Helsinki People & Culture

Liquor and Cigarettes, along with countless other things, are Tax free in neighboring Tallinn, Estonia. This leads people from Helsinki to make day trips here to stock up 'supplies'. The ferry ride is a comfortable 2 1/2 hours between Helsinki and Tallinn, and it gets you those cool stamps in your passport. How many of you're friends can say, "Oh, and this is the stamp from when we went to Estonia". So if your in either Tallinn or Helsinki, there absolutely NO excuse to not visit the other.

Beautiful and peaceful beach for active people and also for the family with the children. Yliskylä, Helsinki.. Here is one photo from there.
http://www.panoramio.com/photo/11693558

Overall, Helsinki is a wonderful city. The air is clear, and can change quickly. The ice even can fall in the summer!! It's so unexpected.
The people are nice. Though not all people can speak English. The common languages are Finnish and Swedish. But the major language is Finnish.
Don't be dare to go out alone at midnight, since there are a lot of drunk people outside. And if you choose to live nearby the church, you have to be ready to be awaken by the bell!! Hahahaha...

Take in the Sunday market on a sunny summer day. Enjoy the fresh fruit and the crowds. People watch and enjoy the harbor. You are right there. span.jajahWrapper { font-size:1em; color:#B11196; text-decoration:underline; } a.jajahLink { color:#000000; text-decoration:none; } span.jajahInLink:hover { background-color:#B11196; }

Cool city, relaxed people, almost everybody English speaking

A bike is the best way to get a round in Helsinki. There are a lot of paths and roads for bikers, and you get away from the rush hour! espesially nice is the areas by the sea and in the central park.

The city is well prepared for local cyclists but also for the willing tourist cyclist.Tourist will not come with their own bikes to Helsinky so the city is providing them free.All over the city small bike stations provide the bike:put in a coin and you get a bike.When you return it to any other point of collection,the coin will be given back(by the machine)

Most bike tours or walking tours will begin at the port .at the "kauppatori" which is the market square.It will take you by the stone obelisc which is the oldest in the city,by the lovly mermaid statue,Presidential Palace,Uspensky cathedral,Senate square(parts of the Reds film was shot here)University,Esplanade park,Parliament house,the famous Temppeliaukio church build in hard stone,Sibelius monument and back.

The fish market must be visited.It is open daily from 6am till 2pm and you will find all the wonders the sea produses.Many more stalls sell different other thigs from art to souvenirs.

You have to visit Suomenlinna!!

Liquor and Cigarettes, along with countless other things, are Tax free in neighboring Tallinn, Estonia. This leads people from Helsinki to make day trips here to stock up 'supplies'. The ferry ride is a comfortable 2 1/2 hours between Helsinki and Tallinn, and it gets you those cool stamps in your passport. How many of you're friends can say, "Oh, and this is the stamp from when we went to Estonia". So if your in either Tallinn or Helsinki, there absolutely NO excuse to not visit the other.

Ladies! When on the streets at night, please be with a group. There are no real dangers, but lots of drunken men, so keep a watchful eye out for them!

If you're looking for a decent and not-too-expensive hostel, I can recommend the Stadium Hostel, which is located in the Olympic Stadium (across the road where the Opera House is located). It's not too expensive, the rooms are nice and clean and security is good.

Helsinki's Stockmann, Aleksanterinkatu, Boulevardi ad Esplanadi are musts if you love shopping, window Shopping and Design... treat yourself with a good stroll on the Main Venues and then ahve a break at the Fazer Cafè in Kluuvikatu! It is worth it!!