Helsinki is surrounded by over 300 islands, several of which are easily accessible by waterbus from either the Market Square or Hakaniemi. Here, we take a look at three of the most popular islands – Lonna, Vallisaari and Suomenlinna. Despite their closeness to each other, each island is different and has unique features worth exploring. […]

Happy Midsummer or Hyvää Juhannusta, as the Finns would say! Apart from Christmas, Midsummer is the biggest celebration of the year. If you’re in Helsinki you’ll undoubtedly notice how quiet the city is, as many of the locals are away at their summer cottages in the woods and islands around Finland. Here are a few […]

Vanhankaupunginlahti means the “old city bay”. Helsinki was originally founded here in 1550 by King Gustav Vasa I, just a 20-minute tram drive away from the current city centre. An equally easy and rewarding way to get here is by cycling. Nowadays, the mouth of the Vantaa River serves nature lovers, tech freaks and culinary […]

On the seaward horizon from the Market Square, you’ll catch a glimpse of the church tower that doubles as a lighthouse on the island fortress of Suomenlinna, and it is also from the Market Square that the passenger ferries depart for the fortress. Suomenlinna is Helsinki’s top tourist attraction and worth a visit at any time […]