Helsinki Hotels

Helsinki residents are a curious blend of earnest, quirky and intense, and they stand apart from their Scandinavian neighbours both in culture and in language (Finnish is the only language that is completely unrelated to any other).

Helsinki enjoys up to 19 hours of daylight in summer (leaving plenty of time for all-night parties), but a paltry five or six hours in winter, meaning the locals have to adjust to some pretty wild extremes. This may explain why the Fins drink more coffee per person than any other nation in the world.

Still at least all that coffee will give you plenty of energy for exploring. There’s no single monument or structure that defines Helsinki – you’re better off wandering around and stumbling across an outdoor gallery or a building that takes your fancy. Try the Design Museum, the Boathouse or Market Square, as well as the bigger, more famous attractions such as Uspenski Cathedral or Tuomiokirkko.

Take a Tram Tour and have a beer onboard, or try Salmiakki – hard, salty squares of liquorice that the Fins love but anyone else seems to consider one step up from eating asphalt. Still, you can’t visit without giving it a go.

Helsinki isn’t pushy or pretentious, it’s just there for the taking. Soon though, it’s going to realise its pulling-power, so you’d better get in quick!

Punavuori

Punavuori (the City Centre) is full of old buildings to stare at and students to flirt with. Kallio is known for its waterways, Hakaniemi Square and the Kallio Church. There are a few great restaurants and pubs in this area as well, as well as some up-and-coming innovative architectural designs.

Töölö

Töölö has a huge range of things to see, as well as some great people-watching opportunities. This is the home of the Hietaniemi Cemetery, Sibelius Monument, Parliament Building, Olympic Stadium and the gorgeous parklands around Töölö Bay. Best of all, it’s where the Temppeliaukio Church can be found. If you like your religion mixed with some heavy rock (literally!), this is the place for you.

Eira, Ullanlinna & Kaivopuisto

These neighbouring districts are full of parks, historical buildings and statues. Eira is known for its Jugend-style houses, parks and boulevards. Oh, fancy!

At Eira’s centre lies Engel Square, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Chinese Embassy. Ullanlinna is popular among stylish young professionals, interior designers and architects. Kaivopuisto's park is a great place to while away a sunny Sunday (if you can find one!).

Kamppi & Kluuvi

Kamppi stretches from the Central Railway Station to the Cable Factory, making it a great place to start your travels and also a good place to get your bearings.

Here you’ll stumble on the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art and the Ruoholahti villas, historically significant wooden buildings that are some of the oldest in the city. Right between Kamppi and Kaartinkaupunki is Kluuvi, the busiest district in Helsinki and a great place to shop or eat out.

Man, those K words are a tongue-twister. Try saying them in order after a tall shot of vodka!

HELSINKI EAT & DRINK

The arrival of summer in June brings Juhannus and sees open-air dance festivals and midnight – which doesn’t look that different from midday – bonfires across the city.

Each year, June ends and July begins with Helsinki Pride. Parades, picnics and parties for four days!

Finland’s largest international youth tournament, the Helsinki Cup, crowds the football pitches for a week during July.

Tuska Open Air Metal Festival rocks the city across four stages in July. Don’t forget your earplugs.

As July meets August ,Helsinki hosts the URB Urban Festival, with acts from Finland and abroad.

Bring back the 1990s for the Helsinki Roller Marathon! August plays host to hundreds of rollerbladers battling it out along city streets.

August also sees the more traditional Helsinki City Marathon – strictly feet and no blades!

Under cover of darkness, August sees the Night of the Arts, where art galleries open their doors until late. This is as part of the Helsinki Festival.

Let’s make no bones about it – it can get freezing in Helsinki. Ever wondered why everyone’s getting around in those odd fur hats? Once you’ve experienced the sub-zero temperatures that threaten to freeze your ears right off your head, they’ll seem less fashion faux pas and more fashion favourite. As a result, Helsinki more or less hibernates during the winter months, so it’s far more appealing to go when it’s thawed out a bit.

• Winter (November to March): -14 to 8°C (7-46°F)

• Spring (April to May): 0 to 16°C (32-61°F)

• Summer (June to August): 9 to 23°C (48-73°F)

• Fall (September to October): 3 to 15°C (37-59°F)

GETTING AROUND

If you’re sticking to the City Centre, hire a bike or walk. Helsinki is a very easy city to get around.

• There is, however, a pretty good public transport system. The Helsingin Kaupungin Liikennelaitos operates buses, metro and local trains, trams and a ferry to Suomenlinna. A ticket costs €2 and allows unlimited transfers for an hour. A single tram ticket is €1.80.

• Taxis are hard to come by during peak hour so if you can’t hail one, queue up at the closest rank or train station.

• Bikes are a great way to get around this relatively flat city. Tourist offices offer a cycling map to help you find your way. Helsinki provides ‘City Bikes’ for €2, which you then get back when you return it. Bargain!

WHAT TO MISS

Train, bus and tram tickets must be validated in the stamping machine or you can expect to be fined. Finnish transport officers have a touch of the Iron Curtain about them, if you know what we mean, so it’s best to avoid upsetting them.

Linnanmaki Amusement Parkis close to the city and sure, it’s an amusement park, but it’s rundown and overpriced so our tip is to give it a miss. Save your money for a real theme park somewhere else in the world.

Alcohol can be seriously expensive in the city centre as Finland’s government heavily regulates its sale. The Fins are curiously proud of the fact that several studies show they are intoxicated more frequently than any other nation in the world. Actually, perhaps that explains all the coffee!

General Information

Attractions

Events

Climate