Arrival/Departure:
To/from the Airport:
Both the P train and the I train take 30 minutes to Helsinki city centre, catch whichever one comes first. You will need a Zone ABC ticket (see below). In the other direction, P trains leave from platforms 16-18 and I trains from platforms 1-3, on opposite sides of the station!
On the HSL App and ticket machines they are €4.10
[HSL links may not work due to overseas IP addresses being blocked, as protection against cyber-atacks]
There is no FinnAir City Bus – it stopped in 2020
Ferries to Tallinn:
1) Tallink/Silja Line – from West Terminal 2 – on the Megastar or MyStar – 6 a day – €35
2) Viking – from Market Square – 3 a day – €27
3) Eckero – from West Terminal 2 – on the Finlandia – 3 a day – €24
Ferries to Stockholm:
1) Tallink/Silja Line – from South Harbour – on the Silja Symphony or Silja Serenade – one a day, leaving 5pm, arriving 10am – from €149 per cabin (1 to 4 people)
2) Viking Line – from Katajanokka – on the Cinderella – one a day, leaving 5.15pm, arriving 10am – from €160 per cabin (1 to 4 people)
To/from the West Ferry Terminal: trams 7 and 9
To/from Katajanokka: trams 4 and 5
To/from South Harbour: trams 2 and 3
Where To Stay (in order of preference):
1) Hotel Indigo, Bulevardi
By far the most convenient for the centre of the city, Bulevardi is a long tree-lined shopping street with regular trams. The hotel is 10 minutes from the Esplanade or 15 minutes from the station. There are so many nice places to eat along Bulevardi so you don’t have to go far in the evenings. The hotel has a nice Finnish breakfast buffet, and excellent service.
2) Hotel Katajanokka, Merikasarminkatu 1
The small island of Katajanokka is just to the east of the cathedrals, and is where the Viking Line ships dock. The hotel is a converted prison, each bedroom is made up of 3 “cells” and is beautifully renovated and furnished, but with the public areas still recognisable from their former use. The breakfast buffet in the basement is very nice. This is a Marriott Tribute Portfolio hotel.
3) Crowne Plaza, Mannerheimintie 50
With the FinnAir bus stopping outside, and trams into town every few minutes, this is an ideal location with a view of the lake, and very handy for the Finlandia Hall, National Museum and the Rock Church. The Club Lounge provides free breakfast and pre-dinner drinks & snacks if you book a Club room.
4) Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Ruoholahdenranta 3
One of three Radisson hotels in the city, not central but an easy tram ride from the centre and has many nice shops and restaurants to pass as you stroll into town; good breakfast buffet, and the rooms on higher floors have balconies
5) Holiday Inn West Ruoholahti, Sulhasenkuja 3
Only 2 metro stops from the centre, and 5 minutes walk from the station, this is very quiet and friendly. There are 2 large supermarkets nearby, as well as fast food and breakfast joints. You can also walk from the hotel through the park up to Toolo and the Rock Church.
Getting Around:
For long-stayers, 14 days (zones AB, not the airport): €53 on the HSL card or app
Multi-day tickets are great value, starting at €9 for one day, but then only €4.50 for each additional consecutive day. Get them from metro ticket machines or load them onto the HSL App. It’s cheaper than buying a Helsinki Card and then adding on extra days.
If you know you are going to Espoo or the airport, then you can get ABC zone tickets, which are €5.50 a day instead of €4.50.
They work on the metro, buses, trams, and the HSL boat to Suomenlinna (not the private boats).
Top tip: there’s no need to get the HSL Card as that’s more useful for loading money.
Helsinki Card:
Your best bet is to buy online. That way you don't have to pay for transport. It’s only €66 for 3 days. It gives you a couple of bus tours, a boat trip (in summer), access to the hop on hop off buses, and free entry to most museums – it’s definitely worth it for a first-time visitor.
Travel Tips:
The Metro only has one line, but it splits at each end in the east and west. University station is often quicker to get out of than the main Railway Station.
Tram 6 goes from the city centre to Arabia Design Centre
Tram 10 goes from the Design Museum in the south to the Aalto houses in the north
Tram 8 goes from the Cable Factory in the west to Arabia in the east
Trams 2 & 3: travel in a roughly figure-of-eight around town in opposite directions, from the Olympic Stadium in the north to Kaivopuisto Park in the south, though you now need to get off and change at the top.
Watch out for the Vintage Tram restarting – it usually appears in the summer season.
