Finland
About My Trip to Finland
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Buzz was in Finland in August of 2026. Check back soon for Finland content.
I traveled from Stockholm to Helsinki aboard the Tallink Silja Serenade, my first experience spending the night on a ship. I stayed in one of the cheapest cabins below the waterline, explored the ship from top to bottom, and spent much of the evening watching the scenery of the Stockholm Archipelago from the Sun Deck.
After a surprisingly comfortable night onboard, I woke up as we approached Helsinki and had great views of Uspenski Cathedral, Helsinki Cathedral, and the harbor. The overnight ferry ended up being one of the most memorable transportation experiences of my trip.
I had one full day to explore Helsinki and fit in many of the city’s best-known sights. My route included Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral, Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral, Esplanadi Park, and several modern landmarks near Oodi Central Library. Helsinki was easy to explore on foot, although I covered quite a bit of ground during my short visit.
I also took a ferry to Suomenlinna and spent half a day exploring the historic sea fortress. Suomenlinna became the highlight of my time in Helsinki and was well worth including in a one-day itinerary.
I traveled from Stockholm to Helsinki aboard the Tallink Silja Serenade, spending my first overnight ferry journey in a private cabin on Deck 2. After boarding, I explored the ship and watched us sail through the Stockholm Archipelago. My trip included dinner onboard, sunset on the Sun Deck, and a breakfast buffet before arriving in Helsinki the next morning. My article and video cover the cabin, onboard experience, and what it was like taking the overnight ferry between Sweden and Finland.
Suomenlinna is an easy ferry trip from central Helsinki and one of the best places to experience Finland’s coastal history. During my 2.5-hour visit, I followed the Blue Route from the main pier to King’s Gate, walked through the dark tunnels at Bastion Höpken, and explored the fortifications around Kustaanmiekka. I also walked down to the beach and photographed views across the Gulf of Finland before approaching rain forced me back toward the ferry.
This guide explains how to reach Suomenlinna, what I saw along the route, and how much time I recommend spending there. While half a day was enough to see the main highlights, I left wishing I had given Suomenlinna a full day.