The BEST (and worst) of Visiting Helsinki

[@ljdaniel]

I just came back from my first Helsinki trip yesterday and i absolutely loved the city and loved the architecture all around, And the amount of Green space around the whole city was fantastic.

[@samithesmooth2970]

Next time dont visit Helsinki. Go to Eastern Finland or Lapland.

[@Wulf44445]

​@@samithesmooth2970 lol I wouldn't bother. Nothing to see there. Even I as a native Finn haven't visited Lapland and probably never will. If I really want to see beautiful nature I gotta go to Norway's or Sweden's Lapland/fjords.

[@hoo_jii]

They would be bored out of their minds in Eastern Finland 🤣

[@MrJukeri]

It is pronounced HELsinki , stress on the first syllable . For some reason almost all foreign people put the stress on the second syllable: helSINKI , that 's wrong!

[@leak94_]

@@MrJukerithanks! What about Katajanokka?

[@calebtravel5629]

I love Helsinki and Finland in general! It’s beautiful, relaxed, and very peaceful!

[@WoltersWorldShorts]

so true!

[@Ah01]

Helsinki is surely the least beautiful, relaxed and peaceful place in all Finland. 😂

[@hoo_jii]

They mean compared to other capitals

[@Ah01]

@@hoo_jii I know, though thay does not hold even when compared to Stockholm, Riga, Vilnius or even Copenhagen... 😆

[@LTomppa94]

One tip I can give as Finn that also applies to many other places is that don't just rely exclusively on Google reviews and don't be afraid to visit smaller towns and villages for more authentic homemade foods and goods and mom & pops type of restaurants, cafes, arts & crafts gift shops, inexpesive bed and breakfast, saunas etc. And for meeting the people, there are time and place to do so. Best places might be at terrace of some bar or maybe park or beach or cafe or where ever the atmosphere is more laid back anyways. Worst place would be anywhere middle of hustle and bustle. Observe your surroundings🗝

[@woltersworld]

100%

[@moonliteX]

@@LTomppa94 i mean there ARE lots of Finnish cousine .... Like what EVERY KZbinr eats when in finland.

[@Ghostiification]

Also as a side node, saying as a Finn: Don't rely on Google Maps only. It might differ from city to city, town to town, of how often they update it but on some towns you look at it and be like "here should be a small wooded area" and there is actually an huge building complex instead, and a bunch of apartment buildings. Or a "new" train or bus station, where-as in the Google you see none of that. Where I'm from the map is on some parts of the town over two years old and we've changed so much landscape it could be quite hard to navigate with only Maps.

[@leak94_]

@@LTomppa94 can you give a recommendation for good mom/pop traditional Finnish restaurants? We will be in Helsinki with no car so anything easily accessible by public transport would be a plus!

[@Sara01977]

Surprised no one is mentioning the library! It’s insanely modern and everything is free. First its design is like a wooden ship with upper floors that have accessibility to go outside with amazing views. As an American whose public libraries are just sad, the Helsinki one had 3D printers, rooms and instruments to record music, video gaming rooms, robots to put the books away, dining that was stunning with LOTS of natural light, tons of varied seating (bleacher style, benches, table and chairs, single cozy chairs, ramps for lounging, outside access…. Place was crazy beautiful and cause it’s public, it’s free! What an amazing thing to have available!!

[@Penelope222]

Agreed. Our Aussie libraries aren’t too bad, but the Helsinki library should be held as a standard!

[@torpmorp1324]

Libraries are free everywhere.

[@Sara01977]

@@torpmorp1324 this is not a generic free library. It’s a state the art building with learning tools available to the public beyond just books.

[@nemosius]

Lol, this library is in every tourist video about Helsinki. I live in Helsinki and for me it is the worst library in the entire capital region, it is dirty, there are always a lot of noisy tourists and screaming teenagers. There are always huge queues to reserve a quiet room or a 3D printer. I hope they make the entrance only for those who have a library card.

[@vjollila96]

as a Finn from Espoo yeaaah its not nearly the best library in capital region I prefer ones at Iso-omena and Lippulaiva both accessible easily with metro

[@garysanders2176]

Loved our week in Helsinki. Stayed in a little camp ground on the outskirts of town. Got to enjoy nature and city life at the same time.

[@yorkaturr]

Not many native Finns will choose to go to a Finnish restaurant to eat with their own money, because traditional Finnish food is pretty basic. It's mostly for tourists. For Helsinki natives it's all about artisan burgers and Neopolitan pizza nowadays. Salmon soup and reindeer stew are exotic to a lot of foreigners, but to us it's like a regular home meal.

