Guidebook for Helsingfors

Tim
Guidebook for Helsingfors

Essentials

K-Market Lapuankatu
4 Lapuankatu
17 locals recommend
Alepa Caloniusgatan
28 Runeberginkatu
17 locals recommend
24 h grocery close by (5 min)
Alepa Mechelininkatu
5 Mechelininkatu
24 h grocery close by (5 min)

Food Scene

Classic Finnish food in classy classic environment.
31 locals recommend
Elite
22 Eteläinen Hesperiankatu
31 locals recommend
Classic Finnish food in classy classic environment.
Snacks, fajitas and more.
25 locals recommend
Fafa's Kamppi
21 Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu
25 locals recommend
Snacks, fajitas and more.
Decent Thai food at reasonable price, open late
AA Han Thai Oy
17 Mechelininkatu
Decent Thai food at reasonable price, open late
Exotic Cuisine close by
Kuningatar Saba
8 Mechelininkatu
Exotic Cuisine close by
Good value as this is the restaurant school of Helsinki. Good if you are not in a hurry.
20 locals recommend
Ravintola Nerone
27 Pursimiehenkatu
20 locals recommend
Good value as this is the restaurant school of Helsinki. Good if you are not in a hurry.
lunch is excellent value!
Sashi
18 Tunturikatu
lunch is excellent value!
Classic Finnish restaurant and perhaps the only restaurant in town that has remained unchanged for at least 50 years.
Ravintola Messenius
7 Messeniuksenkatu
Classic Finnish restaurant and perhaps the only restaurant in town that has remained unchanged for at least 50 years.
Authentic Finnish Cuisine and a good wine cellar!
8 locals recommend
Ravintola Carelia
56 Mannerheimintie
8 locals recommend
Authentic Finnish Cuisine and a good wine cellar!
One of the classic Russian restaurants in town. Rather expensive, but definitely an experience; a very unique environment. Close by.
46 locals recommend
Ravintola Tori
2 Punavuorenkatu
46 locals recommend
One of the classic Russian restaurants in town. Rather expensive, but definitely an experience; a very unique environment. Close by.
Located next to the Russian Orthodox Church, this Russian restaurant is a landmark. Excellent food in a classic environment.
6 locals recommend
Bellevue
3 Rahapajankatu
6 locals recommend
Located next to the Russian Orthodox Church, this Russian restaurant is a landmark. Excellent food in a classic environment.
Good late night place to eat, good pizzas and such. Full bar also.
28 locals recommend
Ravintola Manala
2 Dagmarinkatu
28 locals recommend
Good late night place to eat, good pizzas and such. Full bar also.
High quality ingredients used in this kitchen. Very popular, family type restaurant.
28 locals recommend
Restaurant Kuu
27 Töölönkatu
28 locals recommend
High quality ingredients used in this kitchen. Very popular, family type restaurant.
Excellent coffee close by. Wi-Fi. Relaxing modern environment. Very close by.
10 locals recommend
Cafetoria Café & Shop
31 Runeberginkatu
10 locals recommend
Excellent coffee close by. Wi-Fi. Relaxing modern environment. Very close by.
One of the 3 classical Russian restaurants (all 3 mentioned here) in town that are said to be established by the Tzars cooks who fled the revolution (I am not sure if this is a fact).
17 locals recommend
Saslik
12 Neitsytpolku
17 locals recommend
One of the 3 classical Russian restaurants (all 3 mentioned here) in town that are said to be established by the Tzars cooks who fled the revolution (I am not sure if this is a fact).
Old time environment, classical, an experience back in time. Slightly costly. Next door is a chick Lebanese(?) eatery that is very popular amongst knowing locals; good value- good stuff!
70 locals recommend
Ekberg 1852 Ltd
9 Bulevardi
70 locals recommend
Old time environment, classical, an experience back in time. Slightly costly. Next door is a chick Lebanese(?) eatery that is very popular amongst knowing locals; good value- good stuff!
the perhaps most famous artists hangout. Drinks and food, Finnish style.
9 locals recommend
Kosmos
3 Kalevankatu
9 locals recommend
the perhaps most famous artists hangout. Drinks and food, Finnish style.

