Guidebook for Helsinki
Everything Else
West Harbour
This is where you can catch a ferry to St Petersburg or Tallinn.
Olympia Terminal station
This is one of the places where Silja Line ferries to Stockholm leave.
This is the closest tramstop. Number 6 takes you to the center, Railway station, and bar hopping in Kallio. Hietalahdentori is a legendary flee market in the summer.
57 locals recommend
Hietalahti Market
34 LönnrotinkatuThis is the closest tramstop. Number 6 takes you to the center, Railway station, and bar hopping in Kallio. Hietalahdentori is a legendary flee market in the summer.
This is the tramstop for number 3 that runs quite late at night. When coming home, take the one that goes in the direction "Eira" and get off at "Iso Roobertinkatu".
15 locals recommend
Iso Roobertinkatu
Iso RoobertinkatuThis is the tramstop for number 3 that runs quite late at night. When coming home, take the one that goes in the direction "Eira" and get off at "Iso Roobertinkatu".
Men (Tue, Thu, Sat) and women (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) take turns, because you can swim naked here! Enjoy the wood-heated sauna on the 2nd floor after 2PM (except Mon). Open 12noon - 8PM, September - May.
69 locals recommend
Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
21 B YrjönkatuMen (Tue, Thu, Sat) and women (Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun) take turns, because you can swim naked here! Enjoy the wood-heated sauna on the 2nd floor after 2PM (except Mon). Open 12noon - 8PM, September - May.
Sightseeing
Nice view to the sea, and a tiny beach. Turn left and see the most luxurious Art Noveau style villas in Finland. The Ullanlinna villas were all built in the 1910's.
39 locals recommend
Eiranranta
EiranrantaNice view to the sea, and a tiny beach. Turn left and see the most luxurious Art Noveau style villas in Finland. The Ullanlinna villas were all built in the 1910's.
This wooden church was meant to be temporary (while they built the Dome in 1826--). The graveyard hosts city dwellers who died of plague in the 18th century. It is also a popular picnic area.
8 locals recommend
Vanha kirkko
6 LönnrotinkatuThis wooden church was meant to be temporary (while they built the Dome in 1826--). The graveyard hosts city dwellers who died of plague in the 18th century. It is also a popular picnic area.
Sled hill, ice skating. Picnic & party area in summer.
There used to be a beer factory in the red brick buildings (notice the matching tower). You can still buy Koff beer, but it's brewed elsewhere.
35 locals recommend
Sinebrychoff Park
SinebrychoffinkatuSled hill, ice skating. Picnic & party area in summer.
There used to be a beer factory in the red brick buildings (notice the matching tower). You can still buy Koff beer, but it's brewed elsewhere.
Explore the old ship yards before they are turned into hotels and office buildings next year. They used to build the world's biggest and most beautiful cruise ships here.
46 locals recommend
Hernesaaren Ranta
6 HernesaarenrantaExplore the old ship yards before they are turned into hotels and office buildings next year. They used to build the world's biggest and most beautiful cruise ships here.
If your a fan of Aalto's architecture, you'll be glad to know that there are quite a few of his buildings nearby. Check http://www.alvaraalto.fi/info/guide/helsinki.htm for a list.
Bangatan 9
If your a fan of Aalto's architecture, you'll be glad to know that there are quite a few of his buildings nearby. Check http://www.alvaraalto.fi/info/guide/helsinki.htm for a list.
Food Scene
Uudenmaankatu is probably the shortest walk to the center: many good small restaurants (Bar9, Tapasta etc.) and galleries. Known as the Design Destrict of Helsinki.
Uudenmaankatu
UudenmaankatuUudenmaankatu is probably the shortest walk to the center: many good small restaurants (Bar9, Tapasta etc.) and galleries. Known as the Design Destrict of Helsinki.
Traditional Finnish and Carelian food. Take the fish buffet for lunch.
52 locals recommend
Konstan Möljä
14 HietalahdenkatuTraditional Finnish and Carelian food. Take the fish buffet for lunch.
Trendy restaurant. You can see from the clientele that there is a model agency just across the street. The pink building is actually a Methodist church.
Fredrikintori
FredrikintoriTrendy restaurant. You can see from the clientele that there is a model agency just across the street. The pink building is actually a Methodist church.
Good old fashioned cafeteria where they still serve you to the tables. And its not just for old Swedish speaking ladies (though that's the reputation).
