An extraordinary installation at one of the Kamppi metro stations in Helsinki is a figment of the imagination of sculptor Otto Karvanen. The roots, made up of signs with the names of cities around the world, hang from the ceiling and indicate the direction of populated areas. The exact coordinates and directions of the signs were determined by geographer Nina Kolu from the University of Helsinki, and the lighting was developed by light artist Taneli Pyyusalo. A total of 375 pointers were used. At the same time, according to the author’s idea, the signs indicate only those places from which the Finns now living here moved to Helsinki. Among the signs, a sign with the name Kondopoga was also found. They say Petrozavodsk should be there, but it hasn’t been found yet. But, of course, not all are listed.
Kamppi metro station
A cozy park where you can take a pleasant walk and admire the local sculpture. It is popular not only among local residents, but also among tourists from all over the world. The park contains monuments to Finnish poets, as well as the sculptural group “Fairy Tale and True Life”. Every year, from the beginning of May, free jazz, blues and rock concerts performed by Finnish and foreign musicians are held on the Espan Lava summer stage in the park.
Eteläesplanadi-Pohjoisesplanadi (Kaartinkaupunki)
On the shore of Töölönlahti Bay there is a luxurious botanical garden where tropical plants bloom all year round and there is a fish pond. The city Winter Garden was opened to the public on October 1, 1893. Quite recently it was restored. The greenhouse consists of three halls filled with a couple of hundred different tropical plants, including palm trees and camellias, dating back over a hundred years. When you find yourself in this amazing place, you relax your soul and feel harmony with nature. It is probably for this reason that many residents of Helsinki and guests of the capital love to meet and wander in the Winter Garden. Not far from here is the old district of Linnunlaulu, where many ancient wooden cottages decorated with carvings have been preserved.
Hammarskjöldintie 1
This is a place created specifically to hide from the noisy city and meditate in an environmentally friendly space. True, critics call the place a “sauna of the spirit,” and in this they are right. The architectural design of the building, which is not similar to traditional church buildings, is striking. The facades are made of horizontal spruce slats bent at different radii, and the internal walls of the chapel are lined with black alder beams. The height of the main hall reaches 11.5 meters. The chapel was created as part of a project dedicated to the theme “Helsinki - the capital of design”.
The Cathedral on Senate Square is one of the symbols of Helsinki. Its snow-white bulk with greenish domes rises above the center of Helsinki and serves as a good landmark. It greets us when we arrive in the city by water, looms over the rooftops and attracts the eye, no matter what part of Helsinki we are in. Admirable in its severity and purity of lines, the temple is somewhat reminiscent of classical St. Petersburg cathedrals. The cathedral regularly hosts services, wedding ceremonies and various concerts. For example, every Wednesday of the year at exactly noon, short organ concerts are held here, and in the summer similar concerts are organized on Fridays. Also in the summer, on Sundays at 20:00 you can attend full organ concerts.
The Kaisa House is a nine-story library with free access. You can get here directly through one of the exits from the central Kaisaniemi metro station - it leads directly to the second floor of the unusual library. It’s worth coming here to read in Finnish or look at pictures, or just to relax on the sofa and surf the Internet with free Wi-Fi. The inside of the library is as beautiful and unusual as the outside: huge panoramic windows, cozy armchairs and large tables, high-quality and beautiful furnishings perfectly contribute to immersion in the learning process. There is no need to present a library card or other documents; admission is absolutely free. But if you don’t have a reader’s subscription, you won’t be able to take the book home.
Kaisaniemenkatu, 5
An ordinary gallery of unusual art, entirely dedicated to the street art format. All “canvases” are specially painted by artists on the walls of the gallery. Since it is impossible to imagine Helsinki without this element of urban culture, you can come here to change your attitude towards “wall painting of the 21st century” and get acquainted with the best of the best. Some of the works presented here amaze with their beauty and majestic scope. By the way, the exhibitions here change monthly, so it always makes sense to check the gallery’s website to find out the author of the current exhibition. Moreover, Make Your Mark Gallery is located in the heart of the “new” spirit of Helsinki - on the territory of the former Suvilahti power station, where the Flow music festival has been taking place for several years.
