HELSINKI

Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a vibrant metropolitan city with over half a million residents and is located at the heart of the Baltic Sea area. The lifestyle in the second-most northern capital city in the world is full of contrasts and activities. Helsinki’s identity has been formed by cultural influences from both the East and West – its cultural diversity is hard to match. Helsinki has sometimes been described as “the smallest big city in the world”.

In 2010, Newsweek magazine ranked Finland as the world’s best country to live in. The analysis examined factors such as education and health care; quality of life; economic dynamism; and, political environment. Helsinki is also one of the world’s cleanest and safest capitals. Finland is called “the land of thousand lakes” and its clean unspoiled nature can be found very close to Helsinki.

Getting around in Helsinki is easy with a functioning public transportation system. Most of the sights, hotels and venues are also within walking distance. Also, Finnish design has made the Finland’s capital city world famous. Helsinki was nominated the World Design Capital 2012, which is an official recognition for decades of work. The World Design Capital is an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID).

Helsinki can easily be reached from anywhere in the world, around 40 airlines fly there. It offers accommodation in different hotel categories, ranging from international hotel chains to designer & boutique hotels.

Attractions range from the fabulous island fortress of Suomenlinna in the entrance to the South Harbour and the Open Air Museum of traditional buildings on the island of Seurasaari, to the startling Kiasma housing the Museum of Contemporary Art and the unique ‘Church in the Rock’. History abounds in the magnificent Senate Square, with its neo-Classical Lutheran Cathedral, in the nearby Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral, and in the art nouveau details of the Railway Museum and National Museum.

Excursions from Helsinki might include a coastal steamer trip to the Old Town of Porvoo, a leisurely cruise around the local archipelago, a trek through the National Park at nearby Nuuksio, or a day-trip to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, just 90 minutes by hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is also a good starting point for Baltic cruises to St Petersburg to the east and Stockholm to the west.

GETTING AROUND IN HELSINKI

Taxis are easy to hail in the city centre except during the busiest periods. Taxi stands are conveniently located throughout the centre. (Taxi Helsinki tel: +358 100 0700).

Getting around in Helsinki is easy with trams, buses and metro. With a single ticket you can hop aboard trams, buses, the metro and even the ferry to the fortress island Suomenlinna. Single tickets can be purchased from the driver or from ticket machines. Day tickets are available for unlimited use on public transportation for 1-7 days. They can be purchased from ticket machines, from the Tourist Information or from the Helsinki City Transport service point in the Central Railway Station.