Allas Sea Pool
Allas Sea Pool is a sea spa and urban oasis for wellbeing nestled in the heart of Helsinki. For each visitor, it reveals a different side of itself.
The water in the seawater basin is pumped further away from the sea from cleaner currents and filtered and treated with UV technology.
Swimming at Allas varies depending on when you arrive. Morning swimmers are a tribe of their own, and they often come from closeby. Those who love our moonlight swims and special events come far and wide. At Allas, you can choose between a slow lingering and the fast lane of healthy living. Or choose both – it’s up to you.
The warm water pool and sea water pool cater to swimmers, movers, exercizers, sun bathers and lingerers alike. The warm water pool and the children’s pool are both heated to 27°C all year round. In the summer, children can swim either in their own pool or at the big pool with accompanying adults.
At Allas, you will surely find the perfect time and place just for you. And the sweetest of Helsinki moments.
Note! Our included Allas Sea Pool* entrance (value 16,50€) is valid every day from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. Our hosts suggested we visit weekdays from 8 am to 3 pm to avoid waiting time during rush hours.
ENTRANCE PASSWORD AT THE COUNTER: EXCHANGE23
Ferry & Sea Fortress Suomenlinna
The Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is a cultural treasure.
Built in the second half of the 18th century by Sweden on a group of islands located at the entrance of Helsinki’s harbor, this fortress is an especially interesting example of European military architecture of the time.
The fortress offers a number of cafes, restaurants and shops, too! And the ferry is free with our transit pass!
Note: we’ve been told to dress warm for the trip – it’s always quite windy on the island!
Old Market Hall
Looking for a great spot to taste local delicacies? Trying to find some foodie souvenirs? You want to check out the Old Market Hall.
There are three food market halls in Helsinki, each one is housed in beautiful historical buildings close to the seashore. Helsinki market halls play an instrumental role in the city’s food culture. Discover what makes these three food markets integral to an authentic Finnish cultural experience.
Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki
These breathtakingly beautiful virtual cinema experiences take you around and inside Helsinki’s and Finland’s most interesting landmarks, without worries about the weather or distance.
This virtual cinema experience is a tribute to Finland’s breathtakingly beautiful nature. Special effects, including wind, mist and snow, combined to motion create an unforgettable 12-minute experience.
Flying Cinema can be found right next to Allas Sea Pool.
Note: our hosts negotiated a 50% off deal into Flying Cinema by giving a code exchange23 when paying at the cash counter (listed prices 10-18€).
Walking Tours of Helsinki
Four tours to pick from:
- Design and Fashion
- Architecture and History
- Sea and Nature
- Food and Drink
Click here for more information and maps for the tours! (32 page PDF, may be slow to load)
TAHTO – the Finnish sports museum
Tahto is the Finnish word for ‘will’. The success story of Finnish sports was not built with technology or equipment but with a strong will.
The museum was made to respect and continue that story. TAHTO Center for Finnish Sports Culture offers unique experiences and viewpoints on sports and physical culture.
Temppeliaukio Church
Temppeliaukio Church is both a popular tourist sight and an active Lutheran church. In 2019 they had 938,000 visitors from all over the world.
Is It Time to Shop?
Helsinki offers some amazing, affordable, and very unique shopping opportunities. And they are walkable from the various metro stations!
Click here to view the list shared by our friends in Helsinki
Helsinki’s Famous Saunas
What would be more wonderful than laying on a sauna bench, enjoying the hot steams and listening to sounds of the burning wood in the stove.
- The best public saunas in Helsinki
- Four Ways to Have Sauna in Helsinki
- Quick guide to Finnish sauna etiquette
Click here for more information and maps for the tours! (32 page PDF, may be slow to load)
Natural History Museum
The Finnish Museum of Natural History is an independent research institution functioning under the University of Helsinki. It is also one of the three central national museums in Finland and responsible for the national collections in its field.
The collections, which include botanical, zoological, geological and paleontological specimens from all over the world, serve research in the fields of biology and geology as well as educational purposes.
More info – including their free audio tours – on the website.
The National Museum of Finland
What did you do today? What did you hear, who did you talk to, where did you eat? What did you wear and why? We create culture every day and make choices in relation to our observations and what we have learned and inherited. History is alive within us, merging with the future.
The task of the National Museum of Finland is to provide a sounding board for our culture and the changes it goes through. The museum’s collections, locations, programs and activities inspire understand time, life and humanity.
The Helsinki Wine Scene
Helsinki’s wine culture is a vibrant one, offering visitors plenty of places to explore.
Finland Loves their Beer
One thing you’ll find out quickly when you visit Finland: Finns take their beer seriously. Finland isn’t known for wild party scenes or getting out of control, but the Finns love a great-tasting craft beer and they aren’t shy about having a few, especially on weekends and holidays. In fact, Finland ranks 14th in the world in beer consumption per capita and is now home to 85 craft breweries.
Four Delicious Helsinki Craft Breweries
Oodi Library
Helsinki Central Library Oodi is a living meeting place at Kansalaistori square, right at the heart of Helsinki. It is one of 37 branches of Helsinki City Library and part of the Helmet library network.
Oodi complements the cultural and media hub formed by Helsinki Music Centre, Finlandia Hall, Sanoma House and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma. Oodi is a non-commercial, urban public space that is open to all, right opposite the Parliament Building.
Getting Around: The Metro
The Helsinki Metro (Finnish: Helsingin metro) is a rapid transit system serving Greater Helsinki, Finland. We will use it to travel outsideof the city center. It is the world’s northernmost metro system.
The rapid transit system consists of two lines. The main line is split into two branches. It serves 17 stations and begins operation from Ruoholahti towards Itakeskus. The first branch of the line runs north towards Mellunmaki, whereas the second branch runs south towards Vuosaari. It takes 22 minutes to travel between Ruoholahti and Mellunmaki. There are nine stations built underground and eight that are built above the ground.
Getting Around the City: Trams
If you are looking to travel in the city center, then trams are the only means of transportation. The tram network in this Finnish city ranks among the oldest electrified tramways around the world, beginning operations in the year 1891
The Helsinki tram network operates trams on as many as thirteen different routes. The 38 kilometers of tram routes serve nearly 200,000 people on regular weekdays.
When It’s Time to Do Some Laundry
The hotel has a laundry service – but it is… not inexpensive. If you want to do more than a few items, head to this nearby laundromat:
Haverford Hawks | Finland Exchange 