Location: Uussimaa Map
Helsinki is the capital and the largest city in
Finland. It is located on the south coast of the country, on the
shore of the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is part of the Uusimaa
region. The influences of the East and the West are present in the
daily life of Helsinki. Architecture, gastronomy, design, customs
and even the local slang of the streets bear witness to a past under
Russian and Swedish rule. Helsinki is the largest city Finland and also the
capital of the country. It was found in Uusimaa province 1550 by a
Swedish king Gustav I of Sweden. Helsinki was intended to became a
trade port to compete with Hanseatic city of Ravel or
Tallinn, Estonia as
it is known today.
Located next to the Baltic Sea, the coastline of Helsinki extends
some 100 kilometers, and hosts 300 islands off the mainland. 620 982
people live in the city of Helsinki (2014) and the metropolitan area
(municipalities of Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen) has a
population of one million inhabitants in total. Including other
nearby municipalities, the population is around 1.4 million people,
one in four Finns living in Helsinki.
Helsinki is the largest political, educational, financial, cultural
and research center, as well as one of the most important cities in
northern Europe. Approximately 70% of foreign companies operating in
Finland have settled in the Helsinki region. Helsinki was chosen
Capital of World Design for the year 2012 by the International
Committee of Industrial Design Societies. Helsinki is known
worldwide for its great design, which is very evident in its
streets, shops and buildings. In the August 2012 edition, the
Economist Intelligence Unit's study placed Helsinki in eighth place
in the overall ranking of the best cities to live in. In 2011, the
Monocle magazine established the city of Helsinki as the best city
to live and develop in the whole world.
City of Helsinki Tourist Information Office, Corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Unioninkatu (just off Market Square), ☏ +358 9 3101-3300. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-18:00; Oct-Apr closes 18:00/16:00.
The City of Helsinki Tourist Information is available at Pohjoisesplanadi 19 and is open in May-September on weekdays from 9 am to 8 pm and on weekends from 9 am to 6 pm. In other months, the office closes its doors a couple of hours earlier. The Railway Station Hotel Center has a branch point, and in addition to the city center, green-shirted Helsinki Help guides run in June-August, where you can ask everything between earth and sky.
Helsinki Cathedral (Helsingin Tuomiokirkko)
Government Palace (Valtioneuvoston linna)
Helsinki Old Church (Helsingin vanha kirkko)
Kiasma, Museum of Contemporary Art
Saint John's Church (Johanneksenkirkko)
Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the
order of King Gustav Vaasa on the shore of Helsinginkoski, at the
mouth of the Vantaanjoki River, on the outskirts of the present Old
Town. However, the Old Town Bay was too shallow and rugged for large
sailboats, so in 1640 the aching city was moved west, to Vironniemi.
In the 19th century, during Russian rule, Turku lost its position as
the capital to Helsinki, which was closer to the center of Russian
rule, St. Petersburg. Carl Ludvig Engel was hired to design the
center of the new capital. Traces of his work are best seen around
Senate Square and the Cathedral, for example, is designed by him.
During World War II, Helsinki was bombed several times, but the
damage remained small compared to other major European cities. In
1940, the city was to host the Olympics, but the event had to be
postponed due to the war until 1952.
Outline
Helsinki is located on the shores of the Gulf of
Finland. To the west of the city, on the Espoo side, just after the
border, is a high-tech hub, the best-known of which is Nokia. To the
north is the city of Vantaa with its airports. In addition, there
are many small towns and rural municipalities around Helsinki that
have developed strongly with the growth of Helsinki since the land
change of the 1960s. In general, Helsinki's surrounding
municipalities consist of residential areas and do not have many
destinations for tourists.
The city is divided from north to
south by Mannerheimintie (aka Mansku), at the southern end of which
you will find Parliament and the Helsinki railway station. The
shopping streets Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksi) and Esplanadit (Espa)
both run from Mannerheimintie to Helsinki's historic center, Senate
Square and the adjacent Market Square.
Districts
Kruununhaka is known as a district of valuable institutions.
Cathedral, Presidential Palace and City Hall. The district is the
whole of 18th century Helsinki.
Kluuvi comprises almost the
entire city center, where e.g. Railway station, Finnish National
Theater, Botanical Garden, Ateneum and Kiasma art museums, and
Musiikkitalo.
Kaartinkaupunki is a residential area for the
well-off, which includes e.g. Market Square, Market Hall, Esplanade
Park, Svenska Teatern and Design Museum.
Kamppi is a district
located on the west side of the city center, where e.g. Bus station,
Old Church and Hietalahti flea market. The neighborhood used to be a
residential area for the poor, today for middle-income people.
Punavuori is the most densely populated part of Helsinki, where
Sinebrychoff Park is located.
Eira is known as the residence of a
wealthy people, one of the smallest in the city.
Ullanlinna is
known as a diplomatic district, the most famous sights of which are
the Church of St. John and the Observatory Mountain.
The
Katajanokka district is one of the easternmost in the heart of
Helsinki. Here are e.g. Katajanokka Terminal, Kesko and Stora Enso's
headquarters, Uspenski Cathedral, Merikasarmi and Katajanokka
Casino.
Kaivopuisto is the wealthiest district in Helsinki and is
also one of the city's most famous parks. There are e.g. Olympic
Terminal and Ursula Café.
Etu-Töölö, on the other hand, is one of
Helsinki's most prestigious areas, where e.g. Temppeliaukio Church,
Parliament House, Finlandiatalo and several museums, Hietaniemi
Cemetery and Hietaranta Beach.
Taka-Töölö is outside the city
center. Among other things, the Olympic Stadium, the Sonera Stadium
for football, the Rowing Stadium, the National Opera, the Sibelius
Monument and the Prime Minister's Apartment Kesäranta are located in
Taka-Töölö.
Lauttasaari is a residential district with 20,000
inhabitants, 3 km west of the city center on its own island. The
district is one of the most sought after in Helsinki and a western
metro is currently being built there.
The Suomenlinna district is
quite small in population, but it is a significant UNESCO World
Heritage Site and a great tourist attraction.
Meilahti is best
known for its hospital area. The current presidential residence
Mäntyniemi, Urho Kekkonen's Tamminiemi and the Seurasaari Open-Air
Museum are also located in the district.
Ruskeasuo is a quiet
area near the city center, the building stock consists of point
houses built in the 1950s. Its new residential area is Pikku
Huopalahti by the sea.
The valley, on the other hand, is a
smaller area near Ruskeasuo, which is for the most part Central
Park. In the area are e.g. Valley Hospital and Riding Ground.
The
Hague is a district of 26,000 inhabitants in western Helsinki,
consisting of the park-like South The Hague, the North Hague suburb
of the 1950s and Lassila, built in the 1980s.
Munkkiniemi is
located right next to the city center. It covers the wealthiest
detached house areas in Helsinki (Kuusisaari and Lehtisaari), the
suburbs of Munkkiniemi, Talinranta and Munkkivuori and Niemenmäki.
Konala, on the other hand, is a fairly middle-class residential area
in northwestern Helsinki. The housing stock consists of detached and
small apartment buildings, but there is also a lot of industry in
the area.
Kaarela is a district of 27,000 inhabitants in the
north-western part of Helsinki, consisting of the suburbs of
Kannelmäki and Malminkartano and the detached house areas of
Hakuninmaa and Maununneva.
Pitäjänmäki is located 7 km from the
center. Its areas are Reimarla, Marttila and Pajamäki. The area has
15,000 inhabitants and a lot of industry. The southern part of the
district is dominated by Tali Golf Course with its mansions and Tali
allotment garden.
Sörnäinen is a workers' district near Kallio,
where Merihaa's concrete apartment buildings are also located, and
Kalasatama is currently being built as a new area. Sörnäinen can be
reached by four tram lines, several Helsinki internal, regional bus
lines and the metro. The transport connections in Sörnäinen are the
best in Finland.
Kallio is a district at the other end of Helsinki.
The area is known as an alternative area that has profiled itself as
a district for artists and students. The average income is quite
small and the average length of residence is only 3.5 years. The
area has e.g. lots of restaurants. Its sub-areas are Siltasaari
(probably better known as Hakaniemi), Linjat and Torkkelinmäki. The
landscape is dominated by Kallio Church, which stands at the highest
point.
