Touristic Attractions

Overview of Helsinki attractions

Helsinki offers lots to see, do and experience. Discover the city’s fascinating architecture, enjoy its green parks and make the most of the surrounding sea and islands!

The majority of sights in Helsinki are situated conveniently within walking distance of the city centre, so pack a pair of comfortable shoes with you!

If you want to relax your feet for a moment or pick up the pace, Helsinki offers excellent public transportation that will get you fast and easily to outlying sights and attractions.

Helsinki is a compact and beautiful city that is ideal for seeing on foot. The city also has an excellent public transportation system for getting around and visiting outlying areas.

Selection of places of interest to visit in Helsinki

Senate Square and Market Square - the Heart of Helsinki

The Senate Square and surrounding buildings form a unique and cohesive example of Neo-Classical architecture.

The square is decorated by three buildings designed by C. L. Engel between 1822 and 1852: the Cathedral, Council of State and the University of Helsinki.

In the immediate vicinity you will also find the National Library, the Sofiankatu museum street, Esplanade Park and the Market Square. In the summer the Market Square is filled with stalls selling fruits, vegetables and souvenirs. It is also a great place to admire, taste and purchase fresh and smoked fish.

Esplanade Park

Situated in the heart of Helsinki, the Esplanade serves as a promenade for tourists and a place to relax for city residents. The park and the Espa Stage host many popular events, including the Marimekko Fashion Show and raising of the midsummer pole accompanied by folk dancing in June and the Jazz-Espa concert series on weekdays throughout July.

Suomenlinna Maritime Fortress

Built in the 1700s, Suomenlinna is one of the world's largest maritime fortresses and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. Built on six islands off the coast of Helsinki, Suomenlinna is today one of the most popular sights in Finland.

Suomenlinna offers an unforgettable experience for all ages, offering museums, special events, idyllic cafes and cosy restaurants. It is a great place for a walk year-round.

Seurasaari Open Air Museum

The Seurasaari Open-Air Museum provides an insight into Finnish housing in days gone by and Finnish folk tradition. The buildings and interiors transferred to the Museum from the Finnish provinces reflect the life of crofters, peasants and gentry from the 18th to the 20th century. It is located on a small island connected by a bridge to the mainland.

Visitors should also visit the neighbouring Urho Kekkonen Museum (Tamminiemi) located beside the bridge leading to the island.

Pihlajasaari

With its swimming beaches and cafés, Pihlajasaari Island is one of Helsinki’s most popular recreational islands. Visitors can also enjoy the island’s sauna. From early May to late September a ferry carries passengers from Merisatamanranta (beside Cafe Carusel) or Ruoholahti.

The Cathedral of Helsinki

The Cathedral of Helsinki is perhaps the most photographed and recognisable building in Finland.

Designed by C. L. Engel, the Cathedral celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2002.

The Temppeliaukio 'Rock' Church

The Temppeliaukio 'Rock' Church is one of Finland's most popular tourist attractions and one of the most respected examples of modern architecture in Helsinki. Quarried out of the natural bedrock, the church has excellent acoustics and is a popular venue for concerts.

The Uspenski Cathedral

Completed in 1868, the Uspenski Cathedral is the largest orthodox church in Western Europe.

With its golden cupolas and redbrick facade, the church is one of the clearest symbols of the Russian impact on Finnish history during the 19th century.

The Karuna Church

The Karuna Church situated in the Seurasaari outdoor museum on Seurasaari island was built in 1685 and moved to Seursaari in 1912.

The church is one of the most popular churches in Helsinki for summer weddings.

The Old Church

The Old Church (by C.L. Engel) was built in 1826 and was the first Lutheran church to be built after Helsinki became the Finnish capital.

In the park are graves and memorials to Finnish and German soldiers who died in the Civil War of 1918.

