Helsinki Travel Forum

I'm in charge of planning a weekend trip to Finland in mid April. I've booked a room in a hostel in Helsinki and was planning for what I think was supposed to be an introductory trip to Finland by spending the whole weekend in Helsinki, after all there's so much to see there...but no. The other party wants a day trip somewhere in Finland *sigh* I've reminded the other person that we're only having one full day in Finland (from Friday evening to Sunday noon) but nope, the person wants a day trip somewhere. After careful consideration Tampere is the winner in my book so this is the idea I've got so far (because I'm in charge of everything :/):

- breakfast at hostel
- early train to Tampere
- visit to särkänniemi's planetarium and observation deck and maybe their aquarium (I'm not into art so the art museum is a pass for me)
- either lunch at adventure park or on another restaurant in the vicinity
- if there's time maybe a little walk thru the vicinity
- early evening train back to Helsinki.

Now, I've always put quality over quantity and I still think just being in Helsinki should do considering that the other person hasn't been to Finland but it seems to me they just want to say "I've been in Finland"...anyway here's the question: what would you recommend to a first-time visitor? I've been in Helsinki twice by boat and the 7 hours weren't enough so imagine this person...

Even that Tampere is my "Finnish" hometown, I wouldn't recommend it unless you stay there over night and party as well.
I don't understand what exactly you want to do outside Helsinki, if it is to see another town, go for half a day to Porvoo (Borgå) only one hour by bus.
If it to see the nature, forest and lakes, go to Nuuksio, it is a national park outside Espoo (Esbo), less then hour by bus.

That's what I say. Why not stay in Helsinki or visit Espoo or another closer place? But no.

Send them to Tampere and go to Porvoo/Nuuksio ;-)

Hehehe, if only. What they want to see in Tampere is the planetarium at Särkänniemi...and damn they got me there (I love planetariums) ;) But I'll keep your suggestions in mind for future travels or in case they change their minds.

OK, I understand. My kids age 13 & 8 like those as well ;-)
Anyhow, if you go there, be sure to visit the Näsinneula, it is the telecom tower, it is surely a tourist rip off but maybe worth it for a one time visit, you can have a drink or lunch there while the restaurant is turning around and the view is beautiful. Make reservations as the weekend is crowded. http://www.sarkanniemi.fi/www/ravintola/index.php?lang=en

OK, now you ruined it for me. I thought you didn't have any kids ;) Does that mean that I should stop flirting with you? :D

of course not, on the contrary, that means that I can do more then just writing/talking ;-)

Woohoo! Nah, seriously, thanks for your ideas.

I lived in Tampere for 6 months, it's a nice quiet university city, but I wouldn't recommend it for a daytrip. The observation tower is not particularly worth seeing and the restaurant at the top is expensive and not reliably open. Porvoo is a nice choice, or there are lots of companies offering activities like skidooing that might get you out into the countryside (because that's where Finland really shines). As an alternative it is cheap and really easy to daytrip to Tallinn in Estonia, which is a gorgeous medival city that's spectacular in the snow, and the ferry crossing through the icy sea is fun too.

All that said, if you do decide to go to Tampere I would highly recommend the restaurant Harald. It's viking themed which may seem a bit cheesy, but the food is fantastic. It's on Hameenkatu (the main street which Tampere is based round, the train station is at one end), look for the viking boat sign.

Thanks Ella.

The other person decided we're better off staying in Helsinki so we're not going to Tampere after all.