Alppiharju is home to 12,000 Helsinki residents. The
apartments are quite small, the area is quite similar to Sörnäinen.
Linnanmäki is also located in the district.
Pasila is a fairly
central district 3 km from the center. In the area are e.g. Hartwall
Arena, Exhibition Center, Ilmala depot, Yle's studios, Itella's head
office, Velodrome cycling stadium and Käpylä sports park. The
northern part of the area is dominated by VR's extensive yard area.
Hermanni is located west of Sörnäinen, with 3,500 inhabitants and
the same number of jobs. The famous Central Prison "Sörkka" is
located in the area
Vallila is one of the northernmost districts
of the city center. The middle-class area of 8,000 inhabitants
consists mainly of apartment buildings, but the idyllic wooden
district of Puu-Vallila is also located here.
The Toukola
district has 5,000 inhabitants. There is also an Arabian factory and
a new residential area, Arabianranta, in the area.
Kumpula is
mainly known for its Kumpula campus, detached houses, village
parties and inland swimming pool.
Käpylä can be found 5 km north
of the city center. The district is known for its good team spirit
and village festivities. The Helsinki Olympic Village was located in
Käpylä. Tram line 1 also runs to the area.
Koskela is located
next to the two aforementioned districts. The 3,500-strong district
has both detached and rented apartment buildings. There is also a
large hospital area.
The Old Town is named after the fact that
Helsinki was originally located here. Today, the district has only
250 inhabitants and there is really nothing else to see besides the
mouth of the Vantaanjoki River.
Oulunkylä, the stadium Ogeli is a
special district. It is suburban, but has also had a reputation as a
garden city. It consists of Patola, Metsälä, Veräjämäki and Pirkkola
detached house areas, the suburbs of Maunula and Veräjälaakso, and
Maunulanpuisto. There are 23,000 inhabitants.
Pakila is perhaps
one of the best known of Helsinki's detached houses. There are
10,000 inhabitants. The area is divided into Western and Eastern
Pakila.
Tuomarinkylä is located in northern Helsinki, next to
Pakila. There are the Paloheinä detached house area, Torpparinmäki,
and the park areas of Haltiala and Tuomarinkartano.
Viikki is the
campus area of the University of Helsinki, where e.g. field right
next to the urban structure. The districts of Viikinranta,
Latokartano and Viikki Science Park, a district with 11,000
inhabitants, are partly connected to the university. Viikinmäki,
built in the 21st century, is a new area.
Pukinmäki is a suburb
of northeast Helsinki with 8,500 inhabitants, built mainly in the
1970s and 1980s.
Malmi is the regional center of northern
Helsinki. Malmi itself has a population of just over 10,000. Other
areas of the district are Pihlajisto (3000 inhabitants), Pihlajamäki
(8000 inhabitants) and Malmi Airport (3000 inhabitants). All areas
except the latter are classified as suburbs.
Tapaninkylä has a
population of 12,000. It consists of the low-rise Tapaninvainio and
Tapanila.
Suutarila, with 2,000 inhabitants, is a suburb of
Northern Helsinki. It includes two well-known suburbs, which are
often associated with unpleasant associations, namely Tapulikaupunki
and Siltamäki. The district also includes Töyrynummi.
The large
forest is located in the northeast corner of the city. It includes
the detached house areas of Puistola and Heikinlaakso, the
industrial area of Tattarisuo, and Jakomäki, the most remote,
low-income and perhaps least reputable area of Helsinki, although
the problems have already partially diminished.
Mustikkamaa-Korkeasaari is a recreation area in Helsinki. There is
e.g. Korkeasaari Zoo, tennis courts and beach.
Kulosaari is one
of the most prosperous areas in Helsinki. It is located on a bridge
from the city center. The district has apartment buildings, several
detached houses and embassies. There is also a metro station.
Herttoniemi is located in eastern Helsinki, with a population of
23,000.
Tammisalo is a quiet and prosperous detached house area
partly on an artificial island (thanks to the canal). There are a
lot of villas in the area, but not exactly services.
Vartiosaari
and Villinki are large islands off Helsinki. Both are independent
districts, although they have a combined population of only about
40.
Laajasalo is also a coveted residential area,
"East Lauttasaari". The population is 17,000, of which 11,000 live
in the Yliskylä apartment building area. Jollas and Hevossalmi are
upper middle class detached house areas. Tahvonlahti is a prosperous
detached house area, while Santahamina is an enclosed military area.
Vartiokylä is located in eastern Helsinki. The district has 30,000
inhabitants. It includes the apartment building suburbs of Puotila,
Myllypuro, Puotinharju and Itäkeskus, the Roihupello apartment
building area and two more prosperous detached house areas,
Vartioharju and Marjaniemi.
Mellunkylä has a population of
37,000, making it the largest district in eastern Helsinki. It
includes perhaps Finland's most famous suburb, Kontula. Kurkimäki
and Kivikko have been built as an extension of this. Another
separate suburb of the district is Mellunmäki. In addition to these,
the district includes Vesala (detached houses from the 50s and
apartment buildings from the 80s) and Mellunkylä itself (mainly
detached houses, seamlessly connected to Vartioharju).
Vuosaari
is a suburban district with 35,000 inhabitants, which continues to
grow. Vuosaari consists of different areas. The suburb of Central
Vuosaari was the first to be completed in the district-like Vuosaari
(in the 1960s). Next, the Rastila detached house area was formed. In
the 1990s, Meri-Rastila (Helsinki's most multicultural area) and
Kallahti were completed. Aurinkolahti is a hard money apartment
building area, built in the 21st century. Salary level at the top of
eastern Helsinki, along with Marjaniemi and Vartioharju. The
district also has the cargo operations of the Port of Helsinki and
the Hansa Terminal.
The eastern islands comprise the inner
archipelago of Helsinki from the eastern part of the city to
Porvarinlahti. There are only 18 inhabitants. The area is very
beautiful.
The western islands, in turn, cover the remaining part
of the Helsinki archipelago, ie the south and west of Vironniemi.
The area is at least as beautiful as the eastern archipelago, but
there are no inhabitants.
The territorial sea is the last of
Helsinki's districts. It is located south of the archipelago and has
no inhabitants.
By plane
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (IATA: HEL)
(15 km from the center). Most of Finland's international and
domestic scheduled flights depart from or arrive at Helsinki-Vantaa.
The airport has two different terminals (T1 and T2), divided by
airline. The terminals are connected by a gateway and 300 meters
apart.
The I and P trains run to the city center. The city center
can be reached in half an hour by buses no. 415, 615, 617 (regional
ticket 5.5e, see timetables) or by Finnair City Bus (6.3e, see
timetables). A taxi to the center costs about 32-40 euros. A taxi to
the airport can cost up to 50-60 euros.
By train
Helsinki is the most important hub for
Finnish train traffic and the starting point for most long-distance
trains. For this reason, Helsinki can be reached quickly by train
from almost every major Finnish city. Long-distance trains from
Russia arrive in the center of Helsinki at the railway station.
There is no train connection from Sweden due to the different track
gauges.
By bus
There are direct bus connections to
Helsinki from all over Finland, all the way to Rovaniemi. Intercity
buses arriving in Helsinki arrive at the underground bus station in
the center of Kamppi. It is easy to continue the journey from Kamppi
by metro, trams or local buses, which leave from the Kamppi and
Rautatieasema bus terminals in different parts of the Helsinki
metropolitan area.
By road
The motorways from Turku,
Ylöjärvi, Heinola and Hamina offer fast access to Helsinki from all
directions. Finding a parking space in the center is difficult and
parking is subject to a fee. Traffic in the city center is often
congested and slow by Finnish standards.
By boat
Daily
cruise ships from Stockholm (Sweden), Tallinn, Mariehamn, Gdynia,
Gdansk, Rostock, Lübeck, St. Petersburg and Denmark. Ships arrive at
one of Helsinki's three ports, and 5 terminals:
South Harbor
Katajanokka Terminal - Katajanokan Pier 8. Viking Line's ships M / S
Gabriella, M / S Mariella and M / S Viking XPRS arrive at the
Katajanokka terminal. The terminus of the 5 tram lines is right in
front of the terminal (check the departure times on the HSL website,
as the tram rarely leaves that stop).
