"Helsinki - planning a trip there?" Helsinki by ZenLady34

Helsinki Travel Guide: 3,620 reviews and 7,284 photos

Helsinki - Helsingfors

Helsinki is a beautiful city and it has a lot to offer. It is easy to enjoy the archipelago by taking a day cruise, spend a day in Linnanmäki amusement park, check out the botanical garden, do some shopping etc etc...

Helsinki is rather safe city. A tourist can move around with public transportation or by feet without getting in trouble. But of course there are exceptions but generally speaking. The public transportation is good and busses run frequently.

APRIL 2007 the only low cost hotel chain opened a hotel in downtown Helsinki. One room can accommodate from one to four people and what is best: the price is the same very affortable compared to other hotels in Helsinki! Check it out.

The picture here is from Temppeliaukio Church. It is quarried out of the natural bedrock. The interior walls are created naturally by the rock. If you will take any sighseeings they will either pass this church or stop so that you can go in and check the place out.
Due to its acoustics the church is a popular place for concerts.

I've listed some links here below to help you with planning your trip. Hope you will find them useful.

Planning a trip to Helsinki?

If you will arrive to Helsinki by flight and would like to get information on how to get from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to city centre. Except from hiring a car, I have listed all the other options on my tip.

Helsinki City Tourist & Convention Bureau 's official pages helps you to get started. It offers accurate information on climate, sights and activities, Event calendar, restaurants, transportation etc. Definitely worth reading!

Address / service point / point of interest SEARCH will help you locating addresses and shopping streets.

If you are planning for shopping Arabia or Iittala products you MUST check out my shopping tip! It is possible to buy these products in the city center but you can buy them even 60% cheaper on the factory shop. Check out my tip for closer information.

I have stayed overnight in Helsinki for few times. I have listed the hotels I have stayed in in hotel tips. I have tried to write or take a photos of something that can not be seen on their very own netpages.

Finnish for Travellers teaches you some basic words in Finnish and you can listen how to pronounce them. Unfortunately the page is filled with ad's but you'll find "Finnish for Travellers" in the middle of page.

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TRIPS FROM HELSINKI

There are two boat lines which operates daily from HELSINKI, (FI) TO STOCKHOLM (SE).

It is possible also to make a DAY TRIP to TALLINN. There are few ways to go there:

1) by ferry. Ferries cross the Gulf of Finland between Tallinn and Helsinki operates several times a day, covering the distance in roughly four hours. From late spring to late autumn, hydrofoils and catamarans also run, reducing travel time to an hour and a half.

2) by aircraft

3) in my opinion this is the Best way (time spend and smoothest transportation) of getting there is a hydrofoil (if thats not a hydro then what is?? *girlie comment*) BUT they only operate during the summer months.
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Suggestions for activities in Helsinki.

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Pros and Cons
  • Pros:architecture, design
  • Cons:errrmmm??
  • In a nutshell:modern, beautiful city by the sea
  • Last visit to Helsinki: Jan 2009
  • Intro Updated Feb 15, 2009
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Reviews (15)

Comments (7)

  • ets's Profile Photo
    Apr 26, 2007 at 7:31 AM

    Hi Zen. Great tips! I'm planning to go to Helsinki plus St Petersburg next year. Manny

  • Jan 15, 2006 at 8:58 AM

    Hi Zen, I like your Helsinki page. Your part of the world a bit foreign to me, but you describe it well. Thank you for sharing.Zen:)

  • matcrazy1's Profile Photo
    Nov 12, 2005 at 7:26 AM

    Very usuful tips. It's a pity I didn't read them before my trip to Helsinki.

  • Gili_S's Profile Photo
    Aug 9, 2005 at 12:57 AM

    "Baarifestivaalit" starting tomorrow, in such case, any weather will be just fine ;-)

  • iwys's Profile Photo
    May 12, 2005 at 2:54 AM

    Finnish design - so cool.

  • kenHuocj's Profile Photo
    Mar 26, 2005 at 10:40 AM

    Scandic Grand Marina (Katajanokanlaituri 7) website proved very very tempting ;-)))

  • MrBill's Profile Photo
    Mar 3, 2005 at 12:20 AM

    I stayed in this old traditional hotel in Helsinki directly on the waterfront where we could watch the big cruise ships enter the harbor which they dwarfed. It was such a nice hotel but I cannot remember the name? Bill.

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