Things to do in Helsinki
Helsinki is especially notable for its abundance of stunning architecture, inlcuding the neo-classical buildings of Senate Square, such as the distinctive white Helsinki Cathedral, in the city centre. But it's not all elegant boulevards and the attractive waterfront – the Finnish capital has an excellent and varied selection of museums - design and art feature heavily - and it is well worth taking a ferry trip across to Suomenlinna among the many nearby Baltic islands.
Kiasma
Contemporary art and technology
Kiasma, in the city centre, cleverly harmonises the clinically simple with
incredibly sophisticated high technology, and is home to the contemporary
art collection of the Finnish National Gallery. An integrated theatre offers
music, movies, multimedia presentations, debates and seminars.
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Cost
€7; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Tue 10am-5pm; Wed-Fri 10am-8.30pm; Sat-Sun 10am-6pm
Address
2, Mannerheiminaukio, Helsinki 00100
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 1733 6501
National Museum of Finland
From pre-history to independence
The National Museum of Finland, in the city centre, includes exhibits
covering Finnish pre-history to the mid-20th century. Learn about Finnish
history and society from the treasure trove of coins, medals and weapons,
archaeological exhibits and displays about Finland's independence.
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Cost
€7; concessions €4; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Wed 11am-8pm; Thu-Sun 11am-6pm
Address
34, Mannerheimintie, Helsinki 00101
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 4050 9544
The Sports Museum of Finland
Homage to Finnish sport
Great moments and bitter defeats of Finnish athletics are captured in the
multimedia shows and exhibits at The Sports Museum of Finland in Taka-Töölö.
Race an Olympian on the simulator and see the gilded shoe of legendary
runner Paavo Nurmi.
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Cost
€5; concessions €3; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 11am-5pm; Sat & Sun 12pm-4pm
Address
Olympic Stadium, Helsinki 00250
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 4342 250
Ateneum Art Museum
National masterpieces on view
The city centre Ateneum Art Museum houses Finland's largest collection of
art, including all the best-loved Finnish masterpieces, spanning more than
200 years to the 1960s. The international collection includes Western art
from the late 19th century to the 1950s.
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Cost
€8; concessions €6.50; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Tue & Fri 10am-6pm; Wed & Thu 10am-8pm; Sat & Sun 11am-5pm
Address
2, Kaivokatu, Helsinki 00100
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 1733 6401
The Finnish Museum of Photography
Finland captured on film
The Finnish Museum of Photography at Ruoholahti presents the history of the
genre from the mid-19th century to the present day. It features works by
photographers such as Anders Serrano, Diane Arbus and Cindy Sherman, as well
as Finnish photographers.
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Cost
€6; concessions €4; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 12pm-6pm
Address
1G, Tallberginkatu, Cable Factory, Helsinki 00180
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 6866 360
Design Museum
A shrine to design
Founded in 1873 as a study collection for the arts and crafts school, the
Design Museum in the Kaartinkaupunki area of the city centre covers the
history and development of design in Finland. It presents both permanent and
temporary exhibitions.
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Cost
€8; concessions €7/€3; children free
Opening Hours
Jun-Aug daily 11am-6pm, Sep-May Tue-Sun 11am-6pm; (until 8pm Tue)
Address
Korkeavuorenkatu 23, Helsinki 00130
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 622 0540
Helsinki Cathedral
Engel's vision in white
Topped by green domes, the white Lutheran Helsinki Cathedral (Tuomiokirkko)
in the city centre is visible across the city. It was completed in 1852
after two decades and, like the Senate Square it overlooks, was designed by
Carl Ludvig Engel.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-6pm (until 11pm Jun-Aug)
Address
29, Unioninkatu, Senaatintori (Senate Square), Helsinki 00170
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 2340 6120
Senate Square
Neoclassical elegance
Senate Square and its surroundings form a fine example of Neoclassical
architecture. It is dominated by four buildings designed by Engel: Helsinki
Cathedral, the Government Palace, the main building of the University of
Helsinki and the National Library of Finland.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Helsinki 00160
Transport
Tram 1, 3, 4, 7
Uspenski Cathedral
Russian Orthodox heritage
Located in the Katajanokka district, Uspenski Cathedral was completed in 1868
and is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. With its golden
cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is a clear symbol of the Russian
impact on Finnish history.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
May-Sep Mon-Fri 9.30am-4pm; Sat 9.30am-2pm; Sun 12pm-3pm. Oct-Apr Tue-Fri 9.30am-4pm; Sat 9.30am-2pm; Sun 12pm-3pm
Address
1, Kanavakatu, Helsinki 00160
Telephone
+358 (0) 207 220 683
Sibelius Monument
Finlandia remembered
The Sibelius Monument, in the Taka-Töölö district, commemorates Finland's
best-known composer, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957), who wrote the symphonic poem
Finlandia. Initially controversial, the monument is a distinctive
abstract construction of hollow metal pipes, chosen after a design
competition in 1961-62.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Sibelius Park, Helsinki 00260
Transport
Bus 24 to Mechelininkatu
Suomenlinna
UNESCO World Heritage island
Suomenlinna, off Helsinki's southern coastline, is a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. With a history of occupation dating back to 1748, the area resonates
with over 250 years of military history, aptly illustrated by its name,
which literally means "Finland's Fortress."
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Cost
Visitor Centre €5; concessions €4; under-18s free
Opening Hours
Daily 10.30am-4.30pm (until 6pm in summer)
Address
C40 Sveaborg, Helsinki 00190
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 684 1880
Kotiharju Sauna
Feel the heat
The Finns are big fans of the sauna, a relaxing way to experience an integral
part of Finland's cultural life. Kotiharju Sauna in Kallio is a good choice,
boasting the only remaining public wood-burning sauna in Helsinki.
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Cost
Sauna only: €10; concessions €7.50; under-17s €5
Opening Hours
Tue-Fri 2pm-8pm; Sat 1pm-7pm
Address
1, Harjutorinkatu, Helsinki 00500
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 753 1535
IHA Lines OY Cruises
Archipelago sightseeing cruise
IHA Lines OY Cruises drift through the beautiful islands off the Helsinki
coastline. The three-floor boat Doris departs from the Market Square, and
offers live commentary in several languages, including English, Swedish,
German and Finnish.
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Cost
€15
Opening Hours
Departures May-Sep daily 11.30am, 2pm & 4.30pm
Address
6, Meritullintori, Helsinki 00170
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 6874 5050
Temppeliaukio Church
Underground place of worship
Sometimes known as the "Rock Church", Temppeliaukio Church near the city
centre is possibly Helsinki's oddest building. The idea was to preserve the
rock formation that it was blasted out of. Regular musical concerts make the
most of excellent acoustics.
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Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Mon & Wed 10am-5pm; Tue 10am-12.45pm & 2.15pm-5pm; Thu & Fri 10am-8pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11.45am-1.45pm & 3.30pm-6pm
Address
3, Lutherinkatu, Helsinki 00100
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 2340 5920
Olympic Stadium
A sporting view
Helsinki's Olympic Stadium in Taka-Töölö was built in 1938 and staged the
1952 Olympic Games. Apart from a view of the stadium, a trip up the 72-metre
tower affords an impressive vista over Helsinki, best seen on a sunny
day.
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Cost
€2; children €1
Opening Hours
Daily 9am-8pm (until 6pm Sat & Sun)
Address
1, Paavo Nurmen tie, Helsinki 00250
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 436 6010
