Guidebook for Helsingfors
Essentials
K-Market Lapuankatu
4 LapuankatuAlepa Caloniusgatan
28 RuneberginkatuAlepa Mechelininkatu
5 Mechelininkatu24 h grocery close by (5 min)
Food Scene
Elite
22 Eteläinen Hesperiankatu Classic Finnish food in classy classic environment.
Fafa's Kamppi
21 Pohjoinen RautatiekatuSnacks, fajitas and more.
AA Han Thai Oy
17 MechelininkatuDecent Thai food at reasonable price, open late
Kuningatar Saba
8 MechelininkatuExotic Cuisine close by
Good value as this is the restaurant school of Helsinki. Good if you are not in a hurry.
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Ravintola Nerone
27 PursimiehenkatuGood value as this is the restaurant school of Helsinki. Good if you are not in a hurry.
Sashi
18 Tunturikatulunch 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 MesseniuksenkatuClassic Finnish restaurant and perhaps the only restaurant in town that has remained unchanged for at least 50 years.
Ravintola Carelia
56 MannerheimintieAuthentic 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.
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Ravintola Tori
2 PunavuorenkatuOne 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.
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Bellevue
3 RahapajankatuLocated 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.
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Ravintola Manala
2 DagmarinkatuGood late night place to eat, good pizzas and such. Full bar also.
High quality ingredients used in this kitchen. Very popular, family type restaurant.
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Restaurant Kuu
27 TöölönkatuHigh quality ingredients used in this kitchen. Very popular, family type restaurant.
Excellent coffee close by. Wi-Fi. Relaxing modern environment. Very close by.
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Cafetoria Café & Shop
31 RuneberginkatuExcellent 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).
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Saslik
12 NeitsytpolkuOne 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!
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Ekberg 1852 Ltd
9 BulevardiOld 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.
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Kosmos
3 Kalevankatuthe 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.
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Corona bar & billiard
3 TraverssikujaThis 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 katuIf 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.
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Café Bar No 9
9 UudenmaankatuGood simple food at decent price and international environment, somewhat artsy.
Baarikärpänen
8 KeskuskatuClose by bar and dancing, popular with students.
Easygoing relaxed environment, comfortable armchairs and good selection of beers. The closest neighbourhood bar.
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Vastarannan Kiiski
26 RuneberginkatuEasygoing relaxed environment, comfortable armchairs and good selection of beers. The closest neighbourhood bar.
Bar Bhangra
28 RuneberginkatuHip crowd, popular with bohemian youths. Close by.
Storyville
8 MuseokatuLive jazz concerts, played back environment. Close by.
LeBonk
24 YrjönkatuVery popular hipster club, within walking distance.
Underground- kind of environment, though club is well established by now. By taxi about 10 min
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Kuudes linja
13 B HämeentieUnderground- 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
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Bar Loose
21 AnnankatuLive 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 PuistotieSituated 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!
Kaiku
4 Kaikukatuone of the most popular night hangouts for hipsters,
Arts & Culture
Helsinki Art Musium. Close by museum often displaying excellent exhibitions!
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Μουσείο Τέχνης Ελσίνκι
8 Eteläinen RautatiekatuHelsinki 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.
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Ατενέουμ
2 KaivokatuBy 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.
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Φινλανδικό Μουσείο Φυσικής Ιστορίας
13 Pohjoinen RautatiekatuMuseum of Natural History. Close by and good fun for especially kids.
Kunsthalle Helsinki
3 NervanderinkatuDisplaying mostly well known Finnish artists. Close by.
Μουσείο Σχεδίου Ελσίνκι
23 KorkeavuorenkatuInteresting exhibitions
Small museum where you get to see how the working class has lived during the last century.
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The Worker Housing Museum
4 KirstinkujaSmall 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.
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Hvittrask
166 HvitträskintieIn 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.
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Porvoo
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.
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Εργοστάσιο Πολιτισμού Κόργιαμο
51 B TöölönkatuThis 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,
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Designmuseo Arabia
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.
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Μνημείο Σίμπελιους
MechelininkatuThis 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.
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Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
21 B Yrjönkatu 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.
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Sauna Arla
15 KaarlenkatuPretty 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.
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Mannerheim Museum
14 KalliolinnantieThe 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.
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Ainola station
1 Horsmakatuthe 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.
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Παραλία Hietaranta
HiekkarannantieClose 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.
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Σουομενλίννα
this Island Fortres is a must and offer exhibitions, historical aspects as well as cafés and dining.
Βοτανικός Κήπος Καϊσανιέμι
2 KaisaniemenrantaBeautiful old time environment, a nice walk around Töölömlahti is recommended!
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Linnunlaulu
LinnunlauluntieBeautiful old time environment, a nice walk around Töölömlahti is recommended!
Kaivopuisto
Lovely quiet place to spend a few moments in tranquility
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Χειμερινός Κήπος Ελσίνκι
1 A HammarskjöldintieLovely quiet place to spend a few moments in tranquility
Nuuksio
84 NuuksiontieNational park, read more about on the net
Shopping
Forum
14–20 MannerheimintieNordic Shopping Center of the year
Kamppi
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.
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Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 AleksanterinkatuStockmann 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.
Marimekko Mikonkatu
33 Pohjoisesplanadiclassic 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!
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Kotiharjun Sauna
1 HarjutorinkatuThere 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!
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Kuusijärvi
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!