Sightseeing OverviewThe central hub of Helsinki is around the bustling seafront
Kauppatori (Market Square). Here, locals gather to lunch, shop for fresh fish and vegetables and buy produce from the market stalls. From this point, the architectural heart of Helsinki,
Senaatintori (Senate Square), is a five-minute walk away. The best overview of the city is from its tallest building,
Hotel Torni, from where it is easy for one to see Helsinki’s most noted landmarks. These include Alvar Aalto’s
Finlandia Hall and Steven Holl’s arc
of a building,
Kiasma, the contemporary art gallery. A good way for tourists to get orientated and see the sights is to hop on tram 3T, which takes in most of the main attractions.
Tourist InformationCity of Helsinki Tourist Office Pohjoisesplanadi 19
Tel: (09) 169 3757. Fax: (09) 169 3839.
E-mail:
tourist.info@hel.fi Website:
www.hel.fi/tourism Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-2000, Sat and Sun 0900-1800 (May-Sep); Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr).
PassesThe
Helsinki Card (website:
www.helsinkiexpert.fi/helsinkicard/) entitles visitors to free travel on the buses, trams, trains and metro. A discount on a sightseeing tour, free admittance to museums and other places of interest; special discounts at restaurants, theaters, concerts and the opera, as well as gifts at department stores are also offered. The pass is valid for one day at a cost of €25, two days at €35 or three days at €45 (concessions available). It is available at the Tourist Office, the Hotel Booking Center, travel agencies, city center kiosks and hotels. The price includes a guide book in four languages.
Key Attractions:Senaatintori (Senate Square) Helsinki’s neo-classical heart dates from the first half of the 19th century and was built by Carl Ludvig Engel, a native of Berlin. As he was also largely responsible for St Petersburg’s architecture, the square has doubled up as a backdrop for Cold War spy-espionage films, such as
Gorky Park (1983),
Reds (1981) and
White Nights (1985). The buildings that border the square include the white-domed
Tuomiokirkko (a Lutheran cathedral, consecrated in 1852), the
Government Palace and the
University Library. In the center of the square stands a statue of Tsar Alexander II, cast in 1894.
Senaatintori
Sederholm Talo (Sederholm House) Just near Senate Square, this stone building is the oldest in Helsinki (1757). Built in 18th-century Rococo style,
Sederholm Talo has been turned into a museum that documents the life of Johan Sederholm, a Counsellor of Commerce who lived in the early part of the 18th century.
Aleksanterinkatu 16-18
Tel: (09) 169 3625.
Website:
www.hel.fi/kaumuseo/english/sederholmintalo.html Opening hours: Sun-Thur 1100-1600 (Jan-Jun and Aug-Dec). Closed Fri-Sat.
Admission charge (free on Thursdays).
Kauppatori (Market Square) The
Market Square (or ‘fish market’) is located on the seafront and is where the locals lunch on cheap eats, including freshly caught salmon steaks and reindeer meat. It is a great spot for tourists to find souvenirs like Russian fur hats, carved wooden bowls, gloves and hats knitted on the spot, reindeer skins and Lapp hunting knives. Additionally, an undercover market is just 100m (328ft) away, selling similar fare. The
Market Hall is a great stop for souvenirs such as dried reindeer salami and
Finlandia vodka (at the
Alko).
Kauppatori
Opening hours: Mon- Fri 0630-1800, Sat 0800-1600, Sun 1000-1700 (late May-Sep).
Temppeliaukion Kirkko (Temppeliaukio Church) The ‘Church in the Rock’, designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen, was consecrated in 1969. The church is built into solid rock, with the inner wall left raw and unfinished, and is crowned with a solid copper dome. The wall surrounding the church is made from rock quarried on the site.
Lutherinkatu 3 (entrance is at the end of Fredikinkatu)
Tel: (09) 494 698.
Opening hours: (may vary) Mon and Wed 1000-1700, Tue 1000-1245 and 1415-1700, Thu-Fri 1000-2000, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1145-1345 and 1530-1800.
Free admission.
