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Finland : Helsinki - February 2009

Country Code: Dial 8 for Finland

Although Finland’s largest city, tranquil Helsinki, stops short of being overwhelming, its compact size, vibrant cultural life and friendly but nonintrusive atmosphere make the capital a relaxed weekend destination. If you’re here this month when it’s on, don’t miss the prestigious Helsinki International Boat Show. Evgenia Ivanova tells us more

Getting around

Helsinki-Vantaa Airport is 15km from the city centre.

Bus: Buses 415, 451 and 615 run to the city centre from the airport. The journey takes around 35-45 minutes (the 615 is the quickest route). A one-day tourist ticket costs €11 and is valid on all public transport.
Taxi: The journey from the airport to the centre of Helsinki takes approximately 30 minutes and costs about €30.
Tourist information: The main office is at 19 Pohjoisesplanadi, (tel. , hel2.fi).

CITY CENTRE

The sleek city centre is a shopaholic’s heaven and has restaurants to suit every palate.

Sleep soundly – If you don’t like staying in lookalike chain hotels (who does?), conveniently located boutique bolthole Helka could be for you.

Culture vultures – Get a flavour of the Finnish aesthetic at the Design Museum (23 Korkevuorenkatu).

Must eat – Don’t miss Havis (16 Eteläranta, tel. ) which does the freshest local seafood. The tiny and extremely popular French La Place (18 Unioninkatu, 6366) is best booked in advance. Try the fresh pea soup flavoured with anise, served with ricotta gnocchi and a pigeon skewer. Macu (50 Mannerheimintie, 1st floor of the Crowne Plaza hotel, tel. ) does dishes such as slightly smoked duck breast with celery and apple, and salad of ceps, figs and madeira syrup, in modern, monochrome surroundings. Puddings here are good, too. Try the liquorice crème brûlée with cloudberry ice cream.

Must drink – The glamorous Kämp Club (29 Pohjoisesplanadi), is housed inside Hotel Kämp, one of the best places to stay in the city.

Shop til you drop – Stockmann (52 B Aleksanterinkatu), Helsinki’s most famous department store, is a good place to pick up gifts. The delicatessen sells gourmet Finnish food.

PUNAVUORI

An upscale area with many one of-akind shops and little cafés, Punavuori has its own unique character.

Must eat – Café Riva (14 Iso Roobertinkatu, tel. (09) 3) has large picture windows and a relaxed atmosphere, making it a good place to have an unhurried lunch, or to sit down and write a postcard home.

Dance the night away – Check the programme at Rose Garden (10 Iso Roobertinkatu), an underground venue which stages pretty much everything apart from popular anthems.

Shop til you drop – Find Finnish and Russian fine art, antiques and design in Bukowskis (12 Iso Roobertinkatu), Finland’s leading auction house. Pick up jewellery from a local goldsmith at Galleria Koru (32 Fredrikinkatu). Helsinki 10 (3 Eerikinkatu) is packed with designer fashions, vintage clothing and rare vinyl records.

NORTHERN HELSINKI

Districts of Northern Helsinki are not as prestigious as the central and southern areas of the city, but are great for outdoor activities.

Sleep soundly – Interconnected to the Helsinki Fair and Conference Centre, the modern Holiday Inn Helsinki hotel has flawless service.

Culture vultures – The Ice Pearl Winter Fest runs from 13 – 22 February. Held at the Linnanmäki Amusement Park (1 Tivolikuja), it’s a fantastic family day out. Attractions include a miniature snowmobile track, snow sculptures, snow football, a skating rink, pony rides, snow golf, and carousel sledge. Check out all the latest boats and water-sports equipment at the Helsinki International Boat Show (6 – 15 February, Helsinki Fair Centre, 1 Messuaukio).

EIRA

Eira is the most elegant area of Helsinki. It’s also home to Kaviopuisto – Helsinki’s oldest and best-loved park.

Must eat – Saslik (12 Neitsytpolku, tel. ) serves Russian classics. Russian music, stained-glass windows, old samovars and paintings from the Motherland, all add to the atmosphere.

Must drink – Wave Bar (6 Hietalahdenranta) is a fashionable pre-party venue.

Dance the night away – Nosturi (8 Telakkakatu) is a live music venue, that hodtd a varied roster of acts, from indie gigs to a big mainstream groups.

Compiled by Evgenia Ivanova