What can you see in Helsinki in one day? Start in the heart of the capital – Senate Square in the Kruununhaka district. Its look is defined by an ensemble of buildings created in the Neoclassical style in the 19th century, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire.

In the center of Senate Square stands a monument to Alexander II: Finns immortalized the emperor in 1894 in gratitude for the restoration of parliamentary rule. Behind it rises the huge Helsinki Cathedral. It is Finland's main Lutheran church, also known as St. Nicholas' Church. Architecturally it resembles St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg and was built over 22 years at the same time. You can only visit the interior between services, but you can always sit on the steps of its tall, massive staircase – a well-known meeting place for locals and visitors.

The church is flanked by the University of Helsinki and the Finnish Senate building. Nearby, on a green hill, stands Helsinki's other cathedral – Uspenski Cathedral, the largest Orthodox church in Northern Europe. Built of red brick with gilded domes, granite columns, and a richly decorated interior, it is architecturally close to the Russo-Byzantine style.

From Uspenski Cathedral, you can walk to one of the city's most original religious landmarks – Temppeliaukio Church in the Töölö district, popularly nicknamed the “bunker.” It is circular in shape, carved directly into the rock, and covered by a translucent dome. Light pouring in from above creates a sense of endless space, and the superb acoustics make it a venue for both services and concerts.

And that is far from the only avant-garde landmark here. “The monuments of Helsinki amazed me with their freshness and originality,” says Alla Kornilova from St. Petersburg. “For example, the monument to composer Jean Sibelius, the author of Finland's unofficial anthem, is made of 600 steel pipes. They are connected in such a way that they move and chime in even the lightest breeze. The ‘100 Years of Finnish Democracy’ monument is unusual too – a composition of rounded steel forms.”

Just a reminder: for a trip to Helsinki, you need to arrange a visa. But if you don't want to deal with the paperwork yourself, we recommend using the VisaToHome service. With it, you do not even have to leave the house: you simply photograph the required documents, a courier comes for your passport, and professionals complete the application. All that's left for you is to decide what to see in Helsinki :)

An organized walking tour of central Helsinki costs around 12 euros, and the tours are held in English. A more budget-friendly way to explore the center is with our free Ever.Travel mobile app for iPhone and Android ;)

In the central part of the city, many cozy old houses with tiled roofs and slender spires have been preserved. Modern residential buildings with wide balconies, wicker furniture, and flowers blend naturally with architecture from past eras.

Helsinki's parks are just as popular as its famous landmarks. One of the largest and most conveniently located for visitors is Esplanadi Park in the city center on the boulevard of the same name. This pedestrian street is something like Moscow's Arbat. You can stroll, listen to live music, watch performances, and even have a picnic on the grass.

Next to Esplanadi Park, near the South Harbour, lies another famous Helsinki square – Market Square (Kauppatori). Life here never really stops. To feel the spirit of the old market, wander between the stalls and try seafood, pickled herring, or fresh green peas from the pod – something Finns snack on the way others eat sunflower seeds.

“There are lots of souvenirs on sale there too: Finnish handicrafts, magnets, pillows, soft toys,” adds Alla Kornilova. “You see plenty of reindeer and Moomin images – people in Finland love them.”

Market Square is also home to the Havis Amanda Fountain, crowned by a sea maiden sculpture. In the first half of the 20th century many people considered the nude nymph indecent and even wanted to cover the monument, but today it is one of Finland's symbols.

From Market Square, you can take a ferry and reach Suomenlinna Fortress (Sveaborg) in 15 minutes – a unique architectural monument protected by UNESCO. The history of its fortress walls, forts, and bastions, built across islands covering 60 hectares, stretches back for centuries. Incidentally, some of the defensive structures were once built by Russian engineers. You can climb to the lookout points, explore the tunnels, peek into the docks where wooden vessels are still repaired, and visit a 19th-century church as well as several museums, one of which is set inside the submarine Vesikko.

What should you see in Helsinki in 2 or 3 days? That question opens up far more opportunities for culture and entertainment. There are more than 80 museums in the city alone! Keep in mind that adult tickets usually cost between 4 and 10 euros, while children often pay half price or get in free. Many Helsinki museums also have special days or hours with free admission.

If you are planning an ambitious cultural program, we recommend getting the Helsinki Card, which gives you free public transport, a ferry ride to Suomenlinna Fortress, and access to 20 museums.

Most of them look nothing like the quiet halls with stern attendants many of us are used to. At the Heureka science museum, you can test the laws of nature for yourself: stand at the epicenter of an earthquake, mint a coin, or try stepping into the role of a stunt performer or test pilot.

The design of the Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art – a curved, flowing building with a glass facade – immediately hints that something unusual awaits inside. Its exhibitions include not only paintings, but also films, multimedia programs, and video installations. Some of the museum's works are wonderfully eccentric, and many can be touched, switched on, and interacted with in different ways.

Meanwhile, the Ateneum central art museum invites a more thoughtful contemplation of masterpieces by Finnish and international artists alike. Among the works here are pieces by Goya, Degas, Chagall, and Modigliani. In some halls, you can sit on low platforms, browse literature, and watch films about the artists' work.

The National Museum, whose building is styled like a castle with storerooms and workshops, introduces visitors to the history and culture of Finland.

A professional city guide is another great way to enrich your introduction to Helsinki. And no, we're not talking about someone mumbling under their breath – we've picked out three genuinely interesting options for you:

Finland's capital also has places for carefree family fun. In nearby Espoo, you'll find Serena Water Park – the largest in Scandinavia. It is built inside a mountain, with passages carved right into the rock. Adults and children alike will find plenty to enjoy: pools, hot tubs, cave saunas, a miniature Dead Sea, and for the bravest, the Black Hole ride with 50-meter slides.

A visit to Korkeasaari Zoo will bring plenty of positive emotions too, with animals kept in habitats as close to nature as possible. You may not find very large residents such as elephants here, but you will see rare animals and inhabitants of many themed sections – from the Amur tiger in Cat Valley to reptiles in the Tropicario.

Many travelers are drawn to shopping in Helsinki as well. Finnish clothing, shoes, accessories, and household goods are known for their quality. During sale season, nearly every store offers discounts of 50–70%. The largest department stores are clustered in the city center near the railway station. Our first recommendation is the city's iconic giant – Stockmann in Helsinki. You can also visit Forum, Kamppi, Sokos, the Aleksi 13 accessories store, and the Verkkokauppa electronics hypermarket.

Lovers of rarities and one-of-a-kind finds will enjoy the Hietalahti antiques market and the Hakaniemi souvenir market. Purchases brought home from Helsinki's shops will delight you long after the trip ends – just like the pleasant memories. Finland's capital stays with you because of its calm friendliness. “Helsinki is a very soothing city,” says Alla Kornilova. “It doesn't feel as if life moves more slowly there than it does here – it's just calmer and more relaxed. People are polite, drivers always let you cross at a pedestrian crossing, and after a few hours in that kind atmosphere, your whole perception of life shifts.”

In this walking tour of Helsinki, we've covered only the city's most popular sights. By downloading our Travel Planner for iPhone and Android, you can quickly plan your trip, use ready-made routes, create your own, and rely on offline maps and GPS on the spot. Good luck and happy travels!