The geographical position of the capital of Finland, its small distance from the borders with Russia allow you to travel to the country in a short period of time. At the same time, the question of what to see in Helsinki in one day becomes important, combining a variety of shopping with an acquaintance with the sights of the city. You can make a plan for exploring the city by examining the proposed list of its attractions.
How to get from the airport to the center
Helsinki Airport is located in the small town of Vantaa, 20 km from the capital of Finland. It began its work more than 50 years ago, serving as a hub. This is an important point for transferring passengers, servicing a large number of flights for various purposes, using modern air navigation equipment. It organizes a comfortable delivery of passengers from the arrival sector to the departure sector.
Numerous service departments operate on the territory of the hub. It is always possible to book a taxi to travel to Helsinki. You can drive along Tuusula Highway (45th Highway), Keha Highway (50th Highway) following convenient signs. Travel to the city can be done by buses 615, 15A, tram 3T (ticket price 6 €, travel time about 15 minutes). Departure points are stops at the railway station, bus station located in the Kamppi mall.
Bus station, Kamppi shopping center
The multifunctional complex successfully combines the working conditions of a shopping center and a transport terminal. It arose in 2006, using the building of the old bus station of the city. Thanks to an interesting engineering idea, a landmark of the capital appeared, including an intercity transport terminal, 150 stores for various purposes, living quarters, halls for consumer services, and communication with the metro.
The indisputable advantage of the microdistrict is its location near the railway station. The bus terminal with 35 platforms is located on levels E, K (ground floor of the building). There is also a waiting room, a left-luggage office, toilets, ticket offices, parking for private cars. The seat can be booked at the airport. There are six floors of the mall for shopping. And from the equipped terrace of the night club, you can admire the beauty of the night city for a long time.
Bus station, shopping center address: Urho Kekkosen katu 1.
Kamppi Chapel of Silence
An unusual chapel made of wood according to the requirements of a unique design project appeared in the center of the capital in 2012. Being in a noisy place in the city center, the interior of the building is an example of silence and tranquility. The chapel does not hold the usual church activities such as funerals and baptisms. Only daily prayers, which you can get acquainted with every day from morning to evening (surrounded by unusual finishes from black finishes, furniture from beautiful ash), are distributed in a hall filled with unusual silence.
The façade of the chapel is made in the shape of an egg from curved spruce laths. The design solution with unusual harmony, ergonomics of the external and internal appearance of the chapel creates conditions for solitary meetings, peace, relaxation in the busiest part of the city. You can enter the chapel through a glass base on Narinkkatori Square.
Admission is free from 7 am to 8 pm. Chapel address: Simonkatu, Helsinki.
Esplanade Park
Helsinki is one of the beautiful, green cities in the northern regions of the planet. On its territory there are over 50 parks, established in different historical periods of the capital. One of them is the Esplanade linden park in the city center (Kaartinkaupunki district), founded in 1830 by the idea of the city's architect. Walking in the park, you can relax in an old restaurant, visit the summer theater "Espa". It contains several monuments to famous writers (the author of the Finnish anthem J.L. Runeberg), fountains.
Among them is the Havis Amanda fountain, recognized as the symbol of Helsinki. It was erected in 1908 in the form of a bronze figure of a girl. The park has long become a favorite place for city residents who come here for recreation and walks. It is often compared to the Champs Elysees in Paris. The territory of the park is located near the embankment, pier, Market Square, Swedish Theater, Ferris wheel. This increases the urge to take a walk in the park.
Esplanade address: Eteläesplanadi-Pohjoisesplanadi.
Market Square
The hectic life in a calm, quiet place of the city begins on weekends. The square is filled with a large number of merchants, people who have come for bargain purchases. Moreover, trade takes place on the seaside in a picturesque place in Finland. The façade of the presidential palace, the mysterious port, the famous bronze fountain called the "Sea Nymph", the obelisk of the majestic empress with a two-headed eagle look at the square.
A visit to the Market Square during the herring fair, the Christmas market, called the Christmas Market, is considered a real stroke of luck. On the first Fridays of the month, you can see rare American cars on the square and take part in an interesting marathon. The market offers knitwear with northern patterns of ethnic origin, loved by locals and guests of the capital.
There is a real sea of souvenirs here and you can buy them profitably using trade techniques. It is necessary to wander around the market carefully, preventing an unexpected attack by brave seagulls.
Market Square address: Kauppatori. It is easy to get to the square by tram 3T, stop Eteläranta.
