The lifestyle in Helsinki has a rare quality for a capital city: cultural clout at a manageable, walkable pace. Whether you want to spend a morning in the Design District or an afternoon on the ski slopes just outside the city, there is plenty to keep you entertained year round.
Shopping in Helsinki
Shopping in Helsinki caters to all tastes. If you are after designer furniture, the latest fashions, antique jewellery, organic food, or a particular foreign delicacy, you will find it here.
Helsinki’s Design District and Kämp Galleria are good starting points; the former fills several streets with jewellery shops, design collectives, antique shops, fashion boutiques, art galleries, and showrooms, while the latter is a stylish shopping centre between Aleksanterinkatu and Esplanadi Park. The city is also home to open-air markets where you can browse traditional foods, sweet treats, handicrafts, and souvenirs in a relaxed, sociable atmosphere.
Arts and culture in Helsinki
You could happily fill every weekend with arts and culture in Helsinki; the city has dozens of museums and galleries. The most popular venues include Amos Rex, Ateneum Art Museum, the Bank of Finland Museum, and the Helsinki City Museum.
The city also has a prominent theatre scene. The Finnish National Theatre presents everything from historical plays to experimental productions, and several Helsinki theatres now offer English surtitles. Smaller, high-quality theatres and independent showhouses are scattered throughout the city.
Eating out in Helsinki
The Finns enjoy giving contemporary twists to traditional favourites, and eating out in Helsinki is all the better for it: the restaurant scene is widely regarded as one of Europe’s finest. Locals favour poultry and fish dishes, especially Baltic herring and vendace (muikku in Finnish). If you want to sample local flavours, Helsinki’s take on New Nordic Cuisine will not disappoint; the city’s best kitchens rival anything the Nordic region has to offer.
New arrivals may be surprised to find that reindeer is more than Christmas folklore; the meat is a genuine Finnish staple, often served with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce. If you crave a taste of home, Helsinki also has a wide selection of international restaurants.
Nightlife in Helsinki
The nightlife in Helsinki may not have the international reputation of Copenhagen or Berlin, but you will not be short of options for a night out. Certain areas and streets, especially the city centre along Uudenmaankatu, are popular for clubs and bars.
Bars get busy around 9pm. Alcohol is pricey by European standards, but you can count on good music and a friendly crowd. Locals often pre-drink at home before heading out later in the evening, so do not be put off if bars seem quiet early on.
Those who are into the club scene have plenty to choose from: electronic and rock both have dedicated nights and venues. Clubs regularly host live music and DJs.
Live music festivals pop up throughout the year and are especially common in summer, when the city draws local and international musicians alike. Many festivals also feature urban art and other creative programming.
Sports and outdoor activities in Helsinki
There is no shortage of sports and outdoor activities in Helsinki, thanks to the city’s long coastline and ample green spaces. You can try golf, mountain biking, wildlife watching, and running without travelling far. The terrain is relatively flat, although there are enough hills for a good hike or a scenic picnic spot. Fishing is freely available along the coast; if you are between 18 and 69 and plan to use a rod and reel, you will need to pay the national fisheries management fee. Simple angling with a hook and line or ice fishing is free of charge regardless of age.
The city moves between seasons in striking fashion: in summer, you have long daylight hours for cycling and kayaking, while winter opens up cross-country skiing and downhill slopes at small resorts just outside the city. Gyms and fitness centres are plentiful year round.
Ice hockey and football (soccer) draw the largest crowds of spectators in Helsinki. HIFK and HJK Helsinki are the city’s main football clubs, and they both play at Bolt Arena in Töölö. HIFK’s ice hockey team competes at the Helsinki Ice Hall. The Helsinki Olympic Stadium, which was recently renovated, hosts national team fixtures and major events.
Kids and families in Helsinki
Finland is exceptionally child friendly, and Helsinki is no exception. Below are some of the most popular family-friendly spots for kids and families in Helsinki.
Harakka Nature Centre
Situated on an island a few minutes from Kaivopuisto by ferry, Harakka is open from May to September. Entrance is free, and the island’s coastal meadows and rocky shores are home to an impressive variety of birdlife and plant species. Guided tours run on Saturdays, although these are typically conducted in Finnish.
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
For a bit of history, you can learn about the traditional Finnish lifestyle at the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, which is made up of many buildings scattered across a forested area.
Korkeasaari Zoo
Home to over 150 species, the zoo emphasises animals suited to Finland’s cold climate: you will find Amur tigers, snow leopards, wolverines, and wild reindeer roaming outdoors year round. Opened in 1889, Korkeasaari is one of the oldest zoos in the world. Two tropical houses, Amazonia and Africasia, let you step indoors to see smaller species from warmer regions.
Theme parks in Helsinki
Linnanmäki, one of Finland’s most popular amusement parks, is free to enter; you only pay for rides. All profits go to the Children’s Day Foundation, a child welfare charity. Serena Water Park in Espoo is fun for all ages and has both indoor and outdoor pools.
Helsinki City Museum and Children’s Town
The Helsinki City Museum is enjoyed by parents and children alike. Adults can learn about the city they live in, while younger visitors do the same in the museum’s Children’s Town section, where Helsinki’s history comes alive through play and hands-on activities. Admission is free.
Where to meet people and make friends in Helsinki
Building new relationships is often the biggest challenge of moving abroad. Below are some of the places where you can meet people and make friends in Helsinki. Online platforms such as Meetup are also a good way to find interest-based groups and regular social events in the city.
The International English Speakers’ Association of Finland
The International English Speakers’ Association of Finland has more than 8,000 members from around the world, and membership is free. The association organises regular social events, pub quizzes, and playgroups, and can be a lifeline for families settling into life in Finland.
Lions Club Helsinki
If you want to make a positive impact while building relationships, Lions Club Helsinki coordinates volunteering activities throughout the city and has a highly diverse membership.
International Wine and Food Society
Foodies and wine aficionados will enjoy the association’s intimate events, where members share knowledge about food and wine pairings in a relaxed, convivial setting.
Cultural Centre Caisa
Performance art and culture lovers can practise their craft and build friendships at the Cultural Centre Caisa, which hosts exhibitions, concerts, and arts workshops.