SIGHTS & DESTINATIONS

CULTURE -MUSEUMS:

KIASMA -the New Museum for contemporary art: 
Second link

TENNISPALATSI (Tennis Palace Art Museum, Helsinki Art Museum HAM )
second link

For classical arts, check out:

Ateneum Art Museum -The Finnish National Gallery
Second link

TAIDEHALLI - Kunsthalle Second link
Nervanderinkatu 3, Helsinki
Tickets: -(358)- (0)9 40 450 7211

KANSALLISMUSEO  - The National Museum of Finland 
Second link

SUOMENLINNA MUSEUMS


KLUUVIN GALLERIA - GALLERY

THE FINNISH MUSEUM OF PHOTOGRAPHY
The Cable Factory - Kaapelitehdas
Address: Tallberginkatu 1 C 85, 00180 Helsinki
Email: fmp@fmp.fi

Lists/Links to: ART | GALLERIES | MUSEUMS

Good list of popular museums.

Selected Helsinki "Goodies" going on now. Courtesy of Helsnki City Museum.

ARCHITECTURE:

MUSEUM OF FINNISH ARCHITECTURE

LIBRARIES: For those of us who cannot get enough of books.

Rikhardinkatu library, around the corner of the Senate Square.  
On the upper right of the page there is a list of all Helsinki Libraries.
Second link to libraries. | 2nd list of libraries.

CULTURE -PERFORMING ARTS: Music, Theatre:

The new & popular HELSINKI MUSIC CENTER
Address: Helsingin Musiikkitalo Oy
Mannerheimintie 13a, 00100 Helsinki

Central location, easy to get to, close to all transportation. Neighboring landmarks: Across the street from the Parliament & nest to the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma.

FINLANDIA HALL - FINLANDIATALO
Second Link - Finlandia Hall on fb

KANSALLISOOPPERA ja BALETTI - FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA and BALLET
Their fb page

Check out the annual HELSINKI FESTIVAL

UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS
It's three branches:
SIBELIUS ACADEMY
ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
THEATRE/ THEATER ACADEMY
⇒Their current cultural events & news.

More information about HELSINKI MUSIC,
-Classical, jazz, rock, etc. Locations,
equipment, stores, dates, you name it.

THEATER VIIRUS
Address: Meritullinkatu 33 00170 Helsinki
Phone: -(358)- 09-440 224
Email: viirus[at]viirus.fi

PLENTY of information & links for 
POPULAR MUSIC VENUES: clubs & bars

GENERAL LINKS / CULTURE -MUSIC:

GOOD LIST of current cultural events.
Choose one genre or all, and the current events will show up below. You can also choose to have them shown on a map. Pretty cool.

See also: "WHAT'S ON" - current events.

HISTORIC ARTIST & DESIGNER HOME MUSEUMS, etc:

HVITTRÄSK a.k.a. Eliel Saarinen House
Address: Hvitträskintie 166
FI-02440 Luoma, Finland
Phone: -(358)- 9 4050 9630
Email: hvittrask@nba.fi

Built 1901-1903 by artists Eliel Saarinen, Herman Gesellius and Armas Lindgren. The National Romantic styled main building, was a studio / home for Eliel Saarinen & Armas Lindgren. Herman Gesellius lived in the courtyard building. Saarinen's residence now serves as the museum. Wonderful!
Hvitträsk on fb

Restaurant Hvitträsk
Address: Hvitträskintie 166, 02440 Luoma
Phone: -(358)- (0)9 297 6033
Email: myynti@ravintolahvittrask.fi

National Museum's list of its Museums, Manors and Castles. Plus online shop, etc.

List of Finnish CASTLES

Searchable MUSEUM COLLECTIONS in one website.

GENERAL LINKS / CULTURE -MUSIC:

"This is Finland" - ARTS & CULTURE links

The City of Helsinki Cultural Office, venues.

