The capital of the northern Russian neighbor Finland cannot be called too bright and distinctive. On the contrary, Helsinki is famous for its modest Scandinavian landscapes, and St. Petersburg tourists visiting the city sights often catch themselves thinking that they have never left home - the same northern architecture, temples, wide squares and palaces against the background of the cold Baltic Sea. But the Finnish capital has no shortage of guests. Local guides never stop answering the question of what to see in Helsinki.
The best time to come to Finland is at Christmas, when the country remembers that Santa was born in the snowy expanses of Lapland. During the New Year holidays, Helsinki becomes especially beautiful, and the Christmas markets and lush illumination turn it into an illustration for an old book of fairy tales.
TOP 10 attractions in Helsinki
Suomenlinna
The fortress on the islands near the capital of Finland is sometimes called Finnish or Swedish. In the first case, it sounds like "Suomenlinna", and in the second - like "Sveaborg". The bastions were built in the middle of the 18th century on seven rocky islands - the Wolf Skerries. The fortifications served to protect Helsingfors (as the Swedes call Helsinki) from the sea. Some confusion in the names for the Russian tourist was due to the fact that the current capital of the country until 1809 was part of the Swedish kingdom.
On the island of Kustaanmiekka, tourists can look at the bastions with preserved weapons, on Susisaari - get acquainted with the expositions of the customs and submarine museums, and on Iso-Mustasaari, visit the church, the fortress museum and the main pier.
Interesting fact: petty criminals serving time in prison on one of the islands are looking after the UNESCO-listed Helsinki landmark.
Reach: by HKL ferries from Kauppatori Square throughout the year or by waterbus from Kolera-allas from May to September. The ticket price is 5 euros.
Market Square
Unlike most market squares in the east or in the Arab countries, Kauppatori in Helsinki is quiet and calm. Only on weekends, when the fish market opens, is there a liveliness here. On weekdays, the shopping area is suitable for leisurely walks and exploring the sights of Helsinki located on it:
- The Presidential Palace faces the Market Square.
- Kauppatori is adjacent to the Esplanadi Park.
- The bronze fountain "Sea Nymph", installed on the square in 1908, is called the symbol of the capital of Finland.
- The obelisk in honor of the visit to Finland of the Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, which appeared in 1835 and was dismantled after the country gained independence, was re-installed in the 70s of the last century.
Kauppatori has the richest selection of souvenirs in the capital. You can look at the classic works of the masters of Helsinki and buy not only traditional magnets, but also hand-knitted woolen goods for your friends.
To get there: tram N 3T to the stop. Eteläranta.
Senate square
Visiting this part of Helsinki for the first time, a fan of St. Petersburg architecture invariably feels pleasant excitement. Senate Square in the capital of Finland subtly resembles the corners of St. Petersburg, because it was being built up at the time when the country of Suomi became part of the Russian Empire.
The chief architect of the Senate Square is the German Karl Ludwig Engel, who preferred to work in the classicism and empire styles. Engel is the author of projects for the most significant buildings of the Senate Square and Helsinki: Nicholas Cathedral, the Moscow University and the Presidential Palace.
Every day at 17.49 the square begins to "sing": the composition performed by the cathedral bells, organ and chimes, sounds in any weather, weekdays and holidays. The stairs leading to the temple serve as benches for spectators on days when concerts are organized in the square.
To get there: Helsinki metro, st. "Kaisaniemi", trams N1, 1A, 7A and 7B.
Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
The Cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland is located on Senate Square. Its construction took place at the same time as the construction of St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg, and the temples have some common features and designs.
The cathedral was inaugurated in February 1852 and dedicated to Saint Nicholas, the heavenly patron of the then reigning Emperor Nicholas I.
After Finland gained independence, the temple was renamed Suurkirkko, which means "big church", and then began to be called the Helsinki Cathedral.
Assumption Cathedral
The ideal location of the Assumption Cathedral, towering on a high cliff, makes the most beautiful temple of the Finnish capital the hallmark of the city. Anyone who arrives in Helsinki by sea can admire the magnificent outlines of the church, built in the middle of the 19th century by the architect Gornostaev. The temple was consecrated in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos.
