A Quiet Kind of Magic in Finland
🌍 Country 54: A Quiet Kind of Magic in FinlandHelsinki & Suomenlinna | January 31 – February 5, 2025
After a long layover in Istanbul and a sleepy arrival in Helsinki, I spent my first day doing what jetlagged travelers do best — absolutely nothing. A warm meal, a hot shower, and a soft hotel bed were all I needed.
But the next morning? I was ready to explore.
After a long layover in Istanbul and a sleepy arrival in Helsinki, I spent my first day doing what jetlagged travelers do best — absolutely nothing. A warm meal, a hot shower, and a soft hotel bed were all I needed.
But the next morning? I was ready to explore.
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🧭 Discovering Helsinki on FootI kicked off my trip with a walking tour of Helsinki, and it turned out to be the perfect introduction. Our guide, Matti, was everything a guide should be — funny, insightful, and full of stories that made the city come alive.
We visited:
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I learned all about Finnish sauna culture — not just a pastime, but practically a religion here — and admired the red-bricked Uspenski Cathedral, one of the most beautiful Eastern Orthodox churches I’ve ever seen.
We wandered down Esplanadi Boulevard (nicknamed Helsinki’s Champs-Élysées), passed Aleksi Street with its gorgeous Art Nouveau buildings, and paused at the grand Central Train Station before wrapping up at Oodi Central Library — a sleek, modern architectural wonder that felt more like a cultural playground than a library.
It was the kind of day that left my feet sore and my heart full.
🚢 February 2: A Snowy Morning in SuomenlinnaOn my third day, I took the 9 AM ferry to Suomenlinna, a UNESCO-listed sea fortress just a short ride from the city. The ferry was quiet, the air freezing, and the sea nearly silent under the weight of winter.
As I stepped off the boat, the island felt like a postcard frozen in time. I wandered past colorful cottages, sleepy cafés, and icy pathways that crunched beneath my boots. The King’s Gate, weathered and proud, stood at the far end of the trail — a reminder of the fortress’s long and storied past.
It was one of those rare moments where you feel completely present. I imagined those who’d stood here before me — guards, sailors, families — hearing the same waves, facing the same cold wind.
Before heading back, I warmed up at Viaporin Café with a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a freshly baked croissant. Watching the frozen harbor from the window, I felt nothing but gratitude. For the stillness. For the solitude. For this quiet corner of the world.
❄️ Final Thoughts on FinlandFinland wasn’t loud or flashy. It didn’t try to impress. Instead, it offered me space to breathe and moments to reflect.
From the crisp winter air to the gentle hum of Helsinki’s streets, everything about this trip felt calm, collected, and deeply peaceful.
Country number 54, and one I’ll definitely return to someday.
