Pride Journey Summer Getaway: Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki Biennial

Helsinki Biennial is an international art event that will bring outstanding contemporary art to maritime Helsinki. The first Helsinki Biennial will be held in the unique surroundings of Vallisaari island from 12 June to 26 September 2021. Helsinki Biennial presents 40 international artists or groups of artists from both Finland and around the world. The artists have been invited to create new site-specific and temporary artworks or to exhibit existing artworks that will engage in a dialogue with the island. You can spot artworks outside along the cobbled path and inside historical buildings, gunpowder cellars and empty residential buildings.

Tom Of Finland walking tours

Welcome to a theme walking tour to learn about Tom as an artist ‒ how a stamp decorated with his art became the most preordered one in the world? And get to know Touko the man: how life was very different for a gay man during the Second World War and decades after? This walk gets you to places you would not imagine to have a secret meaning at all.

Lonna

Located only a 10-minute ferry ride away from Helsinki’s Market Square you’ll experience Finnish hospitality at its best at Lonna. Enjoy locally sourced, organic tasty delicacies at our restaurant or spend your time relaxing at the 5 star, critically acclaimed public sauna where you can experience the calm and almost sacred feeling of traditional Finnish sauna. You might find yourself at the beach cliff gazing the most gorgeous sunset in Helsinki or spending time at the coffee shop’s terrace sipping your favorite drink.

City bikes

Stroll around with the Helsinki’s city bikes in the 1200-kilometre network of bike paths that makes it easy to access all parts of the city on two wheels, from the Keskuspuisto “Central Park” to the north to the ferry harbours to the south, and from the bustling city centre to the quiet fields and forests in the surrounding countryside – even to the islands of the archipelago. . Cycling lets you discover the city and all its places in a whole new way while also enjoying the fresh seaside air.

Klaus K

Klaus K is located on Bulevardi and is inspired by the emotional contrasts of Finland's national epic Kalevala. For a luxurious stay it is possible to book one of the Sky Loft rooms, or spend a night surrounded by art or design in the Special rooms. Italian restaurant Toscanini on the ground floor offers tastes from Tuscany. Klaus K is proud to be a LGBTQ+ friendly hotel. They have a zero-tolerance to any discrimination and want to take into consideration all kinds of guests.

Yes Yes Yes

Yes Yes Yes is as much a bar as a charming restaurant, brimming with great energy. Stop by for a snack or the full experience. Expect a magical expression of colors, wild banana trees, splashes of marble combined with lots of art from the hottest local artists. The specialty of the restaurant is the piping hot tandoor oven in the open kitchen and the focus on bar dining (and drinking). During summer time Yes Yes Yes terrace is a perfect little oasis for spotting city life while enjoying a glass of ice cold rosé wine with some munchies from the Yes Yes Yes kitchen.

Photo Credits: Helsinki Marketing/Julia Kivelä and Klaus K.