A modern European cultural capital city, Helsinki boasts an urban cosmopolitan lifestyle coexisting in perfect harmony with nature. The city is surrounded by the sea and the outlying colourful archipelago. Historical sights combine with spectacular nature and a busy cultural calendar to make this city a haven for art lovers as well as outdoor enthusiasts.
Helsinki’s main city features are the immediate presence of nature and the exceptionally clear street network. Parks await visitors around almost every corner, even in the city’s most densely-built districts. The city opens up to the sea and there are no major buildings along most of the shoreline.
With the city so well planned and designed for its inhabitants, getting to the top attractions does not require much planning. Admire the stunning architecture from the historical buildings around the Senate Square to the grand Parliament House, attend one of the numerous cultural events, visit one of the impressive museums and then chill out in a nearby park before doing some serious shopping in the department stores or market halls.
Culture vultures will have a field day with the multitude of galleries, museums, theatres and the world-class National Opera. Music is also well represented, as Helsinki is home to the Sibelius Academy, one of the world’s most famous music academies. Jazz and Tango lovers will also get their fill.
The Kamppi district is just a short distance from the main railway station. It is home to many restaurants, bars and boutiques and is suitable for both business travellers and tourists. For a truly Finnish experience close to nature, why not try the log cabins in Rastila, not too far from central Helsinki. The Töölö district is a big inner-city neighbourhood with good access to all of Helsinki by public transport, and is known for its artists and restaurants.
The best hotels in Helsinki are located in the centre, and staying outside the city centre is not really worthwhile. The hotels in the centre are excellent value for money, are all clean, offer good service and the rates generally include breakfast. Since the Finnish capital is, like the country itself, rather understated, you’ll find few high rises and flashy hotels. In fact it’s such a homely city that almost all the hotels are located conveniently in the centre. Like the rest of Scandinavia budget options are slim, but you’ll be comfortable in hotels of well known chains such as Radisson, Holiday Inn, Hilton, and the local Sokos group.
Swedish King Gustav Vasa established Helsinki in 1550 as the Swedish township of Helsingfors. Gustav’s plan for the town was to consolidate trade in Finland’s southern part and to provide a competitor to today’s Tallinn, a Hanseatic League city nearby, which at the time dominated regional trade. With the aim of ensuring the city’s economic feasibility, the King ordered the residents of a number of other towns to move to Helsingfors. However, the order did not seem to accomplish its intended result. At the end of the Livonian War, Sweden acquired north-eastern Estonia, including Tallin, which resulted in the Swedish crown losing interest in developing a competitor to Tallin. Thus, Helsingfors languished as a forgotten hamlet for decades afterwards.
Summers are warm and bright, beginning in May and lasting until mid-September. The average summer temperature is about 15°C. On hot days the temperature can soar to around 30°C with July being the hottest month. During the summer equinox in late June, the city enjoys no less than 19 hours of daylight a day. Towards the end of September, temperatures cool down significantly and the days grow visibly shorter with the approaching arrival of winter.
Swedish influence was relatively lacking in Helsingfors and combined with the town’s relative proximity to St Petersburg, it was believed this would make a Finnish government with seat in Helsingfors easier to control. Additionally, the fortress of Sveaborg made the city less vulnerable to attack. The Russian government rebuilt the city, planning to turn it into an elegant modern capital similar to St Petersburg.
The 19th century saw Helsingfors developing into the economic and cultural hub of Finland. Beginning in the late 19th century, Finnish became more and more the dominant language in the city, as the people who moved there were mainly Finnish-speaking. Today, Helsinki is an archetypical 21st century city, enjoying the comforts of an advanced infrastructure and the reassurance of its unspoilt nature.
Helsinki’s weather is influenced by both maritime and continental climate patterns and there are four distinct seasons.
Les étés sont chauds et clairs, à partir de mai jusqu'à la mi-septembre. La température moyenne en été est de 15°C. Les jours chauds, la température peut monter à environ 30°C, notamment en juillet le mois le plus chaud. Pendant l'équinoxe d'été à la fin du mois de juin, la ville joui de 19 heures de lumière du jour dans la journée. Vers la fin de septembre, les températures se rafraîchissent de manière significative et les jours deviennent visiblement plus courts avec l'arrivée de l'hiver.
Winter begins in November or early December, when temperatures fluctuate around 0°C. The first snow shines its own inimitable light, making Helsinki a flawless winter wonderland. Average temperatures between December and February are around 4°C.
January is usually the coldest time of the year, when temperatures can drop to below -15°C. Spring arrives late in Helsinki, usually around April. The days quickly grow lighter and the first warm days herald the coming summer.
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