DE VACACIÓNS por Finlandia

Nesta segunda entrega é o xornalista Alexander Ugla quen nos abre as portas de Finlandia, o país nórdico dos lapóns, as saunas e os grandes lagos...

Por Galicia Confidencial | Galicia | 19/08/2005

See the centre from above

Located on the 13th floor in an old Sokos hotel, Ateljee Bar offers a great outlook over the centre of Helsinki. There is no entrance fee and prices are ok. The address is officially Kalevankatu 5, but the best way to the elevator is from the opposite side of the house on Yrjönkatu. Enter trough the hotel’s main entrance and walk trough the lobby. The elevator is on your left. Don’t miss the toilets on the 12th floor with their magnificent view!

Cheap beers

A pint of Finnish lager beer costs approximately 4 or 5 euros in the centre. However, there are exceptions that you can come across during "happy hour". In any case, the city district of Kallio is known for its cheep bars (Roskapankki on Helsinginkatu 25 would be one).

Sightseeing

There are of course the obligatory sightseeing buses, but I would recommend public transport. A ticket that lasts for one hour costs 2 euros (there are also tickets for many days). The tram 3T/3B (same tram, just going in different directions) which goes in an "eight" trough the city is a cheap alternative. The tourist information distributes printed guides for that route. The Metro takes you to the green eastern parts of Helsinki for the same price. If you take the bus to Espoo (for example no 132 to the district of Matinkylä), you can find nice beaches and nature. Buses going outside Helsinki cost 3,40 euros. You can find all routes and addresses on the net: www.reittiopas.fi (called Journey Planner).

History

If you are interested in history or just in the mood for fresh air, you should take the ferry to Suomenlinna, a small island just outside the centre. There are old ruins from the 18th century, activities and good picnic spots.

Internet cafe

This is a bit of a problem, as almost all Finns use internet at home. The best idea would probably be to go to a library (for example the one in the Main Post Office beside Kiasma). There should also be an internet café on Vuorikatu.

Food

A pizzeria popular especially among students is Sky Express on Annankatu 31. Until 10 o’clock in the evening you will get a BIG pizza for 4,20 euros. If you add about 4 euros you will get one LITRE of Finnish beer. The student cafeteria UniCafe near the old student house (Vanha) is a pretty good alternative too: eat as much bread, salad, rice, potatoes etc. as you want. Café Esplanad near the Academic Bookstore is not exactly cheap but you get a lot of food and huge cakes there.

Movies

Ordinary movies cost about 10 euros, but the Finnish Film Archive (Orion) on Eerikinkatu 15 is pretty cheap. There you can find old Finnish and Nordic movies too www.sea.fi/english/.

Music

The big thing in Finland during summer holidays are the rock/pop/heavy music festival (called "festari" here). They cost from around 20 up to 80 euros but can really be worth it. You can find a list of the festivals in Finland here: meteli.net/festarit/ (in Finnish).

Sauna

Sauna is of course a must if you visit Finland. The best saunas are on the countryside, but in the swimming stadium behind the Olympic tower in the centre, there is an open-air pool - including really hot saunas. You get a student discount before 4 o’clock. Later in the evening it is possible to experience a sauna in the combined sauna and rock club called SaunaBar on Eerikinkatu 27."