Car Hire Finland :: Finland City Guide

Now rightly known as ‘The Daughter of The Baltic’, Helsinki was founded by the Swedish King Gustav Vasa in 1550. The city originally stood at the mouth of the River Vantaa. It was moved to where it now stands, on a peninsula stretching out between islands of the southern Baltic Sea in the middle of the 17th century in order to take advantage of the deeper natural harbours thus making it more competitive in the export and import markets of the time. The city prospered and grew at an impressive rate, establishing a firm footing as an important European/Scandinavian trade centre and a University City which attracted students from all over Europe.

It was created the capital city of the Republic of Finland in 1917 and maintained its previous level of growth and prosperity, becoming a full member of the European Union in 1995. Full of attractive architecture, parks bordered by the ocean and some impressive Orthodox Churches with their characteristic ‘golden onion’ domes, Helsinki is a very upbeat city which keeps a strong sense of its culture, history and heritage without being afraid to embrace modern fashions and attitudes. It was voted one of Europe’s nine cities of culture in 2000 and is quickly becoming one of the ‘must see’ places on the international tourist agenda.

Must see in Finland

• Finlandia Hal
• Uspenski Cathedral
• National Museum
• Soumenlinna Fortress
• Market Square:-Try shopping for local produce and souvenirs at one of the many open-air market stalls or just sit and watch the world go by at one of the attractive pavement cafes.
  
  

  * Need help with your booking?   click here
  * One way rentals?   click here

Helsinki Airport

Helsinki airport is correctly known as Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. It owes its creation in 1952 to the fact that the city of Helsinki was chosen as the venue for that year’s Olympic Games. Situated only 12 miles to the north of Finland’s capital city, it is a large and relatively modern single terminal airport through which around 10 million passengers pass each year. Significant efforts have always been made to ensure that the airport is kept as up-to-date as possible and this investment, over the last 15 years or so in particular, has paid dividends in respect of Helsinki-Vantaa.

What greater proof could be required of this statement than the fact that since 1998, the airport has been voted the most popular in the world and once as the best European airport? The airport building is staffed by a friendly and helpful, generally multi-lingual workforce and is well equipped with an impressive shopping area that includes two tax free shops, good banking, Bureau de Change and ATM facilites, souvenir and fashion outlets and a Finnish speciality boutique.

Travel from the airport to Helsinki itself could not be easier with good bus services, taxis and car hire outlets right on site. Conference facilities and wire free zones are also available at the airport, and there are good hotels close by.