Helsinki Travel Forum

I'll be in helsinki in late august...for 2 & 1/2 days.Will see the church,
the lutheran one, try a sauna ( any reccommended here ? ),planning a day trip to tallin, an overnight ferry to Stockholm, and now will try the fortress.
Hoping to find out here, what's best to drink, beer and spirits ? Any special food I should try ?Checked John the finn's page about the beer tram...looked good except, it's not open when I'll be there !

thanks..
yes the finnish women~~~~~~ they look tempting..
but...........
according to your helsinki page..
the last woman seduced in helsinki was many many years ago..:-(
....so long ago...that they made a statue of her...!! LOL

....are the finnish women that hard to please...;-)
or do the men prefer skiing,drinking and chasing reinderr ..lol
I guess I will have to change things around..;-0
Don't know if 2 nights is enough though...

Is finland as expensive as norway..?..might have to shop at the supermarket...
organize my own bbq !
thanks for the tips
cheers
Kkili

Hi!

There is plenty to do in Helsinki for just 2 and a half days. The sea fortress (Suomenlinna) is a must, particularly if you have good weather - take a picnic (just pop into the food hall/deli in the basement of the Stockmann department store to get your provisions).

For dining I would certainly recommend Lasipalatsi, which is not so expensive if you stick to their standard ("classic") dishes. Reindeer saute is good (with mash and lingon berries), but reindeer steak is even better - it is worth paying a bit more for this. Or for something different try Lamb vorshmak. I would also recommend Elite for a really nice meal (not exactly budget though), or Salve for good value and very hearty Finnish food. The restaurants right in the centre (around the Esplanade and Aleksanderinkatu) can be quite expensive, but a couple of blocks further out from the centre you can get really good value food.

Probably best to stick to beer, which is not that expensive (certainly nothing like as expensive as Norway), but do try a Koskenkorva (or two ...) as well.

Have a great trip.

Andrew

thanks
Definitely will try the beer..
unsure about reindeers..kinda like them..but then I like cows too and Mcdonalds.Will tery stockmans too..sound interesting...will they take euros there or do I have to buy the Kr ?

For something a little different when eating in Hki, you might like to try Juuri Keittiö & Baari

See our restaurant tip http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/625cb/3b1b9/2/

We were very pleased when we went there last summer.

Dave

Hello,
Let this old married Finnish woman say a few words, too.
I think you should get a traveller's buscard for 24 hours. This way you can cruise around the town as much as you want - the weather might be a bit rainy in August. ALso, you can use the ticket on the ferryto Suomenlinna the fortress.
One of the best choices for supermarket shopping is inside Kamppi, the bus terminal and shopping area. The K supermarket is open on every day and even though it's a bit more expensive than the otjer K supermarkets, the selection is good. If you are in a terrible hurry, please note that the queues tend to be long.
Outside the shop you can buy snack food and a cup of coffee,too. (It's also open from 7am).
I read in an article that the public sauna - men and women don't go to sauna together, by the way - costs about 7 euro. But it's a real thing, though.
I hope yuo enjoy your stay in Helsinki,
regards, Soili

thanks for the info..
sauna sounds reasonable in price..
I'll try the card..especially if it gets me to the fortress too!

thanks guys..
one more ..
Someone suggested Porvoo...for a qucik regional trip
an hour away..8 euro bus trip..
is it worth it ?is the bus covered by the 3 day helsinki tourist ticket.

thanks for that...
I like that snow on red berries picture on your hp...!
kikili

Thanks..
I am stuck for time..2 and a half days..in HSK..the fortress, the church(lutheran),a day cruise to tallin, a sauna, kauppatori,and some fine Finnish food/beer.
Porvoo is faster by bus, but boring, John says.
It's an afterthought of mine.The bus , it is said ,takes an hour 1way and the ferry/boat cruise 3&1/2 hrs one way !So the boat option is too tight for my schedule. I'll probably decide when I get there !
thanks again