Modern Architecture & Design
The unique Temppeliaukio Church, built into the natural bedrock,
is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Helsinki. To
experience the best of contemporary architecture you should pay
a visit to the Kiasma Museum for Contemporary Art. The works of
world famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto represent Modernism
at his finest.
Museum shops are also worth checking out, especially the shops
at Design Forum Finland Museum and Kiasma.
City Life and Outdoor Activities
There are so many great places to enjoy an energetic jog or a
leisurely stroll, including Helsinki’s very own Central
Park which begins at Töölö Bay, and Kaivopuisto
Park with its shoreline. 15 minutes from downtown Helsinki there
is a popular museum island and recreational area Seurasaari. There
is an Open Air museum that offers a fascinating insight to traditional
life in the Finnish provinces.
During the summer seasons there is so much to do as various workshops
and events are organised and Senate Square and Esplanade Park
are filled with concerts and other outdoor events and festivals
Great Shopping & Fine food
The main shopping area is between Senate Square, the Esplanades
and Mannerheimintie. Shopping is easy and carefree in department
stores and shopping malls, which are also open on Sundays from
May through August. And for when you want a break from shopping
there are 800 restaurants and cafes to choose from! For the gastronomic
explorer Helsinki has plenty to discover, from Michelinstarred
haute cuisine to old-world traditional dishes. A special Helsinki
menu featuring the very best Finnish ingredients and delicacies
can be found in some 20 restaurants. Cosy outdoor cafés
and terraces offer a pleasant way for you to rest your feet and
enjoy refreshments. Helsinki is a city of enormous character.
Ancient & Modern
The unique atmosphere resulting from the encounter of Eastern
and Western cultures lends Helsinki its inimitable character.
Walking through Helsinki is like walking through an architectural
museum: the 19th century neo-classicism of Engel around Senate
Square, the beautifully cutting-edge style of Alvar Aalto’s
20th century lines in the Finlandia Hall, and the national romanticism
embodied in buildings from the turn of the 20th century such as
the National Museum.
Top 10 attractions
Helsinki Top 10 – don’t miss
• Senate Square and the Cathedral – The Senate Square
with surrounding buildings forms a unique and cohesive example
of Neo-Classicism.
• Market Square and Esplanade Park – The booths sell
traditional high-quality food as well as flowers, handicrafts
and souvenirs. The nearby Esplanade Park serves as a promenade
and a place to relax.
• Suomenlinna Sea Fortress – One of the largest maritime
fortresses in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Uspenski Cathedral – The biggest Orthodox Church
in the Nordic region. Its thirteen golden onion-shaped domes dominate
the skyline above Helsinki’s harbour.
• Sightseeing cruises departing from Market Square
• Ateneum Art Museum - The museum has Finland’s biggest
collection of paintings, sculpture, drawings, watercolours and
graphic art.
• Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art
• Stockmann department store
• Temppeliaukio Church (the Rock Church) - Quarried out
of the natural bedrock and has become one of Helsinki’s
most popular tourist attractions.
• Sibelius Monument – The monument by sculptress Eila
Hiltunen was unveiled in 1967 in memory of Finland’s national
composer, Jean Sibelius |
