Finland travel tips: Helsinki

Stories / Cultural tourism / Finland

“Helsinki: the Baltic Capital”. This chapter of the journey will represent the importance of the city for the region; we will travel around the city and this is just the beginning. Helsinki is the largest city of Finland and thus the most populated; you can see a mix of different cultures in one place. As per 2014 Helsinki is ranked as the world’s 5th best city for living, though it used to be the 1st a couple of years ago.

Where: Helsinki, Finland 
What: “Travel Smart” series

As we discovered from our previous chapter, there are so many ways to get to the city and all the roads leading to this. Now (as per 2014) there is one more good way to come to Helsinki from St. Petersburg, i.e. Lux Express buses operated by Latvian-Estonian company; it is very convenient and relatively cheap comparing to other alternatives. What comes to the city itself, Helsinki can be very different in its look, in some places you will feel a spirit of North America, in some a spirit of Scandinavia (though some of them are common for both) and also something European and also Russian. Besides, it is quite easy to live in the city in terms of transportation and different options. 

Helsinki city hall

We are going to have three upcoming chapters about the city of Helsinki (Helsingfors), i.e. the eastern part of the city, the western part of the city and some places worth visiting including some of the objects in Vantaa (Vanda)  and Espoo (Esbo). We will cover the most interesting places, obviously it is not possible to cover everything and no point in doing so; thus we will have our three chapters dedicated to this city. The 3^rd part will come close to the end of our journey across Finland to complete the picture of this country. 

Central Railway Station

The most logical and obvious way is to start the journey from the Central Railway Station, as it is one of the symbols of the city and a good and easy to find location. In this chapter of the journey we are going to visit the eastern part of Helsinki with the most interesting and worth visiting places.

Pohjoisesplanadi (Norra Esplanaden)

First of all, walk out to Rautatientori (Railway Square) and go on Mikonkatu till you see a very green street full of trees, it is called Pohjoisesplanadi (Norra Esplanaden). Then turn left. Basically you can also walk on Aleksanterinkatu (Alexandersgatan), which is also really beautiful. I should say this block (of streets) reminds me Stockholm or Victoria. It makes sense because it has its own common style. Just take a walk in that part of the district.

Aleksanterinkatu (Alexandersgatan)

Passing by you can find lots of options of accommodation, for example, Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Hotel Kämp, Holiday Inn Helsinki City Centre, various Sokos Hotels, and many more. As for transportation, you can find buses, trams, metro, commuter trains, boats (to certain destinations), cruise ferries, planes. Basically, you can find all the info on this website. Speaking about the commuter trains, they complement metro (subway) with its routes to Vantaa and Espoo. There are new trains mostly used, very comfortable and convenient. 

Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel 

What comes to metro, it currently has one line only with its “fork” east end. There extensions planned to be open to Espoo (the first part of it) by the end of 2014. Along with that, Kaisaniemi (Kajsaniemi) station will be renamed into the University of Helsinki (Helsingin Yliopisto/ Helsingfors Universitet) and with a new station in the western extension to be open called Aalto University (Aalto Yliopisto/Aalto Universitet). Therefore, there will be two stations dedicated to two major universities in Finland. One interesting fact to share, Kaisaniemi station is the only one to be pronounced once only because it is the same in Finnish and Swedish, though if you look at names of other stations, you will be quite curious about why sometimes there is no clear logic between Finnish and Swedish names. Metro plan in here:

Helsinki metro (subway)

Kamppi (Kampen) metro station

Tunnel to Kaisaniemi (Kajsaniemi) station

You might be also excited to see some of the stations. Kamppi (Kampen) is probably one of the most beautiful stations. Besides, it has the second platform level below the current one for the future extension to line 2, which was planned to go to Helsinki Vantaa International Airport and also Viikki and with the other end of it to the island. Though, by the end of this year or in the beginning of 2015 the circle commuter train line will be launched. It will connect the Central Railway Station with the airport. Helsinki Metro is the northernmost metro system in the world; quite exciting, isn't it?

Kamppi (Kampen)

Once getting to Pohjoisesplanadi, enjoy your time in there, just keep walking and enjoy the view. There are many cafés, kiosks, restaurants, etc. You can take a sit and have a coffee, ice-cream, listen to the music or watch the performance on the stage. There is also a Swedish theater on the western end of the street.

As soon as you get to the eastern end of the street, you will see a fountain and famous Market Square (Kauppatori). From the square we will go to the eastern part of the Helsinki, while we will visit the western part in our following chapter of the journey. 

View from the Market square

Market square is a place where you can find different food, berries and vegetables for sale, handicraft souvenirs, etc. Or you can simply walk and take a boat to islands, for example, Doris cruises, which depart 3 times per day. Anyway, you can feel the smell of the sea, feel the spirit of the north, and understand the meaning of the city for the region.

