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.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. Kiasma - Contemporary art and technology
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
2. National Museum of Finland - From pre-history to independence
Show more 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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
3. The Sports Museum of Finland - Homage to Finnish sport
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
4. Ateneum Art Museum - National masterpieces on view
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
5. The Finnish Museum of Photography - Finland captured on film
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
6. Design Museum - A shrine to design
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
Attractions
Expand all7. Helsinki Cathedral - Engel's vision in white
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
8. Senate Square - Neoclassical elegance
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Helsinki 00160
Transport
Tram 1, 3, 4, 7
9. Uspenski Cathedral - Russian Orthodox heritage
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
10. Sibelius Monument - Finlandia remembered
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily all day
Address
Sibelius Park, Helsinki 00260
Transport
Bus 24 to Mechelininkatu
11. Suomenlinna - UNESCO World Heritage island
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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."Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
Special things to do
Expand all12. Kotiharju Sauna - Feel the heat
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
13. IHA Lines OY Cruises - Archipelago sightseeing cruise
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€15
Opening Hours
Departures May-Sep daily 11.30am, 2pm & 4.30pm
Address
6, Meritullintori, Helsinki 00170
Telephone
+358 (0) 9 6874 5050
14. Temppeliaukio Church - Underground place of worship
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
15. Olympic Stadium - A sporting view
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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.Show this on mapE-mail this item
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
