The capital of Finland does not boast pompous lush architecture, many historical sites and some particularly outstanding cultural heritage. However, Helsinki is a distinctive, atmospheric city and definitely has a certain charm.
The city government welcomes contemporary architectural designs. Thanks to this, tourists can admire the unusual Temppeliaukio Church and Kamppi Chapel of Silence. The granite-clad embankments of the Finnish capital turn into discreet and majestic panoramas of the Baltic Sea, where cruise liners and ferries sway on the waters.
Helsinki is a solid, solid and prosperous city. There are no enchanting Gothic cathedrals and castles, but there is incomparable Kiasma, strict northern nature and the triumph of common sense.
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What to see and where to go in Helsinki?
The most interesting and beautiful places for walking. Photos and a short description.
Cathedral and Senate Square
Senate Square is one of the three central squares of the Finnish capital. Attractions and main tourist routes are concentrated around it. The place is decorated with the architectural ensemble of the Cathedral, which was erected in the first half of the 19th century after the proclamation of Helsinki as the capital of the Grand Duchy of Finland. Inside the cathedral there is a monument to the founder of the Reformation - M. Luther.
Monument to Sibelius
Monument dedicated to the famous and revered Finnish composer Jan Sibelius. Several streets, a music academy, and a city park are also named in honor of this outstanding historical figure. The monument was erected in 1967 according to the project of E. Hiltunen. This is an abstract composition, which is a pile of metal pipes and a bas-relief of the composer located at the foot.
Havis Amanda
City fountain, one of the symbols of the Finnish capital. The project was developed by the sculptor V. Vallgren at the beginning of the 20th century. In the middle of the sculptural group there is a statue of a woman - "sea nymph", on the sides there are fabulous sea lions. It's hard to believe, but before the installation of the monument, there were heated discussions for more than two years about the decency of installing a nude figure in the city center.
Sveaborg fortress
A sea fort located on rocky islands near Helsinki. From the city center, you can quickly get there by ferry. Sveaborg is a Swedish name, the Finns call the fortress Suomenlinna. The building was erected in the middle of the 18th century at a time when Finland was part of Sweden. The fortress was the base for the Swedish fleet and protected the approaches to Helsinki.
Temppeliaukio Church
An original temple located in a natural rock. The church is considered one of the most striking landmarks in Helsinki. Thanks to the unusual architecture, a stunning acoustic effect is created in the church hall. The progressive design idea belongs to the Suomalainen brothers. The temple was built in the 70s. XX century and quickly gained fame and popularity. Hundreds of thousands of tourists visit Temppeliaukio Church every year.
Assumption Cathedral
An Orthodox church built according to the project of A.M. Gornostaeva in the middle of the 19th century. The architectural style of the cathedral is a mixture of Byzantine style and traditions of Russian temple architecture. In 1872 he was given the status of a cathedral. At the moment, the Assumption Cathedral in Helsinki is the largest Orthodox church in Western and Northern Europe.
Kallio Church
The granite bulk of the Kallio Church is often called a striking creation of the so-called "Finnish" Art Nouveau or "national romanticism". This rather original structure appeared in 1912 and soon became the main attraction of the entire Kallio area. It is believed that the architect L. Sonck, when designing the building, took as a model the description of the Old Testament temple of Solomon (including its impressive size).
St john's church
Lutheran church of the late 19th century, a grandiose creation of the Swedish architect A. Melander. It was built on the place where the pagan holiday of Ivan Kupala was always celebrated. The church is very impressive in size - at the same time it can accommodate 2,600 people. The building was built in the "standard" neo-Gothic style, the interior space is decorated with wooden decor, which was created by the best Finnish craftsmen.
Kamppi Chapel of Silence
The modern building, erected in 2012 by M. Summanen, N. Sirol and K. Lintula, is an interesting and striking example of the latest architecture in Helsinki. The chapel is not a temple in the usual sense, services are not held here, but on its territory you can get psychological help or just take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city space.
National Museum of Finland
The Museum of the History of Finland, where you can trace the development of the land of Suomi (as the Finns call their state) from ancient times to the modern period. The museum exhibits are quite extensive - from clay shards to the thrones of rulers, from medieval weapons to the technical achievements of Nokia. The museum was opened to visitors in 1916.
Design Museum
The museum exhibits showcase the achievements of Finnish applied arts. It often hosts exhibitions, international events, demonstrations of fashion collections of young designers. The museum was founded in 1873 as a workshop for teaching the applied arts. Now this place is considered one of the best modern creative venues in Europe.
