Helsinki isn’t very big and it’s easy to get around but since we wanted to see more of the country we opted for a shore excursion. Here, we choose an excursion that included a visit to Porvoo, which is located 50 km (30 miles) away from the port followed by a city tour of the capital, Helsinki. Porvoo is a charming old medieval town with many little shops selling handmaid goods as well as Christmas ornaments. Walking around is the best way to explore this small coastal town.
In contrast, the contemporary architecture of Helsinki gives it a look of modernity. Some highlights include: the Helsinki Cathedral with its green cupolas that contrast with the white building for an elegant look; the pink granite Central Railway Station; the Uspenski Cathedral with green copper roofs toped with gold onion domes; the Temppeliaukio Church, also known as Rock Church, embedded into the granite; and the Sibelius monument dedicated to the composer of the same name, the sculpture is made of steel tubes reminiscent of an organ.
For shopping be sure to stop by the open-air Market Square overlooking the harbor and enjoy the views. During our visit it was unusually warm and people were swimming. We rolled-up our pants and tested the waters, just to say we “swam” in the Gulf of Finland.
European Ports of Call – Baltic Cruise