Best Areas of Helsinki to Stay 2024
Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is a holiday destination brimming with life and history. Furthermore, because Helsinki is a small city, it is possible to become acquainted with all aspects of the city in a short period of time.
You can easily determine the best accommodation area for yourself using the information in this “Where to stay in Helsinki” guide I’ve prepared for you.
Quick Helsinki hotel recommendations for those who don’t have time:
- In the center, clean and relatively economical 3-star Hotel Anna,
- Next to the station, close to attractions 4-star Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre,
- 5-star Hotel Kämp for those who do not want to compromise on quality.
There are 5 ideal areas to stay in Helsinki:
- City Center & Kluuvi, which has the most options in terms of places to visit and activities to do;
- Kamppi, the favorite of those who want to experience the nightlife;
- Punavuori, the city’s coolest and most unique shopping area;
- Kallio, where affordable accommodation options are dominant;
- Katajanokka, a family-friendly accommodation where peace is at the forefront.
Helsinki City Center & Kluuvi Hotels
If you are visiting Helsinki for the first time and want to make the most of your time there, you should consider staying in city center hotels.
This region’s Kluuvi district, in particular, is well-known for its lively atmosphere. It is the most ideal accommodation area due to the numerous opportunities for shopping, eating and drinking, entertainment, and the ease of access to other parts of Helsinki.
The magnificent Helsinki Cathedral immediately comes to mind when considering places to visit in the city center. The Helsinki City Museum provides visitors with the most valuable information about the city’s history. The Ateneum, on the other hand, attracts those interested in learning about Finnish art through its extensive collection. After seeing all of these sights, continue on to Aleksanterinkatu in the heart of Helsinki. The main street is lined with shops, restaurants, and nightclubs.
Tip: If you stay in the city center, you can easily walk to the city’s most important tourist attractions.
You can even take a ferry from the pier to Suomenlinna, which is known as the largest castle in the Baltic Sea, in as little as 15 minutes.
Helsinki City Center & Kluuvi Hotel Recommendations
4-star GLO Hotel Kluuvi
Booking.com score of 8.5.
The hotel with high standards of comfort is right next to the Galleria Esplanade shopping center, which brings together luxury brands. Moreover, it is very close to the central station and the cathedral.
4-star Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre
Booking.com score 8.7.
Located right next to Helsinki Central Station, the distance between the hotel and Bulevarden, one of the city’s busiest boulevards, can be exceeded on foot in 10 minutes.
5-star Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Helsinki
Booking.com score of 8.5.
Welcoming its guests in a building that successfully reflects the local architecture, the hotel is located very close to the Finnish National Theater and Aleksanterinkatu.
5-star Hotel Camp
Booking.com score 9.1.
The luxury hotel, which has been in service since 1887, aims to provide its guests with a first-class accommodation experience through stylishly designed spacious rooms.
Kamppi Hotels
Kamppi, which is close to the city center, is popular for its shopping, gastronomy, and entertainment options. Furthermore, the region attracts attention due to its cultural and historical background.
Visitors who stay in Kamppi hotels can easily visit architecturally stunning churches and museums that focus on various aspects of the city. Before focusing on shopping and entertainment, you can start your Kamppi tour at the Helsinki Natural History Museum.
Following that, you can see two design marvels, the Kamppi Chapel and Temppeliaukio. With their unique architecture, both religious buildings are city symbols.
Kamppi Hotel Recommendations
2-star Hotel Finn
Booking.com score 8.3.
The rooms of the hotel, decorated with works bearing the signatures of local artists, are quite comfortable compared to the star category. In addition, the hotel is very close to the central station, the port and Senate Square.
4-star Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel, Helsinki
8.4 on Booking.com.
Located on the Gulf Coast, the boutique-style hotel is only 1 kilometer from the city’s most popular shopping areas and transportation hubs.
4-star Scandic Simonkentta
Booking.com score 8.7.
The property, which has won the appreciation of travelers with its environmentally friendly structure, is 200 meters from Helsinki Central Station and 400 meters from the city’s most famous park Esplanade.
5-star Hotel St. George Helsinki
Booking.com score 9.2.
Operating in a very pleasant building built towards the middle of the 19th century, adjacent to the Old Church Park, the hotel fascinates its guests with its elegantly designed rooms.
Punavuori Hotels
You can return home with brand new items with an authentic atmosphere after a wonderful vacation in Punavuori hotels. After a long day of shopping at local designers’ boutiques in Punavuori, you can unwind at Sinebrychoff Park, which is especially popular among the locals.
After a short rest, you can go to the museum of the same name, which is right next to the park, and look at the valuable paintings and furniture created between the 14th and 19th centuries. In addition to great shopping, Punavuori has cafes and restaurants where visitors can learn about the local culinary culture.
It also has a tranquil atmosphere. By the way, I should mention that the prices for overnight accommodations in this area are slightly higher than in other parts of the city.
Punavuori Hotel Recommendations
Kotimaailma Helsinki – Iso Roobertinkatu 28
Booking.com score of 8.5.
Located very close to Kamppi Shopping Center, bus terminal and Helsinki Music Center, the property offers its guests comfortable apartments equipped with all their needs in mind.
3-star Hotel Anna
8.0 on Booking.com.
Located 250 meters from the Design Museum, the hotel appeals to those looking for accommodation options close to shopping areas.
