Helsinki
Helsinki, the modern and cosmopolitan capital of Finland situated on the Baltic Sea, is a city with over half a million residents. Helsinki offers lots to see, do and experience year round. Discover the maritime appeal, unique design and architecture attractions, exciting food culture, great shopping opportunities and over 3,000 lively events held each year. Feel the cultural influences from both the East and West, meet the friendly locals and enjoy the slow rhythm of urban Helsinki. Explore and be inspired: www.myhelsinki.fi
Euro, €1 = 100 cents
112
Helsingin Sanomat, Hufvudstadsbladet (Hbl), Ilta-Sanomat, Iltalehti
International edition of Finland’s leading daily newspaper: www.hs.fi/english
Department stores and shopping centres are open weekdays 9am-9pm, Saturdays 9am-6pm and Sundays 12noon-6pm (9pm). Smaller shops are usually open weekdays 10am-6pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm (4pm).
620,715
Helsinki Tourist Information
Helsinki railway station, Kaivokatu 1 (VR ticket office)
Tel: +358 9 3101 3300 (Mon-Sat 9-15:30)
helsinki.touristinfo@hel.fi
www.myhelsinki.fi
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
www.myhelsinki.fi
www.facebook.com/visithelsinki
www.facebook.com/myhelsinki
www.twitter.com/myhelsinki
www.instagram.com/myhelsinki
The City
Helsinki is unique among Northern European cities. The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities in the form of hundreds of events and friendly people. Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West.
The archipelago that surrounds Helsinki with hundreds of tiny islands creates an idyllic environment for cruises, for example.
Over 450 years of history, several architectural layers and the impact of different periods can be clearly seen in Helsinki. Finnish design has also made the country’s capital city world famous.
The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly together with high-tech achievements, while old traditions mix with the latest contemporary trends. The city centre has many beautiful parks, and the nearby forests offer an ideal setting for peaceful and quiet walks.
Helsinki’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs.
Everything is nearby – Helsinki is a pocket-sized metropolis that is ideal for visitors!
Tours & Activities
Go Tours Helsinki
Helsinki Panorama Sightseeing
The Beautiful Canal Route
Hop On Hop Off with City Sightseeing
Treetop Adventure Huippu
Half day tour to Porvoo
Helsinki Grand Tour
Bus & Boat combo
Wilderness Canoeing Adventure in Nuuksio National Park
Swimming Stadium
Kumpula outdoor swimming pool
Happy Helsinki Walk
Yrjönkatu swimming hall
Design Walk Helsinki
Sustainable City Tour
Helsinki Highlights by Bikes
Day Cruise to Tallinn
Luxurious Baltic Sea Roundtrip Cruise
Helsinki Nature by Fatbike
Helsinki by Kayak
Vuosaari Paddling Center
ParisRio.com
Eckerö Line Day Cruise to Tallinn
Gastronomy Tour
Archipelago Tour
Free Walking Tour
Helsinki Urban Walking Tour
Töölöbay and its colorful history
Wine tasting on Suomenlinna islands
Mental Walk – Guided Tour In Former Psychiatric Hospital
City Center Walking Tour
Escape room Exitcenter.fi Järvenpää
Royal Line Sightseeing Cruise
Royal Line Dinner Cruise
CityTour Hop-On Hop-Off Red Buses
Smuggler´s Dinner Cruise
Historical Sightseeing Cruise
Royal Line Lunch Cruise
Bus & Boat Combination
Helsinki City Pass
Guided tour at Suomenlinna
Guided tour at Vallisaari
Foxtrail
One Day in Helsinki
Cannon sloop Diana´s public sailings
Guided Smaku-walk in Porvoo
Berry picking and mushroom hunting in Nuuksio National Park
Flytour Helsinki
Helsinki Card
REDRIB Experience
REDRIB ICE EXPERIENCE
Foxtrail - Play with the city
Finnish Lakes and Forests
Planmeca Golf Areena Helsinki Oy
One Day In Helsinki
Länsi-Uudenmaan Lumo matkailu oy
Do & See
Helsinki is a great city to wander around in, and many attractions are located within walking distance from the town centre. But, if you need to rest your legs or maybe don’t have much time, the tram is an excellent option! It will take you around the city in an effective way and you will be able to see many interesting things along your journey.
