72 hours in Kallio:
Your perfectly imperfect itinerary for the trendy 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 Kallio – Helsinki’s trendsetting neighborhood.
Day 1: Arrive and Explore
Congrats – you’ve officially chosen one of the coolest neighborhoods to stay in Helsinki (you did well young Padawan). To arrive at ease, simply catch a tram from Helsinki Central Station and find your accommodation in Kallio, settle in and charge your batteries before exploring your new neighborhood. Citybox Helsinki combines convenience with affordability; Scandic Kallio is all about comfort; and Noli Studios offers a cosy home away from home for shorter and longer temporary stays. You can also check out the hotel selection in Kalasatama and Hakaniemi; both areas are just a short walk away from Kallio with quick tram and metro connections to the trendy Helsinki neighborhood. Get cosy and venture out to explore the cool side of Helsinki.
Swift start at the Market Square
Many central Helsinki neighborhoods are famous for their market halls. Also in Kallio, Hakaniemi Market Square is a great place to start your stay. The bright orange café tents serve traditional dishes like porridge, pancakes, coffee, and Finnish meat pies from early morning until afternoon. This is a go-to place for Helsinkians from all over the city. Some groups of elderly people have shared a table for decades, chatting the day away. While around, don’t forget to drop-in at the Hakaniemi Market Hall – the largest and most modern market hall in Europe, opened in 1914. Here, you can even find a fortune-teller, Vieno Puustjärvi – maybe you’ll get a cheeky little glimpse at how your stay will proceed!
Dinner for all tastes
Kallio is home to several new wave restaurants, trendy places catering to each and every taste. If you have trouble choosing, try, for example, Maukku – a combination of a modern bistro and a wine bar that has been an instant hit among the locals. Gastro Cafe Kallio is an upscale bistro for finer culinary palettes, and the cosy Flät no 14 is a dog-friendly living room with simply delicious tiny dishes to choose from.
Enjoy an evening promenade
After the dinner, promenade to Linnunlaulu Bridge to enjoy a beautiful view of the city and the sunset over the skyline. Continue your walk to Tokoinranta Bay, one of Kallio’s most popular park walks, and soak in the maritime feel of Helsinki neighborhoods. On the other side of the bay, you can also spot the lights of Ympyrätalo, ‘the circle house’ – an architectural masterpiece from the 1960s, its unusual cylinder shape catching the eye to this day.
Day 2: Dive into Kool Kallio
You are in town to visit Helsinki for 3 days, and the pressure to see it all starts to kick in. Cafés, restaurants, and bars in the neighbourhood are always bustling with friendly Helsinkians, and Karhupuisto (the ‘bear park’) is one of the most popular lounging areas throughout the year. Get a dose of the Kallio café chic with a breakfast by the Bear Park. Beard Park Café, Gateau, and Way Bakery all serve great breakfast and strong Finnish coffee to start your day with. And if the places seem packed, you’re sure to find other fantastic coffee shops nearby – just ask the locals for their recommendations.
Sports for all sorts
If you’re travelling in the heart of winter, head to Brahenkenttä sports field! In the frosty months, Brahenkettä is a very popular ice-skating rink where you can join a game of ice hockey or rent a pair of skates at the venue and try your luck on ice (don’t be embarrassed to fall; we’ve all been there). In the less snowy seasons and summer, Brahenkenttä makes sure to feed into that adrenaline thrill and turns into a hub for football, basketball, and skateboarding. Put your sneakers on and join the fun!
Sooth your muscles in a Finnish sauna
Kallio might be rough around the edges, but it has a warm heart. Kallio used to have several public, wood-fired quarter saunas, but nowadays there’s only one left – and some say it’s the best one. Kotiharjun sauna is an icon all the way from 1928, offering separate floors for men and women as well as a private sauna available for booking. Bring your ‘saunajuomat’ – sauna drinks, like cider or soda – and a towel, or get the from the venue, and turn up before 17.00 (also known as 5pm if you function in twelves) to avoid heavy crowds.
Dine and dance – Kallio style
In for the nightlife in Helsinki? After a feeling the heat – or ‘löylyt’ – at the sauna, what better way to refresh your dehydrated body than a crispy cold beer! Harju 8 is located right down the hill and is popular for its simple and delicious dishes (mainly vegetarian and most available as vegan, sorry meat-eaters) as well as a fantastic selection of natural wines and non-alcoholic beverages. For a quieter evening, consider the pubs at Helsinginkatu. If you wish to see what a true Kallio experience is, head to Hämeentie’s ‘party complex’ instead and bar-hop your night away at Kuudes Linja, Siltanen, Kaiku, and Post Bar to experience some of the Helsinki hotspots.
Day 3: The last hurrah
For your last morning, venture out towards Kalasatama after breakfast and see the urban beauty of Suvilahti’s old factory area. Here, you’ll find the up-and- coming cultural hub of Helsinki, as well as a local street artists’ graffiti wall and a communally built Suvilahti DIY skate park. Little further along you’ll find a new residential area of Kalasatama with interesting modern architecture, and in a few years’ time, the longest bridge in Finland will be opened and connects the area to East Helsinki. Here, you can also find REDI shopping centre – one of the largest malls in Finland.
Antique Stores and Au Revoir
What would a trendy Helsinki neighborhood be without some thrift shopping? Have a quick brunch stop at Ympyrätalo’s Memphis or the local favourite, Lie Mi Kallio, and spend your last hours exploring the vintage stores at Hämeenkatu. Spruce up your style or shop for last minute souvenirs before saying your goodbyes to Kallio. Helsinki Central Station is just a short tram ride away – a good thing to keep it in mind for your next visit!
Thanks for coming to Kallio, it was cool to have you!
