Private tour of Helsinki and the Arabia Design district

Join this private tour that combines a love for history and art. Through the fantastic design and architectural highlights you will discover the true identity of this Nordic pearl. The theme is relevant as the city was designated the World Design Capital in 2012 and offers a stunning atmosphere for a guided tour with some local quirks to show you the way.Begin your tour of the landmarks that represent the history and essence of Helsinki, and learn about the architects who created them. Among these is Carl Ludvig Engel, a German architect whose impact on the development of the city’s 19th century, Neoclassical buildings such as the Senate Square, Helsinki Cathedral and the University of Helsinki, that is impossible to underestimate.Eliel Saarinen and two of his colleagues Armas Lindgren and Herman Gesellius, brought National Romanticism and the Jugendstil to the fore by creating the beautiful the National Museum and Saarinen´s master piece is the Central Railway Station. Alvar Aalto is known for his diverse, international creations not only in architecture, but also in furniture, textile and glassware design. His best-known legacy is the impressive Finlandia Hall.On the walking portion of the tour, you'll visit the boutiques and galleries of the Design District Helsinki where you’ll also get to take a coffee break in one of the trendy, local cafés to sample a bit of Finnish food and drink. The unforgettable Temppeliaukio (Rock) Church, which was built right into the city’s bedrock, is another masterpiece that you'll pass on the way.Finish off your tour with a drive to the Arabia District, that was once a porcelain factory and is now the most important design cluster in Finland. A walking tour of the Arabia factory includes a visit to the Arabia museum where you can observe the works of art of numerous private artists that are displayed here, followed by a shopping break in the factory’s shop.