Surrounded by water, Finland's capital, Helsinki was founded in the year 1550 by Sweden's King Gustav I. The largest city of Finland is the centre of culture, fashion, entertainment and finance. This exciting and dynamic resort of Finland has a splendid landscape replete with bays, inlets, islands, etc. Tourists throng the resort in summers and winters. The vibrant nightlife scene of Helsinki has always been a huge draw among the globe trotters.

Must see

Helsinki is home to innumerable attractions and Suomenlinna fortress is the major landmark of the city. The sea fortress situated on the Baltic is an ideal place for picnics. The islands of Seurasaari and Korkeasaari are other significant attractions of Helsinki. The Esplanadin Puisto Park, Kaivopuisto, Sinebrychoffin puisto, Keskuspuisto and Toolonlahti are the important parks in Helsinki.

The major cathedrals and churches of Helsinki are Lutheran Cathedral, the Church in the Rock, Upenski Cathedral, Church of Kallio, Temppeliaukio church and St. John's Church. The galleries and museums like Ateneum Art Museum, Design Museum, Helsinki City Museum, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, Museum of Cultures, National museum of Finland and Heureka Science centre rank among the significant landmarks of the city.

Other highlights in the capital include the Olympic Stadium, Olympic tower, the Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, Sibelius Monument, Linnanmaki amusement park, Serene Water Amusement park, Senaatintori (Senate square), Kaapelitehdas (Cable factory), City Winter Gardens, Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace), Tennispalatsi (Tennis Place), the Kruunulinna Ehrensvard (Ehrensvard Crwon Castle) and Kaisaniemi Park.

Must indulge

Music lovers can enjoy themselves by listening to the jazz and classical music concerts in the city. The Hietaniemi Beach in Helsinki offers splendid opportunity for the travellers to pursue water sporting activities like swimming, surfing, etc. and indulge in an exciting game of beach volleyball. Helsinki is renowned for saunas and the Kotiharjun sauna is an ideal place to relax and unwind. The trails in Seurasaari Island are ideally suited for pursuing walking and hiking.

Must taste

The restaurants in Helsinki serve traditional Finnish cuisine along with all kinds of international cuisines like Asian, Russian, Scandinavian and Italian. Sea food specialities that are made of Salmon, Crayfish and Herring are popular among the tourists and locals in Helsinki. Delicacies made from the meat of Reindeer are also a hit among the visitors. Flavoured ice creams and especially smoked syrup flavoured ice cream is a popular Helsinki dessert. Cinnamon bun (Korrapuusti and Pulla (a sweet bun) rank among the much-enjoyed delicacies of Helsinki.

Must shop

A shopper's paradise, Helsinki has an interesting line up of shopping malls, centres and department stores. Tourists can shop for classic labels of Finland like Arabia, Marimekko, Artek, Iittala, et al in the streets of Helsinki. Jewelery, handicraft items, designer outfits, etc are must buy items in the capital. Hakaniemi Market Hall, Hakaniemi Opern-Air Market, Hietalahti Open Air flea market, Old Market Hall, Valtteri Flea market, Kamp Galleria and Kluuvi shopping centre are some places that are meant for retail therapy in Helsinki.

Must enjoy

For a memorable nightlife, a visit to Helsinki is a must, during the Finland itinerary. Some nightclubs and bars in Helsinki add fun to the nightlife with a game of snooker and karaoke sessions. The pubs and bars in the capital are open till the wee hours of morning. The Helsinki Club, Arctic ice bar, vineyard lounge, Kaarle XII, Fever, DTM, Rose Garden Royal Onnela, and Teatteri are the prominent nightclubs and pubs that make the nightlife scene in Helsinki exciting.

Facts

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