Sibelius Monumentti (Sibelius Monument) Hundreds of steel pipes shaped by sculptor Eila Hiltunen make up the impressive monument to the famous Finnish composer, Jean Sibelius (1865-1957). A rebel under oppressive Russian rule, Sibelius wrote tunes that have become synonymous with Finnish patriotism – ‘Finlandia’ came to symbolise the Finnish struggle for independence. A journey to this monument is a pilgrimage for most Finns.
Sibelius Park, Töölö, between Topeliuksenkatu and Mechelininkatu
Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk.
Free admission.
Kiasma (Contemporary Art Museum) This stunning building, built by award-winning architect Steven Holl, is a sculpture in itself. The museum showcases the best in Finnish and international contemporary art since the 1960s, with approximately 4,000 pieces on display at any one time. It has a designer café and an excellent bookshop.
Mannerheiminaukio 2
Tel: (09) 1733 6501.
Website:
www.kiasma.fi Opening hours: Tues 0900-1700, Wed-Sun 1000-2030 (may vary).
Admission charge.
Taideteolisuusmuseo (Design Museum) This interesting city center museum tracks the history of Finnish design and art, showcasing the works of Kaj Franck, Timo Sarpaneva, Alvar and Aino Aalto and others. It also features special events throughout the year, a café with chairs by legendary designer Yrjö Kukkapuro and a shop selling local crafts.
Korkeavuorenkatu 23
Tel: (09) 622 0540.
Website:
www.designmuseum.fi Opening hours: Tues 1100-2000, Wed-Sun 1100-1800 (Sep-May); Daily 1100-1800 (Jun-Aug).
Admission charge.
Mannerheim Museo This fascinating museum was the home of the much-celebrated C G E Mannerheim. Born in 1867, he served for over 30 years in the Russian Imperial Army, leading Finland to independence in a bloody civil war that saw 30,000 Finns killed in 108 days. Mannerheim served as a commander-in-chief, a regent and as president.
Kalliolinnantie 14, Kaivopuisto Park
Tel: (09) 635 443.
Website:
www.mannerheim-museo.fi Opening hours: Fri-Sun (plus Jun 4 and Dec 6) 1100-1600.
Admission charge.
Finlandia-
Talo (Finlandia Hall) Finlandia Hall is Helsinki’s conference and concert hub. The hall was built in 1971 and is one of Alvar Aalto’s most famous works. It is also home to the
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, founded by Robert Kajanus in 1882. The hall is a great place for one to hear Finland’s finest musicians as well as appreciate the distinctive, angular architecture employed in Aalto’s buildings.
Mannerheimintie 13
Tel: (09) 40241.
Website:
www.finlandia.hel.fi Opening hours: During events (guided tours by appointment).
Admission charge for tours.
Finlands Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Finland) Located opposite Finlandia Hall about 10 minutes’ walk from the city center, this museum contains rich archaeological and ethnographic collections, depicting Finnish life from prehistory to the present day. Some of the most interesting exhibits are those on the culture of the Sami people of Lapland. Guided tours available.
Mannerheimintie 34
Tel: (09) 4050 9544.
Website:
www.nba.fi Opening hours: Tues-Wed 1100-2000, Thurs-Sun 1100-1800. Closed Mon.
Admission charge.
Further Distractions:Kotiharju Sauna No trip to Finland is complete without a sauna. This was once where women gave birth and the Finns still see it as a refuge and a place to rejuvenate the body and soul. This 72-year-old sauna is the last wood-heated public sauna in the downtown area. There are separate saunas for women and men.
Harjutorinkatu 1
Tel: (09) 753 1535.
Opening hours: Tues-Fri 1400-2000, Sat 1300-1900.
Admission charge.
Sea Life Helsinki An alternative to Helsinki’s cultural and architectural attractions located in Linnanmäki Amusement Park. Baltic marine biology is spotlighted by modern aquarium technology, including underwater tunnel walks. Daily fish feeding sessions provide additional entertainment, and guided tours are available by arrangement
Tivoiltie 10
Tel: (09) 565 8200.
Website:
www.sealifehelsinki.fi Opening hours: From 1000 daily.
Admission charge.
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