72hrs in the junction point of Helsinki
Your perfectly imperfect itinerary to Pasila – the urban Helsinki neighborhood
Looking to visit Helsinki for 3 days? Exploring a new place is an art, and we know there’s research to do not to miss the hotspots! But when the schedule’s too tight, there’s no space for curiosity. Getting lost is a cliché for a reason: it matters. Our perfectly imperfect itinerary series for Helsinki neighborhoods has you covered. Start with local knowledge on where to start and what not to miss, while leaving you space to play it by ear and discover your own favorite spots in Pasila – Helsinki’s urban neighborhood.
Day 1: arrive and explore
Looking for a perfect itinerary for Pasila? Don’t worry, we got you an imperfect one so you’d have time for spontaneous exploring! The perfect neighbourhood to do just that, Pasila welcomes you to the heart of the crossroads of Helsinki!
Arrive effortlessly to your destination by commuter train and head to your chosen hotel. Pasila has excellent hotel options next to the train station, like the Original Sokos Hotel Tripla and Scandic Pasila. For getting around extra easily, you also might consider Holiday Inn Helsinki Expo, right by Messukeskus – the main venue for trade fairs and yearly startup event Slush – or The Folks Hotel Konepaja, a trendy hotel with a direct tram connection from the train station. Settle in and get ready to experience the many faces of this versatile neighbourhood!
Explore the little Berlin of Pasila
Ready for the first stop on your itinerary to Pasila? Helsinki’s graffiti scene took off in the early nineties and is still blossoming today with an active street art community in East Pasila. Take a stroll around Finland’s most Berlin-esque neighbourhood, where the starkly stunning and timeworn concrete is brightened up with colourful and skilfully created graffiti art all around the residential area. Discover the art pieces solo or join a street art tour for a guided walk through the beautifully brutalist quarters. Tours are held by Helsinki Urban Art from March to October on the last Saturday of each month.
Brazilian dinner break
Time for a dinner break at Pastelaria Brasil! Enjoy some of the most mouth- watering, authentic flavours all the way from Brazil. The menu has tasty dishes for meat-eaters and vegans alike and a whole selection of treats to satisfy your sweet tooth- So take a flavour journey all the way to South America and fire up your taste buds (in a metaphorical, not spicy way – unless you’re into that).
Summer night at Tripla Down Under
In Finland, we are accustomed to being creative in how we can extend the beach season regardless of the weather. Tripla Down Under has a year-round summer paradise that is sure to warm your right up with +27°C (that’s 80°F if you speak in Fahrenheit) and many activities, from sandy beach volleyball at Biitsi to braving the waves between the palm trees at Surf House’s indoor wave pool. And after having your fill of adrenaline-packed activities, you can finish up your summery getaway with a refreshing cocktail or an ice-cold pop from the beach bar.
Day 2: nature and nordic sports
How about grabbing a scrumptious breakfast (like Dylan Böle’s Finnish-style brekky or some fresh croissants from Gateau to-go) and setting off into the gorgeous Helsinki Central Park, the hidden oasis of your Pasila itinerary. This massive nature area has it all: urban parks, forests, field landscapes, meadows, and even communal garden lots to admire. Pick a predetermined walking route or venture around freely and soak in the Finnish quiet round the year. The trails are maintained through the winter, but do mind the ski tracks – a Finn on skis is a speedy creature, so better avoid walking in their way.
Craving for a coffee break (a.k.a ‘kahvitauko’)
Kahvitauko, a coffee break in the middle of a busy day, is an essential part of Helsinkian culture. Take moment and treat yourself to a cup of coffee and some Finnish sweet treats, like ‘mansikkakakku’ or ‘korvapuusti’ – a traditional strawberry cake or a cinnamon bun – at places like Roasberg or Lilla Strindberg. For a sweet tooth, Riyo Café’s East African treats or the vegan delicacies at a retrofuturistic Outrun Café are sure to make the break worthwhile!
Admire the architecture
Walk around the neighbourhood and spot Pasila’s most famous buildings and structures. The eye-catching architectural delights like Toralinna and Rauhanasema are beautiful older buildings that fuse together with their modern surroundings. For some more modern treats, Pasila Library’s futuristic look was influenced by none other than Alvar Aalto, and Pasilan linkkitorni – also known as Yle Transmission Tower, a TV tower for the Finnish Broadcasting company – is the tallest freestanding tower in Helsinki and the second tallest one in the entire Finland.
Puck yeah!
Ice hockey is not just a sport to us Finns – it’s an integral part of our country’s DNA that has shaped the Finnish sports scene for decades. Victories are equal to personal achievements (ask anyone when Finland won its first gold medal in the world championship – they will know) and the losses are grieved together – and even then, the thing that matters the most is that we were better than Sweden. So, head to Helsinki Ice Hall and have a first-hand experience of the Helsinki ice hockey culture.
Wind down at Veturitallit
Veturitallit is a lovely restaurant venue built in the old locomotive garage area from 1899. Spend your evening in the wings of history, enjoying the gleeful atmosphere and the menu filled with traditional northern flavours. And remember to book your table in advance – the restaurant often hosts entertaining events that attract a full house. Truly a unique stop on your itinerary to Pasila!
Day 3: bye bye Böle
Start your last morning in Pasila – or Böle, like some Helsinkians call it for its Swedish name – by heading to the Mall of Tripla. Have a light breakfast at a coffee shop, like Löfsberg or Round Café, and get ready for some serious souvenir shopping. Tripla is one of the biggest shopping centres in the Nordic region and has almost 250 shops across its five floors, both Finnish and international brands well represented!
Finish up your itinerary to Pasila with a full belly and heart
After your swan song of a shopping spree, finish your stay with a brunch at one of Tripla’s 70 cafés and restaurants. If the number of options makes you dizzy, maybe give a go to the seasonal dishes at Mari’s Treehouse, the handmade salads at Pupu, or the smoothie and sandwich bar, Bär Bar. And when it’s time to go, both your heart and your stomach full, catch the train to the airport directly from Tripla and say your farewells – or maybe spend another day? The hotel is just an escalator away.
We hope you enjoyed this perfectly imperfect Pasila itinerary. Thank you for visiting, and see you again soon!
