Historic places in Helsinki

Historic places in Helsinki

1. SeeSouth

   Design Museum

   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. If you're a fan of Finnish design products like Marimekko fabrics, Arabia porcelain and Iittala vases and their prototypes this is definitely not a place to miss.

   Tue 11:00-20:00, Wed-Sun 11:00-18:00. Closed Mondays.·Admission €10

2. SeeWest

   Dirdrichsen Art Gallery

   Didrichsenin taidemuseo

   A collection of more than one thousand pieces of Finnish and modern international art, and artifacts from ancient Oriental and Pre-Columbian cultures. It is housed in a modernist building by famed Finnish architect Viljo Revell. Guided tours in English on the 1st Saturday of every month at 12:00.

   Tue–Sun 11:00–18:00·Adult €13, concession €10

3. SeeWest

   Finnish Museum of Natural History

   Luonnontieteen museo

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

   Daily 10:00–17:00 (Sun –16:00)·adults €21, children aged 5–18 €7

4. EatKamppi and Southwest

   Halikarnas

   One of the most famous Turkish restaurants in Helsinki. Famous for its Mediterranean-style buffet, served not only on working days but on weekends also (it's a bit more expensive on weekends though), but also serves quality Turkish à la carte dishes. The coffee, although served from a nondescript thermos can, is one of the best coffees available in Helsinki. Spacious with stylish Turkish decor, with artwork depicting ancient Mediterranean cities on the walls.

   11:00-23:00 mostly·Buffet around €10, à la carte dishes €14–22

5. DrinkInner East

   Juttutupa

   Helsinki's (probably) oldest still operational pub, housed in the "workers' house", a nice old granite house called Graniittilinna. It has historically been the bar of the political left. While Lenin was hiding out in Finland planning the upcoming Russian revolution he was known to frequent Juttutupa; the table he used to sit at is kept in his memory (the one in the back with a good view of the entrance). On Wednesdays, there are often free Jazz concerts. Juttutupa also serves food from the neighbouring restaurant's kitchen.

   Mon–Wed 10:30–22:00, Thu 10:30–23:00, Fri 10:30–01:00, Sat 12:00–01:00

6. SeeKruununhaka and Katajanokka

   Lutheran Cathedral

   Tuomiokirkko

   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 been refurbished, and the 12 Apostles are on the roof looking down at the world below. While entry is no longer free, one might argue that the building is more impressive from the outside anyway.

   Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·8€, 10€ for a pass including entry to Suomenlinna church and St. John's church as well

7. SeeWest

   National Museum of Finland

   Kansallismuseo

   A beautiful classical building houses this old museum, which has been renovated. The exhibit includes displays of artefacts and items relating to Finland's history. Closed until spring 2027.

   Tue-Wed 11:00-20:00, Thu-Sun 11:00-18:00, Closed Mon·€16/11 adult/child. Free admission for visitors under 18. Tuesday has free admission 17:30–20:00

8. SeeSouth

   Newspaper museum

   Päivälehden museo

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

   Tue-Sun 11:00-17:00·Free

9. EatSouth

   Palace Gourmet

   Fine dining restaurant. Established in 1952, it got its second Michelin star in 2022.

   Wed–Sat 18:00–24:00

10. DrinkKamppi and Southwest

    Ravintola Wanhakettu

    A journey into traditional Finnish bar culture, where fireside debates and poetry recitals are a common place occurrence in this historical tavern. Frequented by a more intellectual if not boisterous crowd, the common traveler will find a home away from home at Wanhakettu. A famous haunt for many members of the classical artist communes of Käpyla and Suvela. According to historian Antti Mäjänen of the Ostrobotnious Historical Society, it was in this very spot that the second treaty of Vyborg was signed in the summer of 1902, adding character and flavor to this lovely tavern of old.

    Drinks €3.50-15, try the Karhu III Pint, Salmari or Kolme Leijonaa Malt Whisky.

11. EatSouth

    Salve

    The restaurant's history began in 1897 with a former small kiosk, the door of which sold food and tobacco mainly to sailors. Even today, the restaurant is famous for its Baltic herring dishes.

    Mon–Fri 11:00–23:00, Weekend 12:00–23:00

12. SeeWest

    Seurasaari Open Air Museum

    Fölisön

    A pleasant little island to the north of the centre, filled with walking trails and a living history museum of authentic old Finnish houses collected from all over the country. An excellent half-day trip, especially in the summer, when many buildings have museum staff who practice crafts in traditional dress. There's a very pleasant if somewhat pricey summer café/restaurant atop a small hill at the center of the island. Entry to the park free, entry into the museum buildings costs €6 (€5 concession), buy tickets at entrance. Take bus 24 from Erottaja at the northern end of Esplanadi to the terminus (20–30 minutes), then walk across the bridge. Beware of mercenary squirrels that will raid your bags if you carry any food and gulls that take shares of your ice cream. closed for the 2025 season due to budget cuts..

