Introducing Helsinki
Helsinki is a sea-town par excellence and an exciting, dynamic place. Half the city seems to be water, and the tortured geography of the coastline includes any number of bays, inlets and a speckling of islands. The harbour is the heart of the city, and watching the giant ferries glide into port is a defining memory and essential Helsinki experience.
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Helsinki is cool without - as yet - being self-consciously so. Unlike other capitals, you sense that people go to places because they enjoy them, not to be seen. Much modern décor is ironic and humorous, and achieves stylishness by daring to differ rather than trying too hard.
While not an ancient place, much of what is loveable in Helsinki is older. The style of its glorious Art Nouveau buildings, the spacious elegance of its cafés, the careful preservation of Finnish heritage in its dozens of museums, restaurants that have changed neither menu nor furnishings since the 1930s are all part of the city's quirky charm.
It has a very different feel to the rest of Finland, partly because before the days of the hi-tech society it was the country's sole point of contact almost with the rest of the world.
Like all of Finland, though, Helsinki has a dual nature. In winter you sometimes wonder where all the people are. In spring and summer they are back again, packing green spaces and outdoor tables to get a piece of blessed sun, whirring around on thousands of bicycles and kicking the city's nightlife into overdrive.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Tips & articles
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10 of the world’s unsung places
14 February 2012
Some places stay persistently off the beaten track, despite their many charms. Here’s a sampling of places overlooked because of...
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Snow business: 5 alternative winter sports and where to try them
2 December 2011
Whether you’re a winter sport daredevil or only in it for the mulled wine, dust off your mittens for these...
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Design hub: Helsinki
14 June 2011
Finland has long been regarded as the least flashy, and the most quirky and enigmatic, of the Nordic countries. Though...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Helsinki bars for a Sunday and Monday night?
by we11cress 28 May 2012
I am travelling to Finland for a wedding, and a group of us will then be descending on Helsinki on Saturday night - staying until Tuesday.…
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Re: Russian Visa - South Africans
by yehliu 27 May 2012
Hi Ruth Thanks for your prompt and professional response. I think you have mixed things up a bit. First, where in the Far East…
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RE: Russian Visa - South Africans
by everbrite 27 May 2012
I think you have mixed things up a bit. First, where in the Far East are you located? Do you have residency papers for that country?…
Helsinki
Things to do
- All things to do (256)
- Activities (23)
- Entertainment (57)
- Restaurants (64)
- Shopping (32)
- Sights (78)
- Tours (2)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Helsinki
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1 Temppeliaukio
Listening to concerts at Temppeliaukio, an underground church hewn from solid rock
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2 Kiasma and Ateneum
Appreciating Finnish art both modern and old at the Kiasma and Ateneum
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3 Suomenlinna
Taking the ferry to historic Suomenlinna and walking and picnicking among the ramparts
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4 Island restaurant
Heading out on a boat for a memorable dinner at a convivial island restaurant
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5 Serena Water Park
Taking the kids to Serena Water Park in Espoo, one of Europe's best
Our favourite Helsinki Blogs (beta)
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The Weekly Photo: Esplanade Park in Helsinki
Blog: Nomadic Matt's Travel Site - 4 September 2011
J.L. Runeberg statue in Esplanade Park in Helsinki, Finland Heading here? Book your travel using the links below and help support this website and keep it running: Cheap Flights | Travel insurance | Hotels | Hostels |Guidebooks | 50 Adventure Tours under $995 ©Nomadic Matt's Travel Site.
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Travels of 2010
Blog: Sophie's World - 27 December 2010
Looking back on the travelling year 2010, I see I didn’t stick with my plans. Nothing new there. Instead, I went with the flow – and cheap flights. So here...Travels of 2010 is a post from Sophie's World
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Finland and Estonia: Salmon Every Day, Sticker Shock, Cold and Fall Foliage
Blog: The Amazing Dawdle - 9 October 2010
Helsinki, Finland
