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Helsinki Subdivision in Uusimaa, Finland
Photo: Marcela (talk), GFDL 1.2 via Wikimedia Commons
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Kansalliskirjasto
The beautiful National Library has books all the way from the early 19th century accessible for everyone (and books older than this are kept away from the public). The picturesque building with its glamorous stone columns is definitely worth a visit.
Tuomiokirkko
The unofficial symbol of the city, this striking white cathedral dominates the central Senate Square. Based on designs by Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1852, the cathedral has been refurbished, and the 12 Apostles are on the roof looking down at the world below. While entry is no longer free, one might argue that the building is more impressive from the outside anyway.
Uspenskin katedraali
A classical and prominent onion-domed Russian church, the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, Uspenski Cathedral serves Finland's small Orthodox minority. The name comes from the Russian uspenie, from the Dormition (death) of the Virgin Mary. The five domes are topped with 22-carat gold, and some of the icons within are held to be miraculous.
A museum about money and banking, as the name reveals.
The museum covers a whole series of old buildings around Helsinki, but the centrepiece is the (short) street of Sofiankatu itself, carefully restored as a replica of the 1930s.
Kirjan talo/Bokens hus
The "House of the Book", by Georg Jägerroos and finished in 1935, is the house of Helsinki Bookworker's Union (which in turn is the oldest trade union in the country, established in 1869). The seven-story building houses conference rooms, apartments, a restaurant, a sauna and a banquet hall.
Founded in 1929, the central museum of the Finnish Defence Forces.
A historical barracks area.
Open-air swimming pool.
Ferris wheel.
Popular recreation area next to the city centre. Includes restaurant Savu, a kid's playground, a dogpark with a designated swimming beach for dogs, a summer theatre and a rug washing pier.
A Catholic cultural center. Dominicans from France founded the Studium in 1949, and the Dominican Order is still responsible for the center's operations. Studium has a library of more than 40,000 books, whose collections focus on Catholic theology.
A typical neighbourhood pizza and kebab restaurant, also serving pasta, hamburgers and Indian cuisine. The food is very good but hardly spectacular. Comparable to more upscale restaurants in the city centre but for cheaper prices. A good choice for lunch in Katajanokka.
A well-known "Nepalese" (north Indian) restaurant.
literally, the "Three Crowns"
A very-easy-to-like restaurant with traditional food, founded in 1952.
The only Korean restaurant in Helsinki. A cozy place with friendly staff and even frequented by Korean travellers. You can try all sorts of Korean food here. Good value for the price at lunchtime (11:00–14:00) when dishes cost about half of what they otherwise do.
An authentic German restaurant in the middle of Helsinki, owned by a German immigrant family. Claims to be "the only German restaurant in Finland". Spacious with German-style decor. The menu is full of traditional German food with copious amounts of steaks, sausages, potatoes and sauerkraut. A wide variety of German beers and wines available. The staff are fluent in Finnish, German and English.
High quality seafood restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. Although on the expensive side, you can eat lunch there at more moderate prices. FishMarket is easy to reach by Trams 1 and 1A.
Not strictly Russian, but a longtime favourite of both bohemians and the Orthodox community from nearby Uspensky Cathedral. Apart from the wonderful Russian dishes, lighter Mediterranean fare is also available.
Where the locals go for tea and snacks. Very relaxed, lovely courtyard out the back with films projected late into summer evenings.
A cosy bohemian café with a South American vibe, popular among the artsy types of the Kruununhaka neighbourhood, and Faculty of Social Science students from across the street.
The first karaoke bar in Helsinki. There are two sides in the bar, the karaoke side and a tiny disco side. Also two karaoke kiosks for practicing singing in, suitable for max. two persons each.
A Czech-style pub, a classic among inhabitants of Katajanokka. Poseidon was under renovation for a long time but it has since reopened.
A rather small pub near the eastern tip of the Katajanokka peninsula. Stylish maritime decor. It's right next to a seniors' home, so many seniors come here often. Beer and cider available on tap but don't expect anything fancy.
Helsinki's largest hostel. Dorms from €24.10, single rooms from €45 (plus €2.50/person for non-HI members).
Housed in what was the Nokka prison until 2002, this classy hotel has retained the original exterior and the internal corridor, but the rooms themselves, built by combining two to three cells, retain no trace of their past. Walking distance to city center.
The Hotel Maria
A luxury hotel with rooms and majestic suites. While the hotel is built in "old" style and occupies a relatively old building, it has been a hotel only since the early 2020s.
Solo Sokos Hotel Pier 4
A wooden architectural hotel with a maritime environment, including a luxurious roof terrace.
Record store.
Kauppatori
At the end of Esplanadi facing the sea, this open-air market sells fresh fish and produce from all over Finland. Open year round. It's busiest in summer, although the Christmas Market in December is also worth a look. One section of the market is devoted to souvenirs, but best buys here are the fresh berries and other produce. In summer, try the sweet green peas (herne). Pop open the pod and eat as is.
Vanha kauppahalli
Next to Market Square, this old brick building houses Finland's best collection of gourmet food boutiques. Try to find the stall which sells beaver sausage.
You can get in from Central Helsinki by foot or by tram, tram lines also connect across Pitkäsilta to Hakaniemi and to the southern part of the city.
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