You can explore the city in sufficient detail in a short time, but you want to spend your vacation in an eventful, active and varied way.
To old Tallinn
Going for a day is a nice idea. The Estonian capital is full of medieval charm and wandering through its narrow streets is quite possible if you have a day in Helsinki free from local excursions.
The most convenient way to get to Tallinn is by ferry. The summer schedule begins in mid-June and ends in the second half of August. During this period, the first ferry departs at 10.30 and the last at 21.30. In the remaining months of the year there are only two flights per day and their schedule varies. A detailed schedule is available on the website www.vikingline.ru.
The ferry is a kind of entertainment center with live music in restaurants, bars, a sauna, nightclubs and playrooms for kids. Once you arrive in Tallinn, you can book a cabin for the night on the ferry to explore the city in detail and at your leisure.
Ancient bastions
One of the main attractions in the vicinity of the Finnish capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Suomenlinna Fortress was built in the mid-18th century to fortify eight rocky islands off the coast, called the Wolf Skerries. Five of them are connected by bridges or spits, the rest are separate. The fortress houses several museums, a naval academy and even a light-security prison, whose residents maintain order and cleanliness in Suomenlinna.
You can get to the fortress by ferries and water buses:
- Ferries depart from the pier at the capital's Market Square. The first flight is at 6.00 am and the last flight is at 2.20 am. The interval between ships is from 40 to 60 minutes, depending on the time of day. The journey takes a quarter of an hour, the price is about 5 euros. Trams 1, 1A and 2 will take tourists to the Market Square. The stop is called Kauppatori.
- In summer, you can travel to Suomenlinna by JT-Line water bus. The ticket price for it is 7 euros.
For Helsinki Card holders, visiting the fortress museums and traveling on the ferry are free. The card is sold at tourist information centers and allows you to receive benefits when using public transport and discounts at some restaurants and museum ticket offices.
City of Red Barns
Only fifty kilometers separate the capital from, and this city certainly finds itself in the zone of interest of tourists who are deciding where to go on their own from Helsinki for one day. Its calling card is the old red wooden barns on the banks of the river, against which all guests love to take pictures.
Porvoo is the oldest city in the country and its authentic atmosphere attracted Leonid Gaidai, who filmed his film “Behind the Matches” here. The old town hall has been preserved in the town and the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary is of undoubted interest for fans of Scandinavian architecture.
Even the capital of Finland, rich in attractions, can sooner or later get boring for experienced travelers. In this case, you should go to the suburbs of Helsinki for new experiences. Contemporary art and wildlife in Espoo, medieval architecture in Porvoo, Finland's most romantic park in Hämeenlinna and the landscapes of Lake Tuusula, famous by Finnish artists, we present four routes around the Finnish capital.
Routes around Helsinki
1. Espoo: Explore contemporary art and spend a night in a national park
The city of Espoo, west of Helsinki, is famous for the high standard of living of its residents. This is where the offices of the largest Finnish corporations are located. However, it is worth going to Espoo not only for a business visit, but also for cultural treasures, for example, to the Emma Museum of Contemporary Art. It presents more than two thousand works by artists from Finland and other countries. Although the museum was founded about 10 years ago, the collection began to be formed back in the 1950s, and the works of art themselves date back to the 20th and 21st centuries.
Nevertheless, the Finns themselves consider the Nuuksio National Park to be the main tourist attraction of Espoo. It is located slightly north of the city - away from the center. However, a bus goes to the park regularly (route 85 A). The southern part of Finland and especially the capital region are dotted with numerous cities, highways, railway lines and other amenities of civilization. Nuuksio Park is one of the few oases of untouched nature in this part of the country. More than 30 kilometers of hiking trails run through its territory, there are special places for overnight stays and there are areas for rock climbing. It is not surprising that the residents of Helsinki and surrounding cities enjoy visiting Nuuksio Park.
Espoo has several large department stores, malls and outlets located nearby. The most famous shopping center is Espoontori, located in the city center. In the multi-storey complex you can find almost any range of goods: electronics, food, clothing and perfumes and much more. Espoo is also home to one of two Ikea stores in the capital region. There is also a Stockmann here.
