- Helsinki parks and gardens
- Helsinki islands
- Religious buildings
- Attractions Helsinki
- The best restaurants, cafes and bars
- Shopping lovers
- Where to go with children in Helsinki
- Note to theatergoers
The capital of Finland is considered to be a city, the tourist potential of which is rather restrained. Helsinki does not occupy the first lines in the ranking of places with first-class architectural monuments, its name does not boom in the discussions of museum admirers. And yet, the city invariably takes its place in the top ten in the world; prestigious Western publications even recommend it as one of the places on the planet where you should definitely go. In the Finnish capital, there is something to see for fans of restrained architecture, and there is a place to breathe fresh air for lovers of gardens and squares. Where should a person keen on military history go in Helsinki? Of course, to the Suomenlinna Fortress, a famous Scandinavian landmark with a rich museum exposition. If you prefer shopping to any entertainment, don't miss the shopping centers of the Finnish capital. In Helsinki you can buy very high quality clothing, shoes and ski equipment.
Helsinki parks and gardens
In the list of the greenest cities in the Old World, Helsinki occupies one of the leading positions:
- Central Park is a classic woodland with gravel paths for trekking or jogging. In places it seems rather dense, but in the center of the park you will find an indispensable sauna and a cafe where you can refresh yourself.
- In the XIX century. Kaivopuisto appeared in Helsinki, where local aristocrats loved to spend time. Now in the "Good Park", as its name is translated from Finnish, embassies of some states are located, and tennis courts are equipped for visitors. In summer, on the magnificent lawns of Kaivopuisto, you can see companies gathering for a picnic, and along the embankment of the seaside park, there are many cafes and restaurants.
- Kaisaniemi's green area usually hosts festivals, sports competitions and outdoor concerts. For tourists in the park, the Botanical Garden is of interest, where a rich collection of tropical flora is collected.
- Another greenhouse with exotic plants can be found 12 km from the center of Helsinki in the suburbs of Wicca. It is called "Gardenia" and is well known to lovers of roses, peonies and Japanese-style gardens.
You will find parks and squares in the Finnish capital at every step, and therefore active leisure and enjoyment of nature are guaranteed to any tourist.
Helsinki islands
Located on the shores of the Gulf of Finland, Helsinki is literally surrounded by large and small islands that are of interest to fans of geography, history and just active tourists. The most famous islands near Helsinki are called the Wolf Skerries. On them in the first half of the 18th century. the construction of the Sveaborg fortress began, which later became a bastion system of fortifications that defended the city from the sea.
Where else should you go by boat, water tram or boat when you are in Helsinki in the summer? Be sure to visit the Mine Island of Lonna, where the ammunition was stored. Now in the summer on Sundays, jazz concerts are held on Lonna, and in early August, the Magnesia Festival is held with yoga, dancing and meditation.
Ancient bastions, grottoes, a sand spit and a cozy bay where you can sunbathe await you on Vallisaari Island, which for many years was the domain of the military, and therefore almost unknown to the general public.
The rocky island with the Sederscher lighthouse was the inspiration for Tove Jansson, who wrote her favorite Moomin tales.
You can have a barbecue and admire the views of Helsinki from the water on Wasikkasaari Island. The backdrop for an unforgettable photo session will be the semi-abandoned Red-brick Commandant's House.
Tent camps of true lovers of wild recreation can increasingly be found on the island of Kaunissaari. Of the benefits of civilization, there are saunas and a restaurant on a piece of sushi, but you should not count on electricity.
If you are not a fan of boat trips, in Helsinki you can go to the island on foot. The Seurasaari Open Air Museum and National Park in the western part of the capital is connected to the mainland via a bridge. The island contains more than 80 unique wooden buildings typical for various regions of Finland. Folk lovers will love the craft demonstrations and folklore performances.
Religious buildings
The main Orthodox church in the Finnish capital was built in 1868. It is called the Assumption and ranks first among the Orthodox churches in Europe in terms of size. The author of the project is the architect A. M. Gornostaev, who used the traditions of Russian wooden architecture in the construction.
