Vantaa (Finland): what to see and where to stay

Vantaa is a city in the south of Finland, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. In fact, this is an integral part of Helsinki, but an administrative - independent settlement, the fourth largest city in Finland. Vantaa is far from being a tourist city. Nevertheless, at least once in my life to be here.

Vantaa (Finland): airport and not only

Many travelers know this city. It is here that the main airport of the country is located - Helsinki-Vantaa. Finland annually receives about 7 million tourists. And most of them begin their acquaintance with this northern country from the city of Vantaa. But very few people stay in it for a long time, naively believing that there is nothing to watch here.

Vantaa is a satellite city of the Finnish capital with a population of about 200 thousand people. It was founded in the middle of the fourteenth century, exactly two hundred years earlier than Helsinki. Through the city passed the Royal Postal Road, which connected Stockholm with St. Petersburg. It was built by ancient Vikings.

The modern city of Vantaa in Finland serves as a kind of business center. So, it is here that the offices of many Finnish companies are located: the main air carrier of the country Finnair, the largest dairy concern Valio, the well-known manufacturer of paint and varnish products Tikkurila and others. By the way, the last company borrowed its name from the name of one of the districts of the city of Vantaa.

Finland can be proud of many talented scientists, sportsmen and musicians who come from this small city. Among them - the philosopher and mathematician Jaakko Hintikka, the drummer of mega-popular rock band Lordi Samps Astala, the famous racing driver Mikka Hakkinen and others.

How to get to the city? If you are going to go to Finland by plane, then most likely, it is here that you land. By the way, the airport "Helsinki-Vantaa" in 2013 was recognized as the best in Northern Europe. It serves about 90% of all international flights of Finland.

How to get from Helsinki to Vantaa? It is most convenient to do this on a high-speed train, which leaves from the capital's railway station approximately every 20 minutes. In addition, Helsinki and the satellite town of Vantaa connect bus routes (No. 415, 451 and 620N). The journey takes about 40 minutes. A taxi ride from the Finnish capital to the city of Vantaa will cost 50 euros.

Where to stay: Vantaa hotels

Finland is a country with a rather developed sphere of tourism and hotel business. According to statistics, ski, medical, cultural, historical and ecological tourism are very popular here. Of course, the country is ready to offer its guests a wide selection of hotels, hotels, hostels and apartments.

However, tourists need to be prepared for a fairly high cost of living in Finland, and in particular in Vantaa. So, the average cost of a hotel room in this country is 106 euros (as of 2012).

In the city of Vantaa, the most popular, according to the reviews of Russian tourists, are the following hotels: Hameenkyla Manor, Hilton Helsinki Airport, Holiday Inn Helsinki, GLO Hotel, Hotel Cumulus, Avia Apartments. Prices of standard rooms in budget hotels Vantaa (two or three stars) start from 3000 rubles, in elite (four or five stars) - from 5500 rubles and above.

What is interesting about Vantaa?

Vantaa is not only the airport and the headquarters of large companies. Here the tourist will find for himself many interesting things. The main attractions of Vantaa are popular scientific complexes, museums, parks, recreational centers and ancient temples.

The railway station has a city museum of local lore with the richest expositions. It is located in an old beautiful red brick building, designed by architect Carl Edelfelt. In Vantaa, you should definitely visit the old St. Lawrence Church in the middle of the 15th century. This is one of the most popular places for weddings in the whole of Finland!

In the vicinity of the town there is a unique village of Sotunki. Going there, you can see with your own eyes the real rural life of Finland. There is a sculpture park, a museum of tractors, and an animal farm for children. In addition, the village organizes regular ecological walks through forests and lakes.

Science can be simple!

One of the most important sights in Vantaa is the scientific museum "Heureka" (Heureka). It is located in the urban area of Tikkurila. At the time of the opening (1989) it was the only popular science center in the whole of Scandinavia.

The interactive museum "Eureka" sets itself a single goal - to develop in children (and also in adults too) a genuine and lively interest in science. There are more than two hundred exhibits from different areas of scientific knowledge. Among them - as the simplest, and very complex models. Each visitor can personally participate here in one of the scientific experiments.

In the museum "Eureka" is a first-class planetarium and arboretum, as well as a chic collection of minerals and rocks of the Scandinavian Peninsula.