MunStadi / MyCity - website run by the City of Helsinki Youth Department, which offers information on recreational venues, hobbies and events as well as advice for young people living in Helsinki.
The site

Some Finnish museums on an interactive, enlargeable map. You can zoom in or out, and move the map. Click on the marks to get each museum's website. Same as a list, organized by location. COurtesy of the "Museum card".

PARKS - HELSINKI ISLANDS:

Movable, zoomable map of Helsinki and the archipelago surrounding Helsinki. and a
general map of the recreational islands surrounding Helsinki & Espoo, with a list of names of the islands.

SUOMENLINNA FORTRESS ISLAND
Historic sea fortress island (group), on the World Heritage List.
Second Link

See also: My Best Helsinki Photos 5:
Suomenlinna Fortress Island photos.

Center of Helsinki, viewed from Suomenlinna island. Click on photo:

For more images & views from Suomenlinna, see: MyBestHelsinki/Photos 5

UUNISAARI
Uunisaari on fb

Uunisaari is an easy, circa 3 minute long taxi boat ride from the popular Merisatama shore. There is a beach, nice walking paths, rolling, smooth rocks, and on the other side, the open sea. Get a blanket, some picnic food and your bathing suit. Your hotel or the travel information will give you directions.

Warmly recommended!


Aboard the little boat from Merisatama to the popular little island, Uunisaari, that is a city park. Travel time about 3 minutes.

Zoomable, movable coastal & archipelago map with lots of information. You can "see" all the way to Estonia.

Another COASTAL / ISLAND GUIDE, with images and info & taxi boat info in PDF form. Takes a while to download. Unfortunately in Finnish only, but the charts show timetables for various boats / various islands. At the end there is a map of the islands surrounding Helsinki.

Nice image and info brochure about Helsinki about Helsinki. Made me miss it so much! Wonderful! Take your time and "leaf" trough it.

And this right here is what I miss so, so much about Finland! Sniff...

Some Helsinki archipelago PUBLIC WATER TRANSPORT - info

LIUSKASAARI scroll down for info about Liuskasaari | Liuskasaari guest harbor | Liuskasaari on fb |Liuskasaari sailing club
From Uunisaari you can walk to Liuskasaari - or take a boat, also from Merisatama. The amazing thing is that all this stunningly beautiful nature & sea scape is virtually in the center of Helsinki. We used to go to these islands all the time, and still go when we visit in the summer.
Location on Map

Click photo for larger view:

Meditation on Liuskasaari island.

Forgot your picnic basket?
Try restaurant BOATHOUSE
Second Link

PIHLAJASAARI  -island. Web site in Finnish
only. But by clicking on the links you see different photos from the island. Wonderful! Picnic, swimming, sun bathing, camping, etc. Kids love it, and so do the adults. There is a cafe and a restaurant and a great terrace patio.
Some information about Pihlajasaari in English.

Beaches & Sauna
The main beach with its colorful changing booths
is a really nice place to swim. There is also a
sauna that can be privately rented.

Pihlajasaari consists of two separate islands
connected with a bridge. The islands can  be
reached by boat only. A privately-operated
commuter boat from Kaivopuisto gets you
there. Check out:
THE BOAT TO PIHLAJASAARI

Pihlajasaari picture gallery
(the background image of this page
is from Pihlajasaari)

Pihlaja = Rowan in English.
See picture of the Finnish Rowan tree.

SEURASAARI OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
Helsinki, Seurasaari Island.
Good second link w. images, by Seurasaari Foundation

A collection of historic buildings (18th to 20th century) from different parts of Finland, demonstrate life in the Finnish rural areas.

Unlike most other Helsinki islands, you do not need to take a boat to get here. There is an old quaint bridge, almost next to the bus stop.

Beautiful island, beautiful walk.

Seafood starter plate at Seurasaari Restaurant. Click photo.

List of islands managed "by others".

SAARI = ISLAND in Finnish.

