Guidebook for Helsinki
Essentials
Alepa Sturenkatu 40
40 SturenkatuA smallish grocery store just around the corner.
Bigger grocery store in the shopping center of Arabia. In the same complex you can also find a pharmacy and an Alko (wine and liquor store).
S-market Arabia
111 HämeentieBigger grocery store in the shopping center of Arabia. In the same complex you can also find a pharmacy and an Alko (wine and liquor store).
Entertainment & Activities
Start here for a nice stroll along the Arabianranta shoreline. You can do a walk all the way to Lammassaari to enjoy sea and nature!
10 locals recommend
Arabianranta
Start here for a nice stroll along the Arabianranta shoreline. You can do a walk all the way to Lammassaari to enjoy sea and nature!
Everything Else
Helsingin XXVI Vallilan Apteekki
29 MäkelänkatuNearby pharmacy in case you need it.
Vallilan Stoori
Fleamarket / cafe just on the other side of Sturenkatu.
A fantastically weird experience from the 1930s. Go to the second floor (12 eur) to get a little cabin of your own and order tasty snacks and drinks. Women: Mon, Wed, Friday. men: Tue, Thu, Sat.
69 locals recommend
Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
21 B YrjönkatuA fantastically weird experience from the 1930s. Go to the second floor (12 eur) to get a little cabin of your own and order tasty snacks and drinks. Women: Mon, Wed, Friday. men: Tue, Thu, Sat.
A beautiful, eerie public sauna designed and executed by a Japanese-Finnish couple. A great sauna experience! Open Wed-Sun.
113 locals recommend
Kulttuurisauna
17 HakaniemenrantaA beautiful, eerie public sauna designed and executed by a Japanese-Finnish couple. A great sauna experience! Open Wed-Sun.
A natural reservation island. A great destination for a long walk along the Arabia shoreline. Bring your own coffee and sandwiches and sit by the seaside enjoying the peace and quiet.
65 locals recommend
Fårholmen
A natural reservation island. A great destination for a long walk along the Arabia shoreline. Bring your own coffee and sandwiches and sit by the seaside enjoying the peace and quiet.
Mäkelänrinne swimming pool is the biggest swimming pool in Helsinki, just a 10 minute walk from our place. Open every day, mostly for swimming enthusiasts.
36 locals recommend
Mäkelänrinteen uimahalli
49 MäkelänkatuMäkelänrinne swimming pool is the biggest swimming pool in Helsinki, just a 10 minute walk from our place. Open every day, mostly for swimming enthusiasts.
Kino Sheryl
135 HämeentieIndie cinema in Arabia.
Independent cinema at the Senate square - in the summers they also host outdoor movie nights!
17 locals recommend
Kino Engel
4 SofiankatuIndependent cinema at the Senate square - in the summers they also host outdoor movie nights!
Kuudes linja
13 B HämeentieAn electronic (etc.) club in Kallio. Popular during weekends.
Food Scene
Kahvila Suvanto
18 SuvannontieCute cafe / lunch spot in the neighbourhood.
They also have WIFI.
Tiny cafe nearby on a tucked-away alley - owned by the Helsinki Coffee Roastery.
23 locals recommend
Helsingin Kahvipaahtimo
29 PäijänteentieTiny cafe nearby on a tucked-away alley - owned by the Helsinki Coffee Roastery.
One of the top 3 cafes in Helsinki. Hands down best coffee, croissants, granola... Yum! Open also on Sundays.
63 locals recommend
Sävy
12 Aleksis Kiven katuOne of the top 3 cafes in Helsinki. Hands down best coffee, croissants, granola... Yum! Open also on Sundays.
Excellent Japanese food! Just extended their opening hours onto Saturdays.
15 locals recommend
Mashiro
22 MäkelänkatuExcellent Japanese food! Just extended their opening hours onto Saturdays.
A great spot for vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) delicious food in Kallio.
165 locals recommend
Sandro Kallio
17 Kolmas linjaA great spot for vegetarian (and non-vegetarian) delicious food in Kallio.
Döner Harju
23 FleminginkatuBest döner in town - but not too cheap.
Great coffee and raw food in the atmospheric, historic Katajanokka neighbourhood.
46 locals recommend
Johan & Nyström - Kanavaranta
KanavarantaGreat coffee and raw food in the atmospheric, historic Katajanokka neighbourhood.
