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Introducing Helsinki
Helsinki is a sea-town par excellence and an exciting, dynamic place. Half the city seems to be water, and the tortured geography of the coastline includes any number of bays, inlets and a speckling of islands. The harbour is the heart of the city, and watching the giant ferries glide into port is a defining memory and essential Helsinki experience.
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Helsinki is cool without - as yet - being self-consciously so. Unlike other capitals, you sense that people go to places because they enjoy them, not to be seen. Much modern décor is ironic and humorous, and achieves stylishness by daring to differ rather than trying too hard.
While not an ancient place, much of what is loveable in Helsinki is older. The style of its glorious Art Nouveau buildings, the spacious elegance of its cafés, the careful preservation of Finnish heritage in its dozens of museums, restaurants that have changed neither menu nor furnishings since the 1930s are all part of the city's quirky charm.
It has a very different feel to the rest of Finland, partly because before the days of the hi-tech society it was the country's sole point of contact almost with the rest of the world.
Like all of Finland, though, Helsinki has a dual nature. In winter you sometimes wonder where all the people are. In spring and summer they are back again, packing green spaces and outdoor tables to get a piece of blessed sun, whirring around on thousands of bicycles and kicking the city's nightlife into overdrive.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Helsinki
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Helsinki Overview
- Places in Helsinki
- Getting there & around
- Practical information
- History
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Recommended things to do & see
- Entertainment (29)
- Restaurants (26)
- Shopping (15)
- Sights (29)
- Hotels & hostels
Our Top Picks For Helsinki
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1 Temppeliaukio
Listening to concerts at Temppeliaukio, an underground church hewn from solid rock
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2 Kiasma and Ateneum
Appreciating Finnish art both modern and old at the Kiasma and Ateneum
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3 Suomenlinna
Taking the ferry to historic Suomenlinna and walking and picnicking among the ramparts
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4 Island restaurant
Heading out on a boat for a memorable dinner at a convivial island restaurant
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5 Serena Water Park
Taking the kids to Serena Water Park in Espoo, one of Europe's best
Our favourite Helsinki Blogs (beta)
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Finnair Frequent Flyer – 10 Possible New Names For It’s Plastic Surgery Benefits
Blog: The Travel Tart - Offbeat Tales From A Travel Addict - 17 November 2009
Finnair is, funnily enough, the national airline carrier of Finland. Recently, their Frequent Flyer Program, Plus Points, was amended so that Frequent Flier Points could be redeemed in exchange for plastic surgery. That’s right!
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Lady in Helsinki
Blog: A Lady in London - 7 November 2009
I am on a ferry plowing across the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki, where I just spent the last day and a half, is behind me. Tallinn, the capital of Estonia and the gateway to the Baltics, lies a handful of nautical miles ahead of me.Before I reach a point where I can see Tallinn off the bow of the ship I’ll take a few moments to look behind me to the country I just left.
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Helsinki, Finland: 5 Family Favorites
Blog: Family Friendly Hotel, Resort, Suite Reviews: Travel Savvy Mom » blog - 16 September 2009
When you think family travel what's the first place you think of? Okay, probably not Helsinki, Finland. But maybe it should be.
