What to do in Finland outside your Sailing Trip

Finland is a land blessed with many glorious sights: sprawling forests, crystal-clear lakes, Northern Lights, a buzzing capital city and endless sunsets in the summer. There is very little Finland can’t offer you. To arrive to our sailing trip in Finland you most likely will be going over Helsinki. Here are the activities we truly believe you need to try and savour so if you will have some spare time in the capital of Finland, go ahead and check it out.

SkyWheel and Flying Cinema Combo, Helsinki

London’s equivalent of the famous London Eye, SkyWheel is located in central Helsinki and offers a panoramic view of the city and beyond, where you can actually experience the sight of the not too distant Gulf of Finland. This spectacle can be enjoyed from a height of 40m and is available throughout the year.

The Flying Cinema Tour, on the other hand, is a virtual 15 minute birds eye view of Helsinki as you will likely never see it without having to spend a fortune. You will find yourself flying over Suomenlinna and immersing yourselves in the catacombs. If you want a birds eye perspective of Helsinki then the Flying Cinema Tour is for you.

Both attractions would cost you €18 and you can expect to spend around 1 hour and 15 minutes in total.

Links to guide you further: http://www.skywheel.fi/en/ and https://www.flyingcinematour.com/

Photo Credit: Craig Mackay Photography;

Suomenlinna Fortress

This UNESCO heritage masterpiece is neatly perched on an island. Construction started in 1748 and the fortress is still standing tall to reveal its history and dark secrets as well as that of the 3 countries who once ruled over the lands. Piper’s Park, the Great Castle Courtyard and the Dry Dock are undoubtedly the 3 main attractions inside this fortress.

There are tours available in English, Russian and Chinese and all guides are licensed by the National Board of Antiquities and last around 1 hour. The fee for this open air attraction is only €11. We suggest to get your provisions ready for a lunch outside, find a proper view spot and enjoy the sound of waves crashing below defensive walls.

Link to guide you further: https://www.suomenlinnatours.com/

Photo Credit: www.musement.com

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

This attraction can be found on an island bearing the same name but can be reached by bus or car within 15 minutes from Central Helsinki. Here you can acquire an insight of how people lived and still live throughout all of Finland during the past 4 centuries.

Although various guided tours exist, it is easier and cheaper to make your own way through the open-air museum. Folk dancing is a popular activity to participate in during the Summer months and there is an abundance of shops selling local ware. Also watch out for concerts being held at the local Karuna Church, all throughout Summer.

If you fancy a dip in the surrounding water, be warned that temperatures normally rise to a maximum of around 16 degrees Celsius (but what is that for a true Viking?!). For those of you brave enough to mingle with the locals in their natural environment, there is a secluded area for 2 nudist beaches, one for women and another for men.

A bus fare to Seurasaari from Helsinki will cost you around €6. Just aim to catch bus number 24 with the last stop being your destination.

Link to guide you further: https://www.kansallismuseo.fi/