Kaasutehtaankatu, 1
Körjamo is a multifunctional art space located in the very center of Helsinki in two garages of an old tram depot. A whole cultural complex has developed here, consisting of a gallery, theater and concert halls, a shop, a cafe and bar and, of course, a tram museum. In “Koryamo” every visitor will certainly find something he likes. Here you can sit with friends over a glass of wine, listen to wonderful music, visit various exhibitions and purchase your favorite works of art, and watch a performance in the evening.
Tallberginkatu, 1G
Perhaps one of the oldest and most beautiful parks in the capital. Since the 30s of the 19th century, Russian aristocrats often spent their leisure time here. At that time, this place was considered a resort area with beaches and healing mineral waters. In the park you can also find old mansions, for example Villa Kalliolinna, built in 1839. Now Kaivopuisto Park has an equally intensive program: in the summer they swim in the bay, and in the winter they go skiing and skating. It is worth mentioning another attraction of the park - there is a functioning Ursa observatory here.
Runeberginkatu, 4
An active art gallery is located in the very center of Helsinki. The mission of the organization is to support local contemporary art in Finland. This is a platform not only for exhibitions, but also for communication, because its owners try to consolidate everyone who cares about art. Visitors will see works by both young artists and recognized masters from Finland and Northern Europe. In addition to painting, sculpture and photographic art, Helsinki Contemporary focuses on artists who take a physical, in-depth approach to their work. Such works and objects are exhibited outside the gallery - in public places or at temporary pop-up exhibitions throughout the city.
Helsinki City Museum (all branches)
The idea of creating a Helsinki City Museum was born at the beginning of the 20th century. During this time, the museum’s collection has accumulated many unique exhibits and documents telling about the history of the capital of Finland.
The museum consists of five ancient buildings, united by a new building, and three beautiful courtyards. By the way, free tours in Russian are regularly held around the museum’s exhibitions. The main building - Söderholm's house - is located in the oldest city quarter, on the corner of Senate Square. The entrance is from Aleksanterinkatu Street (Aleksanterinkatu 16) through an arch and courtyard. Everything inside, from the furnishings and interior to the exhibits, tells about the life of Helsinki residents in the past. There is a “time machine” here, bringing to life with the help of modern technology the photographs of Signe Brander, who carefully documented the changing Helsinki in photographs at the beginning of the 20th century. Now the museum’s collection contains 907 glass negatives taken by her from 1907 to 1913.
Children have the opportunity to interactively study history in the Children's City space: jump into a horse-drawn carriage or try themselves as the captain of an 18th-century ship; in an 18th-century trading shop you can play as a seller and a buyer.
The Burgher's House (Ruiskumestarin talo, Kristianinkatu 12), the oldest wooden building in Helsinki, built in 1818, recreates the atmosphere of bourgeois life in the 60s of the 19th century.
The Museum of Workers' Life (Työväenasuntomuseo, Kirstinkuja 4) tells the story of Finnish workdays and is located in the oldest municipal workers' house, built in 1909.
The exhibitions of these two museums are open to visitors only in the summer.
At the Tram Museum (Ratikkamuseo, Töölönkatu 51 A), located on the territory of the Korjamo Culture Factory, you can step into an old tram that will take you back to Helsinki's past in an instant. You will see excerpts from old films, you will be able to sit in the driver’s or conductor’s chair and, as in the past, validate tram tickets.
And finally, temporary exhibitions are held at the Hakasalmi estate (Hakasalmen huvila, Mannerheimintie 13). Here you can also taste fresh pastries prepared in our own bakery with a 150-year history.
The museum tells the story of Finnish journalism, printing, and the history of the country's largest daily newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat. Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00 and is always open to visitors absolutely free.
Ludviginkatu 2-4
To admire the magnificent panorama of Helsinki, you need to get to the famous Sokos Hotel Torni tower, where the Atelje bar is located on the roof. You just need to take the elevator to the 12th floor, and then up the spiral staircase and see the entire capital of Finland at your fingertips.
One of the most unusual museums, equipped with special display cases, looks like a “time tunnel” telling the history of the Finnish banking economy. Here you can see the first medieval and gold coins, the first accounting documents, clichés for printing money and much more. Here you can understand how prices for everyday goods have changed from 1860 to the present - in comparable amounts.
Snellmaninkatu, 2
Tallberginkatu, 1 C 85
The museum can be visited for free on Fridays from 16:00 to 18:00. Its permanent exhibitions introduce the history of Finland from prehistoric times to modern times.
