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Helsinki

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Provided by: Allas Sea Pool / Eetu Ahanen

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In collaboration with Helsinki Marketing

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Helsinki

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The guide was updated: 2020-01-14

Helsinki, the modern and cosmopolitan capital of Finland situated on the Baltic Sea, is a city with over half a million residents. Helsinki offers lots to see, do and experience year round. Discover the maritime appeal, unique design and architecture attractions, exciting food culture, great shopping opportunities and over 3,000 lively events held each year. Feel the cultural influences from both the East and West, meet the friendly locals and enjoy the slow rhythm of urban Helsinki. Explore and be inspired: www.myhelsinki.fi

Facts

Population:	620,715
Currency:	Euro, €1 = 100 cents
Emergency numbers:	112
Newspapers:	Helsingin Sanomat, Hufvudstadsbladet (Hbl), Ilta-Sanomat, Iltalehti International edition of Finland’s leading daily newspaper: www.hs.fi/english
Website:	www.myhelsinki.fi Twitter@myhelsinki IG@myhelsinki www.facebook.com/myhelsinki www.facebook.com/visithelsinki
Opening hours:	Department stores and shopping centres are open weekdays 9am-9pm, Saturdays 9am-6pm and Sundays 12noon-6pm (9pm). Smaller shops are usually open weekdays 10am-6pm and Saturdays 10am-3pm (4pm).
Tourist information:	Helsinki Tourist Information Helsinki railway station, Kaivokatu 1 (VR ticket office) Tel: +358 9 3101 3300 (Mon-Sat 9-15:30) helsinki.touristinfo@hel.fi www.myhelsinki.fi Mon-Fri 9-18, Sat-Sun and during public holidays 10-17, and during summer season, 3.6.-15.9., Mon-Fri 9-19 and Sat-Sun 10-17. The Tourist Information Center at the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is open 1.10.-30.4. Mon-Sat 10-18 and Sun 12-18, 2.5.-30.9. Mon-Sun 10-20.

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Section in Helsinki

Helsinki is a great city to wander around in, and many attractions are located within walking distance from the town centre. But, if you need to rest your legs or maybe don’t have much time, the tram is an excellent option! It will take you around the city in an effective way and you will be able to see many interesting things along your journey.

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

Suomenlinna is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Finland and a fascinating destination to explore. There are 6 kilometers of wall, over 100 cannons, exciting tunnels, museums, guided tours, cafés and restaurants. The ferry ride itself is a fun experience, allowing you to see and photograph Helsinki from the sea. Suomenlinna attracts visitors of all ages. The fortress is easily accessed by ferry from the Helsinki Market Square all year round. Around 800 people live in Suomenlinna.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Kiasma breaks the barriers of traditional art museums with exhibitions that provoke and invite debate. The building itself is a work of art.

National Museum of Finland

National Museum of Finland

Housed in a magnificent Jugend building, the museum presents the largest permanent exhibition of archaeology in the country and introduces visitors to Finnish life before industrialisation.

Tori Quarters

Tori Quarters

Visit Tori Quarters in the historical centre of Helsinki to discover the heart of the old town meeting the new buzz of the city. The historical buildings of Tori Quarters, used for administration offices for over 40 years, are now being renovated, opening up new spaces for new businesses and Helsinki-dwellers and travellers alike. In the area you find a growing number of cafés, restaurants, design boutiques, craft shops, creative sector companies and renewed public space.

Allas Sea Pool

Allas Sea Pool

Allas Sea Pool, located a stone’s throw away from the Helsinki market square, proudly stands in one of the best locations in the city. Open every day of the week all year round, Allas offers traditional Finnish saunas, a heated pool (+27°C/ 80,5°F), a sea water pool reflecting the temperature of the Baltic sea and a kid’s pool during the summer season. The café, restaurant and terraces complete the offer and invite you to enjoy the good life by the sea.

Löyly

Löyly

Löyly, an urban oasis occupying a stretch of beautiful Helsinki waterfront, offers a warm welcome and many delights for locals and visitors alike. On a beautiful summer’s day, the sunny terrace is the place to be. Restaurant and saunas are open daily throughout the year.