Post Offices: Elielinaukio 2 (also Annankatu 8, Kasarmikatu 19a)
Eating Out:
Ravintola Sea Horse, Kapteeninkatu 11
Traditional Finnish food in a traditionally decorated restaurant, with friendly service. A special lunch menu has only 3 options but is just as tasty, with an informal atmosphere. We visit every time we are in town.
Ateljee Bar, Sokos Hotel Torni, Yrjonkatu 26
Fantastic views from this small and pricey bar at the top of one of the tallest towers on the west side of Mannerheimintie, you might have to fight for a seat but the decadence is worth it.
Café Ursula, Ehrenstromintie 3, Kaivopuisto Park
Lunches, sandwiches, pastries; view across to islands while being divebombed by hungry birds (summer only)
Story, Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall)
Breakfast and lunch café with manchego toast and lots of other nice things
Momotoko, Yliopistonkatu 5
Ramen restaurant that also does rice dishes, baos and gyoza
Lie Mi, Bulevardi 21
Vietnamese streetfood, casual dining
Café Ekberg, Bulevardi 9
lunch buffet Mon-Fri 11-3 €12.50, plus amazing bread and pastries
Levant, Bulevardi 15 and Vaasankatu 25, Kallio
a tiny restaurant that serves genuine Middle Eastern street food
Zetor, Mannerheimintie 3
A rustic-style restaurant serving Finnish specialties, but strictly for the tourist market. Surrounded by tractors. Yes, really.
Purpur Georgian Restaurant, Rikhardinkatu 4
Friends and Brgrs, Mikonkatu 8
Vapiano, Mikonkatu 15
Where To Shop:
There are three fantastic Market Halls around town, each with a food market or flea market outside it in the summer.
Kauppahalli (Old Market Hall) and Market Square, by the Town Hall near the Cathedral: delicatessen and cafes, with some clothes and homewares, also a good vintage store with Marimekko and Iittala
Hakaniemi Market Hall on the east side of town, take a tram – lots of antiques inside and food stalls outside
Hietalahti Market Hall on the west side of town – nice cafes and bakeries inside, with a car boot sale Finnish-style on the square every day
Arabia Design Center, Hämeentie 135
Outlet and vintage store for Arabia, Iittala, Fiskars, Finlayson; plus other outlets
plus a free design museum and lunch café
not Monday, Tue-Fri 11-17, Sat-Sun 12-16
Marimekko Outlet
Take the metro east to Herttoniemi station and exit B towards the buses. Head south-east over the little bridge on Linnanrakentajantie, crossing the dual carriageway, taking a left at the Shell garage, and then bearing right after McDonalds, to the right of the Volvo dealer, the outlet is at the next crossroads. Now famous, it is packed with tourists looking for a bargain and probably not finding one. For fans only. Plus the Maritori canteen (Mon-Fri 10.30-2 for lunch only).
Fazer
Fazer (pronounced Fatser) is the Finnish chocolate brand. They have cafes all over Helsinki, but the best one to visit is on Kluuvikatu 3, and it has a massive chocolate shop inside.
They also have an out of town outlet, with a tour and café and another massive chocolate shop. Take the metro to Mellunmaki, then the 587 or 572 bus to Fazerila. The tour is about €15 and includes a tasting room and a goody bag to take away!
