Katajanokka

Getting there

You can get in from Central Helsinki by foot or by tram, tram lines also connect across Pitkäsilta to Hakaniemi and to the southern part of the city. If you arrive by Viking Line's ferries from Stockholm or Tallinn, their terminal is in Katajanokka.

See

The 19th century centre The buildings south and north of the Lutheran cathedral were mostly designed by Carl Ludwig Engel and built in the early 19th century as a new unified city centre when Helsinki was made capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. If you have come to look at the cathedral, why not walk around in the area and take a few photos? Buildings include the 1 Presidential Palace, the 2 City Hall and the 3 Swedish Embassy on the waterfront, the 4 Senate, the 5 Sederholm House and the 6 main building of Helsinki University around the Senate square and the 7 Bank of Finland, 8 House of the Estates and the 9 House of Nobility (Ritarihuone) "behind" the Senate square.

10 The National Library of Finland (Kansalliskirjasto), Unioninkatu 36, ☏ +358 2941 23196. 09:00-17:00/09:00-18:00. The beautiful National Library has books all the way from the early 19th century accessible for everyone (and books older than this are kept away from the public). The picturesque building with its glamorous stone columns is definitely worth a visit. free of charge. (updated Mar 2018)

11 Lutheran Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko), Aleksanterinkatu. 09:00-18:00. The unofficial symbol of the city, this striking white cathedral dominates the central Senate Square. Based on designs by Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1852, the cathedral has been refurbished, and the 12 Apostles are on the roof looking down at the world below. While entry is no longer free, one might argue that the building is more impressive from the outside anyway. 8€, 10€ for a pass including entry to Suomenlinna church and St. John's church as well. (updated Aug 2024) 12 Uspenski Cathedral (Uspenskin katedraali), Kanavakatu 1 (near the Market Square), ☏ +358 9 634267. Tu-F 09:30-16:00, Sa 09:30-14:00, Su 12:00-15:00. May-Sep M W Sa 09:30-16:00, Tu 09:30-18:00, Su 12:00-15:00. A classical and prominent onion-domed Russian church, the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, Uspenski Cathedral serves Finland's small Ortho

Do

1 Allas Sea Pool. Open-air swimming pool. (updated Apr 2022) 2 SkyWheel Helsinki. Ferris wheel. (updated Apr 2022) 3 Tervasaari. Popular recreation area next to the city centre. Includes restaurant Savu, a kid's playground, a dogpark with a designated swimming beach for dogs, a summer theatre and a rug washing pier. (updated Dec 2022) 4 Studium Catholicum, Ritarikatu 3 A 4 (in Kruununhaka), ☏ +358 9 6120 6711, [email protected]. A Catholic cultural center. Dominicans from France founded the Studium in 1949, and the Dominican Order is still responsible for the center's operations. Studium has a library of more than 40,000 books, whose collections focus on Catholic theology. (updated Dec 2023)

Buy

1 Music Hunter, Unioninkatu 45. Record store.

Markets

2 Market Square (Kauppatori). At the end of Esplanadi facing the sea, this open-air market sells fresh fish and produce from all over Finland. Open year round. It's busiest in summer, although the Christmas Market in December is also worth a look. One section of the market is devoted to souvenirs, but best buys here are the fresh berries and other produce. In summer, try the sweet green peas (herne). Pop open the pod and eat as is. 3 Old Market Hall (Vanha kauppahalli). Next to Market Square, this old brick building houses Finland's best collection of gourmet food boutiques. Try to find the stall which sells beaver sausage.

Eat

Budget 1 Katajanokan Pizzapalvelu, Merisotilaantori 3a, ☏ +358 9 175384. 10:00-22:00. A typical neighbourhood pizza and kebab restaurant, also serving pasta, hamburgers and Indian cuisine. The food is very good but hardly spectacular. Comparable to more upscale restaurants in the city centre but for cheaper prices. A good choice for lunch in Katajanokka. Pizzas around €9. (updated Jan 2022)

Mid-range

2 Everest, Luotsikatu 12 A, ☏ +358 9 694-2563. A well-known "Nepalese" (north Indian) restaurant. Main dishes €10–20. 3 Kolme Kruunua (literally, the "Three Crowns"), Liisankatu 5 (in Kruununhaka), ☏ +358 9 135 4172, [email protected]. M–Th 16:00–01:00, F 16:00–01.30, Sa 12:00–01:30, Su 12:00–01:00. A very-easy-to-like restaurant with traditional food, founded in 1952. Mains around €20–40. 4 Korea House, Mariankatu 19 (Tram 1, 1A, 7A,7B), ☏ +358 9 135-7158. M–F 11:00–23:00, Sa 12:00–23:00. The only Korean restaurant in Helsinki. A cozy place with friendly staff and even frequented by Korean travellers. You can try all sorts of Korean food here. Good value for the price at lunchtime (11:00–14:00) when dishes cost about half of what they otherwise do. Mains around €20, lunch around €10. 5 Zinnkeller, Meritullinkatu 25, ☏ +358 9 135-4148, [email protected]. 11:00-23:00 mostly. An authentic German restaurant in the middle of Helsinki, owned by a German immigrant family. Claims to be "the only German restaurant in Finland". Spacious with German-style decor. The menu is full of traditional German food with copious amounts of steaks, sausages, potatoes and sauerkraut. A wide variety of German beers and wines available. The staff are fluent in Finnish, German and English. Main courses €12–22.. (updated Oct 2015)

Splurge 6 FishMarket, Pohjoisesplanadi 17 (in the corner of the Kauppatori market place), ☏ +358 9 6128 5250, [email protected]. M-F 11:30-23:00, Sa 17:00-23:00. High quality seafood restaurant with a relaxed atmosphere. Although on the expen

Drink & nightlife

Cafés 1 Cafe Engel, Aleksanterinkatu 26 (opposite the Lutheran cathedral). Where the locals go for tea and snacks. Very relaxed, lovely courtyard out the back with films projected late into summer evenings. 2 Espresso Edge, Liisankatu 29. A cosy bohemian café with a South American vibe, popular among the artsy types of the Kruununhaka neighbourhood, and Faculty of Social Science students from across the street.

Bars and nightclubs 3 Pataässä, Snellmaninkatu 13 (near the House of the Estates), ☏ +358 9 626 076, [email protected]. M-Th 20:00-04:30, F 18:00-05:00, Sa 09:00-05:00, Su 09:00-04:30. The first karaoke bar in Helsinki. There are two sides in the bar, the karaoke side and a tiny disco side. Also two karaoke kiosks for practicing singing in, suitable for max. two persons each. 4 Poseidon, Kruunuvuorenkatu 1, ☏ +358 10 5820380. 15:00-00:00 mostly. A Czech-style pub, a classic among inhabitants of Katajanokka. Poseidon was under renovation for a long time but it has since reopened. (updated Dec 2023) 5 Vapari, Merisotilaantori 1, ☏ +358 50 3402974. A rather small pub near the eastern tip of the Katajanokka peninsula. Stylish maritime decor. It's right next to a seniors' home, so many seniors come here often. Beer and cider available on tap but don't expect anything fancy. Beer about €8. (updated Jan 2023)

Sleep

Budget 1 Eurohostel