alled the daughter of the Baltic, Helsinki is the capital of Finland.
Located on a peninsula in Northern Europe and on 315 islands, it is a small romantic city, covered in snow part of the Wintertime. Even though the day light is short, The atmosphere is very relaxed, with people jogging and even biking in the snow.
During the summer, there are many hours of daylight and nights are very short.
1) Senaatintori (Senate Square)
It is a symbol of power and a great example of Neoclassical architecture. Take a picture in the center of the square, with the majestic Lutheran cathedral Tuomiokirkko in the backdrop. Or, even better, climb the stairs that take you to the church and give that kiss there, admiring the square from the hill.
2) Esplanadin Puisto (Esplanade Park)
Nice little park in the heart of Helsinki, it is located between two parallel ways, the North Esplanade and the South Esplanade. Sit on a bench in the park, admire the statues, then do some fine shopping on the Esplanade.
“The forest answers in the same way one shouts at it.”
3) The harbor and the Old Market Hall
Admire the beauty of the city’s harbor and its cruise ships, taste food specialties indoors in the Old Market Hall. Also check out the outdoor market.
Trinità dei Monti and Piazza di Spagna - Night.
Trinità dei Monti and Piazza di Spagna - Morning.
4) Uspenski Cathedral
Walk to this beautiful Orthodox Church, claimed to be the largest in Western Europe.
5) Sauna and SPAs
Such a tradition in Finland. In this country there are 5 million people and over 3 million saunas, an average of one per household.
Choose one of the amazing SPAs the city offers.
6) Kappeli Restaurant, café, jazz club
Taste the famous blinis with egg roe or a chocolate kiss (Neekeripusu/Pusu).
7) Soumenlinna
Fifteen minutes away by ferry, this is a quiet, romantic neighborhood in Helsinki, where many artists and artisans have their residences.
8) Sibelius Monument
Dedicated to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, this interesting sculpture is located in the Sibelius Park in Helsinki’s Töölö district.
The monument was created in 1967 by Finnish artist Heila Hiltunen, whose purpose was to capture through abstract art the essence of the composer’s music.
9) Strindberg Café or another restaurant on the Esplanade
Don’t miss salmon gravlax and other fish specialties. Try Strindberg Café on the Esplanade for a nice brunch or lunch.
10) The Aurora Borealis in Lapland: The Northern Lights
Being enchanted by the incredible Northern Lights: The experience of a lifetime, that will make your trip unforgettable and give you shivers. Not only for the cold, but especially for the incommensurable beauty of this phenomenon. Auroras occur throughout the year and it is not easy to predict exactly when is the best time to observe them, but during the Summer the very long days make the mystic lights invisible. So it is better to take advantage of the longer nights from October to March (but there are other factors to be considered, such as the weather and the clouds, that could cover the view). If you’re lucky enough to experience a night with well visible Northern lights, it’s going to be an eruption of emotions, observing one of mother nature’s most astonishing and gorgeous phenomena.
A quarter of Finland’s surface -Lapland- is over the imaginary line of the Arctic polar circle. North of that line, at least one day per year the sun never sets and at least one day per year It doesn’t rise. South of the Arctic Polar Circle, there are big changes in the hours of daylight during the different months of the year.
11) Aventine Keyhole and Giardino degli Aranci
If you want to venture a little further, take a walk around the Aventine, one of the seven ancient hills of Rome. Admire the magnificent city view from the small keyhole in the entrance door of the Institute of the Knights of Malta (Aventine Keyhole, Piazza dei Cavalieri di Malta 3). Take a stroll in the Giardino degli Aranci (Parco Savello).
