Western Helsinki
Map of Helsinki/West
Western Helsinki comprises the parts Helsinki that are west of the railway, northwest of Baana and all the way past Munkkiniemi and Munkkivuori shopping mall up to the Haaga roundabout.
Get in
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Note: From 6 March 2023 to the end of 2025, Mannerheimintie from the Main Post Office to Reijolankatu will be dug up for renovation works on water pipes and electricity and telecommunication cables. This will affect all types of transport; trams, buses, cars, bikers and pedestrians. Expect congestion and difficulties for getting around. See the website of the city government for more details |
Choosing the right form of transportation very much depends on which part of this city district you want to visit. For the northern parts, many buses from central Helsinki to western Vantaa and northern Espoo travel along Mannerheimintie. So do the trams 4 which goes all the way to Munkkiniemi and 10 which goes to Pikku-Huopalahti. If you are going in the direction of Seurasaari or the Sibelius monument, bus 24 brings you there. Tram 2 takes you to Töölö. From the Inner East, trams 8 and 9 connect you with most of the central western and southwestern Helsinki and the circular lines 3 (changes to 2 on the way) and 7 connect Pasila with Töölö.
Highway 1 and the older Highway 110 from Turku end in Western Helsinki, and Highway 3 from Tampere turns into Mannerheimintie here. Finnair's airport bus from Helsinki Airport stops at Scandic Continental on Mannerheimintie on its way to the city centre.
If coming by train, Pasila Railway Station serves this part of the city and all trains to Helsinki, both local and long-distance, except the Allegro service from St. Petersburg, stop there too.
See
- See also: Along Mannerheimintie
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Töölö, both Etu-Töölö and Taka-Töölö districts, are great places to see functionalist architecture.
Parks and outdoor sights
- 1 Seurasaari Open Air Museum (Fölisön). A pleasant little island to the north of the centre, filled with walking trails and a living history museum of authentic old Finnish houses collected from all over the country. An excellent half-day trip, especially in the summer, when many buildings have museum staff who practice crafts in traditional dress. There's a very pleasant if somewhat pricey summer café/restaurant atop a small hill at the center of the island. Entry to the park free, entry into the museum buildings costs €6 (€5 concession), buy tickets at entrance. Take bus 24 from Erottaja at the northern end of Esplanadi to the terminus (20–30 minutes), then walk across the bridge. Beware of mercenary squirrels that will raid your bags if you carry any food and gulls that take shares of your ice cream.
- 2 Töölönlahti (northwest from the central railway station). This is a bay surrounded by a nice park that is dotted with attractions such as the Finlandia Concert Hall and the National Opera. Töölönlahti is partly in a natural state which is quite rare in major cities. Walking and jogging around the bay is a popular outdoor activity.
- 3 [dead link] Sibelius Monument, Sibelius Park. The world-famous composer Jean Sibelius' monument was designed by sculptress Eila Hiltunen and unveiled in 1967. It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Helsinki as nearly every guided tourist tour is brought to Sibelius Park to marvel at this unique work of art resembling organ pipes, welded together from 600 pipes and weighing over 24 metric tons.
- 4 Eläintarha (between the Opera and Nordenskiöldinkatu, east of Mannerheimintie). Despite its name, which translates to "Animal Garden", there is no zoo in this park. Instead many of Helsinki's sport venues like the Olympic stadium, Swimming stadium, Sonera stadium, Töölön Kisahalli and Helsinki Ice Hall are either in the park or close to it.
- 5 Winter Garden (Talvipuutarha), Hammarskjöldintie 1. Tu 09:00-15:00, W-F 12:00-15:00, Sa Su 12:00-16:00. Tropical garden where you can see palms, cacti and flowers around the year. In the summer a nice café operates in the garden. free.
