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Video: Sofia Kulianu
Photos: Lucas Ruska Martin
Music: Aapeli Mattila
Hey there, it’s been a while! For those who are new here, I’m Mikko Puttonen – an influencer, photographer, and creative multitasker based between London and Helsinki. Lately, I’ve been craving for a slower pace when it comes to publishing and posting, and what better way to embrace that than with a blog post? This is where it all began over ten years ago, and it feels like the perfect moment to return to my roots.
I recently spent an amazing week in one of my all-time favourite cities and second home, Helsinki, with My Helsinki. During my visit, I photographed and explored my favourite spots around the city in the crisp winter season. Now, I’d love to take you on a journey to discover the highlights from my week, featuring art and design gems, great restaurants and museums, nature spots, and the best places to find local fashion and vintage treasures.
Hotels and unique accommodations
Let’s start with accommodations, definitely one of the first things to consider when planning your trip. I was lucky enough to stay at the newly renovated Finlandia Homes. Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto, is a true architectural masterpiece. It’s home to Finlandia Bistro, a great restaurant, a concert hall with various shows, and now, two apartments available for guests. The fully-equipped apartments are an ideal option for design and cultural heritage enthusiasts. I also recommend taking a walk around Töölönlahti Bay and stopping by Cafe Rakastan for delicious vegan Karelian pies.
After two nights, I switched to Hotel Kämp, one of my favorites in Helsinki. Known for their impeccable attention to detail and hospitality, Kämp never disappoints. I stayed in one of the newly refurbished rooms, and I loved how they balanced the building’s historic charm with a modern touch. They also offer one of the best breakfasts in town! If you’re looking for something a bit different, I also recommend checking out Hobo Hotel, St. George, and Hanaholmen Hotel.
Art and museums
Once your stay is sorted, it’s time to plan your itinerary. The great thing about Helsinki is that its center is walkable, so it’s easy to get lost in the streets and explore. My favorite activity in any new city is visiting museums, and Helsinki has many options. Here are the highlights from my week: I was mesmerized by the poetic light sculptures at Maija Lavonen’s Quietly Monumental at the Design and Architecture Museum. At the K1 Photography Museum, Tyler Mitchell’s Wish This Was Real exhibited powerful photography. M/S Baltic Queers – Experiences of LGBTQIA+ Migration captures empowering stories at Helsinki City Museum, while On the World’s Shore – Reidar Särestöniemi 100 Years at the Didrichsen Museum displayed emotional and captivating paintings.
If you’re a frequent visitor to Helsinki, I recommend getting a museum card. It lets you visit as many museums as you want within the year for a fixed price, and the app also provides useful information on current exhibitions.
The great outdoors
One of the things I love most about Helsinki is how green it is. Nature is all around the city, but I also recommend taking a boat to one of the nearby islands. The archipelago is stunning year-round, and I decided to take a day trip to Suomenlinna. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is only a 15-minute ferry ride from Kauppatori. While waiting for the ferry, I suggest stopping by Cafe Engel near the harbour for a coffee or breakfast, and then checking out the National Library for its incredible selection of old books and stunning architecture.
The boat trip itself is a treat, so I always make sure to get out on the deck to enjoy the views of small islands, birds, and this time floating ice. Upon arriving at the island, there’s a cozy cafe called Cafe Silo where you can enjoy lunch or a coffee. After a warm bowl of soup, I like to take a walk around the island, with my favorite spot being Kustaanmiekka, at the southernmost tip of the island. While Suomenlinna is definitely a favorite, there are other islands worth visiting, such as Susisaari, Vallisaari, and Lammassaari. If the weather turns gloomy, you can always visit the Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden for a dose of greenery indoors.
Restaurants
Helsinki is renowned for its high-quality gastronomy with unique restaurants to explore. During this trip, I revisited some of my favorite spots but also tried a few new places! For lunch, I love Canvas Canteen, Onigiri Musubi, Elm, and Yes Yes Yes. My favorite dinners this time were at Ateljé Finne, Wellamo, and Finlandia Bistro, all of which focus on local ingredients and seasonality! Other great options include Nolla, Hanaholmen Plats, and I’ve saved Maukku for my next visit. For a special evening, I recommend The Room or Grön for fine dining. If you’re in the mood for some great coffee and pastries, check out Cafelito, El Fant Cafe & Bar, Cafe Clé, Cafetino, and Way Bakery.
Architecture
After seeing Finlandia Hall up close, I made sure to visit the Aalto House and Studio Aalto. You can book tickets on their website, and most of the tours are in English. It was a great opportunity to learn something new and get inspired. Other architectural highlights in Helsinki include the Dipole student union building, Helsinki City Theatre, Temppeliaukio Church, and Bio Rex Cinema.
Design and fashion stores
Lastly, let’s tap into fashion and design. Artek Helsinki is probably my favorite store, and I visit it often when I’m in town just to browse and soak up inspiration. They offer a wonderful selection of Artek pieces, as well as curated collections from smaller independent brands, artists, and designers. Make sure to also check out Common Helsinki presenting a curated selection of Japanese goods.
For vintage treasures, head to Artek 2nd Cycle, which has an impressive collection of design icons from Artek and other brands. Other great vintage stores for home goods include Mendera and Gitte.
If you’re looking for local craftsmanship, check out the Kalevala flagship store or AIDA Impact Store, both are amazing jewelry brands with a focus on social and sustainable missions. AIDA store also currently has a vintage residency from Small Town Gossip Vintage, another favourite of mine with a great selection of preloved homeware. For fashion, be sure to visit Jeans and Towels, Borse e Cose, VAIN, and Beam Helsinki. There are also many emerging designers in Helsinki, such as By Hinders, Latimmier, Hagelstam, Keski Pomppu, and Ildar Wafin. I recommend checking online or reaching out to these brands directly to find unique pieces to add to your wardrobe!
After five days filled with exploration and discovery, I left Helsinki feeling inspired and joyful. The city beautifully blends culture and nature, with an atmosphere that feels vibrant, open, and welcoming.