Helsinki Tourist Information

Helsinki Travel Guide

Helsinki is situated on the shore of the Gulf of Finland, near the Baltic Sea and is the capital and largest city of Finland. The city spreads around a number of bays, peninsulas, and islands. Due to its coastal location, the majority of its districts are near the seaside, making the 'Daughter of the Baltic' a popular nautical city and tourist destination.

This vibrant city is overflowing with culture and notable tourist attractions, many of which are related to the sea, including the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Suomenlinna naval fortress. Another popular area is Seurasaari Island, home to numerous scenic parks and an open-air museum.

Helsinki Tourist Attractions

One of the main Helsinki tourist attractions is Kauppatori (Market square). This famous promenade street is best visited in the mornings when it is truly colourful and lively and the best shopping can be found. Another fashionable area is Senaatintori, crowned by its magnificently designed landmark cathedral that was the vision of Carl Ludwig Engel, who also designed an impressive plan for the city centre which included several spectacular neo-classical buildings. His progressive plan was later given the nickname the 'White City of the North'.

The city is perhaps even more celebrated for its Art Nouveau buildings, many of which were designed by the architectural mastermind, Eliel Saarinen. His romantic style can be seen throughout the city and is featured in large residential areas such as Katajanokka. Undeniably, his masterpiece was the architectural gem, the Helsinki central railway station.

Culture lovers are sure to be delighted by a visit to the biggest historical museum in Helsinki, the National Museum of Finland. The museum was fabulously designed as a neo-medieval castle and exhibits a prominent collection of artefacts that date back to prehistoric times. Visitors interested in the city's 500-year-old history should tour the Helsinki City Museum.

Helsinki is definitely a sports city, gaining international recognition during the 1952 Summer Olympics. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy watching the city's two local ice hockey clubs, HIFK and Jokerit, defend their home turf. For those not interested in ice hockey, another popular spectator sport is football, with HJK being Finland's largest and most successful football club.

Transportation Around Helsinki

Helsinki is particularly popular during the summer months as the city has a few lovely and busy beaches. Hietaniemi beach is situated in the district of Töölö and is the main spot for locals and tourist who want to work on their tan or enjoy the many water sports that are on offer. Along the port of Helsiniki, visitors can experience terrific sightseeing opportunities by taking a cruise of one of the many sightseeing ferries.

Although Helsinki is a very safe place to visit, we strongly urge visitors to obtain travellers' insurance, especially if you are participating in water sports or climbing activities. A comprehensive insurance plan will protect you and your family in the event of a mishap or a medical emergency.