Sightseeing & Attractions In Helsinki
The White Cathedral (Senate Square) Built in 1802 has on its roof statues of the disciples and Christ. Inside it has a very imposing organ which contrasts its high ceiling contrasts the spacious white walls. The Catherdrals bells ring daily at 17.49 This is the city's most prominent land mark and is open daily from 9am - 6pm The Suommenlinna Island and Fortress is just 1 km outside central Helsinki - a 20 minute boat ride from the Market Square. It was founded in 1749 to defend the city from attack by the sea. In winter is very exposed and summer a good place for a picnic. The site is listed as a World Heritage Site. Certain parts of it are open at different times - further details from this website.
The Uspenski Orthodox Church is in most visitors view a cathedral. Situated on a stony hill about 300m meters east of the Market Square it is a curious mixture of Russian-Byzantian and western style architecture. It was built in red brick in 1868 and is t largest orthodox catherdral in western and northern Europe. It boasts 13 domes and a three storey bell tower. Its internal decor is magnificent. Open daily from 09.30 - 16.00 and Sundays between its Finnish services - midday - 15.00.
Kauppatori - Market Square & Market Hall: For those who enjoy open air markets this is one of those gems - fresh salmon and fish (straight from the trawlers) stalls mixed with flower and souvenir stalls! Sofiankatu Museum Street runs between the Market and Senate Squares. This enchanting cobblestone street with its antique street furniture it is a trip back to the 19th century literally. Sadly it has one or two out of place tourist cafes.** Children and grown up adults will appreciate the Linnanmaki Amusement Park. This is one of Finlands three such parks and thought it was first opened in 1950 it sees over a million visitors every summer as it is constantly adding new rides and horror experiences. For more details visit their website. The National Museum next to the Parliament Building, offers permanent and temporay exhibitions. The former consist of The Prehistory of Finland (the Ice Age), The Realm, A Land and Its People, The Treasure Troves and The Past Century. The number of archaeological artifacts, and suits of armoury is amazing and the clothes jewellery along with the sculptures, mean you can spend a long time here. Closed on Mondays and opens from 11am to 8pm Tuesday & Wednesdays - and from 11am till 6pm Thursday to Sunday - Website. Esplanadi Boulevard in the centre of Helsinki is the city's park with three streets crossing its grounds. Here you shop in the famous Stockmann Department Store, shop to you drop on can join the Pohjois-Esplanadi and then recover in one of the the Las Ramblas style cafes
** Russian Coffee House
There are several places in Sofiankatu Museum Street (between the Market & Senate Squares that you can stop for coffee the best is probably the Russian Coffee House which seems to have more locals than most.
Festivals
In the summer Helsinki stages several outdoor festivals including the May Day Carnival, the annual Samba carnival and the Midsummer Festival and the October Herring Festival not forgeting , the Helsinki City Marathon. See the tourist board links above for more info on these and
other festivals include ballet and opera
Restaurants In Helsinki
Havis (Etelärantatie 16), near Market Square, is one of the city's great adventures. It offers traditional Finnish Fish Fare coupled with some memorable vegatarian dishes. Most notable of the former are the blue mussel soup and the lavaret - whitefish - very slowly fried! The veggie menu always includes a 'special of the day' but having said that the mushroom crepes with glazed vegatables are of very trustworthy. For afters the coffee pudding with doughnouts is guaranteed to ensure you don't leave in a hurry. Note the restaurant is open Monday - Saturday and closed between September & April Tele: 09 - 869-5660. Nokka Kanavaranta 7, on Katanajanokka quay and beneath the Helsinki Culinary Institute, has built up a good reputation for preparing fresh food and seasonal dishes. Its snow gouse has been mentioned by many discerning guests. Closed Sun and some lunchtimes for further details: Tele 09 - 687-7330.
