An important role in the creation of today metropolis Helsinki has always played the sea, that's why Finland is often called the daughter of Baltic. Helsinki is the political and economical center of Finland. The population of the Finnish capital has the reputation of tolerant and well-mannered people, who like art and nature. The city, surrounded by forests, skerries and the sea, attracts a lot of people by its specific Scandinavian sea climate. The architectural look of Helsinki is created by the mix of modern and old edifices: the buildings of tsarist epoch stay near the palaces from glass and metal. The city landscape is livened up by a large number of cafes and markets. Almost everywhere in Helsinki one can buy some clothes, jewelry or some art objects in traditional Finnish design.
The Satama Port and Suomenlinna. The Satama Port, which is located not far from the market, is an important trans-shipment point for all the coming and leaving passengers. From this place one can start a navigable excursion around the capital, go to the nearest island or visit the Zoo of Helsinki. The other place that you indubitably should visit is Suomenlinna - the fortress on one of the islands in front of the port. It was built in the 18th century, so as to protect Finland from the attacks of the Russian. Nowadays Suomenlinna, which by the way has the population of 850 people, is one of the most favorite places for having walks. To get to this biggest sea fortress in the Scandinavia, one should take a ferry from the port at Market Square. Besides the rocky coast it can offer huge pleasure-grounds for picnics, a hotel and the old wooden houses with cafes and museums. There you can also look at the only Finnish submarine of the times of the Second World War or at the church, which also serves as a lighthouse. Suomenlinna was put in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.
Read further: Helsinki cityguide
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