Schmap Helsinki Neighborhood Guide

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Helsinki - Neighborhood Guide
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Helsinki Home
Schmap Helsinki guide and map

Helsinki, founded on June 12, 1550, is a multi-faceted town that is unique in many ways and has much to offer any visitor.

Helsinki is set apart from other big historical cities by two factors: the great physical presence of nature and the very clear street network. Most big cities have a limited number of parks. In Helsinki, parks can be found behind almost every corner. Even in the most densely-built districts of the city centre, dense parks have been introduced to liven up the landscape. Both the overwhelming presence of nature and the clear street pattern - the network of straight, symmetrical wide streets, which make finding any address a simple task - are the creation of the city's two main designers, Johan Albrecht Ehrenström and Carl Ludvig Engel.

Ehrenström's symmetrical street pattern with its wide streets and multitude of parks was ahead of its time; cities built in the early 1800s haven't usually been built for the comfort of the citizens so clearly in mind. Engel, on the other hand, has had a profound influence on the Helsinki cityscape with his elegant, tall and symmetrical buildings. Engel designed over 30 public buildings in Helsinki as well as a great number of private houses. All these buildings, especially the fabulous historical centre, have had a huge impact on all later developments in Helsinki.

Helsinki opens up to the sea. This is part of the original plans by Ehrenström and Engel. Most of the shoreline has no major buildings on it. The shoreline itself has been constructed in several places to make it ampler and more open; this feature has made the sea a palpable presence throughout the city.

Architecture

Helsinki is first and foremost a city of great architecture and stunning nature. Fabulous buildings are visible all the time, from the historical buildings around the Senate Square to the mighty Parliamen House, the Functionalist silhouettes of the Olympic Stadium and the Lasipalatsi, the lustre of the Kämp Gallery and Stockmann department store and the several modern buildings designed by the renowned architect Alvar Aalto.

Parks

When you have admired the buildings, it is time to take the weight off your feet at one of the city's innumerable parks. From the symmetrical designs of Esplanade Park and Eira's parks to the natural splendour of the Central Park and Sibelius Park, there are parks for all tastes at all locations. Kaivopuisto Park, Kaisaniemi Park, Fredrik Stjernvall Park, Tehtaanpuisto Park, Ensipuistikko Park, Neitsytpuisto Park, Kolmikulma Greens, the Old Church Park, Kanavapuisto Park, Sinebrychoff Park, Lastenlehto Park, Topelius Park, Humallahdenpuisto Greens, Sammonpuistikko Park, Hesperia Park... the list goes on and on.

Event and Festivals

Helsinki is also a cultural city, with a plethora of events taking place. The June Helsinki Day, the Helsinki Festival, the Helsinki International Film Festival "Love and Anarchy", the Night of the Arts, the Sibelius International Violin Contest, Musica Nova Helsinki, Concerts in the Park, the Children's International Theatre Festival and the Day of the Rose and the Book all follow one another and provide great cultural experiences. In addition to the festivals, there is also the regular cultural output of countless theatre and dance troupes, some of the world's finest orchestras and choirs, rock concerts, films and the Finnish National Opera and Ballet, often considered to be among the seven greatest of the world.

In addition to the cultural festivals, Helsinki is piled high with other events, such as the October Herring Festival, the Naisten kymppi outing, the Helsinki City Marathon, the provincial fairs that take place on the Senate Square, the Midsummer festivals, the May Day carnival and the annual Samba carnival.

Districts

Helsinki is divided into a total of 54 districts. Some of these districts are often counted as one, and sometimes the city is merely divided into the centre and the suburbs. In general, you could say that the southern districts are older and more revered, and they contain most of the city's main tourist attractions.

Eira, Ullanlinna and Kaivopuisto

Eira, Ullanlinna and Kaivopuisto are all respected districts full of parks, historical buildings and statues. Eira is known for its Jugend-style (ie Art Nouveau) houses, parks and beautiful boulevards. Eira centres around Engel Square, which is surrounded by beautiful buildings, including the Chinese Embassy. Ullanlinna, with its marine panorama and densely-built historical buildings is popular among stylish young adults, interior designers and architects. Kaivopuisto's lovely park features large and hugely expensive houses and embassies. This district is popular among bankers and diplomats and is considered a bit snobbish and superior.

