What to See in Helsinki

Helsinki's zoo, on an eponymous large island northeast of the city center, with approximately 150 different animal species. The zoos signature animals are the bears, the free-roaming peafowls and the cats (from tigers and lions to European wildcats). Another highlight is Amazonia, a partly underground house featuring tropical plants and smaller animals such as fish and frogs.…

A pleasant little island to the north of the center, filled with walking trails and authentic old Finnish houses collected from all over the country. An excellent half-day trip, especially in the summer, when many buildings have guides practising crafts in traditional dress. There's a very pleasant if somewhat pricy summer cafe/restaurant atop a small hill at the center of the island.…

Originally built for the Olympics and renovated for the 2005 World Athletic Championships. In the stadium building you can visit the Sports Museum with medals and other paraphernalia related to sport. Another stadium called Sonera stadium used for football (soccer) games is located north of the stadium.…

The place where Vantaa river flows into the sea was the place where Helsinki was founded in 1550. Despite its name "Old town", don't expect to find any medieval buildings there, as the area was devastated by a fire and a plague outbreak and subsequently the city was moved south to its current location.…

Located between Market Square (Kauppatori) and the two Esplanadi boulevards, this small but stately park has a commanding position at the heart of the city. In the summer time it is full of people sitting on the lawn, meeting their friends and quite often also having a drink or two.…

As the name reveals, this hill rising above the Olympia and Makasiini terminals of South Harbor hosts an observatory, operated by the Astronomical Association Ursa. The observatory is now and then open to the public, and from the hill you have a nice albeit partial view over the city centre (part of the view is obstructed by trees).…

In Kaisaniemi, northeast of the Central railway station. It has a bad reputation of a place where you might get assaulted, however in the daytime it's not more dangerous than any other place in Helsinki. The park has facilities for playing football (soccer) and tennis and is home to some events in the summer, most notably the morning of first of May and the festival "Maailma kylässä" in late May.…

Built for the city's employees and their families in the early 20th century, nowadays the house is a museum where every room is a snapshot of the inhabitants' everyday life during different decades from the 1920's to the 1980's.…

Designed by Finland's best known architect Alvar Aalto and located across the street from the National Museum, the marble Finlandia Hall is a popular congress and concert venue in Helsinki. The building itself is worth a visit particularly for architecture buffs, with guided tours available (€6/4, check website for schedule).…

The House of the 200-seat Parliament of Finland was designed by J.S. Sirén in the classic style of the 1920s and officially inaugurated in 1931. The interior is classical with a touch of functionalism and art deco. Tours in English at 11AM and 12PM on Sat, 12PM and 1PM on Sun. During the months of Jul and Aug English tours are at 1PM on weekdays (and not available on weekends). Free.…

Exhibitions of modern commercial and industrial design and modern art. The permanent exhibit in the basement showcases the history of consumer-goods design over the course of the 20th century, with a particular focus on the contributions of Finnish designers.…

A classical onion-domed Russian church prominently located near the Market Square, Uspenski Cathedral serves Finland's small Orthodox minority and is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe. The name comes from the Russian uspenie, from the Dormition (death) of the Virgin Mary.…

The world-famous composer Jean Sibelius' monument was designed by sculptress Eila Hiltunen and unveiled in 1967. It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Helsinki as nearly every guided tourist tour is brought to Sibelius Park to marvel at this unique work of art resembling organ pipes, welded together f…

Also known as "Koffin puisto", located in Punavuori district next to the Sinebrychoff art museum. Popular with young people, in the summer it is full of people having picnics or just drinking pussikalja (literally: "beer in a bag", means buying beer from a supermarket and drinking it outdoors), while in the winter kids…

Located northwest from the central railway station, this is a bay surrounded by a nice park that is dotted with attractions such as the Finlandia Concert Hall and the National Opera. Töölönlahti is partly in a natural state which is quite rare in major cities.…

Few tourists find their way here, but this is a very popular summer spot for Helsinkians, with sandy beaches (including a mixed nude beach) and a restaurant dishing out cold beer and ciders.…

The canal was dug in 1762 by the owner of the Herttoniemi manor to provide a shortcut for fishermen from Porvoo to the Helsinki Market Square. Before that it was a natural strait, through which Russian warships attacked Helsinki during the Greater Wrath.…

An atmospheric if minimalistic church, this church was literally dug out of solid rock. From above, it resembles a crashed UFO. The roof is made of 22 km of copper strips. Completed in 1969, this has become one of Helsinki's most popular attractions. Concerts are often held here thanks to the excellent acoustics.

The unofficial symbol of the city, this striking white cathedral dominates the central Senate Square. Based on designs by Carl Ludvig Engel and completed in 1852, the cathedral has recently been refurbished and looks better than ever, with the 12 apostles on the roof once again looking down at the world below.

Helsinki's equivalent to Arlington in Washington D.C., Hietaniemi is the final resting place for many Finns of importance during the last 200 years: politicians including almost all heads of state, artists and other cultural personalities, war heroes and so on. Some grave monuments are quite impressive.

A neoclassical wooden church built in the early 19th century, which is the oldest church in central Helsinki. It's right in the middle of the Park of the Old Church, which is also known as the Plague Park (Ruttopuisto) because it was used as a cemetery for many if the victims of the plague of 1710.

