voor het laatst bijgewerkt: 13/13/21 | 13 oktober 2021
Toen ik in Helsinki landde, begreep ik niet echt wat ik kon verwachten. Van alle financieringssteden in Noord -Europa krijgt Helsinki de minste ‘buzz’.
Helsinki, opgericht in de 16e eeuw door de koning van Zweden, werd oorspronkelijk opgericht om de bruisende handelshaven van Tallinn te evenaren. Helaas was de groei zo langzaam en stierf het grootste deel van de stad tijdens de pest van 1710. Pas toen de Russen de regio annexeerden die het begon te vestigen en in de stad te groeien, is het vandaag.
Hoewel klein (minder dan 1 miljoen mensen hier wonen) en niet zo populair als Stockholm of Kopenhagen, is Helsinki een hip, modern financieringshuis voor een levendige kunst en muziekscene. Het barst van musea, cafés, evenals milieuvriendelijke ruimte. Je kunt snel het grootste deel van je sightseeing in de stad te voet doen, omdat het compact is. Het beste van alles is dat Helsinki een fractie van de toeristen ziet die andere Scandinavische hoofdsteden krijgen.
Om u te helpen het meeste uit uw bezoek te halen, hier van de beste dingen die u in Helsinki kunt doen:
1. Maak een gratis wandeltocht
Een van de allereerste dingen die ik altijd doe als ik op een nieuwe bestemming kom, is om een gratis wandeltocht te maken. Je krijgt de belangrijkste bezienswaardigheden te zien, leert zowel over de geschiedenis als de cultuur en laat een lokale professional aangeboden om al uw vragen te reageren.
Green Cap Tours biedt een gratis tour van 1,5-2 uur die fungeert als een solide introductie in de stad. Zorg ervoor dat je je gids aan het einde een tip geeft!
Neem voor een alternatieve blik op de minder bekende delen van het verleden van de stad en de geschiedenis van de arbeidersklasse, de gratis andere kant van de brugtournee. Het biedt een diepgaande, alternatieve kijk op Helsinki.
2. Bekijk het postmuseum
Een museum over de postdienst klinkt absoluut saai, maar ik ontdekte het verrassend interessant. Het museum benadrukt de geschiedenis van de postservice in Finland, van schepen en sleeën in de jaren 1600 tot de moderne dienst. Er zijn tonnen overblijfselen, galerijen, evenals korte films over hoe ze postverzending precies in zo’n dunbevolkte en harde omgeving hebben gemaakt. Het doet een uitzonderlijke taak die een saai onderwerp neemt en het leuk, toegankelijk en educatief maakt.
Alaverstaanraitti 5, +358 03 5656 6966, postimuseo.fi. Open dinsdag-zondag van 10.00-18.00 uur. De toegang is 13 EUR.
3. Ontspan in Sinebrychoff Park
Dit kleine stadspark was vroeger de privétuin van een Russische zakenman. Tegenwoordig is het een populaire plek voor picknicks, ontspannen, evenementen en sleeën in de winter. Er zijn veel cafés in de buurt, dus pak een snack en kom hier om te loungen en te zien hoe de dag voorbijgaat. Het is super populair bij de lokale bevolking in de zomer.
4. Bekijk het National Museum of Finland
Als geschiedenisliefhebber waardeer ik altijd een geweldig museum. Ik ben in de loop der jaren meer dan mijn eerlijke deel van teleurstellende en ondergefinancierde musea geweest. Gelukkig was dit niet een van hen.
Het museum is geopend in 1916 en omvat de geschiedenis van Finland van het stenen tijdperk tot heden. Het heeft een grote verzameling artefacten, biedt veel details en creëert een chronologisch verhaal, en biedt fatsoenlijke beschrijvingen, zodat u altijd begrijpt waar u naar kijkt. Voor een kleine financieringsstad is het een heel, heel uitstekend museum. Mis het niet!
Mannerheimintie 34, +358 29 5336000, Kansallismuseo.fi/en/kansallismuseo. Elke dag geopend van 11.00-18.00 uur (gesloten op maandag in de winter). De toegang is 14 EUR, maar het is gratis op vrijdag tussen 16.15 uur en 18.00 uur.
5. Wandel door het Suomenlinna Fortress
Suomenlinna is een UNESCO -werelderfgoedlocatie gebouwd door Zweden in 1748 op een eiland vlak voor de kust. Oorspronkelijk genaamd “Sveaborg” (kasteel van de Zweden), werd het gebouwd als een afschrikmiddel tegen het Russische expansionisme. Uiteindelijk werd het omgedoopt tot “Suomenlinna” (Castle of Finland) in 1918 toen het land onafhankelijkheid werd. Een check -out hier is een ontspannen manier om een halve dag door te brengen, omdat je het fort kunt bekijken, door het eiland kunt dwalen of in een van de vele parken kunt chillen.
