The vitality survey conducted in late April and early May shows that development in Helsinki’s city centre has been positive over the past year. Photo: Veeti Hautanen
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Helsinki’s city centre is showing signs of renewed vitality after several years of decline, with the number of open shops and restaurants increasing and empty retail spaces decreasing, according to the city’s latest urban vitality survey.
Data collected in spring 2025 revealed that Helsinki’s core commercial area has reversed its downward trend. The rise in business activity and a modest increase in foot traffic suggest a gradual recovery toward pre-pandemic conditions.
The most notable change was in the hospitality sector. “The number of restaurants and cafés open on Saturdays year-round has hit a new record of 697 locations,” said Timo Hämäläinen, senior specialist at Helsinki’s Economic Development division. “Helsinki’s city centre is clearly the largest restaurant hub in Finland.”
The vitality survey, conducted annually since 2016, tracks ground-level business activity in central Helsinki, including store occupancy and operating hours. The results indicate that retail vacancy has declined and that more businesses now operate during weekends.
Pedestrian numbers also reflect improvement. Combined figures from two central points, Aleksanterinkatu and Ylioppilastalo, showed that foot traffic between January and May 2025 reached 99 percent of the same period in 2019.
However, broader mobile data covering a wider area suggests that overall visitor numbers remain around 30 percent lower than before the pandemic. Hämäläinen said this reflects ongoing structural changes, such as the increase in remote working, which have altered the way people use the city centre.
Meanwhile, tourism in Helsinki has exceeded pre-pandemic records. In 2024, hotels recorded 4.55 million overnight stays, the highest ever. The current year is also on pace to break monthly records, with January to April already surpassing previous highs.
City residents’ perceptions of the centre have also improved. According to the latest Helsinki Barometer published on 11 June, half of respondents described the city centre as a pleasant place. Residents who live in or frequently visit the area rated it more positively overall. Younger respondents were especially favourable, saying the centre offered attractive activities and entertainment options.
Still, Helsinki’s city centre, like others across Europe, is undergoing a structural shift. The role of traditional retail, especially fashion and accessory stores, continues to shrink, while food services, beauty, and wellness businesses grow in importance.
“The centre is evolving,” Hämäläinen said. “Businesses and the city are working together to make it more vibrant and experience-driven, as confirmed by our partnership studies published in March.”
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
