Helsinki's Sibelius Monument Worth the Trek

There's no need to be a fan of classical music to visit the Sibelius monument in Helsinki. It looks interesting from a variety of angles and offers a relaxing break from a hectic tourist schedule. If you go in the evening, you can make the most of Helsinki's long summer days and avoid the crowds too. Another advantage is seeing the setting sun interplay with the sculpture, adding to the visual interest. The monument is surrounded by a large park, has a couple playgrounds for children, and is close to water. If you are interested in speaking with the locals, the relaxed vibe makes it easier to break the ice too.

Transportation & Food: Bus 24 offers the best route from downtown, but there are advantages to taking the tram if you are hungry and don't mind a short walk. Disembarking at the Ooppera stop, you can take the curving Runeberginkatu road that actually bears away from the monument (just remember to turn right at Topeliuksenkatu and head northwest when you're ready for the main attraction). Runeberginkatu features at least one pizza joint and a few ethnic restaurants that were advertising far lower prices than what we saw downtown. Another economical option is to buy some food at a supermarket and bring it along for a picnic. We tried the S-Market (under Sokos department store) and had fun trying to guess what the different foods and drinks were. We might not have assembled the most delicious meal ever, but the enjoyment of eating in the park more than compensated for it.

Under the monument

It pays to walk all the way around