Kiasma Museum
Contemporary art museum next to Oodi.
Museums
2 placesOodi Library
Architecturally striking central library, free to enter.
Eat
6 placesI’m vegetarian, eat mostly Huel and don’t drink coffee, so judge these recommendations accordingly.
Cafe Regatta
Tiny red seaside cottage cafe near Sibelius Monument, cinnamon buns, vegetarian/vegan-marked menu, open fire outside.
Plants By Us
Vegetarian cafe.
Why I like it
Great sandwiches and protein smoothies
Zucchini Vegetarian Cafe
Small, home-style lacto-vegetarian cafe since 1993, daily changing lunch, vegan options.
Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli)
Helsinki's oldest market hall (1889), stalls for salmon soup, cheeses, pastries and more, right by Market Square.
Silvoplee
Long-running, well-loved plant-based buffet, pay by weight — Helsinki's answer to Hermans.
Jädelino
Artisan Italian gelato in the Teurastamo food quarter; vegan pistachio is repeatedly called the best in the city.
Places to go
10 placesEsplanadi Park
Classic central Helsinki park and promenade.
Helsinki Cathedral
The white neoclassical cathedral overlooking Senate Square.
Kamppi Chapel of Silence
Striking wooden "chapel of silence," 2 min from the hotel.
Market Square (Kauppatori)
Harborside market with food stalls and handicrafts.
Parliament House
Granite Nordic-classicist seat of Finland's parliament.
Senate Square
Neoclassical plaza at the heart of the city.
Sibelius Monument
600-pipe steel sculpture in Sibelius Park.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
UNESCO sea fortress island, 20-min ferry from Market Square.
Temppeliaukio Church
Church carved directly into bedrock.
Uspenski Cathedral
Ornate Eastern Orthodox cathedral on Katajanokka.
Drinks
1 placeI don’t drink alcohol and I go to bed early, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
Keltainen Ruusu
Finland's largest sex shop, doubling as its biggest cruising venue.
Spas
8 placesAllas Sea Pool
Sea pool, heated pool, and saunas right on Market Square.
Kotiharjun Sauna
Old-school wood-fired public sauna since 1928, nude.
Kulttuurisauna
Small, tranquil sauna near Hakaniemi.
Löyly
Design-forward waterfront sauna with Baltic Sea swims.
Sauna Hermanni
Neighborhood sauna since 1953, local and unpretentious.
Sauna Con Hombres
Only dedicated gay sauna in Finland.
Sompasauna
Free, volunteer-run, donation-based wood-fired sauna on the water in Mustikkamaa. Nude, mixed, DIY — bring a towel and padlock.
Yrjönkatu Swimming Hall
Historic 1920s indoor pool with two saunas.