Go Tours Helsinki
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
Tori Quarters
Helsinki Cathedral
Allas Sea Pool
Löyly
Helsinki City Museum
Kunsthalle Helsinki
Didrichsen Art Museum
Military Museum´s Manege
Submarine Vesikko
Nuuksio National Park
Espoo’s islands and archipelago
Seurasaari Island
Vantaa City Museum
The Finnish Aviation Museum
Helsinki Cathedral
Temppeliaukio Church
Finlandia Hall
Porvoo
Ainola - The Home of Aino and Jean Sibelius
Helsinki Art Museum HAM
Korjaamo Culture Factory
Ice Park
Haltia The Finnish Nature Centre
Ehrensvärd Museum
Artsi - Vantaa City artmuseum
Lake Tuusula
Flytour Helsinki
Helsinki Archipelago
Galleria Mafka&Alakoski
Theatre Museum
The Finnish Museum of Photography
Linnanmäki Amusement Park
Uspenski Cathedral
Helsinki Zoo
Ateneum Art Museum
SEA LIFE Helsinki
Natural History Museum
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
Vallisaari
Suomenlinna Museum
Museum Card
Musiikkitalo - The Helsinki Music Centre
Hartwall Arena
Dining
The vibrant food culture and the diverse food-related events make Helsinki a fascinating culinary destination. Whether you're interested in fine dining or street food Helsinki is a city for your taste. Join the popular food carnival Restaurant Day organised four times a year, try local specialties in HelsinkiMenu restaurants, enjoy maritime cuisine in idyllic island restaurants in the summer and stop for seasonal delicacies at the traditional market halls and market places.
Restaurant NJK
Ravintola Töölönranta
Restaurant Presto
Restaurant Elite
Roster Helsinki
Salutorget
Restaurant Nokka
The Cock
Holiday Bar
Tapahtumatalo Bank
Restaurant Meripaviljonki
Restaurant Juttutupa
Restaurant Graniittilinna
Ravintola Särkänlinna
Muru
Pastis
Kitchen & Table Helsinki
Korjaamo Culture Factory
Restaurant Savotta
Restaurant Saaga
Restaurant Saslik
Restaurant Savu
Summer Restaurant Saari
Summer Restaurant Saaristo
SMAKU Porvoo
Stefan's Steakhouse
Patrona – Urban Mexican Fusion Kitchen
PurPur – Georgian Cuisine
Classic American Diner Citykäytävä
Paasin Kellari
Paasiravintola
Krog Roba
Bastion Bistro
Sue Ellen
Restaurant Savoy
Restaurant Hieta
Juuri
Macu
Cantina West
Bistro Cumulus
Kulosaaren Casino
Restaurant Kuninkaan Lohet/Kuninkaan Kartano and Vanha Viilatehdas
Team Kitchen
Cafes
Enjoy your cup of coffee in classic cafés in the heart of the city or taste the latest coffee trends in hip neighbourhoods. Choose your own favourite from the diverse cosy cafés that can be found all around Helsinki.
Korjaamo Culture Factory
Café Piper
Hard Rock Cafe Helsinki
City Hall Restaurant
Helsingin kaupungintalon ravintola, restaurant at the City Hall
Good Life Coffee
Cafe Regatta
Café Veranda, Finlandia Hall
Kahvila Sävy
La Torrefazione
Café Carusel
Café Ekberg
Café Esplanad
Karl Fazer Café
Sis. Deli
Café Strindberg
Café Ursula
Bars & Nightlife
A wide range of clubs and bars in Helsinki offers something for everyone in terms of clientele, atmosphere and price. Find the most popular, trendiest and cosiest bars and nightclubs in the city centre as well as in the districts of Kamppi, Punavuori and Kallio.
