Helsinki

Helsinki, the capital and largest city of Finland, is located in the south of the country on the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the city area of the city includes over 300 islands and a sea fortress. The downtown core of Helsinki is built in neoclassical style, mostly according to the plans of architect Carl Ludwig Engel.

The most famous...

Helsinki, the capital and largest city of Finland, is located in the south of the country on the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the city area of the city includes over 300 islands and a sea fortress. The downtown core of Helsinki is built in neoclassical style, mostly according to the plans of architect Carl Ludwig Engel.

The most famous sight in Helsinki would be the 18th century built Suomenlinna Sea Fortress listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located on one of the many island off the coast and can be reached by ferry leaving from the Market Square in the city. Further sights include the Sibelius Monument, the Market Square, the Parliament House, the Kiasma, the Finlandia Hall, the National Museum of Finland, the Helsinki Cathedral and the Esplanadi Park.

When travelling with your little ones be sure to head to the Linnanmäki amusement park with more than 50 rides and rollercoaster and a panorama tower offering a splendid view of the city and the seaside. You should also visit Korkeasaari, Finland’s biggest zoo, housing among others brown bears and snow leopards or the Helsinki zoo, which is home to more than 150 species.

In summer you and your children can have a well-deserved breather in one of Helsinki’s many parks equipped with playgrounds and picnic tables. In winter your little ones can play in the snow, go skating or skiing. If the sea is frozen it is also possible to go for a walk on the ice.

The people in Finland are reserved and rarely offer help out of their own accord, but when asked they will happily give you a hand. Don’t worry about the strange language spoken in the country because most people are fully fluent in English. Large parts of Helsinki are barrier free with good pavement, however you can also find parts with uneven cobblestones. Since the city centre is fairly small you can see most if the sights located on the main land in one day.

Public transportation in Helsinki is operated by busses, trams, the metro and short-distance trains. As in any bigger city, entering a bus with a buggy during rush hour can be a bit tricky, but other than that it is fairly easy to get a round with your baby.