Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is most known for its sea-facing landscape, architecture, designs, and cuisine. It is also well known for its historical and traditional sites such as the churches and a fortress. Being a populous city in Finland with numerous tourist spots, it is one of the world’s most visited places. But with its numerous globally acclaimed tourist destinations, how do one choose the best places to visit in Helsinki? Here’s a list of the top 10 tourist attractions in Helsinki that you should check out in one of your future Finnish trips!
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
Topping the list of the top 10 tourist attractions in Helsinki is the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. It is a Unesco World Heritage Site and is one of Finland's most famous tourist destinations. Suomenlinna was once a naval base, and warships were built there. The former stronghold, which is built on a chain of islands, houses a variety of museums, cafes, and buildings from various centuries, as well as some of Finland's most important military history. Do not miss the chance of visiting one of the world’s heritages sites when you visit Helsinki.
Have you decided yet which of the top tourist attractions in Helsinki you are going to visit first? Go ahead and list them down in your bucket list and make sure to tick each one of them once you get to Helsinki!
Temppeliaukio Church
The Temppeliaukio church is located at the end of Fredrikinkatu in the center of Helsinki. It is a magnificent Lutheran church carved out of solid rock in the twentieth century. The Temppeliaukio church is one of Helsinki's most popular tourist attractions due to its unique architecture. If you are planning on visiting the Temppeliaukio church, morning is a great time to come because the interior is lit up by sunlight coming down through a copper dome. The church is also a famous musical venue due to its superb acoustics.
Helsinki Cathedral
The Helsinki Cathedral is designed by Carl Ludvig Engel. It is towering on the northern side of Senate Square, is a major tourist attraction and the site of national and academic festive services. It was initially known as St. Nicholas Church after the Russian tsar, but after Finland gained independence from Russia in 1917, the name was changed. Certainly, one of the attractions that devout tourist folks are going to visit.
Seurasaari Open-Air Museum
The Open-Air Museum of Seurasaari, located on one of Helsinki's islands, depicts traditional Finnish life in cottages, farmsteads, and manors from the previous four centuries. These structures have been transferred from all around Finland. The majority of the farms and manors are from the 18th to 20th century, while some are as old as four centuries. It is Finland's largest outdoor museum, with guides dressed in costumes portraying everyday activities. The museum complex's classic wooden buildings have been renovated to provide visitors a look into life in pre-industrial Finland. If you want a glimpse of what life was like during pre-industrial Finland, make sure to visit the Open-Air Museum at Seurasaari.
Old Market Hall
Since 1889, the Old Market Hall in Helsinki has served its consumers. There is a cafe and a restaurant within the Old Market Hall, as well as the smallest Alko shop for wines and beverages. This indoor market on the south harbor is not only a significant historical site and another lovely structure, but it's also a great place where you can buy local products, especially freshly caught fish from the nearby ocean.
Uspenski Cathedral
The Uspenski Cathedral, which remembers the death of the Virgin Mary is located on the Katajanokka peninsula overlooking Helsinki. It is the largest in Europe and is noteworthy for its red brick façade and sparkling golden onion domes. Certainly, an attraction for religious tourists visiting Helsinki.
Linnanmaki Amusement Park
Since 1950, Linnanmäki Amusement Park has been entertaining fun-seekers. The Amusement Park offers a diverse range of thrilling rides, from the most terrifying to the most relaxing. It has 44 rides, including the freefall tower and many roller coasters, including a wooden one, that are not for the faint of heart. Surely a place not just for kids, for those who are kids at heart!
Kamppi Chapel
Kamppi Chapel, also known as the Chapel of Silence, is placed at the entrance to a shopping mall. It is designed to provide people with a peaceful space to unwind, settle down, and reflect after a long day. It is in an innovatively constructed wooden edifice that looks more like a tall oval serving dish than a chapel on Narinkkatori square. It's an ecumenical chapel supported by Helsinki churches and the city's Social Service Department. If you are looking for a place to unwind when life becomes too stressful to handle, why not solace in the silence at Kamppi Chapel?
Esplanadi Park
Helsinki's most well-known park is Esplanadi Park. Since 1812, it has been an excellent spot to relax and decompress from the hustle and bustle of Helsinki. It is a terrific area to see and be seen, have a picnic with friends, or go to fashion exhibitions and jazz performances. The park, which is located in the center of Helsinki between two bustling streets, is immensely popular with locals. It's a spot where residents can rest in the large green area, listen to street entertainers, or be delighted by chamber orchestras. If you ever go tired of roaming around Helsinki, you might want to take a break at Esplanadi Park.
Helsinki Zoo
The Helsinki Zoo is home to around 150 animal species and nearly 1000 plant species, demonstrating nature's richness and diversity in Finland. The zoo was created in 1889, making it one of the world's oldest zoos. If you plan to take on a Finnish trip with kids, add this to your bucket list because this zoo, which is located on its own island, features numerous Finnish species, such as bears and moose, as well as creatures from around the world, such as lions, leopards, red pandas, and monkeys.
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