[@woltersworld]

Yep. Even back in the 90s it was that way too

[@duckbit9657]

@@yorkaturr calling Hesburger artisan is wild

[@yorkaturr]

@@duckbit9657 Hesburger is fast food, but we have Naughty Brgr, Boneless, Friends & Brgrs, Kotkot, Social Burgerjoint, Burger Company etc.

[@botalm1878]

@@yorkaturr I love boneless burgers.

[@Aurinkohelmi]

True, not common a Finn would go out to eat example pea soup, meatballs or liver casserole, those are regular everyday home foods 😊

[@aaabee5440]

I came to Helsinki in April and fell in love. That was 1977 and still here and love the city even more now. The Baltic Sea and the greenness combined to a modern, functioning city.

[@Odisseu_AOE]

I lived in Helsinki for about 4 months in winter and can relate to all points. I miss that time so such, love this city and country. ❤Suomi

[@derronstravels21]

Great video! I was in Helsinki in early December. Stayed in the Kamppi area. I loved that the city was busy and everybody was out even though it was freezing cold and dark.

[@toms5996]

The changing seasons here in Metro-Helsinki makes it cool, I think. The darkness of the winter and everything completely bright and summery inside is a surprising contrast. The 24/7 sunshine in the summer is something some people like. I feel the darkness of the winter and the sun of the summer is magical. One thing I've learned only recently is that many foreigners think Finland is cold - Finland is a large country and the south has temperatures of 20-30C (68F- 86F) in summer months. Edit: it was great you mentioned no-one HAS to be naked anywhere🤣 However, one should not get offended if Finns are naked in a sauna. (I could go on and on, on why that is and the European culture in general lol)

[@mxrubyrouge]

This couldn't have been better timed! We visit Helsinki later this month :)

[@bbelts]

You can find many public saunas in Helsinki that any tourist can visit. Most common pay to enter places include Allas Seapool, Löyly & Kotiharjun sauna. There is also a free one upkept by volunteers called Sompasauna.

[@jusu8961]

sompasauna is easily the most authentic of these

[@carmenmcgowan3968]

We went to Helsinki for the World Gymnaestrada games in 2015. As we come from Australia we loved the cleanliness and fresh air and because our country is so young we thought the buildings were old … ha ha! Getting around is so easy and reminded us of Melbourne. We can recommend walking the promenade by the wharf, definitely the markets (fish,potatoes and vegetables cooked on big hot plates yuuum). Take a bus to Seurasaari, a very small island where you walk across a wooden bridge and see the old way of life, walk around the nature and see the beautiful old buildings and cottages plus cute red squirrels and birds that land on your open hand. Take a ferry to the Suomenlinna island to see the old forts and walk through the tunnels, beautiful swimming spots, cafes and a fantastic toy museum that also features my favourite childhood characters from the Moomintroll books! Love your videos by the way .. so fun and informative! 😉

[@encinho]

Helsinki is one of the most modern cities in Europe. Love it.

[@moonliteX]

February in helsinki is great! Lots of snow, tobogganing, snowboarding, skating, ice-fishing ... Cozy cafes etc

[@moonliteX]

Of course if you dress incorrectly it's gonna suck. Like wearing a snow-suite to a florida beach for surfing

[@woltersworld]

I agree, you can enjoy helsinki any time of the year. Just some are more enjoyable than others 😉

[@stevenporter863]

Great saying I heard somewhere: people who hate winter don't know how to dress for it. 😂

[@moonliteX]

@@woltersworld 🤫

[@astehum]

@@stevenporter863 how do I dress for darkness 😭

[@holifeet]

Helsinki is beautiful. Spent 3 days there last year. Beautiful parkland down the western shore; Sibelius monument down towards the rock church. The same for the south shore. There's these geese everywhere. The trip out to Suomenlinna is very nice, but the ferries are quite crowded in summer. The trams are indeed excellent. Just so clean. And everyone speaks English. Better English than me...and I'm from England! I really liked Helsinki and would love to go back to Finland.

[@botalm1878]

Scandinavians speaking better English may be because we are whipped hard with the grammar, which native englsish speakers tend to be abit loose on. And that the Scandinavian countries don't dub English TV and movies.

[@holifeet]

@@botalm1878 i wish we Brits were given the language treatment as youngsters. They were never really a priority when I was a lad. It's embarrassing really.

[@meursaultscourtroom8886]

Loves of Finland: very nice people, salmon at the harbor, and yes the late night sun.

