Finland’s capital, Helsinki, together with its neighbouring cities of Espoo and Vantaa, is the biggest urban concentration in the country, with a combined population of about a million. As Finland’s busiest port, Helsinki spills across a group of Baltic islands and promontories, and its smart new suburbs extend into the surrounding forests and countryside. – Photos by the Helsinki Turism Material Bank
Helsinki is one of Europe’s most modern and culturally progressive cities, yet remains in touch with an intriguing history stretching back over 450 years. It is a city of bustling, colourful market squares and halls, of outdoor summer concerts and sports events, of seaside parks, of excellent cafes and restaurants for every taste and budget, top-notch hotels and cutting-edge art in fine museums. It is also a pleasantly compact city, with many of the attractions in the central districts, within easy reach of one another.
Attractions range from the fabulous island fortress of Suomenlinna in the entrance to the South Harbour and the Open Air Museum of traditional buildings on the island of Seurasaari, to the startling Kiasma housing the Museum of Contemporary Art and the unique ‘Church in the Rock’. History abounds in the magnificent Senate Square, with its neo-Classical Lutheran Cathedral, in the nearby Uspensky Orthodox Cathedral, and in the art nouveau details of the Railway Museum and National Museum.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRCtQdygR4M
Excursions from Helsinki might include a coastal steamer trip to the Old Town of Porvoo, a leisurely cruise around the local archipelago, a trek through the National Park at nearby Nuuksio, or a day-trip to the Estonian capital, Tallinn, just 90 minutes by hydrofoil across the Gulf of Finland. Helsinki is also a good starting point for Baltic cruises to St Petersburg to the east and Stockholm to the west.
The Southern Point Of Finland, region covered: The archipelago and localities around Ekenäs (Tammisaari) and Hanko (Hangö). Old iron work communities, limestone mine with special exhibitions Lohja (Lojo).
Attractions
Helsinki is a conveniently compact city so it is easy to get around on foot. For example, by walking through the city center from Railway Station to the venue (15 min.) you will overtake four of Helsinki´s main attractions:
Helsinki’s coastal position and a large archipelago makes it an ideal experience in the summertime to take one of the many sightseeing ferries leaving from the port of Helsinki. Many of Helsinki’s main attractions are also related to the sea, including the Suomenlinna fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Here are some more suggestion for activities in Helsinki…..Enjoy!!!
Dining Services
The conference registration fee includes morning and afternoon refreshments as well as lunch for the duration of the conference. Breakfast is included (if ordered) in the conference hotel room prices. Special dietary requirements should be noted on the conference registration form. Read more about restaurants in Helsinki →
Sightseeing with 3T
The tram route 3T traces a figure-of-eight in the centre of Helsinki passing most of the “must“ sights of the city. You can board the tram at any stop. The tour takes about one hour. The customer service point of the Helsinki City Transport (HKL) is located at Rautatientori metro station and it is open Mon–Thu 7.30am-6pm, Fri 7.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm. Brochures on 3T and route maps are available from the service point. Route maps are available also from the Helsinki City Tourist Office, Pohjoisesplanadi 19.
City in English
This free distribution newspaper lists events, restaurants and bars and can be picked up throughout the city, including from Tourist Information at Pohjoisesplanadi 19.
Some facts about Finland
- Area: 338.145 square kilometers
- Finland´s total population is 5.2 million – cell phone population is 4.12 Million
- There are about 1 million inhabitants in the Helsinki capital area
- Finland has been a member state of the EU since 1995
- time zone: Eastern European Time (EET) GMT+2; daylight savings time starts the last Sunday in March ( = GMT+3 hours)
- currency: Euro €; major international credit cards widely accepted, including taxis. Check exchange rates.
- Banking hours: 09.00-16.00 (Monday-Friday); closed on Saturday and Sunday. Banks exchange all major currency, traveler’s cheques and Euro cheques.
- All hotels, restaurants and supermarkets accept credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Diners, American Express)
- Post office (general) opening hours: 8.00-17.00 (Monday-Friday); main post office will be open every day until 21:00 (also Saturdays and Sundays)
- sunrise at 6:43 am, sunset 8:20 pm (7th September)
- Finland operates on a 220V system. Check the Voltage Valet for information on requirements and to find adapters and power converters.
- Telephones: The country code for Finland is +358 Helsinki city is (0)9.
- System of government is a democratic republic.
- Current president is Mrs. Tarja Halonen.
- Language is 95% Finnish, 5% Swedish, but almost everybody speaks English.
- A European Commission Eurobarometer 2007 survey ranks Helsinki’s public transport system the best in Europe
- Nokia is the biggest Finnish company
- Airlines: Finnair (member on One World) andBlue 1, SAS (member of Star Alliance)
Check this “ad” made inspired by Monty Python’s song “Finland”:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgTyVkpJY3g
“Your interests in Helsinki…?”
“In Helsinki and Finland we are interested in dissimilarity…”
A Metro newspaper made an interview with four travellers from Firenze, Italy (25.8.2008)
