Finland is Russia's northern neighbor. A long snow season, a developed tourism industry, a lot of attractions contribute to the growth of the flow of tourists to Suomi in the winter months. Covered with ice for 5-7 months, tens of thousands of lakes beckon with exceptional conditions for winter fishing. The abundance of hills, mountain ranges create great opportunities for skiing. But to travel to Finland you need.
There are dozens of ski resorts in Finland with well-equipped tracks for skiing, snowboarding, and cheesecakes. You can make a snow safari on dog and reindeer sleds, ATVs, snowmobiles; go skiing, winter fishing. In any town and resort there is enough entertainment: spa centers, museums, parks with winter attractions.
Suomi has a huge number of comfortable hotels, camp sites, cottages with excellent conditions for recreation with a company, family, and children. Finnish hospitality, quality service, a developed transport network, an abundance of first-class entertainment - these are the features of the Finnish tourism industry.
Travel lovers will learn a lot of new things on a trip to Finnish cities: Helsinki, Tampere. With children, for New Year's impressions, it is better to go to Lapland, not forgetting to visit the water parks in Helsinki.
Winter weather in Finland
Finland is the northernmost country in Europe, a third of which is above the Arctic Circle. Winter here is dark, the day lasts from 10 am to 3 pm. The cold is moderate: the influence of the heat of the Gulf Stream is affecting. The average temperatures of the coldest month - February - from -3 -6 in the southwest (in Turku, Helsinki), -9 -10 - in the central lake district, to -12 -14 in the north of the country. With dry air, frost is easily tolerated, so winter holidays in Finland with children will undoubtedly be successful. Snow cover is formed in December and lasts until April, in the north - until May. Due to the frequent westerly winds, tourists should prefer not only warm, but also windproof clothing.
How to get there
The fastest way to get to Finland is by plane from Moscow or St. Petersburg. The average price of a flight on the route Moscow - Helsinki is 3600 rubles. The cheapest tickets are for a flight in the middle of the week when booking a month in advance, it will cost 2,700 rubles. You can get to Helsinki from St. Petersburg by ferry, train; from Moscow - on the Leo Tolstoy express train. Buses run to Finland from St. Petersburg, Murmansk and Kandalaksha, a ticket from the city on the Neva to the center of Helsinki costs 500 rubles.
Transport Suomi
Finland is dotted with a dense network of bus routes, they reach any village, ski resort. The fare is from 4 to 50 euros, a 10% discount is provided for a return ticket if the distance is more than 80 km. For children under 11 years old, the ticket is half the price. The main cities of Finland are connected by railways. The carriages are comfortable and spacious, the letters P and S denote fast trains. Ski racks are available in the vestibules of IC (Inter-Sity), IC2 (Inter-Sity 2) trains.
Finland has excellent conditions for practicing various winter sports and outdoor activities: halfpipe, snowboarding; dog sledding, mountain and cross-country skiing, ice skating, cheesecakes, sledges, snowmobiles.
Snowmobile safari
Many Finnish travel agencies offer snowmobile safaris lasting from several hours to several days. The routes pass through central and northern Finland. In a short hike, you can move together, in a long hike, each participant is provided with a snowmobile. Transport is easy to manage, instruction and training for beginners is required.
The route passes along marked routes at a speed of up to 60 km/h. During the hike under the guidance of an instructor, participants receive full equipment: warm overalls, shoes, gloves, helmet. Routes are laid through national parks, lakes; include outdoor dining, ice fishing, visiting a sauna, a Karelian village, a water and health center.
Overnight stays in equipped forest huts and cottages are possible. Organizers provide meals, accommodation, safety of tourists. The cost depends on the duration of the safari and the set of services, a 4-hour ride on a snowmobile will cost approximately 100 euros per person.
Dog sled rides
In eastern and northern Finland, tourists can ride dog sleds. The dogs are trained, strong, they are able to pull the sled through deep snow at high speed. Tourists are provided with special clothing and footwear, they are taught how to drive a team, how to handle dogs. The trip is led by an experienced guide. There are parking places for rest and food.
Hiking ski trails cross the country in all directions. In the north - in Lapland - they put on skis in October, put them in a closet in mid-May. Skiers' favorite season is the end of winter with long sunny days; in the south of the country it is February, in the center - March, in Lapland - April. Many kilometers of ski tracks pass through a diverse landscape, camping sites and campfires are equipped on the routes. Tourists skiers stay in cottages, hotels, recreation centers, ski resorts.
What to visit in Finland: Sights of Helsinki
The capital is full of interesting places. In the city center is the Design Museum. It presents interiors, furniture, dishes.
Museum address: Korkeavuorenkatu, 23.
