Helsinki is Finland’s capital as well as the country’s largest city. It is located on a granite peninsula overlooking the Baltic Sea on the north shore of the Gulf of Finland.
Helsinki is a young, modern capital with a strong art and music culture, despite its modest population (less than 1 million people) and lack of popularity compared to Stockholm or Copenhagen. It’s jam-packed with museums, cafes, and greenery. Because the city is compact, you can easily accomplish most of your sightseeing on foot. The best part is that Helsinki attracts a fraction of the visitors that other Scandinavian capitals do.
Begin your day at Senate Square.
Start your city break at Senate Square, where you can see grand cathedrals and Carl Ludvig Engel’s 19th-century neoclassical structures. Outside Helsinki Central Railway Station, a granite transport hub flanked by colossal monuments, photographers congregate frequently. Enjoy vistas of pastel-colored Art Nouveau and Art Deco buildings as you stroll through the upscale Eira district.
Sibelius Park is home to some of the most iconic works of art.
Sibelius Park, in the city of Töölö, is a small city park with a view of the Baltic Sea. Its centerpiece, an abstract monument constructed by Eila Hiltunen in 1967, is named after famed composer Jean Sibelius. The sculpture, called Passio Musicae, is made up of over 600 steel pipes that have been welded together to form a gigantic organ. Next to the towering artwork, you can observe a bust of Sibelius.
In Helsinki’s Design District, you may shop.
More than 200 buildings make up Helsinki’s Design District, which includes everything from fashion boutiques, furniture shops, and jewelry workshops to designer studios, museums, and art galleries. Shoppers may spend the day looking at Finnish companies like Marimekko, Lumi Accessories, and Vietto, while art and design enthusiasts can visit the Design Museum and the Museum of Finnish Architecture. The district is accessible through the Helsinki tram, which stops at Johanneskyrkan.
Temppeliaukio is a must-see.
Temppeliaukio is unique among European churches in that it is half underground and was mined from natural bedrock. The Rock Church, located 700 meters southwest of the National Museum of Finland, has a central copper dome with a circular skylight and an Ice Age altarpiece cut out of rock. The cost of admission to Temppeliaukio is roughly €3, although the Sunday morning services are free.
Eat herring from the Baltic Sea.
Along with reindeer, salmon, and rye bread, Baltic herring is a basic ingredient in many traditional Finnish meals. Helsinki is recognized for holding the Baltic Herring Fair, which has been held in October every year since 1743 due to its proximity to the Baltic Sea. Marinated herring is widely available in city markets and is frequently consumed as a snack. Order silli e mäti, which comprises new potatoes paired with herring and fresh dill, for a more full dinner.
