We are open for home exchanges in July 2021!

Welcome to Helsinki, the capital of Finland!

We are a family of five. Our children are almost all adults, they were born in 2001, 2003 and 2005. We love to travel and explore the world. Our home is a terraced house on two floors and we have our own little backyard. Our four bedrooms can accommodate five adults. We have a private sauna that you are welcome to use. Our neighbourhood Pakila is in northern Helsinki, it is surrounded by nature and the Helsinki Central Park. Just a few kilometres away there is a golf course and a sport centre where you can swim (indoor and outdoor pools).

Within walking distance (max 1,5km) we have cafeterias, a supermarket, a small restaurant, pharmacy, gym, health centre, post office, children's playground and a library.

Helsinki’s proximity to the sea and surrounding nature offer an ideal setting for a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the year.

Getting around in Helsinki is easy. We have a City bike station on our home street. Car is not needed in Helsinki at all, public transportation (HSL, https://www.hsl.fi/en) is very efficient and takes you wherever you want to go. Tourists can buy not only single tickets but also day tickets (1-7) that gives you possibility for unlimited use in buses, trams, trains, metros and ferries in Helsinki.

We usually drive on our home exchange holidays with our car from Finland (destinations in Europe). If driving is not possible or sensible, we can also exchange cars. We have a plug-in hybrid Volvo XC40.

Things to do in Helsinki:
Suomenlinna fortress - Unesco World Heritage Site: https://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum: http://www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/seurasaari-openairmuseum
Helsinki Central Park: http://www.hel.fi/hel2/keskuspuisto/eng/1centralpark/
Vallisaari Island - Island nature: http://www.nationalparks.fi/Vallisaari
National parks: https://www.nationalparks.fi/
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma: http://www.kiasma.fi/en/
Allas Sea Pool: https://www.allasseapool.fi/en/
Oodi, Helsinki Central Library: https://www.oodihelsinki.fi/en/
Korkeasaari Zoo: https://www.korkeasaari.fi/helsinki-zoo/
Linnanmäki amusement park: https://www.linnanmaki.fi/en
Old Market Hall for food lovers: http://vanhakauppahalli.fi/en/
The Rock Church: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/sights-and-attractions/temppeliaukio-church-rock-church
Fazer chocolate factory - Finnish chocolate: http://www.visitfazer.com/en/
Cruisin the Finnish seas: https://www.visitfinland.com/article/cruisin-the-finnish-seas/
Finland, land of the Midnight Sun: http://www.visitfinland.com/article/land-of-the-midnight-sun/

Day trips:
Beautiful little town Porvoo, about 50km from Helsinki: http://www.visitporvoo.fi/en
Turku: https://www.visitturku.fi/en
Turku Castle: Turku Castle: https://www.turku.fi/en/turkucastle
Hämeenlinna: http://www.visithameenlinna.fi/en/
Tampere: https://visittampere.fi/en/
The birthplace of Aleksis Kivi, National author of Finland: http://www.museo-opas.fi/en/museum/aleksis-kiven-syntymäkoti
Ainola, home of the composer Jean Sibelius: http://www.museo-opas.fi/en/museum/ainola

Finnish design outlets and stores:
Marimekko: https://www.marimekko.com/fi_fi/storelocator
Iittala, Arabia and Fiskars: https://www.iittala.com/fi/fi/outlet
Artek: https://www.artek.fi/artekhelsinki/en/

Near our home:
Korkee climbing park: https://korkee.fi/
Swimming hall (indoor and outdoor pools): https://servicemap.hel.fi/unit/40774
Paloheinä Golf: www.paloheinagolf.fi/english
Local restaurant, House of Sandwiches: http://ravintola.hofs.fi/
Gym: http://www.saluspakila.fi/

Learn more what you can see and do in Helsinki: http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en

Covid-19 information for visitors: https://www.myhelsinki.fi/en/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-visitors