Insider story of Helsinki
- Filed under: Tips and Advise, Weekend Gateways, Europan Destinations
- Date: Jul 7,2008
Fashion designer Annika Rantala lives in Finland’s capital, where she retails her own clothing line in Helsinki’s emerging design district. Here’re some of her recommendations:
- Favorites spot: Suomenlinna is a historic naval fortress, reachable by ferry. It’s a beautiful place to spend a sunny summer day with a picnic.
- Hidden treasure: A Finnish sauna is a must, and the Kotiharju Sauna is the only remaining publick wood-burning one in the city.
- Best meal: Restaurant Tori in the trendy heart of the city, Punavuori. With a living room atmosphere, it’s popular with art and media people who dine off its extensive menu which includes excellent Finnish home cooking and all-day breakfast. Decent prices, too.
- Best music: Erottaja Bar is my favorite bar to hang out with my friends. It is small, cool and cozy, DJx play mostly electro music and it is packed on weekends. There is no dance floor, but I hear that people dance on the tables when the nights get crazy.
- Solo spot: Esplanade Park is in the middle of Helsinki, with hundreds of people walking through each day, yet you can sit on a bench with an ice cream and enjoy the crowd or read a book.
- Shopping: Helsinki Design District is ideal for the best Finnish design products - found in design and antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants and showrooms.
- Market: The Market Square is Helsinki’s most famous market, loved for its traditional food, produce, handicrafts and souvenirs. Its heated café tent is where you can sip steaming hot coffee even on the coldest of winter days. In summer, the flea market at Hietalahti market place is a must for great finds and good bargains.
- Quiet place: The park around Toolo Bay, with its winter gardens and historic wooden villas. Stop for coffee at Blue Villa; its opening is a sure sign that spring has arrived.
As told to Andrew bender of SilverKris Magazine
Why Dont Leave a comment