Our Top 10 Picks for Attractions in Helsinki, Finland

Located in the shore of the gulf of Finland, Helsinki is the capital of Finland and is also the most populated urban area in the country. Helsinki is full of diverse architecture, tasty nordic cuisines, sea-facing landscapes, and much more. Keep reading to learn about the top 10 things we think you should do when visiting this amazing city! Keep in mind these are just some of our favorite Helsinki sights – there are too many to list, so we chose 10 we wanted to share with you!

1. First and Foremost, the Helsinki Cathedral
This beautiful landmark soars above the Helsinki cityscape and glistens in the water at night. This building was built in the mid-19th century and was originally called the St. Nicholas Cathedral. The tall green dome and whitewashed neoclassical cathedral is a must see when visiting this amazing city. Inside this magnificent building, the worship hall hosts services on weekends and prayers on weekdays.
See More Info Here

2. The Suomenlinna Fortress
Hop on the ferry to see one of the most amazing man-made places in the world. The Suomenlinna is a sea fortress that was created in the 18th-century and spreads across 6 linked islands. The land once served to defend the Kingdom of Sweden, the Russian Empire and the Republic of Finland. You won’t want to miss out on this amazing one of a kind attraction that is unlike anything you have ever seen before.
See More Info Here

3. The Amusement Park of Linnanmaki
This Finnish-record breaking amusement park has been open for over 65 years now. Millions of visitors come each and every year to test their luck with the arcade games and ride the gut wrenching roller coasters. Fun fact about this amusement park is that all its profits are donated to a children welfare charity. Fill you day with fun while watching the child friendly shows and attending the different attractions that are offered throughout the park.
Photo credit: VisitFinland
See More Info Here

4. The Temppeliaukio Church of The Rock
This church was built in 1968-1969 and was designed by two architect brothers, named Timo and Tuomo Suomalaninen. The church is oftentimes called “The Church of Rock” because it was built on giant solid rock. There is no other church like this one in the world. Inside the building, there is a circular skylight and furniture designed by architects. The building is partly underground and is made up of bedrock, which form the interior walls and create an amazing atmosphere.
Photo credit: VisitFinland
See More Info Here

5. Picnics in Esplanadi
Take a break from the city and sit back and relax in this green space knows as “Espa”. Here you can enjoy a book, have a picnic, or just go for a stroll and visit some of our favorite shops including Marimekko and iittala. Located in the middle of the city, escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy the simple things in life. During the month of June, come for Jazz-Espa and for the Marimekko Fashion Show, for some exciting and memorable entertainment. This park is known as a common walking area and oftentimes features various different street performers hoping to get your attention.
Photo credit: Julia Kivela
See More Info Here

6. Explore Seurasaari Island
Just northwest of the city center, visit the Seurasaari Island which features an open air museum with a collection of Finnish buildings from around the entire country. Follow the trails and listen to the tour guides as you learn about work in rural Finland over the last 400 years. Enjoy this walk through the woodland or next to the coast for some breathtaking views that you will never forget. On this island you will also find restaurant Seurasaaren Kruunu, Café Mieritz, kiosks, and a beach.
See More Info Here

7. The Korkeasaari Zoo
This zoo is uniquely located on an island and was founded in the 1880’s, which makes it one of the oldest in the world. The Korkeasaari zoo makes for an exceptional place for breeding endangered species like the snow leopard and Siberian tiger. This zoo contains about 150 different animal species and is open year-round. It also features an amazing garden that is over 100 years old filled with 1,000 different plant species.
See More Info Here

8. The Old Market Hall
Open all day Monday-Sunday you can pay a visit to the Old Market Hall. Inside the market contains all sorts of fresh produce including meat, fish, fruit, and even Finnish cake. This market place has been around since 1889 and has continued to welcome in guests ever since. Here you can find the most unique Finnish specialties that you cannot get anywhere else. This high quality and central location is the perfect lunch spot and afternoon stroll.
Photo credit: Julia Kivela
See More Info Here

9. The Sibelius Monument
In 1967 sculptor Eila Hiltunen created this one of a kind monument that resembles a sound wave made from a cluster of organ pipes. This sculpture is made of 600 steel pipes with the highest piper reaching 27 feet into the air. This Seaside Park and memorial is one of Helsinki’s major attractions. There is no sculpture quite as unique and captivating as this one, so you won’t want to miss it.
Photo credit: VisitFinland
See More Info Here

10. The Wooden House District
As Helsinki grew in the early 20th century, the city built entire neighborhoods for the working class. Many of these houses have since been removed, but several remain and continue to shine their beauty. An area called Puu Vallila, features a bunch of activities to do like visit coffee shops, attend trendy bars, and enjoy the luscious greenery. Originally, this suburb was intended to be a Garden city, so it features loads of vegetable plots and nature spots to explore and hangout around.
Photo credit: Julia Kivela
See More Info Here

Our Top 10 Picks for Attractions in Helsinki, Finland