Overlooking the Baltic Sea, Finland’s capital is a seriously cool destination, in every way. Despite its small size, there’s a lot to see. Take a ferry out to the Suomenlinna fortress, sit with a childhood character in the Moomin Café or take a moment to yourself in the Kamppi Chapel of Silence.
Helsinki is at the cutting edge of design. So much so, that there’s even a Design District just south of the centre. And the best place to see the design in action? By checking out vacation rentals in Helsinki. There are some seriously stylish properties you can get here.
With that in mind, we’ve put together a list of the best Airbnbs in Helsinki. Not only that, but we’ve also taken a look at five of the most fun Airbnb Experiences you can do in the city too. Let’s take a closer look!
Quick Answer: These are the Top 5 Airbnbs in Helsinki
Modern design home with terrace
- > $
- > 5 Guests
- > Quiet neighbourhood
- > Rooftop sauna
Bright room in the heart of Helsinki
- > $
- > 4 Guests
- > Hip and trendy area
- > Lots of houseplants
Penthouse Design Apartment
- > $$$$$$$$$$$
- > 5 Guests
- > Former residence of ex-president!
- > Private sauna
Modern room in Helsinki Centre
- > $$
- > 2 Guests
- > Private bathroom
- > Small balcony
Writer’s Retreat
- > $
- > 2 Guests
- > Dedicated workspace
- > Lovely forest views
What to Expect from Airbnbs in Helsinki
Whatever you’re looking for from accommodation in Helsinki, you’re bound to find it. Like most Nordic countries, design is important here. Whichever property you choose, it’s guaranteed to make the most of space and light – and boast pretty cool furniture, too!
There is a downside though; Helsinki is one of the most expensive capital cities in Europe. That high standard of living comes at a price, after all. That said, you can still find cool places to stay without breaking the bank – and if you do have the cash to splash, you’re going to be delighted with what you can bag.
Loft apartments are usually found above the bottom floor of a building. However, there are some instances where a loft will be on the ground floor but have a feature such as a mezzanine bed. That’s less common, though.
Want somewhere with a little more space? An entire house (or townhouse) gives you the chance to experience a home away from home in Helsinki. Often equipped with everything you’re used to at home, houses come with living areas, fully equipped kitchens, and sometimes even a garden.
In a city surrounded by water, staying on a boat is an option. It may not be your idea of the perfect accommodation, but it offers the individuality and character so common among Airbnb properties.
The Top 15 Airbnbs in Helsinki
Now we’re at the part you’ve been waiting for. Here are the top 15 Airbnbs in Helsinki, arranged according to budget and travel style. You’re going to love them!
Modern design home with terrace | Overall Best Value Airbnb in Helsinki
Usually, if you’re looking at a top value Airbnb, you’ll be looking at a private room or perhaps a studio apartment for two. But for five? Not a chance. But that’s exactly what we’ve found in this quiet neighbourhood to the west of the city centre. It’s got transport links to the centre, parks nearby, and places to eat and drink. Most exciting is the rooftop sauna, which is reserved for guests for an hour on Sundays!
Bright room in the heart of Helsinki | Best Budget Airbnb in Helsinki
Helsinki is a lot of things, but cheap isn’t one of them. This cool room in the Kallio District with a local host should put your money worries at ease though. There’s space for up to four guests – but we’d say it’d be better suited to a couple or solo traveller. Even though you’re not shelling out a lot, you’re not compromising on quality. The room is spacious, and it’s packed with house plants!
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Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIPenthouse Design Apartment | Over the Top Luxury Airbnb in Helsinki
Do you want to stay in the residence of a former president? Yes, of course you do! This beautiful penthouse is in one of the oldest buildings in Helsinki and has a spectacular view of the sea. You’ve got your very own spacious sauna too, perfect for chilling out after a day exploring the city and recuperating those aching muscles. The living room log fire is lovely and cosy, too.
Modern room in Helsinki Centre | Perfect Airbnb for Solo Travellers
A homestay is the perfect option if you’re travelling solo, as you can meet local people and keep your costs down. This one is close to central Helsinki, and you can choose to access it on foot or via the tram, which stops just 100 metres away. As well as a private bedroom, you’ll have your own little balcony. Not only that, you’ll get access to your host’s kitchen, too!
Writer’s Retreat | Perfect Airbnb for Digital Nomads
Looking to find some inspiration for your work? This is the place. In a local home, there’s a dedicated workspace and rapid Wi-Fi. When you’re finished working for the day, it’s an ideal location for rest; there are forest views at the home itself, and there are bike routes for getting out into nature and easy public transport connections to get into town. A real gem!
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!More Epic Airbnbs in Helsinki
Here are a few more of my favorite Airbnbs in Helsinki!
Top floor studio Apt | Best Short Term Rental for Couples
This minimalist apartment is a great example of Finnish design. Lots of white, lots of light, and just look at that cool chair! Located on the top floor, it has excellent views out across the city centre. There’s a fully equipped kitchen should you fancy an evening in, and the queen bed is comfy and cosy. Everything you could want for a romantic break in the Finnish capital!
