Helsinki, Top famous tourist attractions

Helsinki, Top famous tourist attractions| includes culture, lifestyle & cuisine. To help you understand finnish people better.

A short vacation but worthwhile, having a great time cruising Stockholm, Sweden to Helsinki, Finland, with my girlfriend was a memorable. We just want to discover the coldest and darkest country in northern Europe. Finland is a nordic country situated in the geographical region of Fennoscandia which also includes in Scandinavia and it is the eighth largest country in Europe and most sparsley populated country in European Union. Finland is one of the highest per capita incomes in the world and top performer in numerous metrics of national performance, including education, economic competitiveness, civil liberties, quality of life and human development and it was also ranked first in the world human capital and the Press freedom index. Finlnad is also one of the most stable country in the world during fragile states index, and second in the global gender gap report.

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland, known for its arts nouveau architecture and a compact city easily to explored on foot, with a charming architectures influenced by classicism and functionalism. Third of the area covered in green, with a large park and forest spread out outside the city center that offers a great relaxation and outdoor activities. Right down below are the top famous and most visted tourist attractions in Helsinki, Finland

1. HELSINKI CATHEDRAL

 

Helsinki Cathedral is the Finnish evangelical lutheran cathedral of diocese of Helsinki also known as St. Nicholas Church. A distinctive landmark and a symbol of whole Helsinki and cityscape,with its green dome in a neoclassical architectural style, Designed by Carl Ludvig Engel.

Sightseeing visit in cathedral are welcome, its open daily 9am-6pm, June-August 9am-12pm. But closed during services and other church events.

For disabled accessibility contact the church warden in advance to open the door of cathedral crypt.

Cathedral crypt address & tel.  Kirkkokatu 18, +358 9 2340 6120

Address 

Unioninkatu 29,00170 Helsinki, Finland

For more information visit official website www.helsinginkirkot.fi

2. HELSINKI SENATE SQUARE 

 

Helsinki Senate Square is one of the main tourist attractions of Helsinki. It is the main square of the city since 17th century, serves as a concert venue and various events.

The senate square surrounded by a neoclassical architectural buildings such as, Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace, University of Helsinki and The National Library of Finland. All are designed by Carl Ludvig.

Address 

Senate Square 00170 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.hel.fi

3. USPENSKI CATHEDRAL

 

 

Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox Cathedral located in the hillside Katajanoka Peninsula. The largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe with its golden cupolas and redbrick facade built in Russian Byzantine style with interior of 19th century with icons galore.

Sightseeing visit in Cathedral are welcome. Open Tuesday - Friday 9:30am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm, Sunday 12pm-3pm, Monday Closed.

Address 

Kanavakutu 1,00160 Helsinki,Finland

For more information visit official website http://hos.fi/uspenskin-katedraali

4. PARLIAMENT HOUSE

 

The Parliament House of Finland. Built in Classicism style in 1920's with exterior made of reddish kalvola granite. The facade is lined by 14 columns with corinthian capitals.

The unicameral parliament has 200 members with 16 committees, enacts all legislation in Finland and approves the budget. It also elects the Prime Minister, oversees the Government, ratifies international treaties and influences European Union.

Address 

Mannerheimintie 30,00100 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.eduskunta.fi

5. KIASMA

 

 

Kiasma is a contemporary art museum which exhibits finnish national gallery of contemporary arts collections.  Designed by American architect Steve Holl, built in 1996 and opened in 1998.

Address 

Mannerheiminaukio 2,00100 Helsinki, Finland

(Infront of Parliament House)

For more information visit official website www.kiasma.fi

6. HELSINKI CENTRAL STATION

 

The Helsinki Central Station is one of the world's most beautiful railway station. Serves as the point of origin for all trains in the local VR commuter rail network and a long distance trains in Finland. The station also hosts the Rautatientori metro station, which is the busiest station of Helsinki.

The station was built in romantic and nationalistic style with themes from traditional finnish rural architecture, which clad in finnish granite with features of clock tower and two pairs of statues holding the spherical lamps. Designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1919.

