SIGHTS & DESTINATIONS

CULTURE -MUSEUMS:

GOOD LIST of current CULTURAL EVENTS

KIASMA -the New Museum for contemporary art: 
Second link

TENNISPALATSI (Tennis Palace, Helsinki City Art Museum )
second link

For classical arts, check out:

Ateneum Art Museum -The Finnish National Gallery
Second link

TAIDEHALLI - Kunsthalle

KANSALLISMUSEO  -The National Museum of Finland 
Second link


SUOMENLINNA MUSEUM


KLUUVI GALLERIA

Links to lists of: ART GALLERIES MUSEUMS

Good list of popular museums.

ARCHITECTURE:

MUSEUM OF FINNISH ARCHITECTURE

CULTURE -MUSIC:

FINLANDIA HALL - FINLANDIATALO
Second Link

KANSALLISOOPPERA - FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA
Second Link

Check out the annual HELSINKI FESTIVAL

More information about HELSINKI MUSIC,
-Classical, jazz, rock, etc. Locations,
equipment, stores, dates, you name it.

PLENTY of information & links for 
POPULAR MUSIC VENUES: clubs & bars

"This is Finland" - ARTS & CULTURE links

MUSIC, DANCE & OPERA events.

The City of Helsinki Cultural Office, venues.

HISTORIC ARTIST & DESIGNER HOME MUSEUMS, etc:

HVITTRÄSK a.k.a. Eliel Saarinen House
Address: Hvitträskintie 166
FI-02440 Luoma, Finland
Tel. (358)- 9 4050 9630
Fax (358)- 9 4050 963
E-mail: hvittrask@nba.fi

Built 1901-1903 by artists Eliel Saarinen, Herman Gesellius and Armas Lindgren. The National Romantic styled main building, was a studio / home for Eliel Saarinen & Armas Lindgren. Herman Gesellius lived in the courtyard building. Saarinen's residence now serves as the museum.
Via Michelin link 

Restaurant Hvitträsk
Hvitträskintie 166, 02440 Luoma
Phone: (358)- (0)9 297 60 33
Email: myynti@ravintolahvittrask.fi

museot ja linnat | MUSEUMS & CASTLES

GOOD LIST of current cultural events.

PARKS - HELSINKI ISLANDS:

SUOMENLINNA FORTRESS ISLAND
Historic sea fortress island (group), on the World Heritage List.
Second Link

See also: My Best Helsinki Photos 5:
Suomenlinna Fortress Island photos.

Center of Helsinki, viewed from Suomenlinna island. Click on photo:

For more images & views from Suomenlinna, see: MyBestHelsinki/Photos 5

UUNISAARI -sorry, in Finnish only.
second link (in English)

Uunisaari is an easy, circa 3 minute long taxi boat ride from the popular Merisatama shore. There is a beach, nice walking paths, rolling, smooth rocks, and on the other side, the open sea. Get a blanket, some picnic food and your bathing suit. Your hotel or the travel information will give you directions.

Warmly recommended!


Aboard the little boat from Merisatama to the popular little island, Uunisaari, that is a city park. Travel time about 3 minutes.

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL HELSINKI ARCHIPELAGO GUIDE, with images, provided by the City of Helsinki. Take your time and "leaf" trough it. Made me miss Helsinki so, so bad! In pdf-form: Takes a looong time to load, you might also have to refresh the page for it to open.

LIUSKASAARI
From Uunisaari you can walk to Lisukasaari - or take a boat, also from merisatama. The amazing thing is that all this stunnigly beautiful nature & sea scape is virtually in the center of Helsinki. We used to go to these islands all the time, and sitll go when we visit in the summer.
Location on Map

Click photo for larger view:

Meditation on Liuskasaari island.