Mannerheimintie, 34
Recently opened its doors after reconstruction, the museum welcomes guests free of charge on the first Friday of every month from 16:00 to 20:00. The museum's collection contains works of Finnish and international, especially Northern European, Baltic and Russian art since the 1960s.
On the first Friday of every month, you can visit the Museum of Finnish Architecture, which specializes in holding domestic and foreign temporary exhibitions, for free. It also houses Finland's largest library on architectural topics.
This museum can be considered more of an exhibition complex than a classical museum, with the exhibition frozen once and for all. But there are also permanent exhibitions introducing the traditions, national costumes and beliefs of the peoples of Alaska, China, Tibet and Lapland, where you can see life-size yurts and wigwams. You can get here for free on Friday from 11:00 to 16:00.
Eteläinen Rautatie, 8
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Helsinki(Finnish: Helsinki) was founded by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa in the 16th century, but until the 18th century it was a settlement with wooden houses. And only after the construction of the fortress began, the first stone buildings began to appear in Helsinki. During its short but eventful history, the city passed into the possession of the Russian Empire several times, but the Swedes managed to win it back. The influence of Sweden was so great that even after Finland finally became part of the Russian Empire in 1809, according to the Treaty of Fredericksburg, Swedish remained the main language among local residents for a long time. By the way, even now it remains a compulsory language to study at school, and all road signs and house names are written in two languages - Finnish and Swedish.
Senate Square, designed in the style of late classicism, is rightfully considered the hallmark of tourist Helsinki. It is there that the large snow-white building, the monument to Alexander II, as well as the oldest stone house in Helsinki are located - house of the merchant Söderholm, where the city museum is now located, which, by the way, can be visited for free.
The entire Finnish culture is imbued with love and respect for nature. There is plenty of evidence of this in Helsinki. For example, throughout the city - both in the center and in residential areas - you can find rocky hills. Nature is also the main inspiration in the architecture of Helsinki, where the so-called northern modern: Most of the buildings, especially in the city center, due to the selection of materials, combination of rough textures and ornaments with folklore motifs and images of flora and fauna, resemble massive mountain landscapes. Sometimes nature literally becomes part of architectural art. The most striking example is the famous church in the rock. Its interior space was carved out of the rock, and the interior is formed by virtually untreated rock surfaces.
Speaking about Helsinki, it is impossible not to mention the woman who glorified her hometown, and at the same time the whole country, throughout the world. Creator of the inimitable Moomins, writer and illustrator Tove Jansson was born and lived all her life in Helsinki, it was here that the characters were born who later became a national treasure and an integral part of the mass culture of the whole country. Jansson is also known as the author of the frescoes in the Helsinki City Hall and the illustrator of books by Tolkien and Lewis Carroll, translated into Finnish.
Sea fortress Sveaborg
It is a bastion-type fortress on the islands near Helsinki. It has a Swedish name (Sveaborg - “Swedish fortress”), as it was built in the 18th century, when Finland was part of the Swedish state. At the beginning of the 20th century the fortress was renamed Suomenlinna(Finnish Suomenlinna - “Finnish fortress”).
The fortress is located on seven islands, the so-called “Wolf Shkers”. The fortification system is separated by straits. Nowadays, on 80 hectares (this is the total area of the fortress) there is a naval academy, an “open” light security prison (it is the prisoners who maintain the fortress in proper form) and several museums:
- Suomenlinna Museum(Suomenlinna-museo). Dedicated to the construction and history of the fortress, as well as the life of the garrison in different historical periods. Every half hour, a 25-minute documentary film is shown in nine languages (including Russian), telling about the development of the fortress.
- Submarine Vesikko(Vesikko). A well-preserved ship from the 1930s that took part in World War II, it provides an insight into the living conditions of the crew and the technology of the era.
- Ehrensvärd Museum(Ehrensvärd-museo). Showcases the official residence of the commandant of the fortress from the late 18th century.
- Military Museum "Manege"(Sotamuseon Maneesi). Dedicated to the Soviet-Finnish War and World War II.
- Toy Museum(Suomenlinnan Lelumuseo). Toys from the beginning of the 19th century to the 1960s are presented.
- Customs Museum(Tullimuseo). Tells the story of customs and smuggling in Finland.
