Helsinki, Finland + Add a trip

great windsurfing beach

Kallvik Beach is one of the best locations in Helsinki -area for windsurfing and just plain old swimming. The beach is located in the southern tip of Vuosaari. There's an idyllic small road leading down to it (scenery you don't usually see in Helsinki). You cannot get very close with any public transport (about 2km away is the nearest, with buss number 90) - so take a bike (or car). The sea in front of the beach has many small rocks and islands, the water is shallow enough for anyone to swim to the islands with ease, try it out, they make for a good picnic spot ;-)

ice dipping

highly recommended for total relaxation, you do not need to be a member, it is 5 euros per visit.And you get also lovely view from Helsinki!

swim and sauna in Yrjönkadun Uimahalli

If you don't mind same-sex nudity(separate times for men and women, see link), and you're in Helsinki during the winter, this 1928 swimming hall is like a magically preserved bubble of old-time luxury. It's also smack in the center of town, near Stockmann's, in the corner just behind Hotel Torni. No need to bring anything with you--rent a 2nd floor "cabin" with a bed, towel, sauna seat cover and bathrobe for 12€ (or just a dressing room for around 5€, but it isn't the same), then swim and sauna in a serene Roman baths atmosphere, returning finally to your cabin overlooking the pool to sleep, read or order something off the café menu to drink or snack on as you laze around like Nero. Cozy decadence.

Helsinki Taxi Number

All taxis are fitted with GPS, so you only need one number to get the closest one to you, +358(0)9700300

Bar Moskwa in Eerikinkatu _ Luft in Kallio

bar moskwa is the old-time favourite.

nice breakfast on sundays is served at Luft-cafebar, on the corner of Aleksis Kivenkatu and Fleminginkatu in Kallio.

Olympic Swimming Stadium

Great place to cool off on a sunny summer day or just to swim few laps or have a coffee and watch people enjoy their long summer days in 50s Olympic atmosphere. Open only during May-Sept. Great riisipuuro!

Market square

Coffee and greasy meat pies for an early morning breakfast in the harbor - but beware of the greedy seagulls!

Huvilakatu/Villagatan

Probably one piece of the most expensive real estate in the country (at least in the top 100) but one cute little street in Helsinki (except for one 60s horrible mistake building), worth walking through on your way towards the sea eg coffee in Karuselli restaurant to get the feeling of 1800s and early 1900s Real Helsinki.

Cafe Java: Amazing Hot Chocolate!

Cafe Java on Mannerheimintie serves the most amazing hot chocolate! It gets better if you manage to find a seat by the window and watch the traffic go by on the cold winter evening ! :)

Best Restaurant

Zetor has to be the No. 1 restaurant in Helsinki

Rock Bar

Tavastia

Traditional Finnish rock palace, *the* place to go if you want to see some solid rock.

For a dram and a beer:

Puotilan Pikkulintu, definitively out of the way, but the best choice around with 100+ whiskies and beers from the best Scandinavian, European, and US breweries. Worth a leisurely excursion.

Sauna Arla

Arla is a very nice public sauna in Kallio, open from Wednesday to Sunday 14-20. Entrance is 9€ + some if you need a towel. A sacred place to me.

Client meetings

and while you are there, get something to go with the coffee from Kanniston leipomo next door.

A great place to have a picnic and spend a sunny afternoon with few beers and your mates!

Definitely a great spot for swimming or hanging out in the summer. Don't forget, the water is cold, and I mean cold :)

Walking distance from downtown but can also take the bus.

You can play basketball or join the large number of people playing volleyball.

Other than that, lost of people form all ages (but most of them seem to be high High-schoolers) mostly soaking the sun and drinking (a lot).

So do expect to see very drunk people.

Towels can be rented but bring your own cool beverage (eg, beer) and piss-slippers!

Oxygène Helsinki dive centre is located in Ruoholahti just few minutes from city centre.

one of the last public sauna's in Helsinki. Still heated using wood.

They only take cash, but you can bring your own beer and leave it in their freezer.

Love love love this space and place Good food, good energy, good goodies, good people. Anthropologie meets Minnesota coffee shop meets London/NY cozy city spaces

Horse races every Wednesday 6.30pm. Betting on trotters.

Went here today following Lisa's recommendation and loved the place and the food. Soup and salad were amazing, as was desert. A steal at 8,70 Euro.