How to get there:
- By car: from Helsinki to Espoo you can take highway No. 1. Travel time is about half an hour.
- By train: Trains to Espoo depart from Helsinki Main Station every 20 to 30 minutes. Travel time is about 25 minutes.
- By bus: City buses depart from Kamppi to Espoo. Travel time is 35 minutes.
2. Tuusula: admire the sunsets over the lake and listen to the blues
A small place north of Helsinki is known throughout the country. This is one of the cultural centers of Finland, where the composer Jean Sibelius, artists Pekka Halonen and Eero Järnefelt and many others lived and worked in the 19th century. They chose one of the most picturesque corners of Southern Finland - around Lake Tuusula, on the shores of which there are both small villages and detached houses. Tourists are attracted by the untouched nature, the purity of the lake, as well as the numerous cultural events that take place in Tuusula every summer. For example, the Blues Festival at the end of June, as well as the Arts Night in August.
How to get there:
- By car: from Helsinki on road 45. Travel time is about half an hour.
- By bus: Buses leave from Helsinki to Tuusula several times a day. Travel time is 40 minutes.
3. Porvoo: walk along the route of Alexander I and drink coffee in an old barn on the river bank
50 kilometers east of Helsinki is one of the oldest cities in Finland -. The historical center located here is one of the largest in the country - more than 250 houses from different eras. A walk along the ancient cobblestone streets will transport you to Finland during the late Middle Ages and Swedish rule. Of great interest is the 15th century Cathedral, which was destroyed, restored and rebuilt many times. All significant events in the life of the temple and the city are reflected on the outer wall of the bell tower. The lower part is made of medieval stone masonry, which with every meter takes you to a later era - right up to the 18th century. Inside the cathedral there is a working organ that plays twice a week - on Wednesdays and Thursdays at noon.
The history of Finland is inextricably linked with Porvoo. It was here that Alexander I proclaimed the country's annexation to the Russian Empire. During his visit, the Russian Tsar stayed in one of the oldest buildings in the city - Porvoo Castle, which is also worth visiting.
Porvoo is located on the banks of the mouth of the Porvoonjoki River. Even under the Swedes, wooden barns were built at the very edge of the water. Today they are considered one of the symbols of the city. The barn houses cafes, restaurants, and museum exhibitions.
To the north of the historical center of the city are the fortress hills - part of the picturesque Maarin Park. These defensive structures served the ancient inhabitants of these lands back in the Iron Age. Now the paths and bridges have become a favorite place for walking, surrounded by ancient trees. In addition, it is worth visiting the Town Hall and the museum located in it, the house of the merchant Holm, the bishop's house, and also check out the local market.
How to get there:
- By car: from Helsinki along highway No. 7, from St. Petersburg along the same highway through the Torfyanovka highway.
- By bus: departures from Helsinki several times a day (sometimes every half hour). Travel time – from 1 hour.
4. Hämeenlinna: Explore the medieval castle and take a musical tour of the Sibelius Museum
An hour's drive from Helsinki is the city of Hämeenlinna with a population of 50,000. It has a long and rich history, and therefore is full of a wide variety of attractions. The most famous is the Häme fortress. It is the date of its foundation that is considered the city’s birthday. Since the end of the 13th century, this fortification has protected the eastern borders of Sweden. It was rebuilt many times to ensure that the fortress complied with the latest fortification trends of different eras. Häme lost its military significance only in the first half of the 19th century, when it was converted into a prison. Today there is a museum on its territory.
The first years of the life of the most famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius, are associated with Hämeenlinna. It was here that he was born, and the house where he grew up is now a museum. During the excursions there is usually live music: a pianist performs the best works of Sibelius.
More than 100 years ago, Aulanko Park was opened in Hämeenlinna. The green area is located between two picturesque lakes – Vanajavesi and Aulangojärvi. On the territory of the park, back in the 19th century, many gazebos, pavilions, fountains, and even a real castle, created based on the fortifications of medieval Europe, were built.
How to get there:
- By car: From Helsinki, follow highway No. 3. Travel time is about 1 hour.
- By train: A train departs from Helsinki Central Station several times a day to Hämeenlinna. Travel time – from 1 hour.
