Helsinki

The "Daughter of the Baltic", Helsinki (Finnish)] (Helsingfors in Swedish) is Finland's capital and largest city. Founded in 1550, Helsinki became the capital of the Finnish Grand Duchy in 1812, when the Russian Empire rebuilt it as a miniature St. Petersburg, a role it has played in many a Cold War Europe|Cold War movie. Today, Helsinki is a city of 600,000 people, combining the atmosphere of an international metropolis with the coziness of a small town. The city is best seen during its short summers, when the sun brings the outdoor bars and cafés to life and even the nights are light. While visiting in winter is more of a challenge, Helsinki is one of few large cities in Europe with a good chance for snow on Christmas and New Year travel|Christmas.

Districts

The city of Helsinki forms the core of Finland's largest urban area, known in Finnish as the "capital area" (pääkaupunkiseutu). Helsinki is bordered by the Gulf of Finland to the south, while the posh suburban city of Espoo, with the embedded tiny enclave city of Kauniainen, is to the West. The more industrialized city of Vantaa is to the north and east. The Capital Region has a population of about 1.1 million, 630,000 of them living in Helsinki proper. Beyond these and the suburbs rapidly give way to small towns, farms and forests, most notably Nuuksio National Park at the intersection of Espoo, Vihti and Kirkkonummi.

Helsinki's downtown is on the southern peninsula at the end of the city's main thoroughfare Mannerheimintie (or just Mansku). The central train station and the main bus terminal are in the downtown. Shopping streets Aleksanterinkatu (or Aleksi for short) and Esplanadi (or Espa) connect to Senate Plaza (Senaatintori) and the historical center of the city. See the /index_en Helsinki Guide Map for an interactive searchable map of the city. {{Regionlist | regionmap=Wikivoyage - Helsinki Capital region map.png | regionmaptext=Helsinki neighborhoods | regionmapsize=600px

| region1name=Helsinki/Central|Central | region1color=#d5dc76 | region1items= | region1description=Probably half of Helsinki's points of interest are downtown. The Lutheran Gothic Church with the surrounding buildings, dating from the early 19th century when Helsinki was made capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland, can be found here. Westwards there is what can be called the central business neighborhood with shopping and dining along the streets of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie.

| region2name=Helsinki/South|South | region2color=#69999f | region2items= | region2description=In the calm and affluent southern part of Helsinki you can enjoy the greenery of the parks and drop into a nice café for a cuppa Coffee. Suomenlinna and the fortress on an island, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

| region3name=Helsinki/Kamppi and Southwest|Kamppi and Southwest | region3color=#8a84a3 | region3items= | region3description=For some great places for eating and drinking, head across Mannerheimintie and continue through Kamppi. Further west the former industrial part of the city, watched over by the cranes of the shipyard and industry chimneys you can nowadays glance over the modern architecture and out to the sea.

| region4name=Helsinki/West|West | region4color=#4f93c0 | region4items= | region4description=The western part of the city is a great getaway from the hustle and bustle of the downtown. If you have the time, take a leisurely A seaside stroll in Helsinki|seaside stroll along the shores of Laajalahti bay, or if you're a sports buff, visit the great summer and winter sports venues which are concentrated in this part of the city. The list cultural and historical sights of western Helsinki isn't bad either - it hosts the National Opera, Hietalahti cemetery and the Church in the Rock and the museums of Natural History, Finland's National Museum and the home of the long-time president Urho Kekkonen.

| region5name=Helsinki/Inner East|Inner East | region5color=#d56d76 | region5items= | region5description=If you, on the other hand, are interested in the more bohemian part of Helsinki and/or love to party you'd better head to the Inner East and neighborhoods like Kallio. The former working class part of the city is still associated with counterculture and to some extent left-wing politics and is largely inhabited by students. Kallio is as close as one could come to a "red light neighborhood" in Helsinki. However and the Inner East part of the city also hosts the amusement park Linnanmäki and the old wooden neighborhoods of Vallila and Käpylä.

| region6name=Helsinki/Eastern suburbs|Eastern suburbs | region6color=#d09440 | region6items= | region6description=The eastern parts of Helsinki is mostly residential and probably the most culturally diverse part of the city, as immigrants from many parts of the world live here. In this part of Helsinki you can find the Helsinki Zoo and the huge shopping complex Itis, Finland's tallest residential building in Vuosaari as well as the northernmost metro station in the world in Mellunmäki.

| region7name=Helsinki/Northern suburbs|Northern suburbs | region7color=#ac5c91 | region7items= | region7description=The northern parts of Helsinki consists of highways, shopping malls and residential buildings. It connects seamlessly to the next city north of Helsinki - Vantaa. While not as culturally interesting as the other parts of Helsinki, it offers some natural attractions like the Central Park and Helsinki's highest point Malminkartanonhuippu.

Helsinki Halal Travel Guide

Catedral Luterana de Helsinki, Finlandia, 2012-08-14, DD 14 - Helsinki's symbol and the Lutheran Gothic Church (Tuomiokirkko)

History

See also: Nordic history

As Finland became part of the Sweden|Swedish kingdom in the 13th century with Turku as its regional capital, Helsinki was founded in AD 1550 by King Gustav Vasa of Sweden as a trading post to compete with Tallinn to the south in Estonia, which was Danish at that time. Helsinki was established about 5 kilometers northeast of the current downtown, at the rapids where Vantaa river (at that time known as Helsinge river) flows into the Baltic Sea, which in turn gave the city its Swedish name Helsingfors. Never becoming the trading post Gustav Vasa envisioned and largely bypassed by the King's Road (Finland) | King's Road — the major road along the coast at that time — the village faced some hard times during its first centuries with fires and diseases and today there is but a few stones left of the original Helsinki. Eventually the city was moved further south to its current location and in the middle of 18th century Sveaborg (nowadays Suomenlinna in Finnish) Maritime Fortress was established in the front of Helsinki. The now world legacy-listed fortress archipelago features some of the oldest standing buildings in the city.

In 1809, Finland was annexed by Russia after the Finnish War (a part of the Napoleonic Wars), and the capital of Finland moved from Turku to Helsinki in 1812. The Czar felt the Grand Duchy of Finland needed a capital of grand proportions, and this was a major turning point in the history of Helsinki. The architects Johan Albrecht Ehrenström, a local Finn, and Carl Ludwig Engel, from Germany, were given the task of rebuilding the city in the Empire style. This can be seen today around the Lutheran Gothic Church, which was completed in 1852. The same style, and even architects, is also a part of Saint Petersburg's history.

