Helsinki, one of Scandinavia’s most charming cities, blends urban culture with coastal nature. Convenient access to low-cost flights makes Helsinki an ideal weekend destination.
Visit the National Museum of Finland or HAM art museum to gain a quick introduction to Finnish history and culture, or stretch your legs on the grand esplanade – plus use HSL Journey Planner app to easily make public transport connections!
History
Helsinki may be young relative to European standards, but the city boasts an expansive and exciting past. Helsinki has long been known for its stunning design; now popular as a site for cutting-edge modern architecture. Its eastern-meets-west churches reflect this longstanding crossroads position between Baltic and Arctic oceans.
Stockholm King Gustav Vasa founded Helsinki as a rival city to Reval (now Tallinn, Estonia) in 1550. However, Helsinge Fors (“Helsinge Fortress”) suffered destruction by plague in 1710 before Sweden and Russia waged battle for it for much of the 18th century; eventually several fires broke out, prompting both countries to pull people from other towns into Helsinki as part of a scheme called “revived Helsinki”, including inviting Dutch traders who may bring skills that might revitalize its economy back into Helsinki proper.
After Finland became an autonomous state, Tsar Alexander relocated the capital from Turku to Helsinki in 1809. To reflect St Petersburg as an international metropolis and enhance its status as a world capital city, Carl Ludwig Engel devised a neoclassical plan for reconstruction of Helsinki that mirrored St Petersburg.
Old Town Helsinki is home to some of Helsinki’s finest museums, such as the Historical Museum of Helsinki and National Museum of Finland. Additionally, Uspenski Cathedral in Old Town can also be found here – its iconic bell tower can be seen throughout Helsinki!
Helsinki is well-known for its lively nightlife despite its relatively modest size, drawing crowds to its center for live music performances at Kallio district venues, with Parisian-influenced Harju8 Bistro – featuring Parisian cuisine – as well as neighborhood vinoteca Way Kallio Vinoteca offering local specialties – hosting pizza pop-up nights.
Culture
Helsinki’s vibrant arts scene contributes significantly to its citizens’ wellbeing and promotes reflection on society, with world-class museums that offer an abundance of topics for study. Furthermore, over half of Helsinki residents hold university degrees – more than 50% in fact! – making Helsinki one of the happiest and safest cities to reside. According to the 2020 UN Happiness Report.
Helsinki is easily navigable by foot or bicycle, offering residents easy access to innovation, start-up culture and sustainable urban development initiatives. Furthermore, residents are known to be welcoming of outsiders.
Architecture in Helsinki reflects its rich history. From Eliel Saarinen’s Art Nouveau central train station to Alvar Aalto’s modernist Finlandia concert hall designed with simple lines by Alvar Aalto, visitors can witness an array of styles. Additionally, several churches such as Lutheran Cathedral, Neoclassical Russian Orthodox Cathedral and underground Temppeliaukio Church constructed from rock are well worth seeing as they each offer something different to see and admire.
Helsinki was hit hard during both World Wars, yet managed to withstand Soviet aerial bombing. Thanks to effective air defenses, Helsinki avoided suffering as other European cities did from destruction caused by Soviet air bombs. Today, Helsinki is an international hub for business, finance, fashion, medicine media entertainment research as well as learning.
The City Strategy 2021-2025 guides public life in the city. Its primary goals include sustainable economic and social wellbeing; supporting children’s culture; promoting equality and inclusion; investing in digitalisation. Furthermore, this strategy promotes responsible management of natural resources while protecting the environment as a whole.
Nightlife
Helsinki’s vibrant nightlife scene makes the most of long, dark northern nights. Clubbers have their pick of trendy clubs and bars within walking distance from each other – usually open at 10:00pm until dawn breaks – though bouncers may turn away anyone underage from entering Helsinki’s premier clubs.
Uudenmaankatu and Eerikinkatu offer some of the city’s hottest bars, pubs, and nightclubs. Trend-setting locals gather at Bar 9, while hipsters connect at Bar Tapasta nearby. Con Hombres is where gay patrons can dance the night away to local techno music while Stockholm Diskotek offers three stories worth of bars and clubs that attract an eclectic clientele.
Live music is another staple of Helsinki nightlife, drawing thousands to venues like Karle XII and Tavastia for rock fans, Storyville for jazz enthusiasts, and Molly Malone Irish Pub for Irish fans.
Manala offers a touch of class on Esplanade with its ornate 19th-century venue serving as cafe, restaurant and nightclub – drawing in crowds to sip cocktails on its first-floor terrace or dance to live music from its lounge and main hall.
If you want to avoid the crowds, head out on a weekday evening to Helsinki’s intimate and more relaxing clubs. Club Moskova, for example, recreates Soviet-era vodka bars with an impressive list of musicians. Klaus K offers large nightclub with heated terrace and plays the latest R&B hits by resident DJs while newcomer Skohan offers room enough for 1,000 partygoers and has an indoor/outdoor terrace that opens year round.
Shopping
Helsinki, capital of a stylish country, provides great shopping opportunities. From world-famous malls to boutiques and specialty stores, its broad pedestrian-friendly avenues boast an incredible variety of offerings.
One of the best places for retail therapy in Helsinki is Central – stretching from Esplanadi and Mannerheimintie all the way down to Helsinki Railway Station. Here you’ll find major malls like Kamppi, Tripla and Stockmann; on nearby Pohjoissesplanadi you’ll find Iittala Store selling quality Nordic and Finnish designs including cookware, tableware and decorative gift items like vases.
Your souvenir hunt should include plenty of traditional Nordic products like wool sweaters, Moomin books and items, Mutka mittens (fingerless gloves), food stuffs, as well as foodie treats at Hakaniemi Market Square or Old Market Hall. You will also discover handmade crafts to take back home!
UFF, a non-profit humanitarian organisation with used-clothing stores all across Finland, offers shoppers exceptional deals. Find everything from woolen hats to handbags here for prices that far surpass retail.
Relove is another acclaimed thrift shop chain located around the city centre. People bring in their clothing to sell on consignment, so its selection always changes; trendy second-hand pieces that match current fashion trends can also be found there.
The central city district of Helsinki offers a veritable treasure trove of antique shops, boutiques and top designer stores. Diana Park hosts an amazing Design District where all the top fashion names in Finland from high-end labels to local talent are represented.
Food
Helsinki offers something for every taste imaginable when it comes to dining options – cafes, fine dining establishments and fast food are all easily accessible here. Don’t forget Finland’s famed pastries which are most commonly consumed during certain seasons; be sure to put them on your must-try list!
If you need something quick to eat in Helsinki, look no further than Levain – an elegant bakery chain and eatery offering delectable desserts such as donuts and pasteis de nata (Portuguese egg custard tarts). They also serve brunch dishes and sandwiches!
Restaurant Sea Horse has been serving classic Finnish fare since 1934. Their popular dishes include salmon soup, herring platters and beef Lindstrom. Popular among both locals and visitors.
Mammi is a delicious thick rye pudding similar to dense dark bread that should not be missed when visiting Finland. Most traditional Finnish eateries serve it with sugar and milk or cream; purists enjoy eating it straight up – like Cafe Ekberg located right in the city center!
Lohikeitto is another traditional Finnish dish which makes a hearty winter meal in Helsinki and can usually be found at most traditional Finnish restaurants.
Restaurant Wellamo in Katajanokka district offers something a bit more sophisticated. A Michelin Bib Gourmand establishment, it combines traditional Italian recipes with Nordic ingredients in bold yet flavorful dishes for an unforgettable dining experience in a cozy and romantic environment.