Helsinki - Where East meets West
Helsinki is
a modern city, which is perfectly situated on the Baltic Sea and home
to more than half a million residents and is the centre of Finland’s
administrative, educational and cultural life. It is also the finance and
business centre of the country. Together with its neighbouring cities, Helsinki
is part of a larger metropolitan area, which encompasses more than one million
inhabitants.
The city is full of contrasts: with its abundance of bright sunlight in the summer,
followed by a dark yet cosy and atmospheric winter; modern and cutting edge,
yet steeped in a fascinating past; a cosmopolitan and compact capital where
form follows function, and where both sea and deep forests are just a stone’s
throw away. Helsinki is unique among the Northern European cities. The
lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of
opportunities, including a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities,
beautiful nature, hundreds of events and friendly people.
Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both East and West. The impact of different historical periods can be clearly seen in the city, with over 450 years of history and several architectural layers. The beauty of the surrounding nature blends seamlessly with high-tech achievements and design, allowing old traditions to mix with the latest contemporary trends.
Everything is nearby – Helsinki is a pocket-sized metropolis that is ideal for visitors. Helsinki is known for its attractive architecture, high quality of life and its inhabitants’ unique quality of being both laid-back and forward-thinking.
The
Helsinki nights are filled with music, people, and electricity. The city has an
active nightlife throughout the year, and there is a good mix of styles to suit
all tastes. Although Helsinki may not compete with other cities in terms of the
amount of nightlife on offer, the city prides itself on the high quality of
activities available and its wide range of clubs, restaurants, bars, music
venues and theaters, offering numerous choices and price levels.
Comparing
to price levels in Europe, Helsinki rates as average. Finland became part of
the European Monetary Union in 2005 and is the only Nordic country using the
Euro as currency. Helsinki is also the most affordable of the Nordic capitals
according to the Mercer Cost of Living Survey.
Helsinki
is one of the safest cities in Europe and friendly towards residents and
visitors alike thanks to its cleanliness and functional urban planning.
Food hygiene and the quality of drinking water are of
the highest order and are matched by the city’s other essential services.
Helsinki’s experience and expertise in hosting major events is
world-class.
Both
Helsinki and its residents have a personality and charm that are easy to get to
know. The people are open and uncomplicated, regardless of whether they are
serving customers or enjoying their time off. The city is open to new
winds and trends, as demonstrated by the trendy and laid-back atmosphere. Studies
have shown that visitors truly appreciate Helsinki’s unique and multilingual
residents.