Helsinki attractions

The Iittala & Arabia Design Centre showcases two top Finnish design brands, Arabia, known for ceramics and particularly its Moomin range, and Iittala, famed for its timeless Nordic homewares. The center comprises a brand museum, a gallery with regularly changing exhibitions, and a store. Both brands, which date back to the 19th century, are now owned by the same group, Fiskars.

Housed in Helsinki's Olympic Stadium, the TAHTO Center, formerly the Sports Museum of Finland, offers a deep dive into the nation's sporting legacy. Its interactive exhibits and audiovisuals celebrate Finland’s diverse athletic achievements, from Olympic successes to extreme sports. Here, visitors can connect emotionally with the stories and legacies of Finnish sports icons across different sports.

Helsinki’s Tennis Palace (Tennispalatsi), named for its former courts, has served many purposes since its construction in 1937. The building has been a car showroom, an Olympic venue, and a museum. Today it is a recreational center home to the Helsinki Art Museum, Finland’s largest cinema complex, and a range of restaurants and bars.

A 1930s villa set on a Helsinki island, Villa Gyllenberg hosts one of the greatest private collections of Finnish art, including a wealth of works by modernist painter Helene Schjerfbeck. The gallery extension offers regular special exhibitions, while the house, formerly home to collectors Signe and Ane Gyllenberg, showcases artistic and design treasures of its own.

Located at Tarvaspää in Espoo, the Gallen-Kallela Museum is dedicated to Finnish painter Akseli Gallen-Kallela. The museum is housed within the artist’s former residence and studio, a castle-like building that he designed. Exhibits tell the life story of Gallen-Kallela and showcase his artwork and that of his contemporaries.

Helsinki’s most-Instagrammed café is a local institution, with roots stretching back to 1952. Perched right on the seafront at the southern end of Kaivopuisto Park, the café serves up sweeping views across the Helsinki archipelago—along with a range of sweet and savory treats.