Where to Stay in Helsinki – Ultimate Neighborhood Guide by a Local (+Best Hotels)

Are you looking for the best places where to stay in Helsinki during your next trip? Lucky you!

I live in Helsinki, and it’s been my city for more than 2 years, and I know my city inside out. So expect the best insider tips and spots in the city to feel like a local and enjoy the city like a real Helsinkian would!

Helsinki has a bunch of fantastic options to pick from, whether you’re into cozy apartments or chic boutique hotels.

From the buzzing city center to the serene waterfront, each neighborhood in Helsinki offers its own vibe and attractions. It’s like a puzzle, and finding the perfect place to stay is like finding that missing piece and it is my goal to help you with it!

Read this post to learn all about the 7 tourist-friendly areas in the city and hotels for all of them. I hand-picked the hotels to make sure you will only get the ones with stellar reviews and sorted them by price – this way, does not matter your budget, you will be able to book something that is right for you in just a couple of clicks! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Here’s a shortlist of all the best accommodations in the City Center (Kluuvi) that will help you decide quickly:

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Watch my video, it will give you a visual explanation of all the areas:

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Here’s a map of all the areas in Helsinki that I’m going to talk about in this post:

• Best for first-timers – Kluuvi, Punavuori and Kamppi
• Best for an upscale vibe – Punavuori, Ullanlinna or Kruununhaka
• Best for a hip vibe on a budget – Kallio
• Best for bustling bars and shops – Kamppi and Kallio
• Best for a quiet stay – Ullanlinna, Töölö or Kruununhaka
• Best for nature lovers – Töölö, Ullanlinna
• Best for families – Kruununhaka, Töölö and Punavuori

1. City Center (Kluuvi) – where to stay for first timers

If you are visiting Helsinki for the first time, the City Center, also known as Kluuvi, is the best place for you!

What is cool about the City Center is that it is literally in the middle of the city, and since Helsinki is quite a small city it means that areas like Kallio and Ullanlinna are only a 20 minute walk away. Also Helsinki Cathedral (map), one of the most iconic sights in the city, is just a 5 minute walk from Kluuvi!

Eitherway, Kluuvi has a lot of things to offer! 2 of my  museums are in this area, one of them is the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma which is just around the corner from the railway station. 

And yes, you will have all the main attractions just steps away from your accommodation and the Central Railway Station in case you are doing some exploring outside the city. Also there is a metro station and bus station here!

The other cool museum is Art Museum Ateneum and it is great for discovering Finnish art. If you want to go shopping then I recommend you go to Stockmann which has from supermarkets to cool clothing brands!

If you want to go for a tranquil walk, go to Esplanadi (map). It is around 5 blocks long and it is a long green promenade where you can walk. And it is truly beautiful all year round. It is also the perfect place to sit with a coffee and pastry and watch life go by. You can also find fashion boutiques along the Esplanadi.

For food, one of my dearest restaurants in the area is Lulu’s (map), the place is fancy and trendy, and prices are good. I recommend you book a table in advance! 

For coffee and pastries I love Roasberg (map). It is super chill and you can even have lunch if you feel like it. If there is an extra room underground if the main floor is full.

Other accommodation options in City center

Things to do in the City center (Kluuvi)

• Visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in the city center
• Take a relaxing walk in Park Esplanadi
• Admire the art nouveau architecture of the Central Station
• See how a Finnish library looks like at Oodi 
• Breath in some fresh air Kaisaniemi Botanic Garden
• Watch the sunset Kansalaistori Square in the city

2. Punavuori – for upscale trendy shops and eateries

Punavuori is just next to Kluuvi, (the Helsinki City Centre) and has a fancy and trendy vibe. This area is perfect for walking around, going window shopping, and admiring the stunning architecture. That is what I do, it is gorgeous there!

Let’s say that it is quite a wealthy area and there are a lot of nice shops and restaurants. The Design District is part of Punavuori so there are a lot of local designer shops and art galleries, and the Design Museum is not far, and it is worth a visit!

