10 Most Popular Neighbourhoods in Helsinki

Sörnäinen, called Sörkkä by locals, is a district bordered by the sea. There you’ll find the shopping mall Redi and the Merihaka housing area. In the summers, this is where the Tuska and Flow music festivals set up their stages. The Kalasatama area, which forms a part of this district, is a target for mushrooming new houses and office buildings, so the population of this area keeps growing at great speed. Compared to Kallio, Kalasatama is more industrial, more commercial and to some degree also more modern. The local attractions are not limited to simply drinking or dining. The shopping mall Redi hosts the largest concentration of services in the area. The best place for outdoor recreation, however, is the area of Mustikkamaa, on the other end of the Isoisänsilta Bridge. In summertime, the Kalasatama area of Sörnäinen also organizes the Tuska and Flow festivals – the district’s population can easily multiply in size in a short time. From central Helsinki, the easiest way to Sörnäinen is via subway. Depending on the final exit, you can get off at the Hakaniemi, Sörnäinen or Kalasatama stations.

Punavuori, also called Rööperi, had a bad reputation for the longest time. Today, you would hardly believe it. This area, which used to host smugglers, criminals and other lowlifes, is nowadays the lodestone of hipsters and artists -- filled with antique shops, art galleries and trendy places for drinking and dining. The best known landmarks of the area are Sinebrychoff Park, named after a brewery previously located here, and the Mikael Agricola Church at the southern edge of the district. And if you’re near the church, just drop by to try the products of the district’s own roastery or the café in the same building. For more places to get something to eat or drink, you can visit the eastern side of Punavuori, with selections like sushi, Italian food, vegan food, and multiple trendy bars. There are also hotels on Bulevardi Street and Annankatu Street, for example, and if these are booked full, there are plenty more in the neighboring Kamppi and Kaartinkaupunki districts.

Töölö, directly to the north of Kamppi, is a huge district that features, among other things, Hietaniemi Beach, a considerable number of parks and sights, and several sports venues. Generally, Töölö is considered to have two separate parts: Etu-Töölö, extending roughly from Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu to Eteläinen Hesperiakatu, and Taka-Töölö, extending from there to Stenbackinkatu and Nordensköldinkatu. The first one of these includes, among other things, the previously mentioned beach, the Parliament House and Finlandia Hall, while the latter part has Sibelius Park, the Olympic Stadium and Helsinki Ice Hall. Töölö is also known as a verdant area. There are parks both small and large, as well as the Helsinki City Winter Garden on the northern shore of Töölönlahti Bay. Töölö’s hotels can be found in the middle and southern parts of the district, offering accommodations alternatives for all tastes. Due to the central location of this area, we can easily recommend it to everyone going on a vacation in Helsinki.

The large district of Länsisatama includes the entire southwestern part of Helsinginniemi Peninsula. This is an area with great variety. In addition to the similarly named harbor, the area hosts high-rise houses, the Cable Factory event center, Salmisaari Sports Center and the famous sauna complex Löyly. This harbor is the busiest in Finland. During one year, well over 5 million people pass through its gates, mostly traveling from or to Estonia. The local hotels are also well-suited for other visitors, too -- the streetcars and the subways allow fast access to every part of the city centre. You can also just as easily access the neighboring districts of Töölö, Kamppi, Punavuori and Eira by walking. This area was revamped completely during the 2000s – so if you haven’t visited it in a while, you’ll be sure to find something new here.

It’s hard to be closer to the core of Helsinki than Kluuvi. This district reaches from Töölönlahti and Kaisaniemi parks to Esplanadi and, in the west-east direction, from Mannerheimintie to Unioninkatu. It’s not a large area, but certainly has the vibrancy of one. The landmarks are among the most famous in the city: the Helsinki Central Station, Stockmann and Sokos department stores, Ateneum and Kiasma museums, Kappeli restaurant, and many others. If you’re looking for a real metropolitan feeling in Finland, this is the place to be. And as almost all public transit routes go through Kluuvi, you can also travel rapidly wherever you want. Apart from the very edges, all other parts of the center are well within walking distance. If you’re looking for accommodations, perhaps the only blemish of the area is its popularity – hotels tend to get booked full in a matter of minutes.

Lauttasaari, approximately five kilometers southwest of the heart of Helsinki, is a diverse district. Its sights include a water tower, old housing blocks and several less-known travel destinations, such as the Veijarivuori Park and beach, which are located right at the southern tip of the island – you can even see an old anti-aircraft gun there. Meanwhile, on the shores of Hevosenkengänlahti Bay, at the northern peninsular tip of the island, there’s the popular Lauttasaari pavilion. You can stop by its terrace for a drink or to grab a bite. Right next to the pavilion is Kasinonranta Beach, which is popular among families with children. Lauttasaari is a bit distant from the center -- but if you take the subway, bus or a city bike, you can get there pretty fast. Bus 21, which goes to the island, travels through the whole area – so if you wish to test the mentioned beaches as easily as possible, it’s the best alternate.