Senate square
The appearance of the central square of the capital was formed in the 19th century. The classical architectural style of the ensemble resembles the square of St. Petersburg. Almost all the buildings surrounding the square were erected under the guidance of the German architect Engel, who lived for a long time in St. Petersburg and Tallinn. Around the square there are a large number of interesting buildings for academic, church, municipal institutions. The main decoration of the square is the Cathedral.
Every day, the melody of its bells and chimes sounds over the square at 17.49. Due to the snow-white color of its columns, Helsinki is often called the "White Capital of Finland". In the center of the square rises a statue of Alexander II, surrounded by figures depicting Law, Light, Labor. Thanks to his reforms, Finland became autonomous. Festive performances and concerts are often held on the square. At this time, the famous staircase leading to the church becomes an amphitheater.
Assumption Cathedral
The majestic dark red building with green domes attracts the attention of tourists sailing to the southern harbor of the capital. Together with the snow-white Cathedral, the skyline of the capital is adorned with an Orthodox church, erected around 1868 in honor of the Dormition of the Most Holy Theotokos. The cathedral is crowned with spiers and domes (there are only 13 of them according to the number of apostles), a bell tower.
The miraculous icons are considered to be the shrines of the temple. Among them is the icon "Our Lady of Kozelshchanskaya", returned to the temple after the theft in 2010. Unfortunately, the icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, stolen in the afternoon in 2017, has not yet been found. The interior of the temple features a number of interesting chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. Currently, the residence of the archbishop of the capital of Finland is hosting events that are available for visiting. It is one of the largest Orthodox churches in Northern and Western Europe.
Cathedral address: Helsinki, st. Kanavakatu, 1. From Tuesday to Friday, the visit is possible from 9.30 to 19. On weekends, the cathedral is open from 10 to 15 hours. You can get there by trams No. 4, 4T. Get off at the Ritariuone stop.
Ferris wheel at Allas terrace
A popular attraction of the city was built on the site of the port terminal of Cape Katajanokka. Its height is 50 m, which is higher than the houses of the city and the Ferris wheel located in the Linnanmäki park in Finland. From the highest vantage point on the wheel, you can see the entire city of Helsinki. 300 people can admire its beauty at the same time. They are comfortably housed in white and blue cabins, made in the form of antique gondolas, equipped with heating and air conditioning.
The duration of the journey on the wheel is (three laps) 15 minutes. The ticket price is 12 € for adults and 9 € for children. There are expensive cabins on the wheel for financially wealthy people. They are given the opportunity to ride in a cabin with leather furniture, glass floor, champagne for guests.
The cost of a 30 minute journey is estimated at 200 €. There is a convenient area for recreation and picnics next to the wheel. There are also numerous café-terraces protected by glass walls. Even in windy weather until mid-October, you can relax in them, admire the beautiful views of the bay.
Attraction address: Katajanokanlaituri 2 00160. Open from 10 to 22 hours.
Main railway station
An important transport hub of the city looks like a beautiful architectural ensemble of Art Nouveau style, created by E. Saarinen in 1914. Acquaintance with any city starts from the station. Perhaps that is why the main element of the station's decoration will be remembered first of all - it is a granite arch with stone figures of strong Atlanteans with lanterns in their hands. Their images in the role of a symbol of the railway communication can often be found on billboards in the city.
The station is located in the center of the capital. All major shopping centers and attractions are within walking distance from it. Many shops, pharmacies, cafes, bank branches, premises for the provision of personal services to passengers, the tourist center are located in the station building. In the center you can buy a Helsinki card. It provides the right to free access to many attractions, travel in public transport.
This is important when walking around the city on your own in one day. The station has modern platforms for the departure of intercity trains, commuter trains, the entrance to the busiest metro station in Helsinki, Rautatientori.
Athenaeum Museum
The famous National Gallery of Fine Arts of the country is named after the goddess Athena (Atheneum), the ancient patroness of crafts and art. The halls of the old building (built around 1887) contain a collection of works from several hundred famous masters of Finland and other countries. Among the rare works are paintings by Paul Gauguin, Edgar Degas, Paul Cezanne, Francisco Goya, Chagall, Van Gogh. The exhibition is located on the third floor of the building.
The main exhibition consists of 150 pieces by 46 renowned Finnish craftsmen. The exposition called "The Treasury" contains a collection of coins, silver items, medals, weapons. The Prehistoric Finland exhibition contains archaeological finds from different periods of the country's history. Among the exhibits of the exhibition "Land and People" you can learn about the life of the Finns in a small settlement. The thematic focus of the exhibitions is constantly updated.
