Helsinki Cruise Guide

Elegant and cultured, modern Helsinki is a perfect cruise itinerary venue occupying the head of a peninsula surrounded by a spectacular archipelago.

Since Finland's independence from Russia in 1917, its capital blossomed, particularly during the 1920s and 1930s, when many elegant new buildings began to line its broad boulevards - and the process has continued to this day.

Despite the changes, though, Russian influence is still in evidence, giving Helsinki a very special atmosphere, and giving the visitor a definite sense of being in a rather special corner of Europe.

Helsinki's compact and attractive centre focuses on the sea-front Kauppatori (Market Square), where locals gather to lunch and buy produce from the market stalls. From here the architectural heart of Helsinki, Senaatintori (Senate Square), is a five-minute walk. The best overview of the city is from its tallest building - the Hotel Torni - from where it is easy to see Helsinki's most noted landmarks. These include Alvar Aalto's Finlandia Hall and Steven Holl's arc of a building, Kiasma, the contemporary art gallery.

A good way to see the sights is to take tram 3T, which takes in most of the main attractions.

Highlights
• Sibelieus Monument and Park
• Kiasma
• Temppeliaukio Church
• Suomenlinna Island
• Helsinki Cathedral
• Ateneum Art Museum 

City of Helsinki Tourist Office
Pohjoisesplanadi 19
Tel: +354 9310 13300.
Website: www.hel2.fi/tourism

Finnish handicrafts, Moomin memorabilia, jewellery, handwoven ryijy rugs, furniture, glassware, porcelain, ceramics, furs and textiles are amongst the many Finnish specialities on sale. Helsinki railway station has the first underground shopping centre in the country.

The city's main shopping streets are Pohjoisesplanadi, Aleksanterinkatu and Fredrikinkatu. A walk around the Esplanadi reveals most of Finland's best-known design stores.

Potatoes, meat (even bear!), fish, milk, butter and rye bread are the traditional mainstays of the Finnish diet. Light meals are generally available around the city for the visiting cruise passenger.

In the summer, when average temperatures climb the whole city comes alive. The bars overflow onto the streets and throughout July and August, the Finns revel in 20-hour-long summer days. Winter, however, can be very cold indeed.

Helsinki.

2.5km (1.5 miles).

10-15 minutes.

Finland

GMT + 2.

Euro (€) = 100 cents.

Finnish.

Southern Finland.

569,000.

Republic.

Lutheran Protestant majority, Orthodox and other minorities.

The Finns can seem reserved with strangers, but they are friendly, and many speak good English. Shaking hands is customary. Casual dress is widely acceptable.

Tipping: A service charge of 14-15% is usual.