SUMMER RESTAURANTS (on islands around Helsinki):

RESTAURANT SAARISTO on LUOTO/KLIPPAN island, in the South Harbor. An absolutely wonderful setting for a summer restaurant, on a tiny island in the South Harbor. A must.

CLICK ON PHOTO for place names

and a much larger view of Klippan island & surroundings.
location on map / image gallery
Address: Luoto, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5505
Email: sales at asrestaurants.com

NJK on VALKOSAARI in the South Harbor.
NJK homepage | Image gallery
Address: Valkosaari, 00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6128 6500
second link

BOATHOUSE on Liuskasaari Island.
Their fb page.
Address: Liuskasaari, FI-00140 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 6227 1070

Merikatu as viewed from Liuskasaari island.

SÄRKÄNLINNA event space.
Address: Särkänsaari, 00130 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 1345 6756
-our review on restaurant page 2 (from when it was still an ordinary restaurant. Too bad.)

Click photo for place names & larger view:

Taxi boat arriving at Särkkä Island pier.

CAFE CHAPMAN -on Suomenlinna Fortress Island - our review on restaurant page 2

WALHALLA -on Suomenlinna Fortress Island
Address: Suomenlinna A10, 00190 Helsinki
Phone / Fax: (358)- (0)9 - 668 552
Email: walhalla at kolumbus.fi second link

UUNISAARI
Address: Uunisaari, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 636 870

RESTAURANT SAARI -on Sirpalesaari Island
Address: Sirpalesaari, 00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)9 7425 5566

RESTAURANT PIHLAJASAARI -on Pihlajasaari Island. Island & restaurant images
Address: Pihlajasaari, FI-00150 Helsinki
Phone: (358)- (0)45-129 2000
(358)- (0)40-546 5350

OLD HELSINKI CENTER

The "Tori Quarters" - Tori Korttelit
("Tori" = Market square) are the historical center of Helsinki: The old town meets the new buzz of the city. Located close to the sea and the South and North Harbors, btwn the Market & Senate Squares, the Tori Quarters blend old and new. Popular area with bith locals and travelers.

Link to eateries and shopping, museums and other cool stuff in the area.

PARKS - GARDENS

ESPLANADE PARK - ESPLANADIN PUISTO.
A beautiful & essential part of the center of Helsinki.


ESPLANADE PARK BANDSTAGE - ESPLANADIN LAVA.

KAIVOPUISTO PARK - KAIVOPUISTO

KESKUSPUISTO - CENTRAL PARK - "Close to the Forest, Nature in the City"
Second link

WINTER GARDEN -TALVIPUUTARHA 
PDF Brochure & Images in Finnish & Swedish |
Winter Garden location on zoomable map with address, etc. |
second map


Töölö BAY - TÖÖLÖNLAHTI - On the map
- Second link to Töölö Bay
- Wikipedia info & photos | More photos

Nice images of Töölö bay on Google images

Google images of the Finlandia House concert Hall on Töölö Bay


Walking / biking routes in Helsinki. You can measure your distance by clicking once for starting point, drawing your route and double click for the end point.Some running events.

Pretty detailed walking / cycling map - possible routes in Helsinki and surrounding areas.

LIST of some HELSINKI PARKS.

RAKENNUSVIRASTO, general about parks.

List of Helsinki parks

GREEN HEARTS - guided walks trough Helsinki parks

DESTINATIONS - fun for kids & adults alike:

Sea Life Helsinki 
Voted one of the most popular places to visit.

Linnanmäki Amusement Park
Still very amusing.