Suomenlinna Church

The church was built in 1854, architects K. A. Thon, E. Sjöström, J. Eklund and V. Leistén. The church was originally an orthodox church and it was dedicated to Aleksander Nevski. When Finland became independent the church was changed into an evangelic-lutheran church in 1928. The church also functions as a lighthouse.

The Ateneum Art Museum

The Ateneum Art Museum is the National Gallery of Finland. The nation's largest art collection includes an impressive exhibition of Finnish art from the mid-1700s to the 1960s. The museum's foreign collection features western art from the mid to late-1800s to the 1950s, including works by Van Gogh, Gauguin and Cézanne. Special exhibitions are also arranged.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Kiasma is the controversial and intellectually stimulating Museum of Contemporary Art designed by world-renowned architect Stephen Holl. The museum features art from the 1960s to the present day and includes installations, media art, music and film.

The National Museum of Finland

The National Museum of Finland illustrates Finnish history from prehistoric times to the present day. Major archaeological finds, the historical, numismatic and ethnological collections have been put together for over 170years. Workshop Vintti on the third floor is an interactive exhibition especially designed for children, where visitors can study the history of Finland and its culture using their hands and heads. VINTTI is suited to everyone over the age of seven. Younger children can visit in the company of adults. There is no upper age limit.

The Central Railway Station

The Central Railway Station was designed by Eliel Saarinen in 1909 and the station was opened in 1919.

The station is mostly clad in Finnish granite, and its distinguishing features are its clock tower and the two pairs of statues holding the spherical lamps, lit at night-time, on either side of the main entrance.

The station is used by approximately 200,000 passengers per day, making it Finland's most-visited building.

Finlandia Hall

Finlandia Hall, designed by Alvar Aalto, was completed in 1971, the congress wing in 1975. The interior and furnishings were, down to the last detail, also designed by Aalto. The leading Finnish and internationally most notable concert and congress hall in Finland, Finlandia Hall welcomes functions both large and small with delegates numbering anything from 10 to 3,000. It is an elegant building equipped with all modern amenities and facilities and the setting for financial, political and cultural events and meetings. It is also a major architectural sight.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park, Sea Life and Helsinki Zoo - Great for the family

Linnanmäki has been the traditional highlight of every Finnish child's summer holiday for the past 50 years. The amusement park offers thrills for the whole family. The rollercoaster is the perennial favourite and is backed up by all the latest rides - at least one new ride every year.

The Helsinki Zoo on Korkeasaari Island is another family favourite, featuring exotic animals from the Arctic tundra to the tropical rainforests. It is a great place in the winter too, as 80 percent of the animals can be seen throughout the year.

Sea Life takes you on a voyage from the tropical oceans to the Arctic Sea, not forgetting the Baltic Sea along the way. The exhibitions present many species whose environments are under threat. As well as seeing live creatures, visitors can also enjoy interactive and educational presentations.

The University of Helsinki Botanical Garden

The University of Helsinki Botanical Garden at Kaisaniemi is one of Helsinki's most popular visitor attractions. The Garden is situated very close to the city centre, and its glasshouses and surrounding grounds offer nature lovers a unique experience all year round. The gallery between the large and small glasshouses is used to host temporary exhibitions, mostly on themes related to nature.

Sightseeing cruises

Sightseeing cruises let you discover Helsinki’s beautiful archipelago. You can even enjoy a seafood lunch or romantic dinner onboard. Sightseeing ferries depart from the Market Square throughout the summer.

Music

Musical performances and concerts can be seen throughout the year all over the city.

The list of concerts will be added in spring 2010.

Tours

SCHEDULED TOURS

Audio City Tour

Audio City Tour is a guided sightseeing tour by bus accompanied by a bus hostess. The tour includes sound effects and commentary in 12 languages: Chinese, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Latin, Russian, Spanish, Swedish and Helsinki dialect.