Growing steadily during the 19th century, with the population exceeding 100,000 by the turn of the century, Helsinki had established itself as the largest city and ad the political and cultural capital of the nation. The city was a battleground in the Finnish Civil War 1917-18, and was bombed by the Soviets in the Second World War. Before the war Finland was largely an agricultural country but the industrialization and urbanization that happened during the following decades meant an influx of new inhabitants from the rural parts of the nation and turned Helsinki into the metropolis it is today with suburbs, superhighways and even a small subway system. Architectonically a young city, many of the monumental buildings erected since the independence have a stark modernist style and the rest of the city's architecture is made up of National Romantic style buildings from the early 20th century and the aforementioned Empire style buildings in Central Helsinki. Though thoroughly a Nordic capital, Helsinki today reflects the influences gained from the Western and Eastern cultures.

Tourist information

City of Helsinki Helsinki Tourism Board Office | Corner of Pohjoisesplanadi and Unioninkatu 60.1681, 24.9508 just off Market Plaza ☎ +358 9 3101-3300 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-20:00, Saturday Sunday 09:00-18:00; October - April closes 18:00/16:00 A fount of information with helpful, multilingual staff. They also sell tickets to museums and sightseeing tours.

There is also another one right in the Central Railway Station.

How is the Climate in Helsinki

Helsinki is among the world's northernmost capitals and the lengthy winter is dark and chilly. Winter temperatures average Lua error: Cannot create process: proc_open(/dev/null): Failed to open stream: Operation not permitted

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Vuosaari Harbour, Hansa Terminal - Vuosaaren satama, Hansaterminaali - Provianttikatu 5 60.2216, 25.1760 - Mainly a cargo port, but used also by Finnlines services to Travemünde. Take metro to Vuosaari and continue by bus 90.

See the Port of Helsinki site for the latest details.

By ferry from Tallinn

The ferry route from Tallinn, Estonia to Helsinki has upwards of 20 departures daily. Depending on the ferry, journey time is anywhere from 1½ to 3½ hours. Prices average €16-30 one way, depending on operator, season (summer costs more), day of week (Fridays and Saturdays cost more) and time of day (out in the morning and back in the evening is popular and hence more expensive). Particularly popular are day cruises, which can go for as little as €15 return. All ferries also carry cars, from €25 one way. Bicycles can be taken for around €5 one way. Bikes on vehicle ferries must go through vehicle check-in, which closes earlier than passenger check-in, so plan for extra time.

The following companies operate ferries between Tallinn and Helsinki:

Eckerö Line - ☎ +372 664 6000 - Operates only one ship and the 2000-passenger Finlandia (three times daily, travel duration 2½ hr). Often has the cheapest fares.

Tallink Silja - ☎ +372 640 9808 - Up to 6 departures daily on large Shuttles Star and Superstar (2 hr). Discounts are available to Eurail pass holders. As this company has more departures you will have more flexibility planning your day trip.

Viking Line - Large Viking XPRS ferry (2½ hr, 2 sailings a day). Most offers are aimed at travellers going in the opposite direction.

Eckerö and Viking usually have the cheaper fares, as they are more geared towards day-trippers and the party crowd who come to have a great time on board and tend to spend more in the restaurants and retail outlets on board. Their timetables are adjusted to day-trippers from Helsinki; in the other direction you may find them suitable only if you’re going one-way or spending more than just a day in Helsinki. Tallink and especially Linda Line are more geared towards frequent travellers such as Estonians working in Finland; their timetables give you plenty of time for a day trip from Tallinn.

Arriving by yacht

Beware of the very busy ferry traffic, especially the fast ferries from Tallinn. Use boating routes if feasible. There are guest harbours in Katajanokka in Helsinki/Central|central Helsinki; Pihlajasaari and Suomenlinna in the Helsinki/South|southern islands and Iso Vasikkasaari in Espoo. If you need customs clearance you should use the customs route from Helsinki lighthouse past Harmaja to the coast guard station at Katajanokka.

How to get around in Helsinki

HSL new ticket reader machine cropped - Matkakortti reader

All public transport within Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen is coordinated by HSL. There are three zones in the HSL area, with four different ticket types available:

1 Internal ticket (sisäinen lippu) — valid for 60 minutes within a single city (for example, within Helsinki)
2 Regional ticket (seutulippu) — valid for 80 minutes within Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo and Kauniainen
L Regional two-zone (lähiseutu 2) — valid for 80 minutes within the whole region except Helsinki
3 Regional three-zone (lähiseutu 3) — valid for 100 minutes within the whole region

Additionally, a tram ticket (raitiovaunulippu) is available, valid for 60 minutes on trams only.

Tickets can be purchased from several different places. The price of the ticket depends on the method of purchase. The following fares are the most common:

Tram ticket — €2.92 with a travel card, €2.50 from a ticket machine
Internal ticket — €2.20 with mobile phone application or travel card, €2.90 from a ticket machine or R-Kioski, €3.20 from a bus driver
Regional ticket — €4.20 with mobile phone application or travel card, €5.00 from a ticket machine or R-Kioski, €5.50 from a bus driver

All tickets are valid on all types of transport, and allow unlimited transfers within their validity periods and regions. Unlike public transportation tickets in many other cities the ticket is not invalidated if you exit the vehicle before the time has expired. Children under the age of seven travel free, while tickets for children under the age of 17 are half price. At night (00:00–05:00) the fares are higher; for some tickets you need to pay almost double.

Paper tickets cannot be bought on board trams, trains, metro or Suomenlinna ferry. The travel card readers are inside trams and trains, and before the platform areas for metro and Suomenlinna ferry.

The Travel Card (matkakortti) is an RFID card sold at R-kioskis and HSL offices, very similar to London's Oyster card. The Travel Card costs €5 (non-refundable) and gives a discount on fares. Hold the card on the reader without pressing anything to see the remaining value or to register a transfer. A travel card for non-residents can be purchased at most R-kioski stores, and can be cost-effective if you are using many single tickets (including multiple people sharing the card), or are here for 14 days and can get the 14-day season ticket for non-residents instead of weekly day passes.

Alternatively, you can opt for the HSL Day Ticket or the Helsinki Card, both of which offer unlimited travel within the city.

