Attractions in Helsinki
Kaivopuisto (Well Park)
South of Puistok. on the water.
This large, shady, path-filled park was once the site of a popular spa that drew people from St. Petersburg, Tallinn, and all of Scandinavia until its popularity faded during the Crimean War. All the spa structures were eventually destroyed except one, the Kaivohuone, which is now a popular restaurant. Across from the entrance of Kaivohuone, take Kaivohuoneenrinne through the park past an Empire-style villa built by Albert Edelfelt, father of the famous Finnish painter who bore the same name. Built in 1839, it is the oldest preserved villa in the park.
Kauppatori (Market Square)
Eteläranta and Pohjoisespl.
At this well known Helsinki market, open year-round, wooden stands with orange and gold awnings welcome tourists and locals alike who come to shop, browse, or sit and enjoy coffee and conversation. You can buy a fresh perch, a bouquet of flowers, or a fur pelt or hat. In summer the fruit and vegetable stalls are supplemented by an evening arts and crafts market.
Luonnontieteelinen Museo (Natural History Museum)
Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 13
Admission charged.
The museum is guarded by a bronze elk, just one of many animals in the museum’s vast collection. The mammal hall is one of the best in Europe, a series of tableaux showing Finnish wildlife in their native habitats.
Nykytaiteenmuseo -Kiasma (Museum of Contemporary Art)
Mannerheiminaukio. 2
Admission charged.
Tues. 9-5, Wed.-Sun. 10-10.
Praised for the boldness of its curved steel shell, the bold postmodern design is the creation of American architect, Stephen Holl. This striking museum opened in 1998 and displays a wealth of Finnish and foreign art from the 1960s to the present.
Sederholmin Talo (Sederholm House)
Aleksanterinkatu 18
This is said to be the oldest house in Helsinki. Its one time owner, Johan Sederholm, was an 18th century Finnish businessman who rose from poverty to great wealth and distinction.
Senaatintori (Senate Square)
Senaatintori
Tram 3B, 3T, 1,2,4,7
Site of many summer festivals and events
The harmony of the three buildings flanking Senaatintori exemplifies neoclassical architecture. The architecture is in the Russian Imperial style which was encouraged by Tsar Alexander I in his bid to make Helsinki a stylistically eastern capital after it was annexed by Russia from Sweden in 1809. The asquare and its major buildings were designed by German architect Carl Ludvig Engel.
On the square's west side is one of the main buildings of Helsingin Yliopisto (Helsinki University); on the east side is the pale yellow Valtionneuvosto (Council of State), completed in 1822. At the lower end of the square, stores and restaurants now occupy former merchants' homes.
Seurasaaren Ulkomuseo.( Seurasaari Open Air Museum)
A 40 minute walk from the opera house or take Bus 24 from city center.
Located on an island about 2 miles northwest of the city center, the Seurasaari Outdoor Museum was founded in 1909 to preserve rural Finnish architecture. Its vintage farmhouses and barns were brought to Seurasaari from all over Finland; many are rough-hewn log buildings dating from the 17th century. All exhibits are marked by signposts along the trails. There are nearly 100 marvelous buildings to explore including a manor house, traditional farmhouses and a church, some dating from the 17th century. Seurasaari Island is connected to land by a pedestrian bridge, and is easily reached from central Helsinki.
Sibelius-Monumentti (Sibelius Monument)
West of Mechelinin.
The monument, by itself, is worth the walk to this lakeside park. What could be a better tribute to Finland's great composer than this soaring silver sculpture of organ pipes?
Suomen Kansallismuseo (National Museum of Finland)
Mannerheimintie. 34
Eliel Saarinen and his partners blend characteristics of Finnish medieval churches and castles with elements of Art Nouveau in this example of the National Romantic style, which recently reopened after renovations. The museum's archaeological, cultural, and ethnological collections explore Finnish life from prehistoric times to the present.
University of Helsinki Botanical Gardens
Kaisaniemi, Unioninkatu 44
The Botanical Gardens are open Tue-Sun 11 – 17. The outdoor gardens are open 7 – 8 daily May-Sept.; 7 – 6 during the rest of the year.
Admission charged for entry to greenhouses. There is no charge for admission to the outdoor garden areas.
The Botanical Gardens belonging to the University of Helsinki are in Kaisaniemi, a short walk from the Railway Station towards Hakaniemi. They consist of a large outdoor area surrounding the greenhouses, which have just reopened after a major renovation.