Ticket - 8 euros.
A corner of the tropical jungle can be found in the Winter Garden, near the Olympic Stadium, admission is free.
On the island of Korkeasaari there is a huge Zoo which will not leave anyone indifferent. You need to go to it from the railway station by bus number 11.
Adult ticket - up to 10 euros, children - half the price.
Connoisseurs of antiquity can visit Sea fortress of Sveaborg XVIII century, located on an island 2 km from Helsinki. There are several architectural monuments, museums, hotels and cafes. The Fortress Museum presents household items, tools, and weapons. The fortress is somewhat reminiscent of the mysterious Chateau d'If, in.
In Sveaborg, you can stay at a hotel for 22 euros, treat yourself to a beer in a local brewery, and amazing smoked fish in a restaurant.
A visit to the fortress costs 5 euros, children under 18 are free.
In Helsinki - 2 water parks, of which "Serena" is the largest in Scandinavia. It is located 20 km from the center of the capital in the suburbs of Northern Espoo. The water park is open daily from 11 am to 8 pm. Ticket - 22 euros, family ticket for four - 75 euros. The advantage of the water park is the ability to combine summer and winter entertainment, because there are slopes nearby "Serena Ski"- ski center
Aquapark "Flamingo"– 19 km from the capital, in the shopping and entertainment complex of the city Vantaa. Its plus is a lower price: from Monday to Thursday - 12 euros per adult, 2 times less - per child. On other days, the ticket costs 20 euros.
Cheap and high-quality goods are sold in Helsinki in popular shopping centers: Campi, Stockmann, Sokos. Shops in Suomi are open from 9:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and until 15:00 on Saturdays, supermarkets and department stores - until 20:00–21:00. The winter sale starts on December 27 and lasts for a month.
If you want to rent a car to travel around Helsinki, then you will need.
Other colorful towns in Finland
Tampere- a city where you can go on a family New Year's tour. The Moomin Valley, the Spy Museum, the attractions in the Sarkanniemi amusement park, the dolphinarium, the Koiramäki farm - all this will appeal to both children and adults. The spinning 120-meter tower "Nyasinnula" offers a marvelous view of the city and two nearby lakes.
8 km from the Arctic Circle is the main city of Lapland - Rovaniemi. The airport is 2 km from Santa Claus Village. From Rovaniemi to the Village there is a bus Santa's Express, the ticket costs 3.8 euros. Ranua Zoo is located 80 km from the city, where you can see 200 species of animals, including brown and polar bears, moose. Adult ticket - 13 euros. There is a bus going there. The children's fairy-tale park with the Mur-mur castle is also interesting.
You know, the landscapes of Finland are somewhat reminiscent of landscapes in winter.
There are ski centers in every Finnish town. Sports equipment is rented everywhere, and there are many ski schools in the resorts. By tradition, ski lifts are free on the slopes for beginners. Winter tourist centers have gyms, swimming pools, bars, nightclubs and restaurants.
Most of the hotels are near the ski lifts. The cost of a cottage for 6 people is approximately 600-800 euros per week, prices rise on the eve of holidays. The price includes free Wi-Fi, firewood, charcoal grill.
In the southern part of Suomi, the length of the slopes is up to 800 meters, in the northern regions - up to 3 km with a height difference of up to 450 m. The ski season in Lapland lasts from October to May, in the absence of snow, machines are used to make the slopes snowy. The resorts are especially popular at the beginning of spring, when the frosts weaken and the days are sunny.
Himos
Resort "Himos" popular with Russians: there are Russian-speaking instructors, 4 free lifts for beginners. The local mountains are the longest and highest in the south of the country, the length of the slopes is up to 950 m, the height difference is 151 m. On the slopes there are 21 tracks of varying difficulty, including those for snowboarding and cross country; 2 half-pipes, superpipe, Fis-hills, Ski-park. There are 15 lifts on the slopes.
A day pass for the lift will cost 39 euros for an adult, 23 euros for a child. The cost of a telemark kit for the day is 33 euros, for snowboarding - 39 euros, for children under 11 years old - 1.5 times cheaper. Lesson with an instructor lasting 45 minutes costs 55 euros per person.
The resort accommodates in cottages, apartments, hotels. Cottages are located a kilometer from the slopes, equipped with a sauna, plumbing, fireplace, electrical appliances. From "Himos" to the city of Jämsä - 7 km, buses run hourly. There are railway and bus stations in Jämsä.
Tourists live in such cottages.
Additional services: motorized sleigh rides, ice skating, dog sledding; swimming in wetsuits, fishing. The Himos Arena entertainment center has a nightclub.