Punavuori

Punavuori and the slightly more northern district of Kallio were traditionally working men's districts, though Punavuori has tried to improve its image in recent years. Punavuori is full of old buildings and popular among young graduates and a large international populace. Kallio is known for its waterways, Hakaniemi Square and the fabulous Kallio church. The district is mostly populated by young, highly educated adults and low-income families.

Töölö

The respectable district of Töölö is full of old apartment buildings which, though densely packed, are beautiful. Apartments in these buildings are highly sought-after. Töölö also has many spectacular sights, from the Hietaniemi Cemetery to the Sibelius Monument, Parliamen Building, Olympic Stadium and the gorgeous parklands around Töölö Bay. Behind Töölö lies the district of Meilahti, known for its old villas. Meilahti is a roomy district populated by the middle-classes.

Katajanokka

Katajanokka used to be a moody district, slightly cut off from the rest of the city. It was known for its ports and prison. Nowadays this architecturally significant, Jugend-style district is part of many sightseeing tours, and is populated by artists and journalists. It is also a political centre. North of Katajanokka lies the peaceful and highly respected district of Kruununhaka. Kruununhaka is the neighbour of the historical centre designed by Engel.

Kamppi

Kamppi is a densely-populated district that stretches from the Central Railway Station to the Cable Factory. Kamppi features the city's most important services and excellent transport connections, but also a number of sights, such as Kiasma and the Ruoholahti villas, historically significant wooden buildings that are some of the oldest in the city. Right between Kamppi and Kaartinkaupunki lies Kluuvi, the busiest district in Helsinki. Kluuvi is a great place to shop or eat out.

In Helsinki, history and modern life, man and nature come together in harmony to create a city like no other.

Copyright 1999-2005 Wcities, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Contact Wcities

Eira

Helsinki
Finland

South of the city center, the district took its name from Eira Hospital, inspired by the Eir of Scandinavian mythology, valkyrie and patroness of healers. Tailored to sophisticated tastes, Eira features luxurious historic apartments built in the jugend style, a German variation on art nouveau around the turn of the 2th century. High-class restaurants and many foreign embassies take residence in Eira, and the popular park Kaivopuisto sprawls across acres of both flat land and cliffs.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Jukka Zitting

Photo: Ari Kuukka

Kaivopuisto

Helsinki
Finland
Kaivopuisto's lovely park features large and hugely expensive houses and embassies. This district is popular among bankers and diplomats and is considered a bit snobbish and superior.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Fredww
Photo: Fredww
Photo: La Brionnaise
Photo: Knuffinaround
Photo: Anoushka Myers
Photo: S. Sopo
Photo: Ossi Toivola
Photo: Veli Moilanen

Photo: Carlo M Petracca
Photo: Sami Linnanvuo
Photo: Carlos Gamiz
Photo: Timo Suomela
Photo: Janne Savukoski
Photo: Andrea'Mirons'Mirone
Photo: Katariina Köngäs
Photo: riika

Photo: Ulla Wuollet
Photo: Johanna Tuomi
Photo: fluvii
Photo: bertishki
Photo: Else Tolner
Photo: Teemu Oksanen
Photo: narnua
Photo: Terje Bergström

Photo: Henri J. Sutinen
Photo: jsdsgn.com
Photo: Timo Saikkonen
Photo: Tatiana Edrenkina
Photo: Elena
Photo: Heidrun Wonneberger
Photo: Bilal Alam
Photo: Aali Alikoski

Kallio

Helsinki
Finland
Just a short walk north of the core of Helsinki, "The Rock" sits on the other side of Pitkäsilta Bridge. Historically, the bridge marked the divide between privilege and the lack thereof, and in recent years Kallio has transformed into a favorite of the low-budget student, artist, immigrant, and retiree. Consequently, Kallio is dubbed a center of bohemianism, liberal-leaning relative to the rest of Helsinki. Yet, despite a questionable nightlife, Kallio has a strong artistic undercurrent and heterogeneity not found elsewhere in Helsinki.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: timonoko
Photo: Nikodemus Siivola
Photo: Outi Nokkonen
Photo: Erno Miettinen
Photo: Hanna Kinnunen
Photo: Kristian Nousiainen
Photo: pintaa
Photo: Kris.ma

