Finland's capital city offers great hotels, shopping and cultural attractions.
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SHOPPING</b>
There are lots of shopping options for all you die-hard consumers. Here are a handful of options you have to check out:
Stockmann
Locals are fond of saying, “If you can't find it at Stockmann, you don't need it!” Well, there's a hefty endorsement! Stockmann is the largest department store chain in Scandinavia and offers a wide selection of goods, from food and fashion to beauty and books. For more information, visit stockmann.fi
Marimekko
Marimekko is one of those shops that you simply must visit. Established in 1951, this authentically Finnish textile and clothing design company offers top of the line clothes, home decor items, handbags and other gorgeous accessories. You'll definitely want to pick up a few things to take home; everyone will be dying to know where you got them!
marimekko.com</b>
The Market Square
The largest and probably most enticing outdoor market in Helsinki is The Market Square, located on the South Harbour on the Gulf of Finland, where the cruise ships come in, is open Monday through Thursday from 8am to 5pm, Fridays from 8am to 6pm and Saturdays from 8am to 3pm. You'll have lots of fun strolling from stall to stall, checking out beautiful handmade silk scarves, jewelry and other souvenirs. Hungry? There are food stalls as well, so you can warm up with a hot bowl of salmon soup on a cool day.
CULTURE</b>
There's no shortage of cultural and historical landmarks to see in Helsinki. Here are three you won't want to miss:
Senate Square
Senate Square is a popular tourist attraction. This large, outdoor square is a symbol of Helsinki's history and presents an interesting juxtaposition of religion, politics and education. The square is flanked on the north side by the impressive and imposing Lutheran Cathedral, the construction of which was completed in 1852. Situated atop a magnificent staircase, The Lutheran Cathedral is designed in the neo-classical architectural style and is a major tourist destination; each year, upwards of 350,000 people visit the church, the majority of which are tourists. On the eastern side of the square you'll find The Palace of the Council of State, built in 1822 and on the opposite side is the University of Helsinki's main building, built in 1832. Dominating the centre of the square is a statue of Emperor Alexander II, a reminder of Finland's past association with Russia.
Temppeliaukio Church
This incredible church is a must-see for all visitors to Helsinki. Completed in 1969, this church is built entirely inside solid rock and is also known as The Church of the Rock. Surrounded by glass panels, the church is flooded with natural light and it's also got amazing acoustics; it's a popular venue for concerts. In fact, I was lucky enough to stumble upon the Finnish National Opera Orchestra rehearsing when I visited. What a treat!
The Sibelius Park and Monument
This park was created to pay tribute to the life and work of Jean Sibelius, the famous Finnish composer (1865-1957). The park itself is pretty, with plenty of birch trees, oversized rocks and park benches to sit and enjoy the view. But what's of most interest is the sculpture (abstractly resembling organ pipes) by Eila Hiltunen, created to honor Sibelius. A disembodied sculpture of the composer's head in cast stainless steel sits not far away. Unveiled in 1967, the "organ" monument weighs 24 tons and is a point of pride for many Finns.
Natalie Bahadur is the editor of
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