- 6 The murder place of Heikki Ritavuori (Heikki Ritavuoren murhapaikka), Nervanderinkatu 11 D 16. Finnish Interior Minister Heikki Ritavuori was assassinated by Swedish-speaking activist Ernst Tandefelt. At the front door of Ritavuori's former home stands the Finnish text: "Minister of the Interior Heikki Ritavuori was killed in front of his front door on 14 February 1922 by a bullet from an Assassin."
Museums
- 7 National Museum of Finland (Kansallismuseo), Mannerheimintie 34. Tu-W 11:00-20:00, Th-Su 11:00-18:00, Closed M. A beautiful classical building houses this old museum, which has been renovated. The exhibit includes displays of artifacts and items relating to Finland's history. €16/11 adult/child. Free admission for visitors under 18. Tuesday has free admission from 17:30-20:00.
- 8 Finnish Museum of Natural History (Luonnontieteen museo), Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23 (near the Parliament). Daily 10:00-16:00. The museum of natural history is operated by Helsinki University and shows Finnish wildlife, dinosaur skeletons and everything in-between. adults €10, kids €5.
- 9 Urho Kekkonen Museum Tamminiemi (Ekudden), Seurasaarentie 15 (Bus 24, near the bridge to Seurasaari). W–Su 11:00-17:00. If you are visiting Seurasaari you can also take look into the daily life of Finland's long time president, Urho Kekkonen. His residence Tamminiemi was turned into a museum in the 1980s. admission €6.50.
- 10 Villa Gyllenberg, Kuusisaarenpolku 11 (Buses 194, 195). W 16:00-20:00, Su noon-16:00. A private art gallery on Kuusisaari island with sculptures and older and contemporary Finnish art. adults €10, concessions €8.
- 11 Dirdrichsen Art Gallery (Didrichsenin taidemuseo), Kuusilahdenkuja 1, ☏ +358 10-2193-970. Tu–Su 11:00–18:00. A collection of more than one thousand pieces of Finnish and modern international art, and artifacts from ancient Oriental and Pre-Columbian cultures. It is housed in a modernist building by famed Finnish architect Viljo Revell. Guided tours in English on the 1st Saturday of every month at 12:00. Adult €13, concession €10.
Churches and religious sights
- 12 The Church in the Rock (Temppeliaukion kirkko, literally "Temple Square Church"), Lutherinkatu 3 (Tram: 2), ☏ +358 9 494698. Daily 10:00-17:00, but if services or other activities (e.g. weddings) take place the church has limited access for tourist visitors. Phone +358 (0)9 2340 5940 for a bulletin on current activities. English services on Sundays at 14:00, open to the public. An atmospheric of minimalistic church, this church was literally dug out of solid rock. From above, it resembles a crashed UFO. The roof is made of 22 km of copper strips. Completed in 1969, this has become one of Helsinki's most popular attractions. Concerts are often held here thanks to the excellent acoustics. €5.
- 13 Hietaniemi Cemetery (Hietaniemen hautausmaa) (between Mechelininkatu and the sea). Helsinki's equivalent to Arlington in Washington D.C., Hietaniemi is the final resting place for many Finns of importance during the last 200 years: politicians including almost all heads of state, artists and other cultural personalities, war heroes and so on. Some grave monuments are quite impressive.
Other buildings
- 14 Parliament House (Eduskunta), Mannerheimintie 30. The House of the 200-seat Parliament of Finland was designed by J.S. Sirén in the classic style of the 1920s and officially inaugurated in 1931. The interior is classical with a touch of functionalism and art deco. Tours in English Sa at 11:00 and 12:00, Su at 12:00 and 13:00. During Jul and Aug English tours are M-F at 13:00. Free.
- 15 Finlandia Hall, Mannerheimintie 13. M-F 09:00-16:00. Designed by Finland's best known architect Alvar Aalto. It is across the street from the National Museum. The marble Finlandia Hall is a popular congress and concert venue in Helsinki. The building itself is worth a visit particularly for architecture buffs, with guided tours available (€6/4, check website for schedule). Be sure to view the building also from across the Töölönlahti bay in the evening when it is floodlit. Free.
