Plan a trip to Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a love story between the city and the sea. The city lies on the shores of the Gulf of Finland and the blue arms of the Baltic Sea and it is surrounded by hundreds of islands and islets. The city center is surprisingly beautiful with an urban charm that combines neoclassical buildings, many cobblestone and ancient alleys - evidence of influence from the Russian East and modern Scandinavian architectural style. Helsinki holds a wide range of interesting sites and fascinating attractions.
It is ranked as one of the most livable cities in the world.
Secret: There are different areas of the city that actually have heated sidewalks (some of which have heating elements to keep them free of ice and snow). 

The Torikorttelit district is a stylish architectural gem surrounded by historical buildings in the center of the city. The district is surrounded by impressive neoclassical buildings and it has attractions such as The Senate Square (Senaatintori) and a 200-foot-wide staircase which will lead you to the magnificent Helsinki Cathedral – pretty much the symbol of Helsinki!   On the eastern side of the square are the government office buildings and on the western side you will find the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. South of the square are narrow stone-paved streets lined with brand-name shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafés. Dating back to the early 17th century the Helsinki City Museum is housed today in the oldest building, what was once the Sederholm House.

Note: For families with children - The section of the Sederholm House, which is part of the Helsinki City Museum is devoted to families with children and is called “The Children's Town”. This is the place where the whole family has an opportunity to “live” and experience life in the 18th century. 
Note: With or without children The Korkeasaari Zoo is a fascinating place. It is on an island in the Baltic Sea but very close to the Helsinki city center. It is one of the oldest zoos in the world! 
 
At the South Harbor at one end of the Esplanade Park, between the Tory district and the port of ships heading to the islands, is the Market Square (Kauppatori) Helsinki's most popular and well-known open-air market, with its selection of agricultural produce alongside booths selling fast-food as well as other stands selling the “obligatory” souvenirs and Finnish handicrafts.

In the middle of the square – you can’t miss it – is the oldest public monument in Helsinki, "The Stone of the Empress“ (Keisarinnankivi), commemorating Empress Alexandra’s first visit to Helsinki.  

Note: The memorial to the Empress as well many of the most important buildings and sites in Helsinki, including the Senate Square, the Helsinki Cathedral and the original Esplanade Park, was the work of the architect Carl Ludvig Engel.

If you love to wander through markets, then head for the covered food-market hall, Vanha Kauppahalli (next to Kauppatori). A feast for the eyes and the taste buds, the hall has an abundance of shops and stalls selling bakery products, fish, vegetables and fruits and of course a restaurant.

Once upon a time, a long time ago when the Czarists ruled this region, only the rich were allowed to promenade along the Esplanade Park – but all that has changed! In the center of the city and west of the Market Square – is “Espa” Esplanade Park’s nickname, the most famous park in Finland. Bordered by rows of linden trees and lined with flowerbeds surrounding green grass carpets, this is “the green heart of Helsinki” always filled with people who come to have their picnics or for relaxation and (during the summer months) attend live music concerts on an outdoor stage.

At the eastern end of “Espa” you will be drawn to the café-restaurant Kappeli, aka Esplanadikappeli, which opened in the late 1800’s and is still Helsinki’s iconic restaurant.

The Helsinki Cathedral, a city landmark with its large and four smaller green domes is visible from far and wide and for those coming from the sea. Towards the east end, in the Katajanokka district, is the red-bricked Uspenski Cathedral, with its golden cupolas. If ever there was a doubt about the Russian influence on Finnish history, this church is a clear example of Czarist rule.

Northwest of the city center you will find the stunning wooden structure, the ecumenical Kamppi Chapel (Kampin kappel), known by its moniker “The Chapel of Silence". This retreat welcomes everyone of any faith or religion, to come in and relax and connect to the silence.

The Lutheran Templiocchio Church aka Temppeliaukio Rock Church was built into a huge granite rock. The dome above it is covered with copper and supported by the rock walls with thick glass windows that fit in between. The rays of the sun penetrate into the church allowing for natural light and the interior has marvelous acoustics and is often used as a concert venue.

As expected of a major city, Helsinki has a wide range of museums and galleries. The Glass Palace (Lasipalatsi) is a 1938 building known for its functionality and practicability.  Although renovated in 1998, it took fifteen more years until a decision was made to create a new art museum in its place, including the square around it. And so it was that in 2018 the Amos Rex Museum was born. The Amos Rex Museum wants to be something to everyone – it is home to and open to every kind of art and culture, workshops and exhibitions - modern and ancient, urban and rural, exhibits in underground, events and rotating exhibitions and workshops.

A wide range of exhibits and works of the best of Finnish art throughout the ages can be found at the Ateneum Art Museum, Finland’s National Art Gallery.

The best Finnish designs are on display at the Design Museum. The museum includes the history of Finnish design and there is state of the art technological and digital applications to exhibit the various interesting collections.

Helsinki provides unique attractions for nature lovers and has breathtaking scenic hiking trails and enchanting parks. Walk to the north of the city and meander into the Lammassaari Peninsula where you will be able to cross a swampy area on the causeway and discover that you are in a different world – you are surrounded by reeds taller than most people and to view the incredible landscape you’ll be able to step on a platform built especially so that you can catch your “kodak moment”.

A special park is Kirsikkapuisto, where the Japanese community in Helsinki sponsored the planting of about 150 cherry trees, which bloom in the spring season and create a beautiful image.

In the southeast of Helsinki take a walk starting at the old covered market Vanha Kauppahalli, continue along the coastline towards the tip of the Helsinki peninsula to Kaivopuisto, a popular, old park  and then continue to the Cafe Carusel opposite the island of Sirpalesaari.

Many islands are scattered in the sea surrounding the city and many boats sail from the city's docks to the islands and cruise between them.  A short 15-minute boat ride away is one of the world’s largest sea fortresses, the 18th century Suomenlinna, with centuries-old artillery and defensive walls spread over six islands. This treasure is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site list. Walking trails cross parkland between popular sites like the King’s Gate drawbridge and the Suomenlinna Museum, which recounts military and maritime history. The WWII Submarine Vesikko, is now restored and is an open museum (check calendar for open dates -during the summer months).

A must-see is the monument dedicated to the composer Jean Sibelius.  It is situated in the Töölö district inside the charming, intimate Sibelius Park (Sibeliuspuisto). The sculpture is a cluster of 600 tubes made of steel and makes music with the blowing winds, not unsimilar to a pipe organ.

A popular spot for those living in Helsinki and for tourists is the Töölönlahti bay area, which is north of the city center and next to it is the Eläintarhanlahti bay. You can actually say that this is where urban and rural meet in peace. Like an oasis the area is surrounded by a walking path lined with trees and green vegetation and along the lakeshore are old wooden houses and neighborhood cafes facing the lake's waters. Walking, cycling, jogging, supping – all these activities bring this area to life and Lake Tolunalatti and the landscape give you an authentic taste and feel of Finland.