Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Helsinki's grand pedestrian boulevard, the Esplanade, begins right at Mar-
ket Square, heads up past the TI, and ends after a few blocks in the central
shopping district. The broad, traffic-filled Mannerheimintie, a bustling avenue
that veers north through town past the train and bus stations, begins at the far
end of the Esplanade. For a do-it-yourself orientation to town along this route,
The friendly, energetic
main TI,
just off the harbor, offers great service,
and its brochure racks are fun to graze through. It's located a half-block
inland from Market Square, on the right just past the fountain, at the corner
of the Esplanade and Unioninkatu (May-Sept Mon-Fri 9:00-20:00, Sat-Sun
9:00-18:00, Oct-April closes two hours earlier, free Internet access, tel. 09/
3101-3301,
www.visithelsinki.fi
). Pick up a city map, a public-transit map,
and the free
Helsinki This Week
magazine (lists sights, hours, concerts, and
events). Also consider these free brochures: the scenic #2/#3 tram route/map,
Helsinki on Foot
(which maps out five well-described walking tours), and
Finnish Design
. If interested, ask about concerts; popular venues are Kallio
Church and the Lutheran Cathedral (free organ recitals Sun at 20:00 in sum-
mer).
The tiny
train station TI,
which consists of a one-person desk inside the
Helsinki Expert office, provides many of the same services and publications.