Christmas markets in Helsinki, do not miss the date of December 13, the feast of Saint Lucia and its 160 Christmas houses for a magical Christmas, read the post and book the trip.
When you are talking about Christmas it is inevitable for me to think of the country of Santa Claus (Joulupukki), or the Finland. The Christmas holidays in this Scandinavian country are serious and exciting. The atmosphere that one breathes while wandering in the most important Christmas market in the capital is intoxicating.
Every year in Finland and to be precise in Helsinki, there are 160 small wooden houses painted in red that crowd the Senate square in front of the cathedral of Helsinki, the capital of Finland in fact. Each year these Christmas markets take place from the first days of December until a few days before Christmas. Snow usually comes early in Finland, so if you plan on going there, be well equipped.
Among the wooden houses everyone has the opportunity to buy local crafts, wool sweaters, decorations, cinnamon Christmas foods, wooden tools and games, ginger sweets and candies of all kinds or drink hot drinks. Trust and take advantage of it, Christmas in Finland is absolutely the most beautiful of all, here you can breathe an air of celebration that we don't even imagine in Spain.
Whenever I happen to go to spend Christmas in Finland or part of the Christmas days, I walk with a nice cup of kahvia, the Finnish coffee, a kind of American blend. If you are in Helsinki the on December 13st then, don't miss the party of Saint Lucia, much felt throughout northern Europe. You will witness the traditional procession and coronation of Lucia, chosen by popular vote among ten girls in front of the white cathedral. A unique emotion that will leave you breathless. Traditions in northern Europe are deeply felt and especially the Feast of Saint Lucia.
Also nearby, right in front of the Gulf of Finland, you will also find the kauppatori, the covered market where you can also buy the most particular specialties of Finnish gastronomy, but this is another story and we will certainly talk about it in another post.
While you're there, take the opportunity to drop by Stockmann, the largest store in Helsinki comparable to Harrods in London. Once you see its windows with Christmas decorations, you can't help but enter.
