Northern suburbs, Helsinki: neighborhood guide

Helsinki's northern suburbs are the northernmost part of the city, forming a continuum toward Vantaa. For this guide the area is roughly northwest of motorway 4 and north of Käpylä, Hakamäentie and the Haaga roundabout — in other words, north of the tram line termini.

Like much of the outer capital region, it is dominated by apartment blocks, industrial areas and a couple of malls. There are no major attractions here. What it does have is Helsinki's own Central Park, a long green corridor that is genuinely useful if you like running, walking or cycling.

Districts you may see named include Malmi, Tapanila, Kannelmäki, Maununneva, Haaga and Tuomarinkylä. Malmi is the area's main transport and commercial hub, with a railway station and shopping services.

For a first trip to Helsinki, no. The sights, the harbour, the design district and most restaurants are in the centre or south, and you would spend 40–60 minutes a day commuting. Stay central or in Kamppi and Southwest instead.

There are two cases where the northern suburbs make sense. First, budget: rooms here are often priced below central Helsinki, though you should compare current rates yourself (check). Second, a car or an early flight: if you are driving north or leaving from Helsinki Airport, the Ring Rail Line and the northern road exits are convenient.

If you do stay, pick a place within walking distance of a station on the main north line (Oulunkylä, Malmi) or the Ring Rail Line, not a bus-only pocket.

This is everyday suburban eating, not a food destination. Expect shopping-centre cafés, pizza and kebab places, Chinese and Thai takeaways, and lunch restaurants that fill up with local workers. Malmi has the widest choice because it is the area's main transport and commercial hub.

Tuomarinkylä Manor is the one stop worth knowing: an 18th-century manor with a restaurant on site. Otherwise, eat your main meal in the centre and treat this as breakfast-and-snack territory.

Local trains and buses connect the northern suburbs with the rest of Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. The main rail line runs north from Central through Oulunkylä and Malmi toward Tikkurila; the Ring Rail Line serves the airport and several northern suburbs.

Tram line 15, the Raide-Jokeri light rail, replaced bus route 550 and runs east–west across the northern suburbs — useful for crossing the area without going into the centre. Kehä I (ring road 101) is the main east–west road, and highways 3, 4, 45, 120 and 130 head north through the area.

If you arrive on an intercity train from the north or east and are heading to northeastern Helsinki, get off at Tikkurila and take a local train rather than going into Central and back out.