[@woltersworld]

Twinsies!!! Love all those parts

[@jeadie2273]

Have to agree with all of this. Was there with my son in 2022. Took an overnight ferry from Stockholm. Got lucky enough to do a sauna at our hotel. Met some locals visiting from up north. They were very friendly and was as much interested in as as we were them. Airport train was awesome! Incredibly clean. The library is very cool. Loved the rock church. Wish we had more time.

[@Trotsky1981]

Minor correction: Public saunas can also be for everyone. You don't go naked in those situarions. I'd also recommend going to a lake sauna instead of a seaside sauna. Cooling off is much nicer in fresh water. There are a few places where that is possible in the Helsinki region. Alternatively, Tampere is known for its sauna culture. There are a number of very pleasant mixed public saunas there. Also, ice swimming is an essential component of the sauna experience if you come in winter.

[@joeterra.t]

Situarions? Or those protons that only occur in sauna-like conditions?

[@mirrorportal1587]

Great video, but I have to say one thing: a major reason why tourists visit Finland is to experience the cold, darkness and snow. It’s not bad if you’re only here for a week/weekend. Though, as a local, I can agree with it making you quite tired. It’s just a part of life here.

[@jimsonIL]

The Helsinki public library, the udee , is incredible.

[@vepakko]

@@jimsonIL Visited once, it was enough. The main lobby felt like being in a bazaar somewhere in the Middle-East. Not my favorit type of library experience. Its just that we all experience things differently and its OK.

[@EJA-hc3ex]

Visited Finland in 2016 and loved it. Will go back in 2026 for a 10 year anniversary visit. Visited in late June early July so I thought it would be warm, turns out it is still a bit cold which I love but good thing I brought some jumpers and layered some clothing. Yes, Helsinki is expensive and there are no architecture that defined the city, but I love Helsinki in a way that the brands - Marimekko, Ittala, Karl Fazer, Moomin - is the city's or countries' identity. When I go back will shop in these stores. Went to Tampere (my friend grew up there), and I think that is where the old charm is. Will visit Turku and Porvoo as well.

[@jussim.konttinen4981]

Local food is served from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Canteen meant wine cellar until the prohibition? I'm not sure, but it's worth a visit from time to time

[@TomGioia]

That's exactly when I was there. ORD to HEL June 17 2016 . Flew to RVN, too. Plus, three days in Tallinn .

[@Aqua-yc6pt]

Your timing was perfect. You just weren't lucky that time. In as north as this there is no period when warm weather would be guaranteed. In July the changes are best, but warm or sometimes hot is possible from early May until early September. In Helsinki city it's usually in summer time some 1 - 3 degrees colder than just 10 or 15 km away from the sea, e.g. close to the airport. In winter it's opposite.

[@markust7709]

I am from Baltic States which is right next door to Finland. And we have THE SAME weather and sun day light in Summer. And I absolutely LOVE our climate, I love when it dark and cold in winter, it is awesome and if you have proper outfits you dont feel cold. I like when is no sunshine for 3 months, and I love when it does not get dark untill midnight in Summer. I dont wanna live anywhere else. This is my type of life. Living in scorching Sun all year round - nah, thank you. You can have it. Not me.

[@mantelikukkapenkki2368]

As a Finn it's not the cold or darkness that bothers me in the winter, it's the constant f**king wind. Goes straight through you 🥶

[@jussitoivanen5097]

@@mantelikukkapenkki2368 That applies mainly to the coastal areas. I live now in the Central / Eastern part of Finland and really don't miss the winds from the sea and the never ending fall with sleet and icy rain. Here most of December - April is proper winter with snow.

[@mantelikukkapenkki2368]

@@jussitoivanen5097 The video is about Helsinki and the last time i checked, it's located on the coast

[@jussitoivanen5097]

⁠@@mantelikukkapenkki2368You were originally answering to a comment on Baltic State weather (which isn’t in Helsinki the last time I checked) so maybe I’m allowed to comment on the weather in other parts of Finland as well.

[@alannahvirtanen8431]

I’ve watched tonnes of your videos over the past couple of years (starting with the Canada vs USA one) but had no idea you lived in Finland at one point! (I’m Finnish-Canadian). What an intriguing life you live! Thanks for all your tips and energy.

[@olavsantiago]

You need to do a video of Northern Finland: Oulu, pudasjärvi, kuusamo, Kajaani, poulanka, about the oldest shop in Finland, the forest and national parks, on the water canoe/kayak/sail/power boat. Sunbathing on the beach at midnight in Oulu around midsummer, the Easter bombfire, the bear trail hiking route, and Oulu lake

[@woltersworld]

Going to take family up there on our next visit. I love finland

[@olavsantiago]

@@woltersworld Oulu is the capital of culture 2026. If you're in Oulu, then message, can take you canoeing around the delta

[@Pahakyy]

You always miss the National Library and the city musum.

