My first impression of Helsinki as I stepped off the train was how wonderfully vibrant yet peaceful my new surroundings were. My week visiting the city was filled with rich culture, inspiring innovation, and most importantly, a genuine appreciation for the people. The most impactful piece of my trip was seeing this non-warm weather city come to life during the Midsummer holiday. Where people spend their time outdoors among the wildlife, and along its gorgeous shoreline. I was fortunate to experience this festive time of year where the natives are their most social, and the daylight truly never ends!
American Natalie Paolinelli visited Helsinki in summer together with Celinne da Costa and documented her stay on her Instagram account natpstyle.
Here follows a short summary of those posts with 5 tips out of her recommendations in Helsinki:
1) I suggest wandering through the isles of their Market Square and continuing through the outdoor promenade where busy retailers showcase some of the finest local craftsmanship and an ice cream parlor is always available to you.
2) If you’re ready to see the city from a different vantage point, check out Ateljee Bar that offers a 360 view from the 14th floor of Hotel Torni. The cocktails are a tasty complement to the never-ending mixture of an oceanic and mountainous landscape.
3) For those of you interested in the vast expansion of technology that Helsinki is offering, you must tour Maria 01 which is the city’s largest startup campus. They are consistently offering public events, instructor-led lectures, and of course a wealth of history regarding the origins of the property. It seemed that everyone I met in Helsinki was wearing their entrepreneur hat since they all were arranging platforms to be giving back to their community in some way, shape, or form.
4) The architecture that folds around the cobblestone streets is so elegant that I often took the longer route no matter where my destination was, usually another charming restaurant. Each chef willingly prepared a one of a kind, gluten-free meal that was not only delicious but native to their Nordic heritage. There seemed to be a unique cafe, museum, historical site, or vintage shop to explore at every corner.
5) The new Central Library Oodi is truly a sight to see! The interior was modern, welcoming, and tranquil, where I could find a relaxing deck to easily plug into and zone out at the same time. While the exterior boasted of a 3rd-floor patio to enjoy the warm sun. I was so impressed by the overall quality of everything I saw and touched in this city. Each napkin was folded with such care, the clothing made to never get worn, and even the chairs were constructed so that generations could remember the memories it held. It goes without saying that I look forward to returning and continuing my Finnish adventure: sauna, and then some more sauna.
See all her photos on Instagram here!