Helsinki was founded in 1550 on the beautiful mouth of the Vantaa Njoki River, in the waters of the Baltic Sea. It was assimilated by Russia, but after the country’s independence in 1917, Helsinki has become a very modern city, with classicist and functional architecture. On your first day here, spend the morning exploring the historic center with Helsinki Free Walking Tours. There you can visit the vibrant Kauppatori market to buy herring, jams, pickles and much more. On the afternoon, the great fortress of Suomenlinna is an essential attraction in the city and just a short ferry ride away from the city center. If you are looking for a slice of nature, take a trip to Seurasaari Island. It's a few kilometers north of the city and there you can find an open-air museum and an abundance of woodland walks next to the coastline. Round off your day in the Kallio neighborhood, where you can indulge in delicious food and coffee in one of the number of bistros and craft coffee haunts.