Sights and landmarks in Helsinki

Sights and landmarks in Helsinki

1. SeeKamppi and Southwest

   Aleksanterin teatteri

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

2. SeeInner East

   Alppipuisto

   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.

3. SeeKamppi and Southwest

   Amos Andersson Art Gallery

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

   Mon Thu Fri 10:00–18:00, Wed 10:00–20:00, Sat Sun 11:00–17:00·Adults €10

4. SeeKamppi and Southwest

   Amos Rex

   A modern arts museum that tends towards immersive, often audiovisual installations and has rapidly gained in acknowledgement since its opening in 2018. While entrance and shop are in Lasipalatsi, the actual museum is a piece architecture playing with organic forms located below the square located behind the visible building; sculptural forms extend into the square, portholes on their top allow a glimpse into the museum.

   Mon 11–20; Wed–Fri 11–20; Sat/Sun 11–17, closed on Tue·General admission €20, reduced €15, students and youth under 30 years €5, children under 18 years free

5. SeeCentral

   Ateneum Art Museum

   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.

   Tue–Fri 09:00–18:00, Wed Thu 09:00–20:00, Sat Sun 11:00–17:00, closed on Mondays·Adults €6, under 18 free, special prices may apply during major exhibitions. First Wednesday of the month 17:00–20:00 free admission

6. SeeInner East

   Bear park

   Karhupuisto

   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.

7. SeeCentral

   Central Railway Station

   Päärautatieasema

   The station building, clad in granite, was designed by Eliel Saarinen (the father of Eero Saarinen) and inaugurated in 1919. It has become the symbol of the entire railway network in Finland, and about 200,000 people pass through the station every day, half of whom are train passengers. Since 1 November 2025, there are guided tours to the clock tower (€24; stairs), with views over central Helsinki. The Olympia Stadium Tower is still much higher.

8. SeeInner East

   Church of Kallio

   Kallion kirkko/Berghälls kyrka

   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. The bells ring at noon and 19:00 with a tune composed by Jean Sibelius.

   Tue-Fri 12:00-18:00, Sat Sun 10:00-18:00·Free

9. SeeInner East

   Church of St. Paul

   Paavalinkirkko

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

10. SeeEastern suburbs

    Cirrus

    At 86 m, Cirrus was the tallest building in Finland when opened; with Majakka finished, it's not even the tallest in Helsinki, but still a notable landmark in Vuosaari. There were plans to make the an observation platform of the highest floor, which weren't realized.

11. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Crusell Bridge

    Crusellinsilta

    A cable-stayed bridge, which connects the districts of Ruoholahti and Jätkäsaari. It is named after the Swedish-Finnish composer and clarinetist Bernhard Henrik Crusell (1775–1838).

12. 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

13. SeeSouth

    Diana Park

    Diananpuisto

    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.

14. 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

15. SeeSouth

    Ehrensvärd Museum

    Ehrensvärd-museo

    The first occupant of the current museum building was Augustin Ehrensvärd (1710-1772), the founder of the Suomenlinna fortress. The museum's collection includes paintings, furniture, weapons and ship models.

    Adults €5, children €2

16. SeeWest

    Eläintarha

    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 either in the park or close to it.

17. SeeCentral

    Esplanadi Park

    Esplanadinpuisto

    Located between the 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. In the summer there are often free concerts given by local artists on the stage close to Kauppatori, facing restaurant Kappeli. If you're walking around with an ice cream or sandwich, do watch out for the aggressive birds.

18. SeeWest

    Finlandia Hall

    Designed by Finland's best known architect Alvar Aalto. It is 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). Be sure to view the building also from across the Töölönlahti bay in the evening when it is floodlit.

    Mon–Fri 09:00–16:00·Free

19. SeeKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    Finnish Military Museum

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

    Tue-Thu 11:00-17:00, Fri–Sun 11:00–16:00, closed Mon·€4

20. 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

21. SeeSouth

    German Church

    Saksalainen kirkko

    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.

22. SeeKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    Helsinki City Museum

    The museum 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.

    Free

23. SeeEastern suburbs

    Helsinki Heart Stone

    Helsingin sydänkivi

    This stone lies at the geographical centre of Helsinki. After using public transport, you will have to continue your journey on foot, as it is in the middle of a forest.

24. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Helsinki Old Church

    Helsingin Vanha Kirkko

    A neoclassical wooden church built in the early 19th century, which is the oldest church in central Helsinki. It's 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 of the victims of the plague of 1710.

25. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Helsinki synagogue

    The centre 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.

26. SeeWest

    Hietaniemi Cemetery

    Hietaniemen hautausmaa

    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.

27. SeeKruununhaka and Katajanokka

    House of the Book

    Kirjan talo/Bokens hus

    The "House of the Book", by Georg Jägerroos and finished in 1935, is the house of Helsinki Bookworker's Union (which in turn is the oldest trade union in the country, established in 1869). The seven-story building houses conference rooms, apartments, a restaurant, a sauna and a banquet hall.

28. SeeCentral

    Kaisaniemi Park

    Kaisaniemen puisto

    In Kaisaniemi, north-east 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. It also holds Helsinki University's Botanical Garden (entrance from Kaisaniemenranta on the northern side).

29. SeeSouth

    Kaivopuisto

    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.

30. SeeInner East

    Kalasatama

    Literally "fish harbour", this is a new seafront neighbourhood which has an interesting brick touch to it. Not a typical tourist destination, but some architecture lovers might find the place interesting. Also home to a big, crazy statue of a Siberian Jay. A new shopping and living complex Redi has been built there, with the first phase opened in autumn 2018.

31. SeeNorthern suburbs

    Kannelmäki Church

    Kannelmäen kirkko

    Finished in 1968 and looking like a copper pyramid with windows along the edges forming a cross. It's listed by the Finnish National Board of Antiquities as a "nationally remarkable built cultural environment".

32. SeeCentral

    Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art

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

    Tue 10:00–17:00, Wed–Sun 10:00–20:30, closed on Mondays·€7 for adults, €5 for undergraduate students, senior citizens, visual artists, and groups with at least 7 people. Free admission for visitors under 18. First Friday of the month is free

33. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Koivusaari metro station

    The only underwater metro station in the world, although in practice you won't notice it as the sea around the station isn't visible from inside the station. Also includes the longest escalators in Finland. Metro trains run in both directions every 10 minutes or so.

34. SeeEastern suburbs

    Korkeasaari

    Helsinki's zoo, 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. Opened in 1889, Korkeasaari is reportedly one of the world's oldest operating zoos. Korkeasaari is connected to the mainland by bridges via Kulosaari and Mustikkamaa islands, and since spring 2016 pedestrians and bikers can take a shortcut from Kalasatama; the Isoisänsilta (lit. Grandfather bridge). From downtown, bus 16 takes you to the gates of the zoo, and if you're driving, you can park for free on Mustikkamaa. During summer you can also opt for a 15-min ferry ride (ferry ticket: €6.95 return, under 18 yr old travel for free) from Hakaniemi and Market Square.

    Every day except Christmas Eve: 10:00-20:00, may operate shorter hours on holidays·€14 adults, €10 children and students

35. SeeEastern suburbs

    Kultturikeskus STOA

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

36. 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

37. SeeKamppi and Southwest

    Lönnrotinpuistikko

    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).

38. SeeInner East

    Majakka

    Literally "lighthouse", the Majakka tower is 134 metres (440 ft) tall high-rise building, known as the first skyscraper of Finland. It was inaugurated in 2019.

39. SeeNorthern suburbs

    Malmi Cemetery

    Malmin hautausmaa

    The biggest cemetery in the country by number of burials. Many Finnish cultural and political personalities are buried here. Other things worth seeing are the main chapel built in 1923 which is still used, as well as the cemetery's own water tower and railway station, both of which are disused.

40. SeeNorthern suburbs

    Malmi airport

    Malmin lentokenttä

    Located north of Malmi, the airport was the general aviation airport of Helsinki after the opening of Helsinki Airport. After two decades of planning, debates and protests, the airport was shut down entirely in 2021 after functioning as an uncontrolled airfield for a few years. The City of Helsinki will turn the area into a new residential district, though the functionalist terminal building will be preserved.

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