Discover Helsinki and let off some steam!

Relax and unwind in a modern European cultural city where urban cosmopolitan lifestyle exists in perfect harmony with nature. Just as Helsinki cannot be described in one word, neither can it be experienced in just one way. Helsinki has something for everyone.

Green city

The beautiful clean nature surrounding Helsinki offers unlimited possibilities for relaxing and enjoying healthy out-door activities. The city’s many parks are enjoyed by tourists and residents alike, and the forests of the Central Park (Keskuspuisto) begin close to the city centre. Helsinki also offers a wide range of high-quality sports activities throughout the year. The surrounding sea adds to the number of activities, allowing you to try fishing, canoeing, sailing, swimming and even ice swimming after a hot sauna in wintertime. Helsinki also offers excellent facilities for enjoying golf, horseback riding, cycling, skiing and Nordic Walking. The four distinct seasons provide their own unique conditions for enjoying the nature.

Cultural city

Although Finnish culture is often summarised as “sauna, sisu and Sibelius”, the Finnish capital offers a whole lot more than just this holy trinity. Helsinki’s cultural life is undeniably the most active in Finland. Whether you wish to enjoy music, theatre or the arts, there is plenty to see and experience every day of the week. For example, Helsinki is home to seven orchestras, 80 museums, and countless galleries and art exhibitions, not to mention Finland’s national opera, theatre and ballet.

Design city

Helsinki has its very own Design District, an area that is home to a wide range of designer shops, interior decorat-ing studios, antique dealers, clothing and jewellery boutiques, artist workshops, galleries, museums, restaurants and lots more. The easiest way to discover the Design District is to take the Design Walk, a two-hour guided tour of the top sights. You can also stay overnight in the Design District at the stylish Klaus K hotel operated by Design Hotels.

Trendy City

A wide range of clubs and bars offers something for everyone in terms of clientele, atmosphere and price. Helsinki has a strong DJ-led club culture that has established a deserved foothold in the international scene in recent years. The trendiest establishments favoured by media and cultural personalities can be found in the districts of Kamppi and Punavuori. Large and friendly clubs for everyone can be found in the city centre, while slightly more mature cultural people prefer the scene in the Töölö district. A particularly youthful and exciting atmosphere can be experi-enced in the former working-class district of Kallio.

A symbol of our city

The brilliant white cathedral known in Finnish as ‘Tuomiokirkko’ is the symbol of Helsinki. The cathedral can be best admired on a sunny day when the bright light reflecting off its chalk-white walls creates a mirage-like effect. In front of the cathedral sits Senate Square, which is surrounded by many historical buildings. Helsinki Cathedral and Sen-ate Square form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture, for which reason this is the most popular tourist attraction in Helsinki and the most photographed place in Finland. The area is also a lively centre of commerce and a place of work and study for thousands every day.

Where East meets West

Influences from both the East and West are visible in the city’s architecture, culinary culture, events, traditions and many other elements that are unique to the way of life in Helsinki. Taste the influences in Helsinki’s culinary culture. The oven-cooking traditions of Eastern Finland and the grilling culture of Western Finland are these days inter-woven, and both are represented in the local cuisine. Eastern cultural traditions are also reflected in our love for preserved foods and our use of Northern grains, such as rye and barley. Rye bread is still the most popular type of bread at the dinner table in Helsinki.

Getting there

easyJet now offers daily flights to Helsinki from London Gatwick starting from just £32.99 single including taxes - for flights, hotel, car hire and all your travel extras, book at easyJet.com .