It’s summer and most students are on a well-deserved vacation. Even if you’re working during the summer, it’s nice to plan fun stuff for the free time that you get in the summer months. Being on a tight budget can put a damper on the planning, however. But no worries, there are a ton of things to do in Helsinki either for free or for a low price! When you make an effort to appreciate the simple things, you might realise that they are actually something special.

Check out these ideas if you’re looking for something to do this summer!

1. A day at a beach

This is kind of a given, but for some reason I tend to miss out on good beach days during summers. If there isn’t a place to swim near you, it’s too easy to fall into the “I’ll go some other day…” trap only to realise in October that you didn’t go swimming when you had the chance. So do take the time to go out and enjoy the warm waters (or warm-ish, it’s still Finland)! Outdoor swimming pools are not too expensive either should the accursed blue-green algae have ruined your usual swimming spot.

2. Outdoor games

Surely at least one of your friends or someone’s parents has a set of the mölkky game, badminton rackets or maybe a petanq set lying around. And if not, you can borrow many outdoor games from libraries! Outdoor games with friends can be surprisingly fun and will probably bring back some memories from childhood.

3. A walk in nature

Either it’s my age or the covid-19 pandemic, but I’ve learned to appreciate nature in a completely new way these past couple of years. And here in Finland, we’re spoiled as even the capital has great opportunities for walks in nature. Check out the central park or Seurasaari, for example. You could also take a bus to Espoo and go hiking in the Nuuksio national park if you want to get further away from city life.

4. A day in Suomenlinna

People who live in Helsinki or the surrounding cities have certainly visited Suomenlinna many times in their lives, but it’s always a treat. Just the little ferry ride for the price of regular public transportation will already give you great summer vacation vibes. A walk around the island and exploring the old bastion is something locals might have started taking for granted, but give it a chance and try to look at the place from a tourist’s point of view. 

5. Picking flowers

This summer I’ve gotten it into my head that I need to embrace my inner Moomin and make flower crowns. Sure, flowers are the prettiest when growing out there in the nature, but c’mon it’s such wholesome fun. If flower crowns seem too advanced, just pick one or two and stick them behind your ear. Another option is to pick a bouquet and put it in a vase or simply a glass at home. Or give it to a friend or a family member, I’m sure you’ll make someone’s day! 

6. A picnic with friends

Gather your friends together and head out for a picnic. A potluck will be cheap enough for everyone’s budget and you’ll end up with a wide selection of snacks and drinks. Checklist includes a picnic blanket, water, sun lotion and perhaps some music and games for you to enjoy. There are plenty of locations to choose from in Helsinki, ranging from parks to beaches and forests. 

7. A bicycle ride

If you don’t have a bicycle of your own, you can rent one from a bike shop or use an iconic, yellow city bike for a low price. There are many routes to explore in Helsinki or you can just go for an adventure and see where the roads lead you. Another good option is to head to Espoo and check out the walk and cycle path in the sea coast for some great sceneries. 

8. Electronic scooter ride

Here I have to confess that I haven’t actually ever done this myself, but I am intrigued. The e-scooters have become rather infamous in Europe due to the amount of accidents and the way they end up sprawled on the sidewalk, but hey, just don’t be a jerk, right? Don’t drive an e-scooter drunk and don’t leave it lying in the middle of the street when you’re done. From what I’ve heard, it’s a lot of fun for a fairly student-friendly price.

9. Festivals and events

There are a number of music and art festivals as well as other events in Helsinki every summer. Big music festivals might be too expensive for your budget, but there are also cheaper ones and free events as well. The Night of Arts in August, for example, is a great way to enjoy city life and arts for free. Make sure to also check out events in Espoo and Vantaa or even further if you’re feeling adventurous. I have been informed of an annual garlic festival held in Kerava, for example, and I have to admit it sounds too weird and charming to miss.

10. A museum visit

Most museums offer a discount for students so they’re usually more or less affordable. Kiasma, for example, also has free entrance every first Friday of a month so if you time your visit right, you might be able to get in completely free. Check out art or learn about history in one of the many museums of Helsinki or take a bus or a train to Espoo or Vantaa to see their exhibition selections!

11. Day trip to another city

If you have some extra money, consider doing a day trip to a city like Turku or Tampere, for example. Just take a bus or a train in the morning and return in the evening! Of course, if you have even more money to spare, you could stay the night and get the whole tourist experience. Just walking around a city that’s not too familiar to you can be very exciting and a nice break from your everyday routines.

12. Picking blueberries

The so called “every man’s rights” in Finland give you the right to pick blueberries (among other berries and plants, of course) from most places. The idea might trigger childhood traumas of helping out your grandmother in a mosquito-filled forest, but it’s actually nice to do when you keep the goal low. Get a tupperware container for example and pick enough berries for a healthy addition to your breakfast or use them for a summer-y dessert with ice cream. 

13. Reading outdoors

It’s summer, go out and enjoy the sun! Outdoors fun doesn’t have to be sporty or particularly about the outdoors, you can also just grab something to read. There are only precious few months in Finland when you can sit outside without shivering in cold in minutes. Find a nice spot somewhere and sit down for a read. If books seem too heavy after a long semester, get some comic books or switch from Shakespeare and Austen to something lighter like Astrid Lindgren or other children’s authors. 

Have a great summer vacation!