Where to Stay in Helsinki – 6 Best Areas

Discover the best areas to stay in Helsinki with our guide. Explore top neighborhoods, from trendy districts to family-friendly spots, and find the perfect place for your stay in vibrant capital of Finland.
Where to Stay in Helsinki

Helsinki, the elegant and lively capital of Finland, is famous for its remarkable architecture. The city’s boulevards and neighborhoods are filled with perfect spots for dining, shopping, and unwinding.

There are fantastic areas to stay in Helsinki, offering a range of accommodations to fit every budget and taste.

Explore the unique features of the best neighborhoods to find the ideal area for you.

1. Kluuvi, best area to stay in Helsinki for first time

Helsinki Central Station
Helsinki Central Station

Kluuvi, the heart of Helsinki, is where you’ll find the central station and the university. This area boasts major department stores like Stockmann and Sokos, and the shopping streets such as Aleksanterinkatu are brimming with every kind of shop you can imagine.

The Central Station, a landmark of Kluuvi, connects Helsinki with destinations across Finland and even Russia, with trains to and from St. Petersburg.

Kluuvi isn’t just about shopping and travel. It’s rich in cultural attractions. Visit the Helsinki Music Centre, the National Theatre, the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Ateneum Art Museum.

Book lovers will be in heaven here. The University of Helsinki’s central campus houses Kaisa House, the main library. Don’t miss the architectural marvel of Oodi, Helsinki’s Central Library, which opened in 2018.

Need a break? Head to Kaisaniemi Park, a stunning green space spanning about ten acres. The park features ten impressive greenhouses, offering a delightful escape during the cold winter months.

Nearby, Senate Square is home to the Helsinki Cathedral, one of Finland’s most iconic buildings.

Best Hotels in Kluuvi

2. Kamppi, best area to stay in Helsinki for nightlife

Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel

Kamppi is a bustling district in Helsinki, home to major shopping centers like Kamppi Mall and the popular Hietalahti outdoor market.

You’ll find a variety of boutiques and restaurants, many with a hipster vibe and LGBTQ+ friendly spots.

Don’t miss landmarks like Tennispalatsi (Tennis Palace) and Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace), both constructed in the 1930s.

Kamppi is also the heart of Finland’s music scene. The area is filled with live music venues, record labels, and festival spaces.

Urho Kekkosen katu, known as Rock and Roll Street, is famous for the musicians and industry professionals dining at its restaurants.

Shop at boutiques along Fredrikinkatu or admire the old wooden houses on Kalevankatu.

If you want to be near the city’s nightlife action, Kamppi is the place to stay. It’s the neighborhood that’s always ready for a party.

Best Hotels in Kamppi

3. Kaartinkaupunki, where to stay in Helsinki with family and kids

Esplanade Park
Esplanade Park

Kaartinkaupunki is an urban and trendy neighborhood in the southern part of central Helsinki. It’s dotted with top-notch hotels and popular restaurants, alongside fantastic museums and recreational spots.

The neighborhood’s name harks back to the old Russian army barracks at Kasarmitori Square. Here, you’ll find the famous Havis Amanda statue and the Old Market Hall, a top city attraction since 1889.

For a relaxing break, take a stroll along the harbor or explore Esplanade Park, a green oasis that attracts office workers and tourists alike. During the holiday season, the park lights up with festive Christmas lights.

Rikhardinkatu Library is another architectural highlight in Kaartinkaupunki. The neighborhood also hosts the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum.

Kaartinkaupunki is ideal for families with children visiting Helsinki. With its abundance of parks and green spaces, kids will have plenty of room to play and explore during your stay.

Best Hotels in Kaartinkaupunki

  • (€€€) Hotel Lilla Robertsa 5-star hotel with restaurant, bar and breakfast, 600m from Old Market Hall
  • (€€) Hotel F6a 4-star hotel with breakfast and bar, 350m from Old Market Hall
  • (€) Bob W Kaarti: a 4-star hotel with breakfast, 400m from Old Market Hall

4. Punavuori, a cool area to stay in Helsinki

Punavuori
Punavuori

Punavuori offers an authentic Finnish neighborhood experience with charming shops and delightful restaurants. In the summer months, the area buzzes with lively cafes and outdoor spaces.

Originally Helsinki’s first true suburb, it was home to sailors, fishermen, workers, and students. Today, it’s popular with families with young children and young professionals.

The architectural landscape of Punavuori is diverse and rich, featuring Art Nouveau buildings and neo-Renaissance houses. You’ll also find former industrial buildings repurposed into modern apartments and offices.

Wooden houses evoke memories of the neighborhood’s working-class roots.

The Design District boasts a vast collection of boutiques, bars, and restaurants. Other attractions in Punavuori include the pedestrian street Iso Roobertinkatu, the Sinebrychoff Art Museum, St. John’s Church, and the Mikael Agricola Church.

Punavuori is also home to one of Helsinki’s most popular parks, Sinebrychoff Park, named after a local brewery.

Best Hotels in Punavuori

5. Kallio, where to stay in Helsinki on a budget

Kallio church
Kallio church

This laid-back neighborhood east of downtown was once a working-class area. Now, Kallio is brimming with a diverse array of cafes, restaurants, and bars.

Once neglected and rundown, Kallio has transformed into a trendy district. It rivals the fashionable areas of major European cities, from Hackney in London to Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Neukölln in Berlin.

Kallio is home to many chic bars that promise fun-filled nights. During the summer, enjoy a drink at Karhupuisto and the outdoor Bear Park Café.

On Fleminginkatu, Helsinginkatu, and Vaasankatu, you’ll find unique boutiques and shops. At the Hakaniemi market, you can buy everything from vintage stamps and jewelry to fresh produce and pastries.

If you’re on a budget, Kallio is an excellent area to stay in Helsinki. Accommodation options might be fewer than in other central areas, but they are much more affordable.

Best Hotels in Kallio

6. Etu-Töölö, a quiet area to stay in Helsinki

National Museum of Finland
National Museum of Finland

Etu-Töölö is renowned for its diverse architecture, blending classicism, functionalism, Art Nouveau, and modern influences throughout the neighborhood.

Must-visit attractions include the Parliament House and the Temppeliaukio Church. You’ll also find the stunning Kunsthalle Helsinki and the Finlandia Hall.

Nearby, the National Museum of Finland offers a rich cultural experience, while Lallukka hosts artists of all kinds. The area is also home to the Olympic Stadium.

Etu-Töölö’s cafes and restaurants cater to nearly every taste. Enjoy a meal before a concert at Finlandia Hall or after exploring this historic district.

Alongside cozy, family-friendly Japanese and Chinese eateries, the renowned Elite restaurant on Runeberginkatu stands out.

Nature enthusiasts will feel right at home. Explore Hesperian Park and Hesperian Esplanadi, or soak up the sun at the sandy Hietaranta beach during the summer.

Best Hotels in Etu-Töölö

  • (€€) Töölö Towersa 4-star hotel with breakfast, 1.5km from central station
  • (€€) Hotel Helkaa 4-star hotel with breakfast and bar, 900m from central station
  • (€€) Crowne Plaza Helsinkia 4-star hotel with spa and indoor swimming pool, 1.3km from central station

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