HSL Day Ticket (vuorokausilippu) — 1 day (= 24 hours) €9.00, 2 days (= 48 hours) €13.50, etc. Tickets are sold at HSL offices, R-Kioskis, ticket machines and bus drivers.
Helsinki Card — 1 day €48 (children €23) to 3 days €68 (children €33) with a discount of €3 if purchased online. The Helsinki Card also offers free admission to a number of museums and other attractions.

The very useful HSL Journey Planner will get you from a street address, place or sight to another by suggesting feasible public transport connections, covering the entire metropolitan Helsinki region. Try e.g. "Airport" or "Train station" for place names. It is also available in several third party mobile apps for most smart phones, which can use GPS to find your current location.

The /en/app official HSL App offers a great and way to get your ticket, as well as an in-app journey planner to get you in your destination.

Getting around at night can be a bit tricky (or expensive), as most trains and trams stop before midnight and the buses before 02:00. A limited night bus network, all leaving from either Elielinaukio or Rautatientori next to the train station, runs on weekends and public holidays after 02:00, at the same price as a normal ticket.

There are no ticket checks when getting on the metro, trains, trams or the Suomenlinna ferry, but ticket inspectors perform random checks on board. If you ride without a ticket and get caught by inspectors, you will be fined €80 plus the price of a ticket.

By tram

Colas on wheels|The SpåraKOFF Cafe Tram is a bright red tram converted into a pub on wheels. The tram runs during the summer only from Tuesday to Saturday, once an hour from 14:00 to 20:00 in a counterclockwise circle, with stops at the Linnanmäki amusement park, Opera House, and the Market Plaza. The tour lasts about 50 minutes. The price of €11 does not include any drinks.

There was a /en/new-tram-routes-2017/new-routes-and-maps major revamp of the tram network in November 2022], and most routes have been changed to some extent. Be sure that you have the latest route maps or use the route planner linked to above.

Helsinki tram lines November 2022 - Helsinki tram lines as of September 2017 (click to enlarge)

For tourists and the most convenient and scenic means of travel is the extensive tram network, though the last of the practical circular routes 7A and 7B were discontinued in August 2017. For an up-to-date route map and additional information check out /en/timetables-and-routes HSL's website].

There is also a free Helsinki Sightseeing 3T Tram Audio Guide available for downloading here]. It follows the route of now-discontinued tram 3T, that you will be able to replicate by taking trams 2 and 3, transferring at the Olympiaterminaali and in Taka-Töölö or on Nordensköldinkatu.

Travel on a Bus in Helsinki

While the trams operate in the downtown, buses cover the rest of the city. The main stations for northbound and eastbound buses are on the two squares adjacent to the Central Railway Station: Eliel Plaza (Elielinaukio) and Railway Plaza (Rautatientori). Westbound buses operate from the underground bus station in the Kamppi Center which is adjacent to the Kamppi metro station.

Buses are always entered through the front door and exited through the middle and back doors. When getting on the bus with a ticket you have bought earlier, you need to show it to the driver. If you don't have a ticket, you can buy one from the driver in cash (but don't try to use a bill larger than €20, as the drivers may sometimes refuse your money if they have only a limited amount of change). If you are using a travel card, follow the instructions given above.

By metro

Helsinki rapid transit 2018 A4.svg|Rapid transit map, including Helsinki metro, VR commuter rail and bus rapid transit (runkolinjat). For 2018

Helsinki'smetro holds the minor distinction of being the northernmost subway system in the world with Mellunmäki being the northernmost station. The distinct orange metro cars are worth a ride.

With the western extension opening in November 2017 and there are now two lines, but for the most part they run next to each other so they can be considered one single line. Both start in Espoo, M1 in Matinkylä and M2 in Tapiola three stations along the line, proceeding through central Helsinki to the eastern suburbs. At Itäkeskus M1 forks south to Vuosaari and M2 north to Mellunmäki.

By Rail

VR's suburban trains operate north from the Central Railway Station, branching out in three directions. HSL city tickets are valid within city limits, regional tickets on suburban trains to Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen.

All carriages on local trains have the electronic readers which allow you to buy a fare with a travel card. Ticket sales on board trains on the HSL network have been discontinued, and you have to buy a ticket before you board the train. Some stations have ticket vending machines, or you can buy a ticket /en/mobileticket with your phone, from R-kioski kiosks, or HSL service points.

By ferry

The HSL ferry to Suomenlinna from the Market Plaza (Kauppatori) is a affordable and popular summer getaway. Another HSL operated ferry, mostly used only by the island's residents, leaves from the eastern end of Katajanokka. In addition, private operators provide ferries to Suomenlinna and various other islands during the summer; however, schedules can be sparse. HSL's Day Ticket and mobile-phone ticket are both valid also on the Suomenlinna ferry.

Best way to travel in Helsinki by a Taxi

Taxi stand - 244px|Taxi stand on the west side of the Central Train station

Taxis in Finland are expensive. Taxi fares were regulated by the government until July 2018 and in most of the nation prices and trainings have stayed about the same, but in the Helsinki region there is competition and the prices have risen with some 14%. Taxis are now free to set the prices as they like, but the prices have to be available or told, and you have to be warned if the price may turn out to be more than €100.

Comparing prices is not straight forward, as some companies have higher flag-fall price, some count both time and distance, and a few do not use taximeters at all, but offer fixed prices. The biggest players are Taxi Helsinki and Lähitaksi.

During weekend nights and some popular events or holidays, it can be difficult to find a free taxi. Walk to the nearest taxi stand or try to book one by phone from /en/book-a-taxi/ Taxi Helsinki [☎01000700 0100-0700] or Lähitaksi [☎01007300 0100-7300] (€2+1.5/min). If it's a very busy night, try calling Taksione at [☎+358505455454 +358 50-545-5454 or Kajon at [☎01007070 0100-7070]. To pre-order a taxi for a given time, call [☎01000600 0100-0600] (€2.76/call+0.35/min) for Taxi Helsinki and the normal number for the others. A pre-order for a taxi should be made at least half an hour, preferably a day or two, beforehand. A pre-order fee of €7–14 will be added to the taxi fare.

Drivers are not required to pick up a person hailing them on the street. If their light is on, and they pass a person hailing them, it is usually because there is a taxi stand very near by with available taxis waiting for clients. If you are not near a taxi stand, you will very likely be able to hail a passing taxi with the light on. If the queues at night seem frustratingly long in the downtown and you are willing to walk a bit, try heading towards Hakaniementori or Lauttasaari Bridge, where you can often hail a returning taxi (however, do not bother if the light is not on).

