Jan

10

Helsinki Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Helsinki
Set around a scenic archipelago, Helsinki is a modern capital with plenty of historical value and cultural activities to enjoy. Flights to the main airport are abundant and arrive from across Europe and further afield. With an increasing number of budget flights to the Finnish capital, getting here for a short break or longer holiday has never been more economical.

Flights to Helsinki
The Finnish capital is served by Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, a modern facility with excellent flight connections with the rest of Europe. Finnair is the national flag carrier with flights all over the world to destinations such as Athens, Beijing and New York. A number of budget carriers also fly here. Blue 1, a Finnish budget airline, flies to more than 20 European cities from Helsinki while German Wings operates low-cost flights to Bonn and Cologne. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Helsinki try lastminute.com. The airport is just 15kms from the centre of Helsinki with taxis and buses among the many transport options from the arrivals terminal.

Once in the city, Helsinki has a tram and inner-city ferry service as well as underground and over ground train services which makes getting around straightforward.
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Sightseeing in Helsinki
Helsinki has a number of picturesque little islands to explore which come alive during the long summer days between May and August. The Finnish capital is also well-known for its large collection of churches displaying a variety of architectural styles. Given its low population, there is plenty of space in the city much of which is occupied by parks. These parks are often covered in a blanket of snow in winter and come into bloom later in the year.

Museums in the city are also a major draw, among the most revered is the collection of art appearing at the Ateneum Art Museum. Make sure not to miss the open-air Sibelius Monument in memory of the famous composer Jean Sibelius. The striking structure resembles organ pipes and sits in Sibelius park, another great place for a stroll.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
Meat and potatoes are the staple and most restaurants in the city serve this national dish. There is however a diverse array of culinary styles found in many restaurants which serve dishes from every corner in the world. Despite its reputation as an expensive city, a hearty meal can be had without breaking the bank. Italian and kebab joints are popular budget options while more expensive places include French, Chinese, Thai and even Nepalese. If you want to sample some of the best eateries in the city, head to Korkeavuorenkatu and Annankatu.

Kallio District is the student area housing an abundance of cheap bars to choose from. In the centre of the city, nightclubs carry on until the early hours and are very popular with the younger population.

Fun by day - shopping and activities
Aleksanterinkatu is the main area for sleek department stores. Running off this street are numerous small roads that specialise in pricey designer boutiques. Helsinki also has a good number of markets to browse that offer good quality at affordable prices. For food, head to Hakaniemi Market Hall which also has an open-air section and then there is Hietalahti Open Air Flea market offering all manner of knick-knacks and some great bargains.


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