Helsinki
Start planning your cruise from Helsinki or choose an itinerary that includes this celebrated city as a destination to explore
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is an enchanting MSC Northern Europe Cruises destination. This charismatic capital is celebrated for its elegant Neoclassical facades, historical museums, and leafy tree-lined boulevards.
MSC Cruises excursions offer plenty of exciting things to see including:
• Helsinki City Centre
• Helsinki Cruise Discovery
• Haltia: The Finnish Nature Centre
Affectionately known as the White City of the North, Helsinki is a capital that begs to be discovered. Take an MSC Cruises excursion to its characterful centre where you can shop bustling Market Square, cast your gaze upon Helsinki Cathedral (with its striking green domes and bright white columns), or visit the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Admire Helsinki from the water on a romantic MSC Cruises excursion. You’ll enjoy a leisurely cruise through the beautiful landscapes of this amazing archipelago. Photograph Suomenlinna, an 18th-century UNESCO World Heritage Site fortress, before admiring villas set in stunning natural landscapes. A guide will describe the views as you enjoy a complimentary glass of sparkling wine or a delicious cup of coffee.
Visit the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia on an MSC Cruises excursion — an exhibition and events facility surrounded by majestic rural landscapes. Heated and cooled using solar power and geo-energy, the site houses stunning interactive displays. Admire recreations of the southern archipelago, 40 of Finland's national parks, and the snowy hills of Lapland.
cruises to helsinki
Excursions & Activities Helsinki
TRAVEL TO THE Helsinki CRUISE TERMINAL
Address: Gatehouse (West Harbour) Helsinki, Finland
How to reach the port by car:
From the north:
Head south on route 45 into the city. Turn right into Koskelantie and after 1km take the exit toward Länsi-Pasila and turn right to merge onto Veturitie. Follow Veturitie past Mall of Tripla until the road ends. Turn right onto Nordenskiöldinkatu and follow this road until it ends by a small park, turn right and take the third exit to Mechelininkatu. Follow this road 2,5km and continue straight onto Hietalahdenranta. Turn right to stay on Hietalahdenranta. Continue straight to Telakkakatu until the next roundabout. In the roundabout take the first exit to Eiranranta. Turn left into Hernesaarenranta and continue forward until you reach the port terminal.
From the west:
Head east on route 51 into the city. Turn left to Porkkalankatu and stay in the 2 left lanes and follow the signs for Kamppi. Continue straight on Porkkalankatu for about 600m then turn right into Hietalahdenkatu. Stay on Hietalahdenranta and continue straight to Telakkakatu until the next roundabout. In the roundabout take the first exit to Eiranranta. Turn left into Hernesaarenranta and continue forward until you reach the port terminal.
From the east:
Head west on route E18 and continue on route 7. After 5km merge into route E75. Keep left to continue on E75. Keep left to continue straight onto Hämeentie. Turn right onto Sturenkatu and continue straight for 1,5km. Turn left to Wallininkatu and continue straight onto Eläintarhantie and turn right to Siltasaarenkatu and continue straight over the bridge until you reach a roundabout. In the roundabout take the 2nd exit to continue on Unioninkatu for 1km then turn left to Eteläinen Makasiininkatu and directly take the first right to Laivasillankatu/E75. Drive by the brick wall until the next roundabout and take the first exit and continue straight to Puistokatu. Drive by the park and take the first right after the park to Neitsytpolku. Turn directly after right onto Merisatamanranta. Continue straight next to the water until the next roundabout. In the roundabout take the 2nd exit to Eiranranta. Turn left into Hernesaarenranta and continue forward until you reach the port terminal.
When arriving by train to Helsinki Central Railwaystation. A tram stop is located right in front of the main entrance. You will need a HSL ticket (AB ticket) either from the HSL app or a ticket machine in the railwaystation. Take tram 6, direction Eiranta which runs every 15 min and step off at the final stop, Eiranta. Walk by the sea following the road Hernesaarenranta 1km until you reach the terminal.
The Helsinki-Vantaa airport is about a 40 minute drive away from the terminal by car. Inside of the airport there are taxi signs, follow these towards the correct entrance where taxis are available 24/7.
If you would rather take public transport follow the signs inside of the airport towards train tracks which are underneath the airport. You will need to buy a HSL ticket (ABC ticket) from the HSL app or the nearby ticket machines. Take the near trains I or P, direction Helsinki Central Railwaystation. The train ride will take about 35 minutes. When arriving at the railway station continue on tram 6, direction Eiranta.
