My Helsinki insights
Places to visit
CHECK OPENING TIMES AS THIS IS CLOSED IN THE WINTER. The most popular amusement park in Finland.
https://www.linnanmaki.fi/en
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Linnanmaki
1 TivolikujaCHECK OPENING TIMES AS THIS IS CLOSED IN THE WINTER. The most popular amusement park in Finland.
https://www.linnanmaki.fi/en
Air legends on display!
https://ilmailumuseo.fi/en/
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Aviation Museum
12 KarhumäentieAir legends on display!
https://ilmailumuseo.fi/en/
Suomenlinna
UNESCO world heritage.
Kauppatori
EtelärantaPeaceful walk through a bird sanctuary along a wood path through reeds.
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Fårholmen
Peaceful walk through a bird sanctuary along a wood path through reeds.
Several very interesting art exhibitions every year.
https://www.hamhelsinki.fi/en/
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Mużew tal-Arti ta 'Helsinki
8 Eteläinen RautatiekatuSeveral very interesting art exhibitions every year.
https://www.hamhelsinki.fi/en/
Art museum with a fixed exhibition of finnish grand masters and high quality changing exhibitions.
https://ateneum.fi/en/
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Ateneum
2 KaivokatuArt museum with a fixed exhibition of finnish grand masters and high quality changing exhibitions.
https://ateneum.fi/en/
Science center with interesting fixed and changing exhibitions and activities for both young and adult visitors.
Found along the train line from the air port
https://www.heureka.fi/?lang=en
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Heureka
1 TiedepuistoScience center with interesting fixed and changing exhibitions and activities for both young and adult visitors.
Found along the train line from the air port
https://www.heureka.fi/?lang=en
Museum of contemporary art.
https://kiasma.fi/en/
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Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
2 MannerheiminaukioMuseum of contemporary art.
https://kiasma.fi/en/
Amos Rex
22-24 MannerheimintiePrivately owned art museum.
https://amosrex.fi/en/
Design museum with Finnish design pearls.
https://www.designmuseum.fi/sv/
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Design Museum Helsinki
23 KorkeavuorenkatuDesign museum with Finnish design pearls.
https://www.designmuseum.fi/sv/
Outdoor swimming year round right in the city center - also in the winter!
https://allasseapool.fi/?lang=en
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Allas Sea Pool
2a KatajanokanlaituriOutdoor swimming year round right in the city center - also in the winter!
https://allasseapool.fi/?lang=en
Very special archtecture and acustics in this church built partly under ground. Irecommend going to a concert here if the timing happens to work.
https://www.temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/
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Knisja ta 'Temppeliaukion
3 LutherinkatuVery special archtecture and acustics in this church built partly under ground. Irecommend going to a concert here if the timing happens to work.
https://www.temppeliaukionkirkko.fi/
In the summer you can take one of the many water busses that go to a variety of islands in front of Helsinki from here. Some of the water busses offer sightseeing tours or dinner cruises.
Definitely worth the time spent.
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/maps-and-transport/transport/ferry/water-transport
South Harbour
In the summer you can take one of the many water busses that go to a variety of islands in front of Helsinki from here. Some of the water busses offer sightseeing tours or dinner cruises.
Definitely worth the time spent.
https://www.hel.fi/helsinki/en/maps-and-transport/transport/ferry/water-transport
SUMMER ONLY: A beautiful pair of islands with a fantastic beach on the north side and ice age formed rocks on the other sides. A restaurant is available on the island as well as special places where you can heat your own food over open fire.
This is also the place to go if you want to go to a naturist beach. It is in a remote part of the islands.
The Pihlajasaari islands are reachable by sea busses.
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Pihlajasaari
SUMMER ONLY: A beautiful pair of islands with a fantastic beach on the north side and ice age formed rocks on the other sides. A restaurant is available on the island as well as special places where you can heat your own food over open fire.
This is also the place to go if you want to go to a naturist beach. It is in a remote part of the islands.
The Pihlajasaari islands are reachable by sea busses.
Self service and utterly simple sauna for the most social people. A hidden gem. Not for the shy or timid.
https://www.sompasauna.fi/
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Sompasauna
6 VerkkosaarenkujaSelf service and utterly simple sauna for the most social people. A hidden gem. Not for the shy or timid.
https://www.sompasauna.fi/
A wonderful center for a multitude of art forms. This used to be a cable factory and the industrial architecture gives a great frame for the activities receding here now.
https://www.kaapelitehdas.fi/en/
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Kaapelitehdas
3 TallberginkatuA wonderful center for a multitude of art forms. This used to be a cable factory and the industrial architecture gives a great frame for the activities receding here now.
https://www.kaapelitehdas.fi/en/
A wonderful small island with great sauna, restaurants, and a tranquil air. To get here you need to use one of the boat lines. There are also some festivals arranged at the Lonna island.
http://www.lonna.fi/en/
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Lonnan sauna
A wonderful small island with great sauna, restaurants, and a tranquil air. To get here you need to use one of the boat lines. There are also some festivals arranged at the Lonna island.