On top of the hill at the end of Siltasaarenkatu. The church is built of grey granite (1912) and its massive looks dominate the view from Hakaniemi. It was designed by Finnish architect Lars Sonck. The church has both baroque and French romantic organs and concerts are organized frequently.

Ateneum can be considered the most nationally significant art museum, and it has the largest collection of paintings and sculptures in Finland. Particularly notable is the collection of works by major Finnish artists. Works include renowned interpretations of the national epic Kalevala.

This impressive 19th century building next to the Hietalahti square hosted the Helsinki Technical University until the 1950's, nowadays it's the main building for the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences. As you're there, check out the Hietalahti market hall and market square.

A beautiful park by the sea in the southernmost part of the city. In summer you might want to sit down for a cup of coffee in one of the seaside cafes and enjoy the view of sailboats and the people on the promenade. Housing surrounding this area is the most expensive in Helsinki.

The Lutheran Church of the German community is situated at the foot of the Observatory Hill and is a visible landmark if you are walking from the Silja Line ferry towards downtown. The Neo-Gothic church was built in 1864 and is also a venue for liturgical and classical concerts.

Despite its name, which translates to "Animal Garden", there is no zoo in this park. Instead many of Helsinki's sport venues like the Olympic stadium, Swimming stadium, Sonera stadium, Töölön Kisahalli and Helsinki Ice Hall are situated either in the park or close to it.

At 86m, Cirrus next to the Columbus shopping center in the Vuosaari district is the highest building in Finland that isn't a tower or mast. There were plans to make the an observation platform of the highest floor, but the plans weren't realized.

The Alexander theater, named after the Russian czar Alexander II and finished in 1879 is likely Helsinki's most beautiful venue for performance art. It's probably one of the Occasionally shows and concerts in English.

Located on the west side of the Linnanmäki amusement park, this beautiful park is a hidden gem during the summer due to the many free concerts and other events that are held there throughout the summer months.

The sometimes unusual collections mostly include works by contemporary Finnish artists and artists from nearby countries. There are also periodical exhibitions. The building itself is arguably a work of art.

Finnish Marshall Carl Gustav Emil Mannerheim lived in this villa 1924—51. The museum contains his personal home and his vast array of items acquired during his life and on his long travels.

If you are visiting Seurasaari you can also take look into the daily life of Finland's long time president, Urho Kekkonen. His residence Tamminiemi was turned into a museum in the 1980's.

Also known as Kolmikulma (the triangle), this pocket sized park is a nice place to take break from your sightseeing in the summer and just sit down on a park bench and have an ice-cream.

The museum actually covers a whole series of old buildings around Helsinki, but the centrepiece is the (short) street of Sofiankatu itself, carefully restored as a replica of the 1930s.

Vesikko was one of five submarines to serve the Finnish Navy during the wars in 1939-44. It´s also the only surviving German Type II (Vesikko was the prototype) submarine in the world.

The center of the Jewish community in Helsinki; there are also a Jewish school, kindergarten and a kosher store on the premises. You probably have to call ahead for visiting.

A beautiful classical building houses this old museum, which has recently been renovated. The exhibit includes displays of artifacts and items relating to Finland's history.

A tiny little park next to the Old church. In the middle there's a statue of 19th century author and scientist Elias Lönnrot (author of Kalevala, the Finnish national epic).

A private art gallery on Kuusisaari island with sculptures and older and contemporary Finnish art. The nearby Dirdrichsen Art Gallery is closed for renovations until 2014.

Two adjacent Japanese-style parks in Roihuvuori. The best time to visit is in the spring during the cherry blossom when a traditional Japanese hanami is celebrated.

International, bible-based and nondenominational church that welcomes both Finns and foreigners to attend. Services in Helsinki and Espoo on Sundays. Free.

A cozy small park on the hill next to Kallio church and one of Kallio's symbols. The park got its name from the bear statue in the middle of it.

The museum of natural history is operated by Helsinki University and shows Finnish wildlife, dinosaur skeletons and everything in-between.

Interested in old video games, game consoles, computers and related paraphernalia? Then this place is definitely something for you.

Tropical garden where you can see palms, cacti and flowers around the year. In the summer a nice cafe operates in the garden.

A church from the 1930's built of red tiles, one of the first landmarks one will see when driving into Helsinki from Lahti.

Watch some of those tropical animals you wouldn't want to bite or sting you in the indoor terrarium Tropicario.

One of Helsinki's quirkier museums, concentrates on changing exhibitions of cultures outside Finland.

In the newspaper museum you can learn more about the history of newspapers - journalism and printing.

A prime example of 1930's Functionalism at the border of districts of Eira and Punavuori.

The stadium features 72m high tower (14 storeys) that offers a great view over the city.

Located in the Forum block. The largest private gallery of contemporary art in Finland.

Exhibits vehicles and armament used by Finnish forces during the Winter War and WW2.

The largest church in Helsinki and a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture.

Promotes itself as the only museum in Finland specializing in old European art.

One of Helsinki's modern cultural centers hosting various galleries.

Founded in 1929, the central museum of the Finnish Defence Forces.

A small museum dedicated to technology, machines and industry.

A museum about money and banking, as the name reveals.