When we talk about traveling to Europe, we usually have in mind the main countries of the continent, where we find the main tourist attractions, the most famous ones, and we end up forgetting other surprising countries to visit.
One such place is Finland, a Northern European country with a very rich culture!
With that in mind, Happy Tours brought some topics to talk about Helsinki, the Finnish capital, showing its main points, talking a little about the architecture, culture, which places to eat and where to stay! To understand and venture further into this country, continue with us and enjoy the reading!
Where is Helsinki anyway?
Helsinki, also written as Helsinki, is the capital of Finland. The city was founded in 1550 and is one of the largest cities in the country. Because Finland was annexed by the Russian government, Russia moved the capital from Turku to Helsinki, in order to reduce Swedish influence in the country and bring it closer to its own.
By gaining a certain autonomy for its governance with the presence of a Grand Duchy, a head of state, the country began to evolve more and more. Thus, the city began to adopt a neoclassical style of architecture, resembling St. Petersburg in Russia.
Another change in its architecture occurred during the Second World War, because of the attacks suffered, the city suffered a lot from the destruction, needing to rebuild, so the capital began to house several styles of buildings, complementing even more its history.
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What to do and see in Helsinki?
Now that you understand a bit about the history of the country, check out its main attractions and start creating your newest travel itinerary!
1. Helsinki Cathedral
The cathedral is one of the main postcards of the country, known worldwide. It is a Lutheran church and, because the territory had great Russian influence, it is a tribute to Tsar Nicholas I of Russia.
It was built between the years 1830 and 1852, and you can find this neoclassical style construction in the center of the city, at Senado Square. Oh, and don't forget to take a look inside, it's beautiful!
It also has an underground part, and you can find a cafe and, from time to time, some events there. As it is the main tourist spot, it receives more than 350,000 people annually.
2. Senate Square
When you visit the cathedral, consequently, you will already visit the square, too! But you get to see other buildings, such as the seat of the Finnish Senate, the State Council Palace, and the large University of Helsinki.
The square is gigantic, and has a beautiful monument in the center of it. Depending on the day you visit, you may come across some event, be it a concert, snowboard championships, or fairs.
3. Market Square
This is a fair that brings together the diverse sale of items and food, where you will find stalls with local crafts, fish stalls, fruits, vegetables and greens, being a great place to buy a souvenir to give someone and taste a little more of the local food.
4. Old Market
This is a famous marketplace, where you can find a huge variety of products, whether it's a cake, coffee, fish or even spices, if you look for it, you will surely find it!
The cool thing about going there is that you can learn more about the local cuisine and try new flavors, just like at Market Square.
5. Esplanadi Park
The park is an ideal walk for that warm and sunny day, with lots of trees, gardens and a good smell of the outdoors, the park is full of statues and cafes, great to enjoy all day long! In addition, there is a theater there, which you can take advantage of to see a play and enjoy a good event.
6. Finnish National Theater
The theater is also known by its local name, the Suomen Kansallisteatteri. It has an extensive cultural program, with many plays and performances.
Its external construction is all in stone, a large structure, drawing a lot of attention when you approach it. In front of the building, you will see the statue of a famous writer of the country, considered until today one of the greatest, Aleksis Kivi, famous for the book "Seven Brothers".
7. Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral
With its construction at one of the highest points in the city, it draws a lot of attention, even more so because of the red bricks, which further emphasize its grandeur.
It was founded in 1868, with its design realized by Aleksei M. Gornostajev, an architect of the Russian nobility, famous for constructions of several famous sites.
8. Helsinki SkyWheel
This Ferris wheel was built in a very strategic location to have a wide and beautiful view of the whole city, and of course, great for taking pictures!
It is close to the market square and the harbor, making for a very beautiful view. In addition, it has its cabins closed, cutting the wind and cold weather of the low temperature days, so you can enjoy it at all times of the year.
9. Island of Suomenlinna
The island is in the shape of an island-fortress, used to protect the country in times of war, with several garrisons and forts. The island has a very old church and a few museums with items, equipment, and clothing from the war periods, a great choice for connecting to the history of the country.
To get to the island there is a boat ride, which takes about 10 to 15 minutes only. The way is short, but you will enjoy every second of it.
10. Chapel of Silence
The chapel is ecumenical, meaning that it is intended for all religions, so when someone feels the need for their prayers, the place is open a good part of the day, opening daily.
It is so named precisely because people seek a place of silence, to calm down and say their prayers, - without being interrupted or judged.
What to eat in Helsinki?
The cuisine is very diverse, you can enjoy food from other regionalities or enjoy more of the local food. A very typical place in the region is Savotta Restaurant, with very Finnish dishes.
But, you can find many Italian and contemporary cuisines.
A great place to enjoy is the Regatta Café, which has delicious local food, plenty of drinks, and good coffee. Also, the entire surroundings are beautiful and perfect for photography!
Where to stay in Helsinki?
To better enjoy the city, the ideal is to stay in the center, being able to enjoy more of the nightlife, going to bars, nightclubs, and being close to the tourist attractions, of course.
However, the cost of the hotels is a little more expensive, but with a good search at the time you travel, you can find a quality place at a good price.
Or if you prefer, you can stay further away from the city and enjoy more of the moment and stay in less hectic surroundings. You can also find cheaper places to stay.
Is it worth renting a car during your stay in Helsinki?
If you are staying in the city center or further away from the city, renting a car is an indispensable step for any trip. It brings much more comfort and practicality to the day to day, without having to depend on local transportation schedules, making you plan your entire itinerary on top of these hours.
Want to venture out and see more about places in Europe? Also check it out: Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands, also known as the Netherlands.
Remember: these are just some of the places to visit in the capital, there are many other sights, many churches, museums, cafes and restaurants. A very useful tip is to take a day without anything in your schedule, just walk around the city and explore little by little, you won't regret it.
We hope you enjoyed this content and for more travel tips, - keep following the Happy Tours blog! Until next time.
