What's the Weather like in Helsinki in October
Temperature
Following a mild summer, autumn reaches Helsinki early in September, with average daily temperatures around 10°C. A beautiful and brisk season, the average high during this month is 14°C, while the lows dip down to 6°C.
Rain
September ties with November for the second rainiest month, receiving an average of 80mm of rain, and typically seeing 15 rainy days throughout the month. This coastal city begins to experience a drop in sea temperatures, going from its highest point at 13°C in August to 10°C in September. The area will continue to cool down heading into October as the cold winter edges closer.
Sunshine Hours
The sun also begins to set more rapidly in the far northern capital. Daylight hours drop from more than 14 hours at the beginning of the month to only 11 hours and 30 minutes. The sunrise inches up from 6:15 to 7:20, while the sunset drops from 20:30 to 19:00 by the end of the month. Skies remain only partly cloudy though, allowing visitors to enjoy as much of the sun as possible.
Wind
Humidity is low considering Helsinki's seaside location. Wind speeds during September average around 14.5 km/hour. Tourism begins to slow down during this month, especially as students in many parts of the world are back in school. Visitors who don't mind bringing an extra jacket will find there's still plenty to enjoy in this beautiful city during its cool autumn weather.
Helsinki Hotels in October
Hotel Seurahuone
In a perfect location between the Central Railway Station and the city center, Hotel Seurahuone is an elegant destination for travelers. The classy hotel is over 170 years old, and has seen Helsinki through many eras, standing as a beautiful destination for operas, cinemas, and historical figures. A popular choice for business travelers, there are beautiful banquet halls and state-of-the-art meeting rooms to choose from. A bar and restaurant serve modern Finnish food and cater for events at the hotel. Rooms include modern amenities such as WiFi and a minibar.
Scandic Simonkentta
Part of the Scandic hotels chain, Scandic Simonkentta comes with a strong reputation and a convenient, central location. Stylish rooms offer stunning city views and available amenities include bathtubs, saunas, or balconies, depending on your room selection. The hotel restaurant and bar are peaceful meeting spots and the restaurant offers modern cuisine inspired by the Iberian peninsula. The meeting rooms make this a good choice for business travelers, and the Pavilion room in particular has a large terrace with beautiful views. A gym, sauna and parking garage are just some of the other amenities guests can enjoy at Scandic Simonkentta.
Hotel Fabian
For a smaller, boutique experience in the city center, Hotel Fabian is an excellent option. Located near Esplanadi Park and Market Square, the rooms at Hotel Fabian come in three categories: Comfort, Style, or Lux. With 58 total rooms to choose from, guests will be able to find the perfect price and amenities for them. All finished in high end and trendy styles, some rooms include a kitchenette for guests on longer holidays. The staff are friendly and part of the reason that this hotel consistently ranks as one of the best in the city.
Kongressikoti Hotel
Guests looking to stay in the city center at an affordable rate will enjoy a visit at Kongressikoti Hotel. Located near the University of Helsinki, this upscale neighborhood is central while maintaining a peaceful lifestyle. Just 100 meters from Helsinki Cathedral, the hotel has more than 25 years of experience serving international and domestic guests ranging from business travelers to families. There are only nine rooms, each of which include a TV and refrigerator, access to a shared kitchen, free WiFi, free coffee, tea and cookies, and a designated smoking area on the balcony.
Bars and Restaurants
Ola Ravintola
One of the most highly rated restaurants in Helsinki, Olo Ravintola has several unique dining experiences all wrapped into one location. The restaurant features an extravagant seven part menu, with optional wine pairings created by in-house sommeliers. The modern restaurant puts a fresh spin on traditional dishes, and the menu changes seasonally. Another option is eating at the "Garden," where diners will find a relaxed setting and a more affordable a la carte menu. Lighter fare, desserts and cocktails are available in the Garden. Yet another option is the Creative Kitchen experience, where guests can enjoy an evening with chefs, watching them prepare the meal in the kitchen. However you wish to eat, Olo Ravintola has a unique and delicious experience waiting.
Ravintola Factory Aleksi
For a more casual option, Ravintola Factory Aleksi has a cafeteria feel and serves a large lunch buffet daily, featuring cuisines from all over the world at affordable prices. The restaurant is a favorite with locals and offers a salad bar with nearly 20 toppings to choose from. The menu rotates daily and seasonally, reflecting local and fresh foods. Located on the fifth floor of the Aleksi 13 department store, the restaurant is a rather hidden gem in the city center, and visitors will usually find short lines and many options ready to go.
The Riff
For an interesting take on Helsinki bars and dining, guests can head to the rock 'n' roll bar, The Riff. Opened in 2015, the Riff's dark, moody vibe is accented with guitars and drums adorning the walls. Musical gigs are arranged throughout the year, and a long list of beers and handmade drinks keeps thirsty guests coming back. Open every day and late into the night, The Riff also offers coffees and ciders. When the weather is nice, there is a 44-seat patio open as well.
Konnichiwa
Travelers craving Asian cuisine will enjoy a visit to Konnichiwa, a highly rated sushi restaurant located in the Kamppi district of Helsinki. The Japanese restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, and offers an extensive sushi buffet with something for everyone. In a city on the sea, fresh sushi is a perfect choice for visitors hoping to find something a little different. The prices are affordable and the colorful plates are served with a selection of drinks including wines and Japanese beers.
Things to do in Helsinki in October
The Helsinki Music Center
The Helsinki Music Center, or Musiikkitalo, is home to a concert hall, the Sibelius Academy, and two symphony orchestras. Located in the Töölönlahti, the prestigious site is just acorss the street from the Parliament of Finland. The main concert hall seats more than 1,700 people, and five smaller rooms can hold between 140 and 400 guests. A chamber music hall, opera hall, organ hall, rehearsal hall, and other music rooms make up the building. Tourists are welcome to visit the building at any time and explore the foyers, cafe and restaurant. With luck, one might catch a bit of music from a Sibelius Academy student using a practice room.
Crussell Bridge
The beautiful Crusell Bridge is a symbol of Helsinki, crossing the Ruoholahti Bay in the Baltic Sea. A cable-stayed bridge, it was inaugurated in June 2011 and named after Finnish composer and clarinet player Bernhard Henrik Crusell. The beautiful canal area is just one of many spots around Helsinki to enjoy a walk along the water in the brisk autumn weather.
Market Square
Located on one end of Esplanadi Park near the South Harbor, the Market Square is a bustling outdoor marketplace that braves the weather throughout the year. One of the most popular market squares in the city, booths sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as locally made crafts and souvenirs. Heated cafe tents offer warm cups of coffee on cold autumn days. The area is surrounded by beautiful Finnish architecture and also serves as a launching point for ferries headed to tourist sites like Suomenlinna Fortress and other nearby islands, making Market Square the perfect start to a busy day of touring.
Alexander II
History buffs should head to Helsinki Cathedral, where a statue of Alexander II stands proudly in front. The Tsar of Russia and Grand Duke of Finland, he was assassinated in 1881. The statue was commissioned three years later and was completed in 1894. Walter Runeberg created the figure and added symbols on its pedestal to represent law, light, peace and work. Today the statue is a reminder of Finland's long and complicated history with Russia.