Korjaamo Culture Factory
Nightclub Skohan
Hernesaaren Ranta
Brasserie Kämp
Ateljee Bar
Apollo Live Club
Teatteri
Casino Helsinki
Cocktail Lounge A21
Kuudes linja
Siltanen
Botta/Manala
Storyville
Shopping
Helsinki offers plenty of shopping opportunities year round. Visit Tori Quarters in the historical centre of Helsinki for a variety of charming design boutiques and craft shops. Fans of Finnish design, fashion and interior decoration should head out to the Design District, situated in the heart of Helsinki.
The main shopping streets include Aleksanterinkatu, Mannerheimintie and the streets Pohjois- and Eteläesplanadi around the Esplanade park that feature several famous Finnish brands such as Iittala, Marimekko, Aarikka and Pentik.
Especially for food shopping be sure to also visit the several market squares and cosy market halls of Helsinki, such as the Market Square and the Old Market Hall at the South Harbour, the Hakaniemi indoor market and the Hietalahti Market Hall and Hietalahti Square that during summertime hosts the city's best-known flea market.
Design District Helsinki
Lapuan Kankurit Store & Studio
Shopping Centre Galleria Esplanad
Lokal
Villisilkki
Stockmann
Tori Quarters
Marimekko
Iittala Store
Karkkikauppa Sweetheart
OZ JEWEL
Kalevala Jewelry and Lapponia Jewelry Flagship Store
Accommodation
Helsinki offers plenty of choices for accommodation, from inexpensive hostels to luxury hotels. For a full list of accommodation outlets, please see www.visithelsinki.fi.
Hostel Suomenlinna
Eurohostel
Clarion Hotel Helsinki Airport
Cumulus City Kallio Helsinki
Cumulus City Kaisaniemi Helsinki
Cumulus City Hakaniemi Helsinki
Cumulus City Meilahti Helsinki
Crowne Plaza Helsinki
Hotelli Seurahuone Helsinki
Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre
Holiday Inn Helsinki - West Ruoholahti
Holiday Inn Helsinki-Exhib & Conv Ctr
Hotel Indigo Helsinki - Boulevard
Clarion Hotel Helsinki
Hotel Rantapuisto
Hotel Katajanokka
Rastila Camping Helsinki
Hotel Kämp
Klaus K Hotel
Hotel Haven
Hotel Fabian
Hotel Lilla Roberts
GLO Hotel Kluuvi
GLO Hotel Art
GLO Hotel Sello
GLO Hotel Airport
Solo Sokos Hotel Torni
Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki
Original Sokos Hotel Helsinki
Original Sokos Hotel Presidentti
Original Sokos Hotel Albert
Original Sokos Hotel Pasila
Scandic Hotels
Essential Information
Arriving in Helsinki
Helsinki can easily be reached from anywhere in the world.
By plane - Around 200 international flights a day arrive at Helsinki Airport, which is situated 19 kilometres from the centre of Helsinki and can be reached by car in approximately 25 minutes. You can also take a taxi, the Finnair airport bus or the Ring Rail Line train to the Central Railway Station. A taxi to city centre costs approximately 35 euros. www.finavia.fi/home
By train - There are excellent train connections from Helsinki to all major towns in Finland as well as to Lapland. There is also a daily train service to St. Petersburg and Moscow. The Central Railway Station is a landmark unto itself in Helsinki. www.vr.fi/en
By bus - Buses from all around Finland arrive to the central bus station, from the largest cities approximately every hour. www.matkahuolto.fi/en/
By ferry - There are daily ferry services to Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany. All the ferry companies offer also possibility to take a car with you. www.portofhelsinki.fi/frontpage, www.eckeroline.fi/en, www.lindaliini.ee/en, www.tallinksilja.com/en/, www.vikingline.fi/en
Public Transport
With a single ticket you can hop aboard trams, busses, the metro and even the ferry to Suomenlinna – why not to try for instance a sightseeing tour on tram routes 2 and 3. Single tickets must be purchased in advance from ticket machines or sales points. https://www.hsl.fi/en/tickets-and-fares/sales-points From bus drivers you can buy tickets when entering the bus.