Korkeasaari Zoo
Terrific place to visit any time of the year. Getting there is already fun: since it is located on an island (Korkeasaari means, after all, High Island), you get there by a small ferry and get to enjoy the beautiful sea views of central Helsinki. The ferry leaves from
Another way to get to the Zoo, is via Kulosaari,
a suburb that is located close to the
center of Helsinki. From Kulosaari you can "island hop", i.e. walk (or drive) over a bridge to

Mustikkamaa
(Blueberry land) island, which is a popular picnic &
recreation destination for locals;  and again, walk over another  bridge, to Korkeasaari Zoo. It is quite a schlep, but if you love walking, and like to see areas outside the center, why not.

Helsinki saunas | SAUNA INFO

SAUNA SOCIETY

Public Swimming indoor pools.
Outdoor pools & public beaches in Helsinki

OLYMPIC STADIUM  -OLYMPIASTADION

KAAPELITEHDAS art & culture center
Historic cable factory (designed by architect 
Wäinö G. Palmquist & built 1939-1944) 
turned culture factory.
Great.
Unfortunately their English web site is not. But you
can call them and ask which activities, courses 
(including for children) or events & exhibitions are 
going on, or starting in the near future.

Mailing address: Tallberginkatu 1 C 15, 
FI-00180 Helsinki.
The administration office of Cable Factory is  
located on the 2nd floor. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm.
Information: (358) - (0)9 -4763 8300 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm),  fax (358) - (0)9-4763 8383
E-mail: kaapeli@kaapelitehdas.fi
Event Calendar 

There is also a popular cafe & restaurant, "Hima & Sali"  at Kaapelitehdas.

Kaapelitehdas address:
Tallberginkatu 1 C 15, Helsinki 00180, Finland
Tel: (358) - (0)9 4763 8305

SCIENCE - kids & adults:

HEUREKA SCIENCE CENTER 
Fun & interesting & entertaining
for adults and children alike.

ARKKI -ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL for CHILDREN & YOUTH.
Offers clubs & classes in a variety of artistic activities, includes among others, a HUT BUILDING DAY CAMP. Located in the Kaapelitehdas building.

Address: Tallberginkatu 1 C 106, 5th Floor
00180 Helsinki, Tel: (358)- (0)9 685 642
e-mail: arkki@co.inet.fi
Arkki on fb

THEATER & PERFORMANCE, ETC:

SUVILAHTI
Old electric power plant - turned event space, etc.. Located in the Sörnäinen district of Helsinki, next to Suvilahti Bay. Cool place to see theatre, performances, etc.

KORJAAMO Culture Factory. Also cool.

DESTINATIONS - great for walking:

List of MARKETS and MARKET HALLS.

MARKET SQUARE by the SOUTH HARBOR
MARKET SQUARE = KAUPPATORI in Finnish.

- Wikipedia link

The busy Market Square by the South Harbor. You can buy fruit, berries, vegetables, fish, bread, flowers, clothes, artifacts, etc. There are several food stands, offering surprisingly  tasty food, and also very popular outdoor cafes.


Havis Amanda 
statue & fountain
at the Helsinki South
Harbor Market Square.


MORE WALKING,
IN DIFFERENT
NEIGHBORHOODS,
center column.
 

SENAATINTORI - The Senate Square

VANHA KAUPPAHALLI - THE OLD MARKET HALL

HAKANIEMEN KAUPPAHALLI - HAKANIEMI MARKET HALL

HAKANIEMEN TORI - HAKANIEMI MARKET SQUARE

HIETALAHDEN KAUPPAHALLI - HIETALAHTI ANTIQUE & ART HALL
second link

HIETALAHDEN TORI - HIETALAHTI MARKET SQUARE

Culinary & Cultural Events / Spaces:

The TEURASTAMO area - for City and Food culture or just to relax in a hammock or beach chair. Second link for the area

NEIGHBORHOODS, great for walking:

-PUNAVUORI Punavuori info

-KAIVOPUISTO Kaivopuisto info

-ULLANLINNA Ullanlinna info

- EIRA Eira info


Walking in Merisatama, in Eira.

- KATAJANOKKA :

Katajanokka is filled with
 gorgeous Art Noveau
 (i.e. Jugend) buildings.
 click for larger view
Katajanokka info.