[@woltersworld]

I had them in my notes to say and apparently forgot to mention them. Thanks for having them here in the comments.

[@chloemcclain8900]

Helsinki has been on my travel list for at least a decade now. I hope to go one day soon.

[@petrap6596]

Didn't know you used to live here in Helsinki! Loved your content about Washington DC, used all your tips when we visited last year.

[@softesthedgehog]

Great video, I agree with it all! (I’m Finnish and live in the Helsinki area most of my life)

[@thewatchmen4920]

Great video. No matter where you go or live. All places have it good point and bad. It always begins on how you adapt and willing to learn try. Best to prepare yourself by learning at least 3 languages or more. Learn the rules and regulations, laws and geographic of the areas. Be prepared to be alone for the first 5 years.

[@ep4423]

I went there one November it was a challenge it was fun

[@lilbatz]

Moi moi! Thanks for talking up Helsinki. 🇫🇮

[@DanielosVK]

I don't really get the comment about Helsinki not being old. Sure, there's not much architecture which would date to medieval times, but 1800s is pretty old, isn't it? And to be honest, most of the famous and most beautiful old districts in Europe are from the last 200-300 years. Not really that much dating behind those times. And in that sense, I think Helsinki is one of the best. The collection of Art Nouveau buildings in Helsinki is absolutely special looking and the biggest one in Europe. Calling it "modern" is very misleading in my opinion (despite that, there's a lot of modern architecture there of course).

[@themondayguy]

I'm from helsinki ans I love your videos. Been watching for years now😁If you're still here I recommend seing the "Jätkäsaari" neighbourhood

[@LukaszGraniczek]

First you mentioned - do not come in winter - welp, I am coming to Helsinki in about a month as part of my trip to see the Christmas Markets in the Baltics and despite the gloominess I am super excited!

[@anguswilson3130]

I visited Helsinki this November for a concert and I enjoyed it but I live in Aberdeen Scotland so I'm kinda used to the short days. The colourful buildings help a lot compared to the grey granite of Aberdeen too way less depressing 😂

[@donrevie721]

Funny coincidence..I'm sat here on the Esplanade also except my version is in sunny Scarborough on the Yorkshire Coast ,UK. Thank you for another superlative video Professor Wolter!!

[@joannunemaker6332]

I enjoyed this video. 😊❤

[@amysavage9849]

My favourite city💙💙

[@benjaminespunkt9433]

@woltersworld In case you are looking for a local food venue in the center, my collegues used to take me to Restaurant Zetor a couple of times. Nice place with a bit of Finnish engineering History, really good food and still "affortable", at least for Helsinki 😅 Would go again anytime

[@redfishswimming]

I came here (currently taking refuge in my hotel room) in late October; the dark and expensive are real. It’s super modern also. People are sharply dressed and quiet. I feel like I need to revaluate my life and improve myself now 😂

[@melrose7783]

@@redfishswimming omg...this cracked me up!!! Now I want to go and see which part of the scale I come under on your last statement 😆🤣😂

[@mivon001]

Next time when you are looking for Finnish food. Try out restaurant Finnjävel in Helsinki they make traditional Finnish food in new ways respecting old recipes. There are two restaurants one has 1 Michelin star and other is more like a bistro.

[@sashasanders4697]

Would love a video on how to plan a trip/get the most out of visiting Europe with toddlers! Just went and it was a lot different then going for yourself and your partner!

[@FannomacritaireSuomi]

The best of Helsinki is everything that was built before WW2. The worst of Helsinki is everything that was built after it. Nowadays, the modern horrors have taken control of ¾ of the city.

