25 THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN HELSINKI

The capital of Finland was not a destination that caught our attention especially. The truth is that we are more than "south", we love the roll of the Balkans and countries like Italy, Greece or Spain rejoice the sight and the soul. Peeeeero, being in St. Petersburg, we thought it would be a great idea to cross the Baltic Sea and get to know this Scandinavian city. So here we spent 3 days and… well, it was a pleasant stay. If you are also planning a trip through these lands of northern Europe, in this post we will tell you the best 25 things to see and do in Helsinki

1. You can start the tour in the Senate Square, the place where the great reform of the city began with architect Carl Ludvig Engel. It is surrounded by beautiful buildings, such as the Government Palace or the University, and is chaired by a Equestrian statue of Tsar Alexander II From Russia. Although historical relations with its eastern neighbors are not entirely ideal (with wars and occupations involved), Alexander II was quite generous with some Finnish requests, including granting Finnish as an official language in the country, alongside Russian and to the Swedish, or to establish a currency of its own: the Finnish framework. So you have some esteem. If you travel in winter, a very handsome Christmas market is set up in this square.

2. North of the square and on a huge stairway rises the Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko). While on the outside it impresses quite a lot, thanks to its size and the elegance of its neoclassical style, inside it is quite austere and sober, as a good Lutheran cathedral it is. You will find open spaces without practically decoration, a simple altar and in front of it, yes, a huge organ. Of course, coming from Russia, with its Orthodox churches full of mosaics and paintings, we found it something "poor", but it is one of the must-see in Helsinki.

3. The Helsinki Cathedral is not the only one in the city ... entering the Katajanokka district we will receive the Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral, built from 1862 on top of a small hill. And what does an orthodox cathedral do in a country that is not orthodox? Remember that Finland was occupied by the Russian Empire for many years (1809-1917). This, unlike its neighbor, has a much more ornate interior. Keep in mind that if you want to visit it, it is closed on Mondays.

4. If you have read us on other occasions, you will know that the gastronomic markets freak us out. So in Helsinki we went to visit the Old Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli), a covered market full of stalls of typical Finnish products (ains, those rich rolls and that salmon). There the little lad is the Market Square (Kauppatori), where every morning there is a market with stalls of fruit and vegetables, and others where they prepare food. You know: double ration of markets! Eye: Sunday mornings only open in summer. We ate here and, although it was delicious, cheap is not (a salmon soup and a plate of salmon with potatoes and vegetables cost about € 22). Here we give you our recommendations of 8 restaurants to eat in Helsinki.

5. Surely from there you can see a curious fountain with the statue of a naked girl surrounded by 4 sea lions: it is Havis Amanda. It has become one of the symbols of the Finnish capital, although it was not always accepted: after its inauguration in 1908, it had to be withdrawn because the people of that time saw it as an overly provocative figure.

6. There he is born Esplanadi Park, a small but nice green corner in the center of the city. If the day accompanies, a good way to relax is by taking a walk here. And if it is to lower the meal, better than better 😉

7. Walk the Aleksanterinkatu street, full of shops, restaurants and cafes. It is one of the commercial vertebrae of Helsinki. At the end of it is the monument of the three smiths, which you can also see (but in a different pose) at the next point ...

8.… If you travel with children there is a plan that they will love: we talk about Linnanmäki Amusement Park. Admission and some attractions are free (you can see them here), and if you want to go up to all the attractions unlimited there is a bracelet that costs € 42. We found the park very complete and larger than expected. And yes, there are the three smiths, but in this case they are taking a break eating ice cream.

9. Do you like bookstores? Then come to know the Oodi Library, which is located in a curious building of steel, glass and wood.

10. Take an excursion to the nearby Suomenlinna Island, just 15 minutes by ferry from Helsinki Market Square. It is an island-fortress built by the Swedes to defend against Russian attacks, although it fell in 1808. Once there you can take a walk following the “blue route” (as soon as you arrive on the island you can get a free map that he indicates it) and to know the buildings of this fortress, which also served as a prison. In addition, there are areas to lie on the banks of the Baltic Sea, improvise a picnic or even enjoy a small beach. The ferry ticket is only worth € 5 i / v (included in the Helsinki Card or in the daily transport ticket). For us it is one of the best things to see and do in Helsinki.

11. There is another park, this much closer to the center, where you can take a quiet walk. Is he Sibelius Park, dedicated to Jean Sibelius, considered the best Finnish composer of all time and a very dear figure. You can visit the Sibelius Monument, a sculpture of 600 metal tubes that supposedly generates sound with the breath of the wind, next to the bust of the composer. And later you will arrive at al Regatta coffee, one of the most photogenic sites in Helsinki. It is a small traditional wooden cabin painted red, with gardens and terraces with beautiful views. Try a hot chocolate and / or the delicious cinnamon sticks so typical of that area, the korvapusti. Curiosity: in the past it was a fisherman's cabin.

12. The central Station from the city, the Rautatientori Station, we thought it was a real jewel of Art Nouveau (with a Soviet touch). What most attracts attention is the entrance, with 4 large statues with a challenging look (ok, that can be a literary license). But that they are big and beautiful is true.

13. Take advantage that Helsinki is surrounded by water to enjoy a cruise through its canals and islands. They leave from the port of the Market Square and last approximately 1.5 hours. You can buy your ticket right there or book it online.