4 -star Original Sokos Hotel Albert
Booking.com score 8.1.
The design of its interiors and rooms was inspired by the art galleries in the surrounding area. There are many fashion houses, record stores and furniture stores close to the hotel.
Kallio Hotels
Kallio, located north of Helsinki city center, is vibrant all year thanks to its student population. The area where civil servants used to live has now been transformed into a place where artists can continue to work and represents the bohemian spirit.
Furthermore, the region, which has the cheapest lodging options in the city, attracts many budget-conscious visitors. Kallio also has the opportunity to interact with the locals. If you wish, you can visit Kotiharjun Sauna for a relaxing experience that will allow you to release the stress that has accumulated throughout the year.
Linnanmaki amusement park, which has been in operation since 1950, is a great place to reminisce about your childhood. For those interested in gastronomy, Hakaniemi Market is one of the places to visit in this region.
Kallio remains the city’s most densely populated residential area. Furthermore, as I mentioned earlier, due to the student population, it is now possible to find a cafe or shop under almost every apartment building.
If you want to visit and see more places while staying in this area, you can quickly get to the city center or its neighbor, Alppiharju.
Kallio Hotel Recommendations
Residence Square Corner
9.4 on Booking.com.
The facility, which includes well-equipped apartments where comfort is at the forefront; It is located close to Helsinki Cathedral, Music Center and Kamppi.
4-star Scandic Hakaniemi
Booking.com score 8.0.
The airport bus stop is right across from the hotel, some of which have sea views. The metro station is a few minutes away.
4-star Scandic Paasi
Booking.com score 8.4.
The hotel, which started to serve in 2012, has a design bearing the traces of Finnish culture. Being close to the port and the metro station makes it much easier for travelers in terms of transportation.
5-star Hilton Helsinki Strand
Booking.com score of 8.8.
Hakaniemi Market is a 5-minute walk from the property on the Baltic Sea coast. It is also very close to Helsinki Cathedral and Aleksanterinkatu.
Katajanokka Hotels
Katajanokka is an excellent choice for families with children in Helsinki. The island, located east of the city center, is a tranquil setting with several schools and parks.
If you want to stay in a hotel with a quiet atmosphere that is also close to Market Square, you can look into the hotel options in this area.
You can take trams from Katajanokka, which hosts the port where cruise ships from places like Estonia and Stockholm dock, to the city center, which is packed with attractions.
Tip: While traveling by nostalgic public transportation, you may come across beautiful scenery worth photographing.
Katajanokka Hotel Recommendations
3-star Hellsten Helsinki Senate
8.4 on Booking.com.
If you are interested in staying in spacious apartments with modern kitchens, where it is very easy to reach by ship, you may want to consider booking your place in this facility where comfort is at the forefront.
4-star Hotel Katajanokka, Helsinki, a Tribute Portfolio Hotel
Booking.com score 9.0.
It takes only 10 minutes by tram to cross the distance between the hotel and the city center, which welcomes its guests in a building used as a prison in the 19th century.
4-star Scandic Grand Marina
Booking.com score of 8.2.
Located in an Art Nouveau building built in the 1920s, the hotel is 500 meters from the attractions, including Uspenski Cathedral and the Presidential Palace. Transportation to the city center is provided from the ferry terminal right next to it.
Transportation in Helsinki
The city center of Helsinki is compact. As a result, most travelers meet their transportation needs on foot.
When it is necessary to travel outside of the city center, HSL-managed public transportation vehicles come into play. Furthermore, using public transportation has become much easier thanks to the travel planning application developed by this institution.
Buses are the foundation of Helsinki’s urban transportation network. A tram serves as the most ideal and comprehensive mode of transportation for travelers in the city center, where buses are not permitted.
Especially if you take the passenger cars on lines 2 and 3, you will be able to see almost all of the city’s landmarks. If you want to visit the islands of Helsinki, you can board one of the ferries that depart from the Market Square pier.
In Helsinki, public transportation offers three different ticket options. The most useful of these options is single-use EU tickets. EU tickets, which are available through the mobile app or at sales points, can be used in all HSL vehicles that travel within a 15-kilometer radius of the city center.
You can purchase ABC tickets to travel to other locations. Of course, if you plan on using public transportation frequently, you should consider purchasing a Helsinki Card.
Final Word on Helsinki Hotels
There are five regions in Finland that I would recommend for lodging.
The city center is known as the ideal location for those who want to focus their limited vacation time on various activities. Furthermore, many of the places you can add to your list of things to do in Helsinki are in the city center.
Kamppi is a good choice for those who want to enjoy the nightlife and high-level opportunities in a variety of subjects, particularly shopping.
Punavuori, with its designer boutiques, is known as the city’s coolest neighborhood, while Kallio is the first choice for those looking for more affordable lodging options.
With its peaceful structure, Katajanokka, the last area I will recommend to you, is the best accommodation area for families.
Hotel Recommendations in Helsinki
Options such as 2 Hotel Finn, 3 Hotel Anna, and Hellsten Helsinki Senate can be preferred for an average price.
Those who value service quality exercise their right to select hotels such as the 4 ★ GLO Hotel Kluuvi and the Scandic Simonkentta.
When it comes to luxury lodging in the city, the first names that come to mind are 5 ★ Hotel Kamp, Hotel St. George Helsinki, and Hilton become Helsinki Strand.