Länsisatama -
Tyynenmerenkatu 8 - Tallink's ships M / S Star, Superstar and Baltic
Queen, Eckerö Lines' M / S Finlandia and St. Peter Line's ships
Princess Maria and Princess Anastasia arrive at the terminal. Tram
lines 6T and 9 conveniently run directly in front of the terminal
doors. The terminal also has a kiosk, luggage storage facilities, an
ATM, a café, a public transport ticket machine, a restaurant and
ticket offices for Tallink, Eckeröline and St. Peter Line.
South
Harbor Olympia Terminal - Olympic Beach 1. Tallink Silja's cruise
ships M / S Silja Serenade and M / S Silja Symphony lower their
anchors to this port. The terminal is conveniently accessible by
tram lines 2, 3 and 1A.
Eteläsatama Warehouse Terminal -
Eteläranta 7. Linda Lines' catamarans M / S Meril and M / S Karolin
arrive at the Warehouse Terminal during open waters. The terminal is
also conveniently accessible by tram lines 2, 3 and 1A. There are
Silja Lines and Linda Lines service points in the terminal.
Vuosaari Harbor Hansa Terminal - Provianttikatu 5 - A port mainly
intended for cargo traffic.
Public transport in the Helsinki region is handled
by HSL. The Snappy Route Guide guides you through the entire
Helsinki metropolitan area.
HSL tickets are valid on buses,
trams, metros, local trains and even on the Suomenlinna ferry. A
single ticket can be purchased on a mobile phone (€ 2.60) by sending
an SMS "A1" to 16355 (not valid on all bus lines). Those staying in
Helsinki for a longer period of time should buy a travel card that
costs € 9 (non-refundable) but gives a substantial discount on
one-off tickets. With a travel card, you can also conveniently pay
for the trip of several people by conveniently holding the card in
front of the reader and entering the required number of trips. The
reader shows how many trips have been purchased. When exchanging,
the card only needs to be "stamped" once.
The fine for
traveling without a ticket is a substantial € 80
Tickets are
available in a mixed spectrum:
Tram ticket (€ 2.50 from vending
machine) valid for an hour, but only at trams
One-time ticket (€
3.20 from the driver, € 2.60 as a text message, travel card button
"1" € 2.06) - valid for one hour in the Helsinki area
Regional
ticket (€ 5.50 per driver, travel card button "2" € 4.04) - valid
for 80 minutes in the Helsinki, Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen areas
Regional ticket for the entire area (€ 8.00 from the driver, travel
card button "3" € 6.09) - covers not only the normal regional ticket
but also Kerava and Kirkkonummi
By underground
Getting
around by metro is quick and convenient even in the city center. The
interval is 4 min from Ruoholahti to Itäkeskus during peak hours,
and 5 min outside it. On the Mellunmäki and Vuosaari branches, the
intervals are half as frequent, as every other train continues from
Itäkeskus to Mellunmäki and every second to Vuosaari. The line runs
east-west from Ruoholahti, branching after Itäkeskus station to
Vuosaari and Mellunmäki. In addition to easy accessibility,
Itäkeskus is the largest shopping center in the Nordic countries.
The metro is being built west of Ruoholahti, all the way to Espoo's
Matinkylä, but the line will not open until 2016.
Metro
stations
This list tells you about tourist attractions near
metro stations, if any.
In connection with Kamppi metro
station, there are Kamppi center and the bus station. There are also
several hotels nearby, as well as the Forum shopping center.
Rautatientori metro station is right in the heart of Helsinki.
Nearby are e.g. Ateneum, Finlandiatalo, Parliament House, Kiasma,
Musiikkitalo and many other attractions. Above the ticket hall of
the metro station is the Station Tunnel, which is actually an
underground shopping mall. The shops are open until 22:00 with
special permission.
Near the station of the University of
Helsinki you can find e.g. Grand Casino, Kaisaniemi Park and Kluuvi
Shopping Center.
At the entrances of Hakaniemi metro station are
Hakaniemi market square and market hall. Water buses to Korkeasaari
also leave from here in summer.
There is Kallio Church near
Sörnäinen Station, and Linnanmäki is within walking distance.
Kulosaari Station is a couple of kilometers walk to Korkeasaari.
Kulosaari Casino is also a short distance away.
Itäkeskus metro
station is connected to the Itäkeskus shopping center. Thanks to a
10-minute metro ride from the city center, the shopping center is a
good place to visit for visitors to Helsinki.
Rastila metro
station is located near the Rastila camping site.
Herttoniemi
Metro Station is located near the Marimekko factory store.
By
tram
In the center of Helsinki, it is easy to move by tram, ie
stad slang with a spore or skuru. The octagonal line 2/3 is a
popular city tour. The lines are:
1 Kauppatori - Käpylä
1A
Eira - Kauppatori - Käpylä
2 Olympic Terminal - Kamppi - Töölö -
Nordenskiöldinkatu
3 Olympic Terminal - Eira - Kallio -
Nordenskiöldinkatu
4 Katajanokka - Munkkiniemi
5 Katajanokka
Terminal - Railway Station
6 Hietalahti - Arabia
6T Western
Terminal - Arabia
7A Senate Square - Töölö - Pasila - Senate
Square
7B Senate Square - Hakaniemi - Pasila - Senate Square
8
Jätkäsaari - Töölö - Arabia
9 Western Terminal - Railway Station
- Itä-Pasila
10 Surgeon - Pikku-Huopalahti
By bus
There
is an extensive bus network in Helsinki and throughout the Helsinki
metropolitan area. There are about 75 internal lines, there are more
than 300 lines in the whole region. Buses heading east and north
depart from Elielinaukio and Rautatientori in the vicinity of the
Railway Station. Going west, the bus leaves from Kamppi's fairly new
underground bus station. Buses also depart from Itäkeskus and
Herttoniemi to different parts of the city. Itäkeskus also has a bus
connection to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.
By boat
HSL's ferry
runs from the Market Square to Suomenlinna and can be reached by
paying the normal price for a trip within Helsinki, for example with
a travel card. Ferries from private transport companies can be used
to travel e.g. From Korkeasaari Market Square and Hakaniemi and from
Pihlajasaari Kaivopuisto and Ruoholahti.
Trips abroad by
ship: You can conveniently travel abroad from Helsinki by ship.
There are three passenger terminals in Helsinki, Katjanokka,
Länsisatama and the Olympic Terminal. Shipping companies operate as
follows:
Katajanokka terminal
Viking Line
West
Harbor
Tallink (and Tallink Silja)
Eckerö line
Olympic
terminal
Tallink Silja (Tallink's subsidiary, former Silja line)
By commuter train
The commuter train reaches the northern
districts of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa, as well as the frame
municipalities of the Helsinki metropolitan area. All commuter
trains depart from the Railway Station and continue their journey
either to the shoreline all the way to Karjaa (Y-train) and
Kirkkonummi (trains S, U, L, X), the ring road to the airport
(trains I, P) or the main line to Riihimäki (trains T, R, D) and To
Lahti (Z-train). The terminus of some trains is also located before
these Terminals, such as Kauklahti (E-train), Leppävaara (A-train),
Kerava (trains K and N).
There are 15 railway stations in
Helsinki. All commuter trains stop in Pasila, but other stations can
only be reached by certain trains. Trains stop elsewhere in Helsinki
as follows:
Main line
K-train
The K-train stops in
Pasila, Oulunkylä, Malmi and Puistola. K-trains run from morning to
night on all days of the week.
N-train
The N-train runs
only in the late evenings and early and weekend mornings, but often
also in other exceptional traffic.
T-train
The T-train
runs every hour at night. It stops at all stations in Helsinki.
D, R, and Z trains
These lines do not stop in Helsinki at
stations other than Pasila.
Ring road
I and P train
I and P trains
run on the ring road. The I-train runs from Helsinki via Tikkurila
to the airport and from there on via Myyrmäki back to Helsinki, and
the P-train on the same route in the opposite direction. Trains stop
at all stations along the way and run every ten minutes during the
day on weekdays and Saturdays.
