Situated on the southern coast of Finland, Helsinki is a gate between East and West. Finland’s capital city embodies much of the Finnish spirit and its progressive hi-tech push but also is unlike any other Finnish city, due in part to the combination of Swedish and Russian influences.

Popular tours and excursions visit Sibelius’ Home and Art Nouveau locations; the Old Wooden Town of Porvoo; Mustio Manor and Fiskars Ironworks; or the countryside. A day trip to the Arctic Circle can also be arranged.

Founded in 1550 by Sweden’s King Gustav, Helsinki was developed as a harbor town to compete for Baltic trade with Tallinn. The Finnish capital developed around the port.

Situated in the city center, South Harbor is the central cruise passenger traffic hub. Cruise ships dock at Katajanokka or other quays within walking distance of the city center and the Kauppatori Market Square, a colorful way to begin exploration of Helsinki.

The largest cruise ships dock at Hernesaari in West Harbor, from where shuttle buses take passengers in ten minutes to the city center

Markets

Cruise passengers can hardly miss Helsinki’s famous Kauppatori, the Market Square, selling almost everything from fresh fish to handicrafts. The Old Market Hall next to the Market Square is worth a visit as well. The Old Market Hall offers historic charm and a wide assortment of fresh fish and special foods, including canned bear meat!

Parks

Kaivopuisto Park is Helsinki’s oldest and best-known park. The sea, rock cliffs and green lawns offer many opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. At the highest point of the park is the Ursa Observatory. There are several cafés and restaurants along the shore and on the islands.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Suomenlinna Fortress, one of the world’s largest maritime fortresses, founded in 1748 and built on six islands off the coast of Helsinki.

Churches

Western Europe’s largest orthodox church (Helsinki’s Orthodox Cathedral).

Shopping

Find it all at Finland’s Stockmann, the Nordic region’s largest department store. In Helsinki, shoppers will find Stockmann along the main shopping streets running north and south: Pohjoisesplanadi and Eteläesplanadi.

Stockmann also houses the Academic Bookstore, situated in a separate block and connected to the department store by a tunnel. Helsinki’s Design District offers a variety of shops selling Finnish design classics and fresh and innovative ideas produced by younger generation.

Museums

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum in Helsinki features traditional old buildings and farmsteads reflecting the history of Finnish architecture from the 18th century to the present day.

Helsinki is one of the leading passenger ports in the Baltic. Around 25,000 people pass through the port each day. Helsinki received 270 cruise calls and about 360,000 cruise passengers last year. Helsinki is just an overnight cruise from St. Petersburg and Stockholm. Here ships can replenish their water supplies, stock up on high-quality food and offer passengers a uniquely charming stopping point in the Baltic.

Helsinki’s South Harbour is conveniently located for cruise passengers and is considered one of the most beautiful passenger harbours in the world. Ships tie up in the heart of the city. Visitors have been favourably impressed by Helsinki’s cleanliness, friendliness, tidiness, beautiful buildings, sea and harbour.

Helsinki is the northernmost capital in the European Union. Over the centuries the city has maintained its human face. Helsinki stands out from the other Scandinavian capitals by virtue of its youth and dynamism. The city’s compact size and clear plan make Helsinki a safe and pleasant place to visit. Helsinki has been aptly described as a ‘pocket-sized metropolis’.

Avid Cruiser Posts, Photographs and Videos Featuring Helsinki.

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• Greetings From Finland
• Regent Seven Seas Voyager In Helsinki
• Market Mania
• Natural Beauty At The Parks
• Cultural Offerings Aplenty
• Finnish Shopping Yet?
• Open-Air Museums
• Port of Call: Helsinki, Finland
• Maritime Museums
• Helsinki, Where East Meets West
• Cruising White Nights
• Nordic Walking, Wooden Knives