The most inexpensive way to see many of the main sights of Helsinki is to hop on Tram 3T (or 3B, which has the same route but in opposite direction). It is also very convenient - during the day time, you won't have to wait for more than 7 to 10 minutes at any stop for the next tram. So you can spend a few hours hopping on and off, to see much of Helsinki. Or, you can just ride the full circle without stepping out, if youre feeling lazy!

In the pictures below, you will first see the route map for the tram (I scanned this map from a brochure distributed by Helsinki City Transport, http://www.hel.fi/hkl). The yellow and green numbered circles indicate the trams stops (the yellow circles indicate particularly interesting sights nearby). I have included some selected pictures taken by me in the spring and summer of 2004, after the map. These pictures are numbered in accordance with the stops on the map. For more pictures of Helsinki (including more sights around these stops), please see my Helsinki series here (http://www.worldisround.com/home/pumpula/index.html), particularly Part 1 of the series.

List of Tram 3T (and 3B) stops:

Stop 1: Kauppatori Market Square. This is a must-see in Helsinki. You will find souvenirs, fish, veggies, fruits, art etc to buy here. Also, you can take a boat tour from here, as well as catch a ferry to the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress (http://www.suomenlinna.fi/english/) or to Korkeasaari Zoo (http://www.hel.fi/zoo/index_eng.html). Right by the market square are the Havis Amanda statue, the City Hall, the Presidential Palace, and the Old Market Hall. Within short walking distances are the Esplanade Park, the Lutheran Cathedral (see Stop 2), and the Uspenski Cathedral (Orthodox). I have more pictures of this Market Square at http://www.worldisround.com/articles/45806/index.html .

Stop 2: Senate Square. Located here are the Lutheran Cathedral, a statue of Czar Alexander II, and the library of the University of Helsinki. Lots of nice little boutiques and shops across from the square, too, as well as cafés and restaurants.

Stop 3: Aleksanterinkatu. This is one of the main shopping streets in Helsinki.

Stop 4: Student House. Perhaps the most prestigious department store, Stockmann, is located by this stop, as well as some bigger bookstores, and a statue of Three Smiths. Also has a lot of shops, cafés, and restaurants around this area.

Stop 5: Lasipalatsi. The bus station, Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art, the main Post Office, and Forum shopping center are located right by this stop. You will also find statues of President Paasikivi and Field-Marshal Mannerheim around here. The Central Railway Station (see Stop 26) is nearby, and within a walking distance on Mannerheimintie are the Parliament House, Finlandia Hall, the National Museum, and the City Museum.

Stop 6: The Natural History Museum. Temppeliaukio Church (a church in a rock) is also located nearby.

Stop 7: Schools of Economics and Business Administration. Easy access from this stop to Temppeliaukio Church, also.

Stop 8: Sammonkatu. (Note: katu = street); Stop 9: Apollonkatu.

Stop 10: Töölö Market Square. The Sibelius Monument is also nearby.

Stop 11: The Finnish National Opera. The Olympic Stadium of Helsinki is within a short walking distance. You can go up the Stadium's tower for great views of Helsinki.

Stop 12: Töölö's Hall and Tramway Museum.

Stop 13: The Social Security Institution of Finland.

Stop 14: Aurora Hospital. The Olympic Stadium is near this stop, too.

Stop 15: Eläintarha / sports field; Stop 16: Karjalankatu.

Stop 17: Alppila. Nearby are Alppila Church, and Linnanmäki Amusement Park (http://www.linnanmaki.fi).

Stop 18: Porvoonkatu; Stop 19: Sports Hall; Stop 20: Kaarlenkatu.

Stop 21: Bear Park (Karhupuisto). This is in the Kallio neighborhood, and nearby, there's Kallio Church.

Stop 22: Kallio's City Administration Building. The City Theatre of Helsinki is behind it.

Stop 23: Hakaniemi. Hakaniemi Market Square and Hakaniemi Market Hall (http://www.worldisround.com/articles/44444/index.html) are located here, as well as shops and restaurants. You can also catch a ferry to Korkeasaari Zoo from here. And you can catch the metro from here.

Stop 24: Varsapuistikko / Kaisaniemi Park. The Botanical Garden of the University of Helsinki is here.

Stop 25: Kaisaniemi. Shop and/or catch the metro here.

Stop 26: The Central Railway Station. The Finnish National Theatre and a statue of Aleksis Kivi are right by the station. Across the street from them is Ateneum, the Finnish National Gallery/Museum. Underneath, theres a shopping arcade; and from the station, you can also catch the metro. Also, across from the station, Kaivo Käytävä and City Käytävä (with shops and restaurants along the way) connect you to the Stockmann department store, requiring only a a short walk.

Stop 27: Student House again; Stop 28: Erottaja.

Stop 29: Fredrikinkatu; Stop 30: Iso Roobertinkatu; Stop 31: Five Corners (Viiskulma).

Stop 32: Eira Hospital. Great buildings in this area, with a beautiful little park across the street from the hospital. Mikael Agricola Lutheral Church is located here, too.

Stop 33: Kapteeninkatu; Stop 34: Neitsytpolku.

Stop 35: Kaivopuisto / Kaivopuisto Park. This is a big park by the seafront, definitely worth visiting - it has great views to the harbor and the sea. The Roman Catholic Cathedral of St. Henry is at this stop, and several foreign embassies are in this area. If you are wandering around this area on a nice summer afternoon/eve, you might see hot air balloons (http://www.worldisround.com/articles/55793/index.html) taking off!

Stop 36: Olympic Terminal. Some boats to Stockholm and Tallinn depart from here.

Stop 37: The Old Market Hall. This is right by Kauppatori Market Square (see Stop 1).

Please see http://www.hel.fi/HKL/english.html for more information, including ticket prices. If you plan to visit museums and other points of interest, you may want to buy a Helsinki card, which will include transportation fares - see http://www.helsinkiexpert.fi/document.asp?intSiteID=2&intDocID=274 .