Rantarata
A-train
The
A-train stops in the Helsinki area in Pasila, Ilmala, Huopalahti,
Valimo and Pitäjänmäki. The interval is 20 minutes on weekdays (10
during peak hours) and 30 minutes on weekends. The L-train operates
at night.
E, S, and U trains
The interval between these
trains is 15 minutes and they stop not only in Pasila but also in
Huopalahti.
L-train
The L-train operates every hour at
night and stops at all stations on the route in Helsinki.
Y
and X trains
Y- and X-line trains do not stop in Helsinki except
in Pasila.
By taxi
With the new Traffic Arc, significant
changes will take effect in July 2018. After this time, the prices
of taxi journeys will no longer be regulated, allowing the taxi
operator to freely price its services. However, pricing must be
clearly visible in advance. The car does not need to have a
taximeter if the final total price of the trip is known in advance.
The car also does not need to have a yellow taxi dome on the roof. A
taxi permit is issued to any eligible company that applies for it.
Taxis can be ordered through the following services, among
others:
Uber
Yango
Going
Rickshaw
Rickshaws (path
taxis) can be rented for own use near Kaivopuisto at
Merisatamanranta 2, from 9 € / 30 min.
See
Islands
Suomenlinna. Suomenlinna is one of the largest sea fortresses in the
world and today it is also one of Helsinki's most popular tourist
attractions. Divided into several islands, the fortress is full of
old walls, catacombs and cast iron cannons. Among Helsinki
residents, the place is a popular picnic destination on sunny summer
days. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The cheapest way to
get to Suomenlinna is by HSL's ferry from Kauppatori.
Korkeasaari. Korkeasaari is Finland's largest zoo and a popular day
trip destination. The zoo has about 200 species of animals from
camels and lions to wolves and parrots. Korkeasaari is open all year
round, although in winter some animals spend their days inside in
the warm. In May-September, the island can be reached by ferry from
Kauppatori and Hakaniemi in 15 minutes or by bus 16 to Mustikkamaa,
from where the bridge takes you to Korkeasaari. You can leave your
car in the Mustikkamaa car parks. Through Blueberry Land: adults €
10, children (6-17) € 5, children under 6 free, students,
pensioners, conscripts and civil servants, and unemployed € 7. By
water, including round trip: adults € 16-18, children € 6-9,
seniors, students, conscripts and civil servants, and unemployed €
8-11 depending on the season.
Seurasaari. Seurasaari is a
park-like open-air museum island west of the city center. More than
80 buildings from all over Finland have been moved to the island and
it is a perfect place for outdoor activities, sunbathing and
picnics. The proximity to the island can be reached by bus 24 and
access to the island is free. From the middle of the bridge, the
path also turns to the adjacent Pukkisaari, where the reconstruction
of the Iron Age shopping village is located.
Vartiosaari.
Vartiosaari in eastern Helsinki is perhaps one of the most beautiful
islands in Helsinki. On the nature trail through the island you can
see e.g. Finland's only coastal plague root occurrence, the
fern-filled Kotkansiipilehdo, the Chinese people, the Viking rock
and the jetty. You can get to the island by water bus from Hakaniemi
and Laajasalo for a few euros.
Villinki. Villinki, located next
to Santahamina, is one of Helsinki's "forgotten" islands. There is
no regular water service or bridge to the island, so the only option
is to rent a boat or come on your own. The island is full of
magnificent old mansions that can be rented for your own use.
However, the real reason to visit Villing is the magnificent
unobstructed sea view from the southern rocky beach.
Pihlajasaari. Pihlajasaari is a popular outdoor island. Sandy and
rocky beaches, the nature of the island and one's own peace attract
the people of Helsinki again and again. There is a Nudist beach on
the eastern island and on weekends there is the possibility of
camping (10 €). Pihlajasaari can be reached by tide from Ruoholahti
and Merisatama (at the western end of Kaivopuisto).
Churches
Temppeliaukio Church, Lutherinkatu 3,
☎ (09) 2340 6320. Open every day, times vary. Temppeliaukio Church,
located in Etu-Töölö and completed in 1969, is one of Helsinki's
most popular attractions. The church has been excavated and built
inside the rock, but the 180 glass between the roof dome and the
walls make it a bright space.
Cathedral, Unioninkatu 29, ☎ (09)
23406120, e-mail:
tuomiokirkko.srk@evl.fi. The large white Helsinki Cathedral
dominates the landscape of Senate Square and is the most famous
building in Helsinki and perhaps in Finland as a whole. The church
was built between 1830-1852 and was designed by Carl Engel.
Uspenski Cathedral P Geography 3 b.png, Kanavakatu 1. Uspenski
Cathedral is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe and it
makes Helsinki feel like a meeting place of East and West. The
magnificent red-brick church was built between 1862-1868.
Kallio
Church, Itäinen Papinkatu 2. A gray granite church on a mountain,
with a tower height of 65 meters, about 95 m above sea level.
St.
John's Church, Korkeavuorenkatu 12. A church built in the neo-Gothic
style at the end of the 19th century. St. John's Church is the
largest stone church in Finland in terms of location, and it has two
towers.
Old Church and Old Church Park, Lönnrotinkatu 6. The park
surrounding the Old Church has served as a cemetery long before the
church was built there. In 1710, Helsinki was plagued by a plague
epidemic whose victims were buried here, which is why the park is
also unofficially known as the "Plague Park".
Congregations
United Community Church (UCC), Annankatu 7. An
international congregation that welcomes both Finns and foreigners.
Meetings in Helsinki and Espoo on Sundays. Free.
Parks
Alpine park. Located right next to Linnanmäki Amusement Park, the
park is a real gem in the center of Helsinki.
Kaivopuisto. A park
located in southern Helsinki. During the summer, the park is filled
with people who enjoy the sun and often also refreshments. The park
hosts a variety of concerts, many of which are free.
Sinebrychoff
Park. A park along the boulevard, a popular summer day spot.
Esplanade Park. A park in the heart of Helsinki with J.L. Runeberg
statue.
Töölönlahti.
Hietaniemi Cemetery.
Kaisaniemi Park.
Torit
Market. The market square at the end of the Esplanade
serves all kinds of delicacies during the summer, such as waffles,
fresh vegetables and berries, and fresh seafood. The Christmas
market in December is also worth experiencing.
Senate Square.
Hakaniemi Market Square. In Hakaniemi. Market on the first Sunday of
every month.
Railway market. In winter, the rink has an ice rink.
Museums and galleries
Museum of Architecture, Kasarmikatu 24,
☎ +358 9 8567 5100. Tue-Sun 11-18, Wed 11-20, Mon closed.
Ateneum, Kaivokatu 2, ☎ +358 294 500 401, e-mail:
ainfo@ateneum.fi. Tue
and Fri: 9 am - 6 pm, Wed-Thu: 9 am - 8 pm, Sat-Sun: 11 am - 5 pm,
closed on Mondays. Admission to the museum is free on Wednesdays
after 5 p.m. During special shows € 8 / 6.50, at other times € 6/4,
children under 18 free of charge.
Design Museum, Korkeavuorenkatu
23, ☎ +358 9 622 0540. Tue 11-20, Wed-Sun 11-18, Mon closed
(June-August Mon-Sun 11-18).
Museum of Modern Art Kiasma,
Mannerheiminaukio 2, ☎ +358 294 500 501.
National Museum,
Mannerheimintie 34, ☎ +358 40 128 6469.
Museum of Natural History
(Zoological Museum), Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13, ☎ +358 2941 28800.
The museum has reopened after renovation.
Amos Anderson Art
Museum, Yrjönkatu 27, ☎ +358 9 684 4460, e-mail:
museum@amosanderson.fi.
Mon – Fri 10–18, Sat – Sun 11–17. Adults € 7, seniors € 5, students
€ 3.50.
Other
Finlandiatalo, Mannerheimintie 13, ☎ +358 9 40241.
Concert and conference hall
Parliament House, Mannerheimintie 30,
☎ +358 9 4321.
Olympic Stadium and Tower, Paavo Nurmentie 1, ☎
+358 9 4366010, e-mail:
stadionsaatio@stadion.fi. Closed for renovation until
2019. ". Built for the 1952 Summer Olympics.
