2-3 days in Helsinki
 

We're planning a trip next summer to Finland and Norway. We'll be starting out way up north in Finland for a film festival in Sodankyla, then taking the train from Rovaniemi back to Helsinki overnight, and spending 2 or 3 days in Helsinki.

Any suggestions on restaurants or things to see and do in Helsinki would be appreciated. The fact that we're going to Lapland from the US to see a movie should tell you that we don't mind going off the beaten path.

We were only there for one day, but we liked:
Rock Church
Museum of the City of Helsinki
Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Senate Square
Market by the water
Lutheran Cathedral

In 3 days, use 2 (or 2 days, use 1) to take the excellent self-guided walking tours of the city available at the tourist office. Then, use the last day to go to Tallinn by ferry. For more, see my phototravelogue at http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=...&y=-95hdl3

There is the Sibelius Monument.
http://www.eilahiltunen.net/monument.html

http://www.helsinki.fi/en/index/matkailu.html

Be sure to stop at Hershbergers for a hamburger.

We traveled from Helsinki to Stockholm via the Silja Ferry overnight. The ferry has a wonderful buffet dinner. We spent the day in Stockholm and took a later train to Oslo. It was a fun traveling experience.

Please post your train experience from Rovaniemi to Helsinki. Thanks. I want to visit a friend in Rovaniemi next June and am wondering whether to fly or take the train.

Thanks for the responses. The Rock Church, the Market, Senate Sq and Sibelius monument all look great. I like the idea of the self-guided walking tours, maybe even taking a couple of the City Bikes to get around.

Bratsandbeer, I'll do my best posting my experience with the train from Rovaniemi, but if you're going next June, we'll probably be there around the same time. We'll be on that train the night of the 14th or 15th

BTW, Mike, thanks for the link to your slideshow. Very enjoyable, and it makes me all the more eager for next summer to get here!