Helsinki dear,
Last time we met, it was February and the freezing rain was practically horizontal. Brr…
Today, things are looking better. Summer seems to be over, it’s a chill in the air – and windy. But the sun has poked through the clouds more than once. That’s not bad for September. Not bad at all.
I’m on my way to a conference in Tallinn, and impulsively decided to stop en route here in Helsinki to have a look at the sea fortress at Suomenlinna. You may have noticed Sophie’s World has put World Heritage sites in focus lately. Well, going through our UNESCO index, I discovered there was nothing in Finland. Nothing at all. Considering we are northern neighbours, that simply will not do.
So I’ve been roaming about the islands at Suomenlinna today and will tell you all about it in due course. But for now, here’s a glimpse of Helsinki – in real-time. Enjoy!
Helsinki by Instagram
Along Pohjoisesplanadi (that means Northern Esplanade, just in case you don’t understand the bewilderingly complex Finnish compound words…haha, as if I do…), I noticed these two pretty girls, each with a bird in her hand – and each with a live bird on her head. Esplanadin puisto, the park between the northern and southern esplanades, is the heart of Helsinki and a lovely place to stroll.
Continuing along the Northern Esplanade, I stopped outside Marimekko to look at the new autumn colours. OK, so I didn’t just stop outside. I went in and fondled the materials. But I was good, didn’t buy a single thing, realising there’s a limit to how many towels I need.
Next to Marimekko is Strindberg Café, empty on account of chairs still wet from the morning rain. But no worries. It’s perfect indoors. Despite being named after a rather gloomy Swedish author (or perhaps there’s another Strindberg), this is my favourite cafe in Helsinki. What I adore most are the large windows looking out on the Esplanade.
Helsinki has some amazing architecture. I especially love Carl Theodor Höijer’s neo-Renaissance buildings. Here’s the fabulous facade of Hotel Kämp.
Heading across Kauppatori (Market Square, another compounded Finnish word for you) to the harbour, I noticed this gorgeous square-rigger, Priki Gerda. It’s possible to cruise – or join the crew, climb in the rig, pack the sails, n’all. Something to think about, eh?
The islands that make up Suomenlinna is a mere 15-minute crossing by ferry or water bus from Helsinki harbour. The fortress was built by Augustin Ehrensvärd, and this sculpture is his memorial. I don’t know about you, but I find it a bit sinister. We’ll get back to Suomenlinna here. in a later post.
The islands are home to 800 people, many of whom are artists, whose bright and colourful work is for sale at the craft shop. Design everywhere in Helsinki, on Suomenlinna…
… and, of course, in town. Here’s the back wall at Iittala glass shop.
So there you have it, a glimpse of Helsinki as it looks today.
Disclosure: I organised my ever so brief visit in Helsinki in cooperation with VisitFinland, who very kindly set me up with accommodations and transport at very short notice. As ever, I’m at complete liberty to write about whatever I want.
Lovely stuff. 🙂 Oooh I must check out Hotel Kamp actually, have you stayed there yourself? That sculpture is definitely quite sinister, looks like a Cyberman from Doctor Who!
Thanks, Jools. I haven’t stayed at Hotel Kämp, but been there for a meeting a long time ago. Grand.
Beautiful photos 🙂
Thanks, Muza-chan.
Ahhh – love Helsinki! So great you got to visit again
I remember reading about your experience there. Very chic city, Helsinki is.
Beautiful shots! I really like the Augustin Ehrensvärd memorial.
Thanks. The memorial is a little eerie – and intriguing.
I like how much you were able to capture on your phone and on a short visit. I don’t know much about Helsinki so this was a great overview. And any place where I can spend hours at a Marimekko is a wonderful place.
Love Marimekko. 🙂
It looks lovely from your pictures!
Thanks, Arianwen. Helsinki is a cool city.
Thanks for sharing Sophie! We’re intrigued by Finland – got to get there – the whimsical art you’ve found bumps it up in our book. We LOVE that stuff! -Veronica
I think you two would really enjoy Helsinki. I recommend visiting in summer, so much outdoorsy fun.
Would love to visit not just Helsinki but all of Finland (and Norway & Sweden). Marimeko is a company whose designs I have admired at a shop in Toronto whenever I am there.
Lucky you for being able to just pop over.
I think you’d really like it up here, Leigh. Not unlike Canada.
Thanks for the colorful glimpse of Suomenlinna. Enjoyed your photo series. Looking forward to learning more about Suomenlinna in your future post. Looks like a delightful little island.
It was indeed a quirky and delightful island.
I so want to visit Helsinki, but I guess I will wait till summer? 🙂
Helsinki can be fun to visit in winter, too, if you’re properly dressed.