Located opposite the train station at Kaivokatu 2. Open from 10 am to 6 pm. The ticket price for adults is 13 €, children under 18 years old are admitted without payment.
Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma
An unusual architectural structure resembling a sail is located in the center of Helsinki, next to the Mannerheim monument. Since 1996, it houses the Museum of Contemporary Art. Its archives contain over 4 thousand original exhibits. On their basis, exhibitions are organized, permanent exhibitions have been created on all five floors of the building (25 galleries), filled with unusual emotions. This is embedded in the original interior elements, built on the relationship of light with space.
The mood of the interior changes with the direction of the incident rays, emphasizing the main goal of the project: to simulate the idea of human cognition, deep peace, used in Zen Buddhism. The word "kiasma" means "partial intersection of the optic nerves." The architectural execution of the idea is realized by the creation of numerous intersections. Inside there are many intricate staircases, passages and corridors that resemble narrow labyrinths.
Address: Mannerheiminaukio, 2. Open from 10 am to 2 pm. A ticket for adults costs 15 €, children 12 €.
Temppeliaukio
The popular landmark of the city does not look like ordinary church buildings, decorated with domes, spiers, towers. Even the melodic ringing of bells is created here with the help of musical devices. The best view from the square is a glass dome based on a copper wire frame. And if you look at the church from a bird's eye view, the building will resemble the appearance of an alien flying saucer. The interior of the church is carved into a granite rock.
The walls of the hall are made of untreated granite stones, creating an extraordinary acoustic effect. The ceiling resembles a copper disc, illuminated by vertical (180 units) windows between it and the walls. Due to its acoustic properties, the operating Lutheran church often hosts concerts of organ, classical music, and metal rock. Church services are held on weekends and holidays.
Attraction address: Lutherinkatu 3. Open from 10 am to 5 pm and on a special schedule. The ticket price is 10 €.
Monument to Sibelius
An unusual structure, opened for viewing by people in 1968, resembles a majestic organ, a frozen picture of the northern lights, a slender birch grove and many other allegories determined by the imagination of the observer. They have in common a similarity to the extraordinary music of Sibellius. A famous person of legend, very popular with the Finns. It seems that the melodies created by the wind in six hundred steel pipes repeat the music created by the great composer.
No less surprising is the fact that a non-standard project was created, the main part of the complex pipe assembly process was carried out by a woman Eila Hiltunen. During its existence, rust and corrosion have not appeared on the pipe ensemble. They sing with the sounds of birds, the sea breeze, loudly echoing during storms. Next to the pipes is a sculpture of Sibelius in the form of a bronze head with a mustache, rich hair, as in the composer's young years. Locals love and appreciate the monument.
Located in Sibelius Park at Sibeliuksen puisto Mechelininkatu.
Cafe Regatta
Not far from the famous monument to Sibelius, right by the sea coast, there is a nice little building that attracts the attention of tourists. The house has standard benches and wooden tables. On the walls there are shelves filled with crockery, a samovar, and candles by analogy with a Russian wooden hut. The small windows of the crowbar offer a beautiful view of the bay.
You can admire it, taking a cozy place at the table, while enjoying delicious pastries, aromatic coffee, hot chocolate. Cinnamon rolls, traditional meat pies, are especially delicious. The atmosphere of home comfort, formed in a nautical style, comes to life in the cafe. It is allowed to bring your beloved four-legged friend to the cafe, which enhances the impression of home warmth.
In the courtyard of the cafe, there are places for a hearth with lively warmth, tables on the shore, and children's entertainment. An unexpected element of the cafe's interior is a red VAZ 2104 car, which stands in the courtyard and evokes pleasant nostalgia in the souls of tourists from Russia. The owners of the cafe can provide a boat for those who like to ride the bay.
There is a cafe at the address: Merikannontie 10. Opening hours from 10 to 23 hours.
Hotel Tori Tower and Vin Vin Wine Bar
A five-minute walk from the train station is the famous grand hotel in the city, created in the architectural style of the 20s. It is famous not only for its high-class rooms, but also for its amazing observation deck, located at an altitude of 65 m. The building is one of the first skyscrapers in Helsinki. Climbing onto the observation deck, located on the 15th floor of the hotel, you can freeze from the delight of the panoramic views of the city. Among them are the sparkling domes of the Tiled Cathedral, the historic city center, the embankment, the famous island of Suomenlinna.
