Vantaa is a city in southern Finland, located on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. In fact, it is an integral part of Helsinki, but administratively - an independent settlement, the fourth most populated city in Finland. Vantaa is far from a tourist town. Nevertheless, at least once in a lifetime it is worth visiting.
Vantaa (Finland): airport and more
Many travelers are familiar with this city. After all, it is here that the country's main airport 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 few people stay in it for a long time, naively believing that there is nothing to watch.
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 XIV century, exactly two hundred years earlier than Helsinki. The Royal Postal Road, which connected Stockholm with St. Petersburg, passed through the city. It was laid by the ancient Vikings.
The modern city of Vantaa in Finland serves as a kind of business center. So, it is here that the representative offices of many Finnish companies are located: the country's main air carrier Finnair, the largest dairy concern Valio, the famous manufacturer of paints and varnishes Tikkurila and others. By the way, the last company borrowed its name from the name of one of the districts of Vantaa.
Finland can be proud of many talented scientists, athletes and musicians from this small town. Among them are the philosopher and mathematician Jaakko Hintikka, drummer of the mega-popular rock band Lordi Samps Astal, the famous race car driver Mikka Hakkinen and others.
How to get into the city? If you are planning to travel to Finland by plane, then most likely this is where you will land. By the way, the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport in 2013 was recognized as the best in Northern Europe. It serves about 90% of all international flights in Finland.
How to get from Helsinki to Vantaa? It is most convenient to do this on a high-speed train, which leaves from the railway station of the capital approximately every 20 minutes. In addition, Helsinki is connected with the satellite city of Vantaa by bus routes (No. 415, 451 and 620N). Travel time is 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 fairly developed sphere of tourism and hotel business. According to statistics, skiing, 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, inns, hostels and apartments.
However, tourists need to be prepared for rather high prices for accommodation 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 Vantaa, the most popular hotels, according to reviews of Russian tourists, are Hameenkyla Manor, Hilton Helsinki Airport, Holiday Inn Helsinki, GLO Hotel, Hotel Cumulus, Avia Apartments. Prices for standard rooms in budget hotels in Vantaa (two to three stars) start at 3,000 rubles, in luxury (four or five stars) - from 5,500 rubles and above.
What is interesting about Vantaa?
Vantaa is not only the airport and the headquarters of large companies. Here a tourist will find a lot of interesting things for himself. The main attractions of Vantaa are popular science complexes, museums, parks, recreation centers and ancient temples.
At the railway station there is a city museum of local lore with rich expositions. It is located in an old beautiful red brick building, designed by architect Karl Edelfelt. In Vantaa, you should definitely visit the ancient St. Lawrence church of the mid-15th century. This is one of the most popular wedding venues in all of Finland!
In the vicinity of the city is the unique village of Sotunki. Having gone there, you can see with your own eyes the real rural life of Finland. There is a sculpture park, a museum of tractors, as well as an animal farm for children. In addition, the village organizes regular ecological walks through forests and lakes.
Science can be simple!
One of the main attractions in Vantaa is the Heureka Science Museum. It is located in the urban area of Tikkurila. At the time of opening (1989), it was the only popular science center in all of Scandinavia.
The Eureka Interactive Museum has one single goal - to develop a genuine and lively interest in science in children (and in adults too). It has over two hundred exhibits from various fields of scientific knowledge. Among them - both the simplest and very complex models. Each visitor can personally participate here in one of the scientific experiments.
The Eureka Museum houses a first-class planetarium and arboretum, as well as a gorgeous collection of minerals and rocks of the Scandinavian Peninsula.