Proudly independent, this compact Nordic capital is an excellent choice for a city break.The first morning of our autumn visit to Helsinki brought the first snow of winter, which certainly added an extra dimension to the places we visited on our first day. We walked miles, discovering fantastic places and culinary treats. Helsinki was full of surprises and although I must admit I didn’t visit a sauna, I did reacquaint myself with some childhood friends, the Moomins. We loved Helsinki’s diverse architecture and stylish shops and restaurants Here are some highlights of our visit:
Coffee culture
Apparently Finnish people consume the most coffee in the world per capita and we certainly had some great coffee shop experiences.
1. Johan and Nyström
2. Finlandia café
3. The best of all –Karl Fazer café
This became our go-to café at all times of the day. They are open until 10pm which was great. We could try the delicious food and then buy a range of gorgeous chocolates. I felt it was important to try several varieties in order to make informed decisions about which ones to take home! Karl Fazer opened his French-Russian café in 1891 and it’s still going strong. It seems to be a real Helsinki institution and inspire the same affection as Betty’s in Yorkshire. I loved the Art Deco style entrance and a couple of boxes of “Fazer blue” chocolates are still being enjoyed at home several weeks after our return.
Suomenlinna
We took an early morning ferry to the fortress island of Suomenlinna. As well as the museum and all the fortifications, there were several places to eat and even more restaurants in the summer. We had a bracing walk around the fortifications and a lovely stop for lunch in the gift centre.
Sibelius monument
As we boarded our British Airways flight to Helsinki, Finlandia was playing which was a really nice touch. As Finland’s most celebrated composer, it is only fitting that Sibelius should have an impressive monument dedicated to him. We were there on a gloriously sunny day and loved it. The monument was unveiled in 1967 and it did spark some controversy but I think it’s stunning.
The Old Market Hall – Vanha Kauppahalli
Another place worth more than one visit, the old market hall was full of character, colour and charm. We found another brilliant café, were amazed by the local delicacies and tempting crafts and displays.
