Helsinki in January
December 11, 2016 3:13 PM Subscribe
We will be in Helsinki next month, from 6 Jan to 9 Jan. We are looking forward to the light festival, but we need more advice on things to do, given that it will be dark and cold. Is Suomenlinna a bad idea? How about Winter Circus Memory or The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra's Epiphany Concert, if tickets are available?
So far, our plans include eating blinis and searching out museums, galleries, and design stores. We will have warm clothing and boots, but we are not particularly outdoorsy or athletic people. What else should we do?
The Ateneum is hosting a brilliant Modigliani exhibition now that is well-worth seeing.
Do go to Loyly for a sauna and dinner. I suggest early evening sauna and dinner afterward, bookings in advance.
The National Library is quite lovely as well.
posted by nickrussell at 4:00 PM on December 11, 2016
Do go to Loyly for a sauna and dinner. I suggest early evening sauna and dinner afterward, bookings in advance.
The National Library is quite lovely as well.
posted by nickrussell at 4:00 PM on December 11, 2016
I don't have too many specific suggestions for tourist activities because I've only visited for work and spent most of my trips jetlagged and exhausted, but I visited Suomenlinna over a weekend in November. It was excellent--I really enjoyed it. It was very cold and somewhat windy, but if I remember correctly, it was a sunny day so it wasn't miserable. Pack a hat and scarf!
posted by tybstar at 4:20 PM on December 11, 2016
posted by tybstar at 4:20 PM on December 11, 2016
Sauna! http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/10/travel/helsinki-finnish-sauna-guide/
posted by mollymillions at 4:31 PM on December 11, 2016
posted by mollymillions at 4:31 PM on December 11, 2016
Yrjonkadun Swimming Hall is a must if you're into sauna, although I think it's gender alternate days. If you're a heterosexual couple there are probably private saunas to rent by the cabin somewhere in Helsinki too.
posted by fshgrl at 5:14 PM on December 11, 2016
posted by fshgrl at 5:14 PM on December 11, 2016
Here are probably some better choices :). I went to the first on the list so I can vouch for it. It was not fancy but scenic!
posted by Tandem Affinity at 6:55 PM on December 11, 2016
posted by Tandem Affinity at 6:55 PM on December 11, 2016
Suomenlinna is a good idea, but just like tybstar said, there's often a chilly wind. Same goes for Helsinki in general.
Re: museums, I love Ateneum, Kiasma and the natural history museum. Taidehalli (Kunsthalle) is located right next to the natural history museum. Amos Anderson's art museum is another one I'd recommend.
Re: saunas, some people I know swear by Kotiharjun sauna for its authenticity and original atmosphere.
If you're planning to visit many museums, it may be cheapest to get the Finnish museum card for 59 €.
My recommendations for a January trip? Use the daylight hours to stroll outdoors, from museum to another, or take the ferry to Suomenlinna or go for a nice slow walk in Kaivopuisto park. Try a different place for lunch each day – there are many small places along the smaller streets and lanes in the city centre and around it in Kamppi, Töölö, Punavuori... In the evening, have a long cosy dinner and find a nice café for a round of desserts afterwards. I used to live in Helsinki, now I only visit a couple of times a year, and this is how I'd spend a lovely free winter's day in my former hometown.
posted by kaarne at 2:01 AM on December 12, 2016
Re: museums, I love Ateneum, Kiasma and the natural history museum. Taidehalli (Kunsthalle) is located right next to the natural history museum. Amos Anderson's art museum is another one I'd recommend.
Re: saunas, some people I know swear by Kotiharjun sauna for its authenticity and original atmosphere.
If you're planning to visit many museums, it may be cheapest to get the Finnish museum card for 59 €.
My recommendations for a January trip? Use the daylight hours to stroll outdoors, from museum to another, or take the ferry to Suomenlinna or go for a nice slow walk in Kaivopuisto park. Try a different place for lunch each day – there are many small places along the smaller streets and lanes in the city centre and around it in Kamppi, Töölö, Punavuori... In the evening, have a long cosy dinner and find a nice café for a round of desserts afterwards. I used to live in Helsinki, now I only visit a couple of times a year, and this is how I'd spend a lovely free winter's day in my former hometown.
posted by kaarne at 2:01 AM on December 12, 2016
Is Suomenlinna a bad idea?
No - when I visited the ferry had to break its way through ice to make the short trip.
Personally I also love the bar and views from the top of the Hotel Torni.
posted by rongorongo at 2:44 AM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
No - when I visited the ferry had to break its way through ice to make the short trip.
Personally I also love the bar and views from the top of the Hotel Torni.
posted by rongorongo at 2:44 AM on December 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm going to be in Helsinki this weekend and I was wondering about Suomenlinna too, so thanks for this question. I've been there several times in summer but never in winter.
posted by Logophiliac at 7:04 AM on December 13, 2016
posted by Logophiliac at 7:04 AM on December 13, 2016
UPDATE. I went over to Suomenlinna yesterday on an overcast, cool morning. It was still beautiful. If I were you I'd go, weather permitting.
posted by Logophiliac at 8:52 PM on December 17, 2016
posted by Logophiliac at 8:52 PM on December 17, 2016
And if you are still in doubt about the Helsinki Phil, don't be. They are terrific, and the Music Centre is one of my favourite concert halls. Looks like tickets are still available.
posted by Logophiliac at 8:58 PM on December 17, 2016
posted by Logophiliac at 8:58 PM on December 17, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
Things I especially enjoyed:
* Taking a long walk from Hakaniemi to the Finnish National Opera, via a lovely path that runs north of the Töölönlahti. (That same night I saw the Finnish National Ballet perform The Little Mermaid and it was incredible.)
* Seeing the botanical gardens - they were lovely, even in the cold.
* Visiting the Ateneum Art Museum - and I'm not even a huge art museum person. Also the cafeteria is pretty nice for a museum so I'd stop for a coffee and dessert before/after.
* Visiting the National Museum of Finland.
posted by schroedingersgirl at 3:26 PM on December 11, 2016