Olympic sights
Helsinki is an Olympic city, the host of the 1952 Olympic Games. The Games were planned for 1940, but due to the Second World War, they were postponed. Burdened by the post-war shortages and the war reparations that had to be paid, arranging the Olympic games just eight years after the war was quite a feat. In the same year 1952, a month before Helsinki Olympics Armi Kuusela won the very first Miss Universe pageant, another thing for Finns to be proud of.
- 16 Olympic Stadium. M-F 09:00-20:00, Sa Su 09:00-18:00. It was built for the Olympics and renovated for the 2005 World Athletic Championships. In the stadium building you can visit the Sports Museum with medals and other paraphernalia related to sport. Another stadium called Sonera stadium used for football (soccer) games is located north of the stadium. The most popular building in the complex, though, is the Uimastadion, Helsinki's largest outdoor pool (open May-Sep), whose three pools and water slides draw around 5,000 visitors a day in the summer. After the war, the pool was used to store herring and potatoes! After a long renovation, the stadium and tower reopened in 2020.
- 17 Olympic Tower. The stadium features 72-m-high tower (14 storeys) that offers a great view over the city. After the reopening in 2020 you can only get up and down the tower using the elevator; the stairs on the outside are closed to the public. €5 for adults, €2 for children.
Itineraries
Do
- 1 Hietaniemi Beach, Hietaniemenkatu (Buses 55A and 18 or tram 2 from Kamppi/Rautatientori, or just walk (15-20 min from the centre).). It's safe to say that most people don't come to Helsinki for the beaches, but on a hot summer day in July Hietsu (as it is known to locals) is a good place to be. Beach volleyball, swimming and various events are popular. It's wide city center sand beach and moreover, surrounded with large park area, where people sunbathe and picnic in the summer time.
- 2 National Opera (Kansallisooppera), Helsinginkatu 58, ☏ +358 9 403021. Lavishly subsidized, but it's still easy to get good seats. Tickets €14-84. Students can buy discount tickets for performances on the same day for €10 if there are still seats left, but these tickets have to be bought in person. An international student card is valid. Pensioners get €5 off, and children get their tickets at half regular price. Also runs the National Ballet (Kansallisbaletti).
- 3 Korjaamo Cultural Factory, Töölönkatu 51, ☏ +358 504 072 467. Situated in the old tram depot, Korjaamo is made up of galleries, a café, bar, club space, a theatre, shop, and even the Tram Museum is still here. Since the Vaunuhalli was opened in the summer of 2008, Korjaamo is now the biggest cultural centre in the country. While the work is diverse, you could say that the kind of art on offer at Korjaamo is independent, different, and worth keeping an eye on.
- 4 Laguuni Hietsu, Hiekkarannantie, ☏ +358 29 170 0353. You can rent a standup paddleboard or a kayak.
- 5 Hakuna Matata Sup Rental, Karamzininranta 4 (Next to Finlandia-hall), ☏ +358 40 140 7705, info@hakunamatata-sup.fi. You can rent a SUP, a kayak, a canoe, a wooden rowing boat or even a paddle boat.
Sports
- 6 Telia 5G Areena (formerly Sonera Stadium and Finnair Stadium), Urheilukatu 5 (next to Olympic Stadium). The home of football (soccer) team HJK. Tickets for matches start from €12.
- 7 Hartwall Areena, Areenankuja 1 (7 min walk from Pasila station, 10 min walk from Tram 7 stop at Kyllikinportti). The largest indoor arena in Finland, the home of ice hockey team Jokerit and also a popular venue for concerts. As the main owners of the arena as of 2022 are Russians, the arena became disused when the War in Ukraine started and no events take place here.
- 8 Helsingin Jäähalli, Nordenskiöldinkatu 11-13 (1 block from Tram 2, 4, 7, and 10). The home of ice hockey team HIFK. Tickets for matches start from €10.
- 9 Oodi, Töölönlahdenkatu 4. The main library of Helsinki, also hosting some minor events.
