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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 centre of the square stands a statue of Tsar Alexander II, cast in 1894.
Senaatintori
Transport: Tram 1, 3B, 3T, 4 or 7B.
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. Fax: (09) 169 3526.
Website: www.hel.fi/kaumuseo/english/sederholmintalo.html
Transport: Tram 1, 3B, 3T or 4.
Opening hours: Daily 1100-1700 (Jun-Aug); Wed-Sun 1100-1700 (Sep-May).
Admission: €3.
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
Transport: Tram 1, 3B or 3T.
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 0800-1700, Fri 0800-1800, Sat 0800-1500 (Market Hall); Mon-Sat 0630-1400 (outdoor market); daily 1530-2000 in summer (evening market).
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. Fax: (09) 496 366.
Transport: Tram 3T.
Opening hours: Mon and Wed-Fri 1000-2000, Tues 1000-1300 and 1400-2000, Sat 1000-1800, Sun 1200-1345 and 1500-1745.
Admission: Free.
Sibelius Monumentti
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’ tunes have become synonymous with Finnish patriotism – his tune, ‘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
Transport: Bus 18 from Railway Square.
Opening hours: Daily dawn to dusk.
Admission: Free.
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 4000 pieces on display at any one time. It has an designer café and an excellent bookshop.
Mannerheiminaukio 2
Tel: (09) 1733 6500. Fax: (09) 1733 6503.
Website: www.kiasma.fi
Transport: Tram 3B, 3T, 4, 7A or 7B.
Opening hours: Tues 0900-1700, Wed-Sun 1000-2030.
Admission: €5.50; free on Friday 1700-2030; concessions available.
Taideteolisuusmuseo (Museum of Art and Design)
This interesting 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. Fax (09) 6220 5455.
E-mail: info@designmuseum.fi
Website: www.designmuseum.fi
Transport: Tram 10; bus 17.
Opening hours: Tues 1100-1800,Wed 1100-2000, Thurs-Sun 1100-1800.
Admission: €6.50 (concessions available).
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. Fax: (09) 636 736.
Website: www.mannerheim-museo.fi
Transport: Tram 3B or 3T.
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 1100-1600.
Admission: €7.00 (includes a compulsory guided tour in one of six languages).
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. Fax: (09) 446 259.
E-mail: finlandiahall@fin.hel.fi
Website: www.finlandia.hel.fi
Transport: Tram 4, 7B, 7A or 10.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1800, Sat 1100-1700, Sun (guided tours by appointment).
Admission: €6 (includes a compulsory tour).
Finlands Nationalmuseum (National Museum of Finland)
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.
Mannerheimintie 34
Tel: (09) 40501. Fax: (09) 4050 9400.
E-mail: kansallismuseo@nba.fi
Website: www.nba.fi
Transport: Tram 4, 7B, 7A or 10.
Opening hours: Tues-Wed 1100-2000, Thurs-Sun 1100-1800.
Admission: €4 adults (concessions available).
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