Though founded in 1550 by the Swedish King Gustavus Vasa to compete with Tallinn, the current capital of Estonia, for Baltic Sea trade, Helsinki only assumed the title as Finland’s capital in 1917, after the country declared independence. Strikingly defined by its diverse architecture, and modern ambience with a lingering hint of its past, Helsinki is a riveting city that has captured many hearts. Here are some things you absolutely have to do to make the most out of your visit to this beautiful capital.
Drop by the Market Square
The Market Square dominates the eastern expanse of central Helsinki, and can be found nestled between the south harbour and Esplanade Park. It is a familiar constant on visitor’s Helsinki agenda, and for good reason. Apart from its prime location close to the picturesque harbour, the Market Square is also flanked by a number of tourist favourites — the Presidential Palace and Uspenski Cathedral are but a stone’s throw away. Within the precinct, charming market stands neatly line the paths, offering a variety of items: Freshly-caught fish, fruit and vegetable produce, coffee and local handicrafts. Make sure to drop by the market hall, Kauppahalli, and treat yourself to an impressive selection of traditional food and drinks. The market is also home to a number of bakeries, cafés, delis and chocolatiers. Once you’ve had your fill, the ferry port right beside the square connects you to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna Fortress.
Grab a Hot Chocolate at Cafe Regatta
Undoubtedly one of the most well-known Instagram hotspots of Helsinki, Café Regatta is housed in a cosy, red wooden cabin. Surrounded by snow and perched right by a picturesque lake, it’s no wonder that tourists have journeyed far and wide to visit. Decked out in the style of a traditional wooden cottage, the café is a slice of Finnish countryside in the heart of Helsinki. The interior boasts of interesting vintage decorations, exuding a calming, rustic vibe. The café is run by a local family, and visitors can expect to treat themselves to a soul-soothing hot chocolate in the warm cabin while enjoying a small selection of freshly-baked pastries such as cinnamon rolls and blueberry pies. For the more adventurous, grab yourselves some sausages and head outside to grill them over the charming firepit.
Take a Ferry Over to Suomenlinna Fortress
Dating back to the 18th century, construction of the Suomenlinna Fortress began in 1748 and since its completion, has served three states: The Kingdom of Sweden, the Russian Empire and presently, the Republic of Finland. It remains today one of the most historically significant sites in Finland, and was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991. The island fortress is located about 4 kilometres off mainland Helsinki, and is extremely accessible: Take a 15-minute ferry ride from the terminal at Market Square, and you’re ready to spend your day exploring this impressive fortress. Visitors can drop by the visitor centre to pick up a map of the island — the suggested route of exploration, the Blue Route, has been marked down on the map and will take visitors on a 1.5 kilometre stroll through the island’s most iconic attractions. The fortress is also home to six museums, with the Suomenlinna Museum open throughout the year, and the others most commonly in the summer.
Unwind in a Sauna
The sauna culture in Finland makes up a significant slice of their tradition, and has prevailed since the period of Vikings. Revered as a place of meditative refreshment, saunas also flaunt numerous health benefits: Stress relief, improvement of blood flow, aids in weight loss, relaxes muscles and helps with insomnia. Saunas are everywhere in Finland — holding a world record of having 3.4 million saunas in the country and a population of 5.5 million, there’s a sauna for every other person. More popular saunas in Helsinki include Allas Sea Pool, which is nestled in the heart of downtown just next to the Market Square, and Löyly, which sits right by the sea, inviting visitors to jump into the Baltic should temperatures in the sauna get too hot; It’s not unusual to see others warming up in the sauna, then taking a running leap into the freezing water. In fact, it’s even part of the Finnish sauna culture.
Visit the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
A 45-minute bus ride from the Helsinki city centre will take you to Seurasaari, a beautiful island chocked full of greenery and peace. Visitors will be transported back in time to a rural setting that sits right in the cradle of urban life. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum remains the island’s main attraction: 87 historic wooden buildings have been flown from all over the country and reconstructed on site. Showcasing traditional Finnish way of life from a number of Finnish provinces, visitors can experience this for themselves by exploring the different cottages, farmsteads and manors that have been relocated from all around Finland and date back several centuries. Equal parts picturesque and whimsical, Seurasaari is also a popular spot for recreation, with locals favouring the island for picnics, jogging and outdoor family outings; It’s certainly a breath of fresh air from the busy hum of Helsinki’s downtown.
With so many activities to offer, it’s no wonder that travellers from all around the globe are flocking to this beautiful city; One visit is enough to have you hooked — you’ll be planning your next trip here even before you’ve left Helsinki.
