However, it’s often not possible to see both of them on the same trip. More often than not, travelers have to pick just one of these cities to see. So, which should it be? The surprisingly peaceful and quaint Finnish capital of Helsinki, or the larger, grander, and busier Russian city of St. Petersburg?

Well, if you’re utterly unsure, or if you just need a little nudge one way or the other, this guide is here to help. Below, we’ll put Helsinki and St. Petersburg side-by-side, comparing them in several key aspects, from activities and attractions to food, nightlife, and even the average costs. By the end, you should find it much easier to figure out the right city for you.

Contents:

• A Quick Overview Of Helsinki vs St. Petersburg
• Which Is Best For Activities?
• Which Is Best For Day Trips?
• Which Is Best For Nightlife?
• Which Is Best For Shopping?
• Which Is Best For Food?
• Which Is Best For Families?
• Which Is Best For Couples?
• Which Is Best For Backpackers?
• Which Is Cheapest?
• Where To Stay According To Your Budget
• Helsinki vs St. Petersburg: Which Is Better?

Wandering Our World’s Ten-Second Comparison:

A Quick Overview Of Helsinki vs St. Petersburg

Helsinki: A Quick Overview

Helsinki is the capital of Finland. It’s also the biggest Finnish city, both in terms of physical size and population, with around 675,000 people living in the city itself and over 1.3 million in the surrounding urban area. It’s located in the Uusimaa region in the south of Finland, looking out across the Gulf of Finland.

The city was founded back in 1550 by Gustav I of Sweden. It underwent various changes across the ages, most notably during the 18th and 19th centuries, when Russians took control and fueled the city’s biggest period of growth and development. They even ordered the construction of several neoclassical buildings to make Helsinki look similar to St. Petersburg.

Eventually, Finland gained independence in 1917, and Helsinki grew even further as the country’s only real metropolis. These days, it’s the Finnish center of everything from finance and politics to education, culture, and tourism, too. It has also been classed among the happiest and most livable cities in the world.

From a touristic perspective, Helsinki is without a doubt the No. 1 place for travelers to connect with Finnish culture, history, and tradition. It’s the home of many fascinating museums and galleries, tracing Finland’s history throughout the ages, along with inspiring architecture, grand cathedrals, shops, cafés, and plenty of traditional Finnish saunas, too.

St. Petersburg: A Quick Overview

St. Petersburg, formerly known as Leningrad during the days of the Soviet Union, is the second-biggest city in Russia. It’s located in western Russia, very close to the border with Finland and gazing out across the Gulf of Finland. With an approximate population of 5.6 million, it’s the fourth-largest city in Europe, much bigger and busier than Helsinki

The history of St. Petersburg goes back to 1703, when it was founded by the Russian Tsar, Peter I, otherwise known as Peter the Great. It was formerly the site of a Swedish fortress that the Russians captured. The city’s construction was a symbolic moment for Russia, often linked with the birth of the Russian Empire, of which St. Petersburg was the official Imperial capital.

While Moscow may have eventually claimed the title of Russian capital, St. Petersburg is widely-regarded as the country’s cultural capital. Boasting breathtaking palaces, stunning churches, massive museums, and grand squares, it’s a city of intensely impressive beauty, with architectural treasures around every corner.

It’s also one of the most-visited cities in all of Russia, drawing in millions of tourists in a typical year. There’s much for travelers to do here, such as visiting the enormous State Hermitage Museum, one of the biggest in the world, or admiring the Lakhta Centre, the tallest building in the whole of Europe.

Which Is Best For Activities?

Given that they’re both big cities, Helsinki and St. Petersburg both offer a wide range of interesting activities and attractions. There are some terrific museums to see in both of these locations, for example, or you can spend time shopping, dining, people-watching, or visiting local landmarks. Here’s a look at the best things to do in each city.

Helsinki: The Activities

Most first-time visitors to Helsinki will want to start off by seeing the city’s main sights. While the Finnish capital doesn’t have a super long list of must-see landmarks, it has two of the prettiest cathedrals on the planet: Helsinki Cathedral, famed for its gorgeous green domes, and Uspenski Cathedral, the biggest orthodox church in all of Western Europe.