You have already thoroughly studied, let's go explore Finland further: the oldest city and former capital of Turku, the most comfortable city with the Moomin Museum Tampere, the capital of Lapland and the home of Santa Claus Rovaniemi. We tell you in detail how to get to them, where to stay and what is worth seeing there. Cool museums from the Lenin Museum to the Moomin Museum, unusual hotels, old castles, cultural hubs on the site of former factories and beautiful nature - an eventful trip is guaranteed.
Turku
Why Turku?
Founded in the 13th century at the mouth of the Auirajoki River, Turku is the oldest city in Finland and its former capital, which has a lot of Art Nouveau, many wooden houses (after all, a former part of the Russian Empire), a kind of mixture of Riga and Kostroma.
The river is the main center of attraction of the city; along it there is an embankment, parks, and piers. There are boats along the river, beautiful buildings overlook the river. There are several bridges across the river, including pedestrian ones, but the most interesting thing is a small ferry ferrying people and cyclists (Läntinen Rantakatu 47) . It's free, orange, and rolls back and forth all the time. Further from the river there is also beauty: in some places the terrain goes up a lot, you can climb higher and explore the city. One of the best views is from the observatory (Tähtitorninkatu 1) .
How to get there?
You can get to Turku by plane from, and (SAS, airBaltic, Finnair, Wizz Air). You can get here by train or bus from most large and small cities in Finland. But the most picturesque way is by ferry. It's worth noting that a budget cabin on the daily overnight Viking Line ferry from Stockholm is comparable in price to a hostel in the center of the Swedish capital. The measured hum of diesel engines, the beauty of the archipelagos and the smooth (or not so smooth, if there is a storm) rocking on the waves are included. All in all, this could be a beautiful itinerary for a great Scandinavian trip.
On Turku train station (Ratapihankatu 37) There is a luggage room (cash only), a cafe, a paid toilet and a full-wall map of the city. Turku is connected by railway to Helsinki and Tampere, and then anywhere.
A good option for an overnight stay - Forenom Aparthotel Tampere City(Hämeenkatu 28). That wonderful type of hotel where you may not meet a single living person the entire time. An hour before check-in time, a code is sent via SMS that opens the front door, the door to the floor and the door to the room. The room has dishes, iron, coffee maker, kettle, microwave and refrigerator.
Visit Tampere– Tampere tourism website.
Rovaniemi
Why Rovaniemi?
The capital of Lapland and, according to guidebooks, the home of Santa Claus. The city itself is located just 6 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle with all that it implies. In the winter season, prepare for temperatures from -15 °C and, in the summer - for the sun that never sets around the clock, which rarely warms the air above 20 °C. The most beautiful nature awaits you all year round. You can stock up on shorts yourself, and winter overalls can be rented on site.
How to get there?
The journey by train will take at least 8 hours on a daytime train with seats (from € 35) to 12 hours on a night train (seat in a compartment from € 49). There are two- and three-seater coupes, with and without a shower, for men and women. There are direct buses from Helsinki, but you will find more options with a transfer to Oulu. 11 to 14 hours of back pain can be purchased from € 39 if you plan in advance. Norwegian and Finnair fly to Rovaniemi from Helsinki, the one-way price for both starts from € 37, but by the New Year season, if you don’t have time to book it in advance, it increases significantly. The airport is about 10 kilometers away from the city center; you can use the shuttle for € 7 or Santa's Express from € 3.5.
What to see?
Photo – heartmybackpack.com, Backpacking North, finduslost, Lucas Marcomini, Jason Charles Hill
Our editor spent a weekend in the Finnish capital, and now she can name at least 10 reasons why you can’t help but fall in love with this city!
Short flight
Helsinki is the perfect option when you only have a few days to spare. The flight from Sheremetyevo (Moscow) to Helsinki takes only an hour and a half, so nothing prevents you from going to explore the city almost immediately after you find yourself in the capital of Finland.
Cosmo tip. Helsinki Airport is located outside the city limits, so be sure to have some cash with you to take a taxi.