Forgot your picnic basket?
Try restaurant BOATHOUSE
Second Link | third link
great images of Boathouse

PIHLAJASAARI  -island. Web site in Finnish
only. But by clicking on the links you see different photos from the island. Wonderful! Picnic, swimming, sun bathing, camping, etc. Kids love it, and so do the adults. There is a cafe and a restaurant and a great terrace patio.
Some information about Pihlajasaari in English.

Beaches & Sauna
The main beach with its colorful changing booths
is a really nice place to swim. There is also a
sauna that can be privately rented.

Pihlajasaari consists of two separate islands
connected with a bridge. The islands can  be
reached by boat only. A privately-operated
commuter boat from Kaivopuisto gets you
there. Check out:
THE BOAT TO PIHLAJASAARI

Pihlajasaari picture gallery
(the background image of this page
is from pihalajsaari)

Pihlaja = Rowan in English.
See picture of the Finnish Rowan tree.

SEURASAARI OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
Helsinki, Seurasaari Island. Seurasaari Foundation

A collection of historic buildings (18th to 20th cewntury) from different parts of Finland, demonstrate life in the Finnish rural areas.

Unlike most other Helsinki islands, you do not need to take a boat to get here. There is an old quaint bridge, almost next to the bus stop.

Beautiful island, beautiful walk.

Seafood starter plate at Seurasaari Restaurant. Click photo.

SUMMER RESTAURANTS (on islands around Helsinki):

RESTAURANT SAARISTO on LUOTO/KLIPPAN island, in the South Harbor. An absolutely wonderful setting for a summer restaurant, on a tiny island in the South Harbor. A must.

CLICK ON PHOTO for place names

and a much larger view of Klippan island & surroundings.
second link / location on map / image gallery
Address: Luoto, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5505
Email: sales at asrestaurants.com

NJK on VALKOSAARI in the South Harbor.
Address: Valkosaari, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6128 6500
second link

BOATHOUSE on Liuskasaari Island.
Address: Liuskasaari, FI-00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6227 1070
second link
third link

SÄRKÄNLINNA
Address: Särkänsaari, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 1345 6756
-our review on restaurant page 2

Click photofor place names & larger view:

Taxi boat arriving at Särkkä Island pier.

CAFE CHAPMAN -on Suomenlinna Fortress Island - our review on restaurant page 2

WALHALLA -on Suomenlinna Fortress Island
Address: Suomenlinna A10, 00190 Helsinki
Phone / Fax: (358)- (0)9 - 668 552
Email: walhalla at kolumbus.fi second link

UUNISAARI -sorry, in Finnish only.
Address: Uunisaari, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 636 870

RESTAURANT SAARI -on Sirpalesaari Island
Address: Sirpalesaari, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5566

RESTAURANT PIHLAJASAARI -on Pihlajasaari Island. Island & restaurant images
Address: Pihlajasaari, FI-00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)45-129 2000
(358)- (0)40-546 5350

SAARI = ISLAND in Finnish.

PARKS - GARDENS

ESPLANADE PARK - ESPLANADIN PUISTO.
A beautiful & essential part of the center of Helsinki.


ESPLANADE PARK BANDSTAGE - ESPLANADIN LAVA.

KAIVOPUISTO PARK - KAIVOPUISTO

KESKUSPUISTO - CENTRAL PARK - "Close to the Forest, Nature in the City"
Second link

WINTER GARDEN -TALVIPUUTARHA 
Second link- Winter Garden


Töölö BAY - TÖÖLÖNLAHTI
- Second link to Töölö Bay
- Wikipedia info & photos
- Article in Finnish

TÖÖLÖ BAY - FINLANDIAPARK
TÖÖLÖNLAHTI - FINLADIAPUISTO
Images of the present and the future, including some arial views.

Fitness trails close to Töölö Bay.
(Move the cursor over the "Easy-Medium-Difficult" signs.)

VIIKKI TORPICAL GARDEN: GARDENIA
second link

LIST of some HELSINKI PARKS.

RAKENNUSVIRASTO, general about parks.

