Helsinki Things to Do Tips by martin_nl

Kiasma Museum

Kiasma Museum is Helsinki's museum of contemporary art. Even if you don't like museums this one is great!! You can see the weirdest things here. Check out my travelogue about this museum.

Address: Mannerheiminaukio 2

Directions: Near shopping street Aleksanderinkatu and opposite the Parliament building.

Olympic Stadium Olympic stadium Review

In 1952 the Olympic Summer Games were held in Helsinki. The Stadium is still in great condition and is still used. Right next to the stadium is the Olympic Tower, from where you can see all of Helsinki. Come here when the sun is at it's highest point in the sky to make the best pictures! Entrance fee for the tower is 2 EUR.

Address: Pohjoinen Stadiontie 3 B

Directions: There are several trams and buses going to the stadium.

Phone: 477 8480

Bank of Finland

The building for the Bank of Finland was designed by the German architect Ludwig Bohnstedt and completed in 1882. An extra wing was added in the 1960s. In front of the bank is the monument of J.V. Snellman.

Address: Snellmaninkatu

Directions: Behind the Lutheran Cathedral on the Snellman Square and opposite the House of Estates.

J.V. Snellman monument

J.V. Snellmann is the founder of the Finnish Mark which in it's time replaced the Russian Ruble as the national currency. Nowadays the Mark is replaced by the Euro.

Address: Snellmaninkatu

Directions: The monument is situated right behind the Lutheran Cathedral, in front of the Bank of Finland.

Sibelius Park

Here in the park you will see the Sibelius Monument by Eila Hiltunen (1967), a memorial of welded steel reminiscent of organ pipes, with a bust of the composer on one side. Jean Sibelius is by far the best-known Finnish composer and the Sibelius Monument one of the most popular sights in Helsinki. When the wind is blowing hard it is said there is a whistling noise coming from the monument!

Address: Mechelininkatu

Directions: Take bus 18 from the Railway Square.

Temppeliaukio Church Temppeliaukio (Rock) Church Review

This church was built inside a rock, by the architects Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen and it was finished in 1969. Besides that being quite impressive the roof on the inside is made of 30 km. copper wire! Because of its unusual architecture, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Helsinki. Make sure to come early to avoid the buses filled with tourists.

Address: Lutherinkatu

Directions: Tram lines 3T, 3B, and bus routes 14, 14B, 18, 32, 39, 39A, 39V, 45-47, 70T, will all take you to the church.

University Library

The University Library dating from 1844 is considered one of Engel’s most beautiful works. It is a splendid example of non-ecclesiastic Finnish interior architecture and one of the most beautiful sets of rooms in Helsinki open to the public. The building designed by Engel is, however, only a small part of the library. There are also books in the semi-circular section overlooking the courtyard, in the basement and outside Helsinki. On the outside wall, in the shade of a horse chestnut tree, is a bronze bust of Tsar Alexander I, “Father of the University”. During the years of Russian rule it presided over the main hall of the University.

Address: Unioninkatu

Directions: Facing the Lutheran Cathedral take the street that passes it on the left side. On your left hand in Unionkatu is the University Library.

Esplanade Park Esplanadi Boulevard Review

Esplanade Park, which together with Senate Square and the Market Square constitutes the most distinctive part of Helsinki’s historical centre. It first featured in the town plan of J.A. Ehrenström in 1812 and has, right from the start, been a popular place for a stroll with the people of Helsinki. You can find the tourist information office on the Esplanadi, and also Finlands most expensive and luxurious hotel, the Kämp Hotel. Next to the hotel you will find the entrance to a shopping mall, with great stores, and also the Moomin Shop.
In the Park are a lot sculptures. In the centre of the park is a statue of J.L. Runeberg (1804-1877), Finland’s national poet and author of the Finnish national anthem, sculpted by his son Walter in 1885. In summer there are concerts daily at the Esplanade bandstand. On either side of the bandstand are fountains and statues by Viktor Jansson (Fish Boys and Water Nymphs, 1942)

Address: Esplanadi

Directions: From Market Square you can walk right into the Esplanade Park.

Sofiankatu Museums

The house at Sofiankatu 4 designed by Lars Sonck now houses a branch of the City Museum. Here you can see how Helsinki developed throughout the history. Very interseting if you want to know more about the city. Actually the whole street is a museum. It is called the Helsinki Street Museum. It presents the history of street building and furniture in Helsinki. The Street Museum is open 24/7.

Address: Sofiankatu 4

Directions: The statue of Alexander II on the Cathedral Square is looking right into the street.

Website: http://www.hel.fi/kaumuseo/english/

Senate Square

There were already a square, a church, a cemetery and a town hall on this site in the 17th century. However, almost the entire city was ravaged by war in the early 18th century, and the area around the square was gradually rebuilt from 1721 onwards. Standing in the square is a statue of the popular Tsar Alexander II (1818—1881), created by the sculptor Walter Runeberg in 1894. The Tsar is surrounded by statues representing Law (Lex), Peace (Pax), Light (Lux) and Work (Labor).

Directions: In front of the Lutheran Cathedral and the Council of State is the Senate Square.