Helsinki Tourist Trap Tips by sabsi

Helsinki Card

Because of my work I got a Helsinki Card for 24 hours for free. So I had the chance to try out what you can do with it. Here's my opinion about it:

The card gives you the chance to visit most of Helsinki's museums for free. You also get little presents and discounts at several shops and restaurants. Plus of course you can use public transportation for free.

The problem is that the card for 24 hours costs 25 Euro which isn't exactly cheap. Before buying it you should think about what you want to do that day. I mean how many museums can you visit in a day without getting bored as hell? I used it for free transport (saved 6 Euros), for the National Museum (saved 4,50 I think) and the tower of the Olympic stadium (saved 2 Euros) and to collect my present (an elk keyring) from Stockmann. Some of the other museums that I wanted to visit with it were closed (because it was Juhannus weekend) so for me the card wouldn't have been worth it.

Unique Suggestions: If you plan to visit the Zoo and Suomenlinna or go on an organised tour by "Helsinki Expert" and you still have some time to visit some museums and maybe have a meal one of the restaurants that offers special rates it might be worth it for you. Especially for people who travel to Helsinki for the first time and only have a short time there it might be a good idea to get the card (you can buy it at the Helsinki Expert booth at Esplanadi or at the tourist information).

Fun Alternatives: Enjoy the city without rushing from one place to the other.....

Local Trap

This isn't really a tourist trap but a trap for locals as well. Every club in Helsinki closes at 4 am. If you have to get a taxi afterwards you will have to queue for a long long time to get one.

Unique Suggestions: We found out that best chances to get a taxi in less than an hour is at the main station. The queues are the longest here but there number of taxis stopping is higher than e.g. at Mannerheimintie! Good luck!

Fun Alternatives: Get a hotel in the city centre and walk!

The church in the rock

The church in the rock 'Temppeliaukio church'. It's No. 1 tourist attraction but I think it's the ugliest church in Helsinki, all the others are much better!

Unique Suggestions: Admire the church from the outside

Fun Alternatives: Uspenski cathedral is much nicer from the inside.