Er zijn ook veel fascinerende gebouwen hier (waaronder zes verschillende musea), evenals enkele out-of-the-way stranden.
Admission to the fort is free, though each museum has its own admission fee.
6. check out the Kiasma museum of contemporary Art
This museum opened in 1990 as well as is housed in a really unique modern building not far from the post Museum. The collection consists of over 8,000 works (I’m not a significant contemporary art fan so I personally don’t recognize any type of of the names). part of the Finnish national Gallery, Kiasma is Finnish for “chiasma” which is a term that describes the crossing of nerves or tendons.
Mannerheiminaukio 2, +358 29 450 0501, kiasma.fi/en. open Tuesday from 10am-6pm, Wednesday-Friday from 10am-8:30pm, Saturdays from 10am-6pm, as well as Sundays from 10am-5pm. Admission is 15 EUR as well as complimentary on the very first Friday of the month. currently closed until spring 2022 for renovations.
7. See the Finnish museum of Photography
This museum houses an amazing collection of photography from both Finnish as well as worldwide artists. There are rotating exhibits as well as exhibits by new as well as emerging photographers. There’s always something fascinating right here so check the website to see what’s on screen during your visit.
Tallberginkatu 1, +358 9 68663610, valokuvataiteenmuseo.fi. open Tuesday-Sunday from 11am-6pm (8pm on Wednesdays). Admission is 10 EUR.
8. marvel at the Helsinki Cathedral
This cathedral was built in the 19th century as a tribute to Czar Nicholas I. located next to the bank Museum, it towers over the city as well as is one of the most recognizable facets of the capital’s skyline. If you’ve visited a lot of cathedrals won’t likely walk away thinking this is one of the biggest cathedrals in Europe, however I think it’s one of the best in Scandinavia. They have a (free) short organ recital every Wednesday at 5pm.
Unioninkatu 29, +358 9 23406120, helsinginseurakunnat.fi. open most days from 9am-11:45am as well as 12:30pm-6pm (11am-6pm on Sundays) however times can vary so check the website. Toegang is gratis.
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9. stroll around the central Market
For souvenir shopping, tasty local food, fresh produce (including lots of berries in the summer), as well as excellent people-watching be sure to head to the central Market. It’s located near the harbor, which sits on the coastline of the Baltic Sea. In October, the herring market begins which is a significant local event. the market has heated tents when it gets chilly as well as there are plenty of restaurants as well as cafes around making it a fun place to check out any type of time of the year. While it is typically swarming with tourists, I heard sufficient Finnish to understand it isn’t a total tourist trap.
Open 6:30am-6pm Monday-Friday, 6:30am-4pm on Saturdays, 10am-5pm on Sundays. Toegang is gratis.
10. check out the Sinebrychoff Art Museum
This is the only museum in the city that focuses on older European paintings as well as portraits (from the 14th-19th centuries). Housed in a building built in 1842, there are around 4,000 items in the collection. Not only are there some extraordinary as well as historic works right here however part of the museum is composed of the Sinebrychoff residence itself. You can walk through the old Sinebrychoff estate as well as see what life was like for the affluent in Helsinki in the 19th century.
Bulevardi 40, +358 29 4500460, sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi. open Tuesday-Friday from 11am-6pm (8pm on Wednesdays) as well as 10am-5pm on weekends. Admission is 16 EUR.
11. check out the bank of Finland Museum
Admittedly, a bank museum sounds even more boring than a post museum however this museum was one of the coolest museums I’ve seen in a long time. very first as well as foremost, it paints a clear as well as insightful picture of the history of money in Finland. They likewise host rotating exhibitions on all sorts of related topics (such as counterfeit money). however what I discovered the museum really did well was to explain the history of modern finance. It makes the topic so clear as well as concise that I really learned a lot during my visit.
Snellmaninkatu 2, +358 9 183 2626, rahamuseo.fi/en. open Tuesday-Friday from 11am-5pm as well as 11am-4pm on the weekend. Toegang is gratis. currently closed due to COVID. check website for up-to-date information.