70 locals recommend
Ekberg 1852 Ltd
9 BulevardiGood old fashioned cafeteria where they still serve you to the tables. And its not just for old Swedish speaking ladies (though that's the reputation).
Drinks & Nightlife
This pedestrian street is best known for its nightlife, but the shops (including two flee markets), cafes and restaurants are also worth visiting. The street is a paradise for fast food lovers.
15 locals recommend
Iso Roobertinkatu
Iso RoobertinkatuThis pedestrian street is best known for its nightlife, but the shops (including two flee markets), cafes and restaurants are also worth visiting. The street is a paradise for fast food lovers.
This and the other bars in the building are owned by the film directors Aki and Mika Kaurismäki. Many of their films are actually filmed in the Punavuori area!
Check for events: www.andorra.fi/.
33 locals recommend
Corona bar & billiard
3 TraverssikujaThis and the other bars in the building are owned by the film directors Aki and Mika Kaurismäki. Many of their films are actually filmed in the Punavuori area!
Check for events: www.andorra.fi/.
Swengi Karaoke Nightclub. Don't leave Finland without experiencing karaoke! If you've seen M. Kaurismäki's film The Three Wise Men - this is the place. Even if you don't like it, it's worth seeing.
Iso Roobertinkatu 10
10 Iso RoobertinkatuSwengi Karaoke Nightclub. Don't leave Finland without experiencing karaoke! If you've seen M. Kaurismäki's film The Three Wise Men - this is the place. Even if you don't like it, it's worth seeing.
Essentials
A good average size food store and a shop for alcoholic beverages. Take a shortcut through the building opposite the park side entrance (and stairs down).
64 locals recommend
S-market Bulevardi
7 HietalahdenrantaA good average size food store and a shop for alcoholic beverages. Take a shortcut through the building opposite the park side entrance (and stairs down).
Delish Iso Roba
2 Iso RoobertinkatuOpen 24/7.
Alepa Iso Roobertinkatu
21 Iso RoobertinkatuOpen til 11pm.
Shopping
An old Finnish saying goes: if you can't find it anywhere, go to Stockmann's.
256 locals recommend
Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 AleksanterinkatuAn old Finnish saying goes: if you can't find it anywhere, go to Stockmann's.
Kamppi
Shopping center, bus station and metro stop.
Marimekko products and fabrics for a big discount. Open Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat 10-16. Take the metro to Herttoniemi. Cross the bridge/ramp, take the 2nd left & turn right after McDonalds. Modest building.
Kirvesmiehenkatu 7
7 KirvesmiehenkatuMarimekko products and fabrics for a big discount. Open Mon-Fri 10-18, Sat 10-16. Take the metro to Herttoniemi. Cross the bridge/ramp, take the 2nd left & turn right after McDonalds. Modest building.
Arts & Culture
In the permanent collections: paintings of Old Masters.
Feb 2. – Apr 29.2012- REMBRANDT- Master of the Copper Plate.
29 locals recommend
Sinebrychoff Art Museum
In the permanent collections: paintings of Old Masters.
Feb 2. – Apr 29.2012- REMBRANDT- Master of the Copper Plate.
Movie theaters, and a Museum of Cultures with exiting exhibitions from all around the world.
135 locals recommend
HAM - Helsinki Art Museum
8 Eteläinen RautatiekatuMovie theaters, and a Museum of Cultures with exiting exhibitions from all around the world.
Nosturi
8 TelakkakatuCheck http://www.elmu.fi/ for upcoming gigs.
Jazz, operetta, dance... http://www.aleksanterinteatteri.fi/briefly-in-english
The building used to be the national opera before the new house was built.
Aleksanterin Teatteri
Jazz, operetta, dance... http://www.aleksanterinteatteri.fi/briefly-in-english
The building used to be the national opera before the new house was built.
Check the program for local bands, stand up comedy, amateur theatre and other less advertised events: http://nk.hel.fi/gloria/.
Gloria Cultural Arena
Check the program for local bands, stand up comedy, amateur theatre and other less advertised events: http://nk.hel.fi/gloria/.
A must for art lovers. Contemporary Finnish art museum.
384 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
2 MannerheiminaukioA must for art lovers. Contemporary Finnish art museum.
Mannerheimintie 6
6 MannerheimintieThe best gay club in town just recently moved here. DTM = Don't Tell Mama.