[@TheCladeL]

As a Finn, I recommend visiting a public sauna instead of (just) your hotel sauna. Of course, getting invited to a Finn's private sauna is the real authentic experience, but unlikely, and the more saunas you visit, the better! Here are a few public sauna recommendations: In Helsinki, I especially recommend Sompasauna - a free-for-all, volunteer-built and -ran public sauna (started as a rebellious project against the city, but nowadays in collaboration with Helsinki town) open 24/7. Near Helsinki (30min by car, 60 by public transport) is the Kuusijärvi traditional smoke sauna - one of the few public smoke saunas in Finland. [Löyly also has a smoke sauna, but it's not very authentic one]. Löyly (and Allas) is a masterpiece of modern Nordic architecture and a very high-end sauna experience, recommended mainly for architecture-buffs and comfort-seeking visitors - here it's also possible to plunge in to the Baltic Sea (one of the world's most polluted ones, but worth it - Allas has ) [also, by far the most expensive sauna in Helsinki]. Kotiharjun Sauna is perhaps the oldest (est. 1928) neighborhood sauna and perhaps the only one with a wood-heated sauna (ask any Finn and they'll tell you about the difference [in the flow of the heat] to an electric one). They recently had to install a "dick-fence", because it's situated on top of a small hill, offering great views to under the towels of men (and women) cooling down outside from below 😄 There are also many many more, from traditional ones to modern ones that double as (craft-beer) bars and/or restaurants (e.g. Uusi Sauna and Löyly). Do your research and ask the locals when you arrive :) Just make sure to go to sauna - it's a must! Whether you like it or not, just go, preferably accompanied by locals.

[@martaxiaoping1261]

I was going to say the contemporary art museum. YEEEESSSSSS. Also the one showing the history of Finland is very cool but the art one was the most amazing one. And they have guided visits.

[@woltersworld]

I have loved the contemporary art collection in helsinki since before it was in the kaisma. So much to love

[@Gittas-tube]

​​​​@@woltersworld The Design Museum is very interesting, too. Most museums have a café as well, which is nice for tired feet. I had the best home-made quiche ever at the Design Museum's café once. I hope they still make them! Otherwise, my favorite small museum is the Sinebrychoff at the southern end of the Boulevard. It houses old art, a permanent exhibit of paintings and miniatures, as well as exhibits of old world-class painters like Canaletto, for instance. Fully furnished rooms of genuine furniture from the periods of baroque, rococo and empire styles, full of period paintings adorning the walls, are small and charming. Another favorite is the island of Seurasaari (Fölisön) which is an outdoor museum accessible by a nice old bridge - in the western part of the city of Helsinki. There's also a restaurant and café in the middle of the island. To make one's way to the shoreline of Helsinki is a good idea. Helsinki has been called the White City of the North and the Daughter of the Baltic. It's all about the seashore. In my opinion, the southern and western parts of the city are the best, always along the shore. 💙🍓🍧⚓🧭⛵

[@hoo_jii]

These days Kiasma feels outdated compared to other museums in the center

[@rallyenglish]

Very true for the pros and cons of Helsinki you listed, all of which I can 100% relate to as a Finn. As for friendliness and the social aspect in general, the more north of Finland you travel, the more time people there will spend and engage in conversations with you. In Lapland they have understood the meaning of tourism because they live off it. This doesn’t mean they are after your money but may even seek to have a conversation with you. Although Helsinki is touristic already, the culture for tourism there is yet evolving, people feel themselves more busy in their lives and it is not quite yet as hospital and yet nicely casual than up in Lapland or north in general, tending to be little more official, more serious and less ready for joking around. I love the people in Helsinki and live there as well, but in this regard there is yet a difference between the capital region and up north.

[@Anshelm77]

5:22 "Kaisma". To be fair, I think you've pronounced everything good enough in the videos I had seen, and that's probably why this stood out to me.

[@hoo_jii]

“Korvapussi”

[@BradThePitts]

Just booked holiday for this December. I'm "semi-handicapped" - I can't walk long distances so I hope the mass transit is easy!

[@tobiojo6469]

Hey Mark, awesome video

[@woltersworld]

Hey, thanks!

[@Hatarkian]

Kiitos Mark!

[@woltersworld]

Ole hyva

[@pamelakilponen3682]

Those other cities you mention are even darker because farther north. I lived in Lapland, so Helsinki is not as dark as others. But for tourists that would be difficult to live with. Going to Tallin or Stockholm is also cheaper. For real old world Riga Latvia is the place to be.

[@Penelope222]

We originally booked Helsinki at the end of our first European holiday for a conference that didn’t eventuate, but our flights couldn’t be changed. Originally I was disappointed because there were other places I’d have rather gone to for those three days. WELL. Helsinki ended up being a major highlight for us! Everything felt so nice - yes as you say the air is clean, the green spaces are lovely, it’s accessible etc, but it’s hard to put a finger on any one thing that made it so good for us, it just feels lovely. I will say that our afternoon/evening at Linnenmaki was so so good, our teens had an awesome time, we barely had to line up at all (this was mid July), and we had til 10pm to play.

[@kavorka8855]

No darkness issues when snow on the ground. In fact, I urge you to visit us in winter too, as it's different than other seasons.

