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10

Helsinki Travel & Sightseeing Guide

Filed Under Finland

A trip to Helsinki
Set around a scenic archipelago, Helsinki is a modern capital with plenty of historical value and cultural activities to enjoy. Flights to the main airport are abundant and arrive from across Europe and further afield. With an increasing number of budget flights to the Finnish capital, getting here for a short break or longer holiday has never been more economical.

Flights to Helsinki
The Finnish capital is served by Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, a modern facility with excellent flight connections with the rest of Europe. Finnair is the national flag carrier with flights all over the world to destinations such as Athens, Beijing and New York. A number of budget carriers also fly here. Blue 1, a Finnish budget airline, flies to more than 20 European cities from Helsinki while German Wings operates low-cost flights to Bonn and Cologne. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Helsinki try lastminute.com. The airport is just 15kms from the centre of Helsinki with taxis and buses among the many transport options from the arrivals terminal.

Once in the city, Helsinki has a tram and inner-city ferry service as well as underground and over ground train services which makes getting around straightforward.

Helsinki

Sightseeing in Helsinki
Helsinki has a number of picturesque little islands to explore which come alive during the long summer days between May and August. The Finnish capital is also well-known for its large collection of churches displaying a variety of architectural styles. Given its low population, there is plenty of space in the city much of which is occupied by parks. These parks are often covered in a blanket of snow in winter and come into bloom later in the year.

Museums in the city are also a major draw, among the most revered is the collection of art appearing at the Ateneum Art Museum. Make sure not to miss the open-air Sibelius Monument in memory of the famous composer Jean Sibelius. The striking structure resembles organ pipes and sits in Sibelius park, another great place for a stroll.

Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Meat and potatoes are the staple and most restaurants in the city serve this national dish. There is however a diverse array of culinary styles found in many restaurants which serve dishes from every corner in the world. Despite its reputation as an expensive city, a hearty meal can be had without breaking the bank. Italian and kebab joints are popular budget options while more expensive places include French, Chinese, Thai and even Nepalese. If you want to sample some of the best eateries in the city, head to Korkeavuorenkatu and Annankatu.

Kallio District is the student area housing an abundance of cheap bars to choose from. In the centre of the city, nightclubs carry on until the early hours and are very popular with the younger population.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Aleksanterinkatu is the main area for sleek department stores. Running off this street are numerous small roads that specialise in pricey designer boutiques. Helsinki also has a good number of markets to browse that offer good quality at affordable prices. For food, head to Hakaniemi Market Hall which also has an open-air section and then there is Hietalahti Open Air Flea market offering all manner of knick-knacks and some great bargains.

Daytrips
The city of Helsinki is surrounded by a vast archipelago of islands that can be visited on daytrips from the city. Possibly the most popular of the islands is Suomenlinna, home to the largest sea fortress on the Baltic. Steeped in historical significance and the atmosphere of a bygone age, the island has a museum, a number of restaurants and numerous fortifications.

Situated within easy reach of the city centre, Töölönlahti is a picturesque bay surrounded by a pretty park area which boasts numerous attractions, including Finlandia Concert Hall and the National Opera. For those who are not attracted by the opera or the entertainment on offer at the Concert Hall, the scenic location of the park is perfect for picnicking on a sunny day.

Located just 20 minutes from the centre of Helsinki, Hietaniemenkatu Beach is a popular sunny day destination with locals and tourists alike. Volleyball is a favourite activity on the beach and there are a number of restaurants and cafés nearby.

Must-see attractions
Among the city of Helsinki’s must-see attractions is the remarkable Lutheran Cathedral. Situated on Senate Square, this stunning 17th century cathedral features the twelve apostles looking down on the world from its majestic rooftop.

Another must-see attraction of the city is the unique Church in the Rock. The church features an expansive copper roof which covers the church area, which was completely dug out of rock. This uncommon rock structure produces surprisingly excellent acoustics, with the result being that the church is used as a venue for many concerts.

Helsinki was the venue for the Olympic Games in 1952, but since then the Olympic stadium and surrounding attractions have become a national centre for sports enthusiasts. Visitors can take a dip in the Uimastadion, Helsinki’s largest outdoor pool, located on the site of the stadium, or visit the complex’s Museum of Sport.

Best time to go
Being so far north, Helsinki experiences long winters (October to May) that are characterised by limited daytime light and freezing temperatures. The summer period from June to September is short, but a wonderful time to visit the city and when the local Finns are overjoyed to have passed the long winter and the city is lush with greenery and summer blooms.

Rainy day suggestions
Snowy day suggestions are more applicable than wet weather suggestions when referring to Helsinki. On such days, and when the temperature drops below freezing, visitors are well advised to take in some of the centrally heated attractions of the city, which include the interesting National Museum of Finland, located in the centre of town.

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