Helsinki was founded by the Swedish King in 1550 to rival nearby Tallinn. The city was under Russian rule from 1809 to 1918 and the evidence of that is still visible in some of the buildings. The celebrated Senate Square was designed by architect Carl Ludvig Engel, with the shiny white Helsinki Cathedral as its dominant factor. Completed in 1852, the Cathedral is very plainly decorated on the inside and can therefore best be admired from the outside only.

Helsinki is a busy cruise port and arriving cruise ships are directed to either the Katajanokka Quay in the South Harbor, or to the West Harbor. At the Katajanokka berth, you are at walking distance of the Senate Square and the huge ferries of Silja Line and Viking Line will pass by closely. At the other berth, you are very close to the Aker Finnyards shipyard and the Tallink ferries that zoom up and down the Gulf of Finland.  

With the nearby Aland Islands being exempt from duty taxes, the giant ferries that ply the Finnish waters are floating shopping and entertainment centers. In fact, ferry traffic is a part of life in these regions, with people booking passage just to stock up on their liquor cabinet. Pictured is the ferry Silja Symphony leaving for Stockholm, With a three-deck high Indoor Promenade, this ship was the inspirational source for Royal Caribbean's Voyager-class ships. 

In summer, Helsinki almost explodes with color. Covered in snow and ice for much of the year, the summer really brings the Finns out on the street. With open-air concerts, alfresco dining and lots of ice cream stalls, Helsinki's Esplanade is most popular for a stroll when the weather cooperates. 

Modern Finnish architecture at its best in the Tempel Church, built into a rock. The Tempel Church is easily reached by foot, but do get a map as you will be hopelessly lost in the midst of Helsinki urban development.  

A good tip for a nice summer's day in Helsinki is to take the ferry from the Market Square in the center of town. After a 15-minute crossing that passes many of the huge passenger ships in the South Harbor, you will be dropped off at Suomenlinna Or Sveaborg), a giant inhabited sea fortress that sprawls over six islands in the Helsinki archipelago. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular place for locals on Sunday. The islands offer numerous museums, restaurants and cafes, plus delightful views of the city. We were lucky in stumbling across a delightful small eatery that offered a typical Finnish buffet lunch - which we enjoyed seated outside in the fresh air!

On your way back to your ship, you might want to stop at the South Harbor market. In addition to fruit & veg, there is an extensive arts market during summer. Local Finnish artists sell their work here, and nothing beats an original sketch or painting to bring home as a reminder of your visit to Helsinki. And when in Finland, don't forget to drop by the design shops of Marimekko or Aarikka. Both sell mouthwateringly beautiful fabrics, clothes, furniture and art objects. Bring your wallet as well!

Should your cruise ship be docked in the South Harbour, be on deck at sailing time. Leaving the city with its grand Cathedral behind, your ship will pass through the narrow sea passage at Suomenlinna approximately 20 minutes after departure. The submarine that you will see on the starboard side is named Vesikko.