If you’re off to one of the two above mentioned attractions, in the Töölö district of Helsinki, Finland, you might as well do them both. One is basically across the road from the other. As an added bonus, Seurasaarenselkä / Fölisöfjärden has a certain charm during winter.
This place is outside the city centre. Reached by bus, and a 15 minute walk. Look up your city transportation needs on hsl.fi. For easy access, download the app. The ticket system operates on zones. You’ll need an AB ticket for the city – it’s not possible to buy a ticket for just one zone. For the airport, an ABC ticket.
The Sibelius Monument
Honestly, I didn’t have high expectations. Could be it influenced my experience, the fact that I really enjoyed it. It’s not much else to do than look at it, but when you study the 1967 monument to commemorate composer Jean Sibelius, closely, it is really neat. It resembles organ pipes. Over 600 pipes of welded steel. The monument is located in Sibelius Park, which was nothing more than an urban green space.
Website: hamhelsinki.fi/en/sculptures/sibelius-monumentti-sibelius-monument
Cafe Regatta
When it comes to this place, I found the hype not justified. I get that visitors from outside the Nordic countries might find it enchanting, but for those used to seeing small, wooden, red huts, it’s really not a big deal. The inside is crammed with stuff from my grandma’s era. With few seats. Luckily people left while I was in queue, for a while, so I got a table. There’s outside seating as well, but it was freezing. A lot nice in the spring and summer, I assume. But some did fight the cold, and used the barbecue. You can buy sausages to cook, in the cafe. Along with lots of other stuff. Found it quite expensive for what I got. The cinnamon bun, I should have passed on. Not sure if it was freshly baked or not, as the texture reminded me of something reheated in a microwave.
Website: caferegatta.fi
Seurasaarenselkä / Fölisöfjärden
