Travel to Helsinki

Travel to Helsinki

Helsinki is very laid back as far as capital cities go, with its compact city centre, seaside setting, many parks and gardens and lots of space. The city is easy to get about on foot or by bicycle and there are plenty of attractions and museums to explore.

Transportation to Helsinki

Helsinki is served by Helsinki Vantaa Airport, which is the main airport in Finland, receiving numerous flights from destinations the world over including from the UK and the United States. The airport is located just to the north of the city and is easily accessible, with local buses, Finnair buses, taxis and share taxis running all day. Visitors can also reach Helsinki via ferry and it is possible to cross borders from Sweden, Norway and Russia.

What to see

Helsinki is loaded with impressive attractions and landmarks, owing in part to the brilliance of the young citys early designers. Major sights include the huge and grand Lutheran Cathedral; the historic Suomenlinna fortress, situated on an island in the Baltic; and the Church in the Rock in the Tl district of Helsinki.

The city is also home to some fascinating museums including the Mannerheim, the National Gallery and the National Museum of Finland, while city streets, parks and gardens are clean and modern. Two of the most popular thoroughfares in Helsinki are the Kauppatori (Market Square), lying on the waterfront, and the nearby Etelesplenadi shopping avenue.

Daytrips

There are several excellent drives in the surrounding region and along the coastline near Helsinki if you have a car and fancy a break from the city. You will find beautiful countryside, gorgeous coastline, intriguing villages, sleepy harbour towns, stately homes, ancient churches and imposing castles. The 19th century spa town to the west of Helsinki, known as Hanko, was favoured by Russian royalty and boasts fantastic beaches, while the seaside town of Ekenas is also worth a look. For the history buff, the ancient town of Poorvoo, to the east of Helsinki, is one of the oldest towns in Finland and is characterised by narrow, cobbled alleys and quaint houses.

Activities and leisure

Helsinki offers much in the way of leisure and activities, with miles of cycling and walking paths in and around the city, quality beaches where water sports activities are popular, several tennis centres and lots of saunas. There is only one traditional wood-heated sauna left in the city, although most large hotels offer close to the real thing for guests and visitors, while some of the citys fabulous parks also offer inline skating.

Shopping is a favourite pastime in Helsinki and the Etelesplenadi and Market Square offer some great bargains and top-of-the-range items. There are also several hands-on museums for kids to enjoy and the Cable Factory cultural centre.

Safety issues

Helsinki is a very safe city and the people are friendly and helpful; however, accidents do happen when driving and pickpockets are here in their numbers, as they are anywhere. Language barriers and missed travel arrangements can also cause problems, therefore taking out a comprehensive travel insurance package for you and your family is highly recommended when visiting Helsinki.