Helsinki Travel Forum

I'll be in Helsinki from 27th evening to 29th morning, extending my stay after a business meeting

I'm trying to do my homework, but with such short notice, and being very busy at the moment, I fear to miss something "unmissable"... Basically I plan to do general sightseeing, walking around stopping where I find anything I like. I'd like to visit Temppeliaukion kirkko (sp?) and maybe the Kiasma contemporary art museum

I know just one complete and 2 half days is not enough..... so, Helsinki residents/experts, what are your favorite places in town? is there any special even on these days?

As well if any VT'ers around would like to meet up for a drink, do let me know!!

Helsinkimark.

Soumennlina

It's the reason that there is a Helsinki.

The church you mentioned is pretty interesting and unusual... a bit out of the "beaten path" (downtown area) so you will spend a little more time to reach it, but you can see it pretty fast and then go back to the downtown area where the rest of the attractions are.

Fortunately, even though Helsinki comprehends several islands, the main attractions are concentrated in a not too extended area, so you can walk and visit several in a short time but the transportation system is very efficient too in case you need to use it at some point (to get to a certain place faster). I wouldn't miss the market square (Kauppatori), the Uspenski Orthodox Church (just a few steps away on a hill) and the Lutheran Cathedral, which is also very close to the market. If you decide to visit Suomenlinna you will have to come here anyway (to ride the ferry), so you can make the most out of your visit to this area and dedicate a couple of hours to see all 3 places. Helsinki is very nice, hope you enjoy your stay there!

PS.-

All 3 places = the cathedral, the Orthodox Church and the market square. For Suomenlinna you will have to allow at least 2-3 hours to tour the island plus the 15+ minutes the ferry takes to get there and then to come back to Helsinki.

thanks guys, you rock!

Good news is that I'll have the Wednesday afternoon free as well :o)

I've pinned all the places I would like to see on Google maps and I've a certain idea of the Helsinki's layout now

So... a tentative plan:

- Wednesday (afternoon): follow Laura's advice and see the cathedral, the Orthodox church and the market square. Maybe Soummelina (depending on the time, and how I feel...) or just walking around to "situate" myself. I'll stay at Linna hotel on Wed, Thu, Fri nights (looks quite central)

(all Thursday and Friday morning, business)

- Friday afternoon/evening: take the tram (or walk, I'm used to long walks ;)) to the Temppeliaukio Kirkko (it looks it closes at 8PM) and the Kiasma. Well, better probably in inverse order, as I'm a fan of museum's shops!

- Saturday: change from Linna hotel to Crowne Plaza (night on my expenses, so I'm using points). Walk to the Sibelius monuments and Visit Seurasaari. Later, something else (someone suggested in another forum taking the 730 bus from Station Square to Kuusijärvi, to swim in the lake, maybe a good option if weather is nice, but it looks too far away to me!!) Definitely I want to see Vanhakaupunki. Hvitträsk museum in Espoo appeals to me as well, as I'm nuts about architecture and design (wrong career choice, LOL).

- Sunday morning: probably having breakfast in a terrace and later just walking around until I'll leave at midday. I heard that close to the station in Helsinki is a beautiful, leafy hillside overlooking Töölö Bay, this sounds lovely too

In any case, I should check hakaniemi halli!

Probably silly question: to take ferries to the islands (Seurasaari, Suommelina...) you can just pop there and take the next one, like a water-bus? (I'm not used to cities made of several islands!)

Keti, thank you so much, I'll write you an email now.

OK, I've to think a bit more, all your further comments are mast welcome!!