Helsinki Things to Do Tips by marielexoteria

Salutorget (Market Square) Kauppatori (Market Square & Market Hall) Review

This market is closed to where the boats to Helsinki Zoo depart. It's full of stands where they sell local craft, fruit, fish, etc. It's an excellent place to buy some souvenirs, imo. Here I got a t-shirt saying "Finland" and the word "moose" in Swedish, Finnish and English and a cute stuffed animal in the shape of a moose with a hoodie. If you buy here, pay in cash.

Address: South Harbour at the end of the Esplanade Park

Directions: Trams 3T and 3B stop here at the Kauppatori stop.

Merimaailma Sea Life Aquarium

Nice Aquarium where you will not only see fish and other sea creatures, but you'll also learn something new. For instance, I didn't know that there were fruit-eating piranhas. The shark tank is amazing and reminds me of my hometown's tunnel at the aquarium. There's an arch prior to the entrance of this tunnel where I lay on the floor to take a picture of 2 napping sharks.

The kids will enjoy the feeding of the animals. The staff is very friendly and always asking if there's any questions. Finnish and English signs (as far as I remember it).

Address: Tivolitie/Tivolivägen 10

Directions: Sea Life is located in the same area as Linnanmäki. Take the tram line 3T or 3B from the city center and get off at the stop called Alppila/Alphyddan.

Website: http://www.sealife.fi

Pinball machines/arcade games

This might not be the first thing that you would do when stepping in on the boat but let's face it, there's not much to do there. The kids usually love these things and it might even be done as a family thing. Swedish coins are accepted and there's usually machines that "break" bills into coins in some locations of the boat.

Address: Silja Symphony Boat

Website: http://www.tallinksilja.com

Beautiful white & green Tuomiokirkko (The Lutheran Cathedral) Review

This beautiful church in Neoclassical style was designed by Carl Ludvig Engel together with 3 other buildings and until 1917 it was called St. Nicholas Church. It was built between 1830 and 1852 on the place where a small church, called the Church of Ulrika Eleanora, once stood. Today it's one of the most photographed and visited tourist places and used as the symbol of Helsinki. On my next trip I'm definitely getting in.

Free admittance. Open Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm, Sundays 12pm-6pm and closed in October.

Address: Unioninkatu 29

Directions: Go on Aleksanderinkatu to the senate square direction. 10 min. walking.

Phone: +358 - 9 - 709 2455