Check today's weather:

https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/local-weather

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Historical & must-see sites

Helsinki has many places to see and visit - below you can find some of our favourite places! 

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Helsinki Cathedral

National Library of Finland

Oodi Library

Kauppatori/Market

Senate Square

Tempelliaukio Kirkko/Rock Church

Sibellius Monument

Food market hall

Roberts coffee Esplanadi

Uspenski Cathedral

Seurasaari

Suomenlinna

 

Best Viewpoints in Helsinki!

- Helsinki Cathedral

- Hotel Torni tower (toilet with a view!)

- Stockmann Drinks Terrace

- Clarion Hotel

- Verkkokauppa Viewing Terrace

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Where to try Finnish foods

We mention on the tours that you can try KORVAPUUSTI (cinnamon rolls), LOHIKEITTO (salmon soup) KARELIAN PASTY (rice pies) and SALMIAKKI (salted Finnish licquorice). You can try these at most of the places below.

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Old Market Hall - 19th century traditional Finnish foods venue, where you can buy unique specialities from local vendors​

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ZcsZT8Fa9c2UfVuW9

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Kauppatori - central outdoor market with food stands and tourist gifts

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/WxQcBuAN7P8QkaJT9

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Hakaniemi Market Hall - a little more out of the center, but easily accessible by tram. This is where locals go to buy their special food purchases

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/16gsTqJSSn9hUWog9

 

Supermarkets - you can buy most Finnish foods from the supermarkets, but at a much cheaper price! Below are the closest branches to the city center, but you can use Google maps to find more places. Just search for "S-Market", "K-market" or "Alepa". 

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S-Market (Sokos)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/cXG8BnJiagaQdxnEA

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K-Market (Hakaniemen Herkku)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/YmjBoNGiiEzgKAsU9

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Alepa (Kronohagen)

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/Xt7MZBY1gCqy8QCi7

 

 

LUNCH BUFFETS

Every day (Monday to Friday) you can get a cheap lunch buffet in many restaurants! Just look for the words "Lounas buffet" (lunch buffet). They are typically between 10->15 euros per person, and are all you can eat - often including tea/coffee and water.

 

Our favourite places are listed below. 

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ROBERTS COFFEE "JUGEND" - One of the most classical Jugendstil (Finnish Art Nouveau) style interiors in Helsinki. Roberts is a Finnish chain of restaurants, with premises all over Helsinki. They have an amazing daily lunch buffet for under 15 euros, with unlimited vegetarian food, soup, bread, tea/coffee and Gelato. Great place to fill up on great quality food, in a beautiful interior!​

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/GcvbaDmGUyhkTRbj9

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Free Museums

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Bank of Finland Museum

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/TYPobPdPAZFyMVWR8

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Helsinki City Museum

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/rnw61x3S8ZzMg3QC9

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Paid Museums

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Helsinki has many museums, and they nearly all offer discounts for students, pensioners and under 18s. Here are our favourite museums to visit:

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National Museum of Finland

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/m9YkusqCtLy2tNVi8

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Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/aVY9cAVvGh2LHwnTA

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Museum of Finnish Architecture

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/ENR39GRq93Uqyh9T9

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Design Museum

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/uD8MCCuXhTFBEkCq6

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Sinebrychoff Museum

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/T99ptuNPbt2j3bd67

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Amos Rex Art Museum

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/q8UUG59w7zjbaHPA8

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Natural history Museum Finland

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/rhPs813k2jnSZTv17

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Military museum of Finland

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/aPotAW75Rn6VRYKt5

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Suerasaari Open Air Museum

Location: https://goo.gl/maps/nQVibf5EmxYnv9JE7

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Nature spots/beaches

Nuuksio National Park

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Seurasaari Open air Museum

Helsinki Central Park

Lammassaari Island

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Family friendly activities

- Parks

Kaivopuisto Park

Helsinki Central Park

Amusement Park

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- Zoos

 Helsinki Zoo 

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Libraries 

National Library of Finland

Oodi Library

Kallio Library

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Shopping

Stockmann department store

Itala Store

Aleksanterinkatu

Design District

Kamppi shopping center

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Nightlife/bars/places to drink

A21 Cocktail Lounge: Located in the city center, A21 is a sophisticated cocktail lounge known for its extensive drink menu and skilled bartenders. The elegant atmosphere and top-notch cocktails make it a popular spot for cocktail enthusiasts.

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Liberty or Death: This speakeasy-style bar is tucked away in an alley and offers a unique drinking experience. The bar focuses on high-quality cocktails crafted with precision and attention to detail.

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Navy Jerry's: Situated in the hip Kallio district, Navy Jerry's is a lively tiki bar that serves delicious tropical cocktails. The Polynesian-inspired decor and relaxed ambiance make it a popular choice for a fun night out.

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Ateljé Finne: Housed in an art deco building, Ateljé Finne is a classic Helsinki bar that has been serving patrons since 1952. It has a cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and a wide selection of drinks, including specialty cocktails and craft beers.

