Matti Pyykkö
Rosa Liksom
English
I can go anywhere by bike.
Having grown up in a Meänkieli-language village in Ylitornio, Finnish Lapland, the author and artist Rosa Liksom is a cosmopolitan, outdoorsy kind of person. Liksom, born Anni Ylävaara, moved to Lapland's biggest city Rovaniemi as a teenager and from there to Helsinki. She has since also lived in Moscow and Copenhagen. Liksom is drawn to places untouched by traditional mass tourism, such as Siberia, Mongolia, China, and small villages in rural Texas.
"I like big cities, especially New York and Moscow, but Helsinki is nice because it's so small. The air quality is good, unlike in other capitals. I can go anywhere by bike. I live in Lauttasaari and jog and stroll around the beaches during the day, and in the summer I get around by boat. The spirit of Helsinki is fresh and charming."
The elements Liksom appreciates in her hometown are also natural ones. Urban green spaces, the sea, forests, and the possibilities offered by them. "The maritime environment is absolutely amazing. I am no culture buff nor high consumer of culture. Probably because I do this for a living. You have to draw some borders for yourself. I enjoy the outdoors much more, and spend a lot of time in nature. I'm an outdoors person."
Your local guides
Select any filter and click on Apply to see results
I love all saunas. The neighbourhood sauna in Jätkäsaari is placed in a nice way in between apartment buildings. The visitors are regular people. There is a wide age range, from very old to very young. The yard is often full of bicycles. I enjoy the lovely feeling, bar and the sauna itself. A genuine neighbourhood experience.
Buenos Aires is not precisely in the city centre, but it is a unique bar with its ambiance and decor. The interior has been designed and executed by Aki Kaurismäki. A very enjoyable place that also has nice snacks.
Pihlajasaari is near the city centre and is a very special place. There is a lovely beach for swimming, a restaurant, café, sauna, camping area and barbecue spots. I tend to sail there by boat. I swim, sometimes I rent the sauna, and I like wandering around the open rock formations. You can reach Pihlajasaari by ferry from Merisatama and Ruoholahti, almost anytime of day. It's also a wonderful place for children."
Tamminiemi is a rare place. It is a home that has been made into a museum, which in general are always extremely fascinating places. It still has the interior decoration selected by President Urho Kekkonen [whose presidential term ran from 1956 to 1982]. There is art on the walls, Urho and his wife Sylvi's books, and even some clothes left where they once hung. Kekkonen's sauna is by the water, he was famous for hosting sauna evenings. Nowadays you can also rent it. I have visited the sauna numerous times, we have booked it as a group. There are wonderful scents, you can swim in the sea, and there is even a swimming pool. The best thing about Tamminiemi is that you can reach it easily by bus.
The Pirttimäki and Luukki recreation areas are great places for people who want to visit the woods. There are many marked trails of different lengths, dotted with spectacular landscapes as well as ponds and lakes for taking a dip. Both areas have nice cafés with homemade sweet and savoury snacks, as well as proper meals. The barbecue spots are free for everyone to use and the city provides the firewood.
The Pirttimäki and Luukki recreation areas are great places for people who want to visit the woods. There are many marked trails of different lengths, dotted with spectacular landscapes as well as ponds and lakes for taking a dip. Both areas have nice cafés with homemade sweet and savoury snacks, as well as proper meals. The barbecue spots are free for everyone to use and the city provides the firewood.
You can reach the Cable Factory by metro or even by foot; it is only two kilometres from the Stockmann department store. The old factory areas are now home to a nice café, outdoor seating, museums, exhibition spaces, events and a small bookshop. The sea is right beside it, you can admire it from the terrace. The Cable Factory is a nice place for hanging out, the doors are always open. When you wander through the hallways, you can easily happen upon a magazine room, gallery or exhibition. There is always something new.