So, there are 2 main cool streets to check out for clothes and food! One of the streets you need to check out is Bulevardi (map) which is super long and you can find nice coffee shops. 

The other one is Ekberg (map). It is super cute and traditional and the perfect place to try a cinnamon bun. Here, during February you can try Runeberg’s Tortes (almond cake with jam on top) and Laiskiaspulla (a bun with whipped cream and jam).

If you are into vintage shops, my most liked clothing shop in Bulevardi is UFF (map), they have many locations around the city, and if you are from Helsinki, you get your vintage 2nd hand clothes from here!

The other street you need to check out is Iso Roobertinkatu (map), it is named after Robert Henrik Rehbinder – a former Secretary of State for the Grand Duchy of Finland. This street is nice if you want to go out, one of my favorite spots is Jackie Bar (map), they usually have DJs on Friday and Saturday.

Relove Freda (map) on Iso Roobertinkatu as well is a second hand clothing store and also a café, which is super cool!

Other accommodation options in Punavuori

Things to do in Punavuori

• Take a long walk in the Sinebrychoff Park located near the city center
• Catch a play at the Aleksanterin Theatre in Helsinki
• See some cool Finnish architecture at the Pelastusarmeijan Museum
• Admire some beautiful art at Sinne Gallery
• Explore all the local designer shops in Helsinki

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3. Kallio – for a hip vibe on a budget

This is my neighborhood – I live in Kallio and to me there is no place like Kallio! You have everything you could possibly need nearby! Also is a bit cheaper than the rest of the areas!

Kallio is located East from Central Helsinki, but it is within a walking distance, not more than 20 minutes depending on where exactly you are going to stay.

The reason I love living in Kallio so much is because the area is super eclectic and young! If you want to go out or eat good food, this is the place for you! And like I said, places like the Helsinki Cathedral are only a short walk away.

Some of the main attractions in the area are Hakaniemi Market Hall (map), which is located next to the main bus, metro, and tram stations in the Kallio area. Which comes super handy! In Hakaniemi Market Hall you can find stalls selling local produce, cafés, and some crafts.

Another great landmark is Kallio Church (map), which was built in 1912 with granite, and features a romantic style!

Kallio means ¨rock¨ in Finnish – so, Kallio Cathedral literally means a Rock Church!

So if you are looking for the best places to go out at night or have dinner there are 2 main streets for this: Helsinginkatu is one of them and one of my go to restaurants/bars is Tenho Restobar (map). Sometimes they have local artists playing live music!

The other street is Vaasankatu which is parallel to Helsinginkatu and here I recommend Bar Molotow (map) for a beer. If you feel like dancing all night go to Siltanen (map) and dance to funky tunes! If you go during the day you can have lunch and later dinner!

If you want to have a wooden sauna experience, head to Kotiharjun Sauna. And after a relaxing sauna session, you can head to Harju 8 (map) for dinner and drinks, if you visit in the summer they have jazz music on Sundays! 

Linnanmäki is close to Kallio, and if you are looking to have a unique experience in the city, this amusement park is great for seeing a different side of the city, and having an adrenaline rush! The entry is around  €50 per person and is open during the summer.

PRO TIP: If you find any accommodation in Sörnänien, Merihaka, or Kalasatama, you’ll be fine too – it is only a few minutes walk away!

NOTE: You might see some drunk people walking around and sometimes yelling, especially during the summer. Not to worry, it is quite normal for this area, they are harmless and mind their own business. 

Other accommodation options in Kallio

Things to do in Kallio

• Get some goods at Hakaniemi Market Hall in Kallio
• Enjoy a poetry reading in one of the bars
• Admire the Art Nouveau at Kallio Church
• Walk on the lively streets of Kallio Helsinki
• Have a Finnish experience at the Kotiharjun Public Sauna
• Mingle with all the friendly students

4. Kamppi – for bustling bars and shops

Kampi is a good, all-round area! I’ll tell you why: it is next to the City Center, and Punavuori, and areas like Kruununhaka and Kalio are around 20 minutes walk away.

