Considered one of the finest neoclassical town squares in all of Europe, the Senate Square has its name for housing Finland’s Senate building, though it is also well known for housing the University building and the popular Lutheran cathedral. The real draw for the locals is that Senate Square serves as an excellent gathering point. Here, the people of Helsinki will convene and go about their business, and so this may well be the first and most important stop for visitors interested in people watching and making conversation with the locals.
An important part of local tradition, every summer, the Senate Square hosts the Helsinki festival in August, and in December, a torchlight procession is held in the square. One of the popular hangouts in the square is the Engel Café, located just across from the Lutheran Cathedral. At the Engel Café, you can get a quick bite to eat, a cup of coffee or some tea, to energize (or re-energize) yourself for the full foot tour of the area.