Visiting Helsinki had been on my bucket list for a long time, but I never thought it would come true so quickly. During my Sweden trip, I had a weekend to spare, so I just bought an overnight Viking Line ferry ticket for Helsinki. I am not sure why I am referring to it as a ferry instead of a cruise, even though I had a cabin with a bed and shower room.
Traveling to Helsinki by ferry is like having fun for locals and an excuse to buy tax-free booze, gamble in the casino, have good food in one of those on-board restaurants, hang out in the clubs, and spend most of the time on the dance floor.
Our ship left the Stockholm port at 4:30 pm, right before dawn, so the light was perfect for a spectacular view of Stockholm from the deck. On board, the experience was excellent, and I did not have much sleep as after dinner, we mostly spent time at the Casino and the dance club. We caused about 16 hours and 30 minutes, and the following day, right after a fabulous breakfast, we arrived in Helsinki.
I took the tram line 4 from the Viking Line Ferry Terminal and got off at Lasipalatsi station, about an 8-10 minutes walk to Forenom Aparthotel. After checked-in to my room, I had the entire day to explore the city.
Top Things To Do In Helsinki
Visit Temppeliaukion Church
This church is in the heart of Helsinki; get off at the Sammonkatu stop if you are taking tram line 2. This church is one of the main attractions of Helsinki and is very popular among tourists. The extraordinary architecture makes it unique, especially for its copper-lined dome and rocky interior walls. This 1960’s church was excavated directly into the solid rock. Pay a visit. I highly recommend it.
Visit Senate Square
The Senate Square is the most exciting place to visit in Helsinki; it is a wide open square surrounded by beautiful Neoclassical architectural buildings like Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, the National Library of Finland, and the main building of the University of Helsinki. One of the most is the statue of Alexander II (1894) stands in the middle of Senate Square. In addition, the famous Market Square is just a block away from here—a great place to hang out.
Visit Uspenski Cathedral
The Finnish Orthodox Cathedral, with an ornate exterior and Lavish interior decoration, is located on a hilltop Hilltop and is worth a visit. The architectural design represents the Russian impact on Finnish history.
Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki
Explore Market Square, Helsinki
Helsinki’s open-air harborside market is one of the places you can’t miss; no matter where you are heading, you may have passed through this most visited area. The market is open year-round with food stalls, handicrafts, and many more. However, in summer, this place gets exceptionally crowded and turns into a fun place to be. People shop in a relaxing atmosphere, sit back, and soak up the sun. The stalls in the Market Square sell traditional foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs.
Check Out Sibelius Monument
It was terrific to see 600+ steel pipes forming a wave-like shape representing music, a 1960s monument by Eila Hiltunen. It was unveiled on 7 September 1967. The Sibelius Monument, resembling organ pipes, is made of welded steel with over 600 pipes. The monument is one of Helsinki’s most famous statues and one of the most well-known tourist attractions.
Visit Helsinki Cathedral
This Cathedral is the most prominent landmark of Helsinki and the most photographed building in Senate Square. It was designed by Tsar’s favorite architect Carl Ludwig Engel in 1852. Just one block from Market Square and the harbor.
Finnish National Theatre
It is an iconic building designed by Omni Tornqvist-Tarjanne. The impressive 20th-century landmark is located in Helsinki’s Railway Square.
How To Get To The Airport From City Center
After a fabulous trip, time for me to return to Stockholm. I needed to catch an early Finnair flight. The commute to the airport was easy. I was reluctant to spend €50.00 by taxi, so I just walked to the nearest tram station from my hotel, then took the line to the Helsinki Railway station. Bus Line 615 and Finnair City Bus frequently operate between Railway Station and the airport. Alternatively, a train service connection was between Helsinki city center and Helsinki Airport.
Try Delicious Scandinavian Food
I always love Scandinavian cuisine, especially Finish, which is delicious and healthy, perfect for someone like me who wants to enjoy authentic food without gaining a few pounds on the road. There are plenty of restaurants to choose from for typical Finish dishes. One of the everyday items is smoked fish, like salmon, perch, and pike, and Baltic herring are my favorites.
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