A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Nottingham for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Helsinki or Nottingham?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Nottingham can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a nature-focused, coastal, and environmentally conscious city. The famous beauty of Helsinki is one of the main draws. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Helsinki travel costs.

Nottingham

Nottingham is a livable, cultural, and authentic city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife, live music, and food. See Nottingham travel costs.

Helsinki and Nottingham: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Nottingham?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Nottingham than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Nottingham, Nottingham has more sights and attractions for tourists. Nottingham is very popular for its music and big city activities, while Helsinki attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, food, and impressive beauty. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Nottingham is famous for its authenticity and local cuisine. It is also well known for Old Market Square.

How is Helsinki different from Nottingham?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Nottingham and Helsinki. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Nottingham?

Helsinki is well known for its museums and landmarks. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its historical sights.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Nottingham offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find history and culture around town. Some of the notable landmarks include Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, Nottingham Castle, and Old Market Square.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Nottingham? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Helsinki is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Helsinki makes for a great culinary experience. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

Nottingham has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. You'll find a diversity of restaurants around town that range from local fish and chips shops to international options. Pubs, cafes, and fine dining are all available in town.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Nightlife?

The nice nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Nottingham.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Nottingham has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. Head to the oldest pub in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem, for a pint or check out one of the trendy clubs around town. The city is also a big sports town, so see if there are any sporting events going on while you're visiting.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Music?

Nottingham is a city with good options for its live music scene. However, Helsinki is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Nottingham. Many of the best music concerts in the UK make there way to Nottingham. Check out Rock City, which hosts all kinds of concerts.

Helsinki is not a live music destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Nottingham?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Helsinki and Nottingham.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Nottingham. Head to the Lace Market, which is a popular shopping area. You can also wander around the center of town on foot and head to the pedestrian streets that are often lined with independent shops or international chains.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham More Beautiful?

Helsinki is very popular for its scenery and beauty. However, Nottingham is not a destination known for its beauty.

The famous beauty of Helsinki is one of the main draws. The city's location on the tip of a peninsula means that the water has a huge influence over daily life. There are more than 300 islands in the area and plenty of nature and parkland. The city is filled with striking color and tons of beauty.

Nottingham is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Families?

Helsinki is well known for its family-friendly activities. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very family-friendly place to visit. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Nottingham offers lots of family activities. There are a number of parks and play areas that younger kids will enjoy. You can check out Wheelgate Park, White Post Farm, Rufford Abbey, or Sherwood Pines. Sundown Adventureland is a small theme park that's designed for younger kids under 10. If your kids are into museums, head to the Newark Air Museum.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Couples?

Helsinki is well known for romance. Also, Nottingham is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Helsinki frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Nottingham makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. You'll find the typical date night activities around town like arcades, minigolf, and some interesting restaurants. There are also parks where you can enjoy a stroll in nature.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki is a city with good options for backpackers. However, Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Nottingham is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Students?

Helsinki is well known for students. However, Nottingham is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Nottingham is not popular with students.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find great public transit in both Helsinki and Nottingham.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Nottingham offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are buses and trams around town that connect into the rail network. The multi-operator system is organized by the Robin Hood Network.

Is Helsinki or Nottingham a more walkable city?

Nottingham is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Nottingham is a very walkable city. It is trying to transform itself into a pedestrian-friendly city, and you'll find some areas that are particularly walkable. The city center is very compact and generally walkable.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Nottingham Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Nottingham or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Nottingham?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Helsinki or Nottingham to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Helsinki than Nottingham because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-2 days is enough time in Nottingham.

Families should spend more time in Helsinki than Nottingham. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Helsinki, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Helsinki than Nottingham. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Helsinki that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Nottingham if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or Nottingham?

With museums and nightlife around the waterfront city of Helsinki, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The city of Nottingham offers museums and nightlife. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Nottingham?

With nightlife and food around the destination of Helsinki, there's plenty to do. It offers something for everyone. Many people spend a weekend here. In a weekend, you should have a good grasp of this city.

Nottingham is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nottingham, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Nottingham?

Helsinki, a popular city, is full of activities for travelers. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Nottingham is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Nottingham?

Helsinki is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Nottingham is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United Kingdom, and The Best Luxury Tours to United Kingdom.

When comparing the travel costs between Helsinki and Nottingham, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Nottingham Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Nottingham?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Nottingham. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Nottingham, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Helsinki or Nottingham?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Helsinki or Nottingham in the Summer?

Both Nottingham and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Nottingham this time of year.

In July, Helsinki is generally around the same temperature as Nottingham. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Nottingham fluctuates around 16°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Nottingham. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nottingham receives 196 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Nottingham. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Nottingham in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Nottingham. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Nottingham for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Helsinki is much colder than Nottingham in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Nottingham fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Nottingham during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Nottingham receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Nottingham. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Nottingham in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Nottingham. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Nottingham in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Nottingham can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Nottingham. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Nottingham averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Nottingham. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nottingham receives 61 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Nottingham. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Nottingham in the Spring?

Both Nottingham and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Nottingham for the activities around the city during these months.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Nottingham. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Nottingham fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Nottingham during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Nottingham receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Nottingham. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Nottingham receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nottingham and Helsinki