Botanical Garden,
Kaisaniemenranta 2, ☎ +358 2941 24455, e-mail:
hortus-botanicus@helsinki.fi.
Presidential Palace and
Changing of the Guard, Market Square.
Railway station, Station
Square. Designed by Eliel Saarinen, the granite station building
with its bell tower is one of Helsinki's best-known landmarks.
Heureka, Kuninkaalantie 7.
Sea Life, Tivolitie 10.
Tea
Helsinki City Quest, ☎ (+358) 9 4245 1716, (+358)
41 5403 855, e-mail:
reservations@fintur.fi. A new and innovative group action
game that utilizes modern technology to create an unforgettable
experience. The rules of the game are quite simple, the team has to
collect as many points as possible by finding hidden places around
the city and answering questions. Helsinki on Wikipedia (updated:
June 2017)
Unique Lapland In Helsinki, Kivikon Hiihtohalli,
Savikiekontie 4, 00940 HELSINKI, ☎ +358 500 899 999, e-mail:
helsinki@uniquelapland.com. 8-20. The art of snow and ice,
the world's first year-round Igluhotelli, a huge ice bar and
restaurant, and the spectrum of Lapland's activities with its husky
sleds and snowmobiles moved to Helsinki - and most interestingly, in
the summer! Unique Lapland implemented the winter world at Kivikko
Ski Hall in Kiviko, Helsinki
http://uniquelapland.com/winter-world-general-info/
Tram 3.
The tram of the third makes a nice run in the center, making it a
suitable "poor man" tour.
Hietaniemi beach. Soak up the sun and
swim on the sandy beach of Hietaniemi, Hietsu.
Picnic. Go for a
picnic in Esplanade Park or Kaivopuisto.
Linnanmäki. Finland's
largest amusement park offers many great equipment for your use.
Adult bracelet (over 120 cm) 33 €.
Vuosaari Canoeing Center,
Ramsinniementie 14, ☎ 0503768585, e-mail:
info@naturaviva.fi.
Kayak rental, kayaking courses and excursions in Eastern Helsinki.
Open every day from the beginning of June to the end of August. In
May and September based on bookings. from 15 € / 2h.
Sauna
There are several public saunas in Helsinki. Especially for saunaing
foreign guests, these are simply great destinations.
Kotiharju sauna, Harjutorinkatu 1, ☎ +358 9 753 1535. Tue – Sat
14–20 (sauna time until 9.30 pm). Kotiharju also has a sauna for
groups. Towels and peflettes are also available from the sauna.
Adults: EUR 12.00, pensioners and students: EUR 8.50, children
(12–16 years): EUR 6.00.
Arla sauna, Kaarlenkatu 15, ☎ +358 9 719
218, e-mail:
arla@arlansauna.net. Wed-Sun 14-20. The Arla sauna also
offers the possibility of cupping and massage! Admission 10 euros.
10 euros.
Sauna Hermanni, Hämeentie 63, ☎ +358 9 701 2424,
e-mail:
pietilanjaana@gmail.com. Mon-Fri 14-20 & Sat 14-18. Also
custom saunas and family saunas! Admission 9 euros.
Kulttuurisauna, Hakaniemenranta 17. Wed-Sun 16 - 20 (sauna time
until 21.00). No groups of more than 3 people, own towel.
Possibility to swim all year round. 15 euros.
Yrjönkatu Swimming
Hall, Yrjönkatu 21 B, ☎ +358 9 310 87401. Mon 12.00-21.00, Tue-Fri
6.30-21.00, Sat 8.00-21.00 & Sun 12.00-21.00. Separate days for men
and women! Custom saunas, meeting rooms and massages are also
available
Olympic Stadium sauna. 10-30 Heng. 60 €.
Kämp Spa P
Geography 3 b.png, Kluuvikatu 4 B (8th floor), entrance on
Kluuvikatu opposite Fazer's café., ☎ +358 9 5761 1330, e-mail:
info@kampspa.fi. Mon –
Fri 9am to 8pm, Sat 9am to 8pm, Sun 9am to 1pm and 4pm to 8pm. Kämp
Spa is a high-class and modern wellness center in the center of
Helsinki. KämpSpa has 3 different saunas, an experiential meeting
room and a private gym.
Festivals
Tuska Open Air Metal
Festival. Annual metal music festival in Suvilahti. Usually held a
week after Midsummer.
Helsinki Festival. The Helsinki Festival,
which has grown to almost three weeks, is held annually at the end
of August. The slogan of the festive weeks, "Art belongs to
everyone", describes the program well: everything from dance,
theater, circus and classical music to fine arts, films, children's
events and popular concerts at Tokoinranta Villa Tent. The festive
weeks culminate in the Night of the Arts, launched by bookstores,
when, in the darkening evening of August, the streets of the city
are filled with various performances and performances (as well as
drunken teenagers). In addition to the festive weeks, a number of
simultaneous city festivals have grown, such as the Flow of Urban
Music, Viapori Jazz in Suomenlinna and the Art goes tavern, which
takes art to nutrition shops.
Love & Anarchy. The popular Love & Anarchy (or
more aptly called the Helsinki International Film Festival) brings
interesting films from all over the world to the city every autumn.
In recent years, the festival has focused on Asia, but high-quality
indie and art films are also available from other continents.
Screenings of the most anticipated films will sell out as soon as
ticket sales begin a few weeks before the festivals begin, so you
should be vigilant if you want to secure your place in a particular
film.
Helsinki Pride. Tens of thousands of people march once a
year to defend equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation.
Buy
Department stores and shopping malls
Stockmann,
Aleksanterinkatu 52 B. The largest department store in the Nordic
countries is currently expanding. Undoubtedly Helsinki's most famous
and traditional retailer; when the people of Helsinki meet under the
clock, they mean the clock at the entrance to Stockmann's
Aleksanterinkatu. There is more than 50,000 square meters of sales
area after the renovation, but there is already so much that you are
sure to find everything you need here. There are several restaurants
and cafés in the department store oven, for example, on the eighth
floor there is a large restaurant world. Across the street, at the
other end of the underground tunnel, is served by the Academic
Bookstore. Alko is also located in the tunnel.
Sokos,
Mannerheimintie 9. Another large department store in the city
center, a stone's throw from the Railway Station.
Anttila Kamppi,
Salomonkatu, Kamppi Center. Anttila is a cheaper department store
than Stockmann and Sokos, but its Kampin department store covers
basic needs brilliantly. The department store is connected to
Kamppi's large shopping center and bus terminal complex through the
ground floor.
Citycenter (Sausage House), Kaivokatu 8.
Kamppi
center. A relatively new five-storey shopping center in the heart of
Helsinki. On the ground floors of the shopping center are the Espoo
bus terminal and Kamppi metro station.
Forum. Shopping center,
Mannerheimintie 14-20.
Shopping center Kluuvi, Aleksanterinkatu
9.
Kämp gallery. The high-quality shopping center next to Hotel
Kämp has several fashion, interior design and leisure shops.
Itis. The largest shopping center in the Nordic countries, located
10 kilometers east of Helsinki city center. Itäkeskus can be
conveniently reached from the city center by metro. The shopping
center also houses the second Helsinki department store in the
Stockmann department store chain, which is considerably smaller than
the city center, but still covers the entire product range. Anttila
also has its own department store here.
verkkokauppa.com/,
Tyynenmerenkatu 11, 00220 Helsinki, ☎ 010 3095555. Large electronics
store.
Market halls
There are three old market halls in
operation in Helsinki, Kauppatori, Hakaniementori and
Hietalahdentori.
Hakaniemi Market Hall. weekdays 8-18, Sat
8-16.
Wanha Market Hall. weekdays 8-18, Sat 8-16.
Hietalahti
Hall. Mon and Tue 8-18, Wed-Sat 8-22. Today, Hietalahti Hall serves
as a canteen with many different restaurants, a few banquet and gift
shops and a deli.
Design and Fashion
My o My,
Erottajankatu 9 A (Piha), ☎ +358 10 423 3734 on weekdays from 10:00
to 18:00, Sat from 08:00 to 16:00.
