Cruise stop in Helsinki
 

We have one day in Helsinki from our cruise on the Baltic. Are there any "must do's"?

Depends on your interests. The Church of the Rock was interesting. Get off the ship and buy a ticket to use the tram right in front of the cruise terminal. Take the tram around the city. If you look at the "ports of call" board (a/k/a forum) at www.cruisecritic.com you'll get some additional info on Helsinki. Easy town to do on your own. We were there last year.

We really enjoyed the sea fortress, but you could spend the entire day there if you're not careful. You have to take a ferry or waterbus to reach it, and there's so much to see.

http://www.suomenlinna.fi/en/fortres..._heritage_site

I particularly enjoyed the Design Museum.

http://www.designmuseum.fi/main.asp?sid=2&sivu=17&kpl=1

You will have a busy day as there is much to see in Helsinki.

The Rock Church would be my first choice, then the Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral on the hill, the Finnish Orthodox church, the Sebelius Monument, the inside market by the harbor is fantastic for different foods, and the outside one is great for souvenirs. You can go to the Hesberger fast food restaurant for a hamburger, fries and a milkshake. There is an outlet mall within walking distance where you can find Finnish brand products.

Cafe Kafka for coffee - Love shopping at Stockmasn Department Store which is a couple of blocks away.

From a review I read:
Helsinki's main shopping drag is Aleksanterinkatu (Aleksi), which runs from Senate Square to Mannerheimintie and is packed with large stores. The parallel Esplanadi boulevards have specialist and generally very expensive boutiques. Access to the area is easy, as trams 3, 4/4T and 7A/7B all run down Aleksanterinkatu, and the area is just a stone's throw from the Central Railway Station and Kaisaniemi metro stations.

Hop onto the 3B/3T tram, and you can have a quick look into the city. Plus, they go past some of the "must" sights.

http://www.hel.fi/wps/wcm/connect/84...anti.pdf?MOD=A

Our one day plan is to see the "Rock" Church then ferry to Suomenlinna Island for the rest of our day.

The Island is an UNESCO world heritage site and the Church is unique.