UltimateCity Guide Helsinki
Our favourites
Summer in the Esplanadi Park, by the Runeberg statue

Neighbourhood guide · Helsinki

Kaartinkaupunki & Design District: Our Favourites

The Esplanadi, Hotel Kämp, Palace and Olo, and the design shops, bars and galleries of the streets behind.

The back story

  1. Neighbourhood guide

    Kaartinkaupunki and the Design District: the back story

    Kaartinkaupunki·In depth

    The Esplanadi, the grand hotels, the starred tables and the design shops of the streets behind.

    Explore View on map

  2. The back story

    The grand hotels of Helsinki: the back story

    Kaartinkaupunki·In depth

    Hotel Kämp on the Esplanadi, a new Waldorf Astoria in Kruununhaka, design hotels in the old blocks behind the harbour and seaside rooms on Katajanokka: where to stay, and what to know before you book.

    Explore View on map

  3. The back story

    Eating in Helsinki: the back story

    Helsinki·In depth

    Two restaurants with two MICHELIN Stars, a new generation of Nordic cooking, the market halls and the cafés on the sea: how to eat well in Helsinki.

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  4. The back story

    Helsinki by the sea: the back story

    South Harbour·In depth

    A sea fortress on the islands, two cathedrals above the harbour, a church cut into the rock and a library for everyone: the sights, and how to see them well.

    Explore View on map

What to see and do

  1. Ferries to Suomenlinna

    Market Square (Kauppatori)

    South Harbour·Market square

    The harbourside market square, where the Suomenlinna ferries leave.

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  2. Finnish National Gallery

    Ateneum Art Museum

    Kluuvi·Art museum

    The Finnish National Gallery’s museum of Finnish and international art, opposite the station.

    Kaivokatu 2, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  3. Formerly the Design Museum

    Architecture & Design Museum

    Ullanlinna·Design museum

    The merged Design Museum and Museum of Finnish Architecture, in the Design District.

    Korkeavuorenkatu 23, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  4. By the station

    Finnish National Theatre

    Kluuvi·Theatre

    The national theatre, on the square beside the Central Railway Station.

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  5. At the head of the Esplanadi

    Svenska Teatern

    Esplanadi·Theatre

    The Swedish-language theatre at the west end of the Esplanadi.

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  6. On Kasarmikatu

    Savoy Theatre

    Kaartinkaupunki·Theatre and concerts

    A concert and theatre venue on Kasarmikatu.

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  7. Between the two Esplanadi streets

    Esplanadi Park

    Kaartinkaupunki·City park

    The tree-lined park between Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi, from the theatre to the harbour.

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  8. About an hour

    The Esplanadi to Senate Square

    Kaartinkaupunki·City walk

    From the Esplanadi’s shops to the Market Square, Uspenski and the Cathedral.

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  9. Shops, galleries and the museum

    The Design District loop

    Punavuori·City walk

    Through Punavuori, Ullanlinna and Kaartinkaupunki, past the Architecture & Design Museum.

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Where to eat

  1. Two MICHELIN Stars (2026)

    Palace

    South Harbour·Modern cuisine

    Two MICHELIN Stars above the South Harbour, with a Nordic tasting menu led by chef Eero Vottonen.

    Eteläranta 10, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  2. One MICHELIN Star (2026)

    Olo

    Kaartinkaupunki·Modern cuisine

    One MICHELIN Star, at the Market Square end of the Esplanadi.

    Pohjoisesplanadi 5, 00170 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  3. Selected by MICHELIN (2026)

    Savoy

    Kaartinkaupunki·Modern cuisine

    The dining room Alvar and Aino Aalto designed in 1937, on the Esplanadi.

    Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  4. Selected by MICHELIN (2026)

    Café Savoy

    Kaartinkaupunki·French

    A French-leaning brasserie in the Savoy building on the Esplanadi.

    Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  5. Selected by MICHELIN (2026)

    Bistro Bardot

    Kluuvi·French

    A French bistro off the Esplanadi.

    Kluuvikatu 1, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  6. Selected by MICHELIN (2026)

    Vinkkeli

    Kaartinkaupunki·Classic cuisine

    Classic cooking on Pieni Roobertinkatu.

    Pieni Roobertinkatu 8, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  7. In the Esplanadi park

    Restaurant Kappeli

    Esplanadi·Restaurant and café

    The glass pavilion at the harbour end of the Esplanadi park.

    Eteläesplanadi 1, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  8. Fazer’s café on Kluuvikatu

    Karl Fazer Café

    Kluuvi·Café

    Fazer’s café on Kluuvikatu, off the Esplanadi.

    Kluuvikatu 3, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  9. On the Esplanadi

    Café Esplanad

    Esplanadi·Café

    A café on Pohjoisesplanadi.

    Pohjoisesplanadi 37, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

Bars

  1. In the Design District

    Liberty Or Death

    Kaartinkaupunki·Cocktail bar

    A cocktail bar on Erottajankatu, with a menu that changes every month.