Paloni, Eerikinkatu 7, ☎ +358
(0) 505894131. on weekdays from 11:00 to 19:00, Sat from 11:00 to
16:00. Paloni is a creative concept store that combines art, fashion
from independent designers and handmade design. The selection
includes women's and children's clothing, jewelry, accessories, home
decor and gift items from more than 70 designers.
Flea markets
Hietalahti flea market. Hietalahti Market Square
Eat
Cheap
There are plenty of pizzerias and various ethnic restaurants in
Helsinki where you can get your stomach full at an affordable price.
Many restaurants also have lower prices for lunch time (typically
around 11am to 2pm): less than € 10 should be enough.
Forum,
Mannerheimintie 20. The shopping center has a food court-type
eatery, which is bordered by numerous small eateries.
New Bamboo
Center, Annankatu 29, ☎ +358 9 694 3117. Mon-Fri 11-22, Sat-Sun
12-22. This small Malaysian-Chinese restaurant can’t boast of its
interior, but the excellent food pulls the place full at almost any
time. Curry chicken or tofu fluttering in coconut milk is a treat.
Also take away.
Sky Express, Annankatu 31, ☎ +358 9 694 3890. Open
10-22: 30. Much of this cheaper it does not change: a day (left)
pizza and limo 6 euros. The overall look of the place is cheap, but
the pizzas are just fine - big but thin. And that place now isn't
quite a plastic chair-wax cloth nearby cup.
Event House Bank,
Unioninkatu 20.
Street Gastro, Vaasankatu 13.
Pompier,
Albertinkatu 29, ☎ +358 9 663301. Lunch buffet on weekdays 11-14.30.
lunch buffet € 10.00.
Golden Rax Pizza Buffet, Aleksanterinkatu
11 and Turunlinnantie 6 (Itäkeskus), ☎ +358 20 766 4921. Mon-Sat
11-21, Sun 12-21. Buffet restaurant chain with a rich selection of
salads, pizza, lasagna and meatballs. The price also includes as
much soda as you can drink. Buffet € 9.95, weekdays 11-14 € 9.50,
children 7-12 years € 6.95, children under 7 years € 3.95, ice cream
€ 2.95.
Happiness Thai Buffet, University of Helsinki metro
station. Mon-Fri 11-20, Sat-Sun 12-19. Reasonably tasty Thai food at
a reasonable price. The location along the metro station corridor
creates an aquarium-like atmosphere, so this is not a dating spot.
However, the price-quality ratio is right, although the coffee that
has stood in the pan for hours is only suitable for the most
hardened caffeineists. Instead, brewed green tea is good. Buffet 11
€, individual portions 7 €.
Barbarossa pizzaria & kebab,
Yrjönkatu 29, ☎ 045 235 4141.
Mid-priced
KuuKuu, Museokatu
17, ☎ +358 9 270 90 974. Mon-Fri 11-01, Sat 12-01, Sun 12-22. An
immediate place to eat in Töölö. The food in the recently modernized
restaurant can be described as made by Grandma. Simple and tasty
basic dishes. Also on the bar side quite a hustle and bustle
especially on weekends.
Viking Restaurant Harald,
Aleksanterinkatu 21, Citykäytävä second floor, ☎ +358447668010.
Azores, Meritullinkatu 5, ☎ +358 9 625 514. Weekdays 11-24, Sat
12-24, Sun 12-21. Close to the cathedral, the restaurant in Azores
has a nice immediate atmosphere. You can come here to eat a great
three-course dinner or just depart for a quick pasta. The host makes
sure everyone fits in with the crowd.
Brasserie Kämp,
Pohjoisesplanadi 29, ☎ +358 9 5840 9530, e-mail:
kamp_cafe@hotelkamp.fi.
Brasserie Kämp opening hours Mon-Wed 11.30 - 24.00, Thu-Fri 11.30 -
01.00, Sat 12.00 - 01.00, Sun 12.00 - 24.00. Kämp Bar opening hours
Mon-Tue 11.00 - 01.00, Wed-Fri 11.00 - 02.00, Sat 11.00 - 02.00, Sun
11.00-01.00. Lunch and à la carte restaurant on the Esplanade
Santa Fé, Aleksanterinkatu 15, ☎ +358 9 4242 6010. Mon-Thu 11-01,
Fri-Sat 11-02, Sun 13-01. A traditional but youthful tex mex place.
A popular place and don’t take table reservations, so a little wait
is often necessary.
Cantina West, Kasarmikatu 23, ☎ +358 20 742
4210. Mon-Tue 11-24, Wed-Thu 11-01, Fri 11-02, Sat 12-02, Sun 13-24.
I have been starving big doses of tex mex since 1990.
Restaurant
Lasipalatsi, Mannerheimintie 22-24, ☎ +358 20 7424 290, e-mail:
restoran@lasipalatsi.fi.
Mon-Fri 11-24, Sat 14-24. A restaurant located in Lasipalatsi that
is involved in the Helsinki menu project.
MorriSon´s Grill &
Green, Ateneuminkuja, ☎ +358 9 625 466.
Restaurant Carlito's
Helsinki, Kluuvikatu 4, ☎ +358 9 1345 6749, e-mail:
carlitoskluuvikatu@palacekamp.fi.
Zetor, Mannerheimintie
3-5, Kaivopiha, ☎ 010 76 64450, e-mail:
restoran.zetor@sok.fi.
Price methods
Carelia, Mannerheimintie 56, ☎ +358 9 270
90 976, e-mail:
carelia@carelia.info. Mon-Fri 11-23, Sat 16-23. The
kitchen is open until 10 pm, for opera nights longer. A gastronomic
pharmacy opposite the Opera House. Finnish food with a French
emphasis. One of the best (if not the best) wine list in town, the
list includes only 37 different champagnes.
Restaurant Kuu,
Töölönkatu 27, ☎ +358 2709 0973, e-mail:
restoran@ravintolakuu.info. Mon-Fri 11-24, Sat 13-24, Sun
13-22. The kitchen closes an hour earlier. Restaurant Kuu has been
offering Töölöläinen taste experiences since 1966. Recently
renovated, the restaurant is more popular than ever before. From the
list, smoked salmon soup has become a real classic!
Bakers,
Mannerheimintie 12, ☎ +358 9 6126 330, e-mail:
bakers@primula.fi. A
restaurant, bar and café opposite the Stockmann department store.
Boathouse, Liuskasaari, ☎ +358 9 622 7 1070, e-mail:
boathouse@palacekamp.fi.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 17: 00-24: 00 (kitchen closes at 22:00).
Summer, July and August: Sun 16:00 to 22:00 (kitchen closes at
21:00).
Demo, Uudenmaankatu 9-11, ☎ +358 9 2289 0840,
e-mail:
demo@restaurantdemo.fi. Tue-Sat 16: 00-23: 00 One Michelin
star restaurant.
G.W.Sundmans, Eteläranta 16, ☎ +358 9 622 6410.
Mon-Fri 11-14.30, 17-24, Sat 18-24, on Sundays by appointment for
groups. One Michelin star restaurant.
Kosmos, Kalevankatu 3, ☎
+358 9 647 255, e-mail:
kosmos@ravintolakosmos.fi. Mon-Fri 11.30-01, Sat 16-01.
Historic restaurant near the Stockmann department store.
Pörssi,
Fabianinkatu 14, ☎ +358 9 6128 6100. A large luxury restaurant
located in the stock exchange building.
Sasso, Pohjoisesplanadi
17, ☎ +358 9 6128 5150, e-mail:
sasso@palacekamp.fi. An Italian restaurant opposite the
statue of Havis Amanda.
Särkänlinna, Särkänsaari, ☎ +358 9 6128
5550, e-mail:
myyntipalvelu@royalravintolat.com. Mon-Sat 17: 30-24: 00
(kitchen closes at 22:00), Sun closed. The archipelago restaurant
Särkänlinna offers French-Finnish cuisine. The autumn of Särkänlinna
traditionally includes a crab festival.
Savoy, Eteläesplanadi 14,
☎ +358 9 6128 5300. One of the most common restaurants in Helsinki.
Mannerheim was once a regular customer, and Savoy’s Vorschmack
(minced meat-herring frying) is still legendary.
Tokyo55,
Runeberginkatu 55, ☎ +358 10 841 1111. Tue-Fri 16-24, Sat 14-24.
