Outdoor music at Espan Lava

Do you already have any plans for this week? The weather should not be too bad. So why not grab an ice cream and sit down on Esplanadi listening to some good music?

Espan Lava right next to Kappeli again has a full program of events for the whole summer. Drop by for some classical Sibelius music, some smooth jazz or wherever else you like.

For all event have a look at their website. Have a great start into the week!

A taste of Italian summer

Yes, the weather is not what you would expect from July. But anyway, when the sun comes out a good ball of ice cream can for sure get you into the summer mood.

One excellent place to get some Italian ice cream is the Pappagallo ice cream parlor on Esplanadi. Next to the Swedish theater the small yellow kiosk invites people to enjoy some smooth and delicious ice cream. You should especially give their sorbets a try.

Enjoy and have a good start into the week!

Off to Esplanadi

Today Vappu starts. And the place to be for that is Esplanadi. At the lower end of the park people gather to see Havis Amanda get a white cap.

Havis Amanda is the woman on the fountain. And every year on April 30 she gets a white cap exactly at 18.00 from the students of the city. At the same time everyone else also puts their caps on. It is always very busy. So if you want to see something try to be there early.

Have a great start into Vappu!

Fall is here

The leaves are starting to change their color and to fall. Now the colder time of the year starts. Northern and Eastern Finland thave even had the first snow already.

The good news is that after a cold and rainy week the weekend seems to get much warmer and sunnier again.

Runeberg's seagulls

Poet Johan Ludvig Runeberg stands proud on his post on Esplanadi park overlooking the city. But no matter what time of the day he is never alone.

This head is probably the most popular among Helsinki's seagulls. One of them is always sitting up there to keep him company and to drive the tourists mad that are desperately trying to get a picture of the famous writer just by himself.

Style and tradition at Strindberg

The Christmas lights on Esplanadi look wonderful in the dark and long December nights. A good way to soak in that really special atmosphere without having to freeze is to come to Café Strindberg.

It is one of the old traditional cafes in Helsinki. Even though it just recently moved a little down the street it hasn't lost any of its charm. Big windows allow a perfect view over Esplanadi while inside the cafe combines modern simplicity with classic elegance.

Sit down in one of the armchairs or sofas with a glass of hot glöggi and maybe a piece of their fabulous cakes and enjoy the Christmas time in Helsinki.

One year Esplanadi in one picture

Last year I took one picture of Esplanadi every month. The result was twelve quite different looking pictures showing the change of the seasons in Helsinki.

hugovk made the effort to put them all in one picture. Had to share that with the rest of you oft course.

For more cool pictures - especially the season change strip from Naurissalmi - check out his Flickr page.

Thanks a lot, Hugo!

Jazz on Espan Lava

All of you who like jazz should come to Espan Lava on Esplanadi this week. At the free open-air Jazz Festival Jazz-Espa bands play every afternoon starting from 16:00.

On their website you can see what artists will be playing this week. You can either watch the performances from the benches in front of the stage or if you fancy a cold drink in your hand while listening to the relaxing jazz sounds just sit down at the terrace of Kappeli.

The big final of Jazz-Espa will be on Sunday at mbar with the long JazzPiknik from 14:00 till 1:30 at night. Several great jazz bands and artists will be performing.

Enjoy the music!

What was your best Helsinki Day experience?

I hope the weather didn’t scare you away and you all anyway attended some of the many events that took place at yesterday’s Helsinki Day. What was your best experience?

Was it maybe the huge picnic on Pohjoisesplanadi in the evening? A concert? An exhibition? Or something else?

Leave a comment how you liked the Helsinki Day 2013 (despite the weather of course)!

Summer at Espan Lava

As every year Espan Lava, the stage in Esplanadi Park, offers a broad program with lots and lots of music. Check out the summer program. You can find everything from Rock to Pop, from Blues to Jazz.

Espan Lava is popular amongst locals and tourists alike. It is probably the busiest open air stage in whole Finland. And the best part is that all performances are for free. Till the end of August over 200 artists and groups from Finland and abroad perform here.

Sit down on one of the benches in front of the stage or have a drink on the terrace of Kappeli right next to the stage and enjoy the program from over there.

Esplanadi in 360°

You might know this perspective from several pictures on HelsinkiIn showing Esplanadi once per month for one year. Here is now a 360° view of the place.

You can find all the pictures of Esplanadi from last year here.

Café on stage

The season at has started Espan Lava again. And as last year the stage turn into a pop-up café for a few weeks before this year’s cultural program starts.

Café Köket which is located at Kukkatori (next to Kauppatori) during the summer invites its guest to coffee, self made cake and pulla. For lunch Köket offers a salad and soup buffet on weekdays between 11 and 15:00.

The pop up café is open daily and its motto for 2013 is South America. Check out their special Vappu brunch offer!

Enjoy a unique atmosphere at Café Köket’s pop-up café!

Salad at the theater

The Swedish Theater is one of the most prominent buildings in Helsinki. Situated between Mannerheimintie and Esplanadi the beautiful white building is easy to spot from everywhere. On the Esplanadi side it hosts Ravintola Teatteri which amongst other things offers amazing salads in their Wine & Deli area.

Those salads are probably among the best and popular ones in the center. Especially around lunch time you can have long queues here. So try to come a bit earlier or later to get your salad.

You can choose from a salad bar and pick two or more toppings. The basic salad already has lettuce, tomatoes and a piece of watermelon. Take e.g. the mango flavored chicken breast with some feta. And pick your favorite sauce as a dressing. You can also go with a traditional Caesar Salad with either chicken or shrimps.

Salads start from 9,70€ and Wine & Deli is open Mondays through Fridays from 9:00 to 22:00 and Saturdays from 11:00 to 22:00.

Christmas everyday

Christmas is over, right? Well, not everywhere. There is a small shop in Helsinki that has Christmas every day.

Kankurin Tupa on Esplanadi is a big and well organized souvenir shop – ideal for tourists. What makes this shop so special though is its lower level. As soon as you come down the stairs you enter a winter and Christmas wonderland. Down here it is Christmas all year long. The music, the decoration, the trees, the Christmas elves all make you feel like it was Christmas again. Just a few minutes down there will completely get you back into the Christmas feeling. 

Give it a try! It’s fun!

Esplanadi in January

And this is picture number 12. It's around -10 degrees and snow covers Esplanadi. For one year I took a picture from this exact place. Something new is going to come in February.

To see how Esplanadi changed during one year you can see the pictures of the previous months here.

Esplanadi in December

It has been snowing heavily during the last days and weeks. Whole Helsinki is covered by a thick layer of snow.

To see how Esplanadi changed during this year you can see the pictures of the previous months here.

Esplanadi in November

The trees lost all their leaves. The days get shorter and shorter and Helsinki is waiting for the snow to come.

To see how Esplanadi changed during this year you can see the pictures of the previous months here.

Esplanadi in October

The leaves are covering the streets and the temperature dropped to less than 10 degrees. It's already time for the winter coats.

To see how Esplanadi changed during this year you can see the pictures of the previous months here.