It's one of Finland's most famous art nouveau buildings, designed by Eliel Saarinen and opened in 1919. Nowadays, the Helsinki Central railway station is used by approximately 200,000 passengers daily, making it Finland's most-visited building.

The iconic station is covered with Finnish granite, and its distinguishing features are its clock tower and the two pairs of statues, the "Lantern carriers" by sculptor Emil Wikström, holding the spherical lamps on both sides of the main entrance.

Serving as the terminus for both commuter and long-distance trains, it's a key spot for travelers hopping on and off trains in the capital region. There's a big mall right across the Central Station. On rainy and snowy days, you can take the underground corridor which takes you there directly.

Bonus tip: Take the train to Lapland (or any other place in Finland)

The train network in Finland is amazing. Although, still not many travellers know it, taking the train to Lapland is still one of the best transport options. Not only is it more sustainable, it's also incredibly fun and sometimes even cheaper than flying!

There's a special Santa Claus Express train which drives you directly from Helsinki to Rovaniemi with just a couple of stops in between. You can opt for the night train (which saves you money on a hotel night), with private sleeping cabins - optional with your own toilet and shower. The cabins are very comfortable and clean.

There's a restaurant on board, they have a playing area for kids and even dog-friendly cabins. Trust me, it's a very fun way to travel long distances in Finland. I even saw the northern lights right from my cabin window once! Just make sure to book the train tickets upfront on the website of VR Finland.