Many people who visit the Baltic states also take a day or two to visit the closest Nordic country and its capital, Helsinki. First impressions tend to be based on appearances, so if you’ve just seen the fairytale old towns of Tallinn and Riga, Helsinki could be a bit of a disappointment as it may seem cold and the architecture might not seem as picturesque in comparison. However, don’t judge a book by its cover! Helsinki has so much to offer, even to those who have visited before.

1. Great vintage and second-hand shopping

Photo credit: Petteri Sulonen

The Finish capital is known for its vintage and second-hand shops, especially amongst the youth of neighbouring countries. If you happen to be in the city centre, you don’t have to look far to find unique and interesting second-hand shops selling a variety of goods, from glittery party dresses and old school suits to crockery and furniture.

Perhaps one of the most famous second-hand chains in Helsinki is UFF. There are UFF shops located on several streets in the city centre. You can find one of a kind vintage dresses as well as everyday clothing, interior design items and toys for children. Another interesting second-hand store is Kaivarin Kanuuna on Merikatu 3. This shop offers clothes, books and small interior design items. Keep in mind that it’s closed on Mondays, and that it closes early on weekends. If vintage dresses melt your heart, you should check out the vintage shop Frida Marina on Kaarlenkatu 10. At this cool shop with a pretty name you’ll find unique pieces of jewellery and lovely dresses, each with its own story to tell. Remember to leave your boyfriend at home though since this shop only has clothing for women.

2. The Arabia district of Helsinki

Photo credit: Aprile C

One of the most interesting places in Helsinki is the Arabia district. This industrial area is known as the creative hub of the city. Though it’s located away from the city centre, it can easily be reached by tram or bus. Check their website to see what’s going on at the moment, but remember there are interesting museums (Arabia Museum, Museum of Technology, The Power Station Museum) that you can visit at any time. You can also visit the Arabia factory which is currently the largest ceramics factory in the Nordic countries. If you’re a fan of beautiful Iittala dishes, you can find them on sale at the Iittala Outlet here. You can even join an art tour of the Arabia district with expert guides who will tell you about its creative history and show you the most remarkable sites.

3. An array of interesting events

If you happen to be in Helsinki at the end of August, be sure to take part in the Night of the Arts. You’ll see artworks falling from the sky, circus groups taking over the city’s parks and opera performances screened on advertising boards. The night offers a chance to see local theatres and museums in a completely new light. Events will take place across the city and everyone’s invited! This year the Night of the Arts will take place on August 21st, and all events are free of charge.

Photo credit: aixcracker

Another very interesting event that takes place in Helsinki is Cleaning Day or, as locals call it, Siivouspäiva. It’s a day when the whole city and its neighbourhoods are transformed into a giant flea market. The idea is to make recycling very easy for people, so on this day you can sell your second-hand stuff pretty much anywhere you like: at home, on the street, in your backyard, or even at the office. The next Cleaning Day will take place on May 24th. If you happen to miss this one, the next event will be held on the last Saturday of August.

4. Excellent food and coffee

Photo credit: Jani Halinen

In recent years Helsinki’s dining scene has experienced something of a rebirth. This weekend (March 21-22) brings about an event called Streat Helsinki which all about street food. If you happen to be in Helsinki in the middle of May, on May 17 to be more precise, make sure you attend Restaurant Day. It’s actually an international event where people can eat at one-day restaurants, and those who think they can cook and would like to offer something to others can set up their own temporary restaurant. If you miss it in May, don’t worry, the event is actually oheld four times a year.

Due to the high wages in Helsinki however, meals prices can also be somewhat high so it’s advisable to do a bit of background research when trying to find great but affordable eateries in this Nordic capital. According to our local Katariina, many Helsinkians are currently in love with Bar Sandro and its Sunday brunch that’s often accompanied by live African music. They offer a modern African fusion feast and have various options for both vegetarians and meat lovers. In the evenings you can join the locals for cocktails and other drinks. If you’re a first-timer in Helsinki and want to experience true Finnish flavours, be sure to visit Eeron Keittiö (Eero’s Kitchen). This place has been around since 2001 and in addition to good Finnish food made from local produce, you’ll find tasty lunch specials that won’t hit your wallet too hard.

5. The bohemian and artsy Kallio

Photo credit: Hembo Pagi

Kallio is a neighbourhood that might not seem impressive at first since it can appear to be a slightly shabby area, but when you dig deeper, you’ll find it’s one of the liveliest places in the city. Kallio offers a lot of cool shops, interesting cafés and good concert venues. Locals say that it’s about as close as it gets to the “real deal”.

Kuudes Linja is one of the most popular and most widely known concert venues and party places in Helsinki. Don’t expect anything too glamorous – just like Kallio, this place is a little rough around the edges. Here you’ll get to hang out with locals and enjoy good music, so the surroundings aren’t really that important anyway. Check out their website to see what parties are coming up next.

If you’re a fan of design, you should visit a shop and café called Made in Kallio on Vaasankatu. This place gives a good insight into what’s currently happening on the Finnish design scene, and it’s also a place to buy unique souvenirs. Check their Facebook page before you visit because they occasionally host interesting events.

Opening photo credit: Ilpo Torn