Be sure to circle Helsinki's sightseeing map with a brightly colored marker:
The Church in the Rock (Temppeliaukion kirkko), which looks more like a giant flying saucer, is number one on any map of Helsinki sights with names.
Monument to Jan Sibelius -externally it is a complex construction of pipes, as if floating in the air. When the wind blows from the sea, the monument literally sings!
Senate Square - here the Helsinki sightseeing map is packed to the max! The monument to Alexander II, the Cathedral (very reminiscent of St. Petersburg's St. Isaac's Cathedral), the National Library and many more old mansions.
The Esplanade is one of Helsinki's most "informal" attractions, a large boulevard for picnics and relaxation.
Market Square (Kauppatori) - the photo of this Helsinki landmark is all over the guidebooks. You bet, because the seaside Market Square is considered the noisiest place in the city - make sure you go here for strawberries and blueberries!
Another Helsinki attraction that doesn't require description is the parks. There are plenty of them here - locals organize romantic dates and picnics in them overlooking the bay.
