MY BEST HELSINKI SIGHTS, DESTINATIONS & ATTRACTIONS  
WHAT TO SEE, WHERE TO GO & HOW TO GO, IN HELSINKI
CULTURE -museums, music  »  historic artist home museums  »  PARKS & GARDENS  » PARKS- islands. » DESTINATIONS -kids & adults » 
SCIENCE - kids & adults  »  KAAPELITEHDAS CULTURE FACTORY-kids & adults »  DESTINATIONS for walking. »
NEIGHBORHOODS -walking  »  CHEAP THRILLS  »  SHOPPING - DESIGN  »  BUILDINGS -government  » churches. »  COMING & GOING  »


MORE MY BEST HELSINKI: HOME  RESTAURANTS 1  RESTAURANTS 2  RESTAURANTS 3  PHOTOS 1  PHOTOS 2  PHOTOS 3  PHOTOS 4  HELSINKI ARCHITECTURE 
 MY BEST HELSINKI - PHOTOS 5 - Images from Suomenlinna Fortress Island           ACROSS THE POND:  
Most photos on My Best Helsinki can be viewed in a larger format by clicking on the photos.
Please see copyright notice on bottom of the page.

DOWN
CULTURE
MUSEUMS:		 MUSIC:

GOOD LIST of current CULTURAL EVENTS

KIASMA -the New Museum for contemporary art: 
Second link

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

For classical arts, check out:

Ateneum Art Museum  -The Finnish National Gallery
Second link

TAIDEHALLI - Kunsthalle

KANSALLISMUSEO  -The National Museum of Finland 
Second link


SUOMENLINNA MUSEUM


KLUUVI GALLERIA

Links to lists of: ART  GALLERIES  MUSEUMS

FINLANDIA HALL - FINLANDIATALO
Second Link

KANSALLISOOPPERA - FINNISH NATIONAL OPERA
Second Link

Chock out the annual HELSINKI FESTIVAL

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

PLENTY of information & links for 

  CULTURE 
  - HISTORIC ARTIST & DESIGNER HOME MUSEUMS, etc:

GOOD LIST of current CULTURAL EVENTS

HVITTRÄSK a.k.a. Eliel Saarinen House
Address: Hvitträskintie 166
FI-02440 Luoma, Finland
Tel. +358 9 4050 9630
Fax +358 9 4050 963
E-mail: 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.
Via Michelin link 

Restaurant Hvitträsk
Hvitträskintie 166, 02440 Luoma
Phone: +358 (0)9 297 60 33
Email: myynti@ravintolahvittrask.fi

museot ja linnat  

MUSEUMS & CASTLES 




SEURASAARI OPEN-AIR MUSEUM
Helsinki, Seurasaari Island.

A collection of historic buildings (18th to
20th cewntury) 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.


Merikatu as viewed from Liuskasaari island.
Merikatu, Eira, as viewed from Liuskasaari island.

PARKS & GARDENS:

DOWN
TOP

LIST of HELSINKI PARKS

RAKENNUSVIRASTO, general about parks



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


ESPLANADE PARK BANDSTAGE - ESPLANADIN LAVA



 
KAIVOPUISTO PARK - KAIVOPUISTO
 View from Kaivopuisto park toward Uunisaari Island
Click on image
Second Link



KAISANIEMI PARK  -KAISANIEMEN PUISTO


SIBELIUS PARK -SIBELIUSPUISTO


of Helsinki - KESKUSPUISTO



SPORTS & RECREATION
WINTER GARDEN  -TALVIPUUTARHA 
Second link - Winter Garden


TÖÖLÖ BAY - TÖÖLÖNLAHTI


TÖÖLÖ BAY  - FINLANDIAPARK
TÖÖLÖNLAHTI-FINLADIAPUISTO
Images of the present and the future, 
including some arial views

Fitness trails close to Töölö Bay.
(Move the cursor over the "Easy-Medium-Difficult" signs.)


VIIKKI TORPICAL GARDEN: GARDENIA
second link


 Center of Helsinki, viewed from Suomenlinna island. Click on photo: 
 Helsinki's South Harbor with islands, ships and lanmark buildings in view.
For more images & views from Suomenlinna, see: MyBestHelsinki/Photos 5
PARKS - PART TWO - HELSINKI ISLANDS:
                                                                                                       



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

See also:


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

-on Suomenlinna
 Fortress Island
second link

   


                

UUNISAARI -sorry, in Finnish only.
second link (in English)





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

LIUSKASAARI
Location on Map




Click photo for larger view:
 
Meditation on Liuskasaari island.


