In the lead-up to the EFBWW Congress in Helsinki, we have compiled practical information for getting to and enjoying the event.
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
In December, affiliates from all over Europe will gather in Helsinki for the 14th EFBWW Congress. The 3-day event will take place in the Scandic Marina Congress Center (Katajanokanlaituri 6, Helsinki), located exactly in front of the Scandic Grand Marina Hotel (Katajanokanlaituri 7, Helsinki). Both venue and hotel are accessible by car, train, metro, or taxi (30 minutes from the airport). Helsinki has an efficient public transportation system.
We kindly remind that the foreseen temperatures in Helsinki in December are between 0°C and -7°C, therefore we advise to properly equip yourself with warm clothes, coats and boots. We promise to compensate the cold temperature with a warm welcome!
The map below has pins for the congress centre, hotel, and other venues.
FOOD NEARBY
Lunch will be provided during the Congress in the main hall of the Congress center. Dinner will be provided on the 13th. For the remaining meals, we can recommend a few options near the hotel/congress venue or suggest you to check the Helsinki city tourism tips:
Restaurant Everest Katajanokka
At the hotel there is a restaurant that is open from Monday to Saturday from 18:00 to 22.00.
MORE ABOUT THE CITY
- Old market hall – A traditional undercover market, in operation since 1889, with a vibrant and cheery atmosphere. Perfect for warming up on a winter’s day. Inside you will find merchants selling a variety of delicious ingredients, including cheese, meat, seafood, and fruit.
- Outdoor Christmas market – The main Christmas markets are in Senate Square. There, you can enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or glögi (mulled wine).
- Contemporary Art Museum (Kiasma)
- Ateneum: the Finnish national gallery
- Helsinki library
- Suomenlinna Fortress – Just a 15-minute ferry ride from Market Square, you can find a UNESCO World Heritage Site of Suomenlinna Fortress. Sights to visit while roaming the fortress include King’s Gate, the great courtyard, the Prisoner-of-war camp memorial, and the Suomenlinna Church. You can also wander around one of Europe’s oldest operating dry docks. Entry to the site is free.
- You can register here for a free walking tour of 1 hour and a half.
- Sauna – Saunas are an institution in Finland. In fact, did you know that Finland has approximately 3.3 million saunas? That is over 0.6 saunas per person! With this in mind, it would be almost a sin to stay in Helsinki in winter without visiting one. Here you have a list of the best public saunas in Helsinki. Do not forget to read up on your Finnish sauna customs before you go!
- Tour of Helsinki – You can register here for a free walking tour of 1 hour and a half.