Helsinki is Finland's capital as well as its largest urban area. It's a unique chance to experience a different culture where you can still feel oddly at home, thanks to Helsinki's small-town atmosphere and English-speaking population. Visitors to the city enjoy its festivals, museums, and islands, as well as its amusement parks and active nightlife.

History

Founded in 1550 by the Swedish king at a time when Finland was under Sweden's control, Helsinki was meant to be a major trade city. For centuries, it failed to attract traders, and was fought over repeatedly by Sweden and Russia. When Russia finally gained control of Finland, it moved the region's capital to Helsinki as a strategic maneuver. Russia rebuilt the city in a style modeled after St. Petersburg. When Finland declared independence in 1917, Helsinki remained the capital.

Art & Museums

As the capital and largest city of the nation, Helsinki is Finland's cultural heart. Most museums and cultural institutions are closed on Mondays. The Ateneum Art Museum represents Finland's most significant art collection, especially of works by native Finnish artists. A separate Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art consists mostly of pieces by regional Scandinavian artists. The National Museum of Finland safeguards artifacts from the country's history, while the Museum of Cultures focuses on non-Scandinavian cultural artifacts.

Nightlife

Nightlife in Helsinki runs the gamut from the very elegant - the Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra - to huge dance clubs and a thriving gay scene. Among the city's more unique after-dark attractions is the Arctic Icebar, a venue literally carved out of ice. Fur-lined parkas are handed out at the door - the ice in your drink won't be going anywhere!

How to get there

You can reach Helsinki just about any way you like - by plane, train, bus, car, even boat. Flights depart for the Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport regularly from most major European cities. The Rautatieasema, the central railway system, is the hub connecting the nationwide rail system with local metro and tram lines. A short distance from the Rautatieasema, the central bus station (Linja-autoasema) is the end of the line for long-distance bus routes. Ferries also connect Finland's capital to cities in Estonia, Sweden, and Germany.