While planning your trip to Helsinki, Finland, be aware that a city pass (The Helsinki Card) is available to use for up to three days. The city pass comes with a guidebook and maps and includes travel on public transportation (including ferries to the different islands), entrance to many of Helsinki’s biggest attractions, and more. This is a good way to go sightseeing in Helsinki while on a budget.
When you first arrive in Helsinki, it is important to get oriented. Locating the Helsinki City Tourist Information (TI) point at Pohjoisesplanadi 19 will help you plan your sightseeing in Helsinki, procure a car rental, or make a hotel reservation. This main TI also houses The Helsinki Expert Sales Point, where you can purchase tickets for sightseeing tours, excursions, ferry rides, and more.
If you arrive by train, you might first check out the tourist information point at the Helsinki Central Railway Station.
Market Square (Kauppatori)
Just east of Helsinki’s main TI and right near the South Harbor ( Eteläsatama) locals line Market Square with tables and booths to hock their wares. This is a good place to buy fresh foods, including the famous Finnish smoked herring. Tourists can bargain for a good locally made souvenir at Market Square.
Here you can also catch a ferry to one of Helsinki’s islands or a sightseeing cruise. Sightseeing in Helsinki is best done on foot and by boat. Sightseeing cruises allow you to relax and enjoy a meal while cruising through Helsinki’s beautiful archipelago. Cruises are typically offered only in the summer.
Helsinki’s Unique Sights
The Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko)
Carved into an enormous boulder and covered with a copper wire dome, The Rock Church is one of the world’s most unusual structures. One hundred and eighty vertical slit windows around the copper wire dome allow sunlight to flood the room so that no other form of light is needed during daylight hours. You can stop by for a visit, stay for an English-language Lutheran worship service (Sundays at 2 p.m.), or enjoy one of the many classical concerts the church hosts.
This attraction is number 22 on the map given out at the main TI. If you’re looking for it on your own, the address is Lutherinkatu 3.
In the 18th century, Sweden built one of the biggest sea fortresses in the world. Suomenlinna is now both a residential area and one of the most popular attractions in Finland. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991 as a unique monument to European military architecture.
Take a 15-minute ride on a public transport ferry from Market Square. Start at the visitor center in the middle of the fortress at Tykistölahti bay. Here you can pick up information, schedule a walking tour, and check out the Suomenlinna Museum exhibitions.
Suomenlinna is more than a sea fortress. It is a garrison town stretched across six islands, so allow at least a half day to explore. Take the time to relax at one of the many restaurants or cafés by the sea. This is one of the most beautiful areas you will come across while sightseeing in Helsinki.
Upenski Orthodox Cathedral
Although this church is not as architecturally fascinating as The Rock Church, the Upenski Cathedral has great significance as the largest orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. Its gold cupolas and red brick illustrate Russia’s influence on the city.
Architecture, Art, and Theatre
While sightseeing in Helsinki on foot, it is hard not to notice the city’s architecture. Finland’s capital city showcases a good mix of old and modern architecture. It boasts the largest concentration of Art Nouveau buildings in Northern Europe. Nordic minimalism and refinement, as well as modernism and functionalism, also influence the city’s architecture.
The buildings around Senate Square exemplify Helsinki’s Neoclassical architecture. On one side of the square sits the Lutheran Church (Tuomiokirkko), whose domes make it Helsinki’s highest building. The university, a library (Yliopiston Kirjasto), and the Finnish State Council meeting hall (Valitonneuvoston Linna) also occupy Senate Square.
For a glimpse of Helsinki’s modern architectural trends, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art (Kiasma) or stroll by The Sanoma Building or through the High Tech Center in the Ruoholahti district.
Other notable buildings include the Central Railway Station, the Finnish National Theatre, the Opera House, and the Pearl of Kruununhaka.
Sightseeing in Helsinki is not complete without visiting at least one of the city’s several art museums, which display Finnish masterpieces, modern art, photography, paintings, and more. It is important to note that many museums are closed on Mondays. Below is a list of some popular art museums and galleries. Those marked with an asterisk are part of the Finnish National Gallery.
• Ateneum Art Museum*-Not only does the Ateneum boast the largest art collections in Finland; it also contains Finnish art from the 1750s to the 1960s and Western art from the late 19th century to the mid 20th century. Artwork by Finland’s golden age and modern masters, like Albert Edelfelt, Akseli Gallen-Kallela, and Helene Schjerfbeck are part of the Ateneum’s permanent displays. Ateneum Hall, which hosts a variety of events and activities, is included in the museum complex.
• Helsinki City Art Museum-Check the exhibit information before you decide on this one. Exhibits change out periodically, but they typically include both Finnish and international collections.
• Museum of Modern Art (Kiasma)*-Pushing the limits of traditional art museums, the Kiasma follows more contemporary trends. Finnish, Nordic, Baltic, and Russian art dominate the permanent collections. Check the schedule for live performances (drama, dance, music), film showings, lectures, and public discussions.
• Sinebrychoff Art Museum*-This museum displays Finland’s most significant collection of 14th to 19th century paintings and a collection of miniatures, silver, and porcelain.
• Finnish Museum of Photography-Photography fans should check out this collection of Finnish and foreign photography.
Helsinki’s two main theatres are the Finnish National Theatre and the Swedish Theatre. More information regarding performances can be found at www.visithelsinki.fi .
Other Museums
Open-Air Museum (Seurasaari)
To add some history to your sightseeing in Helsinki experience, check out Seurasaari. The main attractions here are the old buildings and actors who depict Finnish history and culture. For over 100 years, tourists have come to take a trip back to the 18th century to see what life was like for Finnish crofters, peasants, and gentry. Occasional craft demonstrations, concerts, and other events occur at Seurasaari. A guided tour is included in the cost of the museum ticket.
Bus number 24 goes to Seurasaari. Don’t be surprised to see locals enjoying a picnic, swimming or lounging on the beach, or eating at the restaurant.
If you have time, take a walk across the bridge and visit the Urho Kekkonen Museum, named after the president who resided there.
The National Museum of Finland
Learn all you’ve ever wanted to know about Finnish history at this museum. A family-friendly museum, displays include more than typical archaeological finds and other collections; a workshop on the third floor includes an interactive exhibition designed for children.
Helsinki Zoo
Located on the island Korkeasaari, the city’s zoo is one of the oldest in the world (opened in 1889). Enjoy learning about the zoo’s 200 animal species and 1,000 plant species. In summertime you can take a ferry from Market Square to the zoo. The fare includes zoo admission. During other times of the year, you can take the bus from the city centre or a metro to Kulosaari. From there you’d have to walk across Mustikkamaa to the zoo’s main entrance.
Esplanade Park
Esplanade Park is a promenade for tourists and a place where locals relax and enjoy many popular events. You might even arrange your visit around the schedule for the Espa Stage, which has been known to include events like the Marimekko Fashion Show (late summer), folk dancing (June), and a jazz concert series (July). This is a good place to end your day of sightseeing in Helsinki.
Shopping in Helsinki
The main shopping area is on Aleksanterinkatu, known locally as “Aleksi.” This lively shopping street runs parallel with Esplanade Park and crosses Senate Square at one point. You are sure to run into it while sightseeing in Helsinki.
Writer’s Note: English is widely spoken in Finland, so sightseeing in Helsinki is easy for Americans and other English speakers.
