Quick tip for the weekend: Be a tourist in Helsinki!

Be a tourist in Helsinki!

This weekend's quick tip recommends venturing out as a tourist to central Helsinki right now, in May, and enjoying the city in its summer glory. Helsinki is at its best right now in terms of weather, nature, and events: the Ihana Helsinki festival is taking place at Espa this weekend, Big Band music will swing from the Espa stage, and a short walk away you can travel the world at the Maailma kylässä festival.

[caption id=“attachment_4450” align=“aligncenter” width=“824”] Ornamental crab apple trees are blooming in Espa Park.[/caption]

Esplanade Park’s nature is at its finest right now: the park’s ornamental crab apple trees glow with pale pink blossoms, flower beds burst with yellow, and seagulls cry out. Weather-wise, lunch is worth enjoying outdoors, perhaps as a picnic. In addition to park vibes, central events, the hustle and bustle of Market Square, a spontaneous boat trip to Suomenlinna, or a visit to the playgrounds at the Säätytalo or Tähtitorninmäki are all part of a summer day. You can find more things to do in the city, for example, on Pienten Helsinki’s Helsinki places map.

[caption id=“attachment_4451” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] The Ihana Helsinki festival has decorated the North Esplanade.[/caption]

The Espa stage features Big Band music starting at 12:30 p.m. into the late afternoon. The Ihana Helsinki festival’s floral artworks decorate the North Esplanade, and the Ihana family day brings activities to Espa Park and central museums.

Other events in the city include at least the Maailma kylässä festival filling Railway Square and Kaisaniemi Park on Saturday and Sunday, and the opening of the summer theater season with the Tomppeli performance at Tervesaari summer theater on Saturday at 3 p.m.

[caption id=“attachment_4443” align=“aligncenter” width=“1024”] Summer day bustle.[/caption]

A short distance away from the city center bustle, both the Merihaa and Kumpula neighborhood festivals are being held, as well as Children’s Saturdays at Linja playground. On Sunday, you can continue your tourist adventure in the city by paddling among the first at Uimastadion, which opens its doors for the first time this year on Sunday at 9 a.m.

[caption id=“attachment_4446” align=“aligncenter” width=“828”] Go spot the fountains![/caption]

The fountains and statues in Espa Park and throughout the central area are major attractions for children. For example, a charming fish fountain splashes behind the Espa stage, the magnificent Havis Amanda has a summer visitor on her head, and the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg in the center of the park is basking in a yellow sea of flowers.