But besides the great location, you can find anything you need here, plus there are many attractions here. One of the best museums in Helsinki in my opinion is Amos Rex (an art museum), they always have the coolest exhibitions!

The other museum you can find is HAM, Helsinki Art Museum, this one is quite small and if you visit on the last Friday of the month, it is free. Just less than a 5 minute walk away from it you have Kamppi Mall (map). Here you can go shopping, you can have some food, and under the mall you have a metro station, and the main bus station in case you are taking a city break. Check out my article about the best day trips from Helsinki for some ideas!

Just a few steps away from Kamppi Mall, you have Kamppi Chapel (map), a very small chappen made out of wood. It is also known as the silent chapel, so go inside and have a moment of quiet in the middle of Helsinki bustle.

Sinebrychoff Art Museum is in the limits between Kamppi and Punavuori and it is worth a visit. The museum is an old mansion dating from 1842 with an amazing collection of classic paintings and furniture. Just behind it you have Sinebrychoff Park, where you can relax and enjoy the views!

From May to September you can check out Hietalahti Flea Market (map), which has been open since 1906.

PRO TIP: If you find some accommodation in Ruoholahti, I can recommend it too, book it since it is literally next to Kamppi! 

Other accommodation options in Kamppi

Things to do in Kamppi

• Visit the HAM Helsinki Art Museum in Kamppi
• Take a picture of the contemporary Kamppi Chapel
• Enjoy a relaxing walk in the Barnlunden Park
• Visit the Helsinki Jewish Congregation in Kamppi
• Try the street food in the Plaza Narinkka
• Go shopping at Kamppi Helsinki center

5. Ullanlinna – best area for a quiet and fancy stay

Ullanlinna is right next to Punavuori and by the waterfront overlooking the Baltic Sea. It is super close to the city center, but far enough so the area is a bit quiet compared to the bustle of the city.

The area is quite fancy, and a lot of wealthy people live there. The architecture is beautiful and it is one of the only areas in the city where you can see old and picturesque buildings. Definitely it is one of my top areas to go for walks, or sit by the waterfront with a coffee and a pastry!

As far as monuments and landmarks you have St. John’s Church (map), a Neo-Gothic church from the 19th century, and closer to the waterfront you have Kaivopuisto (map), a huge park that is quite hilly, so the views are stunning! This is one of my ideal spots in the city to read a book and relax in the summer!

The other must is just walking all around the waterfront. There is a super nice café called Carrousel (map) which is by the water, and next to it you have a ferry station (map), from here you can go to Pihlajasaari Island. (You can get the tickets on the JT-Line Website).

Café Succès (map) is one of the nicest cafés in the area, I love it! It has an old charm, and vintage look. It feels super traditional! Also a great place for coffee and local delicacies such as cinnamon buns!

BTW, keep in mind this area is residential, so all the accommodation will be mostly apartments!

Other accommodation options in Ullanlinna

Things to do in Ullanlinna

• Go for a relaxing walk by the waterfront
• Take a relaxing walk in Esplanade park 
• Enjoy the views at Kaivopuisto
• Have a coffee at Café Carrousel (map) 

6. Töölö – best area for nature lovers

Töölö is located north from the Helsinki city center and Helsinki Central Station, and it is another quiet area in the city, filled with green spaces, beaches, and also it has quite a lot of attractions!

So, if you are looking for museums in the area you have the Finnish National Museum which has exhibitions from the Stone Age to the present time all about Finland. And you also have the Finnish Museum of Natural History and exhibits skeletons, and taxidermy animals.

Temppeliaukio Church is in the area and it is completely stunning because it is entirely made out of stone and has a unique copper dome. Sometimes there are concerts happening here!

The coolest thing about this area in my opinion is the nature! Can you believe there is an actual beach in Töölö? During the long summer we come to Töölö’s beach, Hietaranta (map) with my friends after work and just relax there with snacks and beer! Also all around there are tennis and volleyball courts to play! It is a stunning place!

