HELSINKI

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INTRO
THINGS TO DO
TOP FESTIVALS
TOP MUSEUMS
FOOD & DRINKS

INTRODUCTION TO HELSINKI

Often ranked amongst the most livable cities in the world, Finland's capital of Helsinki is not one to rush through. Romantic ancient buildings meet modern masterpieces like the Kiasma contemporary art museum, and somewhere in between sits the Lutheran church of Temppeliaukio built into a rock with a copper roof built to create dynamic acoustic experiences at their many music festivals. The food in Helsinki seems to be incredible no matter where you go, from the local harbour-side markets to the casual cafes and of course, the elaborate restaurants. Just be warned that obscure words are likely to appear on the menus, think lihapyörykät meatballs, poronkäristys sauteed reindeer and fried baltic herring. The city's festival line-up proves the Finnish affiliation to fun, even boasting its own Samba Carnival quite similar to the Brazilian affair. And then there's Flow Festival which boasts names like Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill and Patti Smith, and Helsinki Festival featuring contemporary dance performances, live world music, and plenty of circus tricks. For never-ending views of the city you'll want to ascend the notoriously steep steps of the Helsinki Cathedral, an activity almost as exhausting as blowing into one of the pipes of Sibelius Monument, standing in homage to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. If your body's left aching from days of sightseeing and adventure, rest assured you can sooth yourself back to life in one of the country's whopping 3-million plus saunas on offer; a pretty good ratio considering the population of Finland is not even 6-million. Waste no time diving into the dynamic hub of Helsinki.

FAST FACTS
Language: Finnish, Swedish
Currency: Euro
Electricity: 230V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Finland
Dialing Code: +358
Time Zone: (GMT+02:00)

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Blow into one of the pipes of Sibelius Monument

A monument of music built in 1967, Sibelius pays homage to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. An abstract representation of organ pipes, it has drawn much controversy over the years, since the musician was known for his violin skills and composed very little music for the instrument supposedly standing in his honour. Nevertheless, the 600 steel pipes make for an impressive attraction to visit, weighing 24 tonnes and standing almost 10-metres high. Casting your own musical beat into the monument has grown to be one of the essential things to do in Helsinki.
Visit the Market square and get some fresh fish and seafood

Though traditional Finnish food is usually thought to feature gamey meats and sweet delights, seafood has become a big part of the national culture. Venture to Helsinki's Market Square by the ferry terminal where a daily market serves up freshly caught seafood and local delicacies like fish soup with crusty bread. After strolling the markets brimming with local handicrafts and produce, you can walk a few hundred metres and find yourself on the city's giant harbour front Ferris wheel.
Chill on the stairs of Helsinki Cathedral

The steep ascent to Helsinki Cathedral has made the stairs an attraction all of their own, with visitors often taking breaks half way, making the space look like something of a picnic spot. In 2015 the steps were covered in a thousand cardboard cutouts of Nicki Minaj to salute her attendance at Summer Up festival, proving the Finnish have as much love for pop-culture as they do ancient monuments. Seeing the views of the city from the stairs and admiring the cathedral are both must dos of Helsinki sightseeing.
Chill in a Finnish sauna

5 million humans, 3 million saunas. That's the rough statistical proof that Finland likes a wooden warm-up. You can find decedent and traditional saunas all over Helsinki, such as the picturesque antique setting of Kaurilan Sauna. The traditional Finnish sauna experience could be as toasty as 100°C, and will likely involve a shower and a leafy ensembles known as vihtas used to stimulate and massage the skin. If the immense heat gets too much you can do as the Finnish do, rolling in the snow or submerging in a nearby lake.
Enjoy the acoustic at the Temppeliaukio Church

The Lutheran church of Temppeliaukio is not just for the faithful, built directly into a rock it is also an architectural masterpiece. Its stony walls and copper roof create a dynamic acoustic experience, often used for musical events, cultural affairs and special events. Near to many of Helsinki's best museums such as the Finnish Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Finland, it can be teamed up and turned into a great day out when you're left wondering what to do in Helsinki.
Walk around the giant maritime fortress of Suomenlinna

A toy museum, a brewery, a prison, and a public library to name a few. There are a lot more sites than expected on the rugged fortress island cluster of Suomenlinna. Easily accessible from Helsinki via ferry it has become a popular tourist attraction, particularly since it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. The Suomenlinna Museum and Military Museum are essential visits on the island, as is the cute and cozy lemon Bastion Bistro.