ToriKortTelit = Tori Quarters
3 historical blocks south of Cathedral, with design shops, cafes and the City Museum
including Okra, Aleksanterinkatu 26
Top Tip: there is a free WC on Sofiagatan, just open the door and head downstairs, and another in the basement of City Hall nearby
Forum Shopping Centre, Mannerheimintie
Kamp Galleria, Pohjoisesplanadi 33
Stockmann, Aleksanterinkatu 52
Helsinki’s largest department store, great sandwich & deli on ground floor, pick up a 10% off voucher for overseas passport holders
Kamppi
A large shopping centre, the 4th floor of which is taken up by the largest MUJI store in Europe
Mall of Tripla
A large mall north of the city, get bus 69 or train to Pasila (zone A so covered by travel cards)
Large food court
Vintage
These 2 stores have a large collection of Iittala glassware and Arabia pottery, not necessarily cheap but you might find something vintage you like
Retronomi, Lönnrotinkatu 43, to the west of town near the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel
AstiaLiisa, Runeberginkatu 59, in the centre of town
Taito Craft shop, Eteläesplanadi 4
Academic Bookstore, Pohjoisesplanadi 39
see Alvar Aalto’s original doors, doorhandles, balcony, fittings and furniture in the Bookshop café (free toilets if you need that sort of thing)
Design District
overview of Finnish design, use the Design District Map to find shops of interest, mainly south of Esplanadi and Bulevardi
Helsinki Secondhand, Korkeavuorenkatu 5
an amazing warehouse on a suburban street, with furniture, glassware (Including vintage Iittala) and random souvenirs, definitely worth a browse
Artek 2nd Cycle, Pieni Roobertinkatu 4 (in the basement)
although the 2nd hand stools and other furniture will still be outside your price range (and capacity to get them home), it’s like a trawl through the archives of Alvar Aalto’s furniture business since the 1930s
More Design District shops:
Formverk, Annankatu 5 https://www.formverk.com/
Lokal, Annankatu 9 https://lokalhelsinki.com/
Papershop, Fredrikinkatu 18 https://papershop.fi/
Nide art bookshop, Fredrikinkatu 35 https://www.nidekauppa.fi/
Common, Pursimiehenkatu 1 https://common-helsinki.com/
Moko shop and café, Perämiehenkatu 10 https://moko.fi/
Company SalaKauppa, Tarkk’ampujankatu 5 https://www.salakauppa.fi/ and https://www.com-pa-ny.com/
Churches:
Lutheran Cathedral, Bulevardi 16
the white Cathedral which can be seen from many places in Helsinki, pure and clean inside
Russian Cathedral, Katajanokka Island
get a walking leaflet from Tourist Information and explore the history of this small island with many old buildings with amazing names
Temppeliaukio (Church in the Rock), Lutherinkatu 3
cut inside a huge chunk of granite, with an amazing low-domed roof, the light and space inside this church are like no other. Avoid the coach parties and you will be rewarded with a peaceful experience. Opening hours vary but 10am is the usual start. Free on Wednesdays from 4pm.
Kamppi Chapel, Simonkatu 7
A modern structure in the centre of town, a place of silence, peace and reflection, worth a visit whether religious or not. Now has an entrance fee.
Kallion Kirkko, Itäinen Papinkatu 2
In a housing area north of the Hakaniemi Market Hall, it has Art Nouveau influences. It has a Cafe Sonck open from 11 till 4.
Mikael Agricola Church, Tehtaankatu 23, south of Design District
Open 9 till 2 during the week
Anglican services in English at 10am Sunday
University Buildings:
Helsinki University Museum, Fabianinkatu 33
Take the antique lift to the 3rd floor. A free exhibition with amusing videos, scientific instruments, and the development of education in Finland.
Helsinki University Library, Vuorikatu (not on Fabianinkatu)
Free to enter, amazing architecture
Helsinki University Shop @ Think Corner, Yliopistonkatu 4
As well as sweats and souvenirs, this space has a great book and DVD selection
Sightseeing:
Oodi – the new Central Library opposite the Parliament Building– it’s not just about books!
National Library – on Senate Square
Finlandia Hall, Mannerheimintie 13e
Designed by the great Alvar Aalto, this concert venue and now conference centre is worth a visit for the interiors and furnishings, all the original designs. You really need to go on a tour, which happen infrequently, so check the website.
Hakasalmi Villa (next to Finlandia Hall)
Tue-Sn 11-17, €14
Design Museum, Korkeavuorenkatu 23, south of Esplanadi
Mon-Sun 11-18, €12
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Mannerheiminaukio 2, west of station
not Monday, late Wed-Fri, €15
very modern art, also has a great café
National Museum of Finland, Mannerheimintie 34, northwest of station
closed until 2027
Amos Rex, Mannerheimintie 22, west of station
not Tuesday, late Wed Thu, €15
also very modern art
Museum of Finnish Architecture, Kasarmikatu 24, south of Esplanadi
not Monday, late Wed, €10
Ateneum Art Museum, Kaivokatu 2, opposite station
not Monday, late Wed Thu, €17
Sinebrychoff Art Museum, Bulevardi 40, near Seaside Hotel
not Monday, late Wed, €15
National Archives of Finland, Rauhankatu 17, east of station
Mon to Fri 9am to 4pm
Bank of Finland Museum, Snellmaninkatu 2, east of Cathedral
not Monday, free entry
HAM Tennis Palace Art Museum, Etelainen Rautatiekatu 8, west of station
closed Monday, free on Friday
Cable Factory, Tallberginkatu 1
take tram 8 westwards to the end of the line, turn left and walk towards the industrial buildings
Finnish Museum of Photography
Hotel and Restaurant Museum
Theatre Museum
Suomenlinna
An island fortress dating from 1748, boats leave from the Market Square (Helsinki Card and daily travel tickets valid on boat) and also the east end of Katajanokka if you are staying there
On the islands are kiosks and cafés, shops and old buildings, craft workshops and galleries, and it’s lovely to just walk round, definitely worth a whole day
Local library open Tue-Sat 12-4
Valimo Café in the dock area is great for sitting outdoors and enjoying salads, soups and pasta
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
Similar to the Swedish Skansen, hundreds of historic buildings transplanted to a country park
The museum is in Meilahti, about 30 minutes from the city centre. Take bus number 24 from outside Lasipalatsi, the last stop is at Seurasaari.
