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- 1
  
  1. Senate Square
  
  The Senate Square is one of the architectural masterpieces created by C.L. Engel. The columns and porticoes of the Square resemble the Corinthian... read more
  
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- 2
  
  2. Sederholmin Talo
  
  This simply adorable little blue house stands on the southeast corner of Senate Square, and can easily be recognized by its color. This is Sederholm... read more
  
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- 3
  
  3. Kauppatori
  
  Kauppatori's cobblestone square is a great place to buy fresh flowers, fish and vegetables. Enjoy old-fashioned Finnish Eskimo ice cream or one... read more
  
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  Shopping
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- 4
  
  4. Stockmann
  
  Helsinki's largest department store is also Finland's finest and oldest. Its main entrance is on Aleksanterinkatu, with other entrances on Keskuskatu,...
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  Shopping
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- 5
  
  5. Rautatieasema
  
  The Railway Station is an important symbol of Helsinki, as well as an internationally renowned pearl of architecture. The building dates from 1914,... read more
  
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- 6
  
  6. Suomen Kansallisteatteri
  
  The majestic Finnish National Theater, one of Finland's most renowned Art Nouveau buildings, dominates the Rautatientori Square. Based on designs... read more
  
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- 7
  
  7. Ateneumin Taidemuseo
  
  Housing the largest collection of fine art in Finland, this museum displays the works of mostly Finnish artists produced between the mid-1700s...
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  Art Museums/Galleries
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- 8
  
  8. Suomen Kansallismuseo (National Museum of Finland)
  
  The National Museum of Finland was designed by Herman Geselius, Armas Lindgren and Eliel Saarinen. The museum is one of the proudest pieces of... read more
  
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- 9
  
  9. Sibelius Park & Monument
  
  Called Sibeliuksen puisto in Finnish, this park was planned to honor Jean Sibelius, Finland's most famous composer. The grounds are not manicured,...
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  Type:
  Picnics, Parks & Gardens
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- 10
  
  10. Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress
  
  The Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress was built during periods of Swedish and Russian rule of Finland in the 18th Century. Having been compared to... read more
  
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See all 312 Things to Do in Helsinki: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

The Best of NileGuide
Helsinki had a devastating fire in 1808 and when it was rebuilt it was modelled on the Russian city of St Petersburg with Neoclassical buildings fronting wide boulevards. Some of this grandeur has endured, particularly around Senate Square and this is a great place to start a walking sightseeing tour. Places to see are the exquisite Tuomiokirkko or Helsinki Cathedral, Government Palace and Helsinki University all facing the square. Close by is Sederholm House, the oldest stone building in the city and City Museum with its interesting history of Helsinki.

Walk west and you reach Kauppatori or market square with its colorful stalls of fresh fruit and vegetables. From here Esplanadi leads to the shopping paradise of the Stockmann Department Store, Europe's largest department store and the close-by Forum shopping mall.

North from here is the Rautatieasema or the Railway Station designed by architect Eliel Saarinen. To the north-east is the imposing Suomen Kansallisteatteri or the National Theater, to the east the city bus terminal, and to the south-east is the Ateneumin Taidemuseo or the Art Museum. From here north along Mannerheimintie there is much to see. First there is the post office and postal museum. Further on are the Suomen Kansallismuseo or the National Museum, Finlandia Hall, the Opera House and the Olympic stadium.

A scenic highlight is the Sibelius Park with its fascinating monument. Then there is the Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress, the centuries-old fortress and its museums are well worth a visit.

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