Districts · Helsinki
Helsinki by district
Almost everything a first visit needs sits inside a 2 km box around the Central Station: Kamppi to the west, Senate Square and the harbour to the east, Punavuori and the design shops to the south-west.Almost everything a first visit needs sits inside a 1.2 mi box around the Central Station: Kamppi to the west, Senate Square and the harbour to the east, Punavuori and the design shops to the south-west.
About these names
Addresses follow the street name plus number; many streets have a Swedish name as well (for example Aleksanterinkatu and Alexandersgatan).
- Kamppi and Central StationKamppi, RautatientorisleeptransportshoppingSuits: First visit, 2–4 nights, easy airport trainEverything is a tram or a walk; busy and less quiet than the side streets.3 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Senate Square and the harbourKruununhaka, KauppatoriseefoodswimSuits: Cathedral, market and the sea pool on day oneThe postcard centre; crowded at cruise-ship times.3 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- Punavuori and the Design DistrictPunavuorisleepdesigncafesSuits: Design shops, cafés and a quieter bed than KamppiTram or walk from the station; evenings are lively on weekends.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- SuomenlinnaSuomenlinna (Sveaborg)seeSuits: A half-day on the sea fortress by ferryA residential island as well as a monument.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- KalliofoodbarslocalSuits: A local, less polished evening and old-style saunaWorking-class roots, now a nightlife district; loud on weekend nights.District guide →
- TöölöwalkarchitectureSuits: The rock church, Sibelius Monument and lakeside walksResidential; reach it by tram from the centre.3 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Kallio. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Kamppi and Central Station (Kamppi, Rautatientori): Everything is a tram or a walk; busy and less quiet than the side streets. Suits: First visit, 2–4 nights, easy airport train. Price band $$$.
- Senate Square and the harbour (Kruununhaka, Kauppatori): The postcard centre; crowded at cruise-ship times. Suits: Cathedral, market and the sea pool on day one.
- Punavuori and the Design District (Punavuori): Tram or walk from the station; evenings are lively on weekends. Suits: Design shops, cafés and a quieter bed than Kamppi. Price band $$$.
- Suomenlinna (Suomenlinna (Sveaborg)): A residential island as well as a monument. Suits: A half-day on the sea fortress by ferry.
- Kallio (Kallio): Working-class roots, now a nightlife district; loud on weekend nights. Suits: A local, less polished evening and old-style sauna.
- Töölö (Töölö): Residential; reach it by tram from the centre. Suits: The rock church, Sibelius Monument and lakeside walks.
- Sleep area Kamppi and Central Station: suits First visit, 2–4 nights, easy airport train, price band $$$.
- Sleep area Punavuori and the Design District: suits Design shops, cafés and a quieter bed than Kamppi, price band $$$.
- Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL), about 17 km11 mi from the centre, 30–40 min by the usual route.