Forgot your picnic basket?
Try restaurant BOATHOUSE
Second Link
third link
great images of Boathouse
                                       

        
We often hop on board a taxi boat to get out to one of the beautiful public islands,
which are city parks. The sea is usually quite clean, so many people swim off the islands.




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.
PIHLLAJASAARI some infor 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 pihalajsaari)

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


Helsinki parks:
history, pictures & Finnish text
TOP
DOWN


KLIPPAN  in the South Harbor.
Click photo for place names & larger view:
 Klippan island
location on map


VALKOSAARI in the South Harbor. 
If you get an urge for fine dining
while there, try your luck at
Restaurant   NJK     Restaurant NJK



SÄRKÄNLINNA  restaurant
second link
-our review on  restaurant page 2

Click photo for place names & larger view:

Taxi boat arriving at Särkkä Island pier.


DESTINATIONS - fun for kids & adults alike:




Korkeasaari Zoo
Second Link
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
the Market Square.

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 Beaches

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

Linnanmäki Amusement Park
Second Link
Still very amusing.



OLYMPIC STADIUM  -OLYMPIASTADION
Second Link

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


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: +358-9-4763 8300 (Mon-Fri 8am-6pm), 
fax +358-9-4763 8383
E-mail: kaapeli@kaapelitehdas.fi

For a list of which artists, schools, classes, enterprises & 
other creative entities, etc., function in the building,
click here and then click on the 3 different groups of
letters. Some of these entities offer different courses in 
art, architecture, or a variety of artistic or engaging 
physical activities for children

Event Calendar 

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

Kaapelitehdas address:
Tallberginkatu 1 C 15, Helsinki 00180, Finland
Tel: +358 9 4763 8305
TOP


ARKKI -ARCHITECTURE SCHOOL for CHILDREN & YOUTH.
Offers clubs & classes in a variety of artistic activites,
includes among others, a HUT BUILDING DAY CAMP.
Located in the Kaapelitehdas building.
Address:
Tallberginkatu 1 C 106, 5th Floor
00180 Helsinki, Tel: +358 9 685 642
e-mail: arkki@co.inet.fi


INFORMATION ABOUT: emergency numbers, some hospitals,
pharmacy, lost & found, post, taxi info, currency exchange,
some banks, public restrooms, etc

DOWN

DESTINATIONS  - great for walking:


List of MARKETS and MARKET HALLS.



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



Helsinki Market Square   
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.

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




     MORE WALKING, IN DIFFERENT   
      NEIGHBORHOODS, JUST BELOW:  
 

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




Click photo for place 
names & larger view.
Pink cloud over the Uspenski Cathedral
TOP
DOWN


NEIGHBORHOODS, great for walking:

-PUNAVUORI

-KAIVOPUISTO

-ULLANLINNA

-EIRA


Walking in Meristama, in Eira.
-KATAJANOKKA:
Walk in the old part of Katajanokka, if you have the time.
 Katajanokka is filled with
 gorgeous Art Noveau
 (i.e. Jugend) buildings.
 click for larger view




- KRUUNUHAKA:
Historic Kruunuhaka neighborhood, Helsinki

-TÖÖLÖ
...and yes:


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. ("lähennä" = "zoom in" &
                      "loitonna" = "zoom out".
         Various neighborhooods are listed as links.)

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.

     
-SUOMENLINNA, which is not just a historic sea
fortress island (group), but also a neighborhood where
people live.

Cannon with flowers, suomelinna, Helsinki
Images & views from Suomenlinna, see: My Best Helsinki / Photos 5

"CHEAP" THRILLS:


SIGHTSEEING BY 3T / 3B tram & 3T / 3B ROUTE MAP
Actually, it is both a brochure & map. Scroll down one click
to page two, and you will see the route.

The tram runs in a loop, shaped like an 8. This is the chepest
and most efficient way to see Helsinki and locals. Click on link
above for information about the route, and how to get a route
map, other tram routes, tickets, etc, etc..

Tram 3B at the Eteläranta stop, in Helsinki
The red brick Market Hall on the right is a delightful
place to shop for food, snakcs, 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.

ROUTE MAP FOR ALL TRAMS
SPÅRAKOFF -tram. The beer pub on "wheels". 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. Scroll down to "A restaurant on wheels"

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

VISITOR INFO - bus, tram, metro

FINNISH TRAMWAY SOCIETY    


 Misty & rainy mordnig views from Kruunuhaka, looking
 over Helsinki's North Harbor toward Katajanokka:  
  Mist over North Harbor in Helsinki
   CLICK ON PHOTO FOR A LARGER VIEW.
TOP

DOWN

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, 
checking 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
the new

FOR TABLEWARE & KITCHEN STUFF:

ARABIA Beautiful Finnish Tableware
Arabia's MOOMIN TROLL tableware collection.