Buy
Record stores
- 1 Levykauppa Äx, Fredrikinkatu 59. Possibly the most well-known record shop in Finland which does have plans to start a political party. Mostly new items.
- 2 Green Grass, Fredrikinkatu 60. Mostly second hand. Rock/pop. Old but good/cheap stuff. near Äx. Recommended.
Souvenier shops
- 3 Anne's Shop (Annensoppi), Fredrikinkatu 68 (in the Etu-Töölö district; next to the Church in the Rock), ☏ +358 9 445 823, info@annensoppi.com. In Summer: 09:00–18:00; in winter: 09:00–17:00. The oldest souvenir shop in Helsinki still serving tourists from near and far.
Flea markets
- 4 [dead link] Flea market in Helsingin Jäähalli (Jäähallin kirpputori), Nordenskiöldinkatu 11-13. Sa Su 09:00-13:30. Besides sports events, the ice hall (or more precisely the corridors around the actual sports ground) is a venue of regular weekend flea markets.
Malls
- 5 Mall of Tripla, Frederikanterassi 1. Opened in October 2019, adjacent to Pasila Railway Station. This is the biggest shopping mall in the Nordic Countries in regards to number of shops, of which there are 250. The mall also houses a movie theater and the Music museum "Fame".
Eat
Budget
- 1 Kuu Kuu, Museokatu 17. M-F 11:00-01:00, Sa 12:00-01:00, Su 12:00-22:00. A cosy modern bar/restaurant. Populated by local actors and artists, this newly renovated place offers easygoing, simple Finnish food. Serves food until midnight on weekdays (that is very late in Finland) and is also a nice place for drinks. Still relatively free from tourists so don't expect hearing anything else but Finnish and Swedish here (staff is still multilingual).
- 2 [dead link] Queen Sheba Ethiopian Restaurant, Mechelininkatu 8, ☏ +358 50 433 4546. Enjoy Ethiopian cuisine, hot and spicy; injera as the heart of a meal, a large, soft, sourdough crepe. It is believed that coffee originates in the Kaffa province in Ethiopia. Ethiopian coffee is strong, rich and soft – just like good coffee should be. The Ethiopian coffee ceremony with its aroma and taste is worth experiencing. Table reservation recommended.
- 3 McDonalds, Mannerheimintie 53 (tram 2, 4, 7B, 10). 24/7. If you plan to have a meal in a McD, then consider the one in northern Töölö which is furnished with American diner paraphernalia. Also known as the "Rock n'roll McDonald's".
- 4 Töölö Hospital restaurant (Töölön sairaalan lounasravintola), Topeliuksenkatu 5, ☏ +358 50 427 1678, ruokapalvelut.toolonsairaala@hus.fi. M-F 10:45-14:15 Sa-Su 11:45-14:00.
Mid-range
- 5 Benjam's Bistro, Dagmarinkatu 5, ☏ +358 9 492 322. You want home made Italian cooking in Helsinki? Here it is. Benjam's is run by an Italian family. Atmosphere is cosy, but some of the food comes directly from the supermarket, tortellini and many desserts, for example. Main dishes €10–15.
- 6 Kuu, Töölönkatu 27. Restaurant Kuu has been offering Finnish specialities in the bohemian Töölö-district since 1966. Completely renovated. A really good and decently priced wine-list, from the dishes the smoked salmon soup (€9.50/€14.40) is a real classic.
- 7 Manala, Dagmarinkatu 2 (Trams: 2, 4, 7A/B, 10), ☏ +358 9 5807 7707. M-F 11:00-04:00, Sa Su 14:00-04:00, lunch menus M-F 11:00-14:00. The name may mean "Hell" and their motto "For devilish hunger and hellish thirst", but it's actually an understated white-linen-cloth restaurant serving traditional Finnish food and wood-fired pizzas. Main dishes €10-30.