13. DrinkCentral

    Strindberg

    One of the oldest and most historic cafés of Helsinki. Great terrace on the posh Pohjoisesplanadi with views of the Esplanadi park, restaurant on the 2nd floor. Also high-quality pastries and modern Nordic food and drink. Very popular among locals.

    Restaurant: Mon–Fri 11:30–23:00, Sat 13:00–23:00; café: Mon–Thu 09:00–20:00, Fri 09:00–21:00, Sat 10:00–21:00, Sun 12:00–19:00·Lunch €12–29; main courses €24–38; café €15–18

14. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Tennispalatsi

    The Tennispalatsi ("Tennis palace") was built to house tennis events for the 1940 and 1952 Olympics. Nowadays, it retains no trace of its Olympic past. Instead, it functions primarily as Helsinki's biggest movie theatre, with more than ten halls on two floors, showing movies both from Finland and abroad. As well as functioning as a movie theatre, Tennispalatsi also houses cultural exhibitions, small stores, restaurants (including Pizza Hut and Hesburger) and cafés.

15. SeeKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    Uspenski Cathedral

    Uspenskin katedraali

    A classical and prominent onion-domed Russian church, the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, Uspenski Cathedral serves Finland's small Orthodox minority. The name comes from the Russian uspenie, from the Dormition (death) of the Virgin Mary. The five domes are topped with 22-carat gold, and some of the icons within are held to be miraculous.

    Tue-Fri 09:30-16:00, Sat 09:30-14:00, Sun 12:00-15:00. May-Sep Mon Wed Sat 09:30-16:00, Tue 09:30-18:00, Sun 12:00-15:00·Free

16. SeeInner East

    Vanhakaupunki and Vanhakaupunki rapids

    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. Nevertheless, the site of where Helsinki was founded is marked by a small memorial and nearby there's the site of the city's first church, standing from 1550 to 1639. The nearby rapids are also worth seeing.

17. EatKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    Wellamo

    Not strictly Russian, but a longtime favourite of both bohemians and the Orthodox community from nearby Uspensky Cathedral. Apart from the wonderful Russian dishes, lighter Mediterranean fare is also available.

18. DoKamppi and Southwest

    Yrjönkatu swimming hall

    Yrjönkadun uimahalli

    An art-deco bath house with historic architecture. Three types of saunas and a swimming pool. Take a sauna and swim in the nude. There are separate days for women and men. Bathing suits are not banned, but almost everyone goes without one. Men's swimming days are: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; Women's days: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday. 1st Floor €5 (or €5.40 with a lockable stall or 'cabin'), 2nd Floor €14. The second floor (accessible only the afternoons from Tuesday to Sunday) includes access to a steam sauna and a wood-heated sauna, as well as a café.

19. Do Not mapped

    Helsinki International Film Festival

    Also known as Rakkautta & Anarkiaa (Love & Anarchy) and held annually in September, HIFF features a wide selection of films from all over the world. Asian films have been a special focus in the history of the festival that began in 1987.

20. SeeKamppi and Southwest Not mapped

    Lasipalatsi

    Another of Helsinki's most iconic functionalist buildings right next to Mannerheimintie, the "glass palace" by Viljo Revell, Heimo Riihimäki and Niilo Kokko was finished in 1936 and is functionalist both on the inside and outside. It was planned as a temporary office building and shopping mall, to be replaced by a bigger one in the future but that never happened. In the 1980s and 90s the building was in a fairly sorry state but due to opposition by citizens and the Board of Antiquities it wasn't demolished but underwent a major restoration at the turn of the millennium. Today the gorgeous white building with colourful neon signs houses shops, restaurants, the movie theatre Bio Rex, and beneath it, the art museum Amos Rex.

21. SeeCentral Not mapped

    Main post office

    Postitalo/Pääposti/Huvudposten

    Across Mannerheimintie from Lasipalatsi is Helsinki's former main post office, designed by Jorma Järvi, Erik Lindroos and Kaarlo Borg and finished in 1938. However, it hasn't been the main post building since the late 1990s, but houses a number of shops, but the building is still protected as a valuable historical building (just like most buildings on this list).

22. Do Not mapped

    New Year's Eve

    Like in many other major cities, thousands of Helsinkians gather at Senaatintori next to the Cathedral to welcome the New Year. The event is shown on live television and there is a free outdoor concert as well.

    Dec 31–Jan 1

23. SeeKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    Merikasarmi

    A historical barracks area.

24. SeeEastern suburbs

    Vartiokylä fortress hill

    Vartiokylän linnavuori

    Ruins of a medieval fortification.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Helsinki (CC BY-SA 4.0).