Additional PLANNING DETAILS, scroll down for TONS of info... travel blog coming soon
Friday, March 10:
AMS-HEL 9:50-13:15 KLM 1167 Purchase Travel Card Yellow Line Shared Ride HEL-Hotel Hotel Katajanokka Explore Katajanokka island
Saturday, March 11: Visit Orthodox Cathedral, Panorama Helsinki Tour, visit Helsinki Cathedral, visit Suomenlinna, Explore
SkyWheel Helsinki Katajanokanlaituri 2 http://finnair-skywheel.com/en/ Cost €12 each Hours Daily 11:00-17:00
Uspenski Cathedral (Uspenskin katedraali) Pormestarinrinne 1 Completed in 1868 in the Katajanokka district of Helsinki, the Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe. With its golden cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of the Russian impact on Finnish history. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/sights-and-attractions/uspenski-orthodox-cathedral No Cost Mon closed, Tue-Fri 9.30-16, Sat 10-15, Sun 12-15
Helsinki City Museum Aleksanterinkatu 16, 00170 Helsinki, Finland The museum is an overall experience with the milieu, exhibitions and indoor decoration telling about daily life in the Helsinki of the past. http://www.helsinginkaupunginmuseo.fi/en/ Always free mon–fri 11–19 sat–sun 11–17
Bank of Finland Museum Snellmaninkatu 2, 00101 Helsinki, Finland The Bank of Finland Museum's displays include the history of money in Finland and abroad as well as the role of the Bank of Finland in the European System of Central Banks. The Bank of Finland Museum has especially been designed for school pupils and students, and a visit to the Museum can be used as part of teaching social studies and economics. At the same time, the Museum serves all those interested in the history of money and the European system of central banks. http://www.rahamuseo.fi/en/ Free Tuesday to Friday 11.00-17.00 Saturday to Sunday 11.00-16.00.
Helsinki Cathedral Unioninkatu 29, 00170 Helsinki is the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran cathedral of the Diocese of Helsinki, located in the neighborhood of Kruununhaka in the centre of Helsinki, Finland. The church was originally built from 1830-1852 as a tribute to the Grand Duke of Finland, Tsar Nicholas I of Russia. It was also known as St Nicholas' Church until the independence of Finland in 1917. http://www.helsinginkirkot.fi/en/churches/cathedral or helsinkicathedral.fi Cost??? Helsinki Cathedral closed for organ repair work: The Cathedral will be closed on weekdays until March 17. The Crypt will be open on weekdays at 10 am−4 pm. On Saturdays & Sundays, Helsinki Cathedral will be open at 9 am−6 pm.
Senate Square The Senate Square and its surroundings form a unique and cohesive example of Neoclassical architecture. The square is dominated by four buildings designed by Carl Ludvig Engel between 1822 and 1852: Helsinki Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of Helsinki and the National Library of Finland. Helsinki Cathedral is arguably Finland's most famous and photographed building; it celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002. The oldest stone building in Helsinki is the Sederholm House located on the southeast corner of the square. The main building of the City Museum can be found on the Sofiankatu museum street.
The Senate Square also hosts a sound installation called the Sound of the Senate Square. It is a modern version of the European glockenspiel and can be heard every day at 17:49 as it travels from one building to the next. The composition runs for 5 minutes and 18 seconds and is composed by Harri Viitanen and Jyrki Alakuijala. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/sights-and-attractions/senate-square No Cost 24/7
Helsinki Tourist Information Pohjoisesplanadi 19 http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en No Cost 15.9.-14.5. Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4pm
Gray Line/Esplanade Park NW Fabianinkatu @ Pohjoisesplanadi Sit back and relax on this audio guided tour of Helsinki. Our audio headsets offer commentary in 8 different languages to ensure sure that you don't miss a thing while touring this beautiful city. You will get to see the best that the city has to offer including the historical centre, City Hall, The Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. We will make a stop at the Temppeliaukio Church (rock church) or at the Sibelius Monument. http://www.grayline.com/tours/helsinki/helsinki-panorama-sightseeing-by-bus-8243_6/ ~$35 ea paid 11:00-12:45
Market Square Perhaps stroll by; Located in the South Harbour at the very beginning of the Esplanade Park, the Market Square is Helsinki's most international and famous market. The booths here sell traditional market foods and treats, as well as handicrafts and souvenirs. There is also a heated café tent where you can comfortably sip steaming hot coffee even on the coldest days in winter. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/shopping/market-square no Cost Mon-Fri 6.30-18, Sat 6.30-16,
Old Market Hall The Old Market Hall in Helsinki has served its customers since 1889. Merchants sell everything from cheese, fish, shellfish, vegetable, fruit and cakes to spices, coffee and tea. They are also more than happy to help with any special orders. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/see-and-experience/shopping/old-market-hall no Cost Mon-Sat 8-18, Sun closed.