Cafe Kokko
5 KeskuskatuRaw food and top notch coffee + a vintage store. Hipster alert!
Cute little cafe close to the city center. Cupcakes, soups and home made juices.
7 locals recommend
Kuppi ja Muffini
17 KalevankatuCute little cafe close to the city center. Cupcakes, soups and home made juices.
There are lots of nice looking cafes in the city center, but the coffee itself might not be that great. These guys, however, make super decent coffee and serve a delicious brunch!
20 locals recommend
La Torrefazione
50 AleksanterinkatuThere are lots of nice looking cafes in the city center, but the coffee itself might not be that great. These guys, however, make super decent coffee and serve a delicious brunch!
A sister shop of La Torrefazzione. more room, since the Aleksanterinkatu cafe tends to get VERY packed during weekends.
Fratello Torrefazione
6 YliopistonkatuA sister shop of La Torrefazzione. more room, since the Aleksanterinkatu cafe tends to get VERY packed during weekends.
Delicious vegetarian and non-veg, healthy fast food. Their falafels and sweet yam fries are to die for!
They have several shops around town.
47 locals recommend
Fafa's Kallio
10 VilhonvuorenkatuDelicious vegetarian and non-veg, healthy fast food. Their falafels and sweet yam fries are to die for!
They have several shops around town.
A popular, small Spanish tapas bar. Doesn't look like anything too fancy, but serves excellent food.
19 locals recommend
Kombo winebar & kitchen
2 KulmavuorenkatuA popular, small Spanish tapas bar. Doesn't look like anything too fancy, but serves excellent food.
A former butcher house in an industrial area. Now hosts a cool bar, a hamburger/ salad bar called B-smokery and a lunch spot called Kellohalli + Italian gelateria. Yoga & events in the summer.
92 locals recommend
Teurastamo
2 TyöpajankatuA former butcher house in an industrial area. Now hosts a cool bar, a hamburger/ salad bar called B-smokery and a lunch spot called Kellohalli + Italian gelateria. Yoga & events in the summer.
Another nice destination by the seaside, on the other side of town next to the Sibelius monument. This is a tiny red cottage by the sea and they serve great pulla (cinnamon pastries).
225 locals recommend
Regatta
8 MerikannontieAnother nice destination by the seaside, on the other side of town next to the Sibelius monument. This is a tiny red cottage by the sea and they serve great pulla (cinnamon pastries).
Walk around the Töölö bay is just beautiful! During summer, on the same walk you can stop at this 'Blue Villa Cafe' for a piece of cake and coffee.
73 locals recommend
Sinisen Huvilan Kahvila
11 H LinnunlauluntieWalk around the Töölö bay is just beautiful! During summer, on the same walk you can stop at this 'Blue Villa Cafe' for a piece of cake and coffee.
A flower shop and a cafe that serves excellent coffee, all with a Japanese twist.
16 locals recommend
Andante coffee shop
20 FredrikinkatuA flower shop and a cafe that serves excellent coffee, all with a Japanese twist.
Very nice weekend brunch place in a beautiful neighbourhood of Ullanlinna / Punavuori. Plus, it's an interior design shop and a coffee roastery!
40 locals recommend
Moko Market Café & Store Punavuori
10 PerämiehenkatuVery nice weekend brunch place in a beautiful neighbourhood of Ullanlinna / Punavuori. Plus, it's an interior design shop and a coffee roastery!
King Kebab
31 MäkelänkatuNeed a quick falafel? These guys are near by and they are fast.
Lunch spot in a former firefighters' HQ. The interior design is exactly what it was in the 1970's - and the food is made by Michelin star chefs.
13 locals recommend
Pompier
29 AlbertinkatuLunch spot in a former firefighters' HQ. The interior design is exactly what it was in the 1970's - and the food is made by Michelin star chefs.
El Rey
20 VuorimiehenkatuTaqueria in a nice neighbourhood. On the slightly more expensive side.
Excellent Mexican food - plus there's a cool vintage store across the street!
6 locals recommend
Lucha Loco
4 KorkeavuorenkatuExcellent Mexican food - plus there's a cool vintage store across the street!
Weekend buffet brunch. Lots of people, lots of music, lots of food.
10 locals recommend
Dylan Arabia | Bistro ja Juhlasali
153 HämeentieWeekend buffet brunch. Lots of people, lots of music, lots of food.
A summer favourite in the Wooden Käpylä neighbourhood. Yummy cakes and coffee. Open only during summertime.
