When summer arrives people head out for terraces, just like me. The problem often is though that terraces, especially in the city center, tend to get crowded. A couple of years ago I discovered this slightly hidden terrace inside the walls of a former prison.

Linnanpiha Bar & Terrace is in the yard of a former Katajanokka prison, which nowadays has been refurbished into a modern lifestyle prison hotel known as Hotel Katajanokka. Linnanpiha Bar & Terrace and the yard is very spacious and it is almost guaranteed you’ll find yourself a spot there. It is possible to play some traditional summer games in the yard as well, like “mölkky” or pétanque.

Terrace season lasts until early September and I really recommend you try out the Jail Burger if you get hungry since I would say it is one of the best ones in Helsinki.

Hotel Katajanokka harnesses the history nicely so one can even visit the hotel and there’s a couple of cells left from back in the days to visit. Why not spend a night in jail?