[@MikhailTravels]

Добрый день ☕️ 🧇 🙋🏼‍♂️ Спасибо большое за красивое и интересное видео ✅️ 📹🔝😊👍🏻

[@osemarvin2847]

Excellent video! Love it! But one correction, if I may... I'm guessing, that this "No old world Europe"-vibe you mentioned in this video, is mostly for American viewers, who often expect to see medieval or Italian renaissance buildings and architecture everywhere, even in Finland's capital city of Helsinki - which was btw established 12.6.1550 - 226 years before American Independence :) So, the "old world vibe" is there - but it's not necessarily the most obvious one :)

[@bakeraus]

Summer is the only time to head to Helsinki, it's great when the locals are out and they are much more friendly in the warmer weather. Winter head out of Helsinki and go North avoid the slushy depressing city.

[@oh2mp]

Nice, you've been here again! And I think the footage of the video was at least from two trips?

[@pauljmorton]

The Finnish word for November, "marraskuu", literally means "death month". "Marras" is an archaic now-forgot word for death.

[@duzzzz94]

It is always interesting to see Helsinki through tourists' eyes. I have lived here my entire life so I don't even think about these things. My general tips are to wander away from the city center, it is expensive and so touristy there although yes, all the cool buildings are there. About the food. In centrum it's quite international stuff everywhere. Kauppatori is.. well it is there but it is overpriced so locals rarely eat there. Today I ate my lunch at a restaurant called Oiva in Kallio. It offers a very authentic Finnish style buffet lunch daily for 13,50€. It is only 15min walk or 10min with a tram from the central railway station.

[@tanelipirinen]

You need to try lanttukukko if you haven't!

[@artixzaluk9385]

I lived in Helsinki for two years, I miss it a lot. Sadly I had to migrate to another country for a job.

[@rybskishihoa5706]

I would say on average dinner is expensive, especially if you're drinking alcohol, but there are a lot of reasonably priced lunch buffets and most of the hotels offer breakfast. Also, there are a lot of supermarkets in the downtown area if you want to pick up a quick and cheap meal.

[@Xiefux]

i hate the darkness thing, living in estonia you get like 6 hours of sunlight during winter. if you work a 9 - 5 job you will basically never see sunlight. summer is great tho 19 hours of sunlight, it should be that the whole year

[@js0988]

Yeah..... You don't ever get used to it!

[@MrRullakebu]

One never gets used to the darkness of Finland winter

[@kimmikke_]

Some do, some don't. I could say no one NEVER gets used to Africa or India or similar countries heat and moisture and insects, then again locals do. Humans gets used to anything if they live in the area/country, not that they are always PLEASANT experiences, but you do get used to it, right ;)

[@kimmikke_]

What puzzles me is, that people want to travel around world and experience things they do not have in their homelands and then when they do, they start wining, that this is not the same as home or they don't have the same food/drink chains or supermarkets we do etc. etc. in the light of that, they should save their money and stay home..

[@robdavies82]

I went to Helsinki in 2022. Absolutely lovely place, very very expensive, but amazing place.

[@woltersworld]

It really is!

[@vepakko]

Expensive in relation to what? Most of the capitals in Europe are quite expensive. I recently visited Riga, even there in main tourist area (old town) prices were bit expensive, considering Latvia in general is one of the most affordable countries in Europe. Of course it was cheaper than here in Finland and Helsinki, but not that much.

[@oldmate99]

Hey nice vlog thanks for the cool info. You kinda look like Alex Jones.

[@toni4620]

Never come to Finland between October and april. Its horrible time in here. We had this summer like 60 days more than +25c degrees. Summertime all cities are so nice and lovely. Actually nobody eats reindeer or carelian stew here. Those are for tourists in north. Try some Scandinavian/french style restaurants + better burger places and pizzas is Italian style restaurants.

[@djuicedvbladerrep264]

Which I miss at Helsinki (I live right now at Turku)...is moving in Helsinki...it's so much easier. And also ALEPA, it's ALLWAYS CLOSE...right at Turku we have Sale...but it's not allways behind next corner. PLUS SIDES AT TURKU IS PRICES OF TRAVELING AROUND CLOSE AT TURKU (föli area!)...IT'S WAY CHEAPER. And yes Helsinki area have MANY TICKET area's to choose from...it is hassle also. We have only one and you can have ticket on your creditcard. It's totally hassle free.

