Another lovely outdoor recreation is Seurasaari Island. I enjoy walking around the island, but The Open-Air Museum of Seurasaari also displays the traditional Finnish way of life. You can't help running into some badass squirrels and mellow swans. The photo is taken in January.

If you need a dose of nature while in Helsinki, a great option is to go for a walk or jogging in Keskuspuisto, Central Park. It's easy to reach by tram or bus. I recommend going beyond Ruskeasuo if you yearn for more forested landscapes. The photo is taken in December near Ruskeasuo.

Kipsari is a vegetarian restaurant/bar in the premises of Aalto University School of Arts, Design and Architecture. I enjoy its cozy atmosphere, the beat-up sofas and dim lights. There’s also a small gallery for the students. Kipsari is run by ARTS student association TOKYO ry.

Töölönlahti Bay is a really nice area in the middle of Helsinki. It's a lovely walk around the bay and especially in the summer you can sit down and have break at the café located up on the hill and enjoy the view.

They have huge cinnamon buns here, a nice thing to split with your friends. A really finnish treat. Owed by café esplanad (where you get the same sort of bakeries), but I prefer Success for it's smaller space.