English
Two days aren’t enough to enjoy what Helsinki has to offer, but even so, you can do great activities when you know where to go and what to do. Thus, Helsinki is a perfect destination whether on a short holiday break or for a longer period.
Saturday
Start your day with a good breakfast. In Helsinki there are many small and cozy cafes where you can have breakfast at good prices and one of the most famous places to do so is Cafe Engel, which is located in an ancient building overlooking Senate Square. Here you can enjoy a great breakfast while overlooking the square. Address: Aleksanterinkatu, 26.
Once you had a good breakfast, it´s time to visit some of the most emblematic places of the city and just in front of the café you’ll have the most famous of all: Senate Square. Here you’ll see the beautiful neoclassical architecture style of the city. Adorning the center of the square, there is a statue of Alexander II in front of the gorgeous Helsinki Cathedral; you’ll want to go on the top of the cathedral to enjoy unique views of the city.
Photo: p_a_h
You won’t believe it, but sightseeing Senate Square and all its landmarks can take you all morning and it is very likely that you feel hungry again. Down around the Mannerheimintie avenue, you’ll find a small street called Uudenmaakatu and at number nine you’ll find Café Bar 9, a charming restaurant where you can eat excellent food at a great prices, soups, salads, pastas, woks and fish are just great here.
There is no better way to digest your food than by walking. Café Bar 9 is perfect for it because it is located right in the heart of Helsinki’s Design District, which is a very famous street full of designer shops. Fashion and home decor, you´ll find it all in this designer’s neighborhood. Don’t forget to get a unique souvenir in this exciting area.
Finish the day with a nice dinner at Kappeli (Eteläesplanadi, 1), a restaurant that offers traditional Finnish specialties such as reindeer, lamb or salmon, in a relaxed atmosphere. If you fancy going out for drinks after dinner, head to district Kallio, an area known for its many bars, clubs and nightlife.
Sunday
If you had a nice night of drinks, there isn’t a better way to start the day than with something typical Finnish: the sauna. Come to Kotiharju (Harjutorinkatu 1), one of the best saunas in the city, and fill your body with new energy.
If you get hungry, a good brunch is what you need and you’ll find the best at Siltanen (Hämeentie, 13), which is also a very a popular place for young people in the city.
It would be unthinkable to go to Helsinki and not coming to its famous islands, so take a ferry and head to the famous Suomenlinna fortress, which has been declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Here you can visit various history museums; fortifications, catacombs, canyons and you’ll be even able to make a picnic if the weather allows it. If you have time, go to Seurasaari Island and check the open-air ethnographic museum.
Finish your day by doing something traditional Finnish: watching an ice hockey game of one of the two teams of the city (Jokerit or HIFK), which play at Hartwall Arena in Helsinki Ice Palace. If you’ve never come to such a game, get ready for a show of speed, strength and skill. When you finish the game, enjoy a nice dinner at Kuu Kuu (Museokatu, 17), a Finnish restaurant, which is simple but exquisite and very popular among artist of the city.
aleixgwilliam
Now you have an excellent option for your next holiday break! Rent nice apartments in Helsinki city and enjoy two days of total relax.
