Helsinki Guide, map and photos. boo.com members recommend hotels, restaurants and attractions in Helsinki

Helsinki is a quiet seaside city, that’s got a great public transport system, great coffees and pastries but is it quiet! You can pretty much walk around the city in a half day, theres some cool Russian Orthodox churches to take some nice pictures of, the City Hall is cool. The market on the...more Helsinki is a quiet seaside city, that’s got a great public transport system, great coffees and pastries but is it quiet! You can pretty much walk around the city in a half day, theres some cool Russian Orthodox churches to take some nice pictures of, the City Hall is cool. The market on the seafront has really good and cheap food.

You can take a boat trip out to the island Suomenlinna which is pretty nice, its an old fortress still inhabited today.close

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by Carmel – posted on Apr 30, 2007

59

A friend an I went on an easter weekend break to Finland. I didn't know anything about the place. Helsinki is an awesome place, the best thing about by far are the people.All friendly and helpful, some girls we met walked 15 mins out of their way to take us to a good bar they knew. Which...more A friend an I went on an easter weekend break to Finland. I didn't know anything about the place. Helsinki is an awesome place, the best thing about by far are the people.All friendly and helpful, some girls we met walked 15 mins out of their way to take us to a good bar they knew. Which sums up all the people we met, happy to help. We eat some good food and quaffed several good pints. See rafaello's restaurant!!close

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by andrew-hughes115680 – posted on Apr 7, 2007

2

My review may be a little unfair as it was in the middle of winter and I'm from warmer parts of the globe but here goes. As with all Scando countries it is quite expensive (but not nearly as say, Oslo) and modern. Helsinki did lack the sightseeing, there were only a few "musts" in...more My review may be a little unfair as it was in the middle of winter and I'm from warmer parts of the globe but here goes. As with all Scando countries it is quite expensive (but not nearly as say, Oslo) and modern. Helsinki did lack the sightseeing, there were only a few "musts" in the whole city (as far as I knew). There is however a lovely harbour and great parks surrounding it. This city is tops for shopping, endless amounts of malls etc. The public transport system here is great and very easy to figure out. It's so hard to rate the weather in any city as it alsways changes but it was at leats always 10 below zero when I was there in February and overcast with occasional light snow. Loads of cool bars/clubs and great shopping is what I found in Helsinki, but that was about it. Overall: So-so, go to Stockholm insteadclose

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by DionG – posted on Feb 12, 2007

38

Helsinki is a wonderfully green city. Loads of parks etc, but I guess the best time to go is in summer when things are actually green. However in winter things can also be enjoyable if you are cold proof as the snow also makes things look very nice. The biggest disadvantage is that Finland is...more Helsinki is a wonderfully green city. Loads of parks etc, but I guess the best time to go is in summer when things are actually green. However in winter things can also be enjoyable if you are cold proof as the snow also makes things look very nice. The biggest disadvantage is that Finland is expensive, but that goes for basically all Scandinavian countries.....close

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by jmild7543 – posted on Nov 15, 2006

2

An honest review from a native Finnish: Helsinki is not Finland's capital for no reason... It has lots to offer for everyone, lots to see whether u like the cultural sites, nature, shops, or partying.. Keeping that in mind, Helsinki can only offer the capital atmosphere, and to get to know...more An honest review from a native Finnish: Helsinki is not Finland's capital for no reason... It has lots to offer for everyone, lots to see whether u like the cultural sites, nature, shops, or partying.. Keeping that in mind, Helsinki can only offer the capital atmosphere, and to get to know Finland more thoroughly i recommend to see some smaller cities somewhere away from the southern region. But if u only have time to see one city, Helsinki is surely the place to begin!!!close

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by anssi4459 – posted on Oct 12, 2006

3

Hesinki is a very nice city, it has a nice atmosphere, the pace of life is a notch slower than the UK, and there are plenty of things to do and see as well as the space to relax. It makes a nice change from your average beach holiday too and is a good opportunity to go somewhere a bit different....more Hesinki is a very nice city, it has a nice atmosphere, the pace of life is a notch slower than the UK, and there are plenty of things to do and see as well as the space to relax. It makes a nice change from your average beach holiday too and is a good opportunity to go somewhere a bit different. I have been there twice now and would definately go back.close

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by amycb – posted on Jul 18, 2006

10

Great city in the summer (I'm sure this changes when the temperatures drop in the winter). Good clean parks to chill out in, loads of clubs and bars and lots of sightseeing to do. Definately check out Suomenlinna Island (take your swimming trunks during the summer). Also take the time to look...more Great city in the summer (I'm sure this changes when the temperatures drop in the winter). Good clean parks to chill out in, loads of clubs and bars and lots of sightseeing to do. Definately check out Suomenlinna Island (take your swimming trunks during the summer). Also take the time to look around Kauppatori (the market).close

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by andrewv – posted on Jul 7, 2006

5

I enjoyed the friendliness and fuss-free attitude of the people. The transport system was punctual and efficient. The 5-day travel card was a steal and allowed my wife and I to go to many places, as far as Itakeskus. Overall, a little expensive, expected for that part of the world. But we really...more I enjoyed the friendliness and fuss-free attitude of the people. The transport system was punctual and efficient. The 5-day travel card was a steal and allowed my wife and I to go to many places, as far as Itakeskus. Overall, a little expensive, expected for that part of the world. But we really had a wonderful time, tasting the local delicacies like reindeer meat and reindeer liver steak, arctic char, elk and the various unique berries.close

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by Fmlai – posted on Jun 13, 2006

2

I could live in Helsinki, the people were extremely nice and helpful,. the design centers, Kiasma art museum, market hall and senate square were all great and worth seeing. Weekly papers in English guided us to some nightlife, but I know there was a lot more we just didn't have time for. If...more I could live in Helsinki, the people were extremely nice and helpful,. the design centers, Kiasma art museum, market hall and senate square were all great and worth seeing. Weekly papers in English guided us to some nightlife, but I know there was a lot more we just didn't have time for. If any traveller wants a break from the old towns and guided tours of other european cities, Helsinki is a great stop to expeirience a real live cityclose

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by ellielas – posted on May 29, 2006

10