With its stunning landscape facing the sea, world renowned design, architectural variety, and delish Nordic cuisine, there is no denying that Helsinki gives nothing but sheer delight to both its locals and visitors.
If you have always dreamed of embarking on a holiday on the capital of Finland, you can brace yourself to be welcomed into a place like no other. Below are the best things that make Helsinki popular across the globe.
Summary
Kickoff Your Holiday at Senate Square
The Senate Square is the best stop to kickoff your city break. While here, don’t miss the chance to drop by at Carl Ludvig Engel’s 19th century neoclassical buildings and grand cathedrals.
Photographers love to gather right outside the Helsinki Central Railway Station where monumental statues surround the granite transport hub. Go for a stroll around the upmarket Eira district to feast your eyes on pastel-colored Art Deco and Art Nouveau buildings.
Be in Awe of Sibelius Park’s Memorable Art
Located in Töölö, Sibelius Park is a quite small city park that overlooks the Baltic Sea. With its name inspired by the famous composer Jean Sibelius, the park’s centerpiece is the abstract monument that was designed in 1967 by Eila Hiltunen.
This sculpture is called Passio Musicae. There are more than 600 steel pipes that were wielded together to create a massive organ. Sibelius’ bust can also be seen right beside this lofty art installation.
Stop By at Helsinki Cathedral
Dating as far back as the mid-19th century, Helsinki Cathedral has remained to be one of the most impressive landmarks of the city ever since it was built. Nestled on the northern tip of Senate Square, the Lutheran cathedral stands tall with its all-white neoclassical façade complemented by five green domes.
The roof of the cathedral is also decorated with the statues of the 12 apostles. The worship hall of the cathedral hosts prayers during weekdays and services during weekends. If you happen to visit during summer, make sure you check out art exhibitions offered for free at Café Krypta that can be found right inside the cathedral crypt.
See Temppeliaukio with Your Own Two Eyes
Temppeliaukio sets itself apart from most of the European churches because of the fact that this is partially underground as this was quarried out of the natural bedrock.
Situated 700 meters on the southwest of National Museum of Finland, this Rock Church boasts of the central copper dome that has a circular skylight as well as an altarpiece carved out of a rock that dates back to Ice Age era. While there is a small fee to pay to enter Temppeliaukio, you can attend the Sunday morning services for free.
Enjoy a Peaceful Time at Kamppi Chapel of Silence
Kamppi Chapel of Silence is a one of a kind wooden building that is the best place to be if you want to bask in some peaceful time away from the hustles and bustles of the city.
With a location that is only a short distance away from Kamppi Shopping Center and Esplanadi Park, the chapel has thick wooden walls that block out the noises from the outside, making the place popular for prayer meetings and meditation. You can enter the chapel for free but cameras are not allowed within its premises.
Hop on a Ferry to Suomenlinna Fortress
The islet of Suomenlinna can only be accessed by riding a ferry for 15 minutes from Helsinki’s Kauppatori or Market Square. This is where you will find the fortress of the same name that dates back to mid-18th century and visit several museums to learn about the military history of Finland. You can explore the courtyards, jetty barracks, and dry dock all by yourself or pay a fee for a guided tour for an hour.
The Suomenlinna Museum is a must-visit as this showcases interesting exhibits regarding the preservation and history of the fortress. Families will also surely love the huge collection of teddy bears and antique dolls in the Toy Museum that is exclusively open during summer months.
Go on a Shopping Spree in Helsinki’s Design District
There are over 200 buildings that make up Helsinki’s Design District ranging from jewelry workshops, furniture shops, and fashion boutiques to art galleries, museums, and designer studios.
Shoppers will also have a fun time as they peruse Finnish brands including Vietto, Lumi Accessories, and Marimekko while fans of design and love can visit the Museum of Finnish Architecture and the Design Museum. You just need to ride the Helsinki tram and get off at Johanneskyrkan to reach the district.
Grab Some Snacks at Kauppatori or Market Square
The Market Square or Kauppatori is famous for its food-centric marketplace occupying a 19th-century building that overlook the city’s South Harbor. This is where you can enjoy visiting the different food stalls for coffee, meat pies, and fried fish.
Hongiston leipämyymälä is one of the oldest bread shops in the market that has been in business since 1903 serving a rich variety of buns, pies, tarts, and cakes. Locals usually go to the Market Square in the morning to buy fresh produce, cured meats, seafood, cheese, and jams.
Pamper Yourself at a Sauna
The sauna culture of Helsinki is in full blast as locals believe that it brings health benefits like offering relief from stress and curing insomnia. Since public saunas are gender-aggregated such as Kotiharjun Sauna, most people are not concerned about getting naked although those who don’t feel comfortable are allowed to use towels.
One common practice at this saunas is where the skin is whipped gently using a leafy silver birch or vihta that helps improve the body’s blood circulation.
Cap Off Your Day at a Heavy Metal Bar
Helsinki is famous for its heavy metal scene as dozens of bars host gigs almost all week long. The Tuska Open Air Festival of the city that is often held during June or July never fails to attract fans of hardcore metal from different corners of the globe since 1978. If you weren’t lucky enough to be in town during this yearly event, all you have to do is go to Helsinki’s Kallio district for a night of rocking away with heavy metal and drinking beers.