Natural History Museum
One of the three largest national museums in Finland. The exhibition on natural history and evolution is spread over four floors. Among the most valuable artifacts are fossil exhibits that are more than a thousand years old. The collection is divided into four parts: "History of Life", "Nature of Finland", "History of Bones", "Nature of the World".
Science Museum "Eureka"
The museum is located in the city of Vantaa near the Finnish capital. It is an interactive play, educational and entertainment center where visitors of different ages can experiment, explore the nature of physical phenomena and just have a good time. In museum "laboratories", under the guidance of specialists, more complex experiments can be carried out.
Ateneum Art Museum
The Art Gallery, which houses a rich collection of works of art. A special place is given to the canvases of Finnish artists - representatives of the Golden Age period in national art. There are also works by recognized world classics: Van Gogh, P. Gauguin, Modigliani, Degas, F. Goya, Cezanne and others. The collection contains a large number of paintings by Russian artists: Levitan, Shishkin, Repin, Polenov.
Kiasma
A grandiose museum of modern art housed in a monumental building of modern architecture. The museum specializes in collecting works by Finnish craftsmen and artists from neighboring countries. Often, many works are created by Kiasma's order. Now the collection of the museum has about 9 thousand exhibits, but the funds are constantly replenished and the exposition is growing.
Seurasaari - open air museum
The museum is located on the island of the same name to the west of Helsinki.There are similar expositions in many European countries, they are designed to acquaint tourists with the traditional way of life and the life of the local population. In Seurasaari you can see wooden houses of villagers, Finnish saunas, farm buildings, mills, religious buildings brought from all over the country.
Market Square
The square was formed at the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, it has been home to a market popular with visitors to Helsinki and locals alike. On the square you can buy souvenirs, fresh food, excellent fish, and also have a delicious lunch. From here, ferries leave for Suomenlinna. An obelisk in honor of the Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna has been erected on the square.
Old covered market
Shopping arcade on the shores of the South Bay, located in an elegant brick building from the 19th century. The market offers a large selection of meat, fish, seafood, bread, and a variety of pastries. There is also a local delicacy and sushi shop - restaurant. The old covered market is a fairly atmospheric place with carved wooden counters, small shops and friendly vendors.
Helsinki railway station
The relatively small building of the capital's railway station is an architectural monument of the early XX century. It was erected by the architect E. Saarinen. The Art Nouveau facade is decorated with figures of stone giants, created by E. Vikström. Numerous commuter trains and long-distance trains leave from the station to various European countries and to Russia.
Serena water park
A water park in the suburbs of Helsinki, which is open to the public all year round. Quite a few slides are located in the open air, and you can often see a picture of children frolicking in the water during the cool Finnish summer at a temperature of only +19 ° C. When buying an All Inclusive ticket, you can visit all attractions, a bar and a restaurant (alcohol for a fee).
Sea Life Marine Center
Oceanarium located in the northern part of the Finnish capital. A wide variety of marine life is represented in Sea Life aquariums: stingrays, sharks, corals, jellyfish, seahorses, exotic tropical fish, inhabitants of the harsh northern seas. There are group excursions around the aquarium in Finnish, Swedish and English. The guide also contains information in Russian.
Linnanmaki
An amusement park and attractions, quite popular with tourists and locals. Up to a million visitors come to Linnanmäki every year. Carousels and amusement parks are manufactured in leading European countries and meet the latest safety requirements. There are several free rides for children in the park.
Korkeasaari Zoo
The zoo is located on the island of the same name. It was founded in 1889 by A. Fabricius. The first inhabitants of the zoo were bears. Snow leopards live on the territory of Korkeasaari, which are now on the verge of extinction. In addition to the magnificent northern animals, in the zoo you can admire reptiles, tropical birds, and representatives of exotic fauna.
Botanical Garden
The garden is located near the central part of Helsinki. On the territory of the park there are rose gardens, greenhouses and a system of artificial ponds. In summer, the garden turns into a magnificent blooming and fragrant canvas. On its territory, thematic events, all kinds of exhibitions, contests, actions in protection of nature are regularly held.
Esplanade Park
The city park, Finnish Champs Elysees and one of the favorite walking places for locals and visitors to Helsinki. Here you can have a great rest in between visiting the many shops and attractions of the Finnish capital. In the eastern part of the Esplanade, there is a small concert venue where progressive bands perform in the summer.
