Helsinki is not only the economic, cultural, and political center of Finland but also a famous tourist city, with ancient museums, and unique and beautiful architecture among the best in Europe. In 2000, Helsinki was recognized as a European city of culture.

Helsinki’s architectural layers include Neoclassicism, Jugend (Finnish ‘Art Nouveau’), Alvar Aalto’s modernism, and contemporary architecture, which blend together harmoniously. The city center’s building stock makes for a fascinating journey through centuries and styles. Helsinki architecture can be characterized as Nordic, unassuming, and refined. Helsinki’s strengths include neighborhoods that form architecturally harmonious entities, especially the historical city center, the old Eira, and Katajanokka.

If you are a shopping addict or want to learn about Helsinki’s culture, don’t miss Market Square (Kauppatori). This is the main square in central Helsinki and also one of the most famous flea markets in the North. This colorful market mainly sells typical Finnish food, fruits, and souvenirs. In particular, fishing boats lined up on the shore next to the market, selling seafood directly will be the perfect background for check-in.

Nightlife is centrally located around Eerikinkatu and Uudenmaankatu and bar hopping is easily done on foot as everything is close by. The Helsinkilaiset is relaxed about its dress code. Visitors will feel at ease in anything from jeans to eveningwear, depending on the venue. Helsinki seems to specialize in the bar-come restaurant the later crowd parties and the early shift comes to dine. Most bars stay open until about 03:00 in the summer, while hours vary in the winter. Discos or nightclubs generally close at about 4:00.

According to the Internet