In early October of 2024, I travelled to Helsinki for a week of work. I have been to Finland many times but had not worked in Helsinki since the 1990s. (See pictures from my first trip to Finland in 1995 and last trip to Finland in 2016).
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We stayed in the old part of Helsinki, which I think is the best part. It is within easy walking distance of the harbor, the Esplanade, the Senate Square and the Market Square. Also, there are many great restaurants and bars close by. Most of the buildings in that section of Helsinki seem to be from the 1800s.
There is a lot of great artwork all over Helsinki with old and new statues including some artwork that I do not understand.
This week, the weather was great with only one rainy day. The rest of the days were cool with bright sunshine and clear nights, great for walking. Helsinki was very busy with everyone out riding bikes or walking in the sun. I wish that I had some extra days to spend there.
I have always heard that people from the Scandinavian countries are the happiest in the world. When I looked this up, I saw that Finland was ranked as the happiest country in the world for 7 years in a row in the World Happiness Report 2024. I can see why – Finland seems very safe, prosperous, healthy and with a good quality of life. Plus they drink a lot of coffee, vodka, have good beer and many saunas.
We took a ferry connection to Suomenlinna Fortress Island from the Market Square. There is a ferry leaving about every one hour and it is a quick ride at about 15 minutes. Brad paid for our ferry tickets at 4 euros each. On our way back, a lady checked our tickets and told us we would have to pay a 100 euro fine each if we did not have 4 euros each in cash for the ticket back. I had mine, but a nice American couple had to bail out Brad.
We stayed at the U14 Hotel on Unioninkatu Street, a block from the harbor. Previously I have stayed at the Scandic Hotel right across the Harbor and at the old Intercontinental Hotel. Helsinki has great public transit, there are electric trams on every large street and a great train from the airport to downtown Helsinki.