- KRUUNUNHAKA:

Kruununhaka info

-TÖÖLÖ Töölö info

...and yes: SUOMENLINNA, which is not just a historic sea fortress island (group), but also a neighborhood where people live. Visitor center
Suomenlinna info


Images & views from Suomenlinna, see: My Best Helsinki / Photos 5 Suomenlinna is quite a popular picnic / walking destination among Helsinki natives.

One of our favorite walking routes in Helsinki starts from the area of the Esplanade Park, via the South Harbor Market Square.

It mostly follows the shoreline, past Kaivopuisto to Ullanlinna and to Eira and beyond.

Sometimes we walk all the way past Hietalahti Market and back to the center along Bulevardi (the Boulevard) and bringing us back to Mannerheimintie (Mannerheim Street) and the Esplanade Park.

HERE, a great HELSINKI MAP, so that you can see where you are.
Very easy to use. Have fun.

Also, a link to our Photo Page 2, where most of the photos are taken while walking along this route. Remember to click on the photos, most of which open to a very large view, some with text.

Guide to DIFFERENT TOURS in HELSINKI

Click photo for place  names & larger view.

SPORTS

DIFFERENT SPORTING SERVICES offered by the city of Helsinki.

WINTER HELSINKI

LIKE SKATING? Check out ICE PARK skating rink - right next to the central railway station.
And other SKATING RINKS around Helsinki.

"CHEAP" THRILLS:

HELSINKI TRAMS - Timetables, Route maps, Tickets, etc. Helsinki transportation customer service.

Journey Planner

Route map with stops. You can zoom in our out.

Tram route map. Type in the number of the tram& hit search: it will give you the route. Different tram lines

The red brick Market Hall on the right is a delightful place to shop for food, snacks, goodies, to grab a small bite or a cup of coffee or tea, or to just browse. You could even shop for picnic food here, before heading out for one of the pretty islands.

SPÅRAKOFF -tram. The beer pub on "wheels", or the "bar on the move". It offers a sightseeing tour of the city that takes a little less than an hour, during which the passengers can enjoy refreshments.
second link.

"Spåra" is a Finnish slang word for tram. It is derived from the Swedish word "spårvagn" (transliteration = rail wagon) The Finnish word is "raitiovaunu".

VISITOR INFO -

How to use local transportation

FINNISH TRAMWAY SOCIETY

Tram Route 4 - for architecture buffs

Tram Route 6 - for Design & Food enthusiasts

HELSINKI METRO:
Route map, Timetables, etc.
Second link Click on the metro line you need.

Helsinki.fi page with a wide variety of information, to tourists and residents alike.

Helsinki University attractions - visiting

Helsinki University News - page, articles in Finnish, sorry.

SHOPPING (a.k.a. NOT such cheap thrills):

SHOPPING ALONG THE ESPLANADE:

You could walk the length of Pohjoisesplanadi (the North Esplanade, which is a great shopping street, and not very long:

Start from Mannerheimintie and stroll at your leisure, out the different design shops, and enjoy a nice bite, at some of the splendid cafes or little restaurants on your way.

When you arrive at the South Harbor Market Square you have reached the end of the Esplanade. The Market Square also is a nice place to check out -and to do some shopping. You can stroll back along the other side of the Esplanade Park (South Esplanade -Eteläesplanadi).

Btw. While walking along the North Esplanade, you will pass the historic Kämp hotel (the composer Jean Sibelius & his cultural crowd used to hang out at Kämp bar). Kämp has been on Conde Nast Travelers 
Top World hotels -list for years now.


BUT IF YOU PREFER TO SHOP AT A DEPARTMENT STORE, GO TO: Stockmann (the Bloomingdales of Helsinki).

