The Jan Sibelius monument (quite unique)..short tram ride from central city...in a spacious pretty park. You can all of the above on your own (smart). How much time will you have?

stu

Since this is from a cruise you perhaps should have posted this on the Cruise Forum ..as you would get more help there
from people who have done this cruise.

I did the Baltic Cruise and here is the segment of my Trip Report on Helsinki:


In Helsinki you dock about 2 miles from downtown.
( Can you walk it ...Yes ,if you know where you are going , but this wasting time if you do not .
( I can tell you how to get there ( Market Square) if you want to walk....but I would not )

Almost everything centres around the Market Square right in front of the main harbour.
If people watching is for you , this is the perfect place.!!!

First have some coins available in case you have to go to the bathroom. 50 cents ( 1/2 euro will do).

Right beside the Blue City Hall across the street ( from the Market Square) are the bathrooms...they always have the white CW sign..now you will not have to squirm around !!!!

I think that this is way to use up the day here:

1.First go to the Sebelius( Say Bay Lee Us) Park ( see the monument to this famous composer.
This will be short and sweet and a photo op only.

2.From here go to the Rock Church(you really should not miss this.)
It is a church carved right our of solid granite rock.
It has this huge Copper Dome...see an aerial view on this place on a postcard.

It is in a busy area and parking is at a premium.!

After seeing it inside,go up to the second floor and then outside ,and walk up the mound and see the views of the City from here.

You cannot walk to the above two places.

3. Now you can go back to the Market Square which is loaded with shops and eating places ...it is from here that you can walk to all the other places.

Okay let us get orientated a bit from this location...just in case you are doing a tour on your own or a private tour.

You are now standing in the Market Square with your back to the water (behind you.),

That blue building across the street is the City Hall...now scan a bit to your right and next ...that light chocolate brown building is the Swedish Embassy... then next to the Embassy is the Supreme Court Building.

okay a bit more to your right and to the rest of the block , this is the Royal Place, you cannot miss this nice building with the guards and gold ornate gate.!!!

Okay now keep looking to your right, over , over and up the hill a little...ahhh... you see that huge lovely towering Onion Domed Church..

that is the Uspenski Catherdal( 1868)... before your day is over go inside here,not only is it gorgeous inside but the views from outside looking back down at the Market Square is very nice.

Okay we are still standing in the Market Square.
See that Obelisk( to your right or left) depending on exactly where you are in the Market Square)

...well that is the Monument to Czarina( 1835) the wife of Nicholas l..it has a gold double headed eagle on top( The Russian Emblem).

Okay to your left for sure now you will see this lovely statue of a nude lady...this is Havis Amanda, she has four seal fountains at her base spouting water and fish fountains at her feet.

This is what you should do to begin your walking tour.

1. From your spot in the Market Square, turn left to walk towards Havis Amanda.

2. See that nice green tree lined park just ahead.! that is The Esplanade and is about 3-4 blocks long , with Statues and Monuments along the way.

Before you reach the first monument ...on your right is the Kapelli Cafe .

The first monument you will see is that of the Patron Muse of Finnish Poetry.... she has six books at her feet...a nice statue.
She is at the base of another Statue ... of which Runeberg is standing on top.

Who is Runeberg?.... Well he wrote the National Anthem for Finland , so he deserves to be here.

Okay keep walking until you come to the number #1 street in Helsinki...The Mannerheiminte( yes,yes ,I know it is a long name, just remember Mannerheim that is good enough).

When you arrive at Mannerheim, you are at the end of the Espanade.....that White Building right beside you is the Swedish Theatre....

Okay stop here for a moment...look to your LEFT, in the middle of the street about a half block down is a Square called Erottjala....

This Square is the Official Geographic "Zero Point " in Helsinki.
All distances of other cities in Finland are measured from here.

Now turn RIGHT and start walking down Mannerheim

You will see on the corner the biggest department store in Helsinki ,the Stockmann( go in if you want to see and browse.)

It is on Mannerheim street that you will walk down and see all the famous building in the next 4 -5 blocks.

But first are you a little thirsty and want a beer.?!!
Okay, here is the best place.

Walk a few blocks down Mannerheim( cross the street to your left...you have to cross it anyway a bit further up.

Ask anyone for the Torni Hotel(it is just another block to your left after you have crossed the street but just in case..I am giving you the name.

At the Torni Hotel take the elevator to the top floor...you are now in the Ateljee Bar..... get a beer and sit OUTSIDE in the open air lounge...Wow!! terrific views from up here isn't it !!

