The Ateneum Art museum appears on nearly every list of must-sees in Helsinki for good reason. Its grand halls and sculpture-adorned façade make it a sight worth seeing, but don’t stop at merely admiring the exterior.  Within its ornate walls is an unmissable experience for visitors; nowhere else can you enjoy such a thorough perspective of […]

Helsinki’s new central library Oodi opened on December 5, the eve of Finland’s 101st Independence Day, a fitting celebration for one of the most literate nations in the world. Located at Kansalaistori Square in the heart of the city, Oodi is a transformative and multi-functional space, defying any notion of the library as a dated public institution. Viewed from […]

The Lapinlahti former psychiatric hospital stands poised on the edge of Lapinlahti Bay, a naturally beautiful site noted for its richness in biodiversity.  Much like the rare butterfly (Depressaria Chaerophylli) that can be found in the area, its future is uncertain, but its history certainly deserves preservation. The Lapinlahti estate is comprised of several structures, […]

The joy of spring is eternal. There is something undeniably stirring about the renewal of nature around us. Spring in Finland is a joyful time, and with the spring comes the arrival of Eastertide and its many traditions. Easter is the most important feast day for Orthodox Christians. It is also marked with reverence by […]

The official currency in Finland is the euro (€). Banknotes and Coins Banknotes are issued in the following denominations: 5€, 10€, 20€, 50€, 100€ and 200€. Issuance of 500€ notes was discontinued in January 2019 but they remain legal tender in the euro area. The coins are issued as 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, […]

The Esplanade is the green heart of Helsinki.  Running west from the Market Square and the South Harbour, the Esplanade has attracted some of the best shopping in Helsinki. Here are some of the high-end fashion and design outlets that you can find around the Esplanade. Marimekko (Mikonkatu 1) is a world-class Finnish brand, founded in […]

Linnanmäki amusement park offers visitors to Helsinki a family-oriented fun-filled day out.  Located in the Alppila quarter of Helsinki, the park was built in 1950 and is popular with locals and tourists alike.    Parking space is limited at the park, so it is best to use public transportation to get there. Both trams and buses […]

Getting from Helsinki to Espoo is even easier, now that the new West metro extension has openend. Exploring Helsinki’s neighbouring city makes for a great day out.

If you’re in Helsinki for more than a few days, you can take advantage of the closeness to our neighbour Estonia by planning a day cruise to Tallinn.  Located south of Helsinki across the Baltic Sea, it is a great way to spend a day, either exploring the picturesque medieval old town in Tallinn or […]