Helsinki City Museum

Helsinki City Museum

The Helsinki City Museum is the world’s only museum focusing on Helsinki. Personal experiences and everyday life of people in Helsinki are highlighted and reflected in the museum’s items and photographs. A candy wrapper, a squeaky steel spring bed and a photo of a suburb home are precious treasures in the museum. The City Museum is located in the oldest blocks of the city near the Senate Square. In the museum, everyone has the opportunity to fall in love with Helsinki. Always free entrance.

Kunsthalle Helsinki

Kunsthalle Helsinki

Kunsthalle Helsinki is a non-profit exhibition space founded in 1928 and a beautiful example of 1920’s classicism. Presenting annually 5–7 major exhibitions and special events, the main focus of the exhibition programme lies in contemporary art. Restaurant Finnjävel is located in the south western wing of the Kunsthalle. Focusing on Finnish ingredients and Finnish cooking methods, Finnjävel delves into the past in order to create the future of Finnish cuisine.

Didrichsen Art Museum

Didrichsen Art Museum

The Didrichsen Art Museum, situated on Kuusisaari island on the western side of Helsinki, is a place where art and architecture meet with nature. The modernist building, designed by architect Viljo Revell, used to be the home of art collectors Marie-Louise and Gunnar Didrichsen. Changing exhibitions varying from Finnish to international art, a unique collection of Pre-Columbian and Oriental art and a sculpture park by the sea.

Nuuksio National Park

Nuuksio National Park

Nuuksio National Park is wild woods and lakes on Helsinki's doorstep, 40 minutes from the city centre. Escape into wild natural settings and enjoy typically Finnish scenery, with lovely lakes, forests and crags. Visitors can feed reindeer in Finland’s southernmost reindeer park, spend a night in a Tentsile tree tent, go hiking or canoeing, forage and prepare wild food or visit the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia, for example. NuuksioResort (nuuksioresort.fi) offers services for travellers.

Espoo’s islands and archipelago

Espoo’s islands and archipelago

Espoo’s lovely islands are within easy reach from Helsinki. In summer, a ferry service will take you to outdoor recreation islands such as Iso Vasikkasaari with an island restaurant. In the mainland, enjoy Espoo’s 40 km long Waterfront Walkway. There are places to stop for a bite to eat and drink, and you can try swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding, a RIB ride or wakeboarding. During cold winters the frozen sea offers the perfect setting for skiing, snowshoe walking and ice fishing.

Seurasaari Island

Seurasaari Island

Seurasaari Island, which was established as a folk park over 120 years ago, is one of the cultural attractions that the City of Helsinki offers for tourists. The park also features an open-air museum with 87 historical wooden buildings from different parts of Finland. Seurasaari form a splendid natural venue for organising traditional festivals and events. One of the oldest events in Seurasaari is Midsummer Bonfires.

Vantaa City Museum

Vantaa City Museum

Vantaa City Museum's temporary exhibitions present the versatile history of the area. The museum is situated along excellent means of communication, in Tikkurila station area, in the old railway station. Admission free!

The Finnish Aviation Museum

The Finnish Aviation Museum

The Finnish Aviation Museum is an exciting visiting destination for the whole family, located in the heart of the Aviapolis area in Vantaa. Our collections include dozens of aircraft related to the history of Finnish aviation. We are a treasure chest of aeronautical information, offering something new for everyone, whether you’re a devoted airplane aficionado or a novice. Fly with us!

Temppeliaukio Church

Temppeliaukio Church

Excavated directly into solid rock, the Temppeliaukio church is situated in the heart of Helsinki, at the end of Fredrikinkatu. Because of the architecture it´s one of the main attractions in Helsinki. The dome is lined with copper and supported by reinforced concrete beams. Due to excellent acoustics the church is a popular venue for concerts. The church welcomes you everyday, check web page for details. The entrance fee is 3 euro, children visit for free.

Finlandia Hall

Finlandia Hall

Finlandia Hall is one of the most iconic buildings designed by world-renowned Finnish architect, Alvar Aalto, and was planned from the ground up for visitors and a wide range of events. In addition to his overall vision for the building, Aalto designed many of its details, such as the lights and door handles, creating something very unique in the process. Finlandia Hall is a dynamic, multipurpose venue located in the centre of Helsinki. Whatever the occasion – whether it’s a concert, a meeting, or one of the many other events – there’s always something happening at Finlandia Hall.

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