Travel Finland - Helsinki

From LoveToKnow Travel

Helsinki is Finland’s capital city. It is located at the crossroads between eastern and western Europe, surrounded by water on three sides. It's a compact city, home to about 550,000 citizens. Founded in 1550, the city has a long and varied history. Once a part of Sweden, Helsinki was a part of imperial Russia during the late 19th and early 20th century and much of the old city reflects the neoclassical architecture popular in St. Petersburg at that time. Finland was a part of the Soviet block countries following World War II, but has really come into its own since the end of communism in the 1970s.

Lutheran Cathedral
Lutheran Cathedral


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Sightseeing in Helsinki

· Suomen Kallisoopera
An excellent example of Finnish modern architecture, this arts complex was completed in 1993 and includes an outdoor amphitheater and a gallery of changing art exhibits. Weekend free chamber music concerts are held here as well as the city’s opera, ballet performances.

· Kiasma Museum (Museum of Modern Art)
Helsinki’s newest museum, the Kiasma features post-1960 Finnish modern art with a smattering of international art from the same period. This is a light and airy museum, with light streaming in from the numerous windows and skylights. The Kiasma is an interactive museum, with Internet kiosks and a multi-media center.

· Lutheran Cathedral
An unofficial symbol of the city, the 19th century neo-classical Lutheran Cathedral sits at the city’s center, in Senate Square. It has been recently cleaned and refurbished and is open daily to visitors without an admission fee. Statues of the twelve apostles look down from the roof.

· Temple Square Church
This modern church is carved out of the rock below it, with only the roof visible from outside the building. Constructed in 1969, this peaceful Lutheran church is one of Helsinki’s most popular attractions. Free concerts are regularly held here and the acoustics are awe-inspiring.

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Shopping in Helsinki

Sleek, modern Scandinavian design is famous throughout the world and Helsinki offers some excellent shopping opportunities. Look for handcrafted ceramics and glass art, hand-loomed rugs and fashion, and jewelry. The city's main shopping street is Aleksanterinkatu, which runs off of Senate Square and is packed with department stores. Market Square is home to a morning market, which features produce from all over Finland as well as hand-crafted items. In December, a Christmas market is added.

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Food

Helsinki is a very cosmopolitan city and is home to a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from small cafes to opulent fine dining restaurants. Finland is famous for its smorgasbord, a buffet-style meal which features sliced cold meats and cheeses, herring and eel, cold salads, and freshly baked pastries and breads. Because Finland is surrounded by water, fish and seafood are plentiful here and delicious. Russian cuisine is also popular, a remnant of the two countries intertwined history. Food in Finland is fairly expensive, but department store cafes offer a good value for tourists. Vodka is a favorite beverage and the quality is high and the prices are low.


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Outside of Town

· Home of Composer, Jean Sibelius

Composer, Jean Sibelius is one of Finland’s most revered favorite sons. The home where the 20th century composer and his wife, Aino, lived for over fifty years is located about 24 miles outside of Helsinki.
A Reindeer near the Arctic Circle
A Reindeer near the Arctic Circle
Visitors can tour the house, which is filled with Sibelius’ books, music, and other family heirlooms, as well as the lovely gardens and Sibelius’ gravesite.

· Visit the Arctic Circle
Helsinki is a great place to depart for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the Arctic Circle. A one-hour flight from Helsinki takes intrepid visitors across the Arctic Circle to the town of Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland and located just eight kilometers from the Arctic Circle. Here, visitors can visit a reindeer farm, delight in traditional Lapp folk dancing, or even visit with Santa at his home at the North Pole.


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