From up here you can see all the places a few blocks further up that you will be seeing back on ground level.

Remember ..The Torni Hotel.!

Okay back down and back to Mannerheim.
These are the places you will be seeing as you walk along over the next 3-4 blocks:

The Parliament Building
The National Museum
The Kisama Museum (modern curved building)
The Finlandia Hall.
The Olympic Stadium and Tower( The Olympics Games were here in 1952...was to be in 1940 but postponed due to WWll).

Now cross back over Mannerheim to the other side and go to the Central Train Station.... what a building this is with it's 160 foot clock tower and those four tall stern look men holding those lanterns in their hands... they are the Gurdians of Travel.

Now ..

next to the Central Station is the nice Square....that building set back at the Square is the National Theatre and that statue in front is Alexis Kivi...the Romantic Poet writer of Finland!

Now as you are facing the Kivi statue turn 180 degree and
look across the street....
nice building isn't it!!!
that is
The National Gallery.

Okay time to head back toward the Market Square.
You can find your way back because all you have done is made was one large loop...so you are on your way back.

But don't go back to the Market Square because one block straight ahead of the Market Square is the famous Senate Square ...

this square has the most photographed church in Finland.

Okay you are at the Senate Square...Wow!!! look at that White Luthern Church perched up on the hill.
That statue in the middle of the Square is of Alexander II.

What is Alexander the II doing here when it was Nicholas I that was Tsar at the time ...it is because Alexander II was the Chancellor of the University in Helsinki( as Finland was under Russian rule at the time)

This Square is Helsinki's Times Square every New Years Eve.
So when you see that ball coming down in Helsinki on TV..this IS the place.

Climb those tall stairs to the Catherdal and go inside the church..the price is right FREE!!!

When you come out of the church you are facing the Senate Square.
Okay now, with your back to the Church...that yellow building to your LEFT is the Council of State Building...

that yellow building to your RIGHT...is the University building ...they look almost identical BUT how many difference can you pick out!!!!(I did 7 !!!)

I will stop here ,the rest is just sightseeing and note that the Market Square is just one block straight ahead from the Senate Square.

Pssst!!!
Wanna see a another nice building..go one block back of the nice White Church to see the Bank of Finland and the Lovely House of Estates.

Okay back at the Market Square.
Wait we are NOT finshed yet.

It is time to take the 15 minute ferry ride to Suomenlinna Islands.
Yes you have time!!..
This is UNESCO World Hertigae Site.

The Swedes built these fortresses in the 16 century.

Take a walk around here ,many places to see and the views back toward Helsinki are just great.. from the top of several hilltop location at the Fortress.

The ferry runs every 15 minutes so you can come back anytime.

Okay that is it.
You are back from Suomenlinna Island and just about time to head back to the cruise ship...maybe just some last minute postcards or little gift

Oh yes one more thing...if you take the Cruise shuttle ...you will be dropped off at the Swedish Theatre...

remember ,I mentioned it above ...it is at the end of the Esplande by Erottjala Square and the beginning of Mannerheim street.

Another point:
If you are from America.....don't be afraid to spend a few dollars in Helsinki ....because
Finland is the ONLY country to fully repay America ( USA) all of the World War II debt that it owed the USA !!!

I would pre- arrange a taxi ride back to the cruise ship or if you took the shuttle... be back at the pickup place 15 minutes early.

We had just one day in Helsinki on our Finland holiday. We decided to take the Hop-On-Hop-Off bus option; this is the only way we could have managed to see all that we wanted to cover, in the time available.

The day we were there was mid-summer, but still very wet and cold, so not having to work our way around on public transport was a great relief.

You can take a look at their websites and see if it covers all that you want to visit. We enjoyed the Sibelius Pipes, the underground church and the central square and cathedral. Di

We have from 8 am to 6 pm!
Wow thanks for the great reply Percy!!!
I will also look into the hop on bus.
Once we get to market square is everything within reasonable walking distance?

No - that's why we used the HOHO bus! Di

Well you are there from 8 AM to 6 PM, which is good.

I would have breakfast early on the cruise ship and be ready to disembark as soon as you are able.

If you can get off at 8 AM then be ready by the exit plank to be off at 8 AM!!!

I do not know how much walking you can do?
Maybe someone has had a knee or hip replacement ...I do not know.

Tourist walking is different than walking at home because here you are strolling about rather than just marching along .