Some taxis are equipped with baby seats or other special equipment, ask when booking if you need them. Baby seats are not legally required for temporary vehicle use, such as taxis.

Helsinki Limo will provide airport pick-ups, private vehicle services as transfers and longer trips. Their vehicles are always new and black with leather interior. Worth of asking offers either from [1] or simply calling [☎+358207870360 +358 20-787-0360]. Drivers speak English and can even, by order, give short sightseeings.

Also Yellow Line offers transport from the airport. They have minivans, which carry up to seven or eight passengers and drop passengers off at their individual destinations. The shuttles can be found at their bright yellow desks in arrivals lounges 1 and 2. Prices start from €27 for one or two passengers and vary according to the number of people in the van.

By bike

Helsinki's /en/citybikes City Bike bike-sharing system was relaunched in 2017. The system offers 1400 bikes spread across 140 stations. Users may buy passes good for one day (€5), one week (€10), or the full season (€25), which provide access to the bikes. Use of a bike for up to 30 minutes is free, with increasing charges for longer rides. (Avoid these charges by returning the bike to a station within the 30-minutes window – and checking it out again if you wish.)

Several businesses also offer bicycle rentals.

If you bring your own bike, use City Bikes, or rent a bike, you'll find an extensive network of bike routes within the city. Bikers are required by law to ride on the street next to cars unless a bike lane or integrated pedestrian/cyclists sidewalk runs next to it, and the police ticket cyclists breaking this rule. Bike lanes are clearly marked by street markings and blue traffic signs. Biking is also allowed on pedestrian streets.

Downtown bike lanes are typically on the sidewalks (instead of next to vehicle lanes on the street) so be aware of pedestrians. Don't be afraid to ring your bell! Review your bike map carefully, as some bike routes will stop and require you to walk your bike or drive next to cars. There is also a journey planner for cycling. Once you get out of the downtown, cycling is less complicated and there are great, well-labelled paths.

Public libraries often have free biking maps for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. If they are not visibly displayed on tables, ask for one from the staff.

If an ordinary bike isn't enough for you, you can also rent a cyclerickshaw (riksa) large enough for three from Riksavuokraus (tel. +358 50-5582525) in Eiranranta near Kaivopuisto. Prices start at €9/30 min, driver not included but available on request.

Baana

Baana, a bicycle lane in the center of Helsinki 20120626 - Baana

Baana – Helsinki's new "Low Line" (as opposed to NYC's High Line) opened on June 12, 2012, providing pedestrians and cyclists with a 1.3 km long connector from the Western Harbour area to Kamppi and Töölö Bay. At the Harbour end, you can see all the international cruise ships that stop in Helsinki and visit a free sightseeing terrace with MiG-21BIS fighter jet on display, at the Verkkokauppa.com electronics store. On the Kamppi end and there's bicycle hire centre and cultural activities and sights.

By foot

Don't forget walking! The central part of Helsinki is compact and easily walkable. There is no need for public transportation in the main Kamppi–Central train station area where many attractions are, and even anywhere on the main peninsula (south of the train station) is within 30 minutes at a nice leisurely pace.

By car

Car is not a particularly good way of getting around central Helsinki. If you have your own, consider not using it more than necessary. If you are going to rent a car, consider postponing it until you are going to leave the town.

Central Helsinki is rather difficult to get around by vehicle due to restrictions (one-way streets etc.), and is congested in the morning 06:30–08:30 towards the city and in the afternoon 15:00–17:00 towards the suburbs – the ring roads are congested both directions at both times. For instance, if driving from Porvoo to central Helsinki at around 16:00, one can expect to spend half an hour driving 47 km to the end of the motorway and another half an hour to drive 7 km to the Kamppi centre.

Also parking is limited and expensive. Most street-side parking in the downtown is in "Zone 1" and costs €4/hour during working hours, although Saturdays (mostly) and Sundays (always) are free. There are also several large underground vehicle parks at the Kamppi and Forum shopping centres.

What to see in Helsinki

See #Districts for listings.

Surrounded by sea and a vast archipelago, Helsinki is at its best in the summer when the dialogue between the city and nature is at its fullest. Classical Helsinki's sights can be divided into an eclectic set of churches and a wide variety of museums. For a coastal amble past some of Helsinki's minor and major sights, see the itinerary A seaside stroll in Helsinki.

Museums and galleries in Helsinki

Many of Helsinki's museums are as interesting from the outside as from the inside.Architecture buffs will get a kick out of Helsinki's Neo-Classical center, centered around Senate Plaza (Senaatintori), where a statue of the liberal Russian czar Alexander II stands guard.Aleksanterinkatu and the Railway Station square also have some beautiful neo-classical buildings — look for the Romantic Kalevala-esque themes — but unfortunately these areas also have many concrete monstrosities mixed in.

Islands of Helsinki

Suomenlinna - Suomenlinna fortress, seen from a passing ferry

If you see only one place in Helsinki in the summer, make it Suomenlinna. Entry to the island itself is free, but you need to pay for the ferry ride. The HSL ferry from Market Plaza is the cheapest and most convenient way of getting there at €5 for a 12-hour tourist return. The ferry is a part of the Helsinki local traffic, so if you have an HSL Day Ticket it includes ferry travel. The ferry runs roughly every half hour. On summer weekends the island is a popular picnic destination and you may have to wait for a long time as hundreds of people crowd the ferry terminal. In this case it may be worth it to use the more expensive private ferry company at the other end of the Market Plaza.

Suomenlinna is far from the only island, a beautiful archipelago (saaristo) surrounds the Helsinki downtown. The major islands are Korkeasaari with the eponymous zoo, Seurasaari with its open air museum and Pihjalasaari with its beach. In addition to these and there are scheduled services to many smaller islands, and you can also tour them by sightseeing cruise. Most of the cruises depart from the Western corner of the Market Plaza and last from one to several hours. Most ferries and cruises operate only in the summer high season.

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Helsinki

See #Districts for listings.

Cinema

The situation with movie theaters in Helsinki has deteriorated as one by one small theaters have closed their doors.

Foreign films are mostly shown in the original language with Finnish (and usually Swedish) subtitles.

In downtown Helsinki and there are two large multiplexes: Tennispalatsi in Salomonkatu 15, Kamppi and Kinopalatsi in Kaisaniemenkatu 2, Kaisaniemi, both maintained by Finnkino and the largest movie theater chain in Finland. Prices vary between €6.50 and €17.50 depending on location, time and 2D/3D. See Finnkino's pricing policy on their website].