And IF YOU REALLY WANT TO GO CRAZY, CHECK OUT KAMPPI SHOPPING CENTER

FOR TABLEWARE & KITCHEN STUFF:

ARABIA Beautiful Finnish Tableware
Arabia's MOOMIN TROLL tableware collection(We have a lot of them :-)

HACKMANN

IITTALA - Store in Helsinki

Iittala Factory Outlets
Arabiakeskus (= Arabia center, i.e. the factory)
Hämeentie 135, 00560 Helsinki
tel +358 (0)204 39 3507
fax +358 (0)204 39 3511
Email shop.arabia-helsinki@iittala.com

SHOPPING MAP
Hover over the dots on the map, and it will display the name of a store / business. If you click on a dot, information with the exact street address, telephone number and URL for the business will show in a dialog box. Nice.
It also has a "photo" option, showing you photos of different targets, like architectural sites. Hover over the text tag on the upper right corner of the map, and the tag will open up to give you more options, like displaying photos on the map. Click on the image and it will enlarge.

FOR TRENDIER SHOPPING:

The shopping map above does not list every new shop or boutique. For trendier shopping / brands & occasional unique finds, we recommend walking along Uudenmaankatu, Fredrikinkatu & Eerikinkatu.
(katu = street)  

Periodically, these shops have great sales.

Check out these examples:

ASUNA Fredrikinkatu 24,
00120 Helsinki, Tel (09) 611 543  
second link

GAUDETE (Fredrikinkatu 35,
00120 Helsinki, Tel (09) 608 635

SAMUJI - two locations:
SAMUJI ESPA - Pohjoisesplanadi 37, 00100 Helsinki
Tel +358 40 140 3280, Email: espa@samuji.com

SAMUJI EROTTAJA Erottajankatu 9, 00130 Helsinki
Tel +358 40 350 7976, Email: erottaja@samuji.com
Samuji on fb

Also check out, in different location:
BEAMHILL Yliopistonkatu 5, 00100
Helsinki, Tel +358 (0)9 622 2653


DESIGN DISTRICT HELSINKI
Represents a wide array of Finnish quality design, consisting of fashion stores, museums, art galleries, design and antique shops, showrooms and even restaurants and hotels in a relatively small area in the center of Helsinki.

Design District promises "interesting names, classics, trend-setters and so much more ..."


MORE SHOPPING RESOURCES

BUILDINGS - GOVERNMENT:

PARLIAMENT EDUSKUNTA in Finnish (RIKSDAGEN in Swedish)
second link



PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - PRESIDENTIN LINNA
twitter images: - Presidential Palace and its surroundings.

Midnight sun in Helsinki North Harbor. In background, various icebreakers.
Click image for a larger view.

Old lighthouse on Suomenlinna Fortress island.

Link to lighthouse / church. The church steeple houses a beacon for air and sea traffic. The beacon emits four consecutive blinks which in Morse code stands for the letter H, for Helsinki. Wikipedia link with more info.

A LINK to Finnish Lighthouse Society, unfortunately mostly in Finnish. Here a page with links to (on the left) to different lighthouses. Click on their names for photos of each individual lighthouse.

Another list of Finland's lighthouses. Some of them have images.

Bengtskär Lighthouse Just stunning. Second link.

Utö Lighthouse Utö 2 = map of island w. info, photos etc.
A few more links to some lighthouses
Finland's Lighthouses on a map

BUILDINGS - CHURCHES:

USPENSKI ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL (in Finnish only)
Second Link

TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH
a.k.a ”the Rock Church” wikipedia link see image, above.

OLD CHURCH - VANHA KIRKKO
See photos of the pretty old church on My Best Helsinki photos 4 -page

HELSINKI CATHEDRAL , a.k.a. "THE DOME"
Second Link

KALLIO CHURCH KALLION KIRKKO
Second Link

Uspenski Cathedral, designed by A. M. Gornostajev, built in 1868. It is the largest Eastern Orthodox church in Europe. Click photo to enlarge.