Trip to Helsinki

[BlindedByTheLights]

Hi all,

I have a trip to Helsinki coming up and will have a couple of days for things to do. I would welcome people experiences and advice on good areas to stay and some nice things to see and do,

Many thanks,

[4Q]

Helsinki is nice enough but not lots to do when I visited earlier this year, it's well worth getting the ferry over to Tallinn though as the old town is beautiful.

[BlindedByTheLights]

4Q said:

Helsinki is nice enough but not lots to do when I visited earlier this year, it's well worth getting the ferry over to Tallinn though as the old town is beautiful.

Hi 4Q, thank you for the advice.

[zax]

BlindedByTheLights said:

4Q said:

Helsinki is nice enough but not lots to do when I visited earlier this year, it's well worth getting the ferry over to Tallinn though as the old town is beautiful.

Hi 4Q, thank you for the advice.

A common reply to people coming here, either that or go to Stockholm

It really depends what you like to do and what you're into... any hints? Architecture? Museums? Shops? Pubs and clubs? Nature and outdoors?

[BlindedByTheLights]

zax said:

A common reply to people coming here, either that or go to Stockholm

It really depends what you like to do and what you're into... any hints? Architecture? Museums? Shops? Pubs and clubs? Nature and outdoors?

I only have a couple of days and on my own so not so much pubs/clubs, any of the above though are good. Any recommendations on good areas to stay in Helsinki?

[4Q]

zax said:

A common reply to people coming here, either that or go to Stockholm

Sorry, it wasn’t meant to be a criticism. I love Finland and the Finnish people are cool. Helsinki is a very smart and compact city and is really nice.

Edited by 4Q on Tuesday 13th September 21:28

[peter tdci]

I spent two nights in Helsinki a couple of years ago. I like just wandering around new places, so I enjoyed it! Stayed near the station, so it was pretty central.

I stumbled across the Central Library, which was impressive inside and out, then to a subterranean church (Temppeliaukion Church) and pottered around the neighbourhood. A Finnish work colleague suggested a typically Finnish restaurant (Restaurant Konstan Möljä), which was the quirky home cooking type rather than fine dining, but none the worse for it!

The area around the market square was okay too, but I was there in November and the evenings weren't to conducive to prolonged late evening wanderings!

[Cayman DP]

Helsinki is a wonderful city. I have been 40plus times. I married a Finnish lady who I have been with for 20 years.

Depending on your budget lots of options for where to stay. I would stay nearer the main city between the the station and the harbour. I wouldn’t stay in the new area which is 1.5km along the coast. Our go to hotel is the hotel Lilla Robert’s. Art Deco hotel. A great location with good sized rooms.

For things todo. One of my favourite things is just walking from the main harbour and then walking along the coast to the Carousel restaurant having lunch and stroling back. Beautiful view and lots to see.

Quite often in the main Esplanade in the centre there are events on. On the main Esplande there a lots of nice places to eat. The threatre is great for lunch or Strinbourgs for a nice dinner.

I would worry about finding things to do. It’s a beautiful city and the people are very friendly.

[BlindedByTheLights]

Cayman DP said:

Helsinki is a wonderful city. I have been 40plus times. I married a Finnish lady who I have been with for 20 years.

Depending on your budget lots of options for where to stay. I would stay nearer the main city between the the station and the harbour. I wouldn’t stay in the new area which is 1.5km along the coast. Our go to hotel is the hotel Lilla Robert’s. Art Deco hotel. A great location with good sized rooms.

For things todo. One of my favourite things is just walking from the main harbour and then walking along the coast to the Carousel restaurant having lunch and stroling back. Beautiful view and lots to see.

Quite often in the main Esplanade in the centre there are events on. On the main Esplande there a lots of nice places to eat. The threatre is great for lunch or Strinbourgs for a nice dinner.

I would worry about finding things to do. It’s a beautiful city and the people are very friendly.

Great, thank you for the advice

[zax]

BlindedByTheLights said:

Cayman DP said:

Helsinki is a wonderful city. I have been 40plus times. I married a Finnish lady who I have been with for 20 years.

Depending on your budget lots of options for where to stay. I would stay nearer the main city between the the station and the harbour. I wouldn’t stay in the new area which is 1.5km along the coast. Our go to hotel is the hotel Lilla Robert’s. Art Deco hotel. A great location with good sized rooms.

For things todo. One of my favourite things is just walking from the main harbour and then walking along the coast to the Carousel restaurant having lunch and stroling back. Beautiful view and lots to see.

Quite often in the main Esplanade in the centre there are events on. On the main Esplande there a lots of nice places to eat. The threatre is great for lunch or Strinbourgs for a nice dinner.

I would worry about finding things to do. It’s a beautiful city and the people are very friendly.

Great, thank you for the advice

If you have daylight time free I would recommend getting out on the water and visiting an island or two. Suomenlinna for sure, it's a quick ferry ride from the market square. Sadly the public island hopping ferries shut down for the winter at the start of this month, but there are still some tourist boats around. Lonna is a tiny island near the harbour with a nice restaurant and sauna, but also closing for the winter end of September. If you're feeling adventurous, Sompasauna is an experience!

Citybikes and those irritating e-scooters are everywhere if needed. A ride along the coast path to the west and back is worth a look if the weather is good.

Walking the city in autumn is really nice, some colourful displays of autumn leaves around the shoreline especially in places like Seurasaari (museum island), Lapinlahti (Orthodox cemetary) and Kaisaniemi (botanic gardens). Hopefully you'll be visiting before the trees are bare, the nights are dark and the weather is constantly damp!

[zax]

4Q said:

zax said:

A common reply to people coming here, either that or go to Stockholm

Sorry, it wasn’t meant to be a criticism. I love Finland and the Finnish people are cool. Helsinki is a very smart and compact city and is really nice.

Edited by 4Q on Tuesday 13th September 21:28

Wasn't taken as such! We have a running joke amongst friends when something here is good - "Not bad, for Finland" Wonderful place but not shouty or spectacular in the traditional sense. I like that but can appreciate it's not for everyone.