Riihivuori
Slalom center 20 km from Jyväskylä Riihivuori, which has 9 slopes, including difficult ones, up to 800 m long and with a height difference of 120 m; illuminated half-pipe, 5 lifts. Ski pass price: 30 euros for an adult, 22 for a child. Feature of the resort: there is a children's area with a separate slope, a free lift, a playground.
At the top of the mountain there is a cottage village with a restaurant and well-equipped houses with a magnificent panorama from the windows. Jyväskylä has an airport and a railway station, the flight from Helsinki takes 30 minutes, by train from the capital - 3.5 hours. From the border of Russia to the resort - 300 km.
In Jyväskylä, there are ample opportunities for entertainment, educational activities: a water park, Museums of art, architecture, even the Sauna Museum, as well as shops and cafes. From active recreation, there are also safaris on snowmobiles or dog sleds, ice fishing.
"Hand"
Ski center "Hand", which is in the south of Lapland, has 28 slopes, 18 lifts. The eastern slopes are gentler and longer, up to 1300 m, the western slopes are steep, with a large height difference - up to 200 m. There are tracks for snowboarding, mogul, boarder cross, 4 children's slopes, 3 half-pipes, jumps, rails.
Ruka has everything for a full-fledged outdoor activity: recreation areas with a fire, cafes, souvenir shops, equipment rentals. The Ski-Inn Apartments are conveniently located near the ski lifts and slopes.
25 km from the Ruka fell is the city of Kuusamo, from which buses run to the resort. They get to Kuusamo by plane from Helsinki or by train to Oulu, then 200 km by bus or car.
In addition to traditional safaris, the center offers off-road racing, winter golf and karting. There is a bowling alley in Kuusamo. The city leisure and sports center has an indoor skating rink, gyms, saunas, and a solarium. Not far from the resort, the Kuusamon Tropiikki water park was built with a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a swimming pool.
"Levi"
In the west of Lapland there is a compact ski center "Levi". There are 45 slopes, 27 lifts, including a gondola cable car. For beginners - 4 free lifts. For children: sports town, entertainment center.
Levi has hundreds of cottages, apartments, 8 hotels. There is a free shuttle to the slopes. 15 km from the mountain is the airport of Kittila. The flight from Helsinki lasts 1.5 hours.
Entertainment: mini-water park at the Levitunturi hotel, sports and fitness complex, entertainment center, restaurants, bistros. 40 km in the town of Lainio - Snow Village.
"Tahko"
The winter sports center is located in Nilsia. There are 16 slopes with a height difference of more than 200 meters, the longest one is 1.2 km. There are trails for halfpipe and snowboarding. 9 lifts carry tourists to the top. The cost of a single ski pass is 25 euros.
The resort has 300 bungalows and cottages, most of them on the lake. In addition to kitchen equipment, there are saunas, fireplaces, TV. They get there by plane Helsinki - Kuopio, from there 1 hour by bus. Another option: by train Helsinki - Siilinjärvi, by bus 40 km to Tahko.
Activities: Conventional snow safaris, ice fishing, snowshoeing, winter driving courses, riding lessons. It is interesting to visit nearby the ice castle "Lumilunna", the water park "Fontanella" in Siilinjärvi.
Impressions from visiting the Santa Claus Village
A trip to Santa Claus Village makes a huge impression on adults and children. Here everything sparkles with festive lights. In the center of the Village there is a big Christmas tree, ice figures. Nearby is a museum that tells about the nature of the Arctic and the indigenous people of the north.
The main attraction in Finland is Santa's office. Children are met by elves, gnomes. Good Santa talks to children, takes pictures, gives gifts. Visiting the village is free, you need to pay for taking pictures with Santa and souvenirs. From the wonderful mail they send Christmas cards to family and friends with Santa's stamp. There is a deer farm near the office, you can ride in a reindeer sleigh.
Nearby is the underground Santa Park. Children will have master classes on making Christmas gifts, a New Year's show, an Ice Gallery with sculptures of fairy-tale heroes and northern animals, and an excursion to a Lapland shaman. The park is open in winter until January 11, the ticket price is about 30 euros.
In winter, the Arctic Winter World entertainment park, illuminated with multi-colored lights, is open. It is possible for a single entrance fee - 16 euros - to ride numerous slides, visit igloo hotels, visit an ice cafe. The Village has many cottages, shops and restaurants.
What surprises travelers in Finland?
Pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness, safety, beauty of virgin nature. Finns manage to have a cuisine rich in vitamins beyond the Arctic Circle. To maintain energy, excellent coffee is drunk here. Each village and town has a marketing department that develops and promotes the brand of the area, its uniqueness.
