Market Square - Start your visit at the open air market at Market Square on the South Harbor. In summer, watch people selling salmon and potatoes from their boats, munch on a bag of fresh strawberries or cherries, or kids can shop for a warm fur hat or wooden toy. Grab a sandwich from the Old Market Hall and sit out on the stone dock to watch the boats in the harbor.

Take a boat ride - From the Market Square, there are four or five boat rides. Several boat lines go on sightseeing cruises around the islands of Helsinki (cruise lasts about 1 or 1 ½ hours). Or, take a paddle wheeler or waterbus to the Helsinki Zoo. This is also where you get the ferry to Suomenlinna. From Linnanlaituri quay, boats leave for the medieval town of Porvoo (a day trip).

Ride the circle tram - Take the 3T (or 3B reverse direction) circle tram around the city. Pick up the tram in Market Square, it goes in a loop, you can hop on and off as you like. Ask for a map of the 3T Tram at the Helsinki Tourist office.