12. relax in Esplanade Park
This park, known as Espa to the locals, is a popular place to spend an afternoon when the weather is nice. In the warmer summer months, there are street musicians as well as performers around as well as lots of eco-friendly space as well as benches for any individual looking to lounge with a book or a picnic. opened in 1818, the park likewise has some walking as well as jogging trails too. It’s just a nice place to relax as well as soak in the city.
13. See Uspenski Cathedral
This big red cathedral is difficult to miss. It’s an Eastern Orthodox church with big domes as well as gold crosses as well as absolutely has avery Russian feel to it. Consecrated in 1868, it’s really the largest Eastern Orthodox church in all of Western Europe. The interior is lavishly decorated too, with a big vaulted ceiling as well as lots of Eastern Orthodox icons (though some of the most popular icons have really been stolen in recent years).
Kanavakatu 1, +358 9 85646100, hos.fi/en/. open Tuesday-Friday from 9:30am-7pm, Saturday from 10am-3pm, as well as Sunday from 12pm-3pm. closed during ceremonies. Toegang is gratis.
14. Take a Food Tour
If you’re a foodie like me, you have to take a food tour. They’re the best way to sample the local delicacies as well as traditional foods, such as fresh fish, craft beer, as well as Finnish porridge. Heather’s Helsinki offers a tasty tour of the city that lasts 4-5 hours as well as includes 9 different stops around the city for just 85 EUR per person. You’ll not only get to eat some excellent food however you’ll learn a lot about the history as well as culture behind the cuisine.
15. check out the Helsinki City Museum
Opened in 1911, this is an exceptional city museum with plenty of descriptions as well as top-notch exhibits as well as photos. It’s really the third-best city museum I’ve come across in Europe (after the Amsterdam as well as Barcelona museums). Mis het niet. You learn a lot about the city as well as about exactly how it has changed as well as evolved over the centuries.
Aleksanterinkatu 16, +358 9 31036630, helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi. open weekdays from 11am-7pm as well as weekends from 11am-5pm. Toegang is gratis.
16. chill out in Kaivopuisto Park
This significant park is tucked away in the southeast corner of Helsinki. during the winter, tobogganing is popular here. lots of events held right here as well, such as Vappu Day (May 1st) celebrations. The park overflows with thousands of locals who come to picnic, listen to music, as well as drink away the day. since it’s so out of the way, you barely ever see tourists here.
17. hit the Sauna
You can’t check out Finland without going to a sauna. The word itself is Finnish as well as there are over 3 million in the country (which is a lot since there are only 5.5 million people in Finland). There are plenty of public saunas in Helsinki, most of which expense around 10 EUR as well as have separate sections for men as well as women. You can usually rent towels as well, as well as while going nude is the traditional method there’s no shame in wearing a towel either.
Some of the best saunas in the city are:
Kotiharjun Sauna
Sauna Hermanni
Allas Sea Pool
18. check out Seurasaari Island
This island just north of the city is house to an open-air museum featuring traditional style Finnish buildings. Guided tours are offered everyday in the summer as well as take you around the buildings as well as shed light on exactly how Finns lived from the 17th-19th centuries. The museum, which opened in 1909, collected the buildings from all around the country so you aren’t seeing replicas here.
Meilahti, +358 295 33 6912, kansallismuseo.fi/en/seurasaarenulkomuseo. open from May-September. check website for specific hours. Admission is 10 EUR.
19. check out the style Museum
Finnish design, like its Scandinavian counterparts, is incredibly popular, known for seamlessly integrating style elements into regular life. The museum teaches you about Finnish architecture as well as style history over the last century as well as a half. opened in 1873, the style museum holds over 75,000 objects, 40,000 drawings, as well as 100,000 photographs.
Korkeavuorenkatu 23, +358 9 6220 540, designmuseum.fi/en/. open 11am-6pm Tuesday-Sunday (open until 8pm on Wednesdays) in winter as well as 11-6 everyday in summer. Admission is 12 EUR.
20. check out Amos Rex
Named after Amos Anderson, a Finnish patron of the arts Amos Rex is an art museum that opened in August 2018. It has a rotating series of temporary exhibitions from local as well as worldwide artists (check the website for details) as well as is already one of the most popular in Helsinki. I’m not a modern art fan, however I’m told this gallery has really great exhibitions.
Mannerheimintie 22–24, +358 9 6844 460, amosrex.fi/en. open 11am-8pm on weekdays (closed on Tuesdays) as well as 11am-5pm on weekends. Admission is 20 EUR.
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Helsinki is a city that deserves more praise than it gets. fortunately for you, since it typically overlooked, you can check out without dealing with the crowds that so many other European capitals are plagued with.
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