Suggestions for Helsinki?

[alcina]

I'm heading there the first week of May and was wondering if anyone has recommendations for things that shouldn't be missed there. Food and coffee recommendations would especially be appreciated.

We'll also likely make a day-trip to Tallinn, so I'd also be interested in any recommendations for that city.

Thanks!

[elleng]

1. I don't have any, alcina,

but maybe contact LiberalEsto? I think she has family in Estonia.

[LiberalEsto]

2. Here I am!

Helsinki has a wonderful food market right next to the harbor. It's got amazing varieties of food including reindeer, as far as I recall. And the harbor is beautiful. I didn't see much of Helsinki because I was just passing through en route to Estonia.

FYI alcohol is very expensive in Finland. Many Finns take weekend trips to Tallinn for the sole purpose of getting drunk, since alcoholic beverages are far cheaper in Estonia.

I flew to Helsinki in 2010 and took the Viking ferry to Tallinn, where I was met by relatives who live an hour south of the city. I did go into Tallinn a couple of times. The old town is a beautiful medieval city with guild halls and winding cobblestoned streets. Do not wear high heels if you plan to walk around there, because of the cobblestones.

Do bring warm clothes, as it will likely be much chillier than you think. I was there in mid-June and it was cold and damp the entire time. I kept wishing I had brought a sweater or sweatshirt. Also, be prepared for mosquitoes, even in Tallinn.

You might want to have a meal at one of the many outdoor cafes (if it's warm enough) around the Raekoja Plats or Town Square in Tallinn and try the local Saku beer. I don't drink alcohol or coffee, but I'm told Saku is very good. Estonians and Finns are huge coffee drinkers so you are certain to find good coffee. And there is a McDonald's right by one of the old medieval city gates. We rarely dined out when I was there. My cousin usually cooked, and sometimes, when she'd let me, I made American meals to give her a break.

Many people speak fluent English. Palun is please and Tänan is thank you in Estonian -- the ä is pronounced like the a in cat; the plain a is always pronounced like car. Thank you in Finnish is kiitus (key-toos).

There is an open-air folklife museum outside Tallinn if you're interested in seeing how the peasants lived a few hundred years ago.

This website can answer many of your questions.

http://www.tourism.tallinn.ee/eng

Have a great trip!

[elleng]

3. You've done it ALL!!!

[alcina]

4. Wow -- that is great info!

Kiitus, LiberalEsto and elleng.

We're staying at an airbnb that overlooks the harbour. The owner kept emphasizing the fact that the place has a sauna. I understand why now, given your description of the weather. Dress in layers, I guess.

I don't drink much alcohol, but I'm looking forward to trying coffee. So it sounds like we can't go too wrong.

Thanks!

[mainer]

5. I second the harbored food market! Try the little fried fish.

I can't remember what they're called in Finnish. They're fried crisp and put in a paper cone. They're so tiny, you eat them bones and all, and they're delicious.

[LiberalEsto]

6. Link here

http://publicmarkets.com/find-a-market/item/279-kauppatori-market-and-old-market-hall