Meet your guide outside the main port gate / hotel lobby. Please read Helsinki meeting instructions carefully. We will also send you a copy at time of booking. It's better to print them out! An insight into the history of Finland and Helsinki. The tour starts with a walk around the historical Senate Square. The Senat square is a large central square of the city. It's crowned by the impressive white Helsinki cathedral. The center of the square if a memorail to the Russian emperor Alexander 2nd. The Helsinki's oldest building Sederholm's house is still located in the south part of Senat square.

Helsinki Cathedral is a Lutheran church also called the Cathedral of St. Nicholas. It's the main church of the town. The church was opened in 1852 and dedicated to the name saint of Russian emperor Nicholas 1st, as Finland was the province of Russia at that time. The impressive white structure stands on the natural hill, connected to the Senat square by the granit steps, that make you feel the church is even higher.

Market square in the center of Helsinki is the most exciting place of the city. It’s located on the seashore next to the city ferry station. You can find everything there. All sorts of season fruit and berries, mushrooms, smoked fish, flowers, souvenirs, traditional clothing, furs, leather, name it. One can spend hours digging through the carved bone statuettes or enjoying the beer with fresh grilled salmon.

The Central Train Station of Helsinki is a large inpressive building, decorated with the massive statues on the both sides of the entrance. It was chosen as one of the world's most beautiful railway stations by BBC in 2013.

You will continue through the Esplanadi Boulevard towards Central Railway Station. Esplanadi street is one of the most loved walking areas in Helsinki and both the locals and guests enjoy its relaxing atmosphere. There are number of trendy design shops located near this street.

Mannerheimintie is the main street of Helsinki, as well as the longest street of the city. it follows the path of the old road to Tampere, Finland's old capital. Mannerheimintie begins at the Esplanada street and goes all the way north to the city limits. The House of Parliament, the main post office, the Kiasma modern art museum, the Finlandia Hall, the National Museum, the Helsinki Opera House, Kampi bus station and many other important buildings can be found on Mannerhermintie.

The impressive building of the National museum is located on Helsinki's main street Mannerheimintie. It features Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present day The appearance of the building reflects Finland's medieval churches and castles. The entrance hall ceiling has ceiling frescoes in the national epic Kalevala theme, which can be seen without an entrance fee.

The building for newly independant Finland's parlament was inagurated in 1932 and became the home to the Parlament offices that moved here from the Senat square. The Parlament is a masterpiece of architecture with 5 floors all different is design and layout. The visits to the parlament building are organized through the visitor's center.

Opera and ballet are quite young in Finland, as both companies were formed in the beggining of the 20th century only. The Opera house was opened in 1993 and since than became home to both. The theater promotes the national art, National Opera stages four to six premieres a year, including a world premiere of at least one Finnish opera.

You will take public transport from the city center to see the unique Temppeliaukio Church - a very unusual church built into the rock. Temppeliaukio Church is often called the church in the rock. Finland uses the natural landscape of the region to create the beautiful urban environment and this is the best example of it. The church is built into the huge granite rock. It’s simple but very elegant with granite walls and glass ceiling. The tour ends in the city center. The client is responsible for his/her transfer back to the hotel / cruise ship. (Shuttle buses and taxis available)