HELSINKI.
- The capital and largest city in Finland.
- In the southern part of Finland.
CLIMATE.
- Best time to visit Helsinki is definitely during de summer season.
- The city has a temperate continental climate.
- Warmest month: July (18.9 ºC).
- Coldest month: February (-7.9 ºC).
GETTING AROUND.
- Finding your way and getting around in Helsinki is easy.
- The city is friendly to pedestrians, and the main sites and attractions in the city centre can be easily reached by foot.
- Public transport services are extensive (trams, subway, bus lines, ferry lines...).
- Only city in Finland to have trams or subway trains.
- Cheapest option: Hop on the regional bus.
- Two airports: International Helsinki- Vantaa Airport which is 20 km. to the north of the city and Malmi Airport which is still actively for general aviation.
- There are also ferry connections to Tallin and Stockholm.
SIGHTSEEING.
- Suomelinna "The Gibraltar of the North" was once of the greatest sea fortress in the Baltic. It was included in UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1991 as a unique monument to European military architecture.
- Central Park. This is a huge park starting just north of the Olympic Stadium and extending for 10 km. north. The park is mostly in a nature state.
- Uspenski Orthodox Cathedral. A classical onion- domed Russian church prominently located near the Marquet Square. Is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe.
- National Museum of Finland. A beautiful classical building houses this old museum, which has recently been renovated. The exhibits includes displays of artifacts and items relating to Finland's history.
- Senate Square.
ENTERTAINMENT.
- Helsinki offers lots to see, do and experience.
- Vappu. Originally a north European pagan carnival, is an excuse for students to wear brightly colored overalls and for everybody to drink vast amounts of alcohol.
- Helsinki Festival. Is an annual arts and culture festival, which takes place every August (including the Night of Arts).
- Valon Voimat. "Forces of Light" is an annual winter arts festival.
- City's main musical venues are the National Opera and the Finland concert- hall.
- Long tradition of sports: Football, ice hockey and golf.
- Saunas. Very tipical in Finland.
FOOD AND DRINK.
- In Helsinki, you can ask in many restaurants for the "Helsinki Menu".
- Lutefisk. It is made from stockfish or dried/salted whitefish and lye. Its name literally means "lye fish".
- Smörgasbord. Is a type of Scandinavian meal served buffet- style with multiple dishes of various foods on a table.
- Koskenkorva. Famous vodka- like clear spirit. Finnish people recognize Koskenkorva s one of the symbols of Finnishness.
BIBLIOGRAPHY.