[@arshiapishi3275]

I am trying to move to finland helsinki. Im trying to learn as much as i can about the city and the culture to be a great person over there, my goal is that be as finn as i can so people there acutely think im finnish🙌 Pls wish me goodluck ty all

[@alexandros6433]

Is there something to visit from mika waltari?

[@DropB]

Take a tram or metro to the Kallio area. Everything is more affordable there. It's just outside the city center.

[@MeBee-fl2ow]

I was there 6 Weeks ago and agree on All your comments. I wont go there again. It Was cold and a new city. Just visiting it once is enough. No city to live.

[@SunFlower-kg8yn]

Guess I was lucky then. I was in Helsinki at the Ende of May, and every day was 25-27°

[@MeBee-fl2ow]

@@SunFlower-kg8yn yes you must have been. cause I am not easily feeling cold, but there, it was :-)

[@torpmorp1324]

Well, it wasn’t for you, then. :)

[@akilrl85]

We are making good progress on messing up that safety thing

[@xyema-mpa-ma-ma]

Looks very similar to St. Petersburg architecture.

[@aaabee5440]

The main architect was German Carl Engel, who designed these wonderful neo classic buildings.

[@Tramptraveller]

❤❤❤❤

[@chrisboyle7994]

I'm actually visiting Helsinki for 3 nights in September 2025.

[@moonliteX]

Wow when did you film this? Even the whole of may was one big heatwave

[@woltersworld]

End of april. There was a mega snow storm the next day 😀

[@SunFlower-kg8yn]

I was there end of may, and had 25-27° every day, it was sooooo wonderful

[@woltersworld]

@SunFlower-kg8yn day i got in wasnt bad (when my talking part is filming) then i got to turku next day and it was the most snow they had all year and it was all in like 5 hours. It was crazy. April 22nd or 23rd i think. Went to bed thinking awesome spring filming and turned into winter wonderland :) so will put out my finland videos with snow out late fall early winter. So more finland coming

[@MrPolford]

We had some very good but very expensive dinners there. Much cheaper, but still not cheap was the food at the market. I had to get the salmon soup which was very good, and try a Karelian pie. That wasn’t my thing, the textures seemed unbalanced. Anyway, a must is a day trip to Tallinn. A very easy two hour ferry each way.

[@woltersworld]

The day trip to tallinn is fun for sure

[@elisestarday6372]

Are you part Finn? I've noticed that you know so much about Finland 🇫🇮

[@Wut3225]

I think he lived there for a bit

[@martindance5542]

Hey Mark, I have a Niece who lives in Finland (I'm from England) and a few years ago I paid her a visit which was a bit problematic as I did not possess a Smartphone at the time. In Finland the public transport system seems to use a method of payment that an old dunderhead like me just was not prepared for.😔

[@torpmorp1324]

Didn’t they sell cards?

[@Timo-wv3dd]

Ya... winter DOES suck - a lot!! 🤣😭 - But the rest is great!!

[@kanggoo57]

The best thing to do in Finland is visit somewhere else than Helsinki. Helsinki is basically a microcosm, feels like im visiting a foreign place even though im Finnish myself. The real Finland is outside of Kehä 3.

[@chachar7458]

It's such a wonderful country. Last month we did a road trip from our home (in Czechia) up through the Baltic states and all the way through Finland as far as Utsjoki, then back. What an experience! We saw Lahti, Kajaani, Sodankyla, Utsjoki, Inari, Oulu, Tampere, and Helsinki of course, plus amazing forests and lakes. We're already planning to go next year and stay in different places - Turku is top of the list, but we also want to see more of the coast. Moi!

[@woltersworld]

I xan see that vibe

[@xzini]

@@kanggoo57 A fellow Finn here. It's good to hear I'm not the only one who feels this way. Helsinki just feels like a different country than everywhere else here. I can't explain what it is. Like for example when I go to Turku I still feel at home in a sense. But in Helsinki I get a totally different vibe

[@coffeecup404]

@@kanggoo57 I agree with this. People ouside Helsinki often regard it being its own thing and the real Finland is outside of it. As said, I often go to Helsinki to get the feeling of going abroad. 😅

[@joeterra.t]

​@@xziniThat's basically every capital of every country in the world. Berlin is not the real Germany, Paris is not the real France, etc.

[@randomrandom7208]

The city was good, but the worst thing, of course, was the constant fear of dying of boredom. But that's the risk when you decide to go to Scandinavia.

[@tensa7132]

Nooo, I JUST booked Helsinki and Rovaniemi in November 😂 please someone tell me there will be snow up in the north

[@woltersworld]

You can get snow. Dont worry 😀

[@olavsantiago]

@@tensa7132 the rivers were already frozen in October last year with 20cm of snow on the ground, the snow didn't melt away till late April. November in Helsinki will just be cloudy and rain.

