Visit Helsinki for a taste of art, architecture and a cultural fabric that reflects both Eastern and Western Europe. The Finnish capital has been heavily influenced by religion, design and a love of history. Take a stroll down fascinating streets, find a cosy café to enjoy a hot drink or join locals at bustling markets.
Start your visit in Senate Square, the city’s best-known public space.Here, you’ll find the impressive Helsinki Lutheran Cathedral next to the majestic Government Palace. Buildings around the city bear the hallmarks of several well-known Finnish architects, including Carl Ludvig Engel, Eliel Saarinen and Alvar Aalto. Pay a visit to the Helsinki City Museum, the Museum of Finnish Architecture, Aalto House or the Design Museum to learn more about the city’s long love affair with fine design.
The city’s many art museums and galleries merit a full day of exploration. See classical works from Finland and wider Europe at the Ateneum and Sinebrychoff art museums. For more contemporary works, visit the Kiasma Museum. Browse relics from the region at the National Museum of Finland.
Join the crowds at the Old Market Hall and Kauppatori (Market Square) for a bite to eat. Shop for souvenirs along the Esplanade or browse the boutiques in the Design District.
Take a daytrip to one of Helsinki’s nearby islands by ferry. The island of Seurasaari features an open-air museum of historic residences. Korkeasaari is home to the Helsinki Zoo where you can see snow leopards. On Suomenlinna, explore the 18th-century Suomenlinna Sea Fortress. This landmark, preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is home to cafés, restaurants and a captivating museum.
Helsinki is located in the southern region of Finland on the edge of the Baltic Sea. Fly into Helsinki Airport, a 30-minute drive from town. Get around using the frequent tram, bus or metro services. Explore Helsinki’s historic sites and cosmopolitan culture and see why tourists are flocking to this Scandinavian city.
