Port of Helsinki, Finland
ABOUT
The port city of Helsinki was established by order of the Swedish King Gustav Vasa in 1550. The port and city grew together, and trade helped Helsinki become one of the wealthiest cities in Finland and Uusimaa. Exports included furs, wood, tar, fish, and animals, while salt and grain were brought to the fortress.
In 1808, Russia conquered the entire area of present-day Finland and made Helsinki the capital of a new autonomous region; the Grand Duchy of Finland. Finland declared its independence from the Russian Empire on December 6, 1917, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution.
Today Helsinki is well-known for its innovative art, culture and architecture. Technology and biotechnology also plays an important part in Finland’s economy.
Population is over 664,000
Currency is the Euro.
THINGS TO DO
Whilst the city dates back to its Medieval origins, it isn’t what you would traditionally see as a historic city.
You will find that you can take tours relating to Finland’s culture and history.
There is a hop-on-hop-off bus, boat tours of the harbour, canal cruise, a sealife centre and discovery walks through the city. There are also tours that include food tastings.
On the outskirts of the city there are parks to explore including the Nuuksio National Park. Why not visit the Seurasaari Open Air Museum taking you on a journey through Finland’s rural past.
Back in the city there are museums to see including the Helsinki City Museum together with the Natural History Museum, Arts Museum and more.
Helsinki Cathedral is a beautiful and iconic landmark located in the heart of the Finnish capital. With its distinctive neoclassical architecture, stunning white façade, and towering green domes, the cathedral has become a symbol of Helsinki.
The city has a vibrant club and dancing scene. There is a variety of fantastic shops and a sprinkling of internationally revered restaurants. Food available covers everythng from vegetarian lunches to French bistro cooking.
A SPECIAL PLACE
We have visited Helsinki on a number of occasions and enjoyed the city. Notably some of our earlier visits were in the days when ships could also stop at St Petersburg.
However Helsinki and Finland in general holds a particularly special place in Lindsey’s heart. Back in 1980 she won an International scholarship via the National Young Farmers’ Clubs travel programme. One of only 6 to win the scholarship, she spent 4 weeks in the country living with families as an exchangee.
This was certainly an experience for all exchangees. Fortunately, or otherwise, it gave Lindsey a taste for some of the food including Elk, local cheese, their sausages, Puula bread, chocolate and coffee. But even she draws the line at Fish Soup and Sour Milk!
OUR FAVOURITE THINGS TO DO
In 2024 we visited on P&O Cruises Aurora. On that occasion we took an option of a small group visit around the city as we thought this would be a change from other visits we have had.
As a small group tour our mode of transport was a minibus. We travelled the streets with an informed guide. However there were a huge amount of roadworks and reconstruction in the city, making for a somewhat uncomforable ride at that point.
Our first stop was the Sibelius Park. This recreational area was established in 1916. The current design was commenced in 1937 and is broadly based on an English-style landscape garden.
The park was originally called Humallahden luonnonpuisto (Humallahti Nature Park) after the name of the adjacent bay. It was also referred to as Kinnekullan puisto (Kinnekulla Puisto) after the name of one of the former villas. However, the park was renamed in honour of legendary Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865–1957) in 1945 on his 80th birthday.
Unveiled 7 September 1967, The Sibelius Monument, resembling organ pipes, is made of welded steel with over 600 pipes and with the bust of the composer on one side.
Temppeliaukio Church
The guided tour took us around the streets of Helsinki and we were able to photograph various landmarks from the minibus. However our next stop was a joy.
We were taken on a tour around the streets of Helsinki before reaching our next stop.
Once the minibus dropped us off, we had a short uphill walk to the entrance of this amazing Church of the Rock.
Whilst it looks nothing like a church from the outside, we were looking at the entrance to Temppeliaukio Church.
It is known locally as the Rock Church or the Church of the Rock.
This Lutheran church was commissioned as a result of a competition that was held. The winning design was by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969.
Visitors enter through a dark hallway, and into the light-filled sanctuary carved directly into the bedrock. The exposed rock walls earned it the local name of the Rock Church or Church of the Rock.
In contrast skylights surrounding the dome create a play of light and shadows and a feeling of airiness. As well as being a place of worship – it is a photographer’s playground.
The 24m diameter roof is made up of a copper plate-covered dome. It is connected to the natural rock wall by 180 window panes that let in natural light.
The walls are formed of rough natural rock, a striking contrast to the smooth copper balcony that runs around the edge. Concrete beams support the roof and part of the ceiling is formed from copper wire.
The design of the church means there is no bell tower. Instead a recording of bells is played through loudspeakers on the outside wall.
This church welcomes thousands of visitors from around the world each year. Please note that during weddings, christenings, funerals and the Sunday Service the church is closed for visitors.
We are so pleased that we visited this architectural delight – and would recomend anyone visiting Helsinki to try and make time to visit as well.
Senate Square
No visit to Helsinki would be complete without a visit to Senate Square.
Our guide during our visit gave an informed insight to the area.
The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel (1778-1840): Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland.
The statue of Alexander II of Russia stands in the middle of Senate Square. He issued that the Finnish language was to be on par with Swedish and Russian in the Grand Duchy, while also passing laws regarding infrastructure and currency.
The Square hosts local markets, concerts and arts events throughout the year.
Having an overnight stop in Helsinki has been quite unusual up until recently. There is a night life of music, arts, theatre, Opera. There are also numerous bars and restaurants throughout the city. However after a busy day across the city on this visit, we chose to have a relaxing evening on board Aurora.
Day 2 of our visit saw us exploring more of the port area independently.
Exploring Helsinki on foot
After a short shuttle bus ride from the ship we arrived in the port ready to explore. We first called at the Old Market Hall. This is the oldest of the Market Halls in Helsinki and has been serving customers since 1889.
Once inside we found it to be full of stalls selling local foods, drinks and some unusual delicacies.
The stallholders are very friendly and willing to talk about their wares. A cheese stall sold everything from local cheeses to traditional English Cheddar (imported by the English owner). There were cafe areas selling beverages and local cakes.
Our travels took us to a nearby open air market where Lindsey insisted on having Puula Bread and local coffee and then on to Reindeer meat Hot Dogs. You can see how we got on in our video below.
Strolling through the city we came to Esplanade Park which was a lovely place to walk or sit on one of the many benches to enjoy the ambiance.
We finished our time in Helsinki by finding a bar/restaurant with loads of outside seating. Time for a beer – well it would have been rude not to! However we were pleasantly suprised to find that there was also an open air concert taking place directly opposite.
The band playing that afternoon were in fact the Finnish Airforce Band playing big band sounds. Did we sit and have another beer while listening to them – again, it would have been rude not to!
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