Beyond the cathedrals, Helsinki also has plenty of other appealing touristic hotspots, like the impressive Parliament House, quirky Temppeliaukio Church, and calming Kamppi Chapel, also known as the Chapel of Silence, where locals and visitors alike can find a haven of peace and quiet in the city’s busy center.

Meanwhile, if you’re eager to learn more about Finnish culture and history, you can check out some of the city’s big museums. The National Museum of Finland is a fine place to start, tracing Finnish history from thousands of years ago, while the Helsinki City Museum is free to visit and focuses specifically on the history of the local area.

More history can be found just a short ferry ride away at the Suomenlinna island fortress. Or, for outdoorsy people, Helsinki has plenty of pretty parks, like Esplanadi and Kaivopuisto, where you can walk and rest. Speaking of rest, visitors might also like to experience a traditional Finnish sauna before they leave – there are plenty to choose from around the capital.

St. Petersburg: The Activities

Compared to Helsinki, St. Petersburg has a longer list of stunning landmarks. This is a grand, imperial city, with multiple majestic palaces and grand, gigantic buildings you won’t want to miss. A good place to start is the Winter Palace, former home of the ruling Romanov family, now repurposed as the vast Hermitage Museum, with a colossal collection of artworks and artifacts.

There are also several religious buildings that are sure to blow you away in St. Petersburg, like the decorative Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood, with its colorful onion-like domes, and St. Isaac’s Cathedral, which has a fascinating history and unusually served as a Museum of Atheism during the days of the Soviet Union.

St. Petersburg is also home to Peterhof Palace, which is essentially Russia’s version of Versailles, with grandiose gardens and opulent décor, along with Catherine Palace, built by Peter the Great for his wife, Catherine, in the 18th century. From the iconic Mariinsky Theater to the luxurious Yusupov Palace, this city is bursting at the seams with amazing architecture.

After all the palaces, visitors can also check out St. Petersburg’s many parks, like Alexander Park, or museums, like the Fabergé Museum or the Russian Museum, which boasts close to half a million works. There are also several fun family attractions here, like a zoo, marine park, water park, and Soviet Arcade Museum.

Overall, you’ll find plenty of ways to fill up your travel itinerary in either Helsinki or St. Petersburg, but there’s a clear difference between the two. St. Petersburg has much more diversity in its attractions, along with a bigger set of must-see landmarks. In contrast, Helsinki is notably smaller and quieter, better suited for visits of just a few days and nights.

Which Is Best For Day Trips?

Given their respective locations in Finland and Russia, Helsinki and St. Petersburg both offer an interesting and diverse range of day trip possibilities. If you’re planning to spend a week or longer in either city, you might like to dedicate one day of your visit to exploring other cities and towns nearby. Here are some of the top options to consider.

If you choose to head to Helsinki, one of the most exciting day trips takes you across the Gulf of Finland to Tallinn, Estonia. There, you’ll find one of the prettiest Old Towns in all of Europe, with fairy tale-like scenes and medieval monuments all around. It’s the perfect option for people who want to see two countries on the same trip.

If you prefer to stay in Finland, you can also easily visit several Finnish cities from Helsinki, thanks to its strong public transit links. Tampere, the country’s third-biggest city, is a great option for shopping and dining, while also having the highest number of public saunas of any Finnish city. Porvoo is another fun option, notable for its medieval heritage and red wood buildings.

Meanwhile, if you prefer to visit St. Petersburg, some of the best day trips will take you to local palaces around the city’s suburbs, like Catherine Palace and Gatchina. Or, if you prefer to venture further afield, you could set off to the town of Veliky Novgorod, the oldest town in all of Russia, famed for its historic churches and Kremlin.

Several other small, historic towns are easily reached, like the seaport of Kronstadt, with its mind-blowing cathedral and fantastic forts, or Vyborg, which has a 13th century medieval castle. It’s also technically possible to do a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg, but you’ll have to get up early, as the train ride takes just under four hours.

