My first impression of Helsinki (coming from Stockholm) was the city looked a bit soviet and people were quiet.
It doesn’t have the charm that Stockholm or Saint Petersburg had for me. And it didn’t have an old-town like Tallinn’s. Most of the time I didn’t have topics to take photograph. So overall, Helsinki for me lacked energy and identity.
While the city did not offer much travel value to me, I still like Finland. While I was walking on the street, someone said to me (very randomly), ‘Welcome to Helsinki!’
When my mom needed a dentist, I asked someone for information and she didn’t ignore me because I was a tourist. Right, I think that’s what I felt. The Fins did not treat you better or worse because you are tourist. They are just chilled. And overall, I felt the Fins were educated and they value respect.
Helsinki still offers interesting architecture to see, though not as many. This is their central station, but for me this doesn’t count as an attraction.
And this is a bus station near the Rock Church. It looks really cool. Oh but then again this is not an attraction.
So overall, I think you will not be able to love Helsinki as tourist unless you’ve lived here. I met two Vietnamese students who study in Finland, and they simply love Finland. Admittedly they came to Helsinki as tourists too (their school is 4 hours away), but they came with a different feeling that’s perhaps appreciation of this country.
From my tourist eyes, I think you need time to explore and find a reason to love this place. When you see it, you will know why Helsinki is special to you. (Like these cheese stools?)
Final Word
I think couchsurfing is really important. If I had couchsurfed here, I would get a fuller perspective and closer look on this city. How much time should you plan for Helsinki? I would say 2 days including couchsurfing for a night, haha!
Traveling Mega
