Helsinki

Blow into one of the pipes of Sibelius Monument

A monument of music built in 1967, Sibelius pays homage to the Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. An abstract representation of organ pipes, it has drawn much controversy over the years, since the musician was known for his violin skills and composed very little music for the instrument supposedly standing in his honour. Nevertheless, the 600 steel pipes make for an impressive attraction to visit, weighing 24 tonnes and standing almost 10-metres high. Casting your own musical beat into the monument has grown to be one of the essential things to do in Helsinki.

Visit the Market square and get some fresh fish and seafood

Though traditional Finnish food is usually thought to feature gamey meats and sweet delights, seafood has become a big part of the national culture. Venture to Helsinki's Market Square by the ferry terminal where a daily market serves up freshly caught seafood and local delicacies like fish soup with crusty bread. After strolling the markets brimming with local handicrafts and produce, you can walk a few hundred metres and find yourself on the city's giant harbour front Ferris wheel.

Chill on the stairs of Helsinki Cathedral

The steep ascent to Helsinki Cathedral has made the stairs an attraction all of their own, with visitors often taking breaks half way, making the space look like something of a picnic spot. In 2015 the steps were covered in a thousand cardboard cutouts of Nicki Minaj to salute her attendance at Summer Up festival, proving the Finnish have as much love for pop-culture as they do ancient monuments. Seeing the views of the city from the stairs and admiring the cathedral are both must dos of Helsinki sightseeing.

Chill in a Finnish sauna

5 million humans, 3 million saunas. That's the rough statistical proof that Finland likes a wooden warm-up. You can find decedent and traditional saunas all over Helsinki, such as the picturesque antique setting of Kaurilan Sauna. The traditional Finnish sauna experience could be as toasty as 100°C, and will likely involve a shower and a leafy ensembles known as vihtas used to stimulate and massage the skin. If the immense heat gets too much you can do as the Finnish do, rolling in the snow or submerging in a nearby lake.

Enjoy the acoustic at the Temppeliaukio Church

The Lutheran church of Temppeliaukio is not just for the faithful, built directly into a rock it is also an architectural masterpiece. Its stony walls and copper roof create a dynamic acoustic experience, often used for musical events, cultural affairs and special events. Near to many of Helsinki's best museums such as the Finnish Museum of Natural History and the National Museum of Finland, it can be teamed up and turned into a great day out when you're left wondering what to do in Helsinki.

Walk around the giant maritime fortress of Suomenlinna

A toy museum, a brewery, a prison, and a public library to name a few. There are a lot more sites than expected on the rugged fortress island cluster of Suomenlinna. Easily accessible from Helsinki via ferry it has become a popular tourist attraction, particularly since it became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1991. The Suomenlinna Museum and Military Museum are essential visits on the island, as is the cute and cozy lemon Bastion Bistro.

Flow Festival

Music

Kendrick Lamar, Lauryn Hill and Patti Smith are the kind of names that entertain hordes of festive Finnish folk at Flow Festival. For 3 blissful days during the summer month of August, Flow takes over the historical former power plant area of Suvilahti.

Helsinki Samba Carnival

Dance & Music

Bring a serious dose of Brazilian bravado to the streets of Helsinki is the Samba Carnaval held on a weekend of early June around Helsinki Day. Color, parades, and flamboyant feathered costumes are always present, with more people joining in to dance the streets of the city every year.

Walpurgis Night (Vappu)

Culture

A Christian cultural affair recognised across many parts of Europe, Walpurgis Night of April 30 is a Helsinki festival worth timing your trip with. Visitors will likely find themselves sipping sparkling wine or the sweet honey alcohol of sima, and witnessing the peculiar capping of the naked Havis Amanda statue in the city's center.

Baltic Circle Festival

Theater

For almost a week in November Helsinki becomes a playground of contemporary theater for Baltic Circle Festival. Using the arts as a vehicle for change and radical inspiration, the festival offers a progressive program of events much-adored by both locals and travelers.

Helsinki Festival

Music, Dance & Theater

Contemporary dance performances, live world music, circus tricks and giant art instillations are just some of the elements that come together for the annual Helsinki Festival. Held at various venues across the city over August and September, it's a favorite on the Finnish calendar that draws in almost half a million visitors.

National Museum of Finland

Stepping from the stone age to the present day through artefacts and interactive exhibitions. From antique jewellery and weaponry to a gallery of prehistoric archaeological findings, the National Museum of Finland is a must do when you visit Helsinki.

Kiasma

Kiasma contemporary art museum is found in an eccentric glass building, designed to provoke encounters and opinion exchanges whilst redefining art and culture. A short walk from the waterfront park of Kaisaniemi and Finland's Parliament House, it should be squeezed into your agenda of Helsinki sightseeing.

Ateneum

Boasting the largest classical art collection in the country, the Ateneum museum sits within an intricately decorated 1887 building in central Moscow. In the months of winter, the museum's neighbouring railway square of Rautatientori transforms into an ice-rink, making for a grand day out combining culture and snow fun.

National Tram Museum

You need not be a transport enthusiast to appreciate 'Ratikkamuseo,' Helsinki's National Tram Museum. Showcasing ornate forest green and gold carriages whilst unveiling the city's unique history, it is found in the Töölö's Korjaamo Culture Factory amidst many other Helsinki attractions.

Design Museum

From graphics to bicycles and artists to inventors, the Design Museum of Helsinki is an all-encompassing pool of inspiration. Housing 45,000 drawings, 75,000 objects and 125,000 photographs, it deserves a full day split by a Finnish 3-course lunch and cocktails at the nearby restaurant of Juuri for those feeling indulgent.

Karelian Pasty

Lohikeitto

Lihapyörykät

Fried Baltic Herring

Poronkäristys