Highly recommended
Finnish Design Helsinki is the perfect city for both design shopping and discovering Finland's unique design culture. Minimalistic, functional and clean Finnish design has enjoyed an enviable international reputation for decades. In recent years young Finnish clothing designers, such as Paola Suhonen and Hanna Sarén, have followed in the footsteps of design icon Marimekko and wowed audiences the world over with their bold new creations.
In Helsinki you will find an entire design-oriented neighbourhood, the Design District. The area is home to a wide range of designer shops, interior decorating studios, antique dealers, clothing and jewellery boutiques, artist workshops, galleries, museums, restaurants and lots more. The area is particular popular among designers, architects and advertising agencies. You can also stay overnight in the Design District at the stylish Klaus K hotel operated by Design Hotels. The symbolic centre of the area is Dianapuisto Park. From here the Design District stretches into the districts of Kaartinkaupunki, Kamppi, Punavuori and Ullanlinna.
The easiest way to discover the Design District is to take the Design Walk, a two-hour guided tour of the top sights.
Regular tours in summertime, other times by order.
Helsinki Expert, Sightseeing, tel. +358 (0)9 2288 1200
sightseeing@helsinkiexpert.fi
www.helsinkiexpert.fi
Local charms
Market Square is Helsinki's most cosmopolitan and famous market. The booths here sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. There is also a heated café tent where you can comfortably sip steaming hot coffee even on the coldest days in winter.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 6:30am-6pm, Sat 6:30am-4pm, May-September also Sun 10am-5pm
Old Market Hall alongside the Market Square has been a meeting place for local food lovers and a popular tourist attraction since it first opened in 1889. Under the same roof you can taste traditional delicacies and even try exotic products from Lapland.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 8am-4pm
www.wanhakauppahalli.com
Family
Helsinki is Finland's greatest theme park for the entire family, Seurasaari is a popular museum island and recreational area located fifteen minutes by bus from the city centre. The wooden buildings at the Open-Air Museum represent the eastern and western influences of Finnish building traditions from the 18th to the 20th century. Built in 1685, the Karuna Church is one of the most popular venues in Helsinki for summer weddings. During the summer season various workshops and events are organised at the museum presenting traditional handicrafts, customs and folklore. Folk dancing performances are held at the Festival Grounds and the nearby Folklore Centre Tomtebo in summertime.
Open-Air Museum
Opening hours 15-31 May and 1-15 September: Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm
Opening hours 1 June-31 August: Mon-Sun 11am-5pm
Free admission to the island
