Local Information

Helsinki is a compact, walkable city, and most of its highlights are within easy reach of the conference venue. Below are some local suggestions for your free time — from sights and saunas to restaurants and day trips.

Things to Do in Helsinki

Senate Square & Helsinki Cathedral

The iconic heart of the city, with the white cathedral overlooking the square. A short walk from most central hotels and the classic postcard view of Helsinki.

Oodi Central Library

Oodi is Helsinki’s new Central Library and a living meeting place. It functions as a living room for residents, located right at the heart of Helsinki.

Temppeliaukio (Rock Church)

Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Töölö neighbourhood of Helsinki. Built directly into solid rock, it is also known as the Church of the Rock.

Saunas

A must-try Finnish experience, best in winter. Löyly is one of the most well-known public saunas in Finland, located in a former industrial area on the Helsinki waterfront. Allas Sea Pool is right in the middle of Helsinki. Kulttuurisauna is the choice for sauna-goers looking for a simple, Nordic aesthetic with an eco-friendly twist.

Museums

Ateneum, Kiasma, Amos Rex & Design Museum. Classic and contemporary art plus design, all excellent ways to spend a winter afternoon indoors.

For more ideas, including museums, saunas, restaurants, design shops, and nearby day trips, the official Visit Finland Helsinki region guide is a good starting point: https://www.visitfinland.com/en/places-to-go/helsinki-region/

Restaurant Guide

Finnish and Nordic cuisine

Savotta — genuine Finnish food and atmosphere, just off Senate Square in the heart of Helsinki (https://ravintolasavotta.fi/), 50€+

Lappi Ravintola — Finnish ingredients in all dishes give you a true experience of Lappish cuisine (https://lappires.com/), 50€+

Konstan Möljä — traditional coastal Karelian restaurant offering authentic Finnish food (https://www.konstanmolja.fi/), 35–40€

Sea Horse — traditional Finnish food and warm hospitality served since December 1933 (https://www.seahorse.fi/en/restaurant-sea-horse/), 50€+

Fine dining

Olo — the best northern ingredients turned into unforgettable taste sensations and combinations (https://olo-ravintola.fi/)

Savoy — located above the rooftops of Helsinki on the edge of Esplanadi Park, serving customers for over 85 years (https://savoyhelsinki.fi/fi)

Nokka — wild and responsibly grown Finnish ingredients are at the heart of Nokka’s cuisine, with special attention to minimizing food waste (https://nokkahelsinki.fi/)

Aoi — considered and carefree contemporary cuisine (https://www.restaurantaoi.com/)

Food halls

Old Market Hall — the oldest market hall of Helsinki, with different restaurant options (https://vanhakauppahalli.fi/en/)

Hakaniemi Market Hall — traditional market hall right next to the conference venue (https://hakaniemenkauppahalli.fi/en/)

Budget friendly

  • Jumbowl Noodle Restaurant
  • Restaurant Levant Bulevardi
  • Green Hippo Punavuori
  • Pho Viet

Vegetarian and vegan

  • Just Vege
  • Restaurant Thai Vegan Kitchen
  • Ravintola Lohtu
  • Vegan Food Box
  • Plants by Us

Day Trips from Helsinki

Tallinn, Estonia

A medieval UNESCO Old Town just across the Gulf of Finland, and a popular day trip from Helsinki. Just a 2-hour ferry ride away, Tallinn offers a beautifully preserved medieval Old Town with cobblestone streets.

The ferries operate frequently throughout the day, with ticket prices ranging roughly 20–90€ per person depending on how far in advance you book. Regular ferry connections are operated by Tallink Silja Line (https://www.tallink.com/), Viking Line (https://www.vikingline.fi/), and Eckerö Line (https://www.eckeroline.fi/). Bring a passport or national ID card, as it is an international border crossing (within the Schengen Area).

Porvoo

Finland’s second-oldest town, about 50 km east of Helsinki. Porvoo’s Old Town is a beautiful collection of red wooden riverside houses, originally warehouses, now boutiques, cafés, and museums. You can easily reach Porvoo by bus, and the journey takes around one hour (https://www.visitporvoo.fi/en/sights/history).

Turku

Turku is the oldest town of Finland, famous for its old-city charm and historical sites such as Turku Castle. It is located in the southwestern corner of Finland, about two hours from the capital. The easiest way to get there is by train: there are multiple direct connections every day and the trip takes less than two hours (for schedules, visit vr.fi). More information: https://www.visitfinland.com/en/places-to-go/coast-and-archipelago/turku/

Lapland

Lapland is a train ride or flight away (~1.5 hours to Rovaniemi), ideal for a pre- or post-conference trip. During the winter, Lapland offers arctic landscapes, breathtaking northern lights, husky and reindeer sled rides, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, and many more experiences. Popular destinations include Rovaniemi, Saariselkä, and Levi (https://www.visitfinland.com/en/places-to-go/lapland/).

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