HACKMANN

IITTALA  -  Stores in Helsinki   IITTALA -ARABIA

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
Outlet web-page: www.iittalaoutlet.fi  sorry, Finnish only.
SHOPPING MAP When there, choose English, if needed.
If you click on the "Shops by Street"- option, the map
will show you dots on the map, and if you place the
arrow on a dot, it will tell you the name of the store.


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 3 examples:

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

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

MYYMÄLÄ 2  Uudenmaankatu 23,
Helsinki, tel + 358 (0)41  7832327

Also check out, in different location:

BEAMHILL   Yliopistonkatu 7, 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:
Old lighthouse on Suomenlinna Fortress island.



PARLIAMENT   EDUSKUNTA in Finnish   (RIKSDAGEN in Swedish)
second link    info in Finnish  



PRESIDENTIAL PALACE - PRESIDENTIN LINNA
second link: - Panoramic view of the Presidential Palace 
and its surroundings.
 Lighthouse on Suomenlinna
Link to lighthouse.      

A WONDERFUL LINK to Finland's lighthouses. Map of Finland's
coasts (western & southern) with marked locations. You can
also click on the names of the different lighthouses on the
list of lighthouses. 

The Finnish Lighthouse Society.
DOWN
TOP
BUILDINGS - CHURCHES:



USPENSKI ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL
(in Finnish only)
 Second Link



TEMPPELIAUKIO CHURCH
a.k.a ”the Rock Church”



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



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



KALLIO CHURCH  - KALLION KIRKKO 
Second Link 



Something missing? Cannot find your favorite 
place to visit in Helsinki? Please let us know 
and we will add it to My Best Helsinki.
  Uspenski Cathedral Helsinki    





  Lutheran Dome, Helsinki                   		 OTHER SIGHTS

Rock_Church_Helsinki. Photo copyright Annu Lilja 2008 -
Helsinki's "Church in the Rock", in Finnish:
Temppeliaukion Kirkko. A.k.a. Rock Church.


If you encounter a link that does not work
that we have not noticed yet, we will be happy
to fix it as soon as we hear from you. Thank You.

coming & going 
(transportation to & from the airport):

          

The Finnair bus from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to 
the center of Helsinki (to the railway station, which 
is the last stop) takes about 35-40 minutes each 
way. To be on the safe side, reserve 1 hour each 
way, since especially if the trip is to be made during 
a rush hour.  Link to time table.




The Helsinki-Vantaa airport check in is usually very 
efficient, so we have never had to endure any super 
long waits in a check-in line.  (Nothing close to the 
abysmal waits here in NYC).
For all your transportation needs,

Coming? Going? Feel like a longer day trip is in order?
Check out:
FINNAIR  or  SAS.

including airport info,  see our
HOTELS, TRANSIT & TRAVEL SERVICES   -page.
TOP
MORE MY BEST HELSINKI: HOME  RESTAURANTS 1  RESTAURANTS 2  RESTAURANTS 3  PHOTOS 1  PHOTOS 2  PHOTOS 3  PHOTOS 4  HELSINKI ARCHITECTURE 
 MY BEST HELSINKI - PHOTOS 5 - Images from Suomenlinna Fortress Island           ACROSS THE POND:  

top
 

WE APOLOGIZE FOR THE LARGE WATERMARKS ON OUR PHOTOS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE  IGNORANT ABOUT
COPYRIGHT LAWS AND MISTAKENLY THINK THAT IMAGES ON THE WEB ARE UP FOR GRABS. AS IT HAS TURNED OUT, OUR PHOTOS HAVE BEEN
STOLEN A LOT, ESPECIALLY THE "HELSINKI SOPHIA STREET DOME"- PHOTO ON OUR HOME PAGE.
KINDLY REMEMBER:
All photos & images, including enlarged pop-up photos,  images, content & design on this page and on all My Best Helsinki pages, are privately
owned, copyrighted work © R.C.C.Gelber 1999, 2000-2009, 2010 and / or © Annu Lilja 1999, 2000-2009, 2010.  Any copying, printing,
re-production, posting or displaying of ANY of the photos on ANY of MY BEST HELSINKI pages, in any form, is strictly forbidden.
If you are interested in purchasing a photograph, please contact us. Thank You.