As three days in Helsinki to spend

As three days in Helsinki to spend -

Helsinki seems to be normal by the "Scandinavian tourist track." Most people that I make to Copenhagen or Stockholm to know (or sometimes Oslo, if they can afford it), but they stop there. Helsinki never seems radar of most budget travelers on the journey, I know. I'm not sure why. I think Helsinki simply not getting the frenzied press that do elsewhere.

which is a shame, because Helsinki was a pleasant surprise for me.

Like most people, I just run through here on the way to somewhere cheaper (Tallin, Estonia). Helsinki was very nice and had good food, and the locals were lively and very friendly. But on a budget, you can only spend a few days here really

So in this sense, here are my suggestions on how to spend it .:

Day 1

postal Museum

shows this museum the history of the postal service in Finland. It may seem like a really boring museum sound, but I thought it is actually the development of e-mail service of carriages and ships was very interesting to see a modern post. There are a lot of details here as it develops under Swedish rule, then Russian, then Finnish too modern.

Museum of Contemporary Art
I can not say I like contemporary art. I have never understood how a blade in cement plug or paint stroke on canvas is "art". Give me the classic Impressionists or Dutch masters and I'm a lucky guy. But contemporary art? No thanks. That is, the museum is right up the street from the Post Museum, and from what I have said, there is a large collection has, if you are in this kind of thing.

National Museum of Finland

I admit that I am a snob when it comes to history museums. I was a history major at school, and I am annoyed when museums are missing descriptions or leave gaps in the story. But I was really impressed with the National Museum of Finland. It has a large collection of artifacts, does a good job of many details, the story moves along chronologically provision, and everything has a good description so that you know what you're looking at. I recommend this museum very much. It's awesome.

Finnish Museum of Photography
The Museum of Photography is on the extreme western edge of town, a little away from the center. It's worth a walk, though, as it houses a strong collection, which mainly focused on Finnish artists.

Sinebrychoff Art Museum
This museum is the only museum in the city that really focuses on older European paintings and portraits. While the lower floor of the museum has a lot of photos and more modern works, as you go through the old Sinebrychoff residence, has on the top floor, the older paintings.

Punavuori Park

in the immediate vicinity of the Sinebrychoff Museum is a nice small residential park worth to hang. There are around many small cafes, so you can have a snack and just relax. After a day of walking around as much of Helsinki, you probably need.

Day 2

Bank of Finland Museum
[1945007DiesesMuseum] was one of the coolest museums I have seen in a long time. While it is the case a good job on the history of money in Finland, what it really does is good, tell the story of modern finance. It offers up detailed background and large exhibits. It was quite a learning experience.

Helsinki Cathedral

Located next to the Bank Museum is giant cathedral Helsinki. It towers over the surrounding space and inspired a few "wows." You are not to imagine this is one of the largest cathedrals in Europe, but I believe it is one of the best in Scandinavia was.

Uspensky Church

This large red church is hard to miss, as it sits on a hill overlooking the city. This Eastern Orthodox church is massive and very impressive with its large domes and gold crosses. The interior is generously furnished, with typical Orthodox icons.

Helsinki City Museum
As the Finland History Museum, the Helsinki version is excellent. There are many descriptions and large exhibits and photos. It is the third best city museum I have come across in Europe (after the Amsterdam and Barcelona museums). You should not miss it.

Central Market

at the bottom right on the harbor is a market where you can do lots of souvenir shopping, eat some local food and buy fresh vegetables (and lots of fresh berries in summer). The place is teeming with tourists generally, but I heard enough there Finnish know not a complete tourist trap. There is also a covered part of the market, where you will find pastries, fish, meat and cheese. Eat in the soup kitchen, when you are hungry (seafood soup).

Esplanade Park

When Central Market down Pohjoisesplanadi street heading to the park seemed like a popular place to take a lunch break to spend (though in winter, it is not may be so large). This long park is a good place to relax; There are around a series of street musicians and a few restaurants nearby.

Kaivopuisto Park
This large park is located down at the southeast end of Helsinki is a great way to end the day. During the summer, residents and tourists flock alike to hang to this park, sports, picnics, and take in the fantastic views of the harbor. In winter, the largest hill in the park a popular sledging slope. On Vappu Day (Mai 1th) Kaivopuisto is packed with tens of thousands of Helsinkians that come with friends and family for a picnic, listening to loud music, and consume a lot of alcoholic beverages.

Day 3

The island Suomenlinna

You can spend half a day away to this old bastion on foot. It was first built by the Swedes in 1748 as a defense against the Russians. And when the Russians took place in 1808 on Helsinki, they used it as a garrison. It was finally taken over by Finland in 1918, and it is now a park and residential works.

There are many interesting buildings here, a nice hike and some out-of-the-way beaches and parks. Many Finns who hang out here in the summer and relax. I think it's a perfect place to walk or picnic.

to the Harbor Islands Visit hang out

If you do not spend a whole day and to Suomenlinna lounging, take a tour around some of the other islands in the harbor to get an idea of ​​how important it was to the local lifestyle in the past. There are a ton of tours to choose from, and if you have a Helsinki Card, are most 20%.

****

I did not feel that three days was really enough time to really see Helsinki. In summer, Helsinki is best experienced through its outer areas, but with only three days, I know I missed out on a lot. If you can squeeze in more time here, I recommend visiting Porvoo high, which is a day trip out of town. The ferry leaves at 10:00 am and returns at around 17.00. There is an artists' community there

. Note: You're probably thinking: "This is a pretty tourist guide." You're right. With so little time and so large parks and informative museums in Helsinki, there was not much time for other things to do. Of course, if you have to show to follow them locals. But if you do not, it's what I would do with my time.

budgeting in Helsinki
Like most Scandinavian cities, Helsinki is not cheap. (Although to be thanks to the Euro, it is cheaper than its neighbors.) If you are looking to save money, I recommend first get a Helsinki Card. There is much to see here and pay € 8 per museum will add. I have a 48-hour Helsinki Card for 45 euros. I saved 15 €, to do that, and it includes discounts on some buffets and free city traffic. It was not much, but save 15 €, is better than 15 € to spend not to have.

The food is expensive here. I never found something cheaper than € 5, and that was for a small lunch special. Most everything on the page "cheap" is about 8-9 euros (mostly pizza, kebab and sandwich shops) to be when you are not prepare their own meals. Many restaurants offer a lunch buffet costs 8-10 euros. Stockmann supermarket also has a large selection of pre-made cheap meals for around five to six euros. If you want to go expensive, I suggest Aino for good Finnish food (try the reindeer).

Helsinki does not get all the press, that get other Scandinavian cities, but it's still worth a visit (especially if you're in the area because it and only one hour from Tallinn, Estonia, is an overnight ferry ride from Stockholm). And I guarantee, with the itinerary above, you are most of the time do there

Note . After he failed miserably to find on a couchsurfing host, Roomorama was brilliant enough to see me an apartment in town for two nights. The hosts were amazing. The rest of the time I was at Euro Hostel. They gave me a private room near the central market and are part of Hostelling International.

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