Explorer’s WeHost apartment | Best Airbnb in Helsinki for Families
Looking to travel with your family? This is a fabulous option. In a lot of vacation rentals in Helsinki (and indeed around the world) you have double and queen beds. But that isn’t always the best if you’re travelling with family members. Happily, this place has a couple of single beds and sofa beds, so there’s no uncomfortable topping and tailing. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen – a lifesaver if eating out every night is burning through your cash!
Old world luxury classic loft | Best Loft in Helsinki
Another apartment in a historic building, although this one isn’t quite so swish as the former president’s apartment! It’s still pretty nice, though. The loft is right in the centre of Helsinki, and all of the top sights are within walking distance. If it’s a chilly night, don’t worry; you’ve got a fireplace and lots of warm and cuddly blankets and linens to make the most of!
Artist’s residence | Best House in Helsinki
This cool and quirky home is a little different from other houses in Helsinki – and indeed anywhere! An artist’s residence, there are lots of nice touches, such as a rocking horse, vintage furniture, and antique chandeliers. It’s perfect for the winter as there is a sauna and a bath tub. It’s a really peaceful spot that you wouldn’t believe is right in the heart of a city!
Live aboard ocean cruiser | Best Boat in Helsinki
Check out this boat! One of the coolest places to stay in Helsinki, it’s perfect for partying at the harbour. The boat is not just somewhere to stay; it also offers cruises that last from one to three hours. There are four main cabins on the boat, so it’s not as pricey as it looks at first glance – you can split the cost eight ways. There’s a fully equipped kitchen too, but you probably won’t be using that with all the excellent restaurants on your doorstep.
Apartment in Suomenlinna Fortress | Most Unique Airbnb in Helsinki
It’s an apartment, so what? Well, this isn’t just any old apartment – it’s unique because it’s inside the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna. Just 20 minutes from central Helsinki, the sea fortress spans eight islands and was first built in 1748. The apartment is nicely decorated, and there’s a kitchen and living room. However, the big attraction is being able to sleep in one of Finland’s most important historical landmarks.
High class two storey apt | Best Airbnb with a Sauna in Helsinki
Usually, we’d point you in the direction of an Airbnb with a pool or a jacuzzi. But in Helsinki, the sauna is king. You’ll find that a lot of apartments have their own where you can come back and relax after a day of exploring the city. Very few are quite as luxurious as this one. There’s space for eight guests, so it’s perfect for a group of friends or family – and it’s right in the centre.
Classy Nordic Apartment | Best Airbnb Plus in Helsinki
Airbnb Plus properties are hand-picked by the platform for their hosts’ incredible attention to detail and excellent review scores. So, you know you’re in safe hands when you choose one of these properties. There aren’t a whole lot of them in Helsinki, so be sure to book far in advance to get these dreamy properties. This cool design apartment has a vintage Nintendo console and Netflix if you fancy a lazy evening in.
Spacious design studio | Best Airbnb for a Weekend in Helsinki
The most important thing if you’re planning a weekend trip to Helsinki is the location. You want to have all the top attractions within walking (or at least biking) distance—no worries about that in this central apartment. There are basic toiletries included, which is good news if you’ve only booked hand luggage on your flights. The only danger of picking this place is that you’ll spend too much time in the apartment and none out sightseeing!
Gym, sauna, and whirlpool for four | Best Airbnb in Helsinki for a Group of Friends
When travelling with friends, it’s important to have somewhere you can kick back and relax together. That’s exactly what you’ll get here: there’s a spacious living room that lets in lots of light, with a TV in there too. There are four single beds, so no uncomfortable topping and tailing here either. If you have some time spare and want to work on your fitness routine, there’s a gym and a spa in the building.
What To Pack For Helsinki
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for an Airbnb stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Don’t Forget Your Helsinki Travel Insurance
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on Helsinki Airbnbs
So, there you have it. Those are the 15 coolest Airbnbs in Helsinki, along with some ideas for what to do when you arrive. Whether you want to surround yourself with cutting edge design in a city centre loft, stay with a friendly local family, or end the day in your own sauna, there’s an Airbnb in Helsinki for you.
Still not sure where to stay? Let us remind you of our overall best value Airbnb in Helsinki – that’s the modern design home with terrace. It has space for five guests, and you can enjoy views out over the city. What more could you want?!
No matter where you choose to stay in Helsinki, we hope you have a wonderful vacation. Be sure to take out a travel insurance policy with World Nomads to keep yourself and your valuables safe, too!
- Check out our Backpacking Finland guide for in-depth info for your trip.
- Use our Where to Stay in Helsinki guide to plan your adventure.
- Backpackers and frugal travellers can use our budget travel guide.
- Make sure you visit the other best places in Helsinki too.
- That will of course include many of the stunning National Parks of Finland.
