Capital Of Cool (Daly Telegraph, 6/98)

CAPITAL OF COOL (Daily Telegraph, 6/98)

Helsinki parades all aspects of a Finnish genius for design and architecture,
from the ‘rock church’, above, to the Marimekko-patterned coffee cup, below.
And there are boats and beaches, too.

Helsinki started the millennium in 2000 as European Capital of Culture, and that’s how it continues to think of itself. And in every sense it has earned its cultural status: packed museums, ancient and ultra-modern, all equally appealing; historic Uspenski cathedral; and a personality—historic, liberal, subtle but real and modern-day. Did you know that Finland has one of the highest rates of newspaper readership in the world? Magazines too. No wonder this city feels so connected. Plus: whole cafés dedicated to design.

The city centre.  From the crisp geometry of Senate Square with the cathedral towering above, to the Esplanade and leafy Linnunlaulu, it is undeniably one of Europe’s great little capitals. It is also defined by the glistening Baltic Sea.

Dominating its impact on Helsinki is design: interior, industrial, architectural. Helsinki is a design lover’s dream. The Rock Church, Temppeliaukio, is perhaps the best-known building: hewn from solid granite and capped with a copper dome.

Then there is the Design District: an area filled with galleries, boutiques, and the internationally celebrated Design Museum. From fashion to furniture, Helsinki is also a city of iconic brands: Marimekko, Iittala, Artek. Design lovers can lose hours here.

And it’s not just inside the boutiques where design reigns. Consider the new wooden Oodi Library, a bold symbol of Finland’s dedication to both beauty and civic life.

After all this design inspiration, you might be ready for a break—head to the sauna. Finns take the ritual seriously, and with good reason: it's a cleansing, communal experience.

Add to your Helsinki visit a boat trip to Suomenlinna, and enjoy the fortress islands and wooded walking paths. Or wander the market halls for fish, berries, bread, and Finnish treats.

Finally, the nights: Helsinki comes alive in summer. Eat on a terrace, drink by the water. Then finish with laughter or live music. This is the magic of a city that celebrates the long sun-filled evenings.