Design District
Design District
4
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The area
Address
How to get there
- Rautatientori • 10 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,542 within 3 miles
Attractions
476 within 6 miles
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
125 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
57
Average
22
Poor
9
Terrible
4
Heli P
Helsinki, Finland7,694 contributions
Jul 2021
Interesting individual shopping and lively terraces have shifted the city center south. The pedestrian street Iso Roobert has really bloomed to life this summer bringing new customers to shop in the area's design stores as well as classy second hand outlets. Unnew is the latest on Uudenmaankatu selling home decoration, an airy cafeteria is attached. Hakola on Annankatu carries the family tradition of Finnish made modern furniture lasting through generations, this season the colours are pastel. The Design District expands further to prestigious Boulevard where Hetzukoto sells brand hand bags second hand with exquisite clothing designed by the Thai owner.
Written July 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
boomersooner5154
Chama, NM69 contributions
Sep 2024 • Friends
Best library in the world. Great tram system. Lovely parks. Easy to get to from Estonia by ferry. Train stain designed by Saarinen with train that goes from Centro directly to airport. Pricey city but nice for a short visit.
Written October 13, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hkteach
Berlin, Germany213 contributions
May 2012 • Solo
Helsinki is the World Design City for 2012 and it's no wonder. Walk through the Design District handout and you'll see why. The city not only houses but actively encourages and promotes artists in all different fields from interior design to clothing to jewelry to handicrafts. Pick up a handout from the Helsinki Tourism Office and choose your route. There is loads to see so you have to figure out what you want to do, but the Punavuori area has the highest concentration of artists. In fact, many designers and artists are now actively moving shop to the area to be part of the scene.
Written June 1, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NewYorkBulldog
New York170 contributions
One of the reasons I wanted to go to Helsinki was to shop the many
design stores in the district. I set aside Saturday afternoon just for this. Imagine my surprise when I found almost NONE of the stores open! There were many tourists at my hotel who were disappointed as well. How could stores not be open on a Saturday? Especially ones people come from all over the world to see?
The exceptions are the bigger shops (Marimekko, etc) on the Boulevard.
design stores in the district. I set aside Saturday afternoon just for this. Imagine my surprise when I found almost NONE of the stores open! There were many tourists at my hotel who were disappointed as well. How could stores not be open on a Saturday? Especially ones people come from all over the world to see?
The exceptions are the bigger shops (Marimekko, etc) on the Boulevard.
Written July 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ming W
Singapore, Singapore430 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
Unless you're looking for some inspired home decor and interior design stuff, don't bother with the design district. The shops here were billed as an eclectic and inspired mix of design stores, but we found most of them rather mainstream, and even repetitive at times.
Written April 3, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
saroukostorres
11 contributions
What can I say except impressive?! We loved everything about it, from the shops, restraunts, the people, and atmosphere. This district was close to the railway station and the city square and is my favorite district in Helsinki.
Written December 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josef B
Island of Malta, Malta39 contributions
Aug 2011 • Couples
The design district is just a bunch of shops with a black sticker on their shop window saying that they are part of the 'design district'. However they are all scattered around half of the central part of helsinki and visiting them really is of no artistic value. Most of them are just stores you find all around the world, its just that some of them stock typical scandinavian designed articles. Some of them are just hairdresser shops, or travel agencies or things of that sort!
Written September 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jean-François Tessier
Montreal, Canada562 contributions
Dec 2018 • Solo
Lots of stuff going on!
Street art, museum, churches, restaurant. It seem normal like that but they all seem to have something special.
Of course, lots of boutique of all kind. Youll get your fix for finnish artcraft. You may even meet the designer!
Street art, museum, churches, restaurant. It seem normal like that but they all seem to have something special.
Of course, lots of boutique of all kind. Youll get your fix for finnish artcraft. You may even meet the designer!
Written December 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tom L
Ottawa, Canada469 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
If you happen to be staying at the GLO Hotel Art you will be close to the action for exploring the Design District. This is a wonderful neighbourhood to stimulate your visual sense. On our first day in Helsinki we were fortunate to go on a tour of this district. I was amazed that when we went in each shop the proprietor or manager would spend time with us explaining their concept and design aesthetic. They were all vigourously proud.
The area contains all the classics: Marimekko, Artek, Ittala, Ivana Helsinki and a multitude of others. Try to visit Artek Second Cycle and Vintage. It is only open a couple days per week but contacts vintage Alvar Aalto pieces. It truly is a museum.
The area will also provide many options for food and drink. Cafe Bar 9 is casual and low key. Hotel Kamp offers higher end offerings. Or you could go to the roof of Hotel Torni for a majestic view with your glass of prosecco.
The area contains all the classics: Marimekko, Artek, Ittala, Ivana Helsinki and a multitude of others. Try to visit Artek Second Cycle and Vintage. It is only open a couple days per week but contacts vintage Alvar Aalto pieces. It truly is a museum.
The area will also provide many options for food and drink. Cafe Bar 9 is casual and low key. Hotel Kamp offers higher end offerings. Or you could go to the roof of Hotel Torni for a majestic view with your glass of prosecco.
Written November 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leonie W
St. Petersburg, Russia30 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
One of the best shops of Helsinki closed. It's a real pity The Design Forum doesn't work anymore. Here was a great collection of Finnish designer stuff. I really hope one day they will open again.
Written September 17, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
How far are you from West harbour and how easy to walk/ use public transport?
Written March 25, 2019
Really easy to get there.
Lots of tram and buses.
But ill walk there (30-40 min) if you have to time! Helsinki is so fun to walk
Written March 26, 2019
What have members shared about experiences with Radisson Plaza Hotel in Helsinki?
Written June 26, 2016
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