Sam's Helsinki tips!

Compiled July 13th 2022, last updated July 13th 2022.

Places/things what I like, in roughly geographic order:

• Central Railway Station - Where you will probably arrive. Keep an eye out for cool Jugend/Art Noveau details, both inside and out. Check out the fanciest mural you'll ever see inside a Burger King. The statues on the front are often dressed up for special events. If the weather is bad, you can pop down to Asematunneli by following the signs for the metro. You can reach Aleksanterinkatu or Narinkkatori in Kamppi wihout stepping outside.
• Ateneum - Traditional art museum. Hosts most famous Finnish paintings, including several by Akseli Gallen-Kallela depicting scenes from the Finnish epic poem Kalevala. Personal favourites are Helene Shjerfbeck's self-portraits and Ville Vallgren's sculpture Echo.
• Aleksanterinkatu - Main shopping street. Lit up beautifully for Christmas.
• Senate Square - Location of the beautiful Helsinki Cathedral, surrounded by Neo-Classical buildings. The steps are a popular place to hang out in good weather. Several cafes, restaurants and boutiques.
• Bonus fun nerd fact - The statue of Alexander II located in the middle of Senate Square has four smaller surrounding statues, depicting the virtues of law, work, peace, and civilisation. Civilisation is portraeyd by the figures for art and science. The science statue is holding a spectroscope, which had was a recent invention at the time of sculpting. It can be used to determine the chemical composition of, for example, stars.
• Trillby & Chadwick - Speakeasy-style cocktail bar located on Katariinankatu between Senate Square and Market Square. Look for the unmarked door, step inside the vestibule and wait for the secret door. Quite small, try to go closer to opening. Charming interior, super friendly service and really interesting drinks. If you like liquorice/aniseed, try the Paris Peace Accord.
• Market Square - Lots of market stalls, selling produce, food, crafts, and tourist tat. In the summer, try the fresh strawberries. If you have time, consider taking the ferry (included in public transportation tickets) to Suomenlinna, a fortress island with quasi-ruins to explore, excellent picnic spots, and fantastic views of the city. Go past the museum for the best bits.
• Esplanadi Park - Check out the famous Havis Amanda statue between the park and the Market Square. It's also by Ville Vallgren. University students decorate it with a cap every May Day. Lots of benches. Check out Akateeminen Kirjakauppa, a big bookstore with an extensive English-language section, in a beautiful old building at the West end.
• Moomin Shop - Located in the shopping centre Forum and charmingly themed.
• Amos Rex - Modern art museum. Located in the gorgeous 1930s functionalist Lasipalatsi building, hosts changing exhibitions. Current (until August 21st 2022) one, Subterranean, is really cool.
• Fredrikinkatu - Long street flanked with old Jugend buildings. Lots of little shops and cafes.:
  • Levykauppa Äx - Record store, with used as well as new vinyl.
  • Helkatti - Cat cafe.
  • Kakkugalleria - Bakery and cafe. Try the eat-all-you-like cake buffet.
  • Andante - Very hip cafe.
  • C. Hagelstam - Antiquarian bookstore. The atmosphere is very cool.
• Iso Roobertinkatu - Another street, crosses Fredrikinkatu. Mixture of cool little shops and restaurants and sex shops. Check out Round, a cafe selling fancy donuts.
• Fafa's - A restaurant chain with multiple locations. Tasty, affordable Mediterranean food with lots of vegan and vegetarian option. Most dishes are also available in a smaller "junior" size. Try the halloumi & falafel pita and the house lemonade.
• Robert's Coffee - A coffee shop chain with multiple locations. Beans are roasted in nearby Vantaa. Try the korvapuusti (cinnamon roll made with cardamom-spiced dough) and the gelato, too.