Palace Gourmet (Palace Hotel), Eteläranta 10. Prices here are are not for the meek but the rewards for being brave are worth the suffering. The menu is a mixture of Finnish and French cuisine and includes an option of a seven course meal - which differs from day to day. The fillet of lamb and accompanying side dishes - especially the garlic sauce is 'bliss.' The food by anyones standards is exceptional and the service is of a high standard as well. Tele: 09 - 1345-6715. Advance booking advisable. Sipuli Kanavaranta 3, (in front Uspenski Church) which caters for those who like both French and Finnish cuisine. The roasted veal fillett is exceptional as is the smoked fillett with Salmon mouse. When available the Fennel soup with mushrooms is also to be enjoyed. Relaxing wooden decor. Its opening hours at weekends are variable so its best to ring first. Telephone : 09 - 622-9280.
Troikka Caloniuksenk. 3. This very pleasing establishment is another journey back in time. The menu is predominantly Russian and the food can only be descibed as exceptional.. The herring is both fresh from the baltic sea and out of this world. One of Helsinki's best all round fares with several home made compliments.. Open Monday - Saturday. Closed lunchtimes in July. Telephone 09 - 445-229.
Zetor, Kaivopiha, Mannerheimintie 3-5, , This is the place for a hearty meal though those on a diet might think twice. Karelian stew, sausage and meatballs are just part of the fare. It opens late and when most restaurant staffin Helsinki are on their way home this establishment turns into a night bar come rock club. Good food and reasonably priced. Tele 09 - 666-966. Bellevue Rahapajank. 3. At 80 years old this is one of Helsinki's oldest restaurantes and is popular with locals. The menu is part Finnish and part Russian and you will find the many of them choose the ox fillett. The decor is somewhat salubrious and the service very friendly. Intimate. No open at lunchtimes at the weekend and sometimes closed at weekends during the summer. Telephone 09 - 179-560.
Namaskaar & Wok It Sanomatalo, Postikuja 2, offers plentiful Japanese, Thai and Indian dishes at very decent prices in a very 'twee' enviroment. Good service as well. Telephone 09 - 6812-1450. Sundmands Eteläranta 16; , often credited with setting the standard in Helsinki for fine dining this five room establisment is within a 19th century mansion house. The classical decor is home to fine Finnish cuisine which is supported by an extensive wine list. Telephone 09 - 622 6410. Open mon -sat with a lunchtime menu weekdays.
Papa Giovanni
World Trade Centre, Keskuskatu 7, this easy to find Italian restaurant has a good reputation for its fish (including fresh lobster) and meat dishe rather than pizzas.. Classy but not overpriced Tel: )9 622 6010
Helsinki Vantaa International Airport Information
Helsinki Vantaa Airport Code - HEL
Helsinki Airport Website
Airport Telephone. +358 200 14636 (€0,57 /min. + local network charge)
Latest Flight Information From Helsinki Vantaa Airport
Flight Arrivals / Flight Departures
Airport Facilities
Another airport with a distinct class about it. There are approximately 25 shops, 15 cafes and restaurants, several banks, business area and playrooms for children. Exceptionally clean.
Airlines flying to and from Helsinki Vantaa Finland with local airline telephone numbers.
Definitions: * = Codeshare, ** = Charter Flights
Aero Airlines see Finnair, Aeroflot Russian Airlines 358 9 659 655, Air Berlin 358 800 913 033, Air Canada* see SAS, Air China* 358 9 681 8990, Air Finland 358 10 230 4170, Air France* 358 9 8568 0500, Alitalia* see KLM, American Airlines* see Finnair, Austrian Airlines 358 20 386 000, Aviakompania Severstal 358 9 6813 8370, Blue1 - 358 600 025 831, British Airways 358 9 6937 9538, Brussels Airlines 358 9 681 1950, Bulgaria Air** 358 9 2316 3650, Cathay Pacific* see Finnair, China Southern Airlines* N/A., City Airline see Finnair, Continental Airlines* see KLM, Croatia Airlines* 358 6000 25 831, Czech Airlines CSA 358 9 6937 9545, Delta Airlines* (09) 612 2020, Finnair 358 600 140 140 , Finncomm Airlines see Finnair, FlyLAL* 358 9 2316 3930, Germanwings 358 10 230 4170, Iberia* 58 9 6877 8950, Icelandair 358 9 6126 070, Japan Airlines* 358 9 6154 8755, Karthago Airlines** N/A, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines 358 20 353 355, LOT Polish Airlines 358 9 6937 9036, Lufthansa 358 20 358 358, Malaysia Airlines* see KLM, Malev Hungarian Airlines 358 600 9 4484 My Travel Airways** (Tjareborg) N/A, Northwest Airlines* see KLM, Nouvelair Tunis** N/A, Pegasus Airlines** N/A, Qantas Airways* 358 9 4777 6610, Russiya Airlines 358 9 684 4822, SAS Scandinavian Airlines 358 600 025 831, Singapore Airlines* 358 9 680 2770, Spanair** N/A, Sun Air see Finnair, Swiss International Air Lines* 358 600 025 831, TAP Air Portugal* 358 600 025 831, TUIFly Nordic** (Finnmatkat) 35 830 360 010, Turkish Airlines (09) 759 9810, Ukraine International Airlines, 3 583 039 203, United Airlines* N/A
Public Transport In Helsinki
Public transport in Helsinki is made up of buses, ferries, trams, metro, and train services. Services in central Helsinki are managed by HKL - Helsinki City Transport and in the surburbs by Helsinki Metropolitian Council. These services are not as extensive as other European cities.
