HELSINKI

The movies of the Finnish director Aki Kaurismäki have confirmed the image of the Finns as a bizarre, silent and constantly drunk nation. Most of his films are about the desire for leaving Finland. So, why should you travel to Finland?

Yes, it is true that some Finns are quirky but that is what makes them so amiable. As soon as spring begins, on April 30^th, the silence is over: After a long and dark winter, each and every summer day is celebrated like it was the last.  Actually, not vodka but coffee is the national drink – nowhere else so much coffee gets drunk.

Music and dance festivals, many galleries and museums offer, especially during summer, a great, unique and modern cultural programme. The streets with their more than 700 cafes and restaurants almost looks southern, various parks and green corridors offer a fantastic place for recreation – even in the city centre. Every district has its own face and spirit: Art Nouveau in Eira and Katajanokka, working class culture in Kallio, seafaring traditions and factory milieu at the northern port and farmhouses in Vallila and Puu-Käpylä.

Finland is the only country in the world to have more saunas than cars: 3, 5 per capita. In former times, Finns built the sauna before they built their house. A house owner could rather do without a bathroom than without a sauna.

Airport
The airport Helsinki-Vantaa is located 15 km north of Helsinki. The best and cheapest way to get downtown is to use public bus number 615. The estimated travel time to the main railway station is 40 minutes, a single ticket costs 3,60 €. A taxi costs 30 € or more, the Airport Taxi minivans for 1 to 4 persons start from 22 €.

Public transportation
Urban public transport includes trams, buses, local trains and the metro. The extensive tram network is perfect for tourists, especially lines 3T and 3B which offer a tour along the most important sights. The metro and several local train lines link the city centre to the suburbs. A rechargeable smart card (Travel Card) costs 9 € and gives a 15% discount on fares. Alternatively, tourists can buy day tickets for 6 € (12 € for 3 days, 18 € for 5 days).

City bikes
In addition, you can rent a free city bike for a deposit of 2 €.

Temppeliaukion kirkko
The rock church in the Töölö quarter, outside the city centre, is worth a visit. It was built inside a granite rock in the 1960s based on a design by architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. Light enters the church through the 180 windows of the copper dome, the walls consist of untrimmed rock. There's a great silence emanating from the archaic room, making it an ideal setting for meditative breaks or concerts.
Lutherinkatu 3

Töölö Bay (Töölönlahti)
An oasis in the heart of the capital that can be circled by foot or by bicycle. The tour includes the Finlandia Hall, the Opera House, the winter garden and the wooden villas of the Etu-Töölö district. The Finlandia Hall was built from 1971 to 1975 and is the work of Alvar Aaltos. The concert halls have excellent acoustics.
Mannerheimintie 13

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma (Nykytaiteen Museo)
It is impossible to miss the Museum of Contemporary Art: The extraordinary, curved architecture (Steven Holl) is the perfect setting for the cranky, eccentric art of the last 40 years.
Mannerheiminaukio 2, tel. 17 33 65 01; open Tue 9 am–5 pm, Wed-Sun 10 am–8.30 pm www.kiasma.fi

Feasts and Festivals
Summer is festival time: From late August until early September, the city's public places and theatres are crowded for 17 days by musicians, painters, dancers, performance artists and thousands of art lovers. The Helsinki Festival exists since 1968 and is Finland's biggest culture event.
Throughout summer, free classical and pop concerts are held every Sunday in Kaivopuisto Park. During August, pubs in the "Art Goes Kapakka" Festival are full of poets, musicians, dancers and other artists. In September, the annual film festival "Love and Anarchy" is held for one week.

Sightseeing tours
Helsinki's city centre can easily be visited by foot. We also recommend a tour with the tram line 3T which takes about 1 hour and approaches all main sights in the heart of the city. Another possibility is to take the Spårakoff tram converted into a pub on wheels, sponsored by the local Koff brewery. Apart from this there are "normal" tours as well, by bus (audio sightseeing tour from Esplanadi/Fabianinkatu and Katajanokka Terminal) or on foot.

Ship
Helsinki viewed from the water is especially beautiful. Ships start from the South harbour and pass through the docks, the city's birthplace in Vanhankaupunki or through the magnificent coastal and island world up to Porvoo.

