The harbor should definitely be a stop during your holiday in Helsinki
| VITAL INFORMATION | |
| Population | 555,000 |
| Languages spoken | Finnish and Swedish |
| Currency | Euro (EUR); 1 Euro = 1.193 USD |
| Average temperature | Summer: 57°-71°F; Winter: 17°-27°F |
| High season | June to August |
The land that brought the world vodka, mobile telephones and saunas is also a great spot to plan your next getaway. Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is full of modern architecture, trendy nightlife and unspoiled natural beauty.
Helsinki's streets are painted with both Scandinavian and Russian influences (the latter remnants of the Russian rule, which persisted until 1917, the year Finland won independence), which gives it a unique style that sets it apart from other European cities.
The city is adorned with large squares, wide streets and a variety of green parks. The artistic urban design, coupled with friendly locals, beautiful Finnish women (think tall blondes) and close proximity to numerous islands and beaches makes Helsinki the perfect destination for your next trip abroad.
All amounts listed are in USD.
Day 1: Hit the Helsinki Strand
No matter where you're traveling from, getting to the Northern city of Helsinki will likely require a long plane ride. So before you arrive in the city, make sure you've arranged for a place to rest your head.There are hotels located within the city to fit every man's budget, but a standout is the Hilton Helsinki Strand, which is considered by many to be a five-star piece of art. Constructed of marble and Finnish granite and dotted with glass sculptures and graphic art, this uber-modern retreat has every amenity that a killer hotel should, at a decent price (around $250 per night, depending on the time of year). The Helsinki Strand also has views of the city center and neighboring islands.
After you've dropped off your bags at the hotel, start your vacation by hitting the beach! It may seem strange, but yes, Helsinki does have beaches. Thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, the ocean temperature is moderate and very swimmable -- especially in years with warm summers.
suomenlinna & hietsu beach
Follow the lead of the locals and take a 15-minute ferry ride to Suomenlinna, a 250-year-old island fortress turned resort town. Comprised of several connected pieces of land, Suomenlinna is host to great beaches, museums, galleries, and eateries. On warm days, the Finnish spend their days drinking and basking in the sun here.Closer still is Hietsu beach, which is considered the "Brazil" of Finland -- a hip spot for young locals in small bikinis. The beach is only a 20-minute walk from the city center. If you're feeling lazy, you can jump on bus 55A, which will take you all the way there and back (one-way bus fares cost a little more than $3).
Helsinki boasts more than 42 different ethnic cuisines to choose from, so come dinner time, if you're not in the mood for bear, elk or reindeer (traditional Finnish food), you have plenty of other options.
For great ambiance and delicious food try Raffaello Caf, an Italian restaurant located on one of the major shopping streets in the city center (at Aleksanterinkatu 46). Raffaello Caf has a warm, outdoor courtyard terrace, perfect for warm summer nights. Main courses range from $14 to $25 and include Italian-style pizzas, steak wrapped in Parma ham and grilled pheasant breast (their specialty).
uniq's arctic icebar
After dinner, do what the Finns do best: drink. You won't have trouble finding a watering hole in Helsinki, as drinking is one of the country's famous pastimes. Since bars and nightclubs are open until 3 or 4 a.m., you'll have plenty of time to drink before the sun comes up.With belly full, move on to chill out at one of Helsinki's newest hotspots: the Arctic Icebar, located inside the nightclub UNIQ. The Arctic Icebar, as you may have guessed, is made of eight-inch thick ice blocks and is "chilled" to 23 degrees Fahrenheit. Upon entry, guests receive warm clothing and a complimentary Finlandia vodka cocktail. Entry is around $12 and the bar is open daily from 5 in the evening.
Day 2: Helsinki high culture
Although you're probably nursing a hangover from downing one too many vodka cocktails the night before, you must take some time to explore some of Helsinki's cultural attractions. Grab a bite for breakfast at the Hotel Strand's seafront Restaurant Bridges, then head out!The compactness of Helsinki's city center makes it easy to travel to all the major sights by foot or bike. You can rent bikes through Helsinki's City Bikes program for free, with a refundable deposit of around $3. Here are some of the must-sees:
Kauppatori, Helsinki's famous fish market, is located in the city's market square, and it's a great place to enjoy both people and fish-watching. The square provides a lively and colorful scene, where you're sure to get a feel for authentic Finnish culture.
The Ateneum Art Museum hosts exhibitions of Finnish art from the mid 1700s to the 1960s. The gallery's international pieces include famous works by Van Gogh, Gauguin and Cezanne.