Overall, both cities offer decent day trip opportunities, and neither one is necessarily better than the other in this category. It all depends on what kind of places you prefer to see.

Which Is Best For Nightlife?

After visiting museums, palaces, parks, and churches during the day, you might like to have some fun in the evenings during your stay in either St. Petersburg or Helsinki. Both cities have decent nightlife culture, but which one is best?

Well, as the much larger and more populated of the two cities, St. Petersburg definitely has more places to party. It’s got lots of great bars and clubs which are generally welcoming to all, and the center of the city tends to be quite lively and buzzing, even in the early hours. Plus, since this city attracts so many tourists, it’s quite easy to meet and mingle with other travelers.

Helsinki also has a diverse selection of bars and clubs, offering everything from late-night dance sessions and live DJ performances to cozy lounges where you can sip fine wines and spirits. However, given that the population of this city is much smaller, and it doesn’t get quite as much tourism, the evening scene isn’t quite as exciting as in St. Petersburg.

Which Is Best For Shopping?

Shopping is another fantastic way to spend some time in either Helsinki or St. Petersburg. Both cities have plenty of stores, malls, and markets where you can buy a great range of gifts and goodies to take back home with you. Let’s take a closer look at the shopping experiences in each city.

As the capital of its country, Helsinki is by far the best place to shop for Finnish goods and specialties. It’s got a broad shopping scene, with historic department stores like Stockmann, mega malls like Itis, and buzzing markets like Hietalahti where you can find anything from clothes and jewelry to books, antiques, and more.

Over in St. Petersburg, you can find some huge malls, like Galeria, which boasts over 300 stores, or Nevsky Center, with a grand food court and many big brand boutiques. There are also huge department stores, like Au Pont Rouge, and various markets like the Udelnaya Flea Market and Matsevskiy Market.

Overall, both cities are fine for shopaholics, but St. Petersburg has more options. Its malls are bigger and its markets more diverse, giving shoppers a wider range of items to buy, with lower prices across the board, as well.

Which Is Best For Food?

Food is another big part of the experience when you visit either Helsinki or St. Petersburg. Both cities are fabulous places to try their respective national cuisines, with Helsinki serving up some fantastic Finnish soups and seafood dishes and St. Petersburg being a top spot for Russian delicacies like borscht and pelmeni.

Thanks to Helsinki’s waterfront location, it’s an excellent city for those who love fish and seafood dishes. Indeed, many of the local restaurants here feature fish heavily on their menus, with dishes like pickled herring and crayfish. There are also some excellent vegan and vegetarian restaurants here, along with cozy coffee shops, burger bars, and Asian eateries.

If you want to experience some of the finest Russian cuisine, St. Petersburg’s the place to be. But that’s not all. This city’s food scene is wonderfully diverse, with influences and inspirations taken from all over the globe. You can find steakhouses, sushi bars, themed eateries, fancy French-style restaurants, and so much more.

Overall, St. Petersburg once again takes the win here. Helsinki has some super Finnish eateries, but St. Petersburg’s scene is simply spectacular, with some of the trendiest and most innovative restaurants, not just in Russia, but in all of Europe.

Which Is Best For Families?

St. Petersburg and Helsinki can both be fantastic destinations for family vacations. They’re both different to the more typical family-friendly cities of Europe, but both offer plenty of fun and intriguing ways for parents and kids to spend time together.

If you head to Helsinki, you and your family will enjoy a relatively laid-back and calming experience, while still having all the amenities of a big city on your doorstep. There are great museums for children here, as well as the cathedrals, easy access to beaches and islands, and even a few family attractions, like the historic Linnanmaki theme park and Helsinki Zoo.

Over in St. Petersburg, families will find even more things to do. You can spend several days exploring the grand old palaces of the city and diving into Russia’s extraordinary past, for example, or hit up the big family hotspots, like Leningrad Zoo, the second biggest in Russia, or the St. Petersburg Dolphinarium.