An interesting fact is the opportunity to observe the sights not only from the windows of the bar, but also from the premises of the toilet rooms. You can go up to the observation deck of the hotel tower using the elevator from 14 noon. To complement your impressions of the city, visit the old Vin Vin wine bar, located in the city center. Here you can relax, talk about a beautiful city, drink a glass of selected private wine from old vintages. Among the cozy interior with upholstered furniture, you can enjoy local dishes made from organic potatoes.
The address of the wine bar is Kalevankatu 6, Yrjönkatu 26.
Hietaniemi beach
Finland cannot boast of long summers with unbearable heat, making it the # 1 destination for vacationers with tempting beaches. The water temperature in the beach area does not exceed 20, but in any weather you will definitely want to wander along the shores of the bay, to breathe in the extraordinary sea air. Especially if the beach is located in the center of the year and there are conditions for sports entertainment, recreation with children, pleasant visits to cafes, restaurants, unforgettable walks during the white nights.
There are 29 official beaches in Helsinki. Four of them stretch along the banks of the Vantaa River. Hietaniemi Beach was formed on the site of a former landfill, landfill, sand repository (called hieta).
For a long time they brought him here, getting him from the seabed. Since 1929, the local population began to use the area as a beach.
Now it is a popular place for tourists and local youth. Beach volleyball competitions are held here, there is a golf course, and concerts are held. Various activities are organized for young children in the playgrounds. The infrastructure of the recreation area includes all the usual beach amenities. The beach season lasts from June to the end of August.
Beach address: Hiekkarannantie. Admission is free from 10 am to 9 pm.
Islands
The capital of Finland is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Its territory includes a large number of islands filled with their own history and interesting places. Travel is popular with tourists and locals, and many of them are on vacation. For a long time, the main part of the islands belonged to the Finnish military department, access to them was prohibited.
At the same time, animals, flocks of birds, plants prospered quietly on the islands. Many islands have been inhabited and can tell about the life of the Finns, their traditions. Now, trams and boats run to many islands for transporting those wishing to relax on picnic areas, organized hiking trails, visiting cozy cafes and restaurants. Among them are the following islands:
Liuskasaari and Uunisaari
On the southern side of the city, at a distance of several miles from the center and no more than 100 m from the Merizatamanranta embankment, there is the interesting island of Liuskasaari. It has long been considered the birthplace of Finnish sailing. The famous sailing club HSS, equipped with classic wooden yachts, still operates here. It hosted individual competitions during the 1952 Olympic Games. The island is considered an ideal area for organizing picnics, observing the real training of athletes on modern sailing ships.
The island has a cafe, restaurant, three saunas. A roundtrip ferry ticket costs 6 €. A beautiful stone bridge connects the island with a small piece of land called Uunisaari Island. It is equipped with beach areas, picnic areas. In winter, you can use the pontoon ferry to get to the island. In summer, the hike to the island along the Kaivopuisto park embankment will take only five minutes.
Pihlayasari
Earlier on the island, located not far from the city center, there were rich villas of the well-to-do part of the population. For example, Villa Hällebo was built in 1883. Now it houses the Pihlajasaari restaurant. The island's recreation area includes a beach area, about 500 m long, a separate beach for nudists, hidden among the rocky coast.
There is a restaurant, cafe, camping. A paradise for fishermen, the brightest changing rooms, a sauna, peace and quiet create excellent conditions for relaxing on the island. Vacationers are surrounded by mowed lawns, flocks of peacefully grazing sheep and goats. You can come here by a scheduled boat departing from the embankment of the Seaport or from Ruoholahti. Navigation lasts from May to October.
Suomenlinna
The Swedish name for the island is Sveaborg. The main attraction of the island (Finland) is the fortress built by the Swedes in 1748. In 1991, as an example of European military architecture, it was included in the UNESCO lists of World Heritage Sites. The fortress is one of the largest marine defenses in the world. You can see the building along with guided tours in an hour (they run until August 31).
Another interesting attraction of the island is Vesikko or a submarine built in 1940. It is one of the exhibits of the War Museum. The island has the Pipe Cafe, housed in a beautiful wooden villa, towering on a hill. The cafe terrace offers an excellent panoramic view of the island. It is easy to get to the island from the marketplace by ferry. The ticket price is 2.5 €, which is the same as the cost of public transport.