Do not cease to amaze tourists open smiling people, the holiday atmosphere in the houses and on the streets. Airports are decorated with Christmas trees, images of deer. On the roads - flags, lanterns; candles and lamps are lit on windowsills in houses. Here they trust people, do not close the doors of houses, cars. All that is lost will be found and saved. In Finland, a calm, amazing and fabulous life.
Winter holidays in Finland will charge you with energy and vivacity, will allow you to get acquainted with a country where they believe in miracles and bring them to life. But if you count on warmth, bright sun, palm trees and walks along the seashore in winter, then go to.
Don't rush to leave! Here are some more interesting articles:
Winter Helsinki is beautiful and romantic: snow-covered parks and roofs of houses, Christmas lights, clean and uncrowded streets, bright shop windows of Aleksanterinkatu. If you decide to visit the capital of Finland in winter, you will not regret it at all, positive impressions and interesting pastime are guaranteed. So, what has Helsinki prepared for its guests in winter? In this review, we will not dwell on the description of museums, theaters and various traditional attractions, but will devote all our attention exclusively to those features that are typical for the winter season.
Winter Helsinki
Photos of winter Helsinki
Christmas shopping
The St. Thomas Fair on Senate Square will run from 2 to 22 December. Here you can buy New Year decorations, Christmas symbols, souvenirs, as well as handicrafts made of wood, birch bark, leather, ceramics, knitwear and homemade delicacies (like cloudberry jam, apiary honey and colorful gingerbread).
The longest Amanda (Manta) fair will run until January 9th. It is very easy to get here, it is located between the Kauppatori Market Square and the Esplanadi Boulevard, around the Havis Amanda Fountain. Here, buyers are waiting for different types of cheese, jams, roasted almonds, candles and handmade soap, knitwear, toys and much more. Here you can also try traditional holiday dishes, such as Christmas porridge and hot mulled wine.
And shopping lovers should not forget that from December 27, the sales season begins in department stores and shops in Finland.
Interesting family activities
From January 6 to 10, 2018 you will be able to witness a bright show called Lux Helsinki. Light installations will transform the city center. The performance can be watched daily from 16.00 to 22.00. You can find out more about the festival route.
On December 10, at 12:00, the festive events will begin at the open museum on the island of Seurasaari. Prepare in advance a homemade toy that you can hang on one of the Christmas trees. The organizers of the event also advise bringing a flashlight with you to better navigate at dusk, and a plate with a spoon in case you want to try the real Christmas porridge.
From December 2 to January 7, Suomenlinna invites children and their parents to go on adventures along the path of the gnomes. Details can be found.
What to try in winter in Helsinki?
In winter, it is especially interesting to get acquainted with Finnish culinary traditions. At this time, you can try venison, burbot, pike perch, lamb neck.
Of the traditional Christmas dishes, we note pork ham, various fish dishes, potato casserole, sweet rice porridge, pastries with ginger and, of course, mulled wine, which is called glögi in Finnish.
And pancake weeks begin in January. Although this dish came to Suomi from Russia, but here it was transformed and absorbed the local flavor. Finnish pancakes are more like pancakes, they are 2 centimeters thick, loose inside, and covered with a golden crispy crust on top. The most popular toppings for pancakes among Finns are vendace caviar, pickles, shrimp skagen, salmon tartare, wild mushroom salad, beet and apple salad, honey and sour cream.
Related material
snow and ice
It is impossible to imagine the northern winter without sparkling snow and ice, without people skiing, snowboarding, skating and sledding. And in Helsinki, if you wish, you can easily find places where you can rent the necessary equipment and ride for your pleasure.
On skates
From the end of November until the end of March, Icepark, the city's ice rink, will operate directly opposite Helsinki Central Station. From Monday to Friday it is open from 12 to 21, on Saturday - from 10 to 21, on Sunday - from 10 to 19. The entrance ticket is valid for the whole day and costs 6 euros for an adult and 4 euros for those under 18 years old and also for students. Skate rental costs 5 euros. Children under the age of 12 must ride with a safety helmet, which is provided free of charge. It is possible to take several lessons from the instructor (one personal lesson - 15 € for 30 minutes). On the site you will find detailed information about entertainment programs: skating with live music, performances, etc. There is a cafe next to the ice rink.
A couple more addresses in Helsinki where you can go ice skating:
- Brachen Stadium (Brahen kenttä), Helsinginkatu 23, there is also a skate rental, you can warm up with hot drinks and ride to the music. You can get there by public transport: tram 1, 1A, 3T, 3B, 8 or bus 17, 22, 23, 50 and 51.
- Skating rink in Käpylä, which is located at Makelankatu 70. Opening hours: Mon.-Sun. from 8 am to 3 pm and from 4 pm to 10 pm.