You asked:
"Once we get to market square is everything within reasonable walking distance? "

How long is a "reasonable " walking distance length for you .?

Do you plan to take the Shuttle into town or a taxi.?

Percy, I would say a cab. Reasonable walking distance without stopping for a short time (20-30 mins) would be 1.3-1.5 miles.

1. Okay if by cab then tell the taxi driver to take you to the Sebelius Monument for a photo op....

2. then have him take you to the Rock Church and have him wait while you visit. I did not find it that expensive,

3. Then he can drop you off at the Market Square , BUT try to make arrangement with him as to when to pick you up to go back to the cruise ship.

4. Alternative after the Rock Church IS THIS..you can have the taxi driver take you to the Opera House which is on Mannerheiminte Street (The Main Street)

5. From the Opera House (you can take a few pictures here) have him drive you down Mannerheiminte Street to the Market Square BUT ask him to point out the major sites along the way.

Here are the major sites
1. Opera House
2.Larin Paraske Monument (Finnish Poet)
3.Finlandia Hall ( All White Concert hall very nice)
4.National Museum ( across the street from Findlandia Hall
(President Clinton was here for meetings)

5. Kosti Kallio Statue bt Parliament Bldg.He was 4th President of Findland.
6. Parliament Building.
7. Statue of Per Svinhufvund ..in front of Parliament Bldg.
He was the 3rd President.
8. "Little" Parliament Building ( right next door)

9. Now just back of the Parliament Builing is the Sibelius
Academy builing and the lovely Natural History Museum Bldg.

10. Kiasma Museum ( across the street) a curved building,you
cannot miss it.
11. Statue of Field Marshal Mannerheimintie .
He is sitting on a horse. This street is named for him.
12. The Three Smith Statue ( 3 nude Blacksmiths hammering an Anvil)

13. Stockmann's department Store.
14. Now you are at the White Swedish Theatre Building.
( The cruise shuttle would have dropped you off here).

15. Your taxi driver should turn left right here and drive you along the nice 4 block green park area called the Esplanadi ....at the end of the 4 block is THE Famous Market Square.. HERE YOU ARE !!!!!

(If you are going to ask question about other ports of call on your trip I would do it on the Cruise Forum..more people can help you there . )

Great, Thank you so so much!!!

Percy,
Thank you for your thorough itinerary. Did you take cab to Selibius Monument and then to Rock Church before Market Square we are adventurous but dont want to waste time.

aunteemom1:

Yes , I took a ride to the Sebebius Monument.
This is for just a photo op as you will not spend much time here.

It is a nice park but you have other places to go. !

Then on the way back you might as well stop at the Rock Church.
.. and then since you are coming back to the Market Square , you might as well have the taxi driver ,drive you down Mannerheimintie Street and point out all the neat places.

(Actually you CAN walk to the Rock Church from the Market Square,as long as you know exactly where it is.)

Because walking to the Rock Church takes you down Mannerheimintie Street again as far as the Parliament Building.
Let me know what you decide .

Life'sanadventure:
Don't want to bore you with these few old scanned pics of Finland, since you won't have any time beyond your day in Helsinki....but scroll to bottom and catch the Jan Sibelius unique monument and the underground rock church. There is also very different kind of zoo, on an island in the harbor.

Percy, stayed at the Torni back in the 80's, when it was equiv. of $60/night..an old historic standby.

stu

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/Finland#

Hi tower. I liked your pictures a lot the , nice to see older pictures for a change.

I see in the two pictures of Sebelius Monument that the small face of Sebelius was not there yet.-

They were almost forced to put something up besides those "organ pipes." !

Hi!
If you prefer not to walk you can also take tram 3T/3B which makes a loop through Helsinki passing by the most famous sites(Market Square, Senate Square, railway station, Opera etc.). It also takes you quite near the rock church and the Sibelius monument. I would also get off at the Eiran Sairaala stop and walk around the area, which has very nice Art Nouveau houses (Huvilakatu is especially pretty). You can get single tickets in the tram or day passes (both also cover the ferry to Suomenlinna I think).

You can get a brochure for the route from the tourist office or in PDF form here: www.hsl.fi/FI/matkustajanopas/Documents/3B3T_esite_en_2012.pdf
Fare/timetable information: http://www.hsl.fi/EN/ticketsandfares/singleticketsanddaytickets/Pages/default.aspx
I hope you enjoy Helsinki! June is really the best time to visit! (decent temperature + midnight sun)