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helsinki: general info
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HELSINKI
Postcode: 00102
Calling Code: +358 9
Helsinki is known for its unique designs, architecture and technology. The city
is built on a peninsula, with links by bridge and
ferry with nearby islands. There is a milder climate than much of Finland; gentle winds from the
Gulf Stream, and the Baltic Sea keep it also warmer than many other Scandinavian countries.
The locals love the outdoors and more than half the city is covered in green parks.
The city is filled with many interesting activities, from exploring museums to enjoying a
Finnish sauna, to taking a summer cruise through the archipelago, or even sampling a Finnish
smrgsbord.
If your time is limited, though, be sure to visit the Mannerheim Museum, the home of
Sibelius, the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum, and the Suomenlinna Fortress. For those with more time
and money, Helsinki offers a number of specialty shops. For an overview of Finnish products,
stop in at Stockmann, Helsinki's largest department store. You can stock up on Marimekko products
at a great price.
The citys population just teeters over half a million and with its tallest building only 12 storeys high, Helsinki seems almost provincial. However, statistics reveal that the city is one of the fastest growing areas in the European Union. Within the last decade, 100,000 inhabitants have moved into Helsinki and by the year 2030 government statistics predict over 1.3 million people will be living within the region.
The pace of Helsinki life varies with the seasons. In the summer, when temperatures rise to 18C (64F), the whole city comes alive. The bars overflow onto the streets and throughout July and August, the Finns revel in 20-hour-long summer days. Temperatures can sometimes rise to as high as 28C (82F), a climatic oddity that has been attributed to global warming. In winter, temperatures plummet to an average of - 5C (23F) and the city goes underground, becoming a creative hive of productivity. These long, dark nights have led Helsinkiliset (Helsinkians) to be one of the worlds most connected races on the planet; one in ten use the Internet daily, compared to about one in 50 in Britain. Perhaps it is the balance between these two climatic extremes that conspires to make Helsinki one of Europes most creative and technologically progressive capitals.
Helsinki's excellent public transportation makes it easy to reach sights and destinations further afield. In fact, the
system was rated second best in Europe in 2003. Make sure to get a Helsinki Card as it allows for unlimited travel on
public transportation within the city limits.
Most banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:15am to 4:15pm. Most businesses and shops are open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm and Saturday from 9am to 2pm. Larger stores are usually open until 7pm Monday through Friday and as late as 6pm on Saturdays. With a few exceptions, nearly everyplace is closed on Sunday. Many shops in the center of Helsinki are open until 8pm on certain nights, especially Monday and Friday. Shops in the Station Tunnel are generally open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 10pm and Sunday from noon to 10pm.
Opposite the train station, Sonero, Kaivokatu 2, gives you the first 15 minutes of access to the Internet free. It's open Monday through Friday from 9am to 7pm, Saturday from10am to 4pm.
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Activities