Things to do in Copenhagen / Helsinki

[pinkdora1]

Hi All

 

Looking for things to do in Copenhagen and Helsinki - we dock there in August.

 

Many thanks

[Turtles06]

A few tips.  There is a ton of information available for free on the internet (and for sale in tour books) about both cities.  You should do some research and reading (including here in this forum) about those cities and determine what might be of interest to you.   What might interest others might not interest you, and vice versa.  Some folks might suggest museums, for example; you might not want to spend your time in one.

 

 

 

 

[Mandika]

I wrote a very quick review on these ports when I visited in May/June on Regal Princess:

• COPENHAGEN: Chilly/slight rain so didn't rent bikes to tour around. Took HOHO bus from port instead which got you into center. Easy to get around that way. Christianhvan is cute to walk around and diff than downtown. Freetown a bit of a walk but very interesting/diff community there. Didn't have time to explore the gardens/palaces but they looked beautiful. Nyhavn is a must of course. Then easy to see Little Mermaid as the last stop right before you go back to port. A note: Many do Tivoli Gardens which is also a stop on HOHO bus, there is an entrance fee ticket to get in. 
• Helsinki: Debated to do HOHO bus but so crowded, everyone on ship was trying to get on. Our ship ended up offering a four stop, mini-hop on and off of their own for around $40 pp I think and we might have taken that, but decided to take a taxi when we saw one at port instead, straight to Rock Church (highly recommend). Then we walked from there to the center squares of town. Nice way to see city and architecture esp if weather is good. Oodi building amazing. Download map if you can first. Try moose and reindeer or fried fish around the square. Saw Lutheran cathedrals, orthodox church. Lappi restaurant is so unique (opens at 4pm though). Great food in Helsinki in general though. Also for something a little different/local-- recommend LOYLY sauna/terrace restaurant for drink, relaxing, and the views or to try the famous Finnish sauna if you have the time. Loyly is VERY near the ship if it is docked at Henesarri (four ports in Helsinki so know which one you are at.) Loyly also has a "taxi button" behind the bar---so handy for us tourists when we need one!

Many said to buy Rick Steves' travel book specifically on the Northern Europe/Baltic cruise ports. It was helpful and had maps you can just rip out and take with you.