- 8 Messenius, Messeniuksenkatu 7, ☏ +358 9 2414950. This fine neighbourhood place outside the city centre is famed for the "catch of the day", often caught by the fishing enthusiast owners themselves. Also fairly good steaks for the carnivores among us.
- 9 Perho, Mechelininkatu 7, ☏ +358 9 508 786 49. Open M-Sa 11:00-23:00, Su 12:00-17:00. Run by a cooking school, the cooks and waiters are all enthusiastic students, so the quality of food and service are good. Serves traditional Finnish and Russian food. Set menus €20–30, including wine.
- 10 Ravintola N:o 11 (Restaurant Nr. 11), Pihlajatie 34, ☏ +358 9 477 2863. This classic neighbourhood eatery in the Meilahti district, long known as Kuusihokki. Its original 1946 name was restored by its new owners who also improved the kitchen. The menu consists of basic but superbly executed classics such as salmon soup. The fantastic original 1940s interior is also worth seeing.
- 11 White Lady, Mannerheimintie 93 (in Meilahti; next to the Lotta Svärd Association), ☏ +358 9 241 3562, ravintola@whitelady.fi. W-F 15:00-21:00, Sa 14:00-21:00, Su 14:00-19:00. The cozy family restaurant with the classical dishes. Main dishes €20-35.
Splurge
- 12 Carelia, Mannerheimintie 56, ☏ +358 9 27090976. Finnish-French with a strong fish and seafood emphasis. Oysters and other seafood in winter, local fish in the summer season. Located in the premises of an old pharmacy with some of the pharmacy interior still intact. One of the best (if not the best) wine cellars in town: there are 37 different champagnes alone on the wine list.
- 13 Troikka, Caloniuksenkatu 3, ☏ +358 50 3407 100. The cosiest Russian style restaurant in Helsinki. The restaurant has been there from the 1920s and has a colourful history. Juri Repin, the son of the famous Ilja Repin, frequented it and sometimes paid his meals with paintings.
Sushi at a Japanese restaurant. - 14 Tokyo55, Runeberginkatu 55, ☏ +358 10 841 1111. Tu–F 16:00–00:00, Sa 14:00–00:00. The speciality here is sushi, served up by Japanese chefs, but there are also Finnish-styled options like maki rolls with smoked salmon and dill. Good selection of sake and Japanese beers. €30.
- 15 Finnjävel, Ainonkatu 3, ☏ +358 300 472340. Salonki: Tu-Sa 17:00-23:30; Sali: Tu-Fr 11.30-23:30, Sa 13:00-23:30. Michelin-starred fine dining restaurant serving Finnish food. The place contains two restaurants: Salonki for serving Finnish cuisine with the rich flavours of the Northern wilderness, and Sali for serving casual, yet elegant Finnish food in a cosy atmosphere. Menu Salonki: €98-126; Menu Finnjävel: €59; Finnjävel's Better Lunch: €39.
- 16 Farang, Arkadiankatu 6, ☏ +358 9 4544 212, info@farang.fi. Tu-Sa 17:00-00:00. Farang serves fresh, unique dishes from South-East Asia in a modern decor. Try one of the tasting menus if you can't decide what to have. Mains €20–25, tasting menus €55–64.
- 17 Elite, Eteläinen Hesperiankatu 22. In the 1930s, many artists, actors and other creative personalities lived in Töölö. Elite opened in 1932, and the restaurant almost instantly became a living room for them. The restaurant still has a feel from those days including paintings from the era on the walls, and some dishes are named after the famous patrons from those days.
Drink
Cafés
- 1 Kaffecentralen, Museokatu 9. This little shop concentrates on selling espresso paraphernalia, and also serves excellent cappuccino.
- 2 Café & Eepos, Runeberginkatu 29 (near Temppeliaukion kirkko). A hidden gem. Delicious pastries, pies and buns – and books for reading. There are even glasses available for those with poor eyesight.