The sightseeing tour shows the most interesting parts of Helsinki: the historical centre, the Presidential Palace, City Hall, The Parliament buildings, Finlandia Hall and the Opera House. There are 2 stops in the tour: One at Sibelius Monument and, when possible, at the Temppeliaukio Church (the church in the rock).

Season: All year | Duration: 1.5 hours

Medieval Tallinn

This tour is an all-inclusive day trip by boat to Tallinn, Estonia's capital. TheOld Town has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1997.

Departure from Helsinki to Tallinn in the morning. The city sightseeing tour starting from the harbour with English-speaking guide, takes you around the most important sights, also outside Medieval Tallinn, where for example the Song Festival grounds and the 18th century Kadriorg Park and palace will be seen. Tour will end with a walk in the Old Town area, which is a compact maze of cobblestone streets, historical buildings and breathtaking vistas.

Set three-course lunch is served in one of the charming Estonian restaurants in the Old Town. After lunch there will be some free time to explore the shops and sights on your own. Return transfer to the harbour in the evening.

Season: All year | Duration: one day

Imperial St. Petersburg

This is a three-day / two night tour by train from Helsinki to St. Petersburg, which was founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and designed by Italian and French architects. Built on more than 100 islands and linked by 600 bridges, the city is often called "the Venice of the North".

The train departs Helsinki in the morning and arrives St. Petersburg around noon. The first day programme includes a panoramic city tour featuring the major sights like the Admiralty, Palace Square and Smolny Convent. On the second day there are visits to the Hermitage Museum and St. Isaac's Cathedral - the largest cathedral in the city and one of the finest architectural monuments of the 19th century. The third day programme takes you toPushkin and to the Catherine's Palace, a magnificent imperial palace, which is located some 25 km south of the city and considered a pearl of the Russian Baroque architecture and interior design of the 18th century. The train departs St. Petersburg in the afternoon and arrives in Helsinki in the evening.

Season: All year | Duration: three days/two nights

Please note! Also other tours to St. Petersburg available!

TOURS ON REQUEST

Helsinki City Tour and Lunch

A comprehensive basic tour taking in the most important and interesting parts of Helsinki. Stops at Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument and, when possible, Temppeliaukio Church. Lunch is served in a traditional and sophisticated restaurant in the city centre.

Season: All year | Duration: 3.5 hours

Walkabout and Lunch in the Design District

Breathe in the creative air of Helsinki’s design district, an area comprising 25 streets on which over150 unique actors – boutiques, workshops, restaurants and hotels – are concentrated. The tour introduces visitors to both the established names and the promising new talents of Finnish design. The tour stops at locations that are associated with the design theme as well as at the Design Forum. Appropriately for the theme, this tour ends with lunch served in a restaurant decorated with vintage design items, which you can purchase to take home!

Season: All year | Duration: 3.5 hours

Helsinki and the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress

A comprehensive basic tour taking in the most important and interesting parts of Helsinki. Stops at Senate Square, the Sibelius Monument and, when possible, Temppeliaukio Church. A trip by waterbus to the sea fortress Suomenlinna. The guided walk takes in the main sights and history of the fortification. Lunch is served in a restaurant on the island.

Season: May through September | Duration: 3.5 hours

Helsinki City Search

A different way to get to know Helsinki! Helsinki City Search is a fun programme designed for groups. Helsinki Expert's representative passes out Helsinki Cards with instructions and gives the members of the group tasks to complete in small teams. The tasks basically guide the teams to the most interesting sights of the city. After completing the tasks the group reassembles for drinks and Helsinki Expert's representative reviews results and presents diplomas to the participants.