Theaters concentrating on classic and art house films are few and far between in Helsinki today. The movie theater Orion, Eerikinkatu 15, run by the Finnish National Audiovisual Archive, displays a wide variety of films, including classics. Tickets €6.00 for non-members and €4.50 with a membership card. Kino Engel, Sofiankatu 4 near Senaatintori, concentrates on European and world cinema. Tickets €9. In Summers, also Kesäkino (Summer Cinema) is held in the inner court of Café Engel, Aleksanterinkatu 26. Tickets (€12) can be purchased from the Kino Engel counter and for the same night also from the Kesäkino door 45 minutes before the screening.

There are also some (small) independent movie theaters in neighboring Espoo, Vantaa and Kauniainen showing mainly the bigger blockbusters: Bio Grand in Tikkurila, Vantaa, Bio Jaseka in Myyrmäki, Vantaa, Bio Grani in Kauniainen and Kino Tapiola in Tapiola, Espoo. Many of them have a matinée series of cheaper, more art house screenings supported by the local culture board. In addition, Finnkino operates three screens in Omena cinema in the Iso Omena shopping center in Matinkylä, Espoo as well as six screens in Flamingo multiplex in the entertainment center Flamingo in Vantaa. In Leppävaara, Espoo there are also six screens in the Finnkino multiplex at Sello shopping center.

Luckily, several film festivals enrich the cinema culture in Helsinki region. The biggest is the Helsinki International Film Festival - Love and Anarchy held annually in September. Espoo has its own international film festival Espoo Ciné] held every August in Tapiola and Leppävaara. In January, Helsinki Documentary Film Festival Docpoint takes over. Some of the smaller film festivals include (to name few) Lens Politica showing political films and art, and Night Visions focusing on horror, fantasy, science fiction, action and cult cinema. Cinemania website collects at least some of the festivals together and also sells passes of 5 or 10 screenings that may be used in several festivals. However, check the site for the most up-to-date information as the ticket policy varies from festival to festival.

Concerts

Helsinki has an active cultural life and tickets are generally affordable.

tiketti - There are many lives of many genres. So you must browse what show will be held and buy ticket.

tavastia - Live club with live rock, pop and jazz.

Important performing groups include:

Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra - Kaupunginorkesteri - Performances have moved to the Music House, a brand new visually questionable but acustically excellent concert hall. Tickets €20. On selected Wednesdays you can go see dress rehearsals for as little as €3 per person. The rehearsals start 09:30. Check availability on the site before showing up at the Music House!

UMO Jazz Orchestra - An important part of Finnish jazz life, known for performing new Finnish music alongside interesting shows, such as with new circus. Various venues.

Events

Helsinki's celebrations are among the most exciting in the nation.

January

Illuminated looping artwork at Lux Helsinki 2016 - An illuminated artwork at Lux Helsinki 2016, in the Ateneum art museum.

Lux Helsinki - Opening Hours: 17:00-22:00 Free of charge Beginning of January. Lux Helsinki is an annual event of light installations to cheer residents' and visitors' minds during the darkest time of the year. They are on display over several nights. Lux Helsinki can also be enjoyed as part of a guided walking tour.

February

Helsinki Burlesque Festival 2015 group pose picture - Helsinki Burlesque Festival.

Helsinki Burlesque Festival - Pikku Roobertinkatu 12 60.16406, 24.94528 ☎ +358 40-744-5999 Opening Hours: 19:00-04:00 €83 for a two-day pass Finland's biggest burlesque show. Held on a weekend in late February/early March. Although most of the performers are female and the Finnish burlesque scene has more male performers than that of any other country. Many visitors come in fancy dress costumes, and there is even a prize awarded for the best dressed man and the best dressed woman in the audience. For adults only.

April

Helsingin Kaivopuisto vappuna 2004 - Vappu

Vappu - Walpurgis Night | Opening Hours: April 30-May 1 Vappu began as a north European pagan carnival, and is now an excuse for students to wear brightly colored overalls and for everybody to drink vast amounts of drinks. At 18:00 on April 30 and the statue of Havis Amanda at the Market Plaza is crowned with a student's cap and the revelry begins in the streets. Things can get a little ugly outside as the night wears on, so it's wiser to head indoors to the bars, clubs and restaurants, all of which have massive Vappu parties. The following morning and the party heads to the Kaivopuisto and Kaisaniemi parks for a champagne picnic, regardless of the weather. If the weather is good, up to 70,000 people will show up. Left-wing parties hold rallies and speeches, but the event is increasingly non-political.

May

World Village Festival - in Finnish Maailma Kylässä - An annual multicultural weekend festival in late May. The event is free to all and a meeting place offering tastes of different cultures and surprises from all over the world, music, dance, food, art, market, information. Several hundred organizations are involved and the main organiser KEPA works under the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

Helsinki City Run - A running event in central Helsinki where you can run the length of a half-marathon.

June

Helsinki-päivä - Helsinki Day | Opening Hours: June 12 This is the birthday of the city. It traditionally starts with the mayor's morning coffee and is celebrated throughout the day with a variety of concerts, performances, exhibitions and guided tours around the city. Nowadays special event program even for several days.

Helsinki Pride - 60.1689, 24.9444 Opening Hours: Parade 13:00-14:00, party 14:00-18:00 Free of charge Finland's biggest and most famous pride event. Held over a week in late June, culminates in a parade and open-air party on Saturday.

Império do Papagaio at Helsinki Samba Carnaval 2014 - Helsinki Samba Carnaval.

Helsinki Samba Carnaval - 60.16780, 24.94855 Opening Hours: 15:00-17:00 Free of charge The biggest samba show in Finland, inspired by the famous Rio de Janeiro Carnaval in Brazil. Held on a Saturday in early June. A great samba parade fills the streets of central Helsinki, with dancers and music players from practically every samba school in Finland.

Juhannus - Midsummer Festival | Opening Hours: Friday between June 19 and June 25 Although a large bonfire is lit in Seurasaari and the celebration is low key as the tradition is to celebrate "the nightless night" at summer cottages in the nationside. Although some celebrate Juhannus in Helsinki as well and the streets are often eerily empty and the doors of the shops closed, making it the most quiet time of year in Helsinki.

July

{{event Visio Festival| Web:

{{event Teurastamo Jazz|2023 Event | July |14

|July|date=14 |Teurastamo, Helsinki| country= Finland A jazz happening in the Teurastamo area in Helsinki.