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Tislaamo Distillery Bar: Located in the Teurastamo area, Tislaamo Distillery Bar offers a unique experience for spirit enthusiasts. It features a micro-distillery where you can sample their own gin and other spirits while enjoying the industrial-chic surroundings.

 

Sky Room: Located on the 12th floor of Hotel Torni, Sky Room offers stunning panoramic views of Helsinki. It's a rooftop bar that provides a chic and elegant setting to enjoy drinks while taking in the cityscape.

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Unique and offbeat attractions

- Löyly Sauna: Löyly is a modern and architecturally stunning public sauna located on the waterfront. It offers a contemporary take on the Finnish sauna tradition, providing a relaxing and rejuvenating experience with its wood-burning saunas and beautiful sea views.

 

- Kallio District: Kallio is a vibrant and bohemian neighborhood known for its alternative culture. Explore the area's quirky bars, vintage shops, street art, and local hangouts to experience a different side of Helsinki.

 

- Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden: Escape the city buzz and visit the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden, which houses an impressive collection of plants from around the world. It's a peaceful oasis where you can wander through tropical greenhouses and outdoor gardens.

 

- Museum of Broken Relationships: Located within the Design Museum, the Museum of Broken Relationships showcases a collection of objects donated by individuals from around the world, each representing a past relationship. It's an intriguing and emotional exhibition that explores the complexities of human connections.

 

- The Church in the Rock (Temppeliaukio Church): This unique church is built into solid rock and features a circular copper roof with skylights. It offers exceptional acoustics and is a popular venue for concerts. Take a moment to appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and remarkable architecture.

 

- Linnanmäki Amusement Park: Linnanmäki is a charming amusement park that has been entertaining visitors since 1950. It features vintage rides, funfair games, and a classic wooden roller coaster. Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere and take in the views from the park's iconic Ferris wheel.

 

- Sompasauna: For a more rustic sauna experience, visit Sompasauna, a community-run public sauna located by the sea. It's a grassroots initiative and offers a relaxed and communal setting for sauna bathing. Remember to check the sauna schedule before visiting.

 

- Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: Located on an island, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum showcases traditional Finnish wooden architecture. Take a leisurely stroll through the outdoor museum, admiring the well-preserved buildings and learning about Finnish rural life.

 

- Kallio Church Flea Market: If you're a fan of flea markets, the Kallio Church Flea Market is a must-visit. Held on Saturdays, it offers a wide range of vintage and second-hand items, including clothing, furniture, books, and more.

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Festivals and events

Helsinki Festival: Held annually in late summer, the Helsinki Festival is the largest multi-arts festival in Finland. It showcases a diverse range of performances, including music, dance, theater, and visual arts, taking place at various venues across the city.

 

Flow Festival: Flow Festival is a renowned music and arts festival that combines music performances with visual arts and culture. It features a lineup of international and Finnish artists from various genres, held in the historic Suvilahti area in August.

 

Lux Helsinki: Lux Helsinki is a unique light art festival that takes place in January. The city is transformed into a captivating outdoor art gallery with light installations and projections illuminating landmarks, buildings, and public spaces.

 

Baltic Herring Market: The Baltic Herring Market, known as "Silakkamarkkinat" in Finnish, is a traditional event that celebrates Helsinki's maritime heritage and local food culture. Held in October, this vibrant market offers a wide variety of fish delicacies, live music, and cultural activities at the Market Square.

 

Helsinki Christmas Market: The Helsinki Christmas Market is a popular festive event held in the heart of the city. Taking place from late November to December, it features over a hundred stalls selling crafts, gifts, and food, along with various holiday performances and activities.

Saunas

Löyly: Löyly is a modern and popular public sauna located on the waterfront. It offers a unique and contemporary sauna experience with wood-burning saunas, a large terrace for cooling down, and direct access to the sea for refreshing dips. The architecture and stunning views make Löyly a must-visit sauna in Helsinki.

 

Kotiharjun Sauna: Established in 1928, Kotiharjun Sauna is one of the last remaining traditional public saunas in Helsinki. It has a classic atmosphere and provides an authentic Finnish sauna experience. This wood-heated sauna is loved by locals and visitors alike.

 

Kulttuurisauna: Kulttuurisauna is a minimalist and architecturally striking sauna located near the city center. It focuses on providing a serene and calming environment, with separate saunas for men and women. The sauna is designed with sustainability in mind, using renewable energy and natural materials.

 

Sauna Hermanni: Sauna Hermanni is a cozy and laid-back sauna in the Hermanni neighborhood. It offers a traditional Finnish sauna experience in a relaxed setting. The sauna has separate turns for men and women and also provides private sauna options.

 

Allas Sea Pool: Allas Sea Pool combines a public sauna experience with outdoor pools. Located right by the sea near the Market Square, it offers various saunas, including a traditional Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, and a smoke sauna. After enjoying the saunas, you can cool off in the outdoor pools with views of the city and the sea.