Also nearby is Tamminiemi, the Home of Presidents, a historical residence
Linnenmaki Amusement Park, Tivolikuja 1
take tram 3 from the station
Media Museum and Archives, Ludviginkatu 2
11am-5pm every day, free
Taidehalli (Kunsthalle, Art Hall), Nervanderinkatu 3
Helsinki City Museum, Aleksanterinkatu 16
Worker Housing, Kirstinkuja 4 (near the Amusement Park)
closed for renovation during 2024
Burgher’s House, Kristianinkatu 12 (near the Russian Cathedral)
open during the Christmas season, and then in the summer from May
Olympic Stadium and Sports Museum
site of the 1952 (postponed from 1940) Olympics, with a Sports Museum and lots of Olympic memorabilia from the last 100 years. Tower (72m) with lift and fantastic views. Excellent café with buffet lunch and views of the track.
Tram Museum and Korjaamo Culture Factory, Toolonkatu 51
Tram Museum and bar
Aalto House, Riihitie 20
#4 tram stop is Laajalahden aukio, 300 metres from the Aalto House
Mon-Sun tours at 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 €20
Studio Aalto, Tiilimäki 20
#4 tram stop is Laajalahden aukio, 400 metres from Studio Aalto
Mon-Sun tours at 11.30, 12.30, 13.30 €18
Changing of the Guard
Each Friday at 12.30pm, from Senate Square via Esplanade to Kasarmi Square
There are special parades with a concert, on summer dates listed below
Nordic Culturepoint, Kaisaniemenkatu 9
A cultural centre and library for all things Nordic, open Tue-Fri 10-4
Kruununhaka district, north of Cathedral: main drag Liisankatu
Utilities boxes on street corners with photos
Olkkari, Mariankatu 12, homewares, vintage, and gift shop
Mariankatu 18, café and local enterprise
Kolme Kruunua restaurant in Kruununhaka for meatballs and reindeer
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TURKU
This is an easy day trip, outbound 8am-10am return 6pm-8pm, costing around £30 per person return, cheaper if booked in advance.
Come out of the station, cross the dual carriageway, go six blocks south (away from the station) and two blocks east. You'll see a car park and group of older buildings, these are the Tourist Information and Turku Design Now buildings, Aurakatu 2
Turku Art Museum €8 open 11-7
At the top of a steep hill near the station, this has changing exhibitions inside a Finnish chateau
Aboa Vetus and Ars Nova €8 open 11-7
On the river near the Cathedral, an innovative gallery mixing modern art and the actual medieval ruins of Turku's 14th century Convent Quarter
Cathedral and Museum €2 open 9-6
Dating back to the 13th century, this is one of Finland's most important and recognisable churches
Sibelius Museum €3 open 11-4
More of a music museum, this celebrates Finland's famous composer, as well as having displays of musical instruments, and archive material of Turku's musical past
Saluhall open 8-6
A great Finnish market hall, with food shops, cafes, and a vintage shop selling antique stationery.
Library open 9-8
A mixture of old and new, the 2007 extension is well worth a visit
Castle €9 open 10-6
It's a long way from the station, so unless you are there for a couple of days, you may not make it. If you think you'll have time, bus 1 from the Market Square goes straight to the castle
PUF Design Market open 11-6
Finnish fashion and handicrafts, local makers
Pharmacy Museum and Qwensel House €6 open 10-6
An 18th Century house in the Fortune Quarter (which escaped the Great Fire of 1827) and medical museum
City Ferry "Fori"
As Turku doesn't have bridges all the way along the river, this free ferry runs continuously and has done for over 100 years! Walk along the river until you are halfway between the castle and the cathedral (search for Kakolanpuisto park) and you'll see it there. In winter there is an ice bridge as long as it is 30cm thick.
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