{{event Hori Smoku Summer Bugaloo| Web:

{{event Jazz-Espa| jazzespa.fi/en/jazzespa/

Tuska Open Air - An annual, 3-day heavy metal festival, featuring acts from all over the world, held in July.

August

{{event Weekend Festival (WKND) | Web:

Helsinki City Marathon - Opening Hours: Next event: May 18, 2019 The name says it all. Not as famous as the one in New York, but with over 6,000 participants the largest marathon race in Finland.

Flow Festival - A music and arts festival in early August at Suvilahti. Noted for its high-end arrangements marrying music to design and gourmet food, Flow has expanded to include installations, arts and workshops in the past few years. The music presented at Flow is a strong and varied selection of up and coming and established artists from indie-rock to soul and jazz and from folk to contemporary club sounds, both from the Finnish and the international scene.

Finland-Sweden athletics competition - Opening Hours: biannually held in Finland A yearly athletics international competition held between these two neighboring countries since 1925 – the only one still existing of this kind of two-country competition. The two-day event, held in alternate years in Finland or in Sweden, attracts significant audiences.

Helsinki Festival - Helsingin Juhlaviikot - Multi-week annual arts festival in the latter half of August. The peak of the festival is Taiteiden Yö, "Night of the Arts" called "little vappu" by many as the streets are full of revelers. The official event is marked by performing arts through the night. The Night of the Arts was first organized by local bookstores in the 1990s. It's now organized by the city. During the last few years the event has slightly returned to its origin as an arts and culture event.

Template:Event Wednesday Love The 90's

Helsinki is a safe city for its size. However, on weekend nights, intoxicated people wandering around city streets may be an annoyance, especially during summer festivals and on New Year's Eve and April 30 and the eve of May Day, which is the most important Cola-drinking festival in the Finnish calendar. Warm summer nights always gather a drunken crowd downtown. Intoxicated Finns tend to be rather noisy (in stark contrast to sober Finns) and admittedly sometimes picking a fight with just about anyone. Just use your common sense, and steer clear of overly loud groups of young men.

There are rare exceptional health hazards, although the extreme cold in the winter should be borne in mind by visitors, especially those planning outdoor activities. Whilst in summer the temperature rises occasionally to 30°C, in the winter months it can drop to around -30°C (-20°F) for a week or two. Dressing warmly is a must. If you forget to bring winter clothing, you can always visit local shops for appropriate apparel. Also, watch out for slippery sidewalks in winter. Thousands of people slip and injure themselves every winter! Winter-time driving needs also special caution as the roads may be very slippery with ice and/or snow.

Yliopiston Apteekki pharmacy - Mannerheimintie 96 60.1880, 24.9183 Taka-Töölö neighborhood ☎ +358 300 20200 Opening Hours: Open always 24/7 The pharmacy with the most central location and the best hours.

Haartman hospital emergency - Haartmaninkatu 4 60.1907, 24.9072 Meilahti hospital area ☎ +358 9 310 63231 Opening Hours: 24/7 Emergency department of Helsinki Municipal Health Center.

Viiskulma Health Centre - Pursimiehenkatu 4 60.1604, 24.9411 near Viiskulma ☎ +358 9 310 45930 +358 9 3104 5333 Opening Hours: Weekdays 8-16 Municipal health center for minor health problems.

In emergencies, phone 112 (free from all phones).

Emergency Social Services

You can contact the social service, when you need urgent help or advice for:

child protection
other social work
family crises
domestic violence
life management or housing
matters related to mental health or substance abuse.

Emergency Social Services are available around the clock (24 hr): call +358 9 3104 4222. Emergency Social Services can also be contacted by calling the emergency number 112.

Crime

The crime rate in Helsinki is generally low – Helsinki being maybe one of the safest capitals in Europe – although local residents grumble that things have gotten worse since the EU removed restrictions on movement. Pickpockets target crowds and bicycles are prone to petty theft. Walking in the streets after dark is generally safe and the downtown is indeed quite lively until the early hours of the morning. However, it's best to steer clear of obviously drunk people looking to pick a fight and the traditional trouble spots being the frustratingly long queues for late night snack food or taxis. Getting mugged for money in the streets of central Helsinki is almost unheard of, but you might not want to get into any unlicensed taxis even though the licensed ones are almost always way short of demand during pre-Christmas and summer seasons. A licensed taxi in Finland will always have a yellow box with its number on the roof.

The most crimes in Helsinki/Central|downtown concentrate around the central train station and Kamppi shopping center. The Kaisaniemi park behind the main Railway Station is possibly best avoided at night, and the area of Helsinki/Inner East|Kalasatama, Kallio and Sörnäinen (northeast from the center, after the Pitkäsilta bridge) may be somewhat rougher than other parts of the downtown. Relatively high-crime neighborhoods are found in the 1970s concrete-built suburbs of Eastern Helsinki, Northwestern Helsinki and Northern Helsinki, mainly in the extreme reaches of the metro and local train, such as Kontula, Itäkeskus, Mellunmäki, Vuosaari along metro; Pukinmäki, Malmi, Puistola and Kannelmäki along local train.

Especially in the summer you will encounter Roma beggars from Eastern Europe sitting on the streets in the downtown. Most local residents would prefer it if you do not encourage them by giving money, and donate to a charity instead.

Pedestrian safety

In winter, try to keep a steady footing: despite the use of vast quantities of gravel and salt, pavements can be quite slippery when the temperature hovers around zero and near-invisible black ice forms.

Excavations

Helsinki's bedrock is close to the surface, so new building works invariably involve some dynamite to build foundations, and it's thus quite common to hear explosions around the center. Blasting is often preceded by a loud sequence of warning beeps, which speed up as they count down. There is no danger to anyone, as the builders are experts (and the solid granite bedrock is very, very strong), but now you know where that "BOOM!" came from.

Visa agencies

If you are just passing through and choose Helsinki to apply for a Russian visa, be careful when choosing a travel agency: some may charge a lot extra for "express service" (although applying for one yourself at the consulate will take weeks).

