Introducing Helsinki

Renowned for its cutting-edge design and creative zeal, Finland’s capital is on the cusp of an urban Renaissance. Founded as a 16th-century trading post, Helsinki’s golden days came in the 19th century when Russia’s ruling Tsars created a stunning city to remind them of St. Petersburg. Since 1917, when Finland finally gained independence from Russia, the city has grown to become Scandanavia’s center of business, politics, education, culture, and research. Helsinki is the headquarters for many of the world’s leading companies, including Nokia, and Laponia Jewelery.

Despite its moniker ‘Daughter of the Baltic,’ Helsinki has more in common with Paris than with its Scandinavian peers. Along the city’s stunning main avenue, the Esplandi, Neoclassical, Art Deco, and post modern buildings are punctuated with stylish cafés, boutiques, and some of the world’s most inventive restaurants. The Helsinki Art Museum and the Kiasma Contemporary Art Museum embrace art in the broadest sense of the word—Old Master works are displayed alongside avant-garde installations.

The Design District, west of the city center, is chock full of contemporary galleries, nightclubs, and hip boutiques which announce the uniquely Finnish aesthetic that finds inspiration in Finland’s gorgeous landscapes. Helsinki’s urban reaches merge imperceptibly with an arboreal eden of rolling hills, crystalline lakes, and thickly forested woodlands. In summertime, when the sun never seems to set, light-starved Fins head to any one of nine idyllic archipelago islands where they swim, stroll, play, picnic, or roam around the 18th-century sea fortress of Suomenlinna.

Airports within a 50-mile radius of Helsinki:

  • Turku Airport (TKU)
    • Eura Airport (EFEU)

Popular aircraft charters* in the Helsinki area include:

  • Citation Excel (super light)
  • Learjet 45 XR (super light)
  • Citation CJ3 (light)
  • Learjet 31ER 400A (light)
  • Learjet 60 XR (midsize)
  • Citation III (midsize)
  • Gulfstream G200 (super midsize)
  • Citation Sovereign (super midsize)

*This is just a sample. Zephyr provides access to aircraft at every end of the spectrum, from luxurious VIP airliners, to ultra long range business jet, helicopters, and economical turboprops.