Helsinki rates as one of the safest cities in the world and is remarkably free of crime. Sadly, with the expansion of the EU, the city has seen an influx of beggars—some of whom can be a bit aggressive—and primitive con artists. If anyone starts up a conversation about having lost all their money on the flight from Bosnia/Romania/Albania, etc., just ignore them.
Finns are utterly honest: If you forget your wallet in a taxi, for example, chances are the driver will be looking for you the next day to return it. Nights in the summer are relatively safe, partly by virtue of the lingering daylight. The only areas to avoid at night are the underground tunnels around the railway station, where pickpocketing is a rare but occasional occurrence. Violent crime is so rare that the shooting of two police officers in the late 1990s provoked national outrage. Nevertheless, the visitor who takes sensible precautions has little to fear. In case you do lose something, try the lost-property office located in the police station at Paljanteentie 12A (phone 09-189-3180). Objects lost in public transport or at the airport can be retrieved Monday-Friday 9 am-6 pm at the lost-property office in Kauppiaankatu 8. Phone 0600-41006.
Some Finns tend to be heavy drinkers, and you may encounter the occasional drunk in the street. Sometimes noisy, they are rarely a threat. The best policy is to ignore them. Never buy alcohol in the street, for although the bottles may look authentic, the contents are often industrial alcohol.
An unusual personal safety problem is the deep grooves cut in the sidewalks to carry away melt water. Though these are obvious to residents, unwary visitors have been known to break heels in them.
For the latest information, contact your country's travel-advisory agency.
Dos & Don'ts
Do take flowers for your hosts if you're invited to a private home. Any good florist will advise on what is appropriate.
Don't be afraid to try speaking a few words of Finnish. Though most Finns in Helsinki speak excellent English, saying a few words will probably get you more than just a smile back.
Do remember that Finland was dominated for several hundred years by both Russia and Sweden and lost much land after World War II. Even though Finland is fairly well-off today, many Finns are still very sore about this fact. Do not speak flippantly about military history or make open comparisons between Finland and its neighbors.
Don't go overboard with drinking. Although drinking to get drunk may seem to be de rigueur for Finns, doing so as a visitor is not a good way to recommend yourself to your hosts.
Do accept an invitation to the sauna—to refuse is to risk offending. If you're skittish about nudity, it's fine to wrap a towel around yourself or wear a bathing suit.
Do remember that Finland has only recently begun to take in non-Finns as residents and citizens.