Jean Sibelius was and still is the most important Finnish composer from the late romantic era. One of his most popular pieces is ¨Finlandia¨.

If you keep going North, you can find Sibelius Park (map) which is a lovely place for a quiet walk in nature or the perfect place to go for a run. Also, the Sibelius monument is here! 

I recommend you stop by Café Regatta (map) when you are in the park. When my friends visit me I always make sure we come here for a hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cinnamon bun, especially if it is during the winter! 

Café Regatta is this cute old fashion cabin style cafe by the waterfront, it is truly beautiful! Don’t miss it! Outside there is a firepit, and you can buy hotdogs (vegan options available) and cook it here, amazing in summer and winter!

Something really cool about Töölö is that the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum which is located on the island with the same name is worth a visit. It opened in 1909 and features real homes from the olden times. Super unique!

Last but not least the Olympic stadium is in this area and you can take a guided tour or go on top of the Olympic Stadium tower (72 mt (~240 ft).

Other accommodation options in Töölö

Things to do in Töölö

• Walk around in the Hesperia Park
• Take a picture of the Sibelius Monument in Helsinki
• Admire the amazing architecture of Temppeliaukio Church
• See the incredible art collection at Kirpilä 
• Take a break from the urban atmosphere and walk in the Hesperia Esplanade Park

7. Kruununhaka – best area for families

Kruununhaka is quite an ideal location, it is located next to the city center and has loads of attractions, and it is quite an upscale area, so you can find nice luxury hotels! 

This area still has a lively atmosphere, that is why families would love this area of the Finnish capital. Where you can enjoy nature and city life! 

Some of the main attractions you cannot miss are the Senate Square, here you can find the Helsinki Cathedral, Located nearby, just a few steps away you can find Helsinki City Museum which has free entry and always has cool exhibitions about Helsinki, or local artists. 

Moving towards the waterfront you can find a few government buildings such as the Presidential Palace (map) you cannot go in, but it looks beautiful from outside. Moving even closer to the waterfront you have Kauppatori (map), an outdoor market selling souvenirs, and fresh produce like fruits and fish. 

Allas sea pool is not far away from Kauppatori, this place is an outdoor saltwater pool, and sauna. It is open all year round and sometimes they have events going on (from €18). 

TIP: If you want to visit the Suomenlinna fortress and island. You can take the ferry from Kauppatori HSL ferry station (map). Just download the HSL app and buy the ticket there it is only €3. 😗

BTW, one of my favorite cafés is in the area! Ihana Kahvila Baari (map) sells from pastries to sandwiches, apart from the best coffee! Also the decor is super cute and has vintage furniture!

PRO TIP: If you find any accommodation in Katajanokka is completely fine, it is near Kruununhaka and super calm! Also in Katajanokka you can find Uspenski Cathedral (map), a beautiful orthodox church built in 1868. The views from it are stunning.

Other accommodation options in Kruununhaka

Things to do in Kruununhaka

• Visit Allas Sea Pool and relax in the sauna
• Take photos of the President Palace
• Walk around the Senate Square
• Go shopping at Kauppatori

👑 Luxury price:	€250
💵 Mid-range hotel:	€170
🛏️ Budget:	€100
📍 Best area:	Kluuvi
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Hotel Vaakuna
💰Mid-range hotel:	Holiday Inn
👛 Best budget hotel:	Kongressikoti Hotel

FAQs about where to stay in Helsinki

Conclusion

That is it, those were the best places and hotels where to stay in Helsinki! I am a local, I live here so I am sure by now you’ve already picked the top area for your taste, your hotel, and also have a list of things to do in the area!

If you need help to choose your hotel, here are 2 of my most liked ones in the city!

• Lapland Hotels Bulevardi – A luxury hotel with a bar on site
• Indigo Helsinki-Boulevard – A mid-range hotel in a trendy location

I highly suggest you book your hotel room in advance, Helsinki is super popular, and things book fast!

Which one of these areas was your favorite? I hope after your trip you love my city Helsinki as much as I do!

Have a lovely time in Helsinki,

Daniela

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