Helsinginkatu (Swedish: Helsingegatan, literally meaning "Helsinki street"; also called "Hesari" in Helsinki slang, which is also used as a nickname for Helsingin Sanomat) is a two-kilometre-long east-west-running street in Helsinki, Finland. The street runs from Hämeentie to Mannerheimintie. The street separates the districts of Kallio and Alppiharju, however the part west to the railway underpass belongs to Taka-Töölö. The eastern part of the street is a 30-metre-wide avenue, with buildings on both sides.[1] Between the avenue part and the railway underpass there are only buildings on the southern side of the street, except for the Helsinki Sports House. To the west of the railway the street runs along the shore of the Töölönlahti bay and the only buildings on it are the Finnish National Opera and Ballet and restaurant Töölönranta. Helsinginkatu is lit with lights hanging from wires and paved with asphalt throughout its length. There is also a tram track running throughout the street.
The name Helsinginkatu does not refer to either the city of Helsinki or the Helsinginkoski rapids, but instead to the original parish of Helsinki, whose territory later became the city of Vantaa.[citation needed]