Suomenlinna The Suomenlinna Visitor Centre serves visitors in the pink Jetty Barracks building right next to the ferry harbour. The Visitor Centre staff will gladly give you tips for your visit and tell you, which sights are open at the time. There is also an introductory exhibition available free of charge. http://www.visithelsinki.fi/en/whats-on/for-families/adventure-in-suomenlinna
Suomenlinna Fortress Visitors are not charged an admission fee http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitor/plan-your-visit/blue-route/ English tour is held on Saturdays and Sundays at 1.30 p.m.
The Suomenlinna Museum tells the story of Suomenlinna from its earliest days to the present. http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitor/museums/suomenlinna-museum/ 7 € 1 October-30 April) from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm
The exhibition at the Military Museum’s Manège charts the history of the Finnish military and Finnish soldiers across the centuries. http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitor/museums/manege/ 7 € 11:00-18:00
The Toy Museum offers a fascinating journey into the history of play. http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/visitor/museums/toy-museum/ 6 € 11:00-17:00
Suomenlinna Submarine Closes in Winter
Sunday, March 12: Helsinki-Turku VR IC 945 8:37-10:30 Coach 5 51-52 Turku city bus pass 7,50€
visit Cathedral,
visit Sibelius Museum
Visit 13th Century Turku Castle
Turku-Helsinki VR IC 966 17:30-19:26 Coach 2 51-52
Monday, March 13: Ferry Helsinki-Tallinn 11:30-2:30 Viking Line
Optional Tallin Card: free entry into 40 exhibits €36 each with free sightseeing tour, or €25 without tour https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/tallinncard#get_tallinn_card_now
The items we plan to walk past, and perhaps visit… Great Coastal Gate and Fat Margaret's Tower were built to protect the city from the seaside, but also to impress quests arriving by sea. The Great Coastal Gate (built at the same time with the city wall) is located in the northern part of the Old Town of Tallinn near the port. In the 16th century, during the reconstruction of the gate, the Fat Margaret's artillery tower was built nearby. Today, the Fat Margaret houses Estonian Maritime Museum. The Museum exhibits a remarkable collection of ship models from different eras. The viewing platform on the roof of the tower offers a view over the Old Town and the Bay of Tallinn. 6 € Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00 Monday closed https://www.visitestonia.com/en/great-coastal-gate-and-fat-margarets-tower
St Olaf's Church in Tallinn, the city's biggest medieval structure, took its name from the sainted Norwegian king Olav II Haraldsson. The church was first mentioned in 1267. It became one of the main churches in the Lower Town and formed its own congregation, which at first mostly comprised Scandinavian merchants and craftsmen and few Estonians. The evangelical preachings of the then chaplain of the church, Zacharias Hasse, led to the start of the reformation in Tallinn in 1523. Free https://www.visitestonia.com/en/st-olafs-church-in-tallinn
Eppingi, The development of Tallinn's fortifications and medieval arms and armour are the focus in this renovated tower from the 15th century. Six floors of interesting exhibits make this a great stop for the entire family. Visitors are invited to try on a selection of chainmail and armour, as well as handle medieval replica weapons. Visitors can also make a copy of Tallinn's first coin as a souvenir. Epping tower offers a fun and educational experience for the whole family. We also welcome tour groups. All displays are in both English and Estonian. €6.00 Sat & Sun 11:00 - 16:00 http://www.epping.ee/
Nunna Torn, Sauna Torn, Kuldjala Torn: The Walls of Tallinn are the medieval defensive walls constructed around the city of Tallinn in Estonia. The first wall around Tallinn was ordered to be constructed by Margaret Sambiria in 1265 and for that reason, it was known as the Margaret Wall. This wall was less than 5 metres (16 ft) tall and about 1.5 metres (4.9 ft) thick at its base. Since that time it has been enlarged and strengthened. The walls and the many gates are still largely extant today. This is one of the reasons that Tallinn's old town became a World Heritage Site. The walls were enlarged in the fourteenth century, and citizens of Tallinn were required to turn out for guard duty, which meant to wear their armour and demonstrate their readiness to face off invaders. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walls_of_Tallinn
Maiden Tower, first mentioned as early as in 1373, has been reconstructed several times, but its unique architecture is still based on its trapezoidal floor plan. The name comes from the name of the tower commander at that time, Hinse Meghe, and was later adapted into Maiden Tower in English. A defense passage running from the Maiden Tower to the cannon tower of Kiek in de Kök and Bastion Passages is a unique opportunity to explore the large renovated part of medieval and modern defense zone of Tallinn during one visit. In the course of its history, the building has been a defense tower, a residential building and a café – some say it is still haunted! 2 € Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00 - 18:00 Monday closed https://www.visitestonia.com/en/maiden-tower-museum