There are also several kid-friendly museums in St. Petersburg dedicated to toys, dolls, and video games, as well as an observatory and “Grand Maket” miniature model museum. Because of this, and St. Petersburg’s wider range of family activities in general, it’s definitely the better place to visit for most families.

Which Is Best For Couples?

If you’re planning a romantic escape with someone special, Helsinki is a super city to consider. Despite being a major European capital, it feels notably quieter and cozier compared to others, so you won’t have to worry quite as much about bustling crowds of tourists. There are some lovely little streets to explore with your partner and trendy neighborhoods to discover.

However, if you and your partner prefer more of an action-packed vacation, St. Petersburg is undoubtedly the better choice for you. There’s simply so much to do in this city, from its palaces and gardens to its sprawling museum complexes that can take several days to walk around. The food is also amazing here, with lots of romantic restaurants for couples to check out.

Overall, Helsinki is best for quieter, more relaxing trips, but St. Petersburg is the better choice in terms of activities and excitement.

Which Is Best For Backpackers?

Backpackers might also consider a trip to Helsinki or St. Petersburg. But, if you’re traveling on a tight budget, there’s only one option: St. Petersburg. The Russian city is much cheaper than Helsinki, with lots more affordable hostels and cheap eateries, as well as plenty of interesting free or low-cost ways to spend your days, and tons of day trip potential.

In contrast, Helsinki is pricier, making it feel a little more exclusive and elite, which may put certain backpackers off. However, it’s still a friendly and welcoming city to all, and you can have a great time visiting the cathedrals, touring the museums, and letting your worries slip away in a traditional Finnish sauna.

Overall, St. Petersburg once again takes the win in this category thanks to its cheaper prices and wider range of activities.

Which Is Cheapest?

It’s also important to talk about prices and average costs, especially for travelers who might have a limited budge to work with, or those who want to get the best value for money on their vacations. So, which of these two cities is the cheapest? Or is there not much difference between them?

Well, after looking at average costs for food, accommodation, and touristic fun, it’s clear to see that St. Petersburg is notably cheaper than Helsinki. It generally costs much less to spend a few nights in Russia’s second-biggest city than it does in the Finnish capital. There are also quite a lot of free things to do in St. Petersburg, like the royal gardens of the Peterhof.

Where To Stay According To Your Budget

Helsinki

Budget: Noli Herttoniemi in Helsinki captivates with its serene charm, nestled amidst lush greenery and tranquil surroundings. The neighborhood exudes an inviting atmosphere, with elegant architecture blending seamlessly with nature. Its peaceful streets, adorned with vibrant flora, offer a serene retreat from the bustling city, a true haven of beauty.

Luxury: Hotel Kämp in Helsinki exudes timeless elegance, adorned with magnificent architecture and luxurious interiors. Its grand facade beckons with opulent charm, while inside, lavish furnishings and ornate details create an atmosphere of refined sophistication. With impeccable service and exquisite surroundings, it stands as a beacon of beauty in Helsinki.

Helsinki vs St. Petersburg: Which Is Better?

Overall, it’s clear to see that Helsinki and St. Petersburg are both fantastic cities in their own right. Both are worth checking out for those seeking something a little different to the warmer cities of Southern and Western Europe, and they each boast inspirational architecture, delicious food, and plenty of interesting ways to spend your days.

However, between the two, there’s a clear winner in most categories. And that’s St. Petersburg. Bigger, busier, and more exciting in most ways, the Russian city is simply a more dynamic and fun place to be for most travelers, with no shortage of gorgeous palaces, glorious gardens, and grand museums to go along with its rich dining and shopping scenes.

Helsinki is notably smaller and quieter compared to St. Petersburg, and you might not need as much time here to see all it has to offer. It’s also a little pricier. However, that shouldn’t put you off. Despite a couple of shortcomings, the Finnish capital is still a wonderfully cozy and romantic city to visit, perfect for those who appreciate a more laid-back and slow-paced way of life.