http://www.lonna.fi/en/
A moment of silence and thought to get away from the hectic city around you? The ecumenical chapel of silence is the perfect place for that.
https://www.kampinkappeli.fi/
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Kappella ta 'Kamppi
7 SimonkatuA moment of silence and thought to get away from the hectic city around you? The ecumenical chapel of silence is the perfect place for that.
https://www.kampinkappeli.fi/
An area with a bit of an anarcitsic air. Lots of places to eat, arts, small producers, gin, an old tram, events, you name it.
https://teurastamo.com/en/
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Teurastamo
2 TyöpajankatuAn area with a bit of an anarcitsic air. Lots of places to eat, arts, small producers, gin, an old tram, events, you name it.
https://teurastamo.com/en/
This is a preserved submarine from WWII. Want to get is brief glimpse of the crammed space these machines were operated from, here is your chance. The submarine is parked on land on one of the Suomenlinna fortress islands so visiting it is ideally done when visiting the fortress.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_submarine_Vesikko
Submarine Vesikko
This is a preserved submarine from WWII. Want to get is brief glimpse of the crammed space these machines were operated from, here is your chance. The submarine is parked on land on one of the Suomenlinna fortress islands so visiting it is ideally done when visiting the fortress.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_submarine_Vesikko
A must visit place for guests burning for nordic design and architecture. Guided tours only so be sure to book your visit.
https://www.alvaraalto.fi/en/location/the-aalto-house/
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Alvar Aalto's studio
20 RiihitieA must visit place for guests burning for nordic design and architecture. Guided tours only so be sure to book your visit.
https://www.alvaraalto.fi/en/location/the-aalto-house/
Neighborhoods
Peaceful and beatiful Käpylä offers a nice walking area.
Käpylä has been called a dimple in the face of Helsinki as this neighborhood makes you smile.
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Käpylä
Peaceful and beatiful Käpylä offers a nice walking area.
Käpylä has been called a dimple in the face of Helsinki as this neighborhood makes you smile.
One of the highest natural points on Helsinki with a nice view. Lots of forest and a pond on the top in the summer and great slopes in the winter. An air defense gun is preserved as a memory from WW II.
Taivaskalliontie
TaivaskalliontieOne of the highest natural points on Helsinki with a nice view. Lots of forest and a pond on the top in the summer and great slopes in the winter. An air defense gun is preserved as a memory from WW II.
City/town information
A beautiful city with all the service you can expect from the capital city of an European country.
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Helsinki
A beautiful city with all the service you can expect from the capital city of an European country.
A cute little city some 50 km from Helsinki with a beautiful wooden old town. Summer and December are the best times for visiting.
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Porvoo
A cute little city some 50 km from Helsinki with a beautiful wooden old town. Summer and December are the best times for visiting.
Music
Fantastic music hall with two symphonic orchestras and a lot of other performances.
https://musiikkitalo.fi/en/
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Musiikkitalo
TöölönlahdenkatuFantastic music hall with two symphonic orchestras and a lot of other performances.
https://musiikkitalo.fi/en/
Some of the performances are reason enough to visit Helsinki.
https://oopperabaletti.fi/en/
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Finnish National Opera
58 HelsinginkatuSome of the performances are reason enough to visit Helsinki.
https://oopperabaletti.fi/en/
The best club scene in Helsinki!
https://tavastiaklubi.fi/en/
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Tavastia
4 Urho Kekkosen katuThe best club scene in Helsinki!
https://tavastiaklubi.fi/en/
This is the home for both Tuska and Flow festivals. In between there are a whole bunch of activities happening in the area.
Located conveniently just a buss ride away.
https://www.suvilahti.fi/en
https://www.tuska.fi/en
https://www.flowfestival.com/en/
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Suvilahti
1 KaasutehtaankatuThis is the home for both Tuska and Flow festivals. In between there are a whole bunch of activities happening in the area.
Located conveniently just a buss ride away.
https://www.suvilahti.fi/en
https://www.tuska.fi/en
https://www.flowfestival.com/en/
Storyville
8 MuseokatuA jazz club with live music every night.
Restaurants
Cafe Amore
7 OulunkyläntieCafé close by with light lunch and Estonian style bakeries.
Ristorante Uno
2 OulunkyläntieThe closest place where to grab a pizza
Resturant Teatern
2 PohjoisesplanadiNight club -bar - longe
Café Esplanad
37 PohjoisesplanadiThe biggest cinnamon buns in town!
The bar at the top of the building offers nice views over the city center and the best toilet view in town!
Historically an important building.
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Solo Sokos Hotel Torni
26 YrjönkatuThe bar at the top of the building offers nice views over the city center and the best toilet view in town!
Historically an important building.
Lappi Ravintola
22 AnnankatuFinnish cuisine for tourists - but good.
Ekberg 1852 Ltd
9 BulevardiClassy cafe
Brewery restaurant at the Suomenlinna/Sveaborg Unesco world heritage site.
