The capital and largest city of Finland, Helsinki is a rich cultural hub filled with museums, galleries and theaters, including the Ateneum’s collection of nearly 30,000 masterpieces of visual art. When Russia took control of Finland from Sweden in the 19th century, Helsinki was rebuilt with a neoclassical city center featuring handsome boulevards, plentiful parks and expansive squares with spectacular architecture, most notably Senate Square. The bustling Market Square on the waterfront sells local crafts and produce and is a great place to stop into a café for some traditional salmon soup with a side of dark rye bread. The islands that constitute the surrounding archipelago are as integral to Helsinki as the mainland, all protected by the imposing 18th-century fortress of Suomenlinna. A 20-minute ferry ride brings visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site that includes multiple museums and lush parkland.
