ABOUT
FAQ
Contact

HELSINKI
Finland
LIFESTYLE
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Helsinki Tours

Get in touch

Blog comments or input
Business & Contribution inquiries
Helsinki tour inquiries
Anything else?

Drop me a line at moikkeliskoikkelis(a)kathrindeter.com – can’t wait to hear from you!

✖️7 THINGS TO STILL DO IN HELSINKI THIS SUMMER

✖️MONDAY MORNINGS . Last summer I started a Mo

✖️MONDAY MORNINGS
.
Last summer I started a Monday morning ritual at @birgittahernesaari with breakfast, coffee and planning my week. There’s so better way to start to tackle things nice and fresh with a sea view. Today is back to work for most of us here in Finland, so time to sort myself out and get back at it. After a tricky spring I’m both motivated but also still a bit confused where to start. So. Let’s do this! Happy Monday!

✖️LE GRENIER BAKERY 🥐🥐🥐 . Anyone reme

✖️LE GRENIER BAKERY 🥐🥐🥐
.
Anyone remember #croissantgate? For ages I’ve been looking for a delicious croissant that’s not outrageously priced. Back home in Luxembourg, high quality pastries like Croissants or a pain au chocolate are everywhere around and usually a very affordable treat. In Helsinki, croissants are either bad and/or cost like all the moneys. So my friends, I’m happy to announce my pick for the best Helsinki Croissant - congratulations to @legrenierhelsinki 🥳
.
This tiny bakery is all the way out in Meilahti but it’s a lovely bike ride to get there and the best reward is waiting for you then. I actually loved the pain au chocolate even more. When I came for the first time, the croissants where just out but I managed to get a fresh batch which was just perfectly flakey and buttery, and like a little piece of home ❤️

✖️PORKKALANNIEMI . Okay I don’t say it light

✖️PORKKALANNIEMI
.
Okay I don’t say it lightly but: this was my favourite place in southern Finland. There. Porkkalanniemi is about 50km from Helsinki, south of Kirkkonummi - the peninsula stretches out into the sea and has just spectacular views, wild rocky shores and lush forests with all the berries. It was really a special place and from all the day hikes in the capital area this one stuck with me most.
.
There’s a blog post with more photos and details linked in my bio 🙂so if you need inspiration for what to do on this beautiful sunny day - you’re welcome

✖️SAME SAME (but different) . A few weeks ago

✖️SAME SAME (but different)
.
A few weeks ago today my dear friends @veerabianca and @escapemundaneblog and I went on a little foodie date to @samesamehel in Tehtaankatu. The 5 course tasting menu for 52€ is seriously good value for money, because every single dish blew me away. Loved every bit of the edamame and chickpea, the salmon sashimi, pork ribs (really quite something), the duck lettuce wraps and the fried banana. It was impossible to pick a favourite. Also I finally got that whisky sour I’d been dreaming of since before lockdown. All in all this was such a positive surprise and warmly recommend this place! Also lovely service. Yay!
.
#notsponsored #myhelsinki #heleats #helsinkirestaurants #foodfromhel

✖️MISU . I didn’t introduce you to this litt

✖️MISU
.
I didn’t introduce you to this little lady properly yet. This is Misu 😻 She’s a ca. 6 year old, but quite small cat lady who moved in with us about 2,5 months ago. We adopted her through @rekku_rescue_ry, and she was living with the lovely @rescuefosterkitties before she came home to us. We’ve both had cats before, in our previous apartment we couldn’t have any pets, but now that we’re settled in our own place, and we both suddenly had a lot of time at home to properly get to know a new family member - and it felt like the right moment - after having talked about it on and off for years. And now I don’t even remember what it was like without her here 🐱the whole adoption process was a really positive experience, and I’m so pleased with how all of that went and couldn’t recommend it more.
.
She loves fish and will not hesitate to demand it, like a proper cat she has the zoomies usually right before our bed time. Misu is super brave and curious, will investigate everything, especially bags. And then sit on them for hours. Also hates closed doors of any kind. Doors need to be open, we got it. She’s always loved a good scratching, but it will still take some time for her to warm up to us and trust us 100%. Unfortunately, she doesn’t particularly like to be picked up and cuddle-carried around, but will tolerate it occasionally, for fish. She has the cutest, tiniest paws. Also she loves @flyingsharkbear more than me which I think is very rude.

