Helsinki city and bikes

Hello everyone,

I hope your autumn has started off well. It is my absolute favourite season, I am just a huge fan of the colours and the cool, fresh air so I am super excited to see what this lovely season brings with it this time.

I have just recently moved into the Hague in the Netherlands (or never never lands) for work and have so much to say about that soon! But I shall first focus on my homeland. I was blessed enough this summer to have almost a whole month at home and it was lovely. Besides being able to spend time with my family and friends, I had a visitor from England which allowed me to happily dive into the happy tourist mode and remind myself of those precious details that we often overlook in our hometowns.

One of the loveliest things about touring around Helsinki this summer was the new city bikes (Alepa bikes). They really get you around quite nicely and remind you of the funky corners of the city that suddenly seem so much more accessible. Also, don’t get me wrong; I love Helsinki, but I could say that all the best things in Finland are outside it. You will see. This is why I would say that the most important thing in life is to have a Finnish friend and then you will get a permanent invite to their summer house.

Obviously, the Helsinki Church, market square, Kaivopark and harbour are a must.

But there are some lovely places nearby for bike rides and evening walks. Such as Lauttasaari.

Or Westend.

Make sure you stay awake for long enough to catch the ‘sunset’. This, of course, depends on the timing of your visit.

Within about an hour drive away from the capital area you can find the most beautiful, peaceful places to rest your soul.

Such as Loviisa.

Or Kisko.

Lastly, many people ask about the cuisine, often confused with Swedish dishes and traditions. And no wonder, we were a part of Sweden for a very long time. Like everyone else, we like our summer grills and you rarely find traditional Finnish dining without potato. We are also big on anything you can pick up from your backyard; berries and vegetables. My favourite summer dish (and my speciality) is a rhubarb pie.

Go to Finland! It’s our #100 independence year this year and there are still loads of exciting events coming up before the year is over!

Best wishes,

Mira

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