Drinks & Nightlife

This bar offers pool table, hot toasts and a cultural clientele. It is owned by the film director brothers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki and also has its own cinema that is used for private occasions and screenings. Moskvoa Bar is next door and is part of the same environment.
33 locals recommend
Corona bar & billiard
3 Traverssikuja
33 locals recommend
This bar offers pool table, hot toasts and a cultural clientele. It is owned by the film director brothers Aki and Mika Kaurismäki and also has its own cinema that is used for private occasions and screenings. Moskvoa Bar is next door and is part of the same environment.
If you really want to experience the Kaurismäki-Finland, this is definitely the place to go! The bar that is owned by the Kaurismäki brothers is right next to their other bar Corona, that is definitely more hip and happening.
Kafe Moskova
17 Aleksis Kiven katu
If you really want to experience the Kaurismäki-Finland, this is definitely the place to go! The bar that is owned by the Kaurismäki brothers is right next to their other bar Corona, that is definitely more hip and happening.
Good simple food at decent price and international environment, somewhat artsy.
67 locals recommend
Café Bar No 9
9 Uudenmaankatu
67 locals recommend
Good simple food at decent price and international environment, somewhat artsy.
Close by bar and dancing, popular with students.
Baarikärpänen
8 Keskuskatu
Close by bar and dancing, popular with students.
Easygoing relaxed environment, comfortable armchairs and good selection of beers. The closest neighbourhood bar.
8 locals recommend
Vastarannan Kiiski
26 Runeberginkatu
8 locals recommend
Easygoing relaxed environment, comfortable armchairs and good selection of beers. The closest neighbourhood bar.
Hip crowd, popular with bohemian youths. Close by.
Bar Bhangra
28 Runeberginkatu
Hip crowd, popular with bohemian youths. Close by.
Live jazz concerts, played back environment. Close by.
25 locals recommend
Storyville
8 Museokatu
25 locals recommend
Live jazz concerts, played back environment. Close by.
Very popular hipster club, within walking distance.
LeBonk
24 Yrjönkatu
Very popular hipster club, within walking distance.
Underground- kind of environment, though club is well established by now. By taxi about 10 min
128 locals recommend
Kuudes linja
13 B Hämeentie
128 locals recommend
Underground- kind of environment, though club is well established by now. By taxi about 10 min
Live music, very much hipster crowd, very popular. Walking distance
22 locals recommend
Bar Loose
21 Annankatu
22 locals recommend
Live music, very much hipster crowd, very popular. Walking distance
Situated in a park it is a very classical environment that dates back to the days when the Tzar used to visit Helsinki during the summer. Often though closed for private occasions, so check before going!
Kaivohuone
1 Iso Puistotie
Situated in a park it is a very classical environment that dates back to the days when the Tzar used to visit Helsinki during the summer. Often though closed for private occasions, so check before going!
one of the most popular night hangouts for hipsters,
140 locals recommend
Kaiku
4 Kaikukatu
140 locals recommend
one of the most popular night hangouts for hipsters,