Kiek in de Kök Strong medieval fortification tower Kiek in de Kök (Germ. "peek in the kitchen") got its name from a legend about some soldiers in the tower who liked to peek from the top of the tower into the windows of Lower Town kitchens. Nowadays, the tower houses a museum that introduces the genesis of Tallinn, its development, as well as the most important war events from the 13th to the 18th century. On the basement floor, there are temporary photography exhibitions; in the armoury, you can explore various weapons and have a go on a shooting simulator. The café on the sixth floor affords one-of-a-kind views of Toompea, the Lower Town and the harbour. Guided tours of bastion passages also start at Kiek in de Kök. 5 € Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 - 17:30 Monday closed https://www.visitestonia.com/en/kiek-in-de-kok-museum
Freedom Square is Tallinn's grandest public space. The monument to the War of Independence was unveiled here on Victory Day (23 June) in 2009. Over the years the square has gone by many names: the Straw Market, Peter's Square and Victory Square among them. It was first named Freedom Square in 1939, remaining that way until 1948. The name was readopted in 1989. Its location in the city centre right next to the Old Town has made Freedom Square a popular place for people to get together and spend time. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/freedom-square-in-tallinn-and-the-monument-to-the-war-of-independence
Estonian National Opera Designed by A. Lindgren and W. Lönn and completed in 1913, the art nouveau/classicist Estonia theatre and opera house was the largest building of its kind in Tallinn at the time. One of its two wings was designed as a theatre, and the other as a concert hall. The original building was destroyed during the Soviet bombings in March 1944. However, it was renovated in the latter half of the 1940's. Good to know: The first Estonian parliament convened in the concert hall on 23 April 1919. Advance bookings only https://www.visitestonia.com/en/estonian-national-opera-opera-house
The barbican of Viru Gate was part of the defense system of Tallinn city wall built in the 14th century. A couple of centuries later, it already had 8 gates that consisted of several towers and curtain walls connecting them. The main tower of a gate was always square and the barbicans were equipped with one or two small round towers. As the entrances to the Old Town were widened, several gates were demolished. The Viru Gate had to pay its dues to a horse-drawn tram route that connected the Old Market with Kadriorg. However, the corner towers were preserved; also, you can still see a part of the bastion that is called Musumägi. Viru Street with its many shops and restaurants has become one of the busiest pedestrian streets in the Old Town. Observed from distance https://www.visitestonia.com/en/viru-gate
Hellemann Tower and Town Wall Climb this 14th-century tower and stroll atop its 200m stretch of Town Wall for fantastic views of Tallinn's medieval defences. The three-story tower, which stands adjacent Müürivahe street next to Old Town's knit market, dates back to the 14th century and at different times was used as a prison and a weapons store. Nowadays it serves far more peaceful purposes: in addition to being a curiosity history-minded visitors, it houses an art gallery. 4.00€ Mon-Sun 10-18 https://www.visittallinn.ee/eng/visitor/see-do/sightseeing/pid-177029/hellemann-tower-and-town-wall
Catherine's Alley Catherine's Alley, formerly known as the Monk's Alley, winds its way from Vene Street past the southern end of the Dominican monastery to Müürivahe Street. St Catherine's church, from which the alley took its name, is thought to have been built here more than 700 years ago. The southern side of the alley is lined with predominantly 15th-17th century residences. The alley as a whole retains its medieval atmosphere. It was last restored in 1995. A number of handicraft workshops can be found here, in which you can watch the artists at work – creating ceramics, hats, glass and more. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/catherines-alley
Church of the Holy Spirit in Tallinn Built in the 14th century with timber interior and a hexagonal tower, the bright white Church of the Holy Spirit is one of the oldest and finest structures in Tallinn. Before entering the church, take a look at the façade with a clock that has been measuring time since the 17th century. The treasures inside include a unique altar created by Berndt Notke in the 15th century and the pulpit built in 1597. In medieval times, it was the main sanctuary for commoners. After the Reformation, the first Estonian sermons instead of German ones were held here, and Johann Koell's Catechism, written by the pastor of the church and published in 1535, is considered the first book in Estonian. 1.5 € Monday–Friday: 12:00 - 14:00, Saturday 10:00 - 16:00, Sunday closed https://www.visitestonia.com/en/church-of-the-holy-spirit-in-tallinn
Town Hall Square has been a market place and the centre of this old Hanseatic town since the Middle Ages. It became the centre of the Lower Town at the turn of the 13th and 14th centuries. As a square it plays an important role today as well - in summer it is filled with outdoor cafes, plays host to the Old Town Days and other medieval festivals, is a venue for open air concerts and fairs and more. In winter it becomes a magical Christmas market, the centerpiece of which is a towering spruce tree. The tradition of celebrating Christmas festivities here dates back to 1441, when the Brotherhood of the Blackheads are thought to have erected the world's very first Christmas tree. Free https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tallinn-town-hall-square