DESTINATIONS - fun for kids & adults alike:

Korkeasaari Zoo
Terrific place to visit any time of the year. Getting there is already fun: since it is located on an island (Korkeasaari means, after all, High Island), you get there by a small ferry and get to enjoy the beautiful sea views of central Helsinki. The ferry leaves from
Another way to get to the Zoo, is via Kulosaari,
a suburb that is located close to the
center of Helsinki. From Kulosaari you can "island hop", i.e. walk (or drive) over a bridge to

Mustikkamaa
(Blueberry land) island, which is a popular picnic &
recreation destination for locals;  and again, walk over another  bridge, to Korkeasaari Zoo. It is quite a schlep, but if you love walking, and like to see areas outside the center, why not.

Helsinki Beaches

Sea Life Helsinki 
Second Link
Voted one of the most popular places to visit.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park
Second Link
Still very amusing.

OLYMPIC STADIUM  -OLYMPIASTADION
Second Link

KAAPELITEHDAS art & culture center
Historic cable factory (designed by architect 
Wäinö G. Palmquist & built 1939-1944) 
turned culture factory.
Great.
Unfortunately their English web site is not. But you
can call them and ask which activities, courses 
(including for children) or events & exhibitions are 
going on, or starting in the near future.

Mailing address: Tallberginkatu 1 C 15, 
FI-00180 Helsinki.
The administration office of Cable Factory is  
located on the 2nd floor. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm.
Information: (358) - (0)9 -4763 8300 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm),  fax (358) - (0)9-4763 8383
E-mail: kaapeli@kaapelitehdas.fi

For a list of which artists, schools, classes, enterprises &  other creative entities, etc., function in the building, click here and then click on the 3 different groups of letters. Some of these entities offer different courses in  art, architecture, or a variety of artistic or engaging  physical activities for children.
Event Calendar 

There is also a popular cafe & restaurant, "Hima & Sali"  at Kaapelitehdas.

Kaapelitehdas address:
Tallberginkatu 1 C 15, Helsinki 00180, Finland
Tel: (358) - (0)9 4763 8305

SCIENCE - kids & adults:

HEUREKA SCIENCE CENTER 
Fun & interesting & entertaining
for adults and children alike.

ARKKI -ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL for CHILDREN & YOUTH.
Offers clubs & classes in a variety of artistic activites, includes among others, a HUT BUILDING DAY CAMP. Located in the Kaapelitehdas building.

Address: Tallberginkatu 1 C 106, 5th Floor
00180 Helsinki, Tel: (358)- (0)9 685 642
e-mail: arkki@co.inet.fi

THEATER & PERFORMANCE, ETC:

SUVILAHTI
Old electric power plant - turned event space, etc.. Located in the Sörnäinen district of Helsinki, next to Suvilahti Bay. Gool place to see theatre, performances, etc.

KORJAAMO Culture Factory. Also cool.

DESTINATIONS - great for walking:

List of MARKETS and MARKET HALLS.

MARKET SQUARE by the SOUTH HARBOR
MARKET SQUARE = KAUPPATORI in Finnish.
- Second Link
- Super cool 360 degree panorama of the South Harbor w. the Market Square.
- Wikipedia link

The busy Market Square by the South Harbor. You can buy fruit, berries, vegetables, fish, bread, flowers, clothes, artifacts, etc. There are several food stands, offering surprisingly  tasty food, and also very popular outdoor cafes.


Havis Amanda 
statue & fountain
at the Helsinki South
Harbor Market Square.


MORE WALKING,
IN DIFFERENT
NEIGHBORHOODS,
center column.
 

SENAATINTORI - The Senate Square

VANHA KAUPPAHALLI - THE OLD MARKET HALL

HAKANIEMEN KAUPPAHALLI - HAKANIEMI MARKET HALL

HAKANIEMEN TORI - HAKANIEMI MARKET SQUARE

HIETALAHDEN KAUPPAHALLI - HIETALAHTI ANTIQUE & ART HALL
second link

HIETALAHDEN TORI - HIETALAHTI MARKET SQUARE

NEIGHBORHOODS, great for walking:

-PUNAVUORI Punavuori info

-KAIVOPUISTO Kaivopuisto info

-ULLANLINNA Ullanlinna info

- EIRA Eira info


Walking in Meristama, in Eira.