Snowboarding
By ski
Serena Ski Center is located next to the Serena Water Park, where visitors can enjoy 5 slopes, a snowboard slope, equipment rental and a cafe.
There are several ski centers in the suburbs of Helsinki. Here are their addresses:
- the Alhovuori ski center is located near the Alhonkulma highway (Alhonkulma 45, 03810 Nummi-Pusula, Finland): 11 slopes, a park for snowboarders, a children's area, a cafe, a rental shop;
- Solvalla-Swinghill center (Nuuksiontie 71, 02820 Espoo, Finland): 3 slopes, ski lifts, rental shop, cafe;
- Peuramaa Center (Peuramaantie 114, 02480 Kirkkonummi, Finland): 7 slopes, rental shop, restaurant, snowboard park.
For lovers of skiing through Helsinki and its surroundings, a network of ski slopes has been laid, its total length is about 180 km. You can ride, for example, in the Central Park (Keskuspuisto) or at the base in Paloheinä (Pakilantie 124), where you can take buses No. 66 and 66A, get off at the final stop.
Are you planning to visit Helsinki in winter? Are you interested in unusual sights, events and local cuisine? Read on for some tips to help you get the most out of your upcoming holiday.
The Christmas season begins in Helsinki on November 23rd, when festive lights are lit on Aleksanterinkatu Street. On the eve of the holidays, Christmas markets begin to operate throughout the city, which attract thousands of buyers.
You can plunge into the spirit of Christmas in another way - by visiting one of the many concerts of sacred or classical music. The end of the Christmas holidays comes on New Year's Eve, when a mass celebration begins on Senate Square.
Helsinki is great for outdoor activities such as ice skating and cross country skiing. One of the largest skating rinks in the city, called "Icepark", is located on the forecourt. After having a lot of fun here, you can take a sled and go to Sinebrychov Park or Kaivopuisto, where there are a lot of great slides. Trams run to all the best places for outdoor activities in Helsinki, so you will not have any problems with transport.
After a day spent outdoors, there is nothing better than to rejuvenate and relax in an authentic Finnish sauna.
Be sure to try glögi (mulled wine) at local Christmas markets, and when you go to warm up in some cafe, be sure to order a mug of hot cocoa. Rossols (a kind of vinaigrette), ham and vegetable casserole are served at the traditional Christmas table in Finland. All these dishes are offered to try in the restaurants of the city and at fairs.
In January, the pancake season begins, which for the past 10 years have been an integral attribute of winter celebrations in Finland and are served in all cafes and restaurants in the country.
For 7 years now, in the darkest months of the year, the Lux Helsinki Light Festival has been held in Helsinki, during which the city is illuminated not just with garlands, but with unique light installations by Finnish and foreign artists. The installations placed on Senate Square and Kansalaistori Park will please the eye from 4 to 8 January 2015 from 5 to 10 pm. Some installations will be installed at the National Museum of Finland, as well as at Villa Hakasalmi. Lux Helsinki is perfect for a family holiday and is completely free.
“The weather outside is frightful…” – the words of the famous Christmas song sound in my head for days on end, the first snowball is spinning on the street, and I can’t wait to get tinsel and decorate everything around. Clearly, it's winter! Winter in Helsinki comes slowly, the city does not rush to cover itself with a snow blanket, but everything around says that Christmas is close.
About a week before the first day of winter, all the central streets, buildings of shopping centers and windows of ordinary houses begin to be decorated with all kinds of luminous garlands, huge natural fir trees line up at Stockmann, Christmas melodies sound from everywhere, and shops are filled with Christmas paraphernalia.
The main attraction and favorite entertainment for children is Stockmann's Christmas Showcase. Two or three huge windows, behind which real action takes place with toy animals in the lead roles, every year amaze the children's imagination with new inventions of their creators. Children stick around the bottom edge of the shop windows to see better and have time to press different buttons that activate the next action behind the glass of the shop window. Viewing is open from 22.11. to 27.12.
Photo: https://stockmann.wikispaces.com/Saatavuus
Opposite Stockmann, the Three Blacksmiths' Square smells year after year of roasted almonds in sugar, mulled wine and gingerbread cookies. A great place to warm up with a mug of hot mulled wine (a non-alcoholic version is also available) after window shopping.
The festive bazaar is located on the Senate Square further along Aleksanterinkatu Street. It's so nice to walk between wooden houses with all kinds of goods that accompany the spirit of Christmas: warm knitted socks and other items of clothing, traditional Christmas delicacies (such as kalakukko - a special holiday cake made from rye dough with fish), crafts made of wood and metal, toys and much more. other. Here you can also take a picture with Yolupukki (that’s the name of Santa Claus in Finnish), taste Christmas rice porridge with cinnamon, drink another glass of glögi (mulled wine), ride a free carousel, run around a huge Christmas tree in the very center of the square and even go to the sauna. The Christmas market is open from 2.12. to 22.12.