    Erottajankatu 5, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  2. Highballs and classics

    Bar Mate

    Kaartinkaupunki·Cocktail bar

    A bar for highballs and classic cocktails.

    Pieni Roobertinkatu 9, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  3. Design District

    Goldfish Helsinki

    Kaartinkaupunki·Cocktail bar

    A cocktail bar on Korkeavuorenkatu.

    Korkeavuorenkatu 21, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  4. At Hotel F6

    Bar Runar

    Kaartinkaupunki·Cocktail bar

    The bar of Hotel F6.

    Fabianinkatu 6, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  5. Near the Cathedral

    Bardem

    Kluuvi·Cocktail bar

    A cocktail bar on Yliopistonkatu.

    Yliopistonkatu 7, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  6. On Erottajankatu

    Chihuahua Julep

    Kaartinkaupunki·Cocktail bar

    A cocktail bar on Erottajankatu.

    Erottajankatu 9, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  7. Champagne on the Esplanadi

    Minne Champagne & Wine

    Kaartinkaupunki·Wine bar

    A champagne and wine bar on the Esplanadi.

    Eteläesplanadi 14, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  8. On Ludviginkatu

    Restaurant Grotesk

    Kaartinkaupunki·Wine bar and restaurant

    A restaurant and wine bar on Ludviginkatu.

    Ludviginkatu 10, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

Shopping

  1. The flagship on Aleksanterinkatu

    Stockmann

    Kluuvi·Department store

    The flagship department store on Aleksanterinkatu.

    Aleksanterinkatu 52, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  2. Next to Hotel Kämp

    Kämp Galleria

    Kaartinkaupunki·Shopping arcade

    The shopping arcade beside Hotel Kämp on the Esplanadi.

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  3. Prints and fashion

    Marimekko (Esplanadi)

    Kaartinkaupunki·Finnish design

    Marimekko’s shop on Pohjoisesplanadi.

    Pohjoisesplanadi 33, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  4. Founded 1935

    Artek Helsinki

    Kluuvi·Furniture and design

    Artek’s store on Keskuskatu, for Aalto furniture, lighting and textiles.

    Keskuskatu 1B, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  5. Flagship store

    Iittala & Arabia Esplanadi

    Kaartinkaupunki·Glass and ceramics

    The flagship store for Iittala glass and Arabia ceramics.

    Pohjoisesplanadi 23, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  6. Finnish jewellery

    Kalevala flagship store

    Kluuvi·Jewellery

    The flagship store of the Finnish jewellery house Kalevala.

    Keskuskatu 1, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  7. On the Esplanadi

    Aarikka

    Kaartinkaupunki·Finnish design

    Aarikka’s shop on Pohjoisesplanadi.

    Pohjoisesplanadi 27, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  8. At the head of the Esplanadi

    Moomin Shop Esplanadi

    Kaartinkaupunki·Gifts

    Moomin gifts at the theatre end of the Esplanadi.

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  9. In the Aalto building

    Academic Bookstore

    Kluuvi·Bookshop

    The big bookshop in the Aalto building on Keskuskatu.

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  10. On the South Harbour

    Old Market Hall

    South Harbour·Market hall

    The 19th-century market hall beside the Market Square.

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Where to stay

  1. The grand hotel of the Esplanadi

    Hotel Kämp

    Kaartinkaupunki·Grand hotel

    The grand hotel on the Esplanadi, with the Kämp Spa below and Kämp Galleria’s shops next door.

    Pohjoisesplanadi 29, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  2. In the Design District

    Hotel Lilla Roberts

    Kaartinkaupunki·Boutique hotel

    A Kämp Collection hotel on Pieni Roobertinkatu, in the Design District.

    Pieni Roobertinkatu 1–3, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  3. By the South Harbour

    Hotel Haven

    Kaartinkaupunki·Boutique hotel

    A Kämp Collection hotel on Unioninkatu, a block from the South Harbour and the Market Square.

    Unioninkatu 17, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  4. Home of Bar Runar

    Hotel F6

    Kaartinkaupunki·Boutique hotel

    A Kämp Collection hotel on Fabianinkatu, with Bar Runar.

    Fabianinkatu 6, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  5. Off the Esplanadi

    Hotel Fabian

    Kaartinkaupunki·Boutique hotel

    A Kämp Collection hotel on Fabianinkatu, a short walk from the Esplanadi.

    Fabianinkatu 7, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  6. On Unioninkatu

    Hotel U14

    Kaartinkaupunki·Boutique hotel

    A hotel on Unioninkatu, between the Esplanadi and the South Harbour.

    Unioninkatu 14, 00130 HelsinkiExplore View on map

  7. Off Senate Square

    Hobo Helsinki

    Kluuvi·Design hotel

    A younger, design-led Kämp Collection hotel on Kluuvikatu.

    Kluuvikatu 4, 00100 HelsinkiExplore View on map

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