The largest cathedral of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland was consecrated in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of Emperor Nicholas I who reigned at the time of the construction of the temple. The green dome hovers over the Senate Square of the capital and is visible from many points of the city.
Another remarkable religious building, which is worth going on an excursion, once in Helsinki, was built in 1969. The Temppeliaukio Church is famous for the fact that its interior is carved into the rock, and the light penetrates through the glass dome. Excellent acoustics allows organ and classical music concerts to be held in the temple.
Attractions Helsinki
Among other famous attractions of the capital of Suomi, foreign tourists like the museum expositions.
The National Museum houses collections that tell about the history of the country. You can look at ancient coins and military insignia, silver and gold jewelry, weapons and tools discovered during archaeological excavations.
The Central Art Museum of Finland houses more than 20 thousand exhibits of particular value for fans of sculpture, painting and graphics. The museum is called the Athenaeum, and among the authors whose canvases are exhibited in the halls are the names of Goya, Chagall, Degas, Cezanne and Vincent van Gogh.
In the center of Kiasma, the public is invited to get acquainted with the works of modern art. To understand what is happening, it is worth taking a tour in Russian.
The best restaurants, cafes and bars
Gourmets adore Helsinki with its special attitude towards ecology and freshness of its products. In the city you can find restaurants of any price category and degree of prestige:
- Chez Dominique boasts two Michelin stars and French cuisine. Scandinavian dishes are also beyond praise.
- The harbor view is the perfect addition to the ideal menu at Palace Gourmet.
- A truly Lappi style of cooking and serving can be found at Lappi.
- The Nokka chef prefers small farms to all other food suppliers. The dishes are delicious, but the prices are moderate.
- Fresh seafood and an informal atmosphere can be found at Merimakasini.
A classic buffet will be offered to you in hundreds of establishments, but the most correct Baltic herring will be at Sundmans Krog.
Shopping lovers
Popular shopping centers, markets and shops in Helsinki are located in the city center. Check out Aleksanterinkatu Street for the latest fashion brands, Esplanade Boulevard with amazing home goods stores and flea markets if you're crazy about vintage items:
- The Stockmann department store in Helsinki is able to amaze even the most notorious shopaholic with its diversity and scale. There is absolutely everything on seven floors - from carpets to clocks. Stockmann sales start on December 25th and in the second half of June.
- The old covered market in Helsinki is a must see for an antique collector. On its counters you will find furs and brooches, rare dishes, furniture and watches. The market also offers delicious delicacies and handicrafts from Finnish craftsmen.
- Hietalahti Square is full of life all year round. In the very center of the city, seven days a week, there is a flea market that sells both expensive antiques and just excellent quality second-hand things. In the Hietalahti market, you can find old books, gramophone records, porcelain tea pairs, fine handmade lace and children's toys.
- Another interesting bazaar to go to in Helsinki is open on weekends at the Ice Stadium. The arena, given to fans of vintage, will delight you with the opportunity to acquire things like which “they don’t do now”.
It is best to buy products in the Finnish capital from the well-known chains Alepa, K-market, Siwa, Prizma, Lidl and S-market.
Where to go with children in Helsinki
The younger generation in the Finnish capital will not be bored with a creative approach to the organization of children's leisure. Young naturalists will enjoy going to the zoo, where in winter you can see polar owls, bears and foxes, as well as quite thermophilic animals. In the Linnanmäki amusement park, dozens of different devices are waiting for children and their parents to make their rest bright and rich. The aquarium in the center of Sea Life will delight you with an abundance of colorful and exotic underwater inhabitants, and in the "Lego Show" every little builder will be able to bring to life the most daring project.
Note to theatergoers
About two dozen theaters are open in the Finnish capital, and the repertoire of each troupe is able to impress a fan of opera, drama or ballet.
Music and ballet companies perform at the Alexandrovsky Theater. Drama and performances for children are often staged at the Helsinki City Theater. You can go to a puppet show at Sampo, where up to 300 performances are played annually. Opera fans have the opportunity to enjoy the singing of the golden voices of the world in two halls of the National Opera. Experimental dramatic projects are most often presented at the Finnish National Theater on Rautatientori Square.