Perho
In the restaurant of the Finnish culinary and hotel school, Finland's charming new generation of waiters and cooks serves Finnish and international cuisine at acceptable prices.
Mechelininkatu 7, tel. 58 07 86 49, www.perho.fi www.perho.fi

Elite
This restaurant is hotspot for artists. Finely prepared food is served here at reasonable prices that in summer can also be enjoyed on the summer terrace .
Et. Hesperiankatu 22, tel. 434 22 00, www.royalravintolat.com/elite

Zetor
Bizarre like many things in Finland: The guitarist of the Leningrad Cowboys decorated this restaurant in the rural style of the 1950s. The big portions are served with home-brewed beer.
Mannerheimintie 3-5, tel. 66 69 66, www.ravintolazetor.fi

Lappi
This speciality restaurant serves traditional Lappish food like reindeer, fish, forest mushrooms and berries. Feasting in the proper style on traditional wooden plates in upscale polar atmosphere.
Annankatu 22, tel. 64 55 50, www.lappires.com/info/english.html

Hotel Kämp
This 5 star hotel is the first luxury hotel in Helsinki. It is located opposite Esplanade Park and offers several restaurants and bars as well as luxurious accomodation and first-class service and cuisine. The traditional hotel was restored in 1999.
Pohjoisesplanadi 29, tel. 57 61 11, DR starting at 425 € www.hotelkamp.fi

Arthur
This comfortable family hotel is situated in the centre within easy reach of the most important hot spots of Helsinki.
Vuorikatu 19, tel. 17 34 41, DR starting at 92 € www.hotelarthur.fi

Hotel Ava
Beautiful rooms at favorable prices, about 3 km from the city centre. With excellent connections to the airport and railway station!
Karstulantie 6, Vallia, tel. 77 47 51, DR starting at 48 € www.hotelli-ava.fi

Martta
The friendly family-oriented hotel has more than 44 rooms and is located in close proximity to many pubs and fine shopping venues.
Uudenmaankatu 24, tel. 618 74 00, DR starting at 140 € www.marttahotelli.fi

Tavastia
Helsinki has a vibrant club and pub scene and nightlife. In the district of Kamppi there is also the rock club Tavastia, well-known since the 1970s for live performances of metal and rock bands.
Urho Kekkosen katu 4-6, tel. 77 46 74 20 www.tavastiaklubi.fi

10th Floor
The 10th Floor Nightclub of the Sokos Hotel Vaakuna is one of the trendiest and most fashionable discos of the city. The spectacular view over Helsinki alone is worth a visit!
Kaivokatu 3a, tel. 43 37 63 15

St. Urhos Pub
The meeting place for Helsinki's music scene. In the cheerful and easy-going atmosphere, you can choose between 80 different types of beer.
Museokatu 10, tel. 58 07 72 22

Highlight Cafe
The Highlight Cafe is mostly frequented by young adults. The three-storeyed night club (rock club, disco and entertainment centre) is located in a former German church.
Fredrikinkatu 42, tel. 694 77 75, www.ravintolahighlight.com

Markets
At Kauppatori market by the South Harbour, you can shop for food, flowers and handicrafts. Hakaniementori market in the Hakaniemi district offers a wide range of souvenirs.

Stockmann
Here you can find the probably largest choice of objects made of glass, earthenware, china and ceramics, including some expensive pieces by renowned artists.
Hämeentic 135, tel. 204 39 35 07, www.stockmann.fi

Arabia
Kalevala jewels are replicas of ancient jewellery found in burial places and are still the symbol of Finnish handicraft. In addition, you can find handworks and traditional costumes.
Unioninkatu 25, www.kalevalakoru.fi

Salmiakki Koskenkorva
Finns are true liquorice fans, so liquorice is available in all kind of shapes and flavours. The Finnish national schnapps Salmiakki Koskenkorva is also a popular gift. It is comparable to vodka with a taste of liquorice - what else?!

Kuksa
Hardly any Finland visitor is able to avoid "the" souvenir of Finland. The all-purpose cup is made from carved birch burl and serves as drinking cup for water, rum and vodka as well as a bowl for actual food. A Kuksa costs about € 30,- and is available everywhere in and around Helsinki!

Aarikka
Here you can find toys, gifts, kitchenware and furniture made out of wood. Especially beautiful and souvenir-like is the wooden costume jewellery.
Pohjoisesplanadi 27, tel. 65 22 77, www.aarikka.fi