Guidebook for Helsinki
Arts & Culture
Helsinki has some world class museums and cultural landmarks that you should not miss during your time in the White City of the Baltic.
Ateneum
2 KaivokatuClassic Finnish art with high quality rotating exhibitions.
Nationaal museum van Finland
34 MannerheimintieFinnish history since the Ice Age.
Museum voor hedendaagse kunst Kiasma
2 Mannerheiminaukio Great exhibitions!
This pioneer of modern libraries is so much more than books. Pay a visit to Helsinki's latest pride in culture and education, the city central library Oodi.
Facing the House of Parliament, it is a daily reminder to lawmakers about who and what they are working for – the world's most highly educated people.
Here the residents of Helsinki can find space to work, make 3D prints, play drums, copy VHS to digital, use a sewing machine, have a coffee or just enjoy the views over beautiful Töölönlahti and Citizens' Square. And, of course, lend a book.
And yes, it's all for free. (Except the coffee.)
93 locals raden deze aan
Oodi Central Library
4 TöölönlahdenkatuThis pioneer of modern libraries is so much more than books. Pay a visit to Helsinki's latest pride in culture and education, the city central library Oodi.
Facing the House of Parliament, it is a daily reminder to lawmakers about who and what they are working for – the world's most highly educated people.
Here the residents of Helsinki can find space to work, make 3D prints, play drums, copy VHS to digital, use a sewing machine, have a coffee or just enjoy the views over beautiful Töölönlahti and Citizens' Square. And, of course, lend a book.
And yes, it's all for free. (Except the coffee.)
An ambitious contemporary art museum well worth checking out. The unfortunate abbreviation makes many think of sandwich topping made of pork's booty, but the only hunger you'll satisfy here is that for aesthetic revelation.
Also admire the architecture of the so-called Tennis Palace housing the museum, as well a gigantic multiplex movie theatre. There was, however, never any tennis played here. Instead it was used as a basketball court in the 1952 Olympic Games.
But that's another story.
135 locals raden deze aan
HAM - Helsinki Art Museum
8 Eteläinen RautatiekatuAn ambitious contemporary art museum well worth checking out. The unfortunate abbreviation makes many think of sandwich topping made of pork's booty, but the only hunger you'll satisfy here is that for aesthetic revelation.
Also admire the architecture of the so-called Tennis Palace housing the museum, as well a gigantic multiplex movie theatre. There was, however, never any tennis played here. Instead it was used as a basketball court in the 1952 Olympic Games.
But that's another story.
The Amos Rex museum is the latest addition to Helsinki's fascinating palette of world class exhibition rooms.
Also remember to marvel at its weird shaped roof penetrating through the ground in the backyard of landmark functionalist masterpiece Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace).
Quite unique.
61 locals raden deze aan
Amos Rex
22-24 MannerheimintieThe Amos Rex museum is the latest addition to Helsinki's fascinating palette of world class exhibition rooms.
Also remember to marvel at its weird shaped roof penetrating through the ground in the backyard of landmark functionalist masterpiece Lasipalatsi (Glass Palace).
Quite unique.
Essentials
Shopping for everything you might need.
S-Market Kasarmitori
19 KasarmikatuThis classic department store founded in the 19th century is the epicenter of Helsinki's commercial district.
256 locals raden deze aan
Stockmann Helsingin keskusta
52 AleksanterinkatuThis classic department store founded in the 19th century is the epicenter of Helsinki's commercial district.
Parks & Nature
Leave the asphalt world for a while.
Old mental asylum turned into artists' residences. Café, beautiful architecture and nature. Follow the coastline north for a great walk to the beach.
14 locals raden deze aan
Lapinlahti Ziekenhuis
8 LapinlahdenpolkuOld mental asylum turned into artists' residences. Café, beautiful architecture and nature. Follow the coastline north for a great walk to the beach.
Follow the coastline all the way around Helsinki for a stunning walk or run.
189 locals raden deze aan
Kaivopuisto
Follow the coastline all the way around Helsinki for a stunning walk or run.
Helsinki's Central Park has not too much in common with New York's well-kept and furnished namesake. Instead, it's a semi-wild forest experience, perfect for bike rides or long walks during hot afternoons.
The park stretches north from central Helsinki, and if you follow it long enough you will end up in Lapland. Legend also has it, that central park was purposefully designed as a natural entry into the capital, in order to allow people from the dark Finnish inlands to ski all the way from their homes in the woods, straight to the doorstep of the House of Parliament, where they would air their grievances.
Nowadays, following the winding and interlinking paths and roads in the park, you may come across horses, birds and foxes, a longbow shooting range, football fields, private allotments and miniature husbandry, as well as a pet cemetery … or should I say sematary :o
111 locals raden deze aan
Central Park
Helsinki's Central Park has not too much in common with New York's well-kept and furnished namesake. Instead, it's a semi-wild forest experience, perfect for bike rides or long walks during hot afternoons.
The park stretches north from central Helsinki, and if you follow it long enough you will end up in Lapland. Legend also has it, that central park was purposefully designed as a natural entry into the capital, in order to allow people from the dark Finnish inlands to ski all the way from their homes in the woods, straight to the doorstep of the House of Parliament, where they would air their grievances.
Nowadays, following the winding and interlinking paths and roads in the park, you may come across horses, birds and foxes, a longbow shooting range, football fields, private allotments and miniature husbandry, as well as a pet cemetery … or should I say sematary :o
No trip to Helsinki is complete without a walk, run or bike ride around the Töölönlahti. On the Töölö side you'll find Alvar Aalto's Finlandia House, a nice open park, some high end café/bars and the National Opera House.
Coming to the East side of the inlet, on a small hill called Linnunlaulu (Bird's Song), there are some remarkably well-kept and beautiful 19th century villas, originally built for the pre-Soviet Russian upper class as summer houses, now housing cafés and terrace bars with a stunning view and peaceful atmosphere.
29 locals raden deze aan
Töölönlahden puisto
No trip to Helsinki is complete without a walk, run or bike ride around the Töölönlahti. On the Töölö side you'll find Alvar Aalto's Finlandia House, a nice open park, some high end café/bars and the National Opera House.
Coming to the East side of the inlet, on a small hill called Linnunlaulu (Bird's Song), there are some remarkably well-kept and beautiful 19th century villas, originally built for the pre-Soviet Russian upper class as summer houses, now housing cafés and terrace bars with a stunning view and peaceful atmosphere.
Sightseeing
18th century sea fortress with lots of exciting stuff for young and old.
430 locals raden deze aan
Suomenlinna
18th century sea fortress with lots of exciting stuff for young and old.
The church that made Helsinki The White City Of The Baltic.
210 locals raden deze aan
Domkerk van Helsinki
29 UnioninkatuThe church that made Helsinki The White City Of The Baltic.