- KATAJANOKKA :

Katajanokka is filled with
 gorgeous Art Noveau
 (i.e. Jugend) buildings.
 click for larger view
Katajanokka info.



- KRUUNUNHAKA:

Kruununhaka info

-TÖÖLÖ Töölö info

...and yes: SUOMENLINNA, which is not just a historic sea fortress island (group), but also a neighborhood where people live. Suomenlinna info


Images & views from Suomenlinna, see: My Best Helsinki / Photos 5 Suomenlinna is quite a popular picnic / walking destination among Helsinki natives.

One of our favorite walking routes in Helsinki starts from the area of the Esplanade Park, via the South Harbor Market Square.

It mostly follows the shoreline, past Kaivopuisto to Ullanlinna and to Eira and beyond.

Sometimes we walk all the way past Hietalahti Market and back to the center along Bulevardi (the Boulevard) and bringing us back to Mannerheimintie (Mannerheim Street) and the Esplanade Park.

HERE, a great HELSINKI MAP, so that you can see where you are.
Very easy to use. HAve fun.

Also, a link to our Photo Page 2, where most of the photos are taken while walking along this route. Remember to click on the photos, most of which open to a very large view, some with text.

Click photo for place  names & larger view.

SPORTS

DIFFERENT SPORTING SERVICES offered by the city of Helsinki.

"CHEAP" THRILLS:

SIGHTSEEING BY 3T / 3B tram & 3T / 3B ROUTE MAP
Actually, it is both a brochure & map. Scroll down one click to page two, and you will see the route.

The tram runs in a loop, shaped like an 8. This is the chepest and most efficient way to see Helsinki and locals. Click on link above for information about the route, and how to get a route map, other tram routes, tickets, etc, etc..


The red brick Market Hall on the right is a delightful place to shop for food, snakcs, goodies, to grab a small bite or a cup of coffee or tea, or to just browse. You could even shop for picnic food here, before heading out for one of the pretty islands.

ROUTE MAP FOR ALL TRAMS

SPÅRAKOFF -tram. The beer pub on "wheels", or the "bar on the move". It offers a sightseeing tour of the city that takes a little less than an hour, during which the passengers can enjoy refreshments.
second link. Scroll down to "A restaurant on wheels"

Spåra" is a Finnish slang word for ", deriving from the Swedish word " spårvagn" (transliteration = rail wagon) The Finnish word is " raitiovaunu ".

VISITOR INFO - Local bus, tram, metro info.
-Journey planner

FINNISH TRAMWAY SOCIETY

Misty & rainy mordnig views from Kruunuhaka , looking  over Helsinki's North Harbor toward Katajanokka:

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW

SHOPPING (a.k.a. NOT such cheap thrills):

SHOPPING ALONG THE ESPLANADE:

You could walk the length of Pohjoisesplanadi (the North Esplanade, which is a great shopping street, and not very long:

Start from Mannerheimintie and stroll at your leisure, out the different design shops, and enjoy a nice bite, at some of the splendid cafes or little restaurants on your way.

When you arrive at the South Harbor Market Square you have reached the end of the Esplanade. The Market Square also is a nice place to check out -and to do some shopping. You can stroll back along the other side of the Esplanade Park (South Esplanade -Eteläesplanadi).

Btw. While walking along the North Esplanade, you will pass the historic Kämp hotel (the composer Jean Sibelius & his cultural crowd used to hang out at Kämp bar). Kämp has been on Conde Nast Travelers 
Top World hotels -list for years now.


BUT IF YOU PREFER TO SHOP AT A DEPARTMENT STORE, GO TO: Stockmann (the Bloomingdales of Helsinki).

And IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GO CRAZY, CHECK OUT KAMPPI SHOPPING CENTER

FOR TABLEWARE & KITCHEN STUFF:

ARABIA Beautiful Finnish Tableware
Arabia's MOOMIN TROLL tableware collection(We have a lot of them :-)

HACKMANN

IITTALA - Stores in Helsinki IITTALA -ARABIA

Iittala Factory Outlets
Arabiakeskus (= Arabia center, i.e. the factory)
Hämeentie 135, 00560 Helsinki
tel +358 (0)204 39 3507
fax +358 (0)204 39 3511
Email shop.arabia-helsinki@iittala.com
Outlet web-page: www.iittalaoutlet.fi sorry, Finnish only.

SHOPPING MAP When there, choose "Shops"or "Shops by Street"- option, the map will show you dots on the map, and if you place the arrow on a dot, it will tell you the name of the store.
FOR TRENDIER SHOPPING:

The shopping map above does not list every new shop or boutique. For trendier shopping / brands & occasional unique finds, we recommend walking along Uudenmaankatu, Fredrikinkatu & Eerikinkatu.
(katu = street)  

Periodically, these shops have great sales.

Check out these 3 examples:

ASUNA ASUNA Fredrikinkatu 24,
00120 Helsinki, Tel (09) 611 543
second link

GAUDETE Fredrikinkatukatu 35,
00120 Helsinki  Tel (09) 608 635

MYYMÄLÄ 2
Uudenmaankatu 23, Helsinki, tel + 358 (0)41  7832327

Also check out, in different location:

BEAMHILL Yliopistonkatu 7, 00100 Helsinki
Tel +358 (0)9 622 2653


DESIGN DISTRICT HELSINKI
Represents a wide array of Finnish quality design, consisting of fashion stores, museums, art galleries, design and antique shops, showrooms and even restaurants and hotels in a relatively small area in the center of Helsinki.

Design District promises "interesting names, classics, trend-setters and so much more ..."


MORE SHOPPING RESOURCES

Helsinki's "Church in the Rock", in Finnish: Temppeliaukion Kirkko. A.k.a. Rock Church.


If you encounter a link that does not work that we have not noticed yet, we will be happy
to fix it as soon as we hear from you.
Thank You.

BUILDINGS - GOVERNMENT:

PARLIAMENT EDUSKUNTA in Finnish (RIKSDAGEN in Swedish)
second link & info in Finnish



PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - PRESIDENTIN LINNA
second link: - Panoramic view of the Presidential Palace and its surroundings.

Old lighthouse on Suomenlinna Fortress island.

Link to lighthouse.

A WONDERFUL LINK to Finland's lighthouses. Map of Finland's coasts (western & southern) with marked locations. You can also click on the names of the different lighthouses on the list of lighthouses. 

The Finnish Lighthouse Society

BUILDINGS - CHURCHES:

USPENSKI ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (in Finnish only)
Second Link

TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH
a.k.a ”the Rock Church” wikipedia link

OLD CHURCH - VANHA KIRKKO
See photos of the pretty old church on My Best Helsinki photos 4 -page

HELSINKI CATHEDRAL , a.k.a. "THE DOME"
Second Link

KALLIO CHURCH KALLION KIRKKO
Second Link

coming & going (transportation to & from the airport):

The Finnair bus from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to the center of Helsinki (to the railway station, which is the last stop) takes about 35-40 minutes each the safe side, reserve 1 hour each way, since especially if the trip is to be made during a rush hour. Link to time table.

Coming? Going? Feel like a longer day trip is in order? Check out:
FINNAIR  or  SAS.

The Helsinki-Vantaa airport check in is usually very  efficient, so we have never had to endure any super  long waits in a check-in line. (Nothing close to the  abysmal waits here in NYC).

For all your transportation needs, including airport info, see our HOTELS, TRANSIT & TRAVEL SERVICES -page.