Review of Helsinki
Helsinki
Flights to Helsinki mean summertime walks along the Gulf of Finland, smoked salmon dinners and reindeer souvenirs.
Things to do
After flights to Helsinki, wander the city’s downtown, dominated by the massive white columns and green domes of Helsinki Cathedral. Climb the cathedral’s central dome for Helsinki’s best views of tree-lined avenues leading to the Gulf of Finland.
Shopping
Stacks of warm reindeer-hide mittens and colourfully painted wooden toys lie on display in Market Square. On nearby Esplanadi Avenue, purchase stylish housewares of glass and ceramic, souvenirs of a city break in Helsinki.
Restaurants
Generous seisovapöytä, or Finnish smorgasbords, allow Helsinki travellers to try a little of everything. Dine on marinated terrines of reindeer, mounds of smoked carp and fresh salmon, and crusty bread spread with lingonberry preserves.
Nightlife
Helsinki hotspots lie downtown, near the Gulf of Finland, filling with music and young people right after dinner. Whether in lively clubs or quiet harbour-front bars, visitors toast a short but magical summer with pungent liqueurs of Finnish cranberries, yellow cloudberries and Arctic brambleberries.
When to go
KLM has frequent flights to Helsinki. Plan your holiday around the Finnish Salmon Fishing Championships and Salmon Market in June, or the Helsinki Festival in August, when the streets fill with contemporary music, theatre and dance.