Things to do in Helsinki

Flow Festival
Music

Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill and Patti Smith are the kind of names that entertain hordes of festive Finnish folk at Flow Festival. For 3 blissful days during the summer month of August, Flow takes over the historical former power plant area of Suvilahti.
Helsinki Samba Carnival
Dance & Music

Bring a serious dose of Brazilian bravado to the streets of Helsinki is the Samba Carnaval held on a weekend of early June around Helsinki Day. Color, parades, and flamboyant feathered costumes are always present, with more people joining in to dance the streets of the city every year.
Walpurgis Night (Vappu)
Culture

A Christian cultural affair recognised across many parts of Europe, Walpurgis Night of April 30 is a Helsinki festival worth timing your trip with. Visitors will likely find themselves sipping sparkling wine or the sweet honey alcohol of sima, and witnessing the peculiar capping of the naked Havis Amanda statue in the city's center.
Baltic Circle Festival
Theater

For almost a week in November Helsinki becomes a playground of contemporary theater for Baltic Circle Festival. Using the arts as a vehicle for change and radical inspiration, the festival offers a progressive program of events much-adored by both locals and travelers.
Helsinki Festival
Music, Dance & Theater

Contemporary dance performances, live world music, circus tricks and giant art instillations are just some of the elements that come together for the annual Helsinki Festival. Held at various venues across the city over August and September, it's a favorite on the Finnish calendar that draws in almost half a million visitors.

Top 5 Festivals in Helsinki

The festivals of Helsinki say a lot about the Finnish, equal parts traditional and open-minded. Bringing in some of the world's biggest music acts and taking contemporary arts to new heights, this calendar of events is one to seriously ponder before confirming the dates of your trip.

National Museum of Finland

Stepping from the stone age to the present day through artefacts and interactive exhibitions. From antique jewellery and weaponry to a gallery of prehistoric archaeological findings, the National Museum of Finland is a must do when you visit Helsinki.
Kiasma

Kiasma contemporary art museum is found in an eccentric glass building, designed to provoke encounters and opinion exchanges whilst redefining art and culture. A short walk from the waterfront park of Kaisaniemi and Finland's Parliament House, it should be squeezed into your agenda of Helsinki sightseeing.
Ateneum

Boasting the largest classical art collection in the country, the Ateneum museum sits within an intricately decorated 1887 building in central Moscow. In the months of winter, the museum's neighbouring railway square of Rautatientori transforms into an ice-rink, making for a grand day out combining culture and snow fun.
National Tram Museum

You need not be a transport enthusiast to appreciate 'Ratikkamuseo,' Helsinki's National Tram Museum. Showcasing ornate forest green and gold carriages whilst unveiling the city's unique history, it is found in the Töölö's Korjaamo Culture Factory amidst many other Helsinki attractions.
Design Museum

From graphics to bicycles and artists to inventors, the Design Museum of Helsinki is an all-encompassing pool of inspiration. Housing 45,000 drawings, 75,000 objects and 125,000 photographs, it deserves a full day split by a Finnish 3-course lunch and cocktails at the nearby restaurant of Juuri for those feeling indulgent.

Top 5 Museums & Galleries in Helsinki

From ornate tram carriages to eccentric modern art, the museums in Helsinki hold a world of diversity and wonder. Start with progressive Kiasma before stepping back through time to Ateneum, making time for the Design Museum somewhere in between.

Karelian Pasty
Finland's favorite snack is made from a thin crust of rye pastry with a delicious rice-based filling. You'll find them at bakeries throughout the country and clustered through Helsinki, with Konditoria Hopia being a renowned favorite.

_{Best eaten at
Konditoria Hopia, Pohjoinen Hesperiankatu 9}
Lohikeitto
This creamy fish soup originated in Lapland but is popular all over the country. Simple and hearty, it's made from chunks of salmon with potatoes and leeks, flavoured with a generous helping of diced dill - perfect for a cold day of Helsinki sightseeing.

_{Best eaten at
Ravintola Aino Pohjoisesplanadi 21}
Lihapyörykät
Meatballs are a standard feature of Scandinavian cuisine, but the Finnish take are bigger and heartier than most in the region. They can be made from beef, pork or reindeer and are commonly served with potatoes, lingonberry jam and creamy gravy.

_{Best eaten at
Kahvila Suomi, Pursimiehenkatu 12}
Fried Baltic Herring
If there's one thing the Finns love, it's a herring. Smoked, salted, baked or pickled, it's a Finnish favorite and is enthusiastically consumed throughout the country. Try it fried with plenty of potatoes on the side, dished up to perfection at Helsinki's Kosmos.

_{Best eaten at
Kosmos, Kalevankatu 3}
Poronkäristys
Sautéed reindeer is a typical food of the Sami people, and can be readily found in restaurants across Helsinki. It's thinly sliced then fried and usually served with mashed potatoes, lingonberry jam and pickled cucumber. One to sample if you can block out your fairy-tale image of Christmas.

_{Best eaten at
Lappi Ravintola Annankatu 22}

Food in Helsinki

A melting pot of international cuisine and Finnish favorites, the Helsinki food scene is one you'll want to devour. Ladle up comforting soups and experiment with dried fish before diving into the heavenly offerings of a local bakery.

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