HELSINKI
Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant seaside city of beautiful islands and great green parks. The city’s rhythm is laid back yet at the same time refreshingly active in terms of both the number and quality of restaurants and nightclubs.
DESTINATION in figures
620,982 people
300+ islands
1 sea fortress
Where to go
Click map to explore
Explore Helsinki by Car
See below for some self-guided tours of Finland’s many natural attractions.
nightlife in Helsinki
Conveniently-sized Helsinki has a ton of bars and clubs within walking distance from another. Pick your favourites and plan your preferred bar crawl around the Finnish capital.
Suomenlinna, the fortress island
The fortress of Suomenlinna is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Finland’s most popular sights. The beautiful islands of Suomenlinna are only a 15-minute ferry ride away from Helsinki Market Square. They offer a variety of atmospheres; whether you are looking for a cheerful weekend with friends, a tranquil evening stroll, picnic or perhaps a jog – it is all made possible by the diverse routes, locations, restaurants and cafés across the islands.
escape the hustle and bustle
If you want to escape the city life even further – no matter how laid-back – try the two large national parks of Sipoonkorpi and Nuuksio, both a short bus-journey away from the centre of Helsinki.
Helsinki in the winter
Activities in wintery Helsinki are a plenty from skiing to swimming in the frozen sea, the possibilities are endless – and a lot of fun!
kallio neighborhood
Kallio, like the upscale neighbourhood of Punavuori 20 years earlier, has undergone a facelift after drawing a young, diverse and entrepreneurial population. And although its run-down charm has in part evolved with the arrival of trendy cafes, brunch spots and boutiques, the neighborhood hasn’t yet lost its distinctiveness.
inspirational architecture
The Finnish National Romantic movement flourished in the early years of the 20th century. Finnish Art Nouveau drew a great deal of inspiration and influences from the Kalevala, the Finnish national epic.
Restaurant day
Restaurant Day was invented in Helsinki in 2011, growing mainly through social media and into a global movement of “food for all”. Restaurant Day is, indeed, extra-ordinary. The phenomenon is now popping up inside people’s homes and backyards all over the world – in over 30 countries – four times a year.
charming old porvoo
Porvoo is most famous for its charming Old Town that dates back to the Middle Ages and is filled with adorable cafés, restaurants and handicraft boutiques. Beautiful manors, museums, churches and chapels characterise Porvoo.
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