Museums in Helsinki
Located on the island of Seurasaari (connected to the continent by a pedestrian bridge) and introduces tourists to examples of Finnish folk architecture. Here are collected peasant houses, stables, barns, farms, sheds and mills from different regions of the country. All buildings store everyday and household items: dishes, wooden furniture, clothes. This helped to recreate with extreme accuracy the appearance of a Finnish village of the 18th–20th centuries. The oldest building is Karuna Church(Karunan kirkko), built in the 17th century by nobleman Arvid Horn in memory of his wife Maria Elisabeth. Nowadays, the church is often used for weddings and musical evenings.
Another attraction of the island is... squirrels. Yes exactly. They are everywhere here: on trees, paths, lawns. The red-haired beasts consider themselves the full-fledged mistresses of Seurasaari and are not at all afraid of visitors: they brazenly climb into bags left unattended.
(Suomen kansallismuseo) covers all stages of the formation of the Finnish state from the Stone Age to the present day. That is why the museum fund is called the national wealth of Finland. The largest exhibition is historical. It is dedicated to the results of archaeological excavations and displays artifacts from different eras (dishes, tools, weapons). “Treasures” is the most beautiful exhibition of the museum, collecting jewelry, coins, items made of precious metals and stones. The exhibition “Land and People” will tell about the life of the Finns, their customs and traditions. "Workshop" will appeal to children. In this interactive room, children will try to unravel the secrets of ingenious machines and find out the answers to many exciting questions. All exhibits can be touched with your hands. There are other exhibitions - “The Last Century”, “The Kingdom”, “Prehistoric Finland”. Excursions are conducted in different languages, including Russian.
(Luonnontieteellinen museo) has the status of a scientific center, the main goal of which is to collect and store valuable species of plants, minerals, and fossils of ancient animals. This is one of the museums aimed at children. The most popular exhibitions are “Fish”, “Skeletons and Bones”, “History of Life” and “Nature of Finland”. The exhibition showing the remains of dinosaurs is a particular success. In a separate mineralogical hall you can see a collection of meteorites.
(Sotamuseo). Some attractions in Helsinki can conditionally be called a must-see. The military museum is one of them. Only here you can see samples of artillery pieces, real military equipment, banners, medals and paintings by battle painters. Travelers will be able to learn everything about the history of the Finnish army, starting from the 15th century. Part of the exhibition is dedicated to the Red Army as an enemy in World War II.
(Tekniikan museo) is the largest technical museum in Finland. The emphasis is on the history of technology development in the country, industrial achievements and modern innovations. The exhibition clearly demonstrates how agrarian and poor Finland turned into a country known for its high-tech developments. For example, you can see what the mine looked like a hundred years ago, what the first computer created by the Finns was like. Some exhibits are interactive: visitors can ride a vintage elevator, learn how telephone calls were made through a switchboard, and play an educational smartphone game. In addition to the permanent exhibition, educational programs and temporary exhibitions dedicated to modern technologies are held.
The Museum of Technology has a branch - Power Plant Museum(Voimalamuseo). It is located on the banks of the Vantaa River, in the place where the first industrial buildings of Helsinki were built in the mid-16th century. The main museum exhibits are equipment with the help of which humanity received energy in different historical periods (water mill, steam station, hydraulic turbines). The Technology Museum and the Power Plant Museum have a single ticket.
(Ratikkamuseo) tells the history of public transport. It is located on the territory of the first tram depot in the city. In the museum you can see a horse-drawn tram, an open-air summer tram and more modern exhibits. Some of them allow visitors access (children especially like this). The exhibition covers the period from 1890 to the present day. Also presented here are various uniforms of drivers and conductors, samples of old tickets, interesting photographs of the past and archival materials, including videos. Visitors can use the old composter to punch their museum tickets as souvenirs.
(Työväenasuntomuseo) is dedicated to the living conditions of the highly skilled (and therefore well-paid) working class from 1910 to 1980. Here are the interiors of nine apartments from different periods of the 20th century. This allows us to trace how the situation and living standards of workers have changed over the decades. In the museum store you can buy individual copies of museum exhibits and antique-style household items.