Tasty food
When you reach the city, be sure to stop for a “break” to have a snack at one of the restaurants in the center. An inexperienced tourist may at first think that Finland is not one of those countries that are famous for their cuisine, but this is not so. The gastronomy of Helsinki is very diverse: here you can find both an exquisite Michelin-starred restaurant and, for example, drop in on some hospitable city dweller for lunch! Yes, don’t be surprised, 4 times a year any resident of Helsinki can become a restaurateur; to do this, just register on a special website, indicating your menu items and prices.
Popular
Cosmo tip. If you are a gourmet and crave new gastronomic experiences, check out the Spis restaurant: a set of six unusual mini-courses with a wine paired with each one will not leave anyone indifferent.
Your own guide
Helsinki is not a very big city, and it’s not difficult to navigate, even if you’re here for the first time. It’s easy to map out your own tourist route, just use the Internet. In addition, all local residents speak English, and many understand or can even speak Russian.
Cosmo tip. Be sure to visit the former Helsinki City Hall (now a museum), the Church in the Rock and the Chapel of Silence. And you can see the panorama of the city and just enjoy the beautiful view from the Finnair Skywheel installed in the port. By the way, you can choose the Veuve Clicquot VIP cabin, where the price of the ride includes a bottle of the famous champagne. Another life hack: city tram number 3 seems to have been specially launched for tourists, it travels in a circle and goes around very beautiful places.
SPA
The phrase “Finnish sauna” is familiar to everyone; the country of Suomi is famous for this for good reason. The spas here are simply amazing and are located literally on every corner. There is even a public sauna in Helsinki, located near the port - visiting it is free, the inside is perfectly clean and tidy at all times, and firewood freshly chopped by previous visitors is always waiting outside.
http://livingdayspa.fi/
Cosmo tip. We recommend visiting Living Day Spa. This spa is located in one of the most beautiful areas of Helsinki, so a relaxation trip is ideally combined with a walk before and after.
Distance
Finland is a small country and all the cities are located quite close to each other. If you have allocated 3-4 days for your trip, be sure to visit Espoo, a satellite city of Helsinki. In 2016 it will be possible to get there by metro, but for now there are trains and buses. Espoo is home to Nuuksio, one of Finland's many national parks (39 in total!), where friendly guides will take you on a mini-hike through the Finnish forest.
Cosmo tip. It is best to go on a hiking trip prepared - in comfortable clothes and shoes. But if you don’t have any with you, then you can get them for the duration of your walk in Nuuksio, at the Haltia nature center.
Shopping
In addition to brands that have not yet reached Russia (COS and &Other stories), Helsinki is famous for its vintage shops, where you can find amazing dresses in the Victorian style that is fashionable today, as well as priceless items from the iconic collections of Yves Saint Laurent, Chanel and other houses. fashion.
Cosmo tip. Lots of really good vintage shops in the Design District.
Moomins
Finland is the birthplace of the Moomins! Here you can buy cool souvenirs and things with their image in literally every shopping center, not to mention the souvenir shops and shops. Therefore, if you are a fan of the iconic saga of Tove Janssen, this is a real paradise for you.
Cosmo tip. Take a look at the Moomin Valley Museum in Tampere - there you can learn a lot of interesting things not only about your favorite characters, but also about the life of their creator.
Art
Contemporary art, which will be treated with caution in Russia for another twenty years, is in a completely different situation in Europe. And Finland is no exception. Helsinki has a lot of museums and galleries to suit every taste.
Cosmo tip. While walking in the center, you can look into the galleries spontaneously: admission to most of them is free.
Design
A Finnish apartment is impossible without a stylish interior, so you definitely won’t be able to leave Helsinki without a couple of beautiful things that will take their rightful place in your home. We recommend getting one of the famous Toikku birds - each of these birds exists in only one copy and, in addition, all these glass birds replicate the real birds that inhabit the Finnish forests.
Cosmo tip. In the Iittala store you will find not only Toikku birds, but many other stylish little things and, of course, the notorious Moomins.
Amusement park
If you are planning a trip to the Finnish capital from April to October, be sure to set aside a couple of hours to visit the Linnanmäki amusement park. In fact, once you get there, the notorious two hours will probably not be enough, but you will definitely have time to try out the main attractions!
Cosmo tip. It’s best to go there in the evening - the park has very beautiful lighting, and the roller coaster experience is much more intense at dusk!