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art is considered to be a controversial -- and thus fairly interesting -- museum, designed by world-famous architect Steven Holl. On display are media art, film, music, and installations from the 1960s to the present.
After you've had your fill of museums, it's time to check out Helsinki's rougher cultural side: namely, the city's rockin' music scene. Whether you're at one of its many music festivals or viewing a live show in a bar or nightclub, you're sure to enjoy what you hear. To sample some of what the city has to offer, visit Viiskulma, a street dotted with hip music shops. Each store offers a diverse collection of new and used CDs and vinyl, in genres like reggae, soul, hip-hop, rock, and more.
sweat it out in a sauna
No trip to Helsinki would be complete without a sauna experience. It is estimated that there is approximately one sauna for every three people in Finland, and many locals even have saunas in their homes!If you did end up staying at the Hilton Helsinki Strand, you'll have noticed that there are saunas there -- and rooftop ones, at that. Nonetheless, to get the full authentic experience, it's worth checking out one of the many public saunas in town. The Kotiharjun sauna, located at Harjutorinkatu, was recently voted Helsinki's best facility. The sauna is gender segregated, wood-fired, clean, and relatively inexpensive (entry will cost you around $8).
Although most saunas provide a towel service, it's usually better if you bring your own (especially if you want a towel large enough to wrap around your body).
Normal sauna etiquette dictates that you take a shower before entering the hot room. You'll likely want to bring a towel in to sit on or wrap around your waist (if you're modest), although many locals enjoy taking their sauna naked. When you leave the sauna, either sit outside, or take a swim or a shower to bring your body temperature back to normal. Feel free to enter and exit the sauna as many times as you like, as your paid admission permits you multiple stays in the hot room.
chez dominique & alcatraz
Sweating in the sauna will definitely work up an appetite. When dusk falls, treat yourself to a luxurious dinner at Chez Dominique (Ludviginkatu 3), one of only two Michelin-starred restaurants in the whole of Finland.Chez Dominique is perhaps the most visually appealing restaurant in Helsinki, and it attracts a clientele to match. Although pricier than other restaurants in the city (average main courses here range from $41 to $53), the entrees -- juicy lamb medallions, delicate lobster tortellini and smoked tuna with apple gratin among them -- are well worth the price. Furthermore, the staff is helpful, friendly and extremely knowledgeable when it comes to pairing food with wine. It's smart to reserve a table before you arrive, as this restaurant's popularity keeps it booked nearly every night.
If the image of naked Finnish men is still lingering in your head from the sauna, you may want to try shaking it with a visit to one of Helsinki's gentlemen's clubs.
At Club Alcatraz, a high-class strip joint in the center of town, you can enjoy cigars and booze in a cozy, tasteful environment while watching a variety of different stripteases performed by incredibly hot Finnish women. The strip joint is open until 4 a.m., seven nights a week.
Day 3: The Koneisto Festival
Start your third and final morning at Strindberg Caf, a cool street-level eatery near Esplanadi Park. where, you can enjoy sandwiches, pastries and coffee at decent prices ($5 to $13) alongside the city's students and young professionals.Today's itinerary? You may have seen the sights, wined, dined, and partied in the city's most fashionable clubs, but you still haven't experienced Helsinki in the summer until you attend one of the city's many music festivals.
One of the city's coolest international festivals is the Koneisto Festival of electronic music, which normally takes place in mid-August. Tickets are around $35 per day for the event, which attracts a hip, young crowd. In addition to local and international artists, Koneisto also showcases theater, video art and other performances.
Since this last day in Helsinki is likely to start mid-afternoon and end late (the music festival goes until the wee hours of the morning), chances are you'll be beat by the time you return to your room. If you need a nightcap, there's always the minibar... one last shot of Finnish vodka never hurt anyone.
halcyon helsinki
Helsinki is a destination not yet spoiled by tourists, unlike many other capital cities in Europe. It's natural beauty, uniquely designed architecture and busy nightlife make Helsinki a prime destination for men who want to experience something new and different.So, if you like tall blondes, vodka and trendy bars, try Helsinki!
tips for the trip
Resources:
http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/europe/finland/helsinki/
http://www.frommers.com/destinations/helsinki/0053020157.html
http://www.explore-helsinki.com/388/Culture.html
http://www.sauna.fi/englanti/englanti.html
http://www.roadandtravel.com/travel%20directory/Finland/helsinki.htm
http://virtual.finland.fi/netcomm/news/showarticle.asp?intNWSAID=26077
Helsinki Travel Guide
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