Perhaps the best Japanese restaurant in Helsinki: Japanese chefs
deserve authentic sushi, but the menu also includes more
Finnish-influenced options such as a dill-flavored smoked salmon
roll. Good selection of sake and (Japanese) beers. Booking required
on weekends. € 30.
Yume, Kluuvikatu 2, ☎ +358 9 5761 1718,
e-mail: yume@hpalacekamp.fi.
Mon-Thu lunch 11.30-14.30, Mon-Thu dinner 17: 00-23: 00, Fri-Sat 17:
00-24: 00. Japanese restaurant in the center of Helsinki: authentic
sushi, miso soups and other Japanese delicacies, from tofu to duck.
Wide selection of sake and Japanese beers.
Drink
Cafes
Cafe Tin Tin Tango, Töölöntorinkatu 7, ☎ +358 9
270 90979. Mon-Thu 7.00-24, Fri 7.00-02.00, Sat 9-02.00, Sun
10.00-24.00. A unique combination of a café, a breakfast place, a
laundry room and even a custom sauna. Extremely popular especially
on weekends.
Karl Fazer Café, Kluuvikatu 3, ☎ +358 20 729 6702,
e-mail: fazer.cafe@fazer.fi.
Mon-Fri 7.30-22, Sat 9-22. Delicacies for every hungry.
Kämp
Café, Pohjoisesplanadi 29, ☎ +358 9 5840 9530, e-mail:
cafe@hotelkamp.fi.
Mon-Wed 11.30-24.00, Thu-Fri 11.30-01.00, Sat 12.00-01.00. Cultural
and international.
Cafe Engel. On the edge of Senate Square.
Robert's Coffee, Kluuvikatu 7, ☎ +358 9 6871 0570. Mon-Fri 7.30-21,
Sat 10-21, Sun 12-19. Delicious coffees. Internet for customers.
Café Esplanad, Pohjoisesplanadi 37, ☎ +358 9 665 496. Mon-Fri 8-22,
Sat 9-22, Sun 10-22.
Ateljee Bar, Yrjönkatu 26 (14th floor of
Hotel Tower). Upstairs, Hotel Torni, Finland's tallest hotel, has a
café-bar with great views of the entire city center - including the
toilets that came to everyone's attention at the latest with the
Restless Movies.
Cake Gallery, Separator 7 (in connection with
the Design Forum). Absolutely lovely Sacher cake. Included saves
money.
Cafe Lasipalatsi, Mannerheimintie 22-24, ☎ +358 20 7424
291. Mon-Fri 7: 30-22 Sat 9-22 Sun 11-22.
Strindberg,
Pohjoisesplanadi 33, ☎ +358 9 6128 6900, e-mail:
strindberg@royalravintolat.com.
Bars & pubs
Belge,
Kluuvikatu 5, ☎ +358 10 766 3590, e-mail:
belge@sok.fi. Belgian bar
with show cooking. French by Belgian is a sure choice with beer.
Spårakoff. There is a bar on the tram that travels around Helsinki
in summer. Also bookable for private events.
Aussie Bar,
Salomonkatu 5, ☎ +358 (0) 9 737373. Australian pub.
Molly
Malone's Irish Bar, +358 9 576 675 00, e-mail:
info@mollymalones.fi.
Batman Bar, Helsinginkatu 1
00500 Helsinki, ☎ +358 09 713455. A
two-storey rock bar with a pool table and a band stage in the
basement.
Nightclubs
Dtm, Mannerheiminkatu 6 B.
Scandinavia's largest combination of gay café, bar and nightclub.
The program ranges from draq queen performances to popular house
clubs.
Sixth line, Hämeentie 13 (entrance from the yard,
Kaikukatu 4). Open Tue – Thu 21–03, Fri – Sat 22–04, Sun 20–03. K20.
A popular nightclub for both live and electronic music clubs along
Hämeentie. On summer Sundays from 6 pm on the courtyard terrace
playing a DJ, bring snacks with you and prepare them on the terrace
gas grill.
Tavastia Club, Urho Kekkonen street 4-6. A traditional
venue for rock gigs in the center.
Semifinal, Urho Kekkonen katu
6 (visit from the courtyard). A smaller rock-inspired place that
works in connection with Tavastia.
Circus, Salomonkatu 1–3, ☎ 010
4233 231.
Sleep
Cheap
Hotel Finn, Kalevankatu 3 B, ☎
+358 9 684 4360, e-mail:
info@hotellifinn.fi. From 59 €> The youthful and
renovating Hotel Finn offers its guests affordable and high-quality
accommodation right in the heart of Helsinki. From 59 €.
Eurohostel, Linnankatu 9 (Trams 4 and 4T), ☎ 09 6220470, e-mail:
eurohostel@eurohostel.fi.
Check-in: 14, check-out: 12. Next to Katajanokka terminal, walking
distance to downtown services. Single room € 45.40, double room €
54.20, triple room € 72.90 and bed € 27.10. Breakfast from a
standing table € 8.50. Group and student discounts. The morning
sauna is included in the price. 27.10.
Summer hostel Karavaani,
Karavaanikatu 4 (Metro: Rastila), ☎ +358 9 310 71441, e-mail:
hostelkaravaani@hel.fi.
Set in a campsite, this modern and family-friendly hostel in the
middle of summer is conveniently connected by metro to the center.
In addition to the dormitory, rooms for 1-5 people. Bed linen is
included in the price. Dorm place 21 €, double room 62 €, family
price (2 adults, 3 children) 77 €.
Radisson Blu Palace, Mikonkatu
23, ☎ +358 20 1234 703, e-mail:
info.plaza.helsinki@radissonblu.com. The Radisson Blu
Plaza Hotel is located right in the heart of Helsinki and is
therefore close to everything that happens in Helsinki. For lovers
of culture and entertainment, next to the hotel is the National
Theater and Grand Casino Helsinki. Ateneum and Kiasma. Shopping
tourists will find all of Helsinki's largest department stores and
the most interesting small shops in the immediate vicinity of the
hotel. The Market Square and the Old Market Hall are about a
kilometer away.
Omenahotelli, Eerikinkatu 24, e-mail:
info@omena.fi. In the
center near the center of Kamppi. Toilet, shower, 26 "LCD TV, small
fridge, microwave, kettle (disposable cups in the room), coffee,
tea, hairdryer and dining table. Apple breakfast € 5.80 / person.
Business package € 16 / night includes Internet connection , two
free movies per day and breakfast, parking € 17.50 / night, 4 rooms
from € 45 / room.
Omenahotelli, Lönnrotinkatu 13, e-mail:
info@omena.fi. In the
center near the center of Kamppi. Toilet, shower, 32 "LCD TV, small
fridge, microwave, kettle (disposable cups in the room), coffee,
tea, hairdryer and dining table. Apple breakfast € 5.80 / person.
Business package € 16 / night includes Internet connection , two
free movies per day and breakfast 4 rooms from 45 € / room.
Hotel
AVA, Karstulantie 6, ☎ +358 (0) 9 774 751, e-mail:
varaukset@ava.fi.
Hostel
Erottajanpuisto, Uudenmaankatu 9. Beds made. Internet is included in
the price. Toilet and shower in the hallway. Breakfast 7 €. Double
room 90 € / room, double room 68 € / room, single room 54 € / room.
Hotel Arthur, Vuorikatu 19. WC and shower in the corridor. Breakfast
5 €. Single room 45 € / night per week 35 € / night on weekends,
double rooms 66 € / person per week, 59 € / person on weekends.
Congress House, Snellmaninkatu 15. WC and shower in the hallway, no
breakfast. Double room 65 € / room, double room 50 € / room, single
room 40 € / room.
Forenom Hostel Vantaa Airport, Ilmailutie 9
(1.3 km from the airport). Shared toilets and lockable walk-in
showers with other rooms. The hostel has a microwave, kettle and
coffee maker. Double room about 60e / night.
Mid-priced
Bed and Breakfast Panorama Suite, e-mail:
panoramasuite@yahoo.com.
Luxurious Bed and Breakfast with Stunning Panoramic Views, Private
Kitchen, Large Bathroom and Balcony. Prices 60-75e / night / 1-2
person.