Arts & Culture

Helsinki Art Musium. Close by museum often displaying excellent exhibitions!
135 locals recommend
HAM - Helsinki Art Museum
8 Eteläinen Rautatiekatu
135 locals recommend
Helsinki Art Musium. Close by museum often displaying excellent exhibitions!
By the Central Railway Station, % min walk the Classic Art museum in town often offering great exhibitions.
253 locals recommend
Ateneum
2 Kaivokatu
253 locals recommend
By the Central Railway Station, % min walk the Classic Art museum in town often offering great exhibitions.
Museum of Natural History. Close by and good fun for especially kids.
89 locals recommend
Finnish Museum of Natural History
13 Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu
89 locals recommend
Museum of Natural History. Close by and good fun for especially kids.
Displaying mostly well known Finnish artists. Close by.
41 locals recommend
Kunsthalle Helsinki
3 Nervanderinkatu
41 locals recommend
Displaying mostly well known Finnish artists. Close by.
Interesting exhibitions
149 locals recommend
Design Museum Helsinki
23 Korkeavuorenkatu
149 locals recommend
Interesting exhibitions
Small museum where you get to see how the working class has lived during the last century.
8 locals recommend
The Worker Housing Museum
4 Kirstinkuja
8 locals recommend
Small museum where you get to see how the working class has lived during the last century.
In my opinion one of the most interesting specimens of Finnish National Romantic Era. Worth reading up on on the web for more details. A bit far from central Helsinki though.
19 locals recommend
Hvittrask
166 Hvitträskintie
19 locals recommend
In my opinion one of the most interesting specimens of Finnish National Romantic Era. Worth reading up on on the web for more details. A bit far from central Helsinki though.
Porvoo or Borgå is a small city situated 50 km from Helsinki, busses go from Kamppi quite frequently and it takes about an hour to get there. Porvoo has a beautiful old city and is perfect for a day trip. Lots of nice little cafes and handicraft shops in the lanes around about the old church.The river bank is very picturesque.
50 locals recommend
Porvoo
50 locals recommend
Porvoo or Borgå is a small city situated 50 km from Helsinki, busses go from Kamppi quite frequently and it takes about an hour to get there. Porvoo has a beautiful old city and is perfect for a day trip. Lots of nice little cafes and handicraft shops in the lanes around about the old church.The river bank is very picturesque.
This former tram depot has been converted into a small cultural center housing 2 or 3 art exhibitions, a bar, sushi place and a bookshop. a 15 min walk, close to the Finlandia monument. The also sometimes have concerts.
41 locals recommend
Kulttuuritehdas Korjaamo
51 B Töölönkatu
41 locals recommend
This former tram depot has been converted into a small cultural center housing 2 or 3 art exhibitions, a bar, sushi place and a bookshop. a 15 min walk, close to the Finlandia monument. The also sometimes have concerts.
Taideteollinen Korkeakoulu is the design school of Aalto University. The building is actually the old Arabia ceramics factory and the old workers wooden houses face it over the park. There is Annala House, that was the summer cottage of a rich merchant and up on a hill there you can see were Helsinki was founded. Close by is still the old hydro-elect power-station/ waterfall and the Technical Museum beyond which you can find the river flowing by and onwards you can walk upstream to the beach and beyond. Or downstream to the bay that is a popular fishing/ outing spot and either back over the suspension bridge to the design district of Arabia /where you can catch the no. 8 tram back home,
18 locals recommend
Designmuseo Arabia
18 locals recommend
Taideteollinen Korkeakoulu is the design school of Aalto University. The building is actually the old Arabia ceramics factory and the old workers wooden houses face it over the park. There is Annala House, that was the summer cottage of a rich merchant and up on a hill there you can see were Helsinki was founded. Close by is still the old hydro-elect power-station/ waterfall and the Technical Museum beyond which you can find the river flowing by and onwards you can walk upstream to the beach and beyond. Or downstream to the bay that is a popular fishing/ outing spot and either back over the suspension bridge to the design district of Arabia /where you can catch the no. 8 tram back home,
This monument is perhaps not of great interest and perhaps looks like a very small deal, dressed up as a big deal. However. It makes a nice walk if you walk down the seafront and coming back into town to visit the Library and Kultuuritehdas Korjaamo.
166 locals recommend
The Sibelius Monument
Mechelininkatu
166 locals recommend
This monument is perhaps not of great interest and perhaps looks like a very small deal, dressed up as a big deal. However. It makes a nice walk if you walk down the seafront and coming back into town to visit the Library and Kultuuritehdas Korjaamo.
The oldest swimming hall in the heart of town.15 min walk away. This classic environment has nude bathing on alternative days for ladies and gents. The second floor boasts a wood firing sauna at extra cost.
69 locals recommend
Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
21 B Yrjönkatu
69 locals recommend
The oldest swimming hall in the heart of town.15 min walk away. This classic environment has nude bathing on alternative days for ladies and gents. The second floor boasts a wood firing sauna at extra cost.
Pretty run down, but perhaps the most authentic, culturally alive public sauna in town.
50 locals recommend
Sauna Arla
15 Kaarlenkatu
50 locals recommend
Pretty run down, but perhaps the most authentic, culturally alive public sauna in town.
The museum presents a brief history of Finland, through the eyes of the legendary Field Marshal Mannerheim. Gives insight into how a man like this lived (it was his home for many years and is packed with artefacts he brought with him from his travels in Asia). Followed by a walk down to the seafront through the park, makes a great way of passing an hour or two. Call in advance for info about guided your that is highly recommended here, as otherwise you will not necessarily get too much out of the museum.
7 locals recommend
Mannerheim Museum
14 Kalliolinnantie
7 locals recommend
The museum presents a brief history of Finland, through the eyes of the legendary Field Marshal Mannerheim. Gives insight into how a man like this lived (it was his home for many years and is packed with artefacts he brought with him from his travels in Asia). Followed by a walk down to the seafront through the park, makes a great way of passing an hour or two. Call in advance for info about guided your that is highly recommended here, as otherwise you will not necessarily get too much out of the museum.
the home of Sibelius. Just down the road is also Pekka Halonen's abode (Halosenniemi), a Finnish artist who was contemporary to Sibelius, that is also worth a visit.
6 locals recommend
Ainola station
1 Horsmakatu
6 locals recommend
the home of Sibelius. Just down the road is also Pekka Halonen's abode (Halosenniemi), a Finnish artist who was contemporary to Sibelius, that is also worth a visit.
A beautiful example of Finnish traditional architecture of the Finnish romantic era.
Halosenniemi station
A beautiful example of Finnish traditional architecture of the Finnish romantic era.