17 locals recommend
Kahvila Siili
8 C IlmattarentieA summer favourite in the Wooden Käpylä neighbourhood. Yummy cakes and coffee. Open only during summertime.
A new, small restaurant in Kallio. Not on the cheaper side but great food and nice staff and amazing drinks.
51 locals recommend
Restaurant Kolmon3n
11 Kolmas linjaA new, small restaurant in Kallio. Not on the cheaper side but great food and nice staff and amazing drinks.
Super good sushi, the only bummer is that they are only open until 6 p.m., monday to friday.
6 locals recommend
Sushi wagocoro
63 RuneberginkatuSuper good sushi, the only bummer is that they are only open until 6 p.m., monday to friday.
Mikura Sushi
13 ViipurinkatuSushi place close by. Nothing fancy but nothing expensive, either.
Drinks & Nightlife
A hipster / local dive bar. Good beers and a weird/ great bartender.
25 locals recommend
Pub Magneetti Vallila
20 MäkelänkatuA hipster / local dive bar. Good beers and a weird/ great bartender.
Favela
13 MechelininkatuGreat food and great drinks for reasonable prices near downtown Helsinki.
One of the more interesting bars in the city center. Interesting interior design and good drinks.
14 locals recommend
Steam Hellsinki
1 OlavinkatuOne of the more interesting bars in the city center. Interesting interior design and good drinks.
A beer bar located in the beautiful Wooden Vallila. The bar itself isn't too beautiful, though. But if you wish to see something local...
29 locals recommend
Pikku-Vallila
19 VallilantieA beer bar located in the beautiful Wooden Vallila. The bar itself isn't too beautiful, though. But if you wish to see something local...
Ääniwalli
13 PälkäneentieOne of the best clubs in Helsinki for electronic etc. music.
The beer bar of a local brewery Stadin Panimo. Located in Suvilahti, a former gas plant now transforming into a music and arts center.
20 locals recommend
Stadin Panimo
1 KaasutehtaankatuThe beer bar of a local brewery Stadin Panimo. Located in Suvilahti, a former gas plant now transforming into a music and arts center.
Shopping
In case you are into marimekko designs and clothes, this marimekko factory outlet store is your destination. Take the metro from Sörnäinen and walk about 10 min from the Herttoniemi metro stop.
19 locals recommend
Marimekko Herttoniemi Outlet
7 KirvesmiehenkatuIn case you are into marimekko designs and clothes, this marimekko factory outlet store is your destination. Take the metro from Sörnäinen and walk about 10 min from the Herttoniemi metro stop.
Sightseeing
This maze of tiny little cottages and gardens is a beautiful place to relax in in the summer. Garden plots are owned by private people but you are welcome to walk around and enjoy the greenery.
10 locals recommend
Vallila Community Garden
1 Elisabeth Kochin tieThis maze of tiny little cottages and gardens is a beautiful place to relax in in the summer. Garden plots are owned by private people but you are welcome to walk around and enjoy the greenery.
Hakaniemi market hall is where you can find local fish, sausages, meat. And lots of grannies shopping!
185 locals recommend
Hakaniemi Market Hall
1 HämeentieHakaniemi market hall is where you can find local fish, sausages, meat. And lots of grannies shopping!
The white Tuomiokirkko church and the Senate Square. On a sunny day, do as the locals do and sit on the church steps and enjoy the afternoon sun.
23 locals recommend
Senaatintori station
The white Tuomiokirkko church and the Senate Square. On a sunny day, do as the locals do and sit on the church steps and enjoy the afternoon sun.
Although a tourist favourite, Suomenlinna is also an island favourite among Helsinki people. Go any time of the year (but prepare for a chilly water crossing on a ferry!) to see the old fortresses.
430 locals recommend
Suomenlinna
Although a tourist favourite, Suomenlinna is also an island favourite among Helsinki people. Go any time of the year (but prepare for a chilly water crossing on a ferry!) to see the old fortresses.
Not really such an extraordinary church when it comes to architecture (the Kamppi chapel and Temppelinaukio church are more special) but this local church sometimes hosts interesting concerts.
Paavalinkirkko
5 SammatintieNot really such an extraordinary church when it comes to architecture (the Kamppi chapel and Temppelinaukio church are more special) but this local church sometimes hosts interesting concerts.