Katajanokka Island Walk (Self Guided), Helsinki

Once a peninsula, Katajanokka is now a separate island close to Helsinki's downtown core. This is a fantastic place to come for a walk, so much so that you may never want to leave! It is connected to the mainland by a short bridge and is just a 2-minute walk from Market Square. This upscale neighborhood, once home to Finland's former president features some beautiful examples of Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) architecture.

Appreciate the gold onion domes of the 19th-century Russian Orthodox Cathedral, also known as Uspenski Cathedral. This deep-red brick structure is considered to be the largest Orthodox Church in Western Europe. As you wander through the area, take the time to look closely at some of the residences, in particular the attractive detailing and designs on their window frames.

Stop by the Best Western Premier Hotel Katajanokka which is housed in the former district prison of Southern Finland. The cells of this early 19th-century jail have been extensively refurbished and repurposed as guest rooms. Other architectural highlights to enjoy are the Merikasarmi complex of the Foreign Ministry and the Finnish headquarters of Stora Enso. At the southern end of the island is the harbor. The ice-breaker fleet is stationed here when it isn't churning up the frozen Baltic Sea.