Photo: pequita68
Photo: jazmanaut
Photo: Jos Schuurmans
Photo: Tuomo Koistinen

Kamppi

Helsinki
Finland
Kamppi is a densely-populated district that stretches from the Central Railway Station to the Cable Factory. Kamppi features the city's most important services and excellent transport connections, but also a number of sights, such as Kiasma and the Ruoholahti villas, historically significant wooden buildings that are some of the oldest in the city. Right between Kamppi and Kaartinkaupunki lies Kluuvi, the busiest district in Helsinki. Kluuvi is a great place to shop or eat out. In Helsinki, history and modern life, man and nature come together in harmony to create a city like no other.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Kristo Nousiainen
Photo: äRRä / Reetta R.
Photo: Markus Jordan
Photo: JanneHir
Photo: Carmelo Ardito
Photo: Henry Yuan
Photo: Jaakko Helleranta
Photo: dianechrich

Katajanokka

Helsinki
Finland
Katajanokka used to be a moody district, slightly cut off from the rest of the city. It was known for its ports and prison. Nowadays this architecturally significant, Jugend-style district is part of many sightseeing tours, and is populated by artists and journalists. It is also a political centre. North of Katajanokka lies the peaceful and highly respected district of Kruununhaka. Kruununhaka is the neighbour of the historical centre designed by Engel.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Rik Shaw
Photo: Rik Shaw
Photo: John Cullen
Photo: Toni Viemerö
Photo: Siamak Sadeghianfar
Photo: Mihai Oprea
Photo: Reiner Barczinski
Photo: Elijah Grigoryev

Photo: GIUBA

Lauttasaari

Helsinki
Finland
Although not even two miles west of the city center, the island of Lauttasaari has resisted some of its surrounding metropolis's influence: it is known for its preserved forests and rocky landscape. The name means "ferry island", but Lauttasaari is connected with the rest of the city by bridges and a highway connecting Helsinki and Espoo. It is mostly residential, but for the boating enthusiast Lauttasaari abounds with marinas and even canoe clubs.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: John Cullen
Photo: mlrd
Photo: Markku Arttola
Photo: hennessyruler21
Photo: escruiba
Photo: ellelloo
Photo: Ensio Aura

Punavuori

Helsinki
Finland
Punavuori and the slightly more northern district of Kallio were traditionally working men's districts, though Punavuori has tried to improve its image in recent years. Punavuori is full of old buildings and popular among young graduates and a large international populace. Kallio is known for its waterways, Hakaniemi Square and the fabulous Kallio church. The district is mostly populated by young, highly educated adults and low-income families.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Eero Pailinna
Photo: Asmo Halinen
Photo: Mikko Miettinen

Ruoholahti

Helsinki
Finland
In Finnish, the name means "Grass Bay." Ruoholahti was exactly that: a bay. Transformed into land in the 191s by filling connecting several smaller islands around Lauttasaari, it has historically been an industrial region with few reminders at its aquatic past (including a canal built recently). Gradually, office and housing developments are added, with many more planned after the Salmisaari coal plant moves its on-site coal stockpiles underground. Major buildings include a converted cultural center once home to Nokia's cable operations and the headquarters of government-run Alko, the Finnish alcohol monopoly.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Alan Lishness
Photo: Rasmus Sten
Photo: Sami Tikka
Photo: hugovk
Photo: Samuli
Photo: Rasmus Sten
Photo: kurkista
Photo: Darryl A. Pieber

Photo: Upi Hyvärinen
Photo: Laurent Saleh
Photo: Aki Hänninen
Photo: Mitro Härkönen

Töölö

Helsinki
Finland
The respectable district of Töölö is full of old apartment buildings which, though densely packed, are beautiful. Apartments in these buildings are highly sought-after. Töölö also has many spectacular sights, from the Hietaniemi Cemetery to the Sibelius Monument, Parliamen Building, Olympic Stadium and the gorgeous parklands around Töölö Bay. Behind Töölö lies the district of Meilahti, known for its old villas. Meilahti is a roomy district populated by the middle-classes.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: arabella
Photo: arabella
Photo: Petteri Kontio
Photo: Di Rivombrosa
Photo: Jaroslav Holub
Photo: Wild_Snowberry
Photo: dustblast

Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Helsinki - Neighborhood Guide"
Helsinki
Helsinki - Historical Background
Helsinki - Where to Stay
Helsinki - Dining & Drinking
Helsinki - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Tampere (136 miles)
Stockholm (401 miles)
Oslo (785 miles)
Gothenburg (799 miles)
Copenhagen (892 miles)
Berlin (1127 miles)
Hamburg (1178 miles)
Prague (1325 miles)
Vienna (1480 miles)
Budapest (1483 miles)

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