Helsinki

As Finland’s cosmopolitan capital city, Helsinki is cool in more ways than one – its record low was −34.3°C, and while temperatures will likely be milder when you visit, the winters here are cold! But it’s Helsinki’s impressive architecture, stylish Scandinavian design, steamy sauna culture and serious new foodie scene that has given harbourside Helsinki a reputation for being an ultra-cool city.

Come the summer, the days are long and sunny (in June and July the sun rises at around 4am and sets at 11pm). Helsinki shakes off its winter slumber with a stream of outdoor festivals and markets, and people flock to the harbourside for its bars, restaurants, and buzzy atmosphere.

Finland’s sauna obsession is strong, and you’ll find countless places around the city to warm up, but Löyly really takes it to the next level – set on the Heksinki waterfront it features three wood-fired saunas, an enormous outdoor swimming pool, and a sophisticated restaurant serving classic Finnish comfort food.

The harbour is also home a Ferris wheel, offering breathtaking views of the city – but there’s a twist. One of the gondolas is actually a sauna too, so you can literally indulge in this Finnish tradition in the sky, and then unwind at ground-level with champagne in the private terrace’s hot tub.