Local Customs in Helsinki

When using escalators, people in Helsinki usually reserve the right side of the moving staircase for standing and the left side for people walking up the stairs. Standing still on the left side will certainly make people irritated and flag you as a tourist or a fool.
It would be wise to use common sense when entering the metro car: do not block people when the doors open, but take one step back and let people get off first. Also, it is often customary to enter a tram from the right side of the doors while people exiting use their right side.
Avoid walking in the cycle lane. Dedicated cycle paths are clearly marked, but sometimes run directly next to the sidewalk. Helsinki cyclists are subject to a comparatively hilly landscape and are unwilling to slow down and lose momentum. However and they are usually careful, signal clearly and use their bells, meaning that straying tourists most often are just sworn at.
When waiting in lines, be patient and polite. Finns rarely cross queues but make sure you actually stand in the line. If you are not sure whether there is a queue, ask others.
Finns usually do not address people who are doing things (in their opinion) wrong. They will just look at your foolish behavior and swear silently to themselves. You might embarrass yourself but addressing it will make an even bigger scene.
Do not feed seagulls or pigeons (especially in the downtown). Seagulls taking people's ice creams or sandwiches is a real problem in some areas, and feeding them is encouraging that behaviour. Feeding birds is also officially prohibited in many areas.

Telecommunications in Helsinki

Internet access

Much of Helsinki is blanketed with wifi ("wlan") hotspots, and the City of Helsinki maintains a handy map. By comparison, Internet cafes with shared PCs are few and far between in Helsinki, but here is a partial listing. Most cafes offer these services without requiring a person to be a paying client. Some restaurants will do this as well, but may insist that you purchase something. Many internet/cyber cafes in Finland can be expensive.

Library 10 - Elielinaukio 4G ☎ +358 9 3108 5000 A public Internet and music library in the main post office building at the western side of the central train station. You can surf the Internet for free for 30 minutes on the library's computers, but you're going to have to queue. Also has wi-fi, but you need a library card to access the network.

Mbar - Mannerheimintie 22-24 Lasipalatsi ☎ +358 9 612 4542 A pleasant and popular living room-ish space in the heart of the city with local DJs playing drum & bass, house and chillout beats. Computers with Internet access (€5 per hour; €2 minimum charge), free wifi for laptop & cell phone owners. The terrace is a popular hipster hangout in the summer, situated in the former bus station area just next to the café. Drinks €4-5.

There are a large number of locations in Helsinki that offer free public wifi for those needing to connect to the office while outside of the nation. Many public libraries have computers and wifi networks so you can get online for free. If you are staying in a hotel and they usually have free wifi in the rooms and a computer in the reception for the guests.

Cope in Helsinki

Embassies & Consulates in Helsinki

{{flag|Argentina

Argentina - embajada@ Bulevardi 5 A 11 - ☎ +358 9 4242 8700 +358 9 4242 8701

{{flag|Austria

Austria - helsinki-@ Unioninkatu 22 ☎ +358 9 68 18 600 +358 9 66 50 84

Belarus - Unioninkatu 18, 00130 ☎ +358 9 4247 2056

{{flag|Belgium

Belgium - Kalliolinnantie 5, 00140 ☎ +358 9 170 412 +358 9 628 842

{{flag|Brazil

Brazil - Itäinen Puistotie 4 B 1 , 00140 ☎ +358 9 6841500 +358 9 650084

{{flag|Bulgaria

Bulgaria - Kuusisaarentie 2 B , 00340 ☎ +358 9 458 40 35, +358 9 458 40 55 +358 9 458 45 50

{{flag|Canada

Canada - Pohjoisesplanadi 25 B , 00100 ☎ +358 9 228 530 +358 9 2285 3385

{{flag|Chile

Chile - Erottajankatu 11 A 17 , 00130 ☎ +358 9 612 67 80 +358 9 612 67 825

{{flag|China

China - consulate@ Vanha Kelkkamäki 9-11 , 00570 ☎ +358 9 228 90 110, +358 9 228 90 167, +358 9 228 90 129 +358 9 228 90 168, +358 9 228 90 155

Colombia - Unioninkatu 18, 2nd fl, 00130 ☎ +358 9 615 00 172 Opening Hours: Monday to Friday 09:00-13:00 & 14:00-16:00

{{flag|Croatia

Croatia - Kruunuvuorenkatu 5, 4th fl. , 00160 ☎ +358 9 622 22 32, +358 9 685 01 70 +358 9 622 22 21

{{flag|Cuba

Cuba - Fredrikinkatu 61, 3rd Floor , 00100 ☎ +358 9 680 20 22 +358 9 64 31 63

Cyprus - Bulevardi 5 A 19 , 00120 ☎ +358 9 6962820 +358 9 677428 {{flag|the Czech Republic

Czech Republic - Armfeltintie 14 , 00150 ☎ +358 9 6120 8811, +358 9 6120 8812 +358 9 63 06 55

{{flag|Denmark

Denmark - Mannerheimintie 8, 6 fl. , 00100 ☎ +358 9 684 10 50 +358 9 698 5156

Egypt - Kasarmikatu 44, 3rd floor , 00130 ☎ +358 9477 7470 +358 9 4777 4721 {{flag|Estonia

Estonia - Embassy.@ Itäinen Puistotie 10 , 00140 ☎ +358 9 622 02 60 +358 9 622 02 610

{{flag|France

France - Itäinen Puistotie 13 , 00140 ☎ +358 9 618 780 +358 9 618 78 342
Germany - Krogiuksentie 4 B , 00340 ☎ +358 9 45 85 80 +358 9 458 582 58* Greece - Maneesikatu 2 A 4 , 00170 ☎ +358 9 622 97 90 +358 9 278 12 00

{{flag|Hungary

Hungary | mission.@ Kuusisaarenkuja 6 , 00340 ☎ +358 9 484 144, +358 9 484 145, +358 9 484 167, +358 9 484 007 +358 9 480 497

{{flag|Iceland

Iceland - Pohjoisesplanadi 27 C , 00100 ☎ +358 9 612 24 60 +358 9 612 246 20

India - Kulosaarentie 32 , 00570 ☎ +358 9 228 9910 +358 9 622 1208

Indonesia - @mbassy.fi Kuusisaarentie 3 , 00340 ☎ +358 9 477 03 70 +358 9 458 28 82

Iran - Kulosaarentie 9 , 00570 ☎ +358 9 686 92 40 +358 9 686 92 410

{{flag|Iraq

Iraq - Lars Sonckin tie 2 , 00570 ☎ +358 9 68188727 +358 9 6848977

{{flag|Ireland

Ireland - Erottajankatu 7 A , 00130 ☎ +358 9-6824240 +358 9-646 022

Palestine - Yrjönkatu 36 A , 00100 ☎ +358 9 681 20 20 +358 9 135 69 59

{{flag|Italy

Italy - Itäinen Puistotie 4 , 00140 ☎ +358 9 68 11 280 +358 9 69 87 829* Japan - Unioninkatu 20-22, 5th fl , 00130 ☎ +358 9 6860 200 +358 9 633 012

