Your guide to Helsinki / Neighbourhoods: Helsinki

Situated directly in the center of Helsinki is the neighbourhood of Kamppi. This area is popular among travelers because it is home to many of the best hotels and transportation systems. Kamppi is a top destination for sightseeing and live music. The Kamppi Chapel and the Old Church (Vanha Kirkko) are must-visit attractions. The Helsinki Art Museum is also worth an afternoon of your time. Drop in to the Appollo Club, grab a cold drink and enjoy the music of Finland.

• Kamppi Chapel: Simonkatu 7 (In Plaza Narinkka) 
• The Old Church: Lönnrotinkatu 6 (In Old Church Park)
• Helsinki Art Museum: Eteläinen Rautatiekatu 8
• The Apollo Club: Mannerheimintie 16 (In Forum)

Located in the Eastern portion of Helsinki is Kallio, where the students tend to mingle. Kallio often gets a reputation as being one of the hippest neighbourhoods in Helsinki. In Kallio, you can enjoy a laid back vibe with access to bars, coffee shops, thrift shops and an abundance of art and poetry culture. The culinary scene in Kallio has improved significantly over the years, with many trendy vegan and healthy cafes, like the Bear Park Cafe and Gastro Cafe Kallio, opening up around the neighbourhood. Further proving its laid-back feel, Kallio is also home to a lot of Finnish saunas, where you can melt away the stresses of travel.

• Bear Park Cafe: Agricolankatu 13 
• Gastro Cafe Kallio: Fleminginkatu 7

The Töölö neighbourhood has so much history and architecture to explore that you will want to plan a full day here. Home to artsy monuments like the Sibelius Monument and the Rock Church, make sure you bring your camera when visiting Töölö. Töölö is also home to the Olimpic Stadium, the largest stadium in the country. Other worthy attractions to visit here include the Finnish National Museum and the Parliament Building. A trip to Töölö isn't complete without dinner at the Lyon Restaurant.

• Sibelius Monument: Sibeliuksen puisto, Mechelininkatu
• Rock Church: Lutherinkatu 3
• Olympic Stadium: Paavo Nurmen tie 1
• Finnish National Museum: Mannerheimintie 34
• Parliament Building: Mannerheimintie 30
• Lyon Restaurant (Ravintola Lyon): Mannerheimintie 56

If you want to escape the busy tourist areas for a night, then Lauttasaari is the place to do it. On a warm sunny day, Casino Beach in Merikylpylän puisto park is the place to go for volleyball, swimming or just taking a nap on the beach. The island is also filled with unique historical attractions to explore like the Mill-Rock (Myllykallio) from the Second World War. Lauttasaaru Church is also a sight to see with its contemporary architecture.

• Merikylpylän puisto: Kuikkarinne 1a
• Lauttasaaru Church: Myllykallionrinne 1

While most of Helsinki's neighbourhoods offer some type of shopping, Itakeskus is home to the country's largest indoor shopping centre. You will have to ride the Helsinki metro line all the way to the end to find Itakeskus, but the abundance of markets, shopping malls and tea rooms make it worth it. Make sure you check out the Pearl Tower (Helmitorni), the country's second-largest building.

• Helsinki Shopping Centre: Itäkatu 1-7
• Pearl Tower (Helmitorni): 00930 Helsinki