Discover why this thriving cosmopolitan port city is a crucial, European economic and cultural center. With over a quarter of the population of Finland, history buffs, lovers of nature, culture enthusiasts and worldly shoppers will find remarkable experiences waiting for them in Helsinki.
 

Local Culture and Flavor
The pleasures to be found in Helsinki culture are many. For full immersion in a time-honored Finnish tradition, you can relax in an authentic wood-burning sauna. Treat your family to wild thrills at Linnanmäki, the city's oldest amusement park, or enjoy the pools and water slides of the largest Nordic water park, Serena.

A retreat within a retreat can be discovered when you visit Seurasaari, an island oasis renowned for its green hills, wetlands and herb-rich forest. At the open-air museum on the island, the traditional Finnish way of life is displayed in the cottages and farmsteads relocated here from all around the country.

Past and Present
With its rich history, Helsinki has attracted famous architects who have contributed to the staggering collection of historic landmarks that dot the city. In fact, when control of Finland passed to Russia in the early 1800s, Czar Alexander ordered a grand rebuilding of Helsinki while simultaneously declaring it the capital of Finland. The result of this massive construction project was the transformation of the city into how it stands today.

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