The Helsinki Metro was built in 1982 and has 19 stations on it. A large number of Helsinki bus services connect with the metro stations. Those that don't connect with Central Helsinki finishing close to the city's Central Rail Station.
Buses serving the centre of Helsinki generally have a two digit number. Generally they run from about 5.30 until 23.30 though a few continue to 01.30am. On Friday & Saturday nights only there are night buses, identifiable by their N prefix, which operate between 02.00 and 05.00.
There are also 11 modern tram lines which only serve the city centre. The ferry services connect central Helsinki with Suommenlinna Island.
Fares for all services (trams excepted) are 2.20€ on board or 2.00€ if purchased from a machine in advance. Trams tickets are sold on the same basis at 2.00€ & 1.80€ respectively. Children recieve a 50% discount on all services except trams. Tourist tickets are available at 6, 12 & 18€ for 1,3 or 5 days. Children recieve 50% discount. There are other ticket options available if you go to the HKL website. Anyone caught without a ticket will have to pay the normal fare and an 80€ penalty.
The Soda Club, Udenmaankatu 16 - 20, is a venue best described as a little pretentious but very easy going playing acid deep house funk jazz and soul and the admission from Sunday to Thursday is free. On the other two nights it is around 10 marks on the door. Restaurant Kaarle XII, "Kalle", Kasarmikatu 40 is a restaurant / nightclub with six bars that has been established for over 30 years. It has a reputation for being the party place with well made cocktails and promotes Finnish Music on its lowe level level and the rest of the world upstairs. Very very busy on Thursdays. has been one of the most popular and the biggest Night Clubs in Helsinki since 1976. Our Night Club has six bars on two floors. Upstairs you can dance to international top hits and downstairs is the place for Finnish pop music. Our most popular night is Thursday - website.
The Baarikärpänen, Mikonkatu 15 - in the city centre, is a bar come nightclub offering dance music and R'n'B with a great atmosphere. Open from around 8.30 - 4am with varying admission charges see. website. Club Volume. Pohjoinen Rautatienkatu 21 B , is a substantial club with two dance floors at the weekends. Upstairs offers range from house, trance to r'n'b to house and trance, played by the dj, whilst downstairs is dedicated to rock music. Open to 3 - 4am. The latter is closed during the week. website.
Hevimesta - Hallituskatu 3 - is a nightclub devoted to heavy-metal music. and on Wednesdays & Sundays it heavy metal karaoke night!, where one can sing heavy-metal songs. Occasionally puts on live bands when the normally free admission is replaced with a nominal couple of € fee.website.
Travel From Helsinki Vantaa Airport To Central Helsinki
Helsinki Vantaa Airport is approximately 20 km from central Helsinki. There are several bus connections - 415, 451 519,& 615 Finnair also operate a service ( which serve key hotels) for details see their website
Journeys generally take around 45 minutes. Bus stops are in front of the International terminal and the Domestic Terminal.Taxis take around 30 minutes and should cost around 30€ .
Other Transport Options For bus services to areas outside the city centre see the YTV website. For information on bus and train connections to other cities in Finland, please see the Matka. website or the Matkahuolto website.
