About this experience
This tour is perfect for travelers to get acquainted with Helsinki for the first time. I will take you to the main architectural landmarks of the city, help you feel its atmosphere, tell you about the formation of Helsinki and the development of Finnish design. And then we will walk through the Market Square with its northern delicacies, spicy pastries, and invigorating coffee. Let's start our Finnish morning in good company!
What to expect
Walk through the old city
You will walk through the old quarters of the city. I'll tell you about the specifics of Northern modernism and the formation of Finnish design. About the history of the city and Finland in general: what helped the Finns preserve their national identity during the domination of Sweden and Russia? What was the prehistoric past of the Finno-Ugric peoples? How did Finland, from a poor country in a 100-year period of independence, become a developed and prosperous state? You will learn all this on our walk through the historical center of Helsinki.
'Little Russia' atmosphere
We will then head to the part of the 'old' city, which guidebooks call 'Little Russia'. Here Helsinki best preserves the traces of Russian-Finnish history. You will walk through streets named after members of the Russian imperial family - Sofiyskaya, Yekaterininskaya, Alexandrovskaya. You will learn about the history of relations between the two states and their influence on each other. You will see a monument to Emperor Alexander II in the center of Senate Square at the foot of the snowy cathedral, the steps of which will serve as a pedestal for magnificent photos.
Finnish delicacies at the Market Square
And what is Helsinki without the sea and numerous seagulls circling over the Market Square? Here you will find fresh salmon and trout, fried vendace, herring in spicy sauces, seasonal mushrooms and berries, aromatic coffee, and warm buns. I will tell you the most interesting things about the national cuisine and unusual city street food. And from local craftsmen, you can choose souvenirs made of wood, glass, flax, leather, fur. But that's not all! At the end of the walk, a small surprise awaits you, which may become another Finnish discovery for you.