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Suomenlinna Brewery
Brewery restaurant at the Suomenlinna/Sveaborg Unesco world heritage site.
Ristorante Ravello
1 PohjolankatuVery nice Italian cusine rather close by.
Regatta
8 MerikannontieStrange but cute little cafe right by the water front
The owners once won the award for the best coctail bar in the world. This is their second coctail bar.
Flavourium
FredikanterassiThe owners once won the award for the best coctail bar in the world. This is their second coctail bar.
Kabuki
12 LapinlahdenkatuThe best Japanese food in town
Capperi Oy
9 SiltavoudintiePossibly the best pizza in Finland.
Saurahuone
43 PohjolankatuCozy café with great lunch and art.
This is a peaceful, almost tranquil, bar with amazing Caribbean and American rooted cocktails. Any use of smart devices is prohibited so you will have to do with each other. The sign is miniscule so check the address. Press the door bell button next to the sign for someone to let you in.
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Chihuahua Julep
9 ErottajankatuThis is a peaceful, almost tranquil, bar with amazing Caribbean and American rooted cocktails. Any use of smart devices is prohibited so you will have to do with each other. The sign is miniscule so check the address. Press the door bell button next to the sign for someone to let you in.
Shopping
The biggest department store in the Nordic countries.
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Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 AleksanterinkatuThe biggest department store in the Nordic countries.
A big shopping mall with lots of restaurants and shops for people that like spending time in malls.
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Mall of Tripla
1 FredikanterassiA big shopping mall with lots of restaurants and shops for people that like spending time in malls.
Active vacation
ONLY IN WINTER
The closest by downhill snow center. It is reachable by public transport. The slopes are not high but varying. There are excellent teachers and equipment for rent so this is a good place to go to try snow boarding or downhill skiing.
Talma Ski Oy
341 TalmantieONLY IN WINTER
The closest by downhill snow center. It is reachable by public transport. The slopes are not high but varying. There are excellent teachers and equipment for rent so this is a good place to go to try snow boarding or downhill skiing.
A rather big national park that can be reached by public transport. Pack hiking boots, food and water. Map can be purchased at the information center.
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Nuuksio National Park
84 NuuksiontieA rather big national park that can be reached by public transport. Pack hiking boots, food and water. Map can be purchased at the information center.
An area with lots of museums and cafe's in the summer a bit north from Helsinki. The lake is a great place to skate or ski at in the winter, provided the ice is thick enough.
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Lake Tuusula
An area with lots of museums and cafe's in the summer a bit north from Helsinki. The lake is a great place to skate or ski at in the winter, provided the ice is thick enough.
ONLY IN SUMMER: The archipelago in front of Vuosaari is ideal for paddling and there is much less boat traffic compared to outside the city center. You can stop at some of the islands, Pieni Leikosaari for example, so pack lunch with you.
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Vuosaaren Melontakeskus | Vuosaari Paddling Center | Natura Viva
13 HarbonkatuONLY IN SUMMER: The archipelago in front of Vuosaari is ideal for paddling and there is much less boat traffic compared to outside the city center. You can stop at some of the islands, Pieni Leikosaari for example, so pack lunch with you.
The closest beach. The river water is quite cold throughout the summer so this is the place to go if it feels too hot otherwise.
The beach has good sand and is equipped with an outdoor gym.
Usually there is also a possibility for a dip through a hole in the ice during winter.
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Lillforsens simstrand
23 PikkukoskentieThe closest beach. The river water is quite cold throughout the summer so this is the place to go if it feels too hot otherwise.
The beach has good sand and is equipped with an outdoor gym.
Usually there is also a possibility for a dip through a hole in the ice during winter.
Wonderfull laid back outdoor pool area for swimming and spending the day. Only from late spring to fall.
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Kumpula Outdoor Swimming Pool
1 AllastieWonderfull laid back outdoor pool area for swimming and spending the day. Only from late spring to fall.
A smaller national park near by easily accessible by public transport or car.
Search for "Exploring Sipoonkorpi National Park – weekend hiking adventures" in Komoot for a nice full day hike with route and recommendations.
I recommend hiking shoes, apparel as required by the weather, and a piknik to eat at for example lake Fiskträsk. End the hike with a visit to the rare savu sauna and a dip in lake Kuusijärvi.
This whole activity is relevanti both in summer and winter which means swimming in a hole in the ice in the winter.
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Park Nazzjonali ta 'Sipoonkorpi
305 LänsitieA smaller national park near by easily accessible by public transport or car.
Search for "Exploring Sipoonkorpi National Park – weekend hiking adventures" in Komoot for a nice full day hike with route and recommendations.
I recommend hiking shoes, apparel as required by the weather, and a piknik to eat at for example lake Fiskträsk. End the hike with a visit to the rare savu sauna and a dip in lake Kuusijärvi.
This whole activity is relevanti both in summer and winter which means swimming in a hole in the ice in the winter.