{{flag|Latvia

Latvia - Armfeltintie 10 , 00150 ☎ +358 9 476 472 44 +358 9 476 472 88

{{flag|Lithuania

Lithuania - Rauhankatu 13 A , 00170 ☎ +358 9 68 44 880 +358 9 68 44 88 20

{{flag|Malaysia

Malaysia - World Trade Center Helsinki, 00100 ☎ +358 10 320 2030 +358 10 320 2041

{{flag|Mexico

Mexico | Simonkatu 12 A 12 , 00100 ☎ +358 9 586 04 30 +358 9 694 94 11

{{flag|Morocco

Morocco - Unioninkatu 15 A , 00130 ☎ +358 9 6122 480 +358 9 63 51 60

{{flag|the Netherlands

Netherlands | Erottajankatu 19 B 00130 ☎ +358 9 228 920 +358 9 2289 2228

{{flag|Norway

Norway - Rehbinderintie 17 , 00150 ☎ +358 9 686 01 80 +358 9 65 78 07

{{flag|Peru

Peru - Lönnrotinkatu 7 B 11 , 00120 ☎ +358 9-759 9400 +358 9-759 940 40

{{flag|Poland

Poland - Armas Lindgrenintie 21 , 00570 ☎ +358 9 618 28 120 +358 9 684 74 77

{{flag|Portugal

Portugal | Unioninkatu 22, 2nd fl. , 00130 ☎ +358 9 682 4370, +358 9 6824 3715, +358 9 6824 3718 +358 9 66 35 50

{{flag|Romania

Romania - Stenbäckinkatu 24 , 00250 ☎ +358 9 241 3624, +358 9 241 4414 +358 9 241 32 72

Russian Federation - Tehtaankatu 1 B , 00140 ☎ +358 9 661 876, +358 9 661 877 +358 9 66 10 06

Saudi Arabia - Stenbäckinkatu 26 , 00250 ☎ +358 9 477 8870 +358 9 454 3060

Serbia - Kulosaarentie 36 , 00570 ☎ +358 9 6848 522, +358 9 6847 466 +358 9 6848 783 {{flag|Slovakia

Slovakia - Vähäniityntie 5, 00570 ☎ +358 9 6811 7810 +358 9 68117820

South Africa - Rahapajankatu 1 A 5, 00160 ☎ +358 9 6860 3100

{{flag|South Korea

Republic of Korea - Erottajankatu 7 A, 00130 ☎ +358 9 251 5000 +358 9 251 50055
Spain - Kalliolinnantie 6, 00140 ☎ +358 9 6877 080 +358 9 17 09 23

{{flag|Sweden

Sweden - Pohjoisesplanadi 7 B, 00170 ☎ +358 9 68 77 660 +358 9 65 52 85, +358 9 17 64 16

{{flag|Switzerland

Switzerland - Kalliolinnantie 16 A 2a, 00140 ☎ +358 9 622 95 00 +358 9 6229 5050

{{flag|Taiwan

Taiwan - Aleksanterinkatu 17, 4th Floor, 00100 ☎ +358 9 68293800

Thailand - Eteläesplanadi 22 C, 00130 ☎ +358 9 6122 6415 +358 9 6122 64 66

{{flag|Tunisia

Tunisia | Liisankatu 14 B 31, 00170 ☎ +358 9 680 39 614 +358 9 680 39 610

Türkiye - Puistokatu 1 b A 3, 00140 ☎ +358 9 6122 6100 +358 9 6122 6150

{{flag|Ukraine

Ukraine - Vähäniityntie 9, 00570 ☎ +358 9 228 90 00 +358 9 228 90 01

{{flag|the United Kingdom

United Kingdom | Itäinen Puistotie 17 , 00140 ☎ +358 9 2286 5100 +358 9 2286 5262, +358 9 2286 5272

United States - Itäinen Puistotie 14 A, 00140 ☎ +358 9 61 62 50 +358 9 17 46 81 {{flag|Venezuela

Venezuela - Bulevardi 1 A 62, 00100 ☎ +358 9 686 0440 +358 9 9 640 971

Vietnam | Kulosaarentie 12, 00570 ☎ +358 9 622 9900, +358 9 562 6302 +358 9 6229 9022

Places of worship

United Community Church - UCC - Annankatu 7 - International, bible-based and nondenominational church that welcomes Finns and foreigners to attend. Services in Helsinki and Espoo on Sundays. Free.

News & References Helsinki

Travel Next

NuuksioLake - Nuuksio National Forest Park in Espoo, Finland

In Finland itself the following make good day trips:

Nuuksio National Park in Espoo, a piece of untamed wilderness ca 25 km from Helsinki downtown. Accessible by bus from the city.
Porvoo and the second oldest town in Finland is just 60 km away. It has a charming old town of wooden houses. Much more lively in the summer.
Tampere and the second largest city region in Finland, and the birthplace of Finnish industry, boasting one of the last Lenin museums left in the world as well as a spy museum. 180 km north of Helsinki, one and a half to two hours by train.
Hämeenlinna, 100 km to north is famous for the Häme castle, a large medieval castle, and the beautiful park area Aulanko. One hour by train.
Turku and the oldest town in Finland and the main one into the 19th century, now third largest city region. The cathedral and the medieval castle are well worth visiting. Two hours by train.
Hanko and the southernmost spot in Finland, 140 km west of Helsinki. This town of less than 10,000 people is famous for its summer activities, including sandy beaches, sailing, tennis, art and theatre, etc.
Oulu and the largest city in Northern Finland (as well as whole Northern part of the Nordics). Known as the biking and IT capital of Finland and easily accessible from Helsinki, only an hour's flight away. Flights start from €30 if bought months in advance. The fastest day train takes 6 hours, from €25 if bought in advance, sleepers available in the overnight trains.

As a coastal city, Helsinki has good connections to some fine international destinations nearby:

In Russia, Saint Petersburg, "the Venice of the North", is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Accessible by St. Peter Line's overnight cruise ferry departing a few times a week – or by train.
Stockholm and the Sweden|Swedish capital, is somewhat like Helsinki but more Scandinavian and bigger. Accessible by Viking Line's and Silja Line's overnight cruise ferries departing late in the afternoon around the year.
Tallinn in Estonia is known for its medieval downtown and is easily accessible even as a day trip.

From Halal Explorer