Things to do in  Helsinki

The Helsinki Cathedral is also known as Tuomiokirkko. Built from 1830 to 1852, it replaced a smaller 18th-century church and was originally called St. Nicholas' Church in homage to Russian Czar. After Finland gained independence from Russia, the church was renamed, and in 1959 it became an Evangelical Lutheran cathedral.

Hewn into solid rock in the middle of a residential square, Helsinki’s Rock Church (Temppeliaukio Kirkko) features a circular ceiling covered entirely with copper stripping. Natural light streams in through 180 window panes, while an ice age crevice in the natural rock serves as the altar.

Spread over six islands in the Helsinki archipelago, Suomenlinna Fortress is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular destination for picnicking and leisure activities. The fortress is an important historic site with multiple on-site museums, as well as a living community with roughly 900 permanent residents.

The most visited building in all of Finland, with an estimated 200,000 daily passengers passing through, Helsinki Central Station is the city’s main transport hub. It opened in 1919 and owes its distinctive art nouveau design, notable for its pairs of lamp-holding statues on either side of the entrance, to architect Eliel Saarinen.

Senate Square (Senaatintori) symbolizes the cultural heart of Helsinki. Among the many landmarks surrounding the square are the Government Palace, National Library, Lutheran Cathedral, City Museum, and Helsinki’s oldest building, which make Senate Square an essential stop on any first-time visitor’s itinerary.

Nestled among the trees of Sibelius Park, the contemporary Sibelius Monument commemorates the life of acclaimed Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius. 600 hollow, silver-steel pipes hover above the ground and evoke a range of creative interpretations. Initially, the abstract sculpture caused controversy with its modern design, so a bronze Sibelius bust was installed nearby to appease critics.

Helsinki’s Market Square (Kauppatori) has served as the center of city trading for more than 200 years. Located on the harbor, just a short walk from Senate Square, the open-air market takes place year-round and attracts tourists and locals alike with its range of clothing, crafts, and fresh produce.

The Helsinki Olympic Stadium is a Finnish architectural gem; it’s a symbol of both sporting history and modern entertainment. Hosting the 1952 Summer Olympics, it has witnessed countless historic moments over the years. Today, it's one of Finland’s biggest arenas and a venue for concerts, sporting events, and cultural festivals. You can also visit its viewing tower, restaurant, and sports museum.

An impressive architectural landmark, Finland’s Parliament House (Eduskuntatalo) is home to the nation’s governing body. The imposing building looms over Helsinki on Arcadia Hill, making it both the political and geographical heart of the Finnish capital.

Helsinki’s Finlandia Hall is an architectural masterpiece designed by famous Finnish architect Alvar Aalto. Its exterior complements the local landscape and nearby park, while the inside features asymmetrical and curvy structural details, along with natural materials and colors. The multipurpose venue hosts concerts, meetings, other events, and a gallery.

Helsinki’s Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma contemporary art museum is part of the wider Finnish National Gallery, and showcases both national and international art from across a broad creative spectrum. The museum exhibits more than 8,500 works, including and has a permanent collection that includes pieces by iconic Finnish artists Tom of Finland and Kalervo Palsa, as well as international names such as Andy Warhol.

Discover Finnish history and art during a visit to the National Museum of Finland (or Suomen Kansallismuseo). The exterior of the building—which was constructed in 1916 and extensively renovated in 2000—resembles a Gothic church with its stonework and tower, but inside, the galleries explore different periods of local history. Note: Beginning in October 2023, the museum is closing for 2–3 years for renovation and new construction.

The Helsinki Swedish Theatre is a national theater where all performances are provided exclusively in Swedish. While the current building was inaugurated in 1866, its origins trace back to Helsinki’s first theater building, built in 1827. It was known as the New Theatre until the arrival of the Finnish National Theatre in 1872.

Finland’s most prestigious classical music institutions—the Sibelius Academy, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra—make their home at this cultural center. Constructed in 2011, the center features several performance spaces, including a 1,704-capacity auditorium known for its superb acoustics.

Helsinki’s Ateneum Art Museum (Konstmuseet Ateneum), built in 1887, showcases Finnish paintings and sculptures from the 18th century to the 1950s. There’s also a small collection of 19th- and early 20th-century international art, including a copy of Auguste Rodin’s The Thinker and paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin, and Cézanne.