Over 150 ideas of things to do and places to go when visiting Helsinki
Helsinki is located on the south coast of Finland and is the country's capital city. With a beautiful seaside setting, overlooking many archipelago islands and surrounded by nature. Helsinki is known for its innovative design, architecture and culture and is a city with a lot to offer.
Helsinki Overview:
Country: Finland (capital city)
Currency: Euro (€)
Language: Finnish
Population: 650,000
Time zone: East European Time (GMT/UTC+2hr)
www.visitfinland.com
For further information about each attraction and details about opening times, prices and events, click on the attraction title for the external link to visit their website ...
History & Architecture
The National Museum of Finland - covering different periods of Finnish history
Museum of Finnish Architecture - one of the world’s oldest museums specialising in architecture
Helsinki City Museum - history of Helsinki city
Finnish Museum of Natural History - overview of the biological diversity of Finland. Audio guides available.
Seurasaari Open Air Museum - rural Finland in miniature [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Worker Housing Museum - museum showing the life of industrial workers in the early 20th Century
Mannerheim Museum - home of the former president Gustav Mannerheim
Helsinki Central Railway Station - impressive building housing the city’s main railway station
Vallosaari Island and King’s Island - two connected islands with nature trails and defence fortress remains
President’s Palace – official residence of the President of Finland. Open to the public for only a few days each year
Hvitträsk – unique example of National Romantic style architecture
Tamminiemi Villa - the former residence of three Finnish presidents
Burgher’s House – experience everyday 1860s life, the oldest wooden house in the city
Experimental House – guided tours of the studio and summer residence designed by Aalto
Alvar Aalto’s Home – guided tours of the home of world-famous architect and designer Alvar Aalto
Alvar Aalto’s Studio – history and studios of architect/designer Aalto’s architectural firm
Cable Factory – guided behind the scenes tour of former cable factory and history of industrialisation
[/expander_maker]
Arts & Culture
Amos Rex - modern art exhibition space built underground with skylight domes
Finish National Gallery - Ateneum – 19th & 20th Century Finnish art
HAM Helsinki Art Museum – public art throughout the city, in parks, streets, offices and other buildings.
Oodi Central Library – guided tours are available around Finland’s flagship library
Design Museum – history of Finnish design [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Museum of Contemporary Art - Kiasma – Finnish and international modern art
Theatre Museum - the art of theatre, explore the theatre attic room full of theatre props
Finnish Museum of Photography – exhibitions covering all aspects of the art of photography
Didrichsen Taidemuseo and Villa Gyllenberg – private art collections located in villas on Kuusisaari island
Finlandia Hall - event venue, designed by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Beautiful location on Tӧӧlӧnlahti Bay, guided tours available.
Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki – experience Helsinki and Finland in just 15 minutes!
Sinebrychoff Art Museum – classic European paintings, art gallery in a former brewery
Sibelius Monument – stainless steel abstract sculpture for Finnish composer, in Sibelius Park
National Library of Finland – Finland’s oldest library, beautifully decorated interior
Katajanokka – Art Nouveau district on a small island, coastal walks in a quiet neighbourhood
Helsinki University Library – architecturally impressive building, part of the Helsinki World Design Capital 2012
Finnish National Theatre – variety of theatre performance
National Archives of Finland – documents and maps from the Middle Ages onwards, look out for the miniature bronze mouse sculptures
Helsinki Music Centre – music concert venue, guided tours
[/expander_maker]
Science, Technology & Transport
Museum of Technology - the story of technology and industry in Finland
Finnish Science Centre - Heureka - interactive science museum and planetarium
Tram Museum - the history of Helsinki tram travel
Helsinki Observatory - museum covering the history of astronomy in Finland
Sports Museum - museum and sports archive, located in the 1952 Olympic Stadium [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Vintage Tram Rides, Helsinki Canal cruise and Helsinki sightseeing bus tour
Ursa Observatory - three telescopes and small planetarium, located in Kaivopuisto park
Computer Games and Console Museum – a unique collection of old computers and gaming consoles from 1984 onwards
[/expander_maker]
Religion & Faith
Helsinki Cathedral - imposing white Lutheran cathedral at the top of a grand flight of stairs
Uspenski Cathedral - ornate Eastern Orthodox church
Helsinki Synagogue - synagogue guided tours, one of the most northern Jewish communities in the world
Temppeliaukion Church - copper-roofed church built into rock, renowned for its great acoustics
Chapel of Silence - circular shaped wooden peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the city. [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Hietaniemi Cemetery - huge cemetery in a peaceful setting by the sea
Kallion Church - art-nouveau influenced church which is a Helsinki landmark
St John’s Church - twined towered Neo-Gothic style church
[/expander_maker]
Shopping areas
Stockmann - department store, foodhalls and good selection of souvenirs
Akateeminen - huge bookstore, founded in 1893. English-language books and café.
Moomin Shop - souvenirs of the much-loved Tove Jansson stories
Old Market Hall - a food market hall since 1889. Beautiful red-brick building.