Photo: http://www.stadissa.fi/tapahtumat/33473/tuomaan-markkinat
The main shop with souvenirs and a whole section dedicated to Christmas is Kankurin Tupa on Pohjoisesplanadi 35. Here you can find all kinds of decorations for Christmas and New Year, as well as everything related to the Mumiy Trolls.
Every year a wonderful ice rink is built in the center of Helsinki. It is located right on the station square. Here you can rent skates or bring your own. The condition of the ice is carefully monitored and cleaned regularly. Music plays, and the skating rink itself is decorated with luminous garlands. This is a great entertainment for both families with children and couples in love. During a break, you can go to warm yourself with a cup of hot cocoa in the cafe, which is located right there. Opening 04.12.
Photo: http://www.jaapuisto.fi/info/media.html
Winter family activities include several forest walks that take place in different parts of the city. If you want to join the local culture, as well as breathe in the fresh forest air, then be sure to go on one of these walks. For example, on the island of Seurasaari, where, in addition, there is also an open-air museum. During this walk, children will be able to look into a fairy tale and find out how they used to celebrate Christmas. The island can be reached by direct bus from the center. Bus number 24 departs from the Lasipalatsi stop (near the Sokos shopping center), and you need to go to the final stop. The walk will take place this year on 10.12. from 12 to 17 hours. This event is free.
Photo: http://www.stadissa.fi/tapahtumat/33277/seurasaaren-joulupolku
The Suomenlinna Fortress hosts its own events. It will be interesting for children to follow the path of the gnome on a special map. The card is obtained from the Suomenlinna information centre. For the passage of the trail between 10 am and 4 pm, children are given prizes! You can participate in this specially organized event from 2.12.17 to 07.01.18.
On December 13, according to tradition, Lucia is crowned, which becomes a young girl with blond hair. She personifies Saint Lucy, who brings light and joy to all who need it. Lucia's coronation will take place in the Cathedral at 17:00 and will continue with a procession through the center of Helsinki at 18:00. In addition to all the others, Christmas gnomes and riders on horseback will participate in the procession.
One of the most interesting novelties is the Moomin cafe network. All cafes are based on the stories about the Moomin trolls beloved by the Finns, and have a good play area for kids. Coffee and desserts are waiting for parents, and toys and books (of course, about Moomintrolls!), as well as illustrations on the walls and dishes for children. The cafes are actually very nice, calm, small, and therefore not crowded.\
When you need a real bite to eat, then the buffet comes to the rescue. With children, this is the best solution, because. you can be sure that everyone will find something to their taste. In the very center of Helsinki, on an inconspicuous little street next to the university, is the Caverna Café. On Mondays and Tuesdays the price is lower than on other days.
In Helsinki, any restaurant will be well prepared to serve guests with children. You can go with strollers, there are also chairs for feeding, toilets are equipped with changing tables, and a separate children's menu is also possible. An unfinished adult portion can be safely asked to wrap with you. Also, many restaurants (with the exception of the holidays) offer lunch according to the standard scheme: salad, soup, hot (usually there is always a vegetarian option too) and coffee / tea. You can impose everything yourself and do not be shy to approach for an additive. All this within 10 euros, but only during lunch. For children under a certain age, they may not charge an additional fee, or take at the rate of 1-1.5 euros for each year of the child's age. Thus, if you see the word lounas, feel free to come in and find out what's on the menu today.
Also, the favorite time to go to a restaurant with the whole family for many Helsinki residents in the last couple of years has become a weekend brunch. Many restaurants offer it. It costs more than a regular lunch, but the choice of dishes is very large. Several appetizers, hot dishes, several desserts, drinks. The main feature of the brunch is, by definition, breakfast combined with lunch. Those. there will be dishes typical for breakfast - delicious cereals, granola, pancakes, waffles, smoothies; and more solid goodies, usually offered for dinner. Everything goes slowly, relaxed, and most importantly - with the whole family. One of these places is the cafe Köket (Köket) right next to the Senate Square. It is also very suitable for visiting with children on other days, and offers brunch on weekends. Attention, in many restaurants you need to book a table for brunch in advance.
Another restaurant that is well suited for families with children is Loisto. It is located on the top floor of the Sokos Hotel, which was built in anticipation of the 1952 Olympics. A great view is guaranteed, plus the restaurant has a play area for children.
