Winter holidays in Helsinki

This week schools are closed for Hiihtoloma (skiing holidays) in Helsinki. Many went up to the North for a few days of winter activities. But for those families that stayed in the city there are luckily also quite a few things to do.

VisitHelsinki has put together a list of special activities happening around town during the school free time. Among them are interesting workshops, cool spots events and other exciting events for kids and families.

Check them out on visithelsinki.fi and enjoy the hiihtoloma!

Sun again

After weeks of cloudy skies the sun came out again yesterday. And there are good chances for more sun beams in the upcoming week.

So enjoy the rest of the weekend and look forward to a bright new week!

The snow is back

During the last two nights and during today it snowed again. And since the temperatures are supposed to stay a little below zero during the next days, you can still enjoy a white city for a while.

But beware not to slip!

Covered in snow

Snow is covering Helsinki and its surroundings. But temperatures are rising and during the next week plus degrees are predicted.

So enjoy the snow as long is it is here. Have a nice Sunday!

Beautiful winter

The best part of winter started. Now temperatures are fairly mild with just around -10 degrees. The sun is out and reflecting in the white snow.

Enjoy your Sunday and have a good start into the week!

Let it snow

After a mild December and a few freezing days last week it is time for the snow now. Just throughout the last two days Helsinki got some additional 15 cm and is covered under a thick white layer.

And more snow is to come today throughout the whole day. So rather leave your car at home and calculate some extra time for traveling anywhere. Even though Helsinki's public transport is well prepared, a few delays can't be avoided. Detailed information on delays and cancelations can be found on HSL's website.

Have a nice and snowy day!

Perfect weather for ice swimming

Now that the extremly cold days are over the weather is quite perfect for some truely Finnish Avantouinti. That means swimming in a frozen lake. 

One perfect spot for this is Kuusijärvi in Vantaa. Warm up first either in one of the last smoke saunas you can find in the Helsinki area or in a normal electric sauna. When you are warm enough, grab your towel and flipflops (very important) and head to the ice hole for a dip.

Yes, the water is pretty cold but you will feel really good afterwards. Don't forget to warm up in the sauna afterwards again.

For more information on Kuusijärvi and how to get there check out the website.

Have a great Sunday and a wonderful winter!

Happy New Year!

The new year is here! HelsinkiIn wishes you all an awesome 2016!

Have a wonderful first day of 2016!

As dark as it gets

Yes, it is quite dark these days in Finland. You probably also go to work when it is still dark and come back long after sunset. But good news, it doesn't get darker than this anymore. Tomorrow is the shortest day of the year and then we'll get a bit more daylight every day.

So hang in there and put up a few candles to at least make it bright inside. Have a nice week!

Ice skating in the city

The ice rink at Rautatientori is open again. So how about a skate right in the city center this week? And afterwards you can warm up with a hot cup of coffee, tea or glöggi.

The Jääpuisto is open daily until at least February next year. Tickets are 6 € for adults, 4 € for students and 3 € for children under 18 and are valid all day. If you don't have skates yourself, you can rent some as well.

For more information on prices and opening times check their website.

Helsinki from Above

During the Nordic Blogger Experience in January travel bloggers from around came to Helsinki. During their stay some of them went for a helicopter ride over the city.

Marcela and Felipe from Fotostraße joined as well and made some amazing pictures from above. But see for yourself.

Have a great Sunday!

Helicopter tour over Helsinki

During the NBE Helsinki 2015 some bloggers took adavantage of the beautiful sunny winter weather and went for a helicopter ride over the city. Here is a stunning video of the trip.

Have a nice day!

Sun breaking through

More and more sunny days are coming up now. And the sun doesn't just break through the clouds but also slowly starts breaking the ice. Some parts of the Helsinki shorline are already ice free again. At other places the sea is still covered with a thin layer. 

So don't try to walk on the ice anymore but rather enjoy the beautiful scenery from a save distance.

Have a great Sunday and don't forget that today is Restaurant Day!

Is the gloominess over?

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute this winter has been the gloomiest in over three decades for many parts of the country. Some areas of Southern Finland have gotten as little as under four hours of sunshine during November and just over five hours in December.

There is a good chance though that the darkest days are over now. Last weekend (Friday and Sunday) brought lots of light to the capital area and the forecast for the upcoming days looks pretty good as well. This also means that it might get colder and windier again. So don't forget to dress up warm enough. But also don't leave your sunglasses at home.

Have a good start into the week!

Patchwork of ice sheets

Due to the relatively warm weather in combination with occasional minus temperatures the sea looks quite special these days. Instead of the usual thick layer of ice many small sheets of ice float on the water. Some have also frozen together again during some cold nights.

What do you think? Will the ice now melt away completely or will we still get some really cold days during February or even March?

Sunday sunshine

Yes, indeed. There is no sunshine today. But there has been some during the week. And here is a picture to remind you.

The good news is that the darkest time of the season is over and you'll get to see the sun now much more often.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Where is my bike?

This year hasn't brough that much snow so far. Still sometimes things might get lost :)

Have a nice Sunday!

What to do when you slip and fall

Ice can be beautiful. Especially when the sun shines over the frozen sea. But if the streets freze over it can also get quite dangerous.

Around 20 000 people slip, fall and injure themselves on the ice every month in Finland. The question is what you can do if that happens to you as well. For that case Yle News put together some useful information that will help you to figure out what to do in case something happens. In yesterdays article you can read what your rights are and who is responsible in case you fall.

Check it out to be informed. Stay save and have enjoy the Finnish winter!

Vagabrothers in Porvoo

The Vagabrothers came to Finland for last week's Nordic Bloggers' Experience. During their time here they of course also made some new videos. The first one just came out where they show what you can do in and around Porvoo.


Check it out and subscribe to their channel!

New snow in Helsinki

After most of the snow has already melted and turned into ice the last two nights have brough the white stuff back to Helsinki. And it looks as if there was at least a bit more to come during the next days.

So for all of you snow fans out there it's time to enjoy the winter wonderland outside.