Last updated on 14 November 2023 | by Stefan Hotel Follower
Helsinki is Finland’s capital city in Northern Europe and many tourists tend to overlook this city because it is small in size. The city is full of life, with rich history and it is definitely worth a visit. However, trying to choose where to stay in Helsinki, Finland can be a little bit tricky.
This is why this article is very important since it will help you plan for your holiday with less stress by helping you figure out where to stay in the city and the best neighbourhood. By going through this guide you will able to know which neighbourhood and accommodation is right for you depending on your style and budget.
What’s the best area to experience the city for the first time, tourists, what’s the best district for shopping and dining, or where to stay on a budget? Read on below to find out more best neighbourhoods to stay in Helsinki Finland.
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Helsinki?
Best for First Time (Sightseeing): City Centre (Central/Downtown)
The City Centre is a small area and you can easily explore it by foot. This area’s main sight is the Helsinki Cathedral, which is on top of stairs and it is the most dominant aspect of the Senate Square with the bright white colour.
There are a number of museums located in the City Centre and they are the main attraction sites in this area. For instance, the Ateneum Art Museum has a very large collection of art in Finland and the Helsinki Museum has all the history of the city with the old buildings found in the area.
Where to Stay in Helsinki City Centre
- Best Luxury Hotels in Helsinki
Hotel St. George Helsinki • Hotel Kämp - Best Great Value – Top Rated Hotels
Hotel Katajanokka, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel • Hotel Helka - Best Cheap Hotels in Helsinki
Hotel Finn • Hellsten Helsinki Senate - Best Apartments for Rent
Apartment Hotel Aallonkoti • Essexhome Apartments - Best Budget Hostels
The Yard Hostel • Eurohostel
What’s the Best Area in Helsinki to Stay?
Best places to stay for romantic holiday? Bed and Breakfast or Small Boutique or Luxury Hotel
There are a number of small boutique and luxury hotels in the city where you can stay and what matters most is your style and budget. You can find various types of hotels in Helsinki ranging from luxurious apartments to cosy B&Bs. It is very possible to get a cheap boutique hotel that has comfortable rooms with air condition and maybe a swimming pool. You can go through a list of some of the hotels in the city. However, as you look for accommodation you should look for a hotel that is near a shopping centre.
Where to stay in Helsinki for best shopping & dining? Kamppi, Kluuvi, Punavuori
If you are looking for a district that is good for dining and shopping, you should go to neighbourhoods such as Kamppi, Punavuori and Kluuvi. These neighbourhoods offer great food scenes and great bars where you can spend quality time with friends. Kamppi is located near the City Centre and it is filled with so many restaurants, shops and bars. In case you are looking for tourist attraction sites you will find some churches and museums that are cultural and historical based.
Where to stay in Helsinki on a budget? Kallio
As mentioned earlier, Kallio is one of the favourite neighbourhoods for students and it has a very lively and active atmosphere. This is mainly a residential area but there are some shops and bars where you can go out for shopping and drinks. Kallio has a lot to offer tourists including a local experience and the thrill of an amusement park. You can also try out some local treats at the Hakaniemi Market Hall. This part of the city is full of small vendors who sell traditional treats, dishes and fresh Finnish produce.
The 4 Best Neighbourhoods in Helsinki for Tourists
Most of Helsinki can be seen while walking or you can choose to use the city’s public transport network. To begin with, there are great neighbourhoods that have so much to offer to tourists from anywhere and every tourist will find something that suits them in Helsinki.
For starters, we have districts such as the City Centre which is small but it has all the city’s major museums and the best parks. It is a great place for shopping and it is also suitable for dining and nightlife. For tourists who like partying, a district such as Kamppi is the best option for them since it is filled with restaurants, cafes, and bars.
Another area that offers good food and a lively nightlife scene is Punavuori. This neighbourhood is known to be best at offering anything tourists are looking for including unique shop pieces.
For students, Kallio is one of their favourite neighbourhood and it has a lively atmosphere. This area is more of a residential one but there are also some shops and bars for food and drinks.
There are a number of small islands around the main neighbourhoods and they form the Helsinki archipelago. Some of these islands are inhabited and they have become neighbourhoods of Helsinki such as Katajanokka.
1. City Centre
The City Centre is small and you can explore it without much struggle. The main symbol of the city is the Helsinki Cathedral that every tourist must visit. You can take a boat and visit the maritime fortress of Suomenlinna or walk through the Esplanadi.
Apart from these, you will also find several museums that have collections of art and painting such as the Helsinki Museum. You will also find accommodation in various hotels but in most cases the hotels in this area will cost you a lot of money.
- Best Hotels (Luxury): Hotel Haven • Marski by Scandic
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hotel Arthur • Omena Hotel Helsinki Lönnrotinkatu
2. Kamppi
Kamppi is next to the City Centre and it has so many shops, churches, restaurants, museums, and bars. Kamppi is cultural and historical city that has so much to tell about Finland.
One of the most famous things about Kamppi is a church that is in the Rock. While in the neighbourhood some of the things you can do include visiting the Kamppi chapel, spending some time in the Natural Museum of Helsinki and checking out the Church in the Rock.
- Best Hotels (Luxury): Lapland Hotels Bulevardi • Hotel St. George Helsinki
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hotel Finn • Forenom Aparthotel Helsinki Kamppi
3. Kluuvi
Kluuvi is more of a busy retail district that has some Finnish design shops and many department stores. Tourists can visit the Ateneum art Museum that displays art deco Stockman Classic Finnish paintings. There is also another museum known as the Kiasma and it displays artistic work that is in a postmodern setup.
Other things to be enjoyed in the neighbourhood include sushi bars, restaurants, and cafes. The Nightlife in Kluuvi ranges from posh clubs to bars with live performances.
- Best Hotels (Luxury): Hotel Kämp • Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hotel Carlton • Hotel Arthur
4. Katajanokka
Katajanokka is one of the islands in Helsinki and it is an area known for elegant artistic buildings, a red –brick Uspenski Cathedral and beautiful restaurants that offer seafood.
There are icebreakers that dock on the north shore and a 19th warehouse known as Wanha Satama that has various markets and exhibits. As tourists there is an Allas Sea Pool that has a lot of swimming activities that are appropriate for any age and any style.
- Best Hotels (Luxury): Hotel Katajanokka, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel • Noli Katajanokka
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hellsten Helsinki Senate (Aparthotel) • Eurohostel (Hostel)
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