Helsinki, Finland is another great Baltic Cruise stop.
The city is made up of over 300 islands, but probably all you will want to see is within walking distance. Beach, shops, church, cathedral, harbourside market, are all close to where the shuttle bus will drop you. GOOGLE MAP
There is a new cruise terminal so the city can take larger and more ships. If you are on a smaller ship, that will pay the higher berthing fees, it may stop right in the city. Otherwise, it is a shuttle bus in which stops in a square near the main areas.
As you get off the ship, there will be tour hawkers and the hop on hop off bus (take a map). Bicycles are available all over town, but the deal at the dock may be a better all-day deal.
The tram is easy. You can jump on a number 2 or 3 at the harbour and go in either direction. They can also be picked up at the station. Between them, a huge figure of 8 around Helsinki is made. The ticket is just over three Euros and it is a quick and easy way to see whole loops of the city. Between the two trams they complete the figure of 8 by doing adjoining S shapes. They are a number 3 and a number 2 and it probably doesn’t matter which way you go or which tram you start on but that will show you a good proportion of Helsinki area. Get the hop on hop off bus map and the town map and compare. Find your ship’s chat site + share your pictures + experiences to help others
If you decide on the beach you could walk there, but for sightseeing, the choices here will sum most of them up. Take a look at our film to help you decide.
ROCK CHURCH – If you are going to the church in a rock, and it is a church in a rock….. then the tram will get you there quickly, though you can walk up through the market and past the art centre and cinema complex. Careful you don’t get lost. Check your map.
CATHEDRAL – Has quite a few steps and is distinctly plain compared with the other churches in the Baltic, but if you are C of E you might think it more like the churches you are used to. It is shown in the film. The square is pretty and has the usual statues as a central focus.
CHURCH – The church you can see at the end of the harbour is on many tours and an easy walk. The road will take you around and there is a road looping around the back of the church to avoid even the steps at the front of the church from the coach park.
ESPLANADE – The Esplanade is a terrific walk, almost Mediterranean, a little bit French in away. It is a very pleasant walk and in the sun very relaxing.
All these things are quite close, so it is easy to do them all and have time free. If you are thinking of a Baltic Cruise and have just started looking, the overview film which just takes a snippet from each of the port films might be a good start, then we have an extensive menu of films, guides and tours of the Baltic.
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GUIDES TO ALL THE BALTIC DESTINATIONS – Take a look around Doris Visits and get more out of your cruise research – guides, tours, cabin tours, ship tours, news. AABENRAA AARHUS AARLBORG COPENHAGEN FREDERICIA GDANSK GOTHENBURG HELSINGBORG HELSINKI HUNDESTED KALUNDBORG KIELE KLAIPEDA MALMO MARIEHAHN MURMANSK OSLO RIGA RØNNE SKAGEN ST PETERSBURG STOCKHOLM TALLINN TRAVEMUNDE VISBY WARNEMUNDE
Our novel CRUISE SHIP ART THEFT uses Helsinki and sections you see in this film. It is book 4 in the series released summer 2020. Try the other crime novels first. Read the reviews on Amazon and the page allows you to read about 8 pages free.
Essentials – cruise travel labels and our cruise crime novels – oh, and the seasickness bands.
Good sailing