✖️HAKANIEMEN HALLI - HAKANIEMI MARKET HALL . T

✖️HAKANIEMEN HALLI - HAKANIEMI MARKET HALL
.
The market hall in Hakaniemi has been a favourite of mine for years, for many reasons. I love strolling through the aisles @hakaniemen_kauppahalli and picking up delicious things, like the best cured salmon (the tsars salmon is to die for) at @kalaliikemarjanatti, a proper cheese consultation at Juustoliike lentävä lehmä, garlicy olives and artichokes from Maustekaidas, the best barley Karelian pies from @mariankonditoria - and the perfect ending to some shopping, coffee and (ideally a possu)munkki with my friends outside at @kahvilakaffeli. What’s your favourite spot and thing to get?

✖️ FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE HOLIDAY - Day 10 - T

✖️ FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE HOLIDAY - Day 10 - Tips for the perfect Finnish cabin trip!
.

✅ Book early. I recommend booking a cottage for July already after the Christmas holidays. Luckily, I had booked this cabin already in February, before everything, as prices went up and availability down. For nice places in prime locations, you need to plan ahead. We booked through @lomarengas which was a great experience.
✅ LAKE VS SEASIDE? Seaside = less mosquitoes, but risk of algae when swimming, water supply can be a bit annoying. Lake = mosquitoes can drive you nuts, lakes are generally warmer to swim in and you have the freshwater supply right there. We were at the seaside in the Western archipelago and during our entire stay we encountered maybe 3 mosquitoes.
✅ Speaking of which: mosquito and tick repellant are essentials on any cabin trip, so something to soothe a sting. I brought a tick "management" set, and depending on where you go, check if it's a good idea to get your FSME vaccine before going on a trip. The archipelago is tick kingdom and it's imperative you're prepared.
✅ Nude swimming is the best. I really couldn't be bothered with swimwear anymore. And if you do, bring two sets so one is always dry and ready to go. Nothing worse than wearing damp swimwear!
✅ Always take woolly socks and a cozy sweater for chilly nights, and a beanie for wet hair in the evenings (I didn't take the latter and have regrets).
✅ Pack wellies/rubber boots - I wore these all the time during berry picking and going about the forest. Keeps your ankles protected and your feet dry in the morning dew or after a rain shower.
✅ Plan your food a bit, but keep it simple. You don't want to waste time doing the dishes all too much, so BBQs are efficient in that regard, and also delicious.
✅ Generally, bring as much food that makes you think you'll be fine until next Midsummer. That should get you through!
✅ Check what's available at the cottage and how it is equipped, so you know exactly what to bring and how to plan your meals.
✅ Bring containers to bring home lots of berries <3
✅ Enjoy the sound of the wind in the trees and don't think of anything!
.
Did I miss anything?

✖️FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE - BLUEBERRY PANCAKES

✖️FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE - BLUEBERRY PANCAKES - Day 9
.
The best cottage breakfast? Blueberry pancakes from the bbq, with freshly picked blueberries from the surrounding forest.
.
Recipe? Well. Mix flour, eggs, oat milk, baking powder and a bit of salt until the consistency is right for how you like it. Pancakes are so subjective and I feel like measurements rarely work properly. Throw in as many blubes as you like and bake in a buttered pan. Enjoy ❤️

✖️FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE - DAYS 6-8 . The rain

✖️FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE - DAYS 6-8
.
The rain and storm came back and while there were some gorgeous moments like the first photo, we spend most of these three days inside by the fireplace with books, podcasts and naps. On the third day I started to feel a little restless but somehow the time still passed very quickly. It’s good to have these almost forceful moments to slow down and really do something really mindful ❤️

✖️WAFFLES IN NAANTALI / FINNISH SUMMER HOLIDAY

✖️WAFFLES IN NAANTALI / FINNISH SUMMER HOLIDAY - DAY 5
.
We ventured out from our cottage hideaway yesterday for a mandatory outing to the super picturesque harbour town of Naantali. The old town is beautiful and the waffles at @amandisnaantali are the most lush treat. I think this was my third time here now, and it’s wonderful every time. Naantali is also great for a weekend trip, there’s a blog post on the website from a couple of years ago - but still the same magic remains.

✖️FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE - DAY 4 . The rain ca

✖️FINNISH SUMMER COTTAGE - DAY 4
.
The rain came, and so did the storm, but after a couple of days summer heat on full blast, I didn’t really mind a bit of a cooler day to take a breath. We stayed in the cabin most of the day, spent lots of time reading or listing to podcasts and audio books, had a nice stew for dinner. I enjoyed my favourite snacks in bed during my afternoon nap and it was just perfect. Definitely felt like being on holiday.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

All rights reserved @Kathrin Deter

Back to top