As the Pasila district will be one of the new alternative city centers of Helsinki in the coming years, with its gigantic Tripla mall and the main long-distance train terminal to be moved there, it’s surely going to be even more hectic than it is already. Architecturally speaking, many think it is the ugliest area of Helsinki, a real concrete jungle with tall, dull, grey offices and apartment towers.

However, in recent years, the area has been decorated more and more with works by several urban street artists from Finland and abroad. As a contrast to the cold, hard environment, this has given Pasila a new charm which can be enjoyed at its best by taking a walk along the streets between concrete buildings. You can read more about the art pieces and even find a Google map of them on Helsinki Urban Art website. Plan your personal walking tour in a minute!

After the walk, you might want to go and check out the up-and-coming cultural area of Konepaja (The Train Factory) located less than a kilometer south from Itä-Pasila and home to urban culture, several festivals and events in the future. Over there you can find e.g. Konepaja Biergarten and the freshly opened legendary Corona Bar & Billiard, which just moved here in the autumn of 2019. Very close outside the area, you can also find the fancy Oluthuone Konepaja beer bar, also warmly recommended for a drink!