There are also boats departing to Suomenlinna (Sveaborg) fortress, it is on the island. It takes only 10 minutes to sail and you can experience the Baltic spirit. Anyway, we will have our cruise there and to the zoo as well as some other objects in our final “chapter of the journey” in Helsinki. Meanwhile, we will continue our way and now from market square turn to Katajanokanlaituri and keep walking ahead. It is a lot easier to walk because if you take a bus, tram or metro, you will not see everything. Though, I would recommend a metro trip to explore it. In case if you take a tram from the central railway square, take 4T. At the end of the street you will see one of the cruise ferry terminal, Viking Line. From there you can depart to Tallinn, Stockholm, Riga, Saint Petersburg, or to some other destinations. On the opposite side of the bay you can see the other terminal, but we will take a look at it in our following chapter of the journey. 

Katajanokka (Skatudden)

Viking Line (The Katajanokka Terminal)

 

If you continue walking along the shore on the island, which is Katajanokka (Skatudden), where you currently are, you will see lots of places, nice small parks and cafés and restaurants. You will get to Kanavaranta and find them. There is a fantastic view to the eastern part of the city. Take your time to visit some of them. Some of the good options are Johan & Nyström, Kanava Bar and Ravintola Sipuli, or Tiilihovi.  

After taking your time there, you should definitely visit Uspenski Cathedral, which is on the hill right next to the restaurants and cafés. There are lots of tourists visiting it every day.

Uspenski Cathedral

When you decide to go on, you will cross a small pedestrian bridge, which is called “the bridge of love”, you will see people hanging their locks on it and throwing the keys away into the water. 

Then turn to Pohjoisranta, a street going along the shore, you will see beautiful buildings on your left and nice harbor on your right. 

Pohjoisranta (Norra Kajen)

                                                                     

Once you reach Tervasaarenkannas, turn right and walk to the island. There you will see small beaches, parks and places for dogs. 

Tervasaarenkannas (Tjärholmsnäset)

You can continue walking on this street ahead and explore it on your own, but we will go on Siltavuorenranta, so there we will get to Siltasaarenkatu. There is a metro station, a square and some places you might want to visit. You will also pass by Hilton Helsinki Strand Hotel or Scandic Paasi Helsinki Hotel. 

Scandic Paasi Helsinki Hotel

After that you can wander around and see some of the places on your own and be excited about what you find. But we are headed to Wallininkatu and go till the end; then you get to Linnanmäki (Borgbacken). It is the amusement park with lots of rides and attractions. As per 2014, prices vary, 8 euros per adult or day ticket 39 euros. You can check prices on their website. It is totally worth visiting, the park is amazing and exciting for people of all ages. So take your time to visit it.

Linnanmäki (Borgbacken) amusement park

If you continue your way through the park behind Linnanmäki and then walk on Savonkatu, you will get to Pasila (Böle) station. It is a very important station. All the trains stop there and then go different ways, besides there is one of the campuses of the best universities of applied sciences, i.e. Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences. Right next to it there is a huge exhibition and fair center called Messukeskus. And there is Holiday Inn Helsinki -  Messukeskus. Just on the opposite side you can see a famous stadium, which is called Hartwall Areena. All the major events take place there, for instance, hockey championships, concerts, etc.

Hartwall Areena

To conclude this chapter of the journey we will go back along the railroad and go along a small but beautiful bay, Eläintarhanlahti, close to the Central Railway Station.

You will walk through Kaisaniemenpuisto (park) straight back to the railway square. There you will see Finnish National Theatre next to the park, and Ateneum, Museum of Finnish and International Art, on the opposite side of the square. 

Ateneum (Museum of Finnish and International Art)

Then go to Aleksanterinkatu and turn left, basically to the same direction as a market square. But first get to Kirkkokatu, there you will see the House of the Estates . Right next to it on Aleksanterinkatu there is one of the symbols of Helsinki, Helsinki Cathedral and the Senate Square, where you can find Christmas market and some other markets. 

Helsinki Cathedral and the Senate Square

Now it is time to finish this chapter of the journey in Helsinki and prepare yourself for the following part in order to explore more of the city. We will continue from this place and open Helsinki from a new point of view. So, get ready to Travel Smart!

More pictures can be found on my page on Pinterest 

Kirill “Traveler” Malyutin

About Travel Smart series:

“Travel Smart” is a section, narrating about different countries and good travel tips, advised by the author, Kirill Malyutin. The series contains recommendations, including selected places to visit, character accommodation, and reasonable shopping. Simply get inspiration!

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О серии «Travel Smart»:

«Travel Smart» – раздел, в котором автор Кирилл Малютин рассказывает о разных странах и дает необходимые в путешествии советы. Серия включает в себя рекомендации по посещенным автором местам, характерным средствам размещения, а также разумному шопингу. Вдохновитесь приключением! 

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Read also / Читайте также:

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• Finland travel tips: Helsinki – transport
• Hotels: Crowne Plaza Helsinki

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