In anticipation of Christmas, many restaurants organize a Christmas buffet - a buffet with traditional festive dishes. In Finland, they like to cook a variety of vegetable casseroles for Christmas with a certain set of spices, which gives them the desired "holiday" flavor. Many different types of fish, turkey or ham, Rosolli salad (like vinaigrette), a special kind of bread, pâté, berry desserts are favorite Christmas dishes. Ask and search for Joululounas.
Locals love Christmas very much and celebrate it in the family circle, many go to Lapland and other parts of Finland, to the outback, where the grandparents of the Finns who moved to the city still live. Those who remain can visit the church on Christmas Eve, where a festive service will be held: a solemn and beautiful event that is held in all churches, large and small. In general, throughout the month, church chants in honor of Christmas will be held throughout the city, which are performed by the church choir, often by children. Even people who are far from religion will find it very interesting.
During the Christmas holidays, everything in the city calms down, shops do not work (with the exception of some grocery stores), transport runs according to a special schedule. In Helsinki, this time is perfect for leisurely walks around the city - without the noise of cars and crowds of people. If you are lucky with snow, you can have fun in the park, sledding, playing snowballs. Buy plastic sleds in advance, they are sold in any sporting goods or home goods store. Some restaurants will be open. Weekends December 24th, 25th and 26th.
Sales will start right after Christmas. The city will come to life again, but Christmas will be left behind. In Finland, Christmas is a much more important holiday than New Year's. Santa Claus brings gifts for Christmas, a festive feast and all events in the city - for Christmas. The arrival of the New Year is also celebrated solemnly, but in a completely different way. This is a day for meeting friends, partying, celebrating at restaurants and bars (the queues will be very long), and this is the only day when fireworks are allowed. Senate Square will be the main place for celebrating the New Year in Helsinki. A concert is held here every year and the largest fireworks display is launched. There is a children's program from 16:00 to 17:30 with a small fireworks display at the end. The adult program starts at 22:00.
From 12/26/17 to 01/07/18, the largest indoor amusement park will be organized at the Messukeskus exhibition center. Several similar institutions, but much smaller, operate all year round and are an excellent escape for active children in bad weather and beyond. In the exhibition center on its huge area, various jumps, inflatable castles, sports equipment, areas for games, as well as a zone for the smallest will be installed.
I always aspired to be independent, wanted to explore the world and was not afraid to try something new. All this brought me 10 years ago to Finland. I love this country for honest and direct people, for safety, restraint in everything and cleanliness. Here I met my husband, and we are raising two wonderful kids. In addition, I love my job - I offer accommodation in apartments in the center of Helsinki. My apartments can be found at www.mckapartments.com. You can also book them and check out over 800 reviews on airbnb.
Despite the fact that February will end very soon, the winter in St. Petersburg is still felt, I would even say that it is in full swing, recently there were frosts again, now the temperature is below zero, a blizzard, and there is still a series of long weekends ahead of the men's, and then the women's holidays. Of course, there is not much time for long trips, but why is this not a reason to go to Finland? However, any weekend is suitable for this 🙂 After all, the journey from St. by car, or 7 hours by bus, in general, the choice is yours, whoever is more comfortable financially and physically.
And in this article I will talk about how to have fun in the Finnish metropolis, what events you must visit, where to go or go, what to treat yourself to, except for shopping, and where to eat, and where to tune in creatively, or maybe get a powerful adrenaline rush and a portion of winter activities, and of course, I’ll tell you where to relax your body and soul later, yes, and all this can be done just by arriving in Helsinki!
This winter we had a cool vacation in Finland, and most of the time we spent in Helsinki, where every day we got a new impression, all the days were very busy. Before the trip, I could not have imagined that it was possible to diversify the rest in the usual Helsinki, where it would seem that we had already been everywhere and tried everything 🙂
When we constantly lived in St. Petersburg, we often dangled to the “Finnish neighbor” for the weekend, because it is always a mini-trip to close, but Europe. Only St. Petersburg residents will understand me, because it is so easy for us to get a Finnish multivisa, and it is very close to the border.
More often, of course, we went in the summer, less often in spring and autumn, and almost never in winter - Finnish ski resorts do not count, we are talking about the capital!
By the way, we even have an article just focused on the spring-summer season:
This time the purpose of our visit was the most powerful event within the framework of the Matka Fair travel fair, the announcement has already been written. Everything was mega-cool, for which a special thanks again to the organizers of #NBEFinland, by this hashtag you can see all the posts on Instagram, where we, and all the other participants, published photos of their adventures! As part of this trip, we also flew for a few days to Tahko, the best ski resort in central Finland, I described my impressions of snowboarding, horseback riding through the forest and driving snowmobiles separately here:
Well, after returning, we spent another week in Helsinki.
