Helsinki is a compact, easy-to-navigate city, but it doesn't hurt to study its layout before arriving!

City Layout

Helsinki lies on a peninsula that juts into the Gulf of Finland and is linked to its nearby islands via bridges or ferries. Its center is built around the main harbor, Etelasatama, and the kauppatori (market square). Unless you want to hang out on the harbor and do some fish shopping, your best bet for shopping, eating, sleeping, and socializing would be to head west from the harbor to the kauppatori and then and the area surrounding the main streets of Pohjoisesplanadi and Etelaesplanadi. 

Hostel Overview

Ah, Helsinki! Where else can you go ice-fishing, before baking in a sauna, before "relaxing" in sub-freezing temps with a hot 'gloggi'? And that's just at the hostel! Luckily, Helsinki has quite a few good hostels, many of which are located in the heart of town. Even if you end up farther out, Helsinki is so compact the you should be able to walk where you need to go.