Radisson Blu Seaside, Ruoholahdenranta 3, ☎ +358 20 1234
707, e-mail:
info.seaside.helsinki@radissonblu.com. Radisson Blu
Seaside Hotel offers excellent service and a pleasant accommodation
experience in Helsinki. Enjoy stunning sea views in our sauna
facilities above the rooftops. Our hotel also offers high-quality
meeting facilities as well as play areas for children. Our services
include Express check-out, laundry services, Grab & Run breakfast,
late check-out and Super Breakfast.
Hotel GLO, Kluuvikatu 4, ☎
+358 9 5840 9540, tel direct. +358 10 3444 400, e-mail:
glo@palacekamp.fi.
Hotel GLO is located in Helsinki on the corner of Aleksanterinkatu
and Kluuvikatu - the center of the city's culture, history and
business. The hotel has a direct entrance to the Kämp Galleria
shopping center. Palace Kämp Day Spa is located on the top floor of
the hotel, and Helsinki’s top restaurants are right next door.
Hotel Linna, Lönnrotinkatu 29, ☎ +358 10 3444 100, e-mail:
hotellinna@palacekamp.fi.
Hotel Linna is an idyllic small hotel with 48 rooms in the center of
Helsinki. The hotel has two saunas and a 90-space garage.
Sokos
Hotel Torni, Yrjönkatu 26, ☎ +358 20 1234 604, e-mail:
sales.helsinki@sok.fi.
Opened in the 1930s, Hotel Torni has seen a variety of historical
stages. Today, it is a recently refurbished chain hotel with rooms
tastefully decorated in three different styles. The top-floor bar
has great views over Helsinki. Double room from 110 €.
Scandic
Simonkenttä, Simonkatu 9, ☎ +358 9 68 380. Centrally located next to
Kamppi Shopping Center, the newer hotel is popular with many
business travelers. Double room from 84 €.
Scandic Marski,
Mannerheimintie 10, ☎ +358 (0) 9 68 061, e-mail:
marski@scandichotels.com.
Hotel Helka, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23, ☎ +358 9 613 580,
e-mail: reservations@helka.fi.
Hotel Anna, Annankatu 1, ☎ +358 9 616 621, e-mail:
info@hotelanna.fi.
Hotel
GLO Helsinki Airport, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport Teminaali 2, ☎ +358 10
3444 600, e-mail:
hotellinna@palacekamp.fi. Hotel GLO Helsinki Airport at
Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is located on the service floor, Terminal 2,
which also has a direct internal corridor connection to Terminal 1.
The hotel offers fast and hassle-free accommodation for both leisure
and business travelers.
Park Hotel Käpylä, Pohjolankatu 38, ☎ +358 9 799
755, e-mail: parkhotel@park.fi.
Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka, Merikasarminkatu 1, ☎
+358 9 686 450, e-mail:
sales@bwkatajanokka.fi.
Best Western Hotel Carlton,
Kaisaniemenkatu 3, ☎ +358 9 684 1320, e-mail:
carlton.booking@carlton.fi.
Best Western Hotel Haaga,
Nuijamiestentie 10, ☎ +358 9 5807 877, e-mail:
hotel@haaga.fi.
Best Western
Airport Hotel Pilotti, Veromäentie 1, ☎ +358 9 3294800, e-mail:
hotel.pilotti@bwpilotti.fi. International hotel near the
airport.
Hotel Cumulus Hakaniemi, Siltasaarenkatu 14, ☎ +358 (0)
9 5466 0100, e-mail:
hakaniemi.cumulus@restel.fi.
Hotel Cumulus Kaisaniemi,
Kaisaniemenkatu 7, ☎ (09) 172 881, e-mail:
kaisaniemi.cumulus@restel.fi.
Hotel Cumulus Olympia,
Läntinen Brahenkatu 2, ☎ (09) 69 151, e-mail:
olympia.cumulus@restel.fi.
Price methods
Kämp, Pohjoisesplanadi 29, ☎ +358 9 576
111, e-mail:
hotelkamp@hotelkamp.fi. Perhaps Finland's most famous and
luxurious hotel in the heart of Helsinki. Double room from 260 €.
Radisson Blu Royal, Runeberginkatu 2, ☎ +358 20 1234 701, e-mail:
info.royal.helsinki@radissonblu.com. Radisson Blu Royal
Hotel is located right in the heart of Helsinki, next to the new
Kamppi shopping center. A short walk from the hotel you will find
Helsinki’s best cultural, entertainment and shopping venues.
Crowne Plaza, Mannerheimintie 50, ☎ +358 9 2521 0000, e-mail:
helsinki.cph@restel.fi.
The former Hotel Hesperia is now a high standard Crowne Plaza hotel.
Rooms are modern, with free internet access and brand new gym and
pool facilities. Double room per week from 180 €, cheaper on
weekends.
Sokos Hotel Vaakuna, Asema-aukio 2, ☎ 020 1234 610,
e-mail:
vaakuna.helsinki@sokoshotels.com.
Sokos Hotel Presidentti,
Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 4, ☎ +358 (0) 20 1234 608, e-mail:
presidentti.helsinki@sokoshotels.fi.
Holiday Inn Helsinki
City Center, Elielinaukio 5, ☎ +358 9 5425 5000, e-mail:
helsinki.hihcc@restel.fi.
Hilton Helsinki Strand, John Stenberg Beach 4, ☎ +358 9 39351,
e-mail:
helsinkistrand@hilton.com.
Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa,
Kalastajatorpantie 1, ☎ +358 9 45811.
Talk
In Helsinki,
mainly Finnish is spoken. The largest group of minorities is the
Finno-Swedes. The number of foreign speakers has also increased
greatly in recent years.
Stay safe
Risks in Helsinki
Crime / Violence: Fairly low On weekends, drunk people, pickpockets,
bike thieves. In some suburbs, youth gangs.
Corruption: Low
Traffic: Low Buses should be considered, they may come from the stop
in front, even if you are passing by car.
Health: Low The
archipelago has a lot of mites. After walking in the woods and
sitting on the lawn, it is worth doing a tick check.
As a
rule, Helsinki is a safe city, but drunk people cause their own
problems. For example, in the vicinity of Sörnäinen and in the
shopping centers in the suburbs, you may have trouble on Friday
night if you happen to sue. There are a few guidelines to follow.
Don’t wander alone to the train or subway stations of vague
neighborhoods at night. They have become known for numerous assaults
and robberies. Don’t lend your cell phone to strangers - you may
never see it again. Follow common sense so you can cope with all
situations without worry. However, moving in Helsinki is safe even
in the evening.
Continue your journey
Tallinn is only 80
kilometers away on the other side of the Gulf of Finland. A day or
two of travel is a great getaway to old or new Tallinn. For example,
Linda Line can be reached reasonably cheaply and quickly (
www.lindaline.fi ). See
all timetables for crossing the bay at
www.viroweb.com/links/timetables
Tampere is 170 kilometers
to the north and about 1.5-2 hours are covered by hourly trains,
express buses or by motorway.
Hämeenlinna is about 100 kilometers
north of Helsinki, and the journey is convenient either by public
transport or by car. The most famous attraction is the medieval Häme
Castle.
Porvoo is also on the list of many visitors to
Helsinki. Porvoo has a beautiful old town and can be reached in
summer, e.g. by the hat hat museum train, hydrofoil ship or J. L.
Runeberg ship * Traveling to St. Petersburg is easy from Helsinki.
The Allegro high-speed train can be reached in 3.5 hours and there
are four times a day. From the Kamppi terminal, you can get to St.
Petersburg by bus a few times a day. St. Peter Line's car ferry M /
S Princess Maria also takes you to St. Petersburg.
The bay is 100
kilometers north of Helsinki. See Radiomäki and its radio masts. You
can travel there directly from Helsinki by Z-train, bus or car along
the motorway.
Tuusula-Järvenpää artist community and the historic
Rantatie about 30 km north of Helsinki. See e.g. Sibelius' home is
Ainola, Haloseniemi and the Lotta Museum. Take the Kamppi terminal
shuttle bus to Ainola or follow in Sibelius's footsteps by taking
the H-train to Ainola. The area is best explored by bike or car.