Capital city of Finland; it has grown up fast in the 20th. Century from its early days as a Russian Empire outpost. It has wonderful architecture, the streets have a youthful buzz, crowds stroll along the boulevards and socialise in the numerous outdoor cafes and restaurants. At night though, the pace really picks up, with loads of pubs and clubs, free rock concerts and lots of fringe events happening every where.
DAILY BUDGET in HELSINKI
Helsinki, like a lot of other European cities, can be quite expensive. Cheap but tasty meals come in at about US$10 upwards; cheap but cosy accommodation in the city is in the region of US$24. A backpacker could just about make it on US$60, which will include lodging, 3 meals and a couple of sightseeing tours.
Free Attractions
City Museum - located at Sofiankatu 4. It offers a high-tech record of Helsinki life in an impressive exhibition called Time.
Esplanadi - a wonderful neat boulevard, go here in the afternoon along the central pathway to free music do's at the hut in the middle.
Museum of Art and Design - found at Korkeavourenkatu - what a mouthful! This is a good place to find out how Art and Industry have developed in Finnish history
Vaasankatu - This street shows the other side of Helsinki: Thai massage, sex shops, drunkards, junkies, ethnic food and bars where locals meet their friends. Visit bar Iltakoulu, Vaasankatu 5 or eat in Indian Villa, Vaasankatu 12.
Suomenlinna - Suomenlinna/Viapori fortress island. Take the ferry from Kauppatori and have a nice picnic on Suomenlinna island. There is also a beach for those who like to swim.
Töölönlahti - A park between the opera house and the Finlandia house. Locals like to jog and hang around here. You can even rent a rowing boat and explore the Töölönlahti bay.
Sinebrychoff Art Museum - Old European art. Address: Bulevardi 40, 00120 Helsinki. Free admission every Thursday from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Libraries - Free internet in the libraries! And beautiful old buildings too. Rikhardinkadun kirjasto: Rikhardinkatu 3. Kallion kirjasto: Viides linja 11. The national library / university library: Unioninkatu 36.
Hietalahden tori - Flea market on Sundays in May-September in front of the old market hall
Tram museum - The tram museum at Töölönkatu 51 is free on Thursdays and always free for people under 18 years. Old trams and funny videos.
Botanical garden - Kasvitieteellinen puutarha, the botanical garden is a beautiful oasis in the middle of the city. Two entrances at Unioninkatu 44 and Kaisaniemenranta 2.
Jugend-sali - The Jugend hall hosts changing exhibitions that are often related to Finnish art or the history of Helsinki. Always free admission. Beautiful art nouveau building. Location: Pohjoisesplanadi 19. Kiasma -
Museum of modern art. Free admission on Fridays 17-20. Always free admission for persons under 18 years. Location: Mannerheiminaukio 2.
Katajanokka island - Katajanokka is an island full of beautiful art nouveau buildings. Along the waterfront one can admire sailing boats, ships and ice breakers depending on the season.
Seurasaari open-air museum - Seurasaari is a small island near the Helsinki city centre. There are plenty of different historical buildings from different parts of Finland. And lots of squirrels too :) It is easy to get there with bus no 24.
Cheap Eats
Cafe Esplanadi - corner of Mikonkatu and Esplanadi. Very trendy here with people-watching and sipping cappos at outdoor tables the norm.
Goa House - found at Viideslinja 16. Great cheap curries and super poppadums.
Mama Rosa - you will find this place at Runeberginkatu 55. Classic pizzas, fish steaks and a great selection of pastas. Mid prices here and great nosh.
New Bamboo Center - Inexpensive, tiny restaurant which is often full of young people enjoying Asian meals. Annankatu 29.
Silvoplee - Vegetarian buffet. Good food. The charge depends on the weight of your portion. Location: Toinen linja 3. http://www.silvoplee.com/
Moinamoti - Great pizza (try Greenstock). Also Indian dishes. Low-moderate prices. Located in lively Kallio neighborhood. Location: Kolmas linja 6, 00530 Helsinki
Zucchini - Often crowded and no wonder - excellent vegetarian lunch. Moderate price. Location: Fabianinkatu 4.
Little Hong Kong - Small, inexpensive Chinese restaurant. Good chili & tofu soup. Location: Toinen linja 11, Kallio.
Annapurna - This everyday Indian has been around for many years. Price-quality ratio is good. Location: Fredrikinkatu 23.
Metro Kebab - Metro Kebab. Affordable falafels and much more. Ask for hot sauce. Location: Hämeentie 6, Hakaniemi.
Cantina West - Huge lunch burritos. Nice terrace during the summer. Location: Kasarmikatu 23, Helsinki.
Spaghetteria Giovanni - Huge pasta portions in the middle of the city cost mostly under 8 euros. Also a bit more expensive plates. World Trade Center, Keskuskatu 7.
Spaghetteria di Giovanni - This little brother of the more expensive Papa Giovanni serves good and affordable Italian dishes. Location: World Trade Center, Keskuskatu 7, Helsinki.
Vegemesta - Vegetarian burgers, scnitzels and much more. Very inexpensive. Address: Vaasankatu 6, Sornainen
Cool Bar And Clubs
Bar No. 9 - found at Uuudenmaankatu 9. Great hang-out place in evenings, huge beer lists and menus. Food is cheap and filling with a veggi option too.
O'Malley's - located in Yrjonkatu 28. Great place for Guiness and live music.KY-Exit - found in Pohjoinen Rautaiekatu 8. Hugely popular club, sometimes with foreign bands; more often really lively disco nights. Very cheap costs here.
Trickshot - If you like to play pool and watch sports this is your living room. Address: Näkinkuja 1, Hakaniemi.
Factory - Punk & alternative gigs. Moderately priced drinks. Venue: Siltasaarenkatu 3-5, Hakaniemi.
Oranssi - An alternative rock club. No age limits, no booze. Very inexpensive. Location: Hiihtäjäntie 1, Herttoniemi, Helsinki.
Pataässä - A classic. The heart of Finnish karaoke scene. Location: Mariankatu 9, Kruunuhaka, Helsinki.
Pub Ikkuna - Cosy little bar in the Kamppi shopping center in the middle of Helsinki. Sometimes they show sport on the screen. Cheaper than other central bars.
Cafe Mascot - In Mascot you can play pool, darts, trivial pursuit and other games while having some beer or wine. Inexpensive. Crowded by young people. Address: Neljäs linja 2, Kallio.
Poirot, Oluthuone Poirotti - Specialiced in beers but serves also nice ciders and wines. Two cosy neighborhood bars: Toinen linja 15, Kallio and Tehtaankatu 38, Eira.
Lost & Found - A very popular hetero-friendly gay night club. Small and intimate dance floor downstairs. Long queues after 11 p.m. Address: Annankatu 6, Helsinki.
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