Address

Kaivokatu 1,00100 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.vr.fi

7. KAMPPI CHAPEL OF SILENCE

                           ^{Free stock photo by pixabay.com}

Kamppi Chapel of Silence is a lutheran chapel in Kamppi Helsinki, located at the entrance of Kamppi shopping center in the Narinkkatori square. Intended to be place to calm down and have a moment of silence in one of the busiest place in Finland.

The chapel was constructed 2012 as part of the world design capital program and designed by Kimmo Lintula, Niko Sirola, Mikko Summanen of K2S Architects Ltd. and won 

International Architecture Awards in 2010. 

The ecumenical chapel is open for everyone with different religions or beliefs. Opening hours monday-friday 8am-8pm saturday-sunday 10am-6pm. 

Address 

Simonkatu 7,00100 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.helsinginkirkot.fi

8. TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH

 

Temppeliaukio Church is a solid rock church also known as church of the rock or rock church due that it was built directly into a solid rock. Designed by Soumalainen brothers in 1969, located in the center of Helsinki.

The Church is easily to recognize due of its copper dome supported by a rock walls and the interior of the church is a rugged rock and rubble wall. The church is popular venue of a concert due to its excellent acoustics.

Opening hours vary weekly, just listen to the recorded message at +358 (0)9 2340 5940. Closed during church service and events.

Address 

Lutherinkatu 3,00100 Helsinki,Finland 

For more information visit official website www.helsinginkirkot.fi

9. SIBELIUS MONUMENT 

                                        Free stock photo by pixabay.com

Sibelius Monument is a Sculpture by finnish artist Eila Hiltunen with the title Passio Musicae dedicated to finnish composer Jean Sibelius, located at Sibelius Park.

The abstract art designed looked like stylised organ pipes it was known that the composer had created little music for organs, consist of more than 600 hollow steel pipes together in a wave pattern. The purpose of the artist was to capture the essence of the music of Sibelius.

Address 

Sibeliuksen Puisto, Mechelininkatu 00250 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.hamhelsinki.fi

10. MARKET SQUARE

                              Free stock photo by pixabay.com

The Market Square is a central square of Helsinki one of the famous market in the city. Located at the south harbour in the end of Esplanade Park. Which they sells fresh foods, traditional foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. There are also cafe tents where you can have a coffee and pastries.

Every first Friday of the month Americans vintage cars will display at the Market Square as thier tradition. Opening hours Monday-Friday 6:30am-6pm, Saturday 6:30am-4pm Sunday is closed but it opens during summer at 10am-5pm.

Address 

Eteläranta, 00170 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.hel.fi

11. NATIONAL MUSEUM OF FINLAND

The National Museum of Finland represents the Finnish history from Stone Age up to the present day, through the objects and cultural history. Built in 1905-1906 in National Romantic style designed by architects Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen. The building appearance reflects Finland medieval churches and castles and the interior is mainly art nouveau designs. It is located at the center of Helsinki and it is a part of National Board of Antiquities.

Opening hours, Tuesday-Sunday 11am-6pm, Monday is closed.

Address 

Mannerheimintie 34,00100 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.kansallismuseo.fi

12. SKYSAUNA

 

 

SkySauna is skyride with sauna. Experience skysauna the one of a kind sauna cabin and gazing the panoramic view of Helsinki and enjoy a seaview relaxing massage hot tub on the ground with beverages and good company. 

Address 

Katajanokanlaituri 2,00160 Helsinki, Finland 

For more information visit official website www.skysauna.fi

CULTURE 

Finnish Culture & Society, There's a lot to mentions about their Culture and Society. These are only the basics.

