful hour exploring shops filled with iconic Scandinavian housewares, ceramics and furnishings that exemplified the region’s world-famous clean, functional and nature-inspired aesthetic.
After working up an appetite browsing, it was time to fuel up in proper Finnish fashion: open-faced smoked salmon sandwiches and rich locally-roasted artisan coffee at charming sidewalk cafe. As I savored the briny, creamy flavors and bright acidity of my lunch, I felt energized for more exploration.
Next up was another required stop for design lovers: Artek. This legendary Finnish houseware company founded in 1935 basically defined “rational” Scandinavian modernism and set the bar for ergonomics, sustainability and aesthetics with iconic designs like Alvar Aalto’s bent wood stools and sleek “L-leg” furniture. The gorgeous flagship store showcased a masterclass in Finnish design and craftsmanship.
As I wandered Helsinki’s compact and walkable city center, it seemed like every corner revealed more architectural gems both old and new. Centuries-old structures and modern buildings seamlessly blended with cleverly designed parks, plazas and pedestrian zones.
Discovering Finnish Cuisine
After all that walking and gawking at incredible sights, I worked up an appetite for some hearty Finnish cuisine. Following the advice of a friendly local, I headed to Old Market Hall, an indoor food hall dating back to 1889.
This lively market was a smorgasbord of classic Finnish flavors and specialties like fresh arctic seafood, regional cheeses and charcuterie, ruis bread, seasonal produce, and sweet treats. After tasting and grazing my way through the various vendors, I left with a loaded paper bag full of savory snacks and sweet indulgences to enjoy later.
With a few delightful hours left before catching my flight, I hopped on a ferry for a short cruise to explore the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress located on a cluster of islands off Helsinki. Dating back to 1748, this exceptionally preserved UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into Finland’s storied history through its network of coastal fortifications, dry docks, cantinas and underground tunnels.
Helsinki’s Maritime Magic
On the breezy 15-minute ferry ride over, I got my first glimpse of Helsinki’s beachy, maritime vibes. The sky was a brilliant blue and the coastline positively sparkled with the city’s beautiful buildings and parks juxtaposed against the backdrop of the Baltic Sea.
As we pulled up to the sturdy stone ramparts and cannons of Suomenlinna, it seemed frozen in time from centuries past. I half expected a peg-legged sea captain to greet me at the dock! Instead, I was met by a friendly guide leading a free walking tour around the island’s main fortifications.
With its remarkably intact network of stone walls, bridges, churches and bunkers, Suomenlinna offered a tangible connection to Finland’s past. Our guide deftly brought this living museum to life, describing everything from the Swedish and Russian troops that called it home to long-ago civilian life in the cannon-making workshops and bakeries.
I spent a few wonderfully relaxing hours wandering the quaint streets, absorbing sweeping sea views, and ducking into charming cafes and craft shops. With the lively artists’ community that now resides within the fortress walls, Suomenlinna felt equal parts living, breathing village and historic time capsule.
When it came time to reluctantly leave this idyllic sea escape and catch my connector to Reykjavik, I wished I could have extended my Helsinki layover even longer. In hindsight, this was just a tantalizing teaser of the incredible Nordic experiences, scenery and hospitality that awaited me in Iceland.
But that Helsinki interlude also served as the perfect palate cleanser before my next Arctic adventure. Emerging refreshed and recharged from the Helsinki streets and shores, I boarded my Iceland Air flight feeling worlds away from the steamy Singapore I had departed just a day earlier.
Helsinki Tips for Long Layovers:
• Check entry requirements – You’ll need a valid passport or Schengen region visa to exit the airport.
• Budget at least 4 hours for comfortably exploring the city
• Use the Finnair City Center and transportation services to access downtown
• Don’t miss the Design District, outdoor markets like Hakaniemi and Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
• Buy an affordable Helsinki Card for unlimited transit and entry to many sites
• Only bring essentials as you’ll need to go through airport security again
Whether you have a short layover or an entire week to spare, the lovely city of Helsinki makes for an ideal Nordic “intermission” en route to destinations like the magical land of fire and ice known as Iceland. Even if just for a few hours, the Finnish capital offers a tantalizing taste of fantastic design, food, architecture, and natural splendor. i hope this An Interlude in Helsinki I – Stopover from Singapore to Reykjavik post helps you.