Helsinki Fun Guide – tips from the locals

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Summer in Helsinki. (Photographer Lauri Rotko)
Summer in Helsinki. (Photographer Lauri Rotko)

Helsinki is a unique Nordic Capital, between East and West. There are lots of interesting shops, restaurants and sights that you can find, with the help of this little guide, including some inside tips from real people living in Helsinki. As a Helsinki native myself, many of these places on the list are my favourite places, as well. In this list I have included the favourites of trendy city people living in the heart of Helsinki.

The writer of this article is Kata, a Finnish flight attendant living in Helsinki.

Shopping

Finnish design:

  • Marimekko
  • Marimekko Outlet
  • Iittala
  • Artek
  • Minna Parikka
  • Moomin shop
  • Aarikka
  • Pentik
  • Ivana Helsinki
  • Stockmann

Finnish souvenirs:

  • Market Square
  • Torikortteli
  • Kauppahalli
  • Stockmann

Famous International Brands:

  • Stockmann
  • Louis Vuitton
  • Luxbag
  • Della Marga
  • Furla, Boss, Michael Kors etc. Galleria Esplanad
  • L’Occitane
  • Mulberry

Flea Markets:

  • Hietalahti Square
  • Konepajan Bruno
  • Vallilan Stoori
  • Kaivarin Kanuuna

Restaurants

Finnish Cuisine:

  • Saaga
  • Lappi
  • Juuri
  • Nokka
  • Olo
  • Havis
  • Saari

Asian Cuisine:

  • Restaurant China
  • Long Wall
  • Kabuki
  • Koto
  • Samrat
  • Namaskaar
  • Farang
  • Gaijin

International Cuisine:

  • Saslik (Russian food)
  • Boulevard Social
  • Bronda
  • Pjazza
  • Yume
  • Grotesk
  • Sandro’s

Cafés:

  • Kamome (A Japanese film “Kamome” was partly filmed in this cafe), Address: Pursimiehenkatu 12
  • Café Engel
  • Café Esplanad
  • Café Strindberg
  • Kappeli
  • Aschan Cafe Jugend
  • Café Veranda (Finlandia-talo)
  • Fazer Café
  • Ekberg
  • Johan & Nyström (Katajanokka)
  • Marke Square and Kauppahalli

Bars:

  • Kafe Moskova
  • Putte’s Bar & Pizza
  • Grotesk
  • Teatteri
  • Kiila
  • Pjazza

Terraces and seaside cafés/bars:

  • Torni Ateljé Bar
  • Ursula
  • Café Carousel
  • Birgitta
  • Hernesaaren ranta
  • Mattolaituri
  • Piritta

Island restaurants:

  • Restaurant Saaristo
  • Saari
  • Restaurant Boathouse
  • Restaurant NJK
  • Restaurant Pihlajasaari

Great picnic spots:

  • Suomenlinna Fortress Island
  • Kaivopuisto
  • The stairs of the Helsinki Cathedral
  • Pihlajasaari
  • Seurasaari

Sauna and swimming:

  • Löyly design sauna (New in 2016!)
  • Allas Sea Pool (New in 2016!)
  • Yrjönkadun uimahalli
  • Stadionin uimala

For families & kids:

  • Finnair Sky Wheel
  • Linnanmäki
  • Sea Life
  • Korkeasaari Helsinki Zoo
  • Suomenlinna
  • Natural History Museum
  • Science Center Heureka

Daytrips outside of Helsinki:

  • Ferrytrip to Tallinn (Estonia)
  • Nuuksio
  • Porvoo
  • Fiskars
  • Tammisaari, Hanko
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About Kata (Flight Attendant)

Reilusti yli kolmekymppinen lentoemäntä. Asuu Helsingissä miehensä ja teini-ikäisen pojan kanssa. Matkustelee paljon myös vapaa-ajallaan, lomamatkat suuntautuvat usein hieman kauemmas, Euroopan ulkopuolelle. Harrastaa erilaisia liikuntalajeja ja klassista musiikkia. Rakastaa kauniita vaatteita, kenkiä, laukkuja, hienoja ruokaelämyksiä ja hyviä viinejä ja samppanjaa. --------- A flight attendant in her mid thirties living in Helsinki with her husband and son. Loves travelling faraway also on her holidays. Sports and classical music enthusiast who also adores beautiful clothes, shoes, bags, fine dining, wine and champagne.

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