Design District - near to the Design museum there are many design shops and galleries [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Forum Shopping Centre - large shopping centre
Market Square Kauppatori - bustling market and food stalls, next to the waterfront
Café Ekberg - the oldest café in the city, famous for its pastries and coffee
Aleksanterinkatu - the capital’s main shopping street
Arabia - shopping mall in a former porcelain factory
Hakaniemi Market Hall - indoor market
Kamppi Shopping centre - shops, restaurants linked to the Helsinki Metro
The Abattoir - food and local businesses based in a former abattoir
[/expander_maker]
Unusual Attractions
Ice-breaker fleet - the impressive fleet can be viewed from the western side of Katajanokka island
Olympic Stadium Viewing Tower - impressive views across the city
Fazer Experience Visitor Centre - Fazer sweets visitor centre, join 1 hour guided tour
Hotel and Restaurant Museum - history of Finnish food, drink and hospitality
Finnish Parliament Building - Visitor’s Centre, Parliament Library, guided-tours available [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Helsinki University Museum - the story of the university from its founding
Fire Museum - history of fire fighting in Helskini, climb the tower of Erottaja rescue station for impressive view over the city
Finnair Sky Wheel - large ferris wheel
Civil Defence Museum - set in a genuine war-time bomb shelter
Mental Museum - history of psychiatric treatment and mental health care, housed in a former psychiatric hospital
Tropical Animal House – snakes, lizards and more…
Winter World Helsinki – experience what wintery Lapland is like with indoor snow attractions and activities all year around
Bank of Finland Museum – the history of money in Finland and abroad, museum is located in the foundations of the Lutheran Cathedral
[/expander_maker]
Outdoor Activities, Sports and Walking Routes
Esplanadi - gardens in the centre of the city. Finland’s most famous park.
Hietaranta - city beach
Tӧӧlӧ Bay - popular waterfront path and park
Allas Sea Pool - public outdoor spa, open all year round
Kaivopuisto Park - park area with an observatory and great views across the harbour. Popular children’s playground and chess area [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Kaisaniemi Botanic Gardens - the oldest scientific garden in Finland, Ten glasshouses with plants from the tropics to deserts. Historical outdoor gardens with experimental bee houses. Part of Helsinki University Botanical Gardens.
Katajanokka - stroll around this peaceful neighbourhood, with art nouveau buildings. Set on an island which is separated from the mainland by a narrow canal.
Indoor swimming (Yrjonkadun Uimahalli) - swimming in art-deco baths
Kotiharjun Sauna - traditional wood-fired sauna
Jaapuisto - outdoor winter ice-skating rink
Kumpula Botanic Gardens - plants from around the globe. Historic mansion garden and medicinal gardens. Part of Helsinki University Botanical Gardens
Helsinki archipelago boat trips - many options available from harbour-side Kauppatori
Helsingin Jäähalli - ice hockey arena in the Olympic Stadium complex
Bolt Arena – football HJK Helsinki’s home ground
Seurasaari - island district, location of Seurasaari Open Air Museum
Winter Gardens - glasshouses with over 200 different plants, palm room and rose garden
Wooden House district Puu Vallila - restored residential area built at the beginning of the 20th Century
Löyly Sauna - waterfront sauna and wooden terrace
Pihlajasaari Island - the most popular summer island in Helsinki, try the locally smoked fish
Senate Square - the oldest part of central Helsinki. Surrounding the square are Helsinki Cathedral, Parliament House and University of Helsinki
Surf House - indoor surfing
Battery Hill Park – forest-covered hill and parkland with a popular playground and solar-system sculpture
Rhododendron Park - peak blooming season is early June, with viewing stands for a better view of the flowers
Carpet Washing Places – there are ten outdoor carpet/rug washing locations throughout the city
Central Park - Keskuspuisto - 10 Km forested area through the city, with nature trails and walkways
Malminkartano Hill - 360o views over the city from the highest point in the city
Allotment Garden - peaceful residential area with beautiful cottages and gardens, popular day-walking destination
Lonna – island 10minutes from the city centre, peaceful walks
[/expander_maker]
Activities for Children
Helsinki Zoo - visit one of the oldest zoos in the world. It is located on an island, with a lookout tower.
Linnanmaki - amusement park (all profits donated to Päivän Säätiö, a Finnish child welfare charity).
Moomin Café - five Moomin based cafes in Helsinki, based on the popular Finnish book series
Fallkulla Domestic Animal Farm - meet sheep, goats, cows and chickens
Indoor playground Leikkiluola - huge adventure maze, ball cannon arena and much more. [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Sea Life Helsinki - aquarium with discovery pool and fish feeding
Children’s Traffic Park - play area with road safety education
Flower of Life Artpark - sculptures and play area for young children
Haltiala Farm - meet the animals, free picking of peas and flowers in July-August
HopLop Adventure Parks - indoor playground for children of all ages, multiple locations in Helsinki
Loru Playground - an open meeting place, with young children’s play equipment, set within Oodi Central library
Tropical Animal House - snakes, lizards and more…
[/expander_maker]
Festivals & Events
Helsinki Festival - performing arts festival (August/September)
Midsommer celebrations - the city’s biggest Midsommer bonfires are on the wooded island of Seurasaaren (June)
Helsinki Day - celebrating the city’s anniversary on the 12th June
Baltic Herring Fair - a tradition since the 1700s (October)
Lux Light Festival - light art around the city (January) [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Tuska Festival - metal music festival (June/July)
[/expander_maker]
Nearby Day Trips
Express boat to Tallinn, Estonia – only 2hrs away across the Baltic Sea
Espoo – Finland’s second-largest city, 20 mins from Helsinki
Nuuksio National Park – walking trails and reindeer
Riihimäki town - 65km North of Helsinki, visit The Finnish Glass Museum and Hunting Museum of Finland
Lake Tuusula - 30mins from Helsinki, the inspiration for many artists [expander_maker id="2" more="Read more" less="Read less"] Suomenlinna - island sea fortress which guarded Helsinki harbour, 15 minute ferry ride. This UNESCO World Heritage site has many attractions including: Suomenlinna Museum, ‘Fortress of Finland’ museums, Vesikko (WWII submarine), Customs Museum, Military museum, Toy Museum. Walking routes and guided tours of the fortress available
Finnish Railway Museum - collection of rail transport at Hyvinkaeaenkatu, 35 miles north of Helsinki
Porvoo – nearby town with historic centre
[/expander_maker]