1. Golden Hours: Autumn Falls in Helsinki

Helsinki wears autumn like a well-loved coat. With the scent of earth and leaves in the air, the city becomes an open invitation to wonder and let go of time for a while. Here are three things to help you get into the season: 

• When Autumn arrives, Helsinki becomes a canvas of fiery reds and gold – this is ruska, Finland’s most colorful season. The best way to experience this stunning transformation?A fallen leaves walk through the city’s natural beauty, hear the crunch of leaves beneath your feet, and see nature’s colours at their peak.
  Pose for the diving sun, as Helsinki is a photographer’s paradise in autumn. Capture the city’s tranquil parks, the reflections in the waters, and the cozy streets bathed in warm light.
• Enjoy the end in Helsinki’s botanical gardens as the city slips into autumn’s embrace. Make your way to Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden, and don’t forget to stop by the glasshouse to catch a glimpse of tropical greenery while the autumn leaves swirl around you outside.

2.  Autumn lights & creative heights: find Helsinki’s heartbeat

• As autumn deepens, Helsinki’s creative heartbeat quickens. Find new depth to the city’s art scene this fall with these three picks:
• Amidst the decay, Helsinki flickers to life with the Helsinki International Film Festival – better known as Love & Anarchy. Bold, rebellious, and full of daring stories, it’s a festival that challenges how we see cinema – and the world.
• The days may grow darker, but the city doesn’t dare. Linnanmäki comes alive in a blaze of color at the Carnival of Light. Here fun meets fantasy, as the city’s beloved amusement park transforms into a wonderland of lights, music, and magic.
• Autumn calls for expression, and Helsinki Design Week does it best. The largest Design and Architecture festival in the Nordic countries turns the city into a playground of creation and capability. From fashion to furniture, here, you’ll find it all.

3. Sweat, sweep & feast: Helsinki’s seasonal traditions

The season shifts, and so do the rhythms of daily life, with long-held traditions that connect the past to the present. Experience autumn the Helsinki way with these three customs: 

• As autumn chills the air, Helsinki’s saunas heat up. From the steamy saunas at Löyly to a refreshing dip at Allas Sea Pool, the city invites you to embrace the season’s contrasts.
• It’s time to tidy up! As leaves cast over Helsinki, the city comes together. From community events in Kaivopuisto to local initiatives in Kallio, Helsinki is swept clean, embracing the calm before snowfall.
• At the heart of the season is Kekri, an ancient Finnish harvest festival celebrated with feasts, folk music, and fun. Head to Viapori (also known as Suomenlinna Island), where these traditions come to life. 

4. Autumn leaves: breath Helsinki in

When autumn unfolds, so does nature. Step outside, and perhaps off the beaten path, where the season leads you to what you’ve been seeking: peace, beauty, and the quiet hum of earth. Here you’ll find what you’re looking for: 

• Autumn in Nuuksio is an invitation to slow down. Pack your bag and head across the city lines. Here you’ll find peaceful cottage getaways, scenic woods, and lakes to last a lifetime.
• As autumn sweeps through Helsinki, the city’s shores become still retreats. Uncover breezy beaches at Hietaniemi or Seurasaari, where autumn colors meet the sea.
• Vibrant hues paint the scenery of Helsinki’s archipelago, a breath of fresh air that beckons you further. Embark on a ruska cruise and drift through calm waters, while soaking up the last of the sun. 

5. Falling for Helsinki: the past in the quiet of fall

In the calm of autumn, Helsinki’s history takes a new depth. With fewer visitors, the city’s historic sites feel more intimate. Here are three places to uncover before snowfall: 

• Autumn brings forth memories and Suomenlinna Island beckons with them. The vibrant fall colors echo the historic walls, inviting you to explore, without the usual crowds.
  As the leaves turn, Helsinki’s cemeteries become serene places for reflection. Step into the past at Old Church Park aka. “Plague Park”, Helsinki’s oldest cemetery. With its 17th-century graves nestled in the heart of Old Church Park, it’s a tranquil place where history and nature intertwine.
  Right at the core of the city, you can find Helsinki’s Design District, a lively blend of history and innovation. In autumn, the area charms bypassers with cozy boutiques and galleries. Pop in for a visit, you might want to stay a while. 

6. Flavours of fall: Helsinki’s fall food scene

Autumn in Helsinki is a celebration of harvest – where flavors of the season shine through every dish. It’s a time to find Finns among food, join in on the delicacy here:

• Head for a taste of tradition by the sea. Each autumn, Helsinki Baltic Herring Market (silakkamarkkinat), fills the harbor with the scent of sizzling herring and the buzz of local flavors. A 300-year-old celebration of Finland’s maritime roots, this market serves up both fresh fish and coastal charm.
• In Helsinki’s autumn forests, mushrooms and berries abound, offering a taste of Finnish tradition. Visitors are welcome to join the hunt thanks to Jokamiehen oikeus (Everyman’s Right) but be sure to do your homework first – some mushrooms are better left untouched.
• As the days grow cooler, Helsinki’s cafés and restaurants offer the perfect hideout. Outdoor terraces are transformed with cozy blankets and crackling fireplaces, making sure you don’t miss the view.

7. Autumn pages: embrace the written word with Helsinki

The autumn breeze blows Helsinkians toward worlds, and words, anew. Helsinki’s literary scene invites you to slow down and explore. Watch as stories unfold in these three places: 

• As leaves fall, autumn echoes the walls of Helsinki’s libraries, and Oodi stands at the heart of it all. With floor-to-ceiling windows framing the colorful tapestry outside, Oodi offers up a spot to get lost – whether in a book, or a quiet moment.
• Fall into a world of stories at the Helsinki Book Fair as it transforms the city into a literary hub. From author panels to book displays, the fair celebrates literature in all forms.
• Step into stories by visiting Helsinki’s myriads of antiquarian bookshops. From the charming corners of Antikvariaatti Kallio to the hidden gems of Antikvariaatti Vanha Kirjakauppa, each shop has you discover itself through books as old as time.