Helsinki, Helsinki & Lifestyle, Restaurants & Cafés

The Ultimate Helsinki Guide to the best Breakfast, Cafés and Bakeries

Who doesn’t love breakfast? Helsinki has a bunch of just delicious breakfast cafés all around town, so make your pick! I’m more of a savoury kind of breakfast gal, so you can always win me over with good break, well-prepared eggs and of course – strong coffee. Coming from Central Europe, bread and pastries are my weakness – there is nothing that makes me happier than a buttery croissant, or a loaf of crusty bread. Luckily, the last years have brought us some amazing places to enjoy baked goods. Of course many overlap in these categories, so go and check them out yourself!

Helsinki, Hotels & Where to Stay

Unique Staycation: spend the night at Nuuksio Reindeer Park

Have you ever dreamt of sleeping in the middle of the forest, and waking up to enjoy your morning cup of coffee while feeding a cute reindeer straight from your bed? In Nuuksio National Park, just a 30-minute drive out of the Helsinki city center, this absolutely magical hideaway accommodation makes dreams come true for those who love the nature and fluffy noses.

Dinner Date, Restaurants & Cafés

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurants in Helsinki

Dining out and trying new restaurants is not only my favourite hobby – it is also delicious. Over the years I am close to saying confidently – that I have tried them (almost) all – and here is my ultimate Helsinki Guide for all things café and restaurant in Helsinki – of all places that are NOT specifically Finnish food. Helsinki’s restaurant scene has changed vastly over the years, with so many amazing options. Whether you’re looking for a breakfast spot, a lunch place, great pizza or a fancy night out – I got you covered. Did I miss anything? Share in a comment!

Expat Life

10 Things that have changed in Finland in 10 Years

10 years ago today, I landed in Helsinki to start my exchange program, which was supposed to be one year. Many years later, I am still here, and I couldn’t imagine myself being anywhere else. I always get a little melancholic on this day, and think a lot about how things have changed, how I have evolved and what things are like today. 10 years is a long time, and both Helsinki as a city and Finland as a whole, has changed a lot. I asked around a bit and put my mind to it – here are 10 things that have changed here in the last 10 years. Not all good – but mostly things have changed for the better.

City Escapes, Finland, Helsinki, Helsinki & Lifestyle, What to Do & Experience

City Escape: Iso Vasikkasaari Island in the Espoo archipelago

The Espoo archipelago is a place I haven’t explored enough yet, but luckily summer isn’t just over yet! Visiting more of the local islands that are right in front of my doorstep is easy and a wonderful day trip from anywhere in Helsinki, so that it’s something great for the weekend. Iso Vasikkasaari is a beautiful recreational island in Espoo that you can reach by boat from various spots, such as Otaniemi, Nokkala or Haukilahti.

City Escapes, Expat Life, Finland, Guide, What to Do & Experience

City Escape: a day hike in Porkkalanniemi

Little getaways from the city, especially in the summertime for day hikes and exploring the areas closeby Helsinki, are my favourite thing to do! I had seen so much of Porkkalanniemi on social media, and I’m not sure why it took me this long to get there. I knew it looked nice, but it totally exceeded my expectations! Magnificent views, rocky shores – actually reminding me a lot of the Åland Islands where I had been recently. Porkkalanniemi is now my favourite spot for a day hike, and let me show you why.

City Escapes, Finland, What to Do & Experience

Summer hike: the St. Olav Waterway on the Åland Islands

Last autumn, I did my first multi-day hike of the St. Olav Waterway – together with my friend Rania, we completed the first section of this pilgrimage trail from Turku to Korppoo. Now it was time for the second part: continuing from the edge of the Finnish archipelago to the Åland Islands! And what a beautiful trip it was: in the most perfect Finnish summer, this time with my friend Eva, we hiked for a few days amidst the rugged and wild beauty of Åland – spectacular views, the scent of strawberries in the air, ferry rides, wild trails through the forest and along the rocky shores – it was truly the most stunning part of the trail so far!

Finland, Guide, Hotels & Where to Stay, What to Do & Experience

Guide for a memorable Juhannus & Midsummer at Haikko 2020

I’m not gonna lie, Midsummer always gets me. After all these years, and being super content with my Finnish life, the FOMO is heavy around Juhannus. For us foreigners, it can be a tricky time. We don’t have the strong traditions, the family mökki, the associations with Midsummer, the stories of our youth. It doesn’t have this presence in our mind and calendars, so by the time we notice that it’s midsummer time, cabins are unavailable and rental cars all booked up. While last year was particularly difficult for me, I’m more than happy with the plans for 2020, just getting out of the city and being away, just for a little bit, taking a deep breath and start to actively make my own Midsummer memories.