City life meets the wild nature in Finland's capital area

Sightseeing, adventures and urban culture in Helsinki

Urban lifestyle is to be found in Helsinki's nice restaurants, cafes, movie theaters, department stores and night clubs that are in the very center of the city. Travellers who enjoy classical type of turism Helsinki offers several sights. In the museums and art galleries one can get to know the traditions and the modern cultural life of Finland. At Kiasma, the Museum of Contemporary Art, you can see exhibitions, performances, take part in a workshop or just sit down and eat a tasty sandwich.

Nightlife in Helsinki means for most of the lokal people drinking and drinking some more. It is advisable to start the evening in not so expensive places which you can find for example in Kallio - the historical workers district that is now days crowded by the alternative people, students, singles and DINKs (double income no kids). One of the nicest bars in Kallio is the cafe bar Rytmi in Toinen Linja 2, about 15 minutes walk from the center. There a normal size 0,5L beer costs 4,60€. If you start the evening early you have time to go to listen live music after the first pints of beer. Tavastia is the number one rock venue in Finland. You will find it in Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6. To continue the evening you can choose your style nightclub: disco dancing, snobbish cocktail drinking, reggea party, “ordinary people” having fun, indie clubs ecc. at the nightclubs like Redrum (Vuorikatu 2), Lux nightclub (Urho Kekkosen katu 1 A), Lost&Found (Annankatu 6) and Kuudes linja (Hämeentie 13). Or if you visit Helsinki in the middle of August, you should just go to the Flow festival which is part of the Helsinki festival. In Flow09 there will be one of the most celebrated live acts – Kraftwerk, read more http://www.flowfestival.com/en/.

Because of partying all night long it could be that the next day you need to take it easy. Always a good choice is to go for a walk in the Finlandia park which is on the Töölönlahti Bay. In the summer you can have a large cup of coffee and traditional pastries out side in a very charming cafe “Linnunlaulun Sinisen Huvilan kahvila” on the east side of the bay. If you feel like reading or listening to music you can stop by in one of the excellent libraries. For example in the Kirjasto 10 (Elielinaukio 2 G) you can go to listen to CDs of the finnish artists among the others. And if you need to give a rest to your legs then go to see some of the latest movies in Tennispalatsi (Salomonkatu 15) or the classics at the Orion (Eerikinkatu 15).

The most beautiful thing about Helsinki is its nature. For all the travellers who feel like spending time outdoors there are several places to go to enjoy the variety of Helsinki's nature. You can go jogging, biking or riding with a horse. Bicycles you can rent at the Ecobike http://www.ecobike.fi/, (Savilankatu 1b).

But if you would prefer to experience a real wild forest then just take the bus number 345 from the Elielinaukio, next to the railway station, and get off at the stop “Luukki” so you will be in the Nuuksio National Park. There you can enjoy the finnish sauna tradition and go swimming in a lake – even naked if you dare – but remember to watch out for the bears! And feel free to pick the berries and mushrooms. In Finland there is something called “jokamiehenoikeus” which means all citizen are entitled to what nature can offer eventhough someone owns the land. The archipelago outside of Helsinki offers many nice and peaceful islands which provide great places to have a sunny pic-nic by the sea on a rock or sand. It's also possible to overnight in a tent in some of the islands.

But first book your accomodation in Helsinki at Hostelsclub.com.

Do what you prefer and enjoy your stay!

Cities in Finland