Parks & Nature

Close by. You can walk down to the beach through the parks or through the cemetery, then continue along the shoreline going south into town or north bringing you to Seurasaari, that is an open air museum. This is a rather long walk so maybe a closer target could be the Sibelius monument, from where you cut back into Töölö, to Töölön Tori, where there are several restaurants and the papular Tin-Tin Café.
153 locals recommend
Hietaranta Beach
Hiekkarannantie
153 locals recommend
Close by. You can walk down to the beach through the parks or through the cemetery, then continue along the shoreline going south into town or north bringing you to Seurasaari, that is an open air museum. This is a rather long walk so maybe a closer target could be the Sibelius monument, from where you cut back into Töölö, to Töölön Tori, where there are several restaurants and the papular Tin-Tin Café.
this Island Fortres is a must and offer exhibitions, historical aspects as well as cafés and dining.
430 locals recommend
Suomenlinna
430 locals recommend
this Island Fortres is a must and offer exhibitions, historical aspects as well as cafés and dining.
39 locals recommend
Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden
2 Kaisaniemenranta
39 locals recommend
Beautiful old time environment, a nice walk around Töölömlahti is recommended!
10 locals recommend
Linnunlaulu
Linnunlauluntie
10 locals recommend
Beautiful old time environment, a nice walk around Töölömlahti is recommended!
189 locals recommend
Kaivopuisto
189 locals recommend
Lovely quiet place to spend a few moments in tranquility
41 locals recommend
Helsinki Winter Garden
1 A Hammarskjöldintie
41 locals recommend
Lovely quiet place to spend a few moments in tranquility
National park, read more about on the net
150 locals recommend
Nuuksio National Park
84 Nuuksiontie
150 locals recommend
National park, read more about on the net

Shopping

Nordic Shopping Center of the year
131 locals recommend
Forum
14–20 Mannerheimintie
131 locals recommend
Nordic Shopping Center of the year
Huge Shopping Center very close by.
99 locals recommend
Kamppi
99 locals recommend
Huge Shopping Center very close by.
Stockmann is the most famous department store in Helsinki and is famous for their responsible way of dealing with their customers, i.e. if you have a problem, they will make sure it is sorted out. From Stockmann it is worth wile continuing your shopping tour down the Esplanaadi, down to the market square.
256 locals recommend
Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 Aleksanterinkatu
256 locals recommend
Stockmann is the most famous department store in Helsinki and is famous for their responsible way of dealing with their customers, i.e. if you have a problem, they will make sure it is sorted out. From Stockmann it is worth wile continuing your shopping tour down the Esplanaadi, down to the market square.
classic Finnish design
13 locals recommend
Marimekko Mikonkatu
33 Pohjoisesplanadi
13 locals recommend
classic Finnish design

Everything Else

There a very few public saunas left in central Helsinki and Harju is I believe the only one that is a wood burning one. Great atmosphere and you can bring a beer or two with to enjoy!
151 locals recommend
Kotiharjun Sauna
1 Harjutorinkatu
151 locals recommend
There a very few public saunas left in central Helsinki and Harju is I believe the only one that is a wood burning one. Great atmosphere and you can bring a beer or two with to enjoy!
A great outing to go for; beautifully situated by a lake, this is the ultimate close-by destination for those who want to enjoy either a traditional woodburning sauna or an even more authentic smoke sauna. From the sauna you can go out and jump into the lake and in winter too you can do so too, as they keep an opening in the ice for winter bathing!
39 locals recommend
Kuusijärvi
39 locals recommend
A great outing to go for; beautifully situated by a lake, this is the ultimate close-by destination for those who want to enjoy either a traditional woodburning sauna or an even more authentic smoke sauna. From the sauna you can go out and jump into the lake and in winter too you can do so too, as they keep an opening in the ice for winter bathing!