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The Finns have got it, we’ve known that for a long time. Cool bars, great food, a young fashion scene – they all come together in Helsinki. Read the tips from insider and street style photographer Liisa Jokinen here.
The Finns are a people apart. Close to nature, in love with design, down-to-earth and very focused on their independence. Helsinki even insists on its own dialect “Stadin Slangi” – whereby only Helsinki is referred to as “Stadi”, all other Finnish cities are called “Kaupunki”. Perfect for a city trip in December – if it’s winter, then at least it’s in the north. Santa didn’t have time at the moment. Instead, the secrets of Helsinki are revealed by someone who knows her way around the city’s streets. The owner of Finland’s most famous street style blog “Hel Looks” could “never live anywhere else”. Find out why here.
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Saint Lucy’s Day (13.12.)
The Scandinavians don’t have many holy days – this is one of them.
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Christmas Market (2.-22.12.)
Christmas market with mulled wine and hats in honor, in Helsinki you at least have good reason to warm up intravenously.
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Motörhead Live (18.12.)
The bells never ring harder… nothing fits better into Advent than Lemmy Live.
Hotels in Helsinki
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The Hotel Room in the Kallio district has just one room. We wonder if it’s ever free, but if it is, then you’re living in typical Finnish style. Even the wallpaper was specially created by a Finnish artist. 30 square meters of authentic Helsinki feeling from 70 euros per night.
Helsinginkatu 12, 00500 Helsinki
Restaurants in Helsinki
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True Helsinkians start the day with a decent porridge in the orange-colored Kahvisiskot tent at the Hakaniemi market.
Hakaniemi Market, 00530 Helsinki
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Finland is not bloody red, but ecologically green. That’s why people also meet at lunchtime in the café Zucchiniwhere the best vegetarian and vegan food is served. Only Mondays to Fridays from 11.00 to 16.00.
Fabianinkatu 4, 00130 Helsinki
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The food in the tiny restaurant
Chef & Sommelier
is so good that it brings tears to your eyes. Honestly now. The ingredients come from the chef’s garden – put together in daily changing menus.
Huvilakatu 28, 00150 Helsinki
Shopping in Helsinki
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Vuokko Nurmesniemi is famous for her classic, timeless designs. The cult boutique Marimekko the grande dame of Finnish fashion, can be found at Pohjoisesplanadi 27.
Pohjoisesplanadi 27, 00130 Helsinki
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Götan Maailma
is a great second hand store for interiors, specializing in stuffed animals, but I’m sure they all died of natural causes. Directly opposite is the vintage store San Francisco Gay Night. Worth a visit for the name alone.
Tarkk’ampujankatu 11, 00150 Helsinki
Party in Helsinki
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Because Helsinki is simply a little different, the current place to be is also a little unique: The brand new Putte’s Bar & Pizza is pizza upstairs, disco downstairs. Saves the trip to the kebab shop after the club.
Kalevankatu 6, 00100 Helsinki
Helsinki’s neighborhoods
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Once upon a time Punavuori low rents and high crime rates. Today, nightlife pulsates in the district in the southwest of Helsinki.
Punavuori
, 00120 Helsinki
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In the former workers’ district Kallio the student apartments, junk stores and pubs where Helsinki’s bohemians drink the night away form a contrast to the slick city center.
Kallio
, 00530 Helsinki
Must do in Helsinki
The sauna belongs to Finland like vodka belongs to Russia or pizza belongs to Italy. So please make sure you sweat at least once in one of the public saunas. We recommend the Kotiharjun Sauna or the
Arlan Sauna.
Harjutorinkatu 1, 00500 Helsinki
Kaarlenkatu 15, 00510 Helsinki
Liisa Jokinen is a street style photographer, owner of the blog “Hel Looks”, works as a freelance writer and runs the online travel service “Nopsa”.
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