- 3 Café Regatta, Merikannontie 10, ☏ +358 40 0760049. 10:00-23:00. A pleasant little café located at the seashore in western Töölö. Serves good coffee and pastries. In summertime, the café tends to be absolutely packed with locals and tourists. You're better off sitting at the terrace rather than inside the café. Coffee costs €2, but if you have an additional cup, the café actually gives you 5 cents back instead of charging you.
- 4 Sinisen huvilan kahvila, Linnunlauluntie 11 (Töölönlahti, up the hill). 10:00-22:00 during summertime. The "Café of the Blue Villa" is an outdoors café with fantastic views over the Töölönlahti bay. Small coffee €1.50.
- 5 Café Tin Tin Tango, Töölöntorinkatu 7 (tram 2, 8), ☏ +358 9-27090972. M-F 07:00-00:00, Sa Su 09:00-02:00. A uniquely Helsinki combination of café, restaurant, bar, laundromat and sauna, Tin Tin Tango serves up all-day breakfast, soups, salads and sandwiches, but stays open late with wine and occasional live music. Laundry/dryer €4/2. Sauna rental €22-32/hour (1–10 people), reservations required.
Bars and pubs
- 6 Korjaamo, Töölönkatu 51, ☏ +358 9 4540 117. Café open daily 11:00–17:00, bar M Tu 16:00–11:00, W Th 16:00-01:00, F Sa 16:00–03:00, Su closed. Nice terrace, two floor laid back bar with live DJs in the evening and café in the building of the Korjaamo Cultural Factory. Free access to Apple computers with Internet, Wi-Fi.
- 7 Olutravintola Vastarannan Kiiski, Runeberginkatu 26. M-Th 15:00-02:00, F Sa 15:00-03:00, Su 15:00-00:00. Beer from all over the world.
- 8 Pub Pete, Hietaniemenkatu 7.
- 9 Storyville, Aurorankatu 8. Jazz club and restaurant, often live music.
- 10 St. Urho's Pub, Museokatu 10, ☏ +358 9 5807 7222. 15:00-01:00 mostly. A nice, cosy traditional pub. Quite spacious interior. Over a hundred beers and ciders available, on tap and in bottles. The food is a bit pricey. Beer €5–9.
Sleep
Budget
- 1 Summer Hostel Academica, Hietaniemenkatu 14 (M Kamppi, Tram 2), fax: +358 (9) 441 201, hostel.academica@hyy.fi. June–August only. Summer hostel. Dorms from €25, hotel rooms from €50.
Mid-range
- 2 Helka, Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 23 (near M Kamppi). A dependable old standby. Around €150.
- 3 Scandic Park Helsinki, Mannerheimintie 46 (near trams 4, 7, and 10), ☏ +358 9 4737 1, fax: +358 9 4737 2211, parkhelsinki@scandichotels.com. A large, modern hotel catering to families, leisure travellers, and business travellers. Over 500 rooms, sauna, exercise facilities, Wi-Fi, restaurant and bar. Breakfast included. From €89.
- 4 Hellsten Helsinki Parliament, Museokatu 18, ☏ +358 9 2511 050, fax: +358 9 2511 0600, helsinki@hellstenhotels.fi. A modern hotel in an old apartment building. Rooms are modern, spacious and have nice views to the park across the street and to the others architecturally beautiful buildings.
Splurge
- 5 Crowne Plaza, Mannerheimintie 50, ☏ +358 9 2521 0000. Modern furniture. Gym with a pool. From €255.
- 6 Hilton Helsinki Kalastajatorppa, Kalastajatorpantie 1, ☏ +358 9 45811, fax: +358 9 4581 2211, helsinkikalastajatorppa@hilton.com.
- 7 Sokos Hotel Pasila, Maistraatinportti 3, ☏ +358 20 1234 613, fax: +358 9 143 771, pasila.helsinki@sokoshotels.fi.
Connect
Internet access
Wireless internet can be used in some of the branches of the city library (for example Töölö library, Topeliuksenkatu 6). Also some cafés (Picnic), restaurants and fast food chains (McDonald's) offer wireless internet connections.