Estonian History Museum — Great Guild Hall The mediaeval Great Guild Hall has always played an important role in the life of the city. The permanent exhibition at the History Museum "SPIRIT OF SURVIVAL. 11,000 years of Estonian History" (opened in 2011) helps to understand the singularity of the people who have lived in Estonia and introduces historical events that have affected them the most. The exhibition discloses the story of Estonian past through rooms with different topics, such as the Gun Room that tells about wars, the exhibition "Power of the Elite" that talks about the Great Guild and mediaeval trade. You can also see different currencies and take part in historical events in the interactive time capsule. 5 € Monday–Tuesday, Thursday–Sunday: 10:00 - 18:00 Wednesday closed https://www.visitestonia.com/en/estonian-history-museum-great-guild-hall
House of Blackheads The House of Blackheads is the only surviving Renaissance building in Tallinn. A residence probably existed at this location already in the 14th century. The Brotherhood of Blackheads bought the property in the first half of the 16th century, when they also built a new hall without vaults. A major reconstruction took place in 1597, when the façade was redesigned in the spirit of the Renaissance architecture from the Netherlands, with its rich ornamentation and carved decorations. One of Tallinn’s most eye-catching painted doors dates from the 1640s. The two-nave, arched guildhall bought from the Olav Guild dates from the 15th century. Advance bookings only https://www.visitestonia.com/en/house-of-blackheads
Ferry Tallinn-Helsinki 18:00-20:30 Viking Line
Tuesday, March 14: Still sorting out which Helsinki sights and museums to visit, such as the Helsinki City Museums, Bank of Finland, National Museum of Finland, Ateneum and Sinebrychoff Art Museums
Ateneum Art Museum Kaivokatu 2, 00100 Helsinki Previously the Ateneum building also housed the Finnish Academy of Fine Arts and University of Art and Design Helsinki. The collections of Ateneum include extensively Finnish art all the way from 18th-century rococo portraiture to the experimental art movements of the 20th century. The collections also include some 650 international works of art. One of them is Vincent van Gogh's Street in Auvers-sur-Oise (1890): when the painting was deposited in 1903 Ateneum became the first museum in the world to own a Vincent van Gogh 15 € Tue, Fri 10am–6pm Wed, Thurs 10am–8pm Sat, Sun 10am–5pm Mondays closed
National Museum of Finland The National Museum of presents Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day, through objects and cultural history. The Finnish National Romantic style building is located in central Helsinki and is a part of the National Board of Antiquities The permanent exhibitions of the National Museum are divided into six parts. The Treasure Troves presents the collections of coins, medals, orders and decorations, silver, jewelry and weapons. Prehistory of Finland is the largest permanent archeological exhibition in Finland. The Realm presents of the development of Finnish society and culture from the Middle Ages 12th century to the early 20th century, through the Swedish Kingdom Period to the Russian Empire Era. The "Land and Its People" presents Finnish folk culture in the 18th and 19th centuries, life in the countryside before the industrialisation. http://www.kansallismuseo.fi/en/nationalmuseum 10 € Tue-Sun 11 am - 6 pm, closed Mon
Sinebrychoff Art Museum The collections of the Sinebrychoff Art Museum include some of the most valuable and internationally important paintings by old European masters to be found in Finland. http://www.sinebrychoffintaidemuseo.fi/en/ Free admission Tuesday 11–18 Wednesday Thursday 11–20 Friday 11–18 Saturday Sunday 10–17
Hakasalmi Villa City Museum Mannerheimintie 13b historically valuable building. It was built between 1843-1846 by the procurator governor and privy counselor Carl Johan Walleen as the family summer place. German-born architect Ernst Lohrmann designed the building of the neoclassical style; the English Garden was completed in 1847. In 1896, the City of Helsinki bought the villa. The villa is located opposite the Finlandia Hall next door. Originally, it was located some distance outside the city, on the beach, but gradually filled when the railway yard was expanded. http://hakasalmivilla.fi/ Free Tue–Sun 11–17 Thu 11–19
(Rock Church) Temppeliaukion May visit on Panoramic tour Temppeliaukio Church is a Lutheran church in the Töölö neighborhood of Helsinki. The church was designed by architects and brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and opened in 1969. http://www.helsinginkirkot.fi/en/churches/rock-church-temppeliaukio 3€ Hours vary
Tram City Museum Kulturfabriken Korjaamo Töölönkatu 51 A At the Tram Museum, you can take a seat in an old tram that instantly transports you to the Helsinki of yesteryear. Let your imagination wander as you sit in the driver’s seat, watch films and study old tram tickets. You can also practice stamping a tram ticket the way it was done in the old days. http://trammuseum.fi/ Free Mon–Sun 11–17