• Finnish Sauna is a substantial part of Finnish culture and it is an integral part of the way of life in Finland.
• Most Finns didn't practice any religious beliefs, in general they are Secular, Deist and Atheists.
• Finland is an egalitarian society.
• Finnish family life is usually understood to be centered on the nuclear family, rathan than extended family.
• Finns are very modest and downplay their own accomplishment.
• They view being humble and modest as virtues.
• Finns believe there is a proper way to act in ang circumstances and always expect courteous behavior.
• Finns talk moderate tones and they do not do anything to call attention themselves.
• Do not interrupt if someone is talking, wait them to finish. Interrupting is rude for them.
• Greetings is usual and formal, with firm handshake,direct eye contact and smile.
• It is common practice to repeat your first and surname while hand shaking.
• When greeting a maried couple, wife should be greeted first.
• If your invited to a Finn's home, bring flowers, good quality chocolates or wine to the host.
• Flowers should not even numbers and potted and flowers should not color white and yellow.
• Gifts are opened when recieved.
• Finns are punctual both business and social meetings.
• Remove your shoes before entering the house.
• Finns don't like wasting food, they eat everything on their plate.
• When finished eating place your knife and fork across your plate.
• Finns are direct communicators.
• Appointment is necessary and advance.
• Finns are usually sparing with words and don't value small talk, therefore verbal promises are usually taken very seriously, and you should not be joking when telling a Finns something important.

LIFESTYLE 

Finnish people the way of life in Finland is relaxed and easy going like any other nordic countries, a work life balance,value family and home life. They are very active people in terms of everything, they are known to be eager readers, a fact that probably explains that they have many libraries, well stocked with foreign and local books and journals.

Finns are among the most polite, friendly and helpful people in Europe, although they are a little bit more introverted. They are known to smile and laugh only when they are drunk,but once 'you break the ice' you will experience the warm and nice hospitality of finns.

CUISINE

Finnish cuisine is similar to Swedish Cuisine and some resemblance to German and Russian cuisine. Finnish cuisine is generally combining traditional country fare and haute cuisine with contemporary continental style cooking. Fish and meat, usually beef, reindeer or pork play prominent role in traditional finnish dishes, some regions includes vegetables. Finnish foods often use wholemeal products and berries such as rye, barley, oats, bilberries, lingonberries, cloudberries and sea buckthorn.

RIISPUURO (RICE PORIDGE)
The Traditional Finnish breakfast made of rice and full fat milk. Often eaten with milk, sugar, butter or berry kiisseli. During Christmas season often sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar topped with prune kiiseli.

HERNEKEITTO

The Finnish Pea Soup made of dried peas, usually serves every thursday with rye crackers or rye bread with thick layer butter or a slice pancake with jam or whipped cream.

LOHIKEITTO

The Finnish salmon soup made of salmon fish, potatoes, carrots, onions, cream or full fat milk and seasoned with allspices and dill. Eaten together with rye bread with butter.

LIHAPULLAT

The Finnish meatballs made of ground beef or mix ground beef and pork, or even ground reindeer meat mixed with breadcrumbs soaked in milk or viili,beef stock and finely chopped onions or french onion soup ready mix. Seasoned with white pepper and salt. Served with gravy sauce, boiled potatoes or mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam.

KAALIKÄÄRYLEET

Stuffed cabbage is a dish consisting cabbage leaves wrapped around with variety of fillings of meat and grains such as beef, lamb or pork, rice, barley, egg, mushrooms and vegetables seasoned with garlic, onion and spices. Which simmered, steamed or baked, accompanied with a lingonberry jam.

SAVULOHI 

Smoked Salmon, smoked by traditional smoking box or open campire. Served with potatoes or bread.

LASIMESTARIN SILLI

Marinated herring is a traditional Christmas food, mixture

of vinegar, sugar and some spices preserved and store for upcoming winter. 

KORVAPUUSTI

Finnish cinnamon filling with butter and sugar and baked to perfection.

LEIPÄJUUSTO LAKKAHILLO

Finnish bread cheese eaten with cloudberry jam.

MUSTIKKAPIIRAKKA

Finnish blueberry pie served warm with vanilla sauce or vanilla ice cream.

Discover the top famous attractions in Helsinki, Finland and learn their culture, lifestyle and cuisine. Plan your travel now! =)