Helsinki's first time cafe

There is a new pop up cafe Hauskafe in Lasipalatsi that you really should try. It is Helsinki's first time café. The concept already exist in some other big European cities and now also came to the Finnish capital.

Instead of paying for what you order you pay for the amount of time you spend here now. When you enter you receive a card marked with your entrance time. Every hour costs 5 €. During the time you spend you can have as much delicious Johan & Nyström coffee, tea and cookies as you like. 

You can also play table football, board and cosole games, read books or use the meeting room. Some special cakes and sandwiches are charged extra but still for a rather reasonable price. You can also bring your own food or beverages if you like.

For now Hauskafe will be at this location until mid December. If things go well, the cafe will be established there permanently.

Give it a try!

Early sunsets

Today it is a late post for a change. Darkness comes early these days. But the setting sun also paints some beautiful colors all over the sky.

Have a good start into the week!

Mozart at Tuomiokirkko

Tuomiokirkko is Helsinki's most important and well known landmark. A must see for everyone coming to the city. But not only from outside but also from inside.

Sunday evening offers the perfect chance for that. Then the Akateeminen Laulu and Camerata Vihti will perform Mozart's Requiem in the cathedral. The concert starts at 19:00 and tickets are still available. You can either buy them online or at the entrance.

Enjoy and have a nice weekend!

Primula goes Skiffer

After being closed for a while the new renovated Primula opened again a couple of weeks ago. The renewed place comes also with a new concept.

Half of the location was turned into the Old Skiffer, a new gin bar by the owners of the Skiffer restaurants. The other half remained Primula which still offers delicious modern Scandinavian food which is now complemented with the famous Skiffer liuskas (pizzas).

Pay it a visit and dine in a stylish yet cozy sail style ambiance. And if you are still up for it, head over for a perfect gin or Skiffer's own brewed beer at the Old Skiffer next door.

Or go check out Primula for their brunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Healthy and fresh take-away soup

Soups are a new trend in Helsinki. And they are the perfect food to warm up on a cold fall day. Among the soup places in town is also a small new soup kitchen called LaSoupe. You find it on Eerikinkatu just a few blocks away from the city center.

LaSoupe has several fresh and tasty soups on offer every day. The selection varies daily but always has enough choices for everyone's taste.

The soups come in take-away cups for you to have on the way to work, town or just in between for a snack. Of course you can also eat them right there at one of the high tables though. 

Or try one of the owner's new specialties: Bone Broth. It is a hot soup-like drink made from stock and ginger. Ask for a tasting cup and give it a try.

Helsinki this week

Did you know that there is a free magazine on things happening in Helsinki every week?

It is called Helsiki This Week and gives you a whole lot of useful information and interesting articles.

You can find it at the tourist information, museums and hotels. Or you can also just check out their online version providing the same information and many useful links.

Brighter mornings

For those of you who missed it, last night the clocks were set back by one hour. Now we are back to standard time which means that Finland is in the GMT+2 time zone again.

That means from now on the mornings are going to be a little brighter again (at least for a while). And even better, this Sunday has 25 hours. So enjoy the long free day before going back to work tomorrow!

Whiskey and beer expo

This is the weekend for beer and whiskey enthusiasts. And no, I am not talking about drunks but people that know to appreciate a good drop for craft beer or carefully distilled whiskey.

Today the Olut Expo starts at Kaapelitehdas. 47 exhibitors present their fine products to the visitors. It is of course about tasting here. For a reasonable price you can try the different drinks and enjoy exquisite brews and spirits.

The entrance to the expo is 15 € on Friday and Saturday and 10 € on Sunday. For all three days you pay 25 €.

Have a good weekend!

Helsinki goes Nippon

For the next few day Helsinki become a little Japanese. During the Japan Week starting today the Japanese culture will be presented through exhibitions, workshops and performances. 

The events will take place at Annantalo, Wanha Satama and Savoy Theater. The big opening will be today at Kamppi Kauppakeskus and Narinkkatori starting at noon. For more information about the program follow the links above or check out VisitHelsinki (program only in Finnish). All events are free of charge.

Enjoy Japanese culture in Helsinki!

One of Europe's most competitive economies

There is no doubt that the Finnish economy is suffering after taking strong hits first through the downfall of Nokia and then through the political crisis with neighbor Russia.

But things are not always as bad as they might appear. In fact the World Economic Forum ranks Finland as one of the ten most competitive economies in Europe (rank 4). Reasons for the good result are the country's strong fundamentals, characterized by strong institutions, an excellent education system and a strong capacity for innovation.

For more information visit the WEF's website.