(Taideteollisuusmuseo). The permanent exhibition “Finnish Form” contains information about the history of applied art in Finland. Visitors can get acquainted with the works of famous designers who have made an invaluable contribution to the development of art. Moreover, you will be able to closely inspect the workshops and bring some individual projects to life. The museum's funds store various interior items, dishes, furniture, accessories, tens of thousands of drawings and drawings. Temporary thematic exhibitions are often held.
Galleries in Helsinki
Sinebryuchov Museum (Sinebrychoffin taidemuseo) is more than an art gallery, it is a full-fledged museum of fine arts. The attraction includes more than 20 private collections. Here you can see paintings, sculpture, antique furniture, jewelry, porcelain, and decorative arts. However, the basis of the foundation is the collection that belonged to the Russian family of merchants and brewers, the Sinebryukhovs. The most popular exhibits are works of the Flemish art school, van Dyck's graphics, Russian icons and watches, gold and silver figurines.
Atheneum(Ateneumin) is the main art gallery in Finland. Paintings from the mid-18th century to the mid-20th century are presented here. The attraction is named after Athena, the goddess who patronizes crafts, science and art. The gallery's holdings include more than 20 thousand works of art, including masterpieces by Finnish painters (Hugo Simberg, Albert Edelfelt, Pekka Halonen). World-famous artists whose paintings can be seen at the Athenaeum include Chagall, Van Gogh, Goya, Repin, Levitan and Shishkin. Samples of printed graphics, sketches, watercolors, sketches and engravings are also of considerable value.
Kiasma(Kiasma) is a contemporary art gallery that exhibits photographs, video installations, paintings, avant-garde music and original architectural solutions. Temporary exhibitions are also held regularly. Near the landmark there is an equestrian monument to Marshal Mannerheim, one of the most important statesmen of the 20th century.
Anderson Museum(Amos Andersonin taidemuseo) is a gallery of 20th-century Finnish art and a popular venue for temporary exhibitions on architecture, photography and painting. The museum building was built by the owner of several publishing houses, politician, philanthropist and public figure Amos Anderson (1878–1961). Therefore, today you can see here the furnishings of the two rooms in which Anderson spent most of his time, and individual interior items of his house (carpets, furniture, porcelain and ceramics).
Diedrichsen Art Museum (Didrichsenin taidemuseo) - an unusual gallery in a private house with a small park on the seashore. The attraction arose thanks to the Diedrichsen couple, who were collecting works of art. Today the gallery includes collections of oriental and pre-Columbian art, as well as modernist paintings. It presents masterpieces by such masters as Picasso, Kandinsky, Miro, Pedersen, original exhibits from Mesoamerica and the Andes, and a unique exhibition of Chinese works from the Shang and Ming dynasties. The Diedrichsen Museum is famous for housing the largest collection of works by sculptor Henry Moore.
Churches and cathedrals in Helsinki
Cathedral of St. Nicholas (Cathedral). Externally similar to St. Isaac's Cathedral in St. Petersburg. The striking similarity suggests that it is Orthodox, but the cathedral is Lutheran. The green domes are a good landmark for tourists. They are visible from anywhere in the city, no matter where you are. The interior is distinguished by asceticism, but this is where its special charm lies. In the corners there are monuments to the reformers - Luther, Agricola and Melanchthon. The preacher's pulpit imitates natural stone. On both sides of the altar there are gilded statues of angels. Every year on December 13, one of the most beautiful Finnish customs can be seen here - the coronation of Queen Lucia. The lucky girl is chosen from 10 applicants by open voting.
Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Assumption Cathedral) is the largest Orthodox church in Northern Europe. Its height is 51 meters. The red brick structure is built on a rocky hill, which is covered with lilac flowers in the spring. The interior decoration of the Assumption Cathedral is unusually light and bright. The arches and vaults are decorated with Byzantine ornaments. The ceiling above the altar is made in the form of a starry sky, against which the symbol of the Holy Spirit is depicted - a snow-white dove. On the walls you can see images of Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, and on the arches - quotes from the Bible. Icons depicting the apostles are covered with gilding. The most valuable of them is the icon of the Kozelshchyna Mother of God.
