"Architecture wonderfully showcased" Helsinki by fred98115

We came to Helsinki via a cruise and chose to walk around in the city on our own rather than take an excursion. It was the right choice because there is much to see and it is easily accessible on a foot tour. Background: fire destroyed much of this city in the early 19th century, following which Carl Engel planned and rebuilt much of the city. Today the city of half-a-million is a showcase of 19th and 20th century architecture. Message: put on your walking shoes, grab your camera, and walk around the city and enjoy.

Train station exterior

The railroad station, designed by Saarinen, was built in 1918. The archways of the interior steel structure are repeated in the exterior facade. Other archtectural examples are found in the churches, especially the Tuomiokkirko and Uspensky.

Vendor and customers

The Kauppatori Market. located near where the ferries dock at Market Square, is chockful of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, furs, toys and kitch-like souvenirs. After walking around and looking at the architecture, reconnecting with people and window shopping the vendors is rejuvenating.

• Pros:properly sized for walking around
• Cons:architecture can be dry, you have to be into it
• In a nutshell:Would love to go back and spend a week