14. A very curious church is that of Temppeliaukion Kirkko (Yes, the name is unpronounceable, so better call her the Rock Church). As you could guess, its rarity is that it is excavated in the same rock. Although you can not imagine a dark and dark cave, its ceiling is a glass dome that passes natural light. If you are in Helsinki on a Wednesday afternoon, it's free! Otherwise, the ticket is worth € 3. Eye: closes at 5pm.

15. And what about the Chapel of Silence? This chapel, with an avant-garde wooden design in a square in the center of Helsinki, opened in 2012 with the idea of ​​being a place of peace and recollection, regardless of religions (although look where, inside there is a huge cross ). In the entrance hall there are social workers willing to help those who need it. With 300,000 visits a year, it is one of the essential places to visit in Helsinki, although it has left us somewhat cold. We assume that more than a tourist attraction, it is a place for more spiritual use.

16. If you like art you have to know the Ateneum Museum, specialized in Scandinavian and classical art. Did you know that the museum acquired a painting by Van Gogh for 4 dollars? In fact it is the first museum in toooodo the world that exhibited a work by the Dutch artist. Admission is not very cheap (as usual in Helsinki :-P): it costs € 17.

17. Another museum that art lovers will like, in this contemporary case, is the Kiasma. Colorful, bold and very original. Entering costs about € 15. Other options are the Ham (Helsinki Art Museum), or the most recent Amos Rex, also of contemporary and modern art, with very peculiar facilities. As you can see, if something is not missing in Helsinki they are museums!

18. On the other hand, if art you prefer history, we recommend you go through the National Museum of Finland, where you will learn more about the history of the country (and a few curiosities about Finland and the Finns). For example ... did you know that they were under Swedish rule for about 600 years and that Swedish is still the official language today?

19. That Swedish is an official language, you will have noticed if you use the tram (announce stops in both languages) or if you look at the name of the streets (written in Finnish first and then in Swedish). But those animals that there are in some corners next to the street signs? It is how apples were known in the past to make things easier and, as the guide told us, some old people still use it: "see you between Rabbit and Leon ..."

20. A neighborhood that we found very interesting was the Puu-Vallila, known as the wooden house district. We stayed there and loved its ambientillo. Formerly it was a somewhat depressed area, of low class people, but little by little it has become fashionable and today it is a very sought-after neighborhood. And be careful because in a few years, the nearby neighborhood of old factories Konepaja he will petar! Right now you can come and have a beer at the Konepaja Biergarten (although it is not too cheap). Another trendy neighborhood in Helsinki responds to the name of Töölö, full of restaurants, cafes and restaurants Molones.

21. There are two things that Finns love above all: one is the karaoke and the other is the sauna (in fact the word "sauna" derives from Finnish). In a country with 5 million inhabitants there are 3 million saunas! I don't know, it seems false, but what is true is that you can find saunas in the rarest places: in the Burger King from Mannerheimintie you can rent a sauna for 15 people, and if you look closely, in the city ​​ferris wheel you will see a somewhat special cabin ... guess what it is? The prices of these saunas are masks (about € 250), but there are other recommended and cheaper sites: the Löyly Helsinki (for about 19 euros you will have access to the sauna) and the historic Kotiharjun which hosts sauna sessions since 1928 (the price is € 10).

22. You can complete your health treatment with a dip in the Allas Sea Pool pools. If you don't mind risking hypothermia, bathe in the pool that brings the Baltic Sea water, with beautiful views of the harbor. It has another pool with a little more pleasant temperature, in addition the complex also has a sauna. Entering costs € 14, and for us it is one of the best things to do in Helsinki. Here you have more information.

23. If you want to become a true Finn (well, or at least live a local experience), then go see a ice hockey match. Here this sport is a serious thing, and there are teams with more than 100 years old. The season of the SM-liiga (the most important Finnish league, although there are several divisions) goes from mid-September to mid-March, if your visit coincides on these dates, do not think about it! The local teams are: HIFK (the oldest in Finland), the Jokerit and the Karhu-Kissat.

24. The Kallio Church It is an immense granite tower that is more like Stalin's seven sisters in Moscow than a true Lutheran church. Although it is not one of the prettiest and most attractive you have ever seen, it is possible that what happens to us will happen: you will see it a lot of times sticking out of the Helsinki skyline and you will wonder what the nose is ... Well, doubt resolved 😉

25. Do you have several days of time? Then plant some excursion interesting! These are our favorites:

• Tallinn: the capital of Estonia is, for many, the great jewel of the Baltic, and considering that it is only two hours by ferry from Helsinki, it is no madness to take a day trip! Here you can book your round trip ticket.
• St. Petersburg: the Russian city is a ferry away, yes ... somewhat longer (it takes an entire night to arrive). We tell you our experience here (pending).
• Porvoo: It is one of the oldest cities in Finland and has charming wooden houses and a beautiful historical center. You can make the reservation here.
• Nuuksio National Park: to get into nature and learn more about native plants and animals. Reserve your place here.

Here you have a map with the location of everything you have to see and do on your visit to Helsinki:

Do you know more things to see and do in Helsinki?

Video: 12 THINGS TO DO IN HELSINKI. Guide to Finland's Capital (April 2024).