Welcome to Helsinki - The Finnish Capital
Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 47 mm, f/4, 1/1250 s)
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Helsinki (and Finland in general), is not much like the rest of Scandinavia, at least with the language. It shares a border with Russia and has mainly daily ferries to Tallinn, Estonia (for information about seeing Tallinn, click here). There is always a friendly rivalry between the Finns and the Swedes, especially in sport, where they don’t feel that they should have to be the best team around, but as long as they beat each other, it is sweet satisfaction.
Check out my drone video below on Helsinki, Finland!
Most of all, I find the Finns to have a fantastic sense of humor; it can be dry and straight forward at times, which is endearing. I found myself here on two separate occasions, once in the winter and once in the summer. You can find a Google map of the places I will discuss at the end of this post.
Also, if you’re in this part of the world, I highly suggest seeing other Nordic Capitals like:
If you like some of my photos that you have come across, just know that I have many prints showcasing a variety of landscapes available for purchase below! (Sold as Posters, Canvas, or in Metal-Frames and Wooden-Frames).
Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/80 s)
Helsinki is most known for the Helsinki Cathedral, with its stunning white and aqua colored exterior, towering over Senate Square (Senaatintori), which also boasts food, drink, and craft stalls during Christmas time. For music lovers, the cathedral is also featured in the music video for “Sandstorm” by Darude (Video Here).
Helsinki Cathedral, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/60 s)
As is common in Nordic capitals, there is much green space within the city center of Helsinki. I recommend starting your day by stopping by Café Pause 21 for a coffee and excellent blueberry rolls or picking up a cinnamon roll from Ekberg 1852 Ltd and head towards to Old Church Park to bask in the sunlight and people watch. If you’re staying further up north, don’t miss Café Regatta, a cafe with an amazing view.
Tervasaari, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
Then make your way south towards the water while passing by St. John’s Church and the park Tehtaanpuisto all the way to Huvilakatu St. Here you’ll see row houses in pastel colors, lining the street, injecting some fresh color into this city. From there, you can go further south to see the Finnish Memorial to Seafarers and the Deceased at Sea. This monument is simple and elegant and worth seeing.
Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
If it’s hot outside, as it was this past July, there is a beach area right next to the monument where you can take a dip and cool off. There’s also an ice cream spot nearby called Helsingin Jäätelötehdas. Grab a few scoops from here and walk along the beaches and the piers through Meripuisto and Kaivopuisto, making your way up north until you hit Market Square.
Huvilakatu Street, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 16 mm, f/13, 1/50 s)
One of my favorite areas of the city has to be the waterfront. You will know you get there when you see SkyWheel Helsinki, the towering ferris wheel next to the water. If you don’t have a drone, then it’s the perfect spot to get a great aerial view of the city!
Helsinki Waterfront Area, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 47 mm, f/4, 1/1250 s)
Just next to it also sits the Allas Sea Pool which is open all year round. It is actually described as a ‘sea spa’ and boasting a sea pool and a warm water pool which is open all year round. I hope to return here in the middle of winter sometime and take a swim in the warm water pool, I can imagine it is a surreal experience. The complex actually houses a few bars and restaurants in addition to a concert venue. This seems to be the place to be for any activity in Helsinki!
In any major city, it’s always nice to find a place of solitude, using in a vast green space or in terms of Helsinki, Kamppi Chapel. This small place of worship is situated in the city center. It was designed by Finnish architectsand measures 11.5 metres tall and made of three different types of wood while the outside walls are spruce. It’s primary function is to provide ‘personal peace and quiet’ and as such, photography is not permitted since the sound of the shutter disturbs the ambience of the place.
Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki, Finland (ISO 100, 24 mm, f/2.8, 1/50 s)
A much larger place of worship, that was also built into a GIANT rock, is the Temppeliaukio Church (Church of the Rock). This active Lutheran church was opened in 1969 by Finnish brothers and architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. Skylights were incorporated into the rock elements which light up the interior. Furthermore, the excellent acoustics of the church make it the perfect venue for concerts.
Easily, my most favorite part of this city was the island of Suomenlinna, translating literally to ‘Castle of Finland’. This area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is built across six islands and still boasts the stone fortifications that were installed centuries ago. You can take a boat to here from Market Square and the journey takes 10 minutes. The excellent thing about Suomenlinna is that it’s a small village in its own right; it has restaurants, cafés, a grocery store, so you can get anything you need while already there (opening hours of these places are here).
I highly recommend getting off the beaten path and venture to see one of the other islands that is a part of this complex with less people. Walk across two bridges from the boat drop off point to Pikku-Mustan Silta and sit on the rocks to watch the boats go by and enjoy some drinks. It’s remarkable to think that you’re still in Helsinki and not in a remote finnish countryside.
I’ve only had a limited amount of time in this wonderful city and with its proximity to where I live now, I instead to go back a few more times. Nonetheless, this is definitely a city worth seeing.