Season: All year | Duration: 3 hours

Guided City Walks

• Helsinki’s Russian Past
  • Katajanokka, the former Helsinki of speakeasies, sailors, down-and-outs and smugglers, with a handy prison nearby. Stronghold of the Church, the Army and the Revolution.
• Imperial Helsinki
  • An insight into the history of Finland and Helsinki. The beautiful white Cathedral by the Senate Square, The Helsinki University and the library, Bank of Finland, House of Estates, State Archives, House of Nobilities, Main Guard Building and Presidential Palace.
• Art Nouveau in Helsinki
  • Eira, the sea-front Jugend-style quarter of Helsinki. One of the only parts of Helsinki planned as an entity in the Jugend style of the turn of the century.
• Helsinki Design Walk
  • A walk in the Design District in the heart of Helsinki. The well-known Finnish design brands like Artek, Iittala and Marimekko and the young promising design talents. The walking tour includes a visit to a shop, gallery or museum, where a Finnish designer tells about his/her work, career and production.

Season: All year | Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours

Old Wooden Town of Porvoo with Lunch

Historical Porvoo is situated about 50 km from Helsinki. An idyllic tour to the old town with its well-preserved wooden houses. The tour includes the Cathedral, the Town Hall Square, delightful little shops and craftsmen’s workshops. Lunch is served in the old town of Porvoo.

Season: All year | Duration: 5.5 hours

Cultural Tour to Hvitträsk

Interesting tour to Hvitträsk, which once was the former studio of architects Saarinen, Gesellius and Lindgren and the home of Eliel Saarinen. The house was built of logs and nature stone in 1904 and stands amidst forest, on a hill overlooking a beautiful lake. Lunch is served in the rustic Hvitträsk restaurant.

Season: All year | Duration: 4 hours

Artists on the Tuusula Lake Road & Sibelius’ Home

Guided tour to the Tuusula Lake Road – a cross section of Finnish history and culture. The tour includes visits to Jean Sibelius’ home Ainola and to the Halosenniemi museum, a log-built studio home of the painter Pekka Halonen. Lunch is served at Krapi, a Finnish restaurant in a traditional country house.

Season: May through September | Duration: 5 hours

Finnish Lakes and Forest

A taste of Finnish lake and forest landscapes in Nuuksio National Park. There are 38 lakes and pools in the park; most of them are of the clear water type whose water is classed as excellent or good. The area is the habitat of numerous birds, elk, deer, lynx and flying squirrel. During the tour a nature guide will tell about the features of Finnish nature, you will see part of the park and take 1½-hour walk (about 2-4 km) along narrow forest paths.

Coffee Break in front of an open fire available at extra cost

Season: April through September | Duration: 3-4 hours

Sibelius’ Home and Aalto’s Architecture

A cultural and architectural tour to Ainola and Villa Kokkonen. Ainola was the home of the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and is today a museum. Villa Kokkonen is one of the few private homes designed by Alvar Aalto. The tour includes a guided tour of Ainola and a musical welcome and guided tour of Villa Kokkonen.

Season: May through September | Duration: 4 hours

Medieval Old Town of Tallinn, Estonia

The unique value of Estonia's beautiful Hanseatic capital is the well-preserved completeness of its medieval milieu and structure. Visit the Old Town with its web of winding cobblestone streets and enjoy the best beautiful view over the city and the Baltic Sea from the Toompea Castle Hill. This romantic city is just a hop away from Helsinki - a perfect destination for a one-day all-inclusive boat trip.

Season: All year | Duration: 1 day

Book your trip to Finland

Finland Travel Bureau (FTB) as a daughter company of Finnair, offers a complete service for land arrangements in Finland.
If you would like to take this opportunity  during the INSME Annual Meeting to see the surrounding region and the neighboring countries, make pre and/or post tours, please contact the travel agency FTB. See some proposals in attachment.
Contact person: Ms. Tuija Jakonen
Groups and Events
Suomen Matkatoimisto - Finland Travel Bureau - Finlands Resebyrå
P.O.Box 319. 00101 Helsinki, Finland
Tel +358 10 826 2270
events@smt.fi

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Additional information

• http://www.helsinki.fi/en/index/matkailu/nahtavyydet.html
• http://www.visithelsinki.fi
• http://www.helsinkiexpert.com/