Helsinki Central Railway Station: one of the most beautiful train stations in the world
Helsinki Central railway station is one of the most recognisable landmarks in the city – part Egyptian, part Gothic and part futuristic. Not really but that’s what sprang to my mind when I first laid eyes on this gloriously crafted building. Mostly covered in Finnish granite, the station was designed by Eliel Saarinen, a Finnish architect, although the original blueprints were drawn by Carl Albert Edelfelt, who was Swedish. Eliel Saarinen was influenced by National Romanticism, a Nordic architectural style that is related to Art Nouveau and the station you see today was opened in the early 20th century.
Helsinki Central Railway Station
The dominating feature of the station is the poker-faced granite giants that are holding large lanterns in their oversized hands. The interior of the station is pretty cool as well. The ticket hall is grand indeed and the Burger King restaurant has to be one of the most impressive fast-food joints we have ever come across. Last year, the BBC named Helsinki Central station as one of the most beautiful train stations in the world.
The official name of the station is Helsingin päärautatieasema-Helsingfors centralstation. I think I’ll stick with calling it Helsinki Central railway station!
Helsinki is a very manageable city and we stayed at the centrally located Erottajanpuisto Hostel. The hostel has several styles of rooms (dormitory, twins and singles) and a great communal kitchen. It is about 15 minutes’ walk from the railway station.