So, now I’ll tell you point by point, why go to Helsinki in winter? Since Lesha and I love sports, we always take sportswear and sneakers with us even on the shortest trip. But this time, all this was not needed, because we already had enough outdoor activities, and I’ll start with them, perhaps!
The main advantage of the skating rink is, of course, the atmosphere, because it is located in the very center, next to museums and the old railway station. Both just city residents and tourists come here to ride, and we were no exception 🙂 
True, we skated at a temperature of +2, and we were afraid that it would be damp, but such weather did not affect the quality of artificial ice, there were no puddles.
Music adds to the atmosphere, and there is also a pleasant cafe right next to the ice rink. The Jaapuisto Ice Rink is open every day, on weekends until 6 pm and on weekdays until 8 pm.
Entrance fee 6 euros, skate rental also 6 euros.
Explore the Finnish Forest in snowshoes
Just half an hour from the center of Helsinki is the huge Nuuksio National Nature Park. As an interesting alternative to simple hiking on marked trails, I can recommend walking in snowshoes through the forest through the forest, and also on the frozen lake. 
I wrote a separate article about how we ourselves walked around Nuuksio in snowshoes and tried Finnish skis, as well as plunged into the Finnish culture of winter barbecues, I wrote a separate article:
Even if you don’t have clothes or shoes suitable for the forest, this is no reason not to go to the park - next to the main parking lot in the park there is a huge modern museum center Haltia, there are not only museum exhibitions, a restaurant and luggage storage, but also rental of everything necessary for tourism. So, for example, Lesha rented shoes for the forest for 5 euros for the day, the price tag for clothes (jackets / pants) is the same - 5 euros.
If there is enough snow, you can also go skiing in Nuuksio 
In addition to the slopes for classic skiing, Nuuksio Park even has a small ski slope.
Go hockey!
Don't like to go in for sports, but don't mind seeing the intensity of passions live, cheering for the teams? Then it's best to do it at the stadium 🙂 
I already once, once, went to hockey in St. Petersburg, and Lyosha saw the game live here for the first time. Games are held all winter, perhaps almost all spring, because in Finca, as well as in Russia, this is a national game.
Visit city sights
Well, of course, you can just walk around the city, every building here is a masterpiece of architecture, it’s just that modern buildings and ancient castles / churches, which now have modern offices or hotels, stand side by side on the street 
This time, for the first time, we climbed the observation deck of the Torni tower, where the oldest hotel in the city was located, now this hotel under the Sokos brand is Solo Sokos Hotel Torni 
Upstairs there is an Ateljee Bar and an outdoor terrace, 
and on the floor below - the women's toilet, the toilet itself is ordinary, but the view from it is very steep - the city! At least, I have not seen similar toilets with panoramic glass and a view of almost 180 degrees :), including the main Cathedral 
About what else to see in the city, read our detailed article with all the sights of Helsinki:
Accommodation in Helsinki
In Helsinki, there are many housing options for every taste and budget. This time we lived in a pleasant apartment in the very center - Aallonkoti Apartment Hotel.
The apartments are stylish, in a modern new building, there are various options, from studios to a penthouse with a private sauna in the bathroom, a view of the park from the windows. See current prices here 
We lived in a studio where we were especially struck by the wall of greenery that does not require maintenance - inside it is a nutrient mixture, and a special lighting for it turns on and off every 12 hours. According to the description, this device generates an incredible amount of oxygen =) 
- See other hotels in Helsinki here.
- Airbnb apartments here.
And don't forget to get a bonus on your first booking (here)!
That's all! Happy travels to you! 
Oh yes, when going to Finland or any other country, even for a weekend, do not forget about insurance. We always make insurance, and we are glad if they don’t come in handy. This time, insurance was needed, in one appointment with the doctor it paid for itself several times over! After an unsuccessful landing on the ice, I panicked that I had a fracture, because I don’t remember such hellish pain for 100 years. The total bill came out to 162 euros: a doctor's appointment - 70 euros (I spent 15 minutes in the office, the doctor prescribed painkillers, medicines are not included in the price, and sent for an x-ray), an x-ray - another 92 euros. Everything worked out, it was just a severe bruise. Do not be ill!
You can pick up insurance online here. By the way, if you run your own blog (and not necessarily about travel), you have the opportunity to spend the same active week in Helsinki. Leave your application on the website of the #HelsinkiSecret Residence project, and perhaps you will be lucky =)
Stay with us, because very soon a portion of articles from sunny Asia is waiting for you, but where from? While the secret =)
Also read our other articles about Helsinki and Finland in general: