HELSINKI

Helsinki is the cool capital of Finland, the kind of city where there’s something happening throughout the year. During the summer time Helsinki and the locals are at their best. But wintertime has its advantages too; the locals intentionally organize all sorts of happenings and small indoor festivals to keep the city alive.

The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world (after Reykjavik) has been influenced by the East and the West in the architecture, traditions and language.

Helsinki is a walkable city, where cycling is also becoming more common with the help of an increasing number of cycling routes (after the locals kept demanding for them long enough). Public transport is efficient and if you want to relax your feet and see the surroundings, hop on the 3T tram that takes you through a popular route for sightseeing. More information on the tram routes on Helsinki City Transport website.

SIGHTSEEING

The must-sees in Helsinki are usually considered to be
Helsinki Cathedral
Uspenski Cathedral, the largest orthodox church in Western Europe
Temppeliaukio Church
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is on UNESCO World Heritage List and there you also find Hostel Suomenlinna!

Useful information can be found on Visit Helsinki website

Sauna
Ok, you might consider sauna as a must-see, but it’s more of an experience; you can’t just see it, you have to feel it. Sauna has a big part in the Finnish culture, and some people even build saunas in their small city flats.

Sauna is also a social place; the Finns often take a sauna with their family or they might invite friends to have a night in at their place, to take a sauna, eat well and have a few beers.
There are some public saunas in Helsinki that are good places to experience this part of local culture:
Kotiharjun Sauna, Harjuntorinkatu 1
Sauna-Arla, Kaarlenkatu 15

If you feel like trying something extreme you should take a sauna and a dip in the sea during the winter: yep, by ice swimming! In case you don’t know what it is, here’s a short lesson: make a hole in the ice, go in and swim. Or just visit for example Rastila Camping site (15 minute ride on the metro from the city centre), where they have prepared the facilities for you.

WHAT'S ON IN HELSINKI DURING 2012?

26-27 May World Village festival. The whole world fits into the centre of Helsinki during this weekend.

22 June Midsummer Bonfires in Seurasaari. You can experience the traditional Midsummer celebrations not only in the countryside but near central Helsinki too. Seurasaari is an island with an Open-Air Museum with traditional Finnish houses from the 18th to the 19th centuries.

25 June to 1 July Helsinki Pride. GLBT Festival with a carnival, workshops and other events.

29 June to 1 July Tuska Open Air Metal Festival. Helsinki dresses in black. Big metal music festival that is THE festival for every true metal music fan.

17 August to 2 September Helsinki Festival is a huge urban festival with all sorts of art and cultural happenings on the menu. Lots of activities for kids too.

23 August Night of the Arts is a part of Helsinki Festival. This is the night when central Helsinki is literally packed with people rushing into cultural events via bars and pubs and vice versa. A night full of entertainment.

20 to 30 September ‘Love and Anarchy’ Helsinki International Film Festival. Annual festival with a wide selection of films around the world. Anything from documentaries to anime.

6-16 September Helsinki Design Week. Things that look good.
Helsinki also acts as the World Design Capital in 2012

2 to 8 October Herring Market. Delicacies made of Baltic Herring sold by fishermen in the Market Square. Believe us, herring does taste good!

FOLLOW THE LOCALS

EAT & DRINK

SIS. Deli & Café. Trendy take-away cafes that serve food mostly made of organic ingredients and produced by local producers. Both cafes provide small seating areas too. Kalevankatu 4 and Korkeavuorenkatu 6.
Ravintola Ukkomunkki. Local neighbourhood pub, upstairs you’ll find a restaurant which serves big portions of good, unpretentious food. Tram 4. Laajalahdentie 19.
Vegetarian’s heaven: Vegemesta. Small fastfood place serving the tastiest vegetarian burgers in town. Also located in lively street dotted with bars (from shabby to cosy). Metro: Sörnäinen. Vaasankatu 6.
Restaurants that  serve Finnish food and won’t blow your budget:
Restaurant Martta, Lapinlahdenkatu 3
Sea Horse, Kapteeninkatu 11
Kahvila Suomi, Pursimiehenkatu 12. Café that serves lunch too.
Soul Kitchen, Fleminginkatu 26-28. 'Soul food' and Finnish cuisine.
Kaarna, Mannerheimintie 20

Go online to pick your place: eat.fi Restaurants reviewed by customers.

SHOP

Design District is a collection of shops selling Finnish design in addition to galleries and other services representing the creative industry.
Fredrikinkatu street is full of interesting little boutiques and shops. 

Hietalahti outdoor flea market in the summertime. In good weather the atmosphere is lively and you can easily find some real second-hand treasures in addition to the usual bric-a-brac. Tram 6. Hietalahti Square. In winter Valtteri indoor flea market is packed during weekends. Tram 9. Aleksis Kiven katu 17.
 
Don't forget the Market Halls! Hakaniemi Market Hall and Old Market Hall are the loveliest places for a visit. You can buy groceries and snacks in both ones, even have a lunch or a cup of coffee. At Hakaniemi Market Hall there are also cute little shops upstairs, that might have that special little something that would make a great souvenier.
Hakaniemi Market Hall, Hakaniemi Market Square. Trams: 1, 3B, 6, 7, 9. Metro: Hakaniemi. 
Old Market Hall, Eteläranta, next to the Market Square.

RELAX

Sinebrychoff Park. Perfect for a picnic in the summer and sledding in the winter. Next to the Hietalahti outdoor flea market. Tram 6.
Tavastia Club is a legendary rock club. The dream of every fledgling Finnish band is to play on this stage. Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6.
Best nightlife you’ll find in 'Iso Roba' i.e. street called Iso Roobertinkatu. Great for bar hopping. Something for everyone.

HOSTELS IN HELSINKI

Hostel Erottajanpuisto: Great for nightlife and shopping in quirky boutiques

Eurohostel and HelpHostel: Marine Helsinki, handy for ferries to Tallinn and Stockholm

Hostel Academica: Ensuite facilities in each room, central location and even a beach nearby

Stadion Hostel: Situated at the Olympic Stadium, this hostel has that authentic backpacker atmosphere

Hostel Suomenlinna: In the gorgeous surroundings of Sea Fortress Suomenlinna,  a must-visit destination

Have a Hostelling International Membership Card? Check out all the benefits and discounts you get in Helsinki with your card!

TRANSPORT

Public transport in Helsinki is efficient (no matter what the locals may sometimes say…). The easiest way to explore the city and get from one place to another in central Helsinki is by tram. Metro is very easy to use: there is only one line. Though in East Helsinki the line forks at Itäkeskus station.

More information on the different ticket types see Helsinki City Transport website. You can purchase a daily travel card in certain hostel receptions in Helsinki.

Our hostels in Helsinki are also available on hihostels.com