Tag 16 Sightseeing Helsinki

Day 16

6 April 2024

It has stopped snowing and the snow is already starting to melt as temperatures have climbed above 0 degrees in the last few hours.

We take it easy and go for a leisurely breakfast (again, everything your heart desires: muesli, cornflakes, bread, croissants, cakes, scrambled eggs, pancakes, sausages/hot meals, salmon, juice bar and much more)

For today we downloaded the day ticket for bus/train and ferry via app (adult €9 / child up to 17 years €4.50), you need zones A&B for the standard sights. We think the prices for public transport are very fair, especially since the ticket also includes the ferry ride to the island of Suomenlinna.

We set off at 10:30 by tram to the Temppeliaukio rock church (entrance fee €8). There is not much going on, and the streets are still piled up with snow that has been pushed together by various snow clearers. Unfortunately, the sun is not yet out, but it is forecast to be a little sunnier this afternoon. But at least there is no more snowstorm! Yesterday, nothing was possible...

After visiting the church, we walk to the Kamppi shopping arcade, past the HAM art museum, which welcomes us with an oversized seagull.

There is a bus station in the passage. Very modern, you feel like you are at the airport with the "gates". Frankfurt could learn a thing or two from this...

Passing countless shops, snack bars and supermarkets, we each get a bag of "chips for free" during a promotional campaign. Incidentally, the Finns seem to love donuts and bagels (as you can see from the display of the "Round Kamppi Cafe" in the passage).

We continue by subway. After a short walk we reach Helsinki Cathedral and hear the famous boys' and men's choir "Cantores Minores" rehearsing for tomorrow's St. John Passion. Funny: the Finns sing in German! You don't understand it straight away, but since I know the St. John Passion, I also recognize the German text 😃

We then had a somewhat strange experience as we walked down the steps in front of the cathedral. A man asked his husband if he could make a video of him "coming down" the stairs. What's strange about that???

The man is wearing riding/competition clothing, riding boots, a riding helmet, a whip in his hand and between his legs a hobby horse! It's called hobby horsing. I've heard of it before - but I never thought that adults take it so seriously.

While my husband films the gentleman in his competition clothes galloping down the stairs with his hobby horse, "neighing," I have to really control myself not to laugh. It really looks too funny.

After this very special experience, we walk on towards the market hall and the harbour. It is still too early for lunch, so we walk through the crowded market hall, then across the Kauppatori market outside on the square, and then on to the ferry dock. We want to go to Suomenlinna Island.

Suomenlinna is a historic fortress island off the coast of Helsinki and is known for its well-preserved fortifications, built by Swedes in the 18th century. Formerly a defensive island against Russian attacks, today it is a popular tourist destination and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the fortifications, the island also houses museums, cafes, restaurants and some residential buildings.

The weather is not as nice as predicted, but we still dare to take the ferry (included in the day ticket for public transport!) to the island. The crossing takes about 15 minutes.

We explore the island. After we have looked at the large cannons and defense systems and have completed half of the circular route, the sun briefly appears. We make a detour to the submarine, which unfortunately cannot be viewed from the inside (at least today).

On the way back to the harbor, we see hordes of students coming towards us. We have already seen several groups spread out across the island who have prepared a party. At the ferry dock, we realize that these are probably several student parties celebrating the start of the new semester and also welcoming the new students. There are certainly hundreds of them milling around the island.

We leave Suomenlinna and drive back to Helsinki, pretty frozen, where we see the sauna-crazy Finns walking around in bathing suits at +1 degrees and even see them swimming 😱🥶🥶🥶

We return to the market halls for a second time and treat ourselves to coffee, cappuccino, hot chocolate and cake. Delicious! We deserve it!

We walk back to the hotel. In the park in front of the hotel there are some snowmen and "snow animals". Unfortunately it is thawing and I fear that tomorrow the beautiful snow animals will no longer be here...

For dinner we go to the Kotipizza Pizzeria . I try a "Feta Kotzone" with Caesar sauce. It tastes very interesting. It's basically a tomato and feta pizza with fresh salad, peppers, onions and sauce, which is then folded together. Something different.

Back in the hotel room we tackle the Lonkero challenge. We bought 3 different Lonkero cans on the way home and now we want to choose the winner. We all agree! The winner is:

Grapefruit! 😋🥳🥳

Key data:

Day ticket for public transport including ferry (zone AB): 9 € adults // 4.50 € children up to 17 years.

Temppeliaukio Church: 8 € entrance fee