Helsinki, the Hot Capital to Feel Good!

Nov. 15 2013

by Till

Less known than Oslo or Stockholm, Helsinki is the ideal place to warm up. Some say that there are more saunas in Finland than cars! Going to the sauna is an old tradition in the country, so don’t be surprised to bump into a group of Finnish dressed in a towel, talking with a beer in hand when you stroll around the streets of Helsinki.

The city is a good option for a short stay. It’s not overcrowded with tourists, and you will be delighted by its modernity and history. In Northern Europe, Helsinki is a major city in terms of architecture, with its Art Nouveau buildings. You can glimpse the Design District, an area full of design and antique shops, fashion stores, museums, art galleries, restaurants, and showrooms.

Design Museum

If you are into organic products, go to the renewed 110-year-old Hietalahti Market Hall, the first organic market hall in Finland, where you can find a wide variety of fresh foods or enjoy a quick snack or lunch at the popular restaurants and cafés.

Experience Linnanmäki, the city park with 43 different rides for a thrill of excitement. At the end of the summer season, the whole area is full of free concerts, performances, and light attractions for the Carnival of Light.

During your stay, take the opportunity to visit the surrounding islands, which you can easily reach by ferry at Market Square. Suomenlinna, popular with tourists and locals, is perfect for a summer picnic. Pihlajasaari Island is better for sunbathing, especially if you're looking for a nudist beach with a gay section.

Suomenlinna

But in Helsinki, a sauna session is not to be missed! In Northern Europe, particularly in Finland, bathhouses are a place to relax for everyone and are well-liked by Finnish. Open recently, Kulttuurisauna Center is a new urban public sauna located on the Helsinki waterfront in Hakaniemenranta. For a gay sauna, the only one in the country is Sauna Vogue, situated on the 5th floor of a building at Sturenkatu. With its two Finnish saunas, steam room, bar, video, and dark room, you’ll enjoy the terrace to cool down between two hot sessions.

Where to go out

The city is very gay-friendly, and there are many venues for every taste. Start the night at Hugo's Room, a lounge with many cocktails where you can find a mix of different people.

For a more relaxed place on a Sunday night, prefer Kulmakahvio, a small and cozy café in Kallio. Once a month, a show is performed there, and during summer, you’ll enjoy the terrace and maybe even see a drag bear race!

For clubbing, DTM is a trendy club for twinks and girls, and it has electro-dance music. If you prefer an older and more manly atmosphere, go to Hercules. Mann’s Street will suit you with its retro design for karaoke and Bears fans.

Finally, Peijakas, a group claiming for “queer feminism,” organize queer/lesbian club nights every three months (more information: http://www.peijakas.net).

For more information about Finland, visit the tourist office website: http://www.visitfinland.com / http://www.visithelsinki.fi.