Helsinki, also called "Stadi" in local slang, is the capital of Finland. It is located in the southern part of Finland on the shore of the Gulf of Finland.
Founded in 1550 as a rival to the Hanseatic city of Tallinn by the King Gustav I of Sweden, Helsinki struggled in its infancy. The fledging settlement was plagued by poverty, wars and diseases. For a long time it remained as a small low-key coastal town, overshadowed by the more thriving trade centers in the Baltic region. Although much of the first half of the 20th century was a violent period for Helsinki, it continued to steadily develop. Modern postwar urbanization of the 1970s, which occurred relatively late in European context, tripled the population in the metropolitan area, making the Helsinki metropolitan area one of the fastest growing urban centers in the European Union in 1990s.
Transportation in Helsinki
By Car: From Lahti/Porvoo: Take the motorway to Helsinki.
From Tampere/Hämeenlinna: Take Hämeenlinnantie to Helsinki.
From Pori: When you reach the roundabout in Pitäjänmäki, start following the signs to the centre. After approximately 1 km you will come to Mannerheimintie. From here follow the same instructions as above (from Tampere).
From Turku: Take the motorway to Helsinki.
From Hanko: Take the motorway to Helsinki.
By Train: Train services operating out of Helsinki go to all major cities in Finland and most towns. Services also run to Sweden, Norway and Russia.
By Ferry: There are daily ferry services to Helsinki from Estonia, Sweden and Germany.
Helsinki offers lots to see, do and experience for visitors of all ages. Here are just a few examples of the most popular attractions. Helsinki City Museum has the comprehensive exhibition "Helsinki Horizons" which gives an overview of Helsinki's 450 year-old history. Gardenia–Helsinki is a unique tropical garden. Opened in April 2001, it is situated in Viikki, in the heart of Helsinki. National Museum of Finland illustrates Finnish history from prehistoric times to the present day. The major archaeological finds, the historical, numismatic and ethnological collections have been put together for over 170years. Sea Life Helsinki takes you on a voyage from the tropical oceans to the Arctic Sea, stopping at the Baltic Sea along the way. Discover strange and fascinating underwater worlds.