Temppeliaukio(Tempeliaukion kirkko). Helsinki attractions such as churches usually amaze tourists with their large size or interesting architecture, but Temppeliaukio is an exception to the general rule. The peculiarity of the church is that it is located in the rock and is covered with a dome on top. However, there is plenty of sunlight thanks to the glass floor and 180 windows. Roughly finished walls provide excellent acoustics. This is why Temppeliaukio is often used for various festive events and classical music concerts. The absence of bells is another distinctive feature of the church in the rock. The ringing of bells is imitated by loudspeakers placed on the outside of the building. But the organ here is real - it has 43 registers.
From the outside, Temppeliaukio's unusual design resembles a flying saucer. In the evening it looks especially impressive as the lights turn on. Due to its impenetrability and interesting shape, local residents nicknamed the church the Anti-Devil Defense Bunker.
Kallio Church(Kallion kirkko) attracts with its unusual architecture and slightly mystical appearance. The famous architect Frosterus compared it to the Sphinx, because he saw in the monumentality of its forms a riddle that not everyone can guess. At the same time, the interior of the church is quite modest. Twice a day (at 12 pm and 6 pm), massive bells carry a melody throughout the area, which composer Jean Sibelius wrote especially for this temple. The church tower is visible from anywhere in Kallio, the northern district of Helsinki. There are many bars, nightclubs and adult shops here.
John's Church(Johanneksen kirkko) - Lutheran church, a beautiful monument of neo-Gothic architecture in Helsinki. The height of the spiers is 74 meters. The facade is decorated with chimeras, quite friendly in appearance. The best craftsmen in Finland worked on the interior space. The wooden altar, pews, carved balconies and pulpit look amazing. The windows are decorated with bright stained glass windows, creating a solemn atmosphere. John's Church is known for its excellent acoustics. Choral performances and organ concerts will not leave you indifferent.
What else to see in Helsinki
"Eureka"(Heureka) is a scientific and entertainment complex that offers to study the basics of mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, music and biology in an entertaining way. All expositions and exhibitions are interactive. Visitors can try paper making, conduct chemistry experiments and solve number puzzles. The topics are amazingly diverse: sports, dinosaurs, people, cinema, ancient culture. Children really like the planetarium, where they can learn about the birth of the Universe, get acquainted with the constellations and find out what will happen to the Earth after the extinction of the Sun. Every year there is a theater festival, sports competitions, scientific lectures, and in the summer a camp for teenagers opens.
Sea Life- maritime center. The giant oceanarium will introduce you to the inhabitants of the deep sea and give a flurry of positive emotions to both children and their parents. Sharks, jellyfish, seahorses, turtles and a variety of fish live in 50 aquariums. The largest leatherback sea turtle in the world lives here.
A special feature of the aquarium is a transparent tunnel, which provides a chance to feel like a full member of the underwater kingdom. Small coral fish flash above the heads of tourists and huge sharks slowly swim by. Unusual and extremely exciting. Many exhibits are interactive.
Linnanmäki(Linnanmäki) is the oldest amusement park in Finland, founded in 1907. On its territory there are 43 attractions for children and adults. The most famous is the Vuoristorata roller coaster. No less popular are “Rocket”, “Milky Way”, “Fire Sleigh”, “Lightning”. The Ferris wheel will take you to a height of 35 meters and allow you to admire the ornate interweaving of city streets. There is also a stunning view from the Panorama observation tower.
Linnanmäki is a real paradise for children. Chocolate roulette, pirate ship, ball shooting, mini-cars, water cannons - this is just a small part of the entertainment offered to young thrill-seekers. You can also ride an air train, ride a panoramic carousel and take part in equestrian competitions.
Burgher's House(Sprutmästarens gård) is the oldest wooden building (built in the 1810s) remaining in Helsinki. Today it presents the furnishings and recreates the atmosphere of the house of a wealthy bourgeois from the mid-19th century. The interiors of the rooms were restored on the basis of an auction inventory of furniture from the family of Firemaster Wikholm, who lived here in the 1860s. In the courtyard there is an old outbuilding where you can see an exhibition showing the stages of repair and preservation of wooden buildings.
Khakasalmi Estate (Hakasalmen huvila) or Villa Hagasund - the former residence of Privy Councilor Carl Walleen. Also connected with the estate is the life of his stepdaughter Aurora Karamzina (1808–1902), a maid of honor, one of the first St. Petersburg beauties, a state lady of the imperial court. Karamzina lived here after the death of her husband (1854). Left a widow, she found consolation in the fact that she devoted her long life to charity and social activities, helped many students, and made a great contribution to women's education in Finland. Her estate served as a place for receptions and musical evenings, so today there is an exhibition dedicated to the history of music in Helsinki. There is also a retro bakery on the estate.
