A travel expert's guide to Helsinki, Finland

Trade one ship for another on the Princess RIB (rigid inflatable boat) ride – at 40 knots it’s an exhilarating way to start the day. You’ll zip through the scenic Baltic Sea, getting a unique waterside view of sights like the Presidential Palace and Kaivopuisto Park. Don't forget to pack your waterproofs!

For most visitors, the towering Helsinki Cathedral is a must-visit, but just off the square it sits on is a hidden gem: The National Library of Finland. With impressive columns and a domed roof, this masterpiece in architecture is the ideal home for a vast collection of books.

Temppeliaukio Church mixes modern glass windows and a copper roof with the carved out rock that the church sits in. Not content with just being a place of worship, it doubles up as a concert venue thanks to its fantastic acoustics. There’s a small fee to enter, but as one of the city's most striking buildings, it’s worth shelling out for.

Mustikkapiirakka, the traditional blueberry pie of Finland, is a sweet, warming treat, especially with a coffee. Pick up a slice at the Old Market Hall, or head to one of the cafés in the Kanavaranta district.

Slightly out of the city centre, the Sibelius Monument formed of over 600 steel pipes (representing music) pays dedication to the Finnish composer of the same name. It was one of the best design features I saw and sits among a large city park ideal for a picnic lunch.