The neo-Byzantine style of the cathedral is manifested in the central location of the main dome, the modestness of the interior and the relative splendor of the outer framing. The Cathedral of the Assumption of Helsinki architecturally dominates not only the Katajanokka quarter, but over the entire city and is the largest Orthodox church in Northern and Western Europe.
To get there: tram N 4 to the stop. Ritarihuone.
Open for visits: from 10 am to 3 pm on Sat. and sunday., from 9.30 to 19 - from Tue. on Fri. Day off - Mon.
Church in the rock
You can see an unusual temple building in Helsinki. The design of the Temppeliaukio Church, carved into the rock, differs significantly from those familiar to the European eye.
The church was erected in the middle of the last century in a very original way. The architects chose rock as the material, and a directional explosion served as the construction method. The resulting huge funnel was simply covered with a dome.
In the evenings, the temple looks especially unusual thanks to the illumination, and during the day two hundred windows allow light to literally flood the interior. The special acoustics of Temppeliaukio make organ and classical concerts ideal. Mass singing with the participation of parishioners in the Rock Church is also practiced during the liturgies.
Winter Garden
A wonderful green oasis appeared in the Finnish capital more than a hundred years ago. The greenhouse was created by General Jakob Lindfors, and the author of the project was the architect Karl Gustav Nürström.
The first visitors came to the glass-roofed garden in 1893 and since then it has become a favorite meeting and strolling place in Helsinki. The greenhouse is especially popular in winter, when more than 200 species of exotic plants allow you to travel to the tropics and enjoy the blooming splendor on the long polar night.
The greenhouse hosts themed plant exhibitions, and the seasonal decoration allows you to admire the Christmas poinsettias, May lilies of the valley and hyacinths that appear in the earliest spring.
The paradise picture is complemented by decorative carps living in the fountain pool, and colorful parrots in spacious open-air cages.
To get there: bus. N40, 42, 63, 231, 363 or by tram 3T.
The entrance is free.
Sea life
The Finnish capital's maritime center is the perfect place to spend a day off with the whole family. Fifty aquariums with dozens of species of marine fauna and flora will help you dive into the underwater kingdom. A glass tunnel, laid under a huge pool with sharks, makes you feel like on the seabed in the most literal sense.
Among the inhabitants of the aquarium there are not only predators, but also cute bright fish found on coral reefs, herring, jellyfish, seahorses and stingrays.
Ticket prices: 16.50 and 12.50 for adults and children, respectively.
Amusement park
The Finns who love entertainment did not miss the opportunity to pamper themselves and built in their capital the best amusement park in Scandinavia, in their opinion. Linnanmaki opened in the very center of Helsinki, and every young resident of the Finnish capital will name its address without hesitation.
More than four dozen attractions, the most famous of which is the wooden roller coaster, are able to satisfy the thirst of adrenaline for adventure lovers of all ages. The oldest attraction is the carousel, built at the end of the 19th century and still working flawlessly for every new generation of young Helsinki residents.
Popular entertainments for visitors to Linnanmäki Park are the Raketa, which instantly launches passengers into a flight over the 60-meter-high tower, the Fire Sleigh and Fast Train slides, a rafting track, and the Panorama Tower. The observation deck at Panorama is not the only one from where you can see Helsinki at a glance. The capital can also be viewed from a 35-meter-high Ferris wheel.
To get there: trams N 3B, 3T and 8, bus N 23.
Ticket price: from 30 euros.
Korkeasaari Zoo
The zoological garden of the Finnish capital was one of the first in Europe. It is located on the island of Korkeasaari and invites its visitors to get acquainted with hundreds of animal species and thousands of plants.
The territory of the Helsinki Zoo is divided into several zones representing different climatic zones. At the zoo, you will meet Finnish bears and Amazonian anacondas, Australian marsupials and North American birds. South America is represented by sloths, Africa by lion pride, and Southeast Asia by primates.
After a long walk, you will be invited to recharge your batteries in a restaurant and cafe on the territory of Korkeasaari. A wide range of zoo-themed souvenirs are available in shops and shops.
To get there: by bus N11 from the central railway station. In summer there is a ferry to the island.
Ticket prices: 12 and 6 euros per adult and child, respectively.