Korkeasaari(Korkeasaari) is a zoo located on the island of the same name. More than two thousand animals of 200 species live here. The zoo is divided into thematic zones. “Borealia” introduces the fauna of tropical forests, “Amazonia” - the animals of South America, “Africasia” - the inhabitants of Africa and Asia. It is also worth visiting the “Northern Rarities” (rare Arctic animals), “Valley of the Cats”, “Local Residents” (animals and birds of the Scandinavian Peninsula) zones.
Mannerheim House Museum dedicated to the famous political and military figure of Finland, Baron Gustav Mannerheim. The museum has recreated the atmosphere of the mid-40s of the 20th century. It was during this period of time that Mannerheim, who served as president from 1944–1946, lived in the house. Also on display are the baron's personal belongings, including state awards, hunting trophies and photographs from his travels in the East. It should be noted that Mannerheim was directly involved in the creation of interiors, so one can judge his taste, including design preferences, by the furnishings of the rooms.
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The capital of neighboring Finland, Helsinki, is an excellent destination for a holiday or weekend trip. The journey will not take much time, and there are so many attractions that every traveler will find something interesting in this city. The trip will also be exciting for children, as Helsinki also has plenty of entertainment for them. So, below is a list of the main attractions of the capital of Finland on a map and a list with a description.
Helsinki attractions map
If you prefer to use printed maps, I suggest download a map of Helsinki with attractions(download pdf)
And for those who are accustomed to interactive maps, I suggest you “walk” around the city using this map.
View Sights of Helsinki on a larger map
List of attractions in Helsinki
Senate square is the central square of Helsinki, built at the beginning of the 19th century in the neoclassical style. The state, municipal, church and academic life of the city was concentrated here. The main buildings that make up the ensemble of this square were designed by the architect of German origin, Karl Ludwig Engel.
Cathedral- the main Lutheran church of the Helsinki diocese, located on Senate Square. It was inaugurated on February 15, 1852 and was originally called St. Nicholas Cathedral, in honor of St. Nicholas, the patron saint of trade and navigation, who was the patron saint of Tsar Nicholas I. After Finland gained independence, it began to be called the Great Church, and in 1959 it received its the current name is the Cathedral. (Unioninkatu st., 29)
Monument to Emperor Alexander II– a monument to the Russian emperor, erected in 1894 on Senate Square, who significantly expanded Finnish autonomy, gave Finland the constitution of 1863 and introduced the Finnish stamp into circulation.
City Hall and surrounding areas– the streets located south of Senate Square were built back in the 1700s, and then updated by K.G. Engel during the construction of a new city. The colonnaded Bocca House, rebuilt in 1818, was the city hall at that time. Over time, the building lost its significance and now the Virka Galleria gallery is located here and Finnish design products are traded. Until the 1900s, these neighborhoods were the center of trade, and now they house various commercial premises and restaurants.
Trade Square or Market Square– the main square of Helsinki, where you can buy various souvenirs and market delicacies. In local language it is called Kauppatori. (South Port)
Havis Amanda- a bronze fountain with a naked nymph, installed in 1908 on the city’s Trade Square. (Intersection of Unionin-katu street, North and South Esplanade)
Esplanade Park– the oldest park in Helsinki, a favorite vacation spot for citizens and tourists. The Espa Theater operates here in the summer. Along the linden alley of the park you can find several monuments to Finnish writers and poets.
Assumption Cathedral- the main Orthodox church of Helsinki, made of red brick. Located on a hill near the embankment. The architect of the church was A.M. Gornostaev, the project was completed in 1868. The Assumption Cathedral still remains the largest and most significant Orthodox church in Northwestern Europe. (1 Kanawakatu St.)
Presidential palace– building renovated by K.G. Engel, was intended to house the Russian Imperial Family. During the years of independence it was used as the residence of the President of the Republic. Nowadays, significant receptions are sometimes held in the palace, and at other times it is open to tourists. (1 Pohoyisespanadi st.)
Suomenlinna Fortress– built by the Swedes in 1748 on the islands near Helsinki (regular ferries go to the