Korkeasaari
Ferry connections to the island have been operating since 1865. This made it a popular holiday destination for locals. The flow of foreign tourists to the island was formed after the creation of a zoo on it in 1889, which became a famous world attraction. The first inhabitants in a safe refuge were brown bears, peacocks, and falcons. Combining the functions of a zoo and a botanical garden, a natural complex has been created with conditions for life, reproduction of many endangered species of animals and plants.
On an area of about 22 hectares, there are 200 species of animals (20 of them are rare, endangered), 1000 varieties of shrubs and flowers. Snow leopards, Asiatic lions, gazelles, Amur tigers, leopards, reindeer, bears, Chilean flamingos have adapted to local conditions and successfully produce offspring. You can visit the zoo at any time of the year, watching with interest how the lion cubs wallow in the snowdrifts. You can come to the island by ferry, bus, walk or ride a bike on a convenient bridge.
Island address: Mustikkamaanpolku 12.
Seurasaari
It is quite easy to plunge into the world of Finland's historical past: walk along the footbridge to the island located in the western part of the city. Here, at the end of the last century, an open-air museum was created, which houses ancient examples of rural buildings. They brought here, restored houses, windmills, saunas, stables, barns, farms from different parts of Finland. Among the buildings there are buildings of the 17th century, erected without nails. A total of 87 buildings and structures were transported to the island.
A rich collection of household items used by a peasant family 100 years ago has been collected. There are even church boats kept in barns. On them, residents went to funerals or special events, weddings. In the expositions of the museum you can see yurts made of deerskin, learn what customs and laws the northern people lived in. Popular festivities with the participation of folklore ensembles (dances, performances for children) are often held on the island.
On Easter and on the day of the summer solstice, the island sparkles with the lights of numerous bonfires.In a small church (the oldest building on the island), wedding ceremonies are held, which have become popular with newlyweds. You can visit the museum all year round from 11 am to 5 pm. The entrance ticket price is 9 €. It is easy to get there by bus number 24 from Mannerheim Avenue.
Soderscar
People come to the most extreme island of the Gulf of Finland to get an adrenaline rush from the feeling of loneliness, an unpredictable struggle with the sea element among the naked rocks polished by the sea winds. Even the bridge leading to the island is one of the most terrifying bridges in the world. But a lonely lighthouse and a small house attract attention, I want to know its history and listen to the story about the brave caretaker of an important object. What a lighthouse used to be, providing surveillance of the border with Estonia. Now the birds are in command on the island.
There is a hotel with one room in the lighthouse tower (its cost is about 50 €). Under the formidable howl of the wind, reminiscent of a sea hurricane, it is easy to imagine yourself as a lighthouse keeper. Excursions to the island take place regularly. During your stay, you can visit a cafe, a sauna. There is a balcony under the lighthouse lamp for exploring the sea. You can visit her in calm weather.
You can get to the island by ferry departing from the Market Square at 11 am. The ferry returns at 17.30.
Kaunisaari
The island is one of the most remote land areas in the Sipoo archipelago. It is a stone ridge in the open sea. It has become a popular destination for fishermen, people who want to get acquainted with the flora and rare fauna of the island. For this, a nature trail has been equipped on it, going through the interesting zones of the island. There are resting places on the island, equipped with a canopy, everything you need for a grill.
There is a restaurant. The island has equipped beaches, many nooks and crannies along the rocky shores. These are great places for fishermen, lovers of a secluded, relaxing holiday. You can get to the island by ferry from Vuasaari. The cost of a round-trip ticket is 20 €. You can get from Kotka to the place by boat.
Where to stay
The sights of Helsinki can be viewed in one day, having on the way back or during a transfer for a further trip. Tourists often use the services of one night in the city. The place of residence is determined by financial capabilities and a plan for exploring the city. Conveniently located near the railway station, airport, in a prestigious area of the city near the main attractions.
Any object of interest (for example, a market for shopping) should be within walking distance. At the same time, you need to know that if you use a private car, then it will be difficult to find a parking place. Therefore, when choosing a hotel, you need to find out the issue of parking availability, cost. Near the train station, the Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Helsinki and the Holiday Inn Helsinki City Center are of interest. In the airport area there are Break Sokos Hotel Flamingo and Hilton Helsinki Airport. On the prestigious Esplanade boulevard, this is Kämp, Hotel Haven.
If you get tired while walking around Helsinki, then the hospitable city offers a ride on an old tram. Along with tasting different types of beer, you can continue your acquaintance with the sights of the hospitable city.
