Every summer since 1991, the world-class Helsinki Samba Carnaval has filled the streets of Finland’s capital with excitement and delight. Similar to Rio’s world-famous Carnival, this event is Europe’s largest Samba festival. Approximately 25,000 people attend the Helsinki Samba Carnaval each year. The parade features performing groups, dancers and musicians from around Finland. Some of the entertainers include a children’s group, skilled Samba dancers and a percussion section. Each group of entertainers is called by [...]

Helsinki’s Havis Amanda is a beautiful bronze statue of a nude mermaid rising out of a granite fountain. According to the statue’s sculptor, Ville Vallgren, the mermaid represents the birth of Helsinki and the city’s rise from the sea. Vallgren crafted this masterpiece in Paris in 1906, and it was erected in Helsinki’s Market Square in 1908. The name Havis Amanda was given to the mermaid by Swedish newspapers and Vallgren shortly after the statue’s [...]

The largest Orthodox church in western Europe is the Uspenski Cathedral in Helsinki. Resting on a hillside that overlooks the South Harbor as well as the city, this cathedral was built in the mid-1800s. Alexey Gornostaev, a renowned Russian architect, designed the church but passed away before seeing his vision come to life. During the time that the cathedral was being built, Finland belonged to the Russian Empire. A plaque on the back of the [...]

It is possible to experience all of the fun that winter has to offer without ever leaving Helsinki. Unique Lapland is an indoor sports hall that is filled with artificial snow and ice. The temperature inside Unique Lapland is always just under freezing; ensuring guests will enjoy a wonderful, chilly adventure. Unique Lapland’s visitors can test their winter driving skills with snowmobiles or experience thrills with the facility’s toboggans. Guests who love animals will love [...]

Sometimes living in or visiting a large city can be overwhelming. Helsinki residents and tourists can visit nearby Porvoo to escape from the hectic pace of modern life. Porvoo seamlessly blends the past with the present and attracts visitors from around the world. Porvoo was first settled in the 13th century, making it Finland’s second-oldest city. One of the town’s most unique features is the fact that the town is bilingual, with many residents speaking [...]

Helsinki’s grand Parliament House has been a part of the city’s landscape since 1931. One of the reasons the Parliament House is so noticeable is because of its position on Arcadia Hill. Town planners originally wanted to build a group of public buildings on the hill, but their plans never made it off paper. Instead, Parliament House stands alone on Arcadia Hill. Construction on this imposing building started in 1926, and took only five years [...]

Seurasaari is a small, uninhabited island near Helsinki. Locals and tourists from around the world flock to Seurasaari to enjoy the quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Seurasaari is densely forested and is home to many varieties of wildlife. Hares, birds and red squirrels are just a few of the animals that live on the island. People also travel to Seurasaari to enjoy the nude beach, the midsummer bonfire and the outdoor museum. The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum was [...]

Hotel Torni is currently Helsinki’s fourth-tallest building; however, when it opened it was the tallest structure in Finland. Located in Helsinki’s Design District, Hotel Torni was designed in 1931 by the renowned architects Jung and Jung. The interior of the building was refurbished in 2005 to ensure the hotel’s atmosphere would remain modern and beautiful for years to come.     Hotel with fascinating history The 14-story building has always been an important part of [...]

Helsinki’s Market Square, or Kauppatori, is a large, open-air market that rests on the shores of the Gulf of Finland. The area is a unique blend of farmers’ market, craft show and flea market. The stalls are swathed with cheerful orange fabric, and each one offers something different. Fresh fish and reindeer meat Some of the best food in Helsinki can be found at Market Square. Fresh-caught salmon, reindeer meat, vegetable and baked goods are [...]

Temppeliaukio Church, or Rock Church, is a Lutheran house of worship that opened in 1969. The design for this modern building was chosen during an architectural competition. The brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen won the contest in 1961, but construction on the church did not start until 1968. The church is built underground and features a roof constructed of copper wire. To build the church, the Suomalainen brothers blasted out the interior of a large [...]