Helsinki is a place of modernity that celebrates the summer unlike any other city. It's neighbour, Turku, offers a different side of Finland, with islands ripe for exploration and traditions in abundance. Read on to explore these fascinating ports in more detail.
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Helsinki
Opposite the shores of Estonia’s Tallinn lies Helsinki, the Finnish capital. Different from its neighbour, Helsinki is a large metropolis that was rebuilt in 1808 after a devastating fire, modelled on the neoclassical charm of St Petersburg. Wide, tree-lined boulevards are the perfect place for Summer outdoor living. With a short season of warm weather, the Finnish take every opportunity to be outside and their cafe culture is a great way to relax and soak up the local charm and atmosphere. An excursion to Nuuksio National Park is perfect for forest bathing, experiencing a Finnish sauna and getting up close to the local reindeer. A trip to the nearby town of Porvoo is another excellent recommendation. This area has retained its traditional Finnish architecture with narrow, winding streets filled with colourful timber houses on a picturesque river.
Turku
This historic Finnish city is the country’s former capital. Founded in 1229, it lies on the banks of the River Aura and acts as a gateway to the world’s largest archipelago of 20,000 islands. Exploring the islands is easy with yellow ferries taking visitors to idyllic rural communities and uninhabited reserves, ripe for exploration. When you enter the city of Turku, you’ll be overwhelmed by the greenery within the small centre, where the interesting shops and boutiques are hard to resist. Coffee lovers will be in their element in this caffeine-obsessed country and art fans will love the city’s gallery, which houses 7,600 Finnish pieces, ranging from pop art and surrealism, to intricate landscapes. The wine scene is also booming, with local varieties breaking the mould, produced with sea buckthorn and lingonberries. Whilst in Turku, we also highly recommend the Market Hall, which is the best place to discover the local cuisine, including giant shrimp, reindeer and horseradish.
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