[@narimansabah8655]

😍🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍1:08

[@jarosawklejnocki6633]

Architecturally, Helsinki resembles a bit the northern cities of Russia, but also, for example, Riga, but also some buildings resemble those that can be found in Poland - e.g. the type of brick market halls. Helsinki "played" St. Petersburg (or at that time Leningrad) in one of the Bond films - precisely because of the similarities. It's no wonder that a fairly famous Finnish rock band called itself Leningrad cowboys :)

[@Eurovaults]

come to turku

[@woltersworld]

Always!!!

[@jocelynwoltersworld]

We always do!

[@tepetti]

One good place to enjoy modern architecture and design is the library Oodi. Interesting building and it’s free to visit. Most of the activities there require a library card but browsing through books or enjoying the good views towards the parliament house etc. is free. (Just don’t freak out about the unisex toilets. They are nice and clean and you have your privacy. Only time you see other people there is at the sinks when washing hands!)

[@M3ibii]

I feel like Helsinki in general is seen as a expensive af because of such places as Kauppatori (Market Square) or Esplanadi and those places are of course expensive (tourism and the history). But if you take lets say a 10min tram ride to lets say Hakaniemi or Kallio which are more idk the best way to probably put it, but more from city dwellers to city dwellers kind of areas of Helsinki you can get a decent meal for 10e or less and lets say pint of beer ranges from 3.8-5e and the architecture is still there (while its not as beautiful as in lets say Esplanadi or Kaartinkaupunki). While the vibe in those areas is way more urban its a still a kind of must see area (for example Helsinki DIY skatepark or Sompasauna) and if you want to spend at least a little less money on your Helsinki trip!

[@WilliamMentsas]

Mark, you've lived in so many countries, where did you find the time? You're a fairly young man, too young to have in all those places. You've packed it in.

[@jocelynwoltersworld]

He started studying abroad in high school and continued through college. Master's, and PhD both completed abroad. In between those he volunteered and worked in other countries. Packing it in is how we live.

[@woltersworld]

Studied abroad 2 times in high school, 2 times in bachelors, masters abroad, phd abroad, worked abroud. I was living abroad in various places for about 12 years straight and then spent about 5 months a year traveling since then. So that kind of covers it 😉

[@WilliamMentsas]

@jocelynwoltersworld Sure sounds that way. Amazing! Now That's Living!

[@WilliamMentsas]

@@woltersworld Most eventful. The only way to live.

[@moonliteX]

Hmm kiasma opened at about y2k .. I don't think that was the museum you went as a kid?

[@jocelynwoltersworld]

The Kiasma opened in 98. He went in college.

[@woltersworld]

I started going when the collection was just the contemporary art museum as part of the national gallery. That collection (and more) were then moved to the kaisma when the building was built in late 90s ish or 2k. I have loved the collection since high school and been to the new building since my college days :)

[@gordonfreeman2634]

The darkness and cold winter isnt even bad in Helsinki, go to more northern parts and its way worse, but for me its better because i like the darkness more than the sun, the darkness and cold winter is the best thing about Finland.

[@jussitoivanen5097]

It's not worse in the central parts or in the North. There is snow instead of mostly sleet and icy rain which makes the surroundings look extra dark and depressing.

[@peterah7957]

Olen asunut Suomessa lähes 7 vuotta ja voin kertoa, että useimmat suomalaiset syövät hampurilaisia ja pizzaa!

[@torpmorp1324]

@@peterah7957 Mikseivät söisi? Perinneruokiako vain pitäisi syödä? Ne ovat kyllä terveellisempiä.

[@mnjk1558]

November is definitely the most worst time to come here because nature is dead and it's dark, cold and wet. Also fun fact: November = Marraskuu Marras = Death Marraskuu = Death month

[@grafsmigiel7003]

in Poland there is also everything dead in November, very depressing and in other way very mysterious

[@mehulmehta5787]

Beautiful city...super infrastructure, architecture, cleanliness, restaurants catering all different kind of cuisines, shopping, hotels etc etc. one of the finest city...

[@djpocketmoney7705]

turku is better

[@hoo_jii]

Foreigners and tourists are willing to pay the Helsinki prices so they stay up :(

[@bobsnabby2298]

What a surprise 😂, Helsinki is expensive 😂, their income level is the highest in the country. Other surprise its dark, lets look at the map, oh its close to north pole 😂