Day tickets are available for unlimited use on public transportation for 1-7 days. They can be purchased from ticket machines, from the Tourist Information or from the Helsinki City Transport service point in the Central Railway Station. One day ticket is also sold by the drivers. www.hsl.fi/EN/ticketsandfares/singleticketsanddaytickets
Regional tickets allow the holder to travel freely in Helsinki, Espoo, Kauniainen and Vantaa. Regional tickets and regional tourist tickets can be purchased eg. from ticket machines.
Some Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) buses and trams offer free wireless internet access. Look for the WLAN sticker on the front window or door of participating buses and trams.
Helsinki Card holders can travel free of charge on public transportation within the city. www.helsinkiexpert.com/helsinki_card
Helsinki Region Transport www.hsl.fi/EN
Journey Planner: Find the quickest route from A to B http://aikataulut.hsl.fi/reittiopas/en/
Tourist Information
Helsinki Tourist Information
Helsinki railway station, Kaivokatu 1 (VR ticket office)
Tel: +358 9 3101 3300 (Mon-Sat 9-15:30)
helsinki.touristinfo@hel.fi
www.myhelsinki.fi
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm.
Helsinki Region Tourist Information
Helsinki Airport, Terminal 2, Arrival Hall 2
airport.info@hel.fi
Open 24-hours, desk manned daily 10am-8pm May to September and 10am-6pm and Sun 12noon-6pm October to April.
During the summer season from June until the end of August, Helsinki Helpers patrol the inner city and cruise harbours, providing tips on interesting sights, events, restaurants, shopping venues and various travel services.
Telephone
Country code: + 358
Area code: (0)9
Free WiFi in Helsinki
The city of Helsinki offers a free WLAN-service for residents and travelers alike. No passwords or registration required. Just look for "Helsinki City Open WLAN" from the available networks.
Taxi
Taxis are easy to hail in the city centre except during the busiest periods. Taxi stands are conveniently located throughout the centre.
Taksi-Helsinki
Tel. +358 100 0700 (1,17€/call +0,25€/10 seconds + local call charge)
www.taksihelsinki.fi/en
Airport Taxi Yellow Line
Tel. +358 600 555 555 (1,99 €/call+local call charge). From airport to city centre with special price.
www.airporttaxi.fi/index_airporttaxi_en.html
Lähitaksi
Tel. +358 100 7300 (1,17€/call+0,17€/10 seconds +local call charge)
www.lahitaksi.fi/en
Pharmacy
24-hour service:
Yliopiston Apteekki
Address: Mannerheimintie 96
Other pharmacies in the city centre:
Yliopiston Apteekki, Mannerheimintie 5, open daily 7am-12midnight
Apteekki Bulevardia, Bulevardi 13, open Mon-Fri 8:30am-7pm, Sat 10am-4pm
Electricity
220 V
Events
Helsinki is a lively and dynamic city with a fantastic selection of over 3,000 events held each year. The streets, parks and boutiques of Finland’s capital are filled with lively events throughout the frosty winter, the fresh spring, the easygoing summer and the cosy autumn – all the way through to the next New Year. Find out what’s on – something is sure to be happening in Helsinki all through the year!
Sibelius Finland Experience
Elämys Group
Helsinki Christmas Market
18.-20.1.2019 Matka Nordic Travel Fair
1-3.2.2019 MP Motorcycle Show