Local Customs

A great Finnish tradition is the sauna. The nearby island of Lauttasaari is home to the Finnish Sauna Society. This is open to visitors and offers them the opportunity to plunge into an ice hole cut in the Baltic Sea!

Helsinki Dining

You can find restaurants throughout Helsinki at the harbourside, market squares and overlooking beautiful gardens and waterways. Unsurprisingly, in this 'city in the sea', fresh fish is a speciality with favourites such as crayfish, herrings and rainbow trout. Delicious game dishes include pheasant or hare served with berry compotes and rich mushroom sauces. The more adventurous visitor might try another delicacy, reindeer fillet served with cumin potatoes. Helsinki also offers a wide variety of cuisine from all over the world; the Russian restaurants have an excellent reputation and are not to be missed.

Helsinki Tipping Advice

Service charge is incorporated in all bills, so tipping is not normally expected. Cloakroom fees of five FIM for hotel or restaurants are clearly posted.