 Helsinki, the capital of Finland, is a surprisingly modern city. It's history as administrative centre of Finland first begun in the 19th century.
Helsinki has many places worth seeing from the 19th century and modern history. But here are also memories from earlier periods, the most important is the big Swedish fortress Sveaborg.
ApproachingSeveral fairways leads into town. The number of lights can make navigation confusing in the night. Thus approach in daylight. There are a big choice of marinas in Helsinki. Many of them are is situated on islands in the harbour, secluded from the big town. Still, frequent boat connections make the locations central.
Vi recommend the harbours at the islands Skifferholmen or Blekholmen.
Sveaborg
 In the harbour you also find the fortress Sveaborg, also a museum. According to early 19th century military doctrine, the defence was built up with a few but very strong fortresses. As long as the fortresses were in control, the country could be defended. Sveaborg fortress was regarded as having a decisive role for the defence of whole Finland.
During the Swedish/Russian war 1808 not many real battles. The Swedish army retreated continuously north towards N. Sweden. "As long as Sveaborg was Swedish, the battle war was not lost."
But the fortress surrendered without fighting. In national-romantic history writing this has been regarded as "the big treachery", causing the loss of half Sweden.
The truth could be different, but not less remarkable. Sveaborg could not be defended. The fortress was built in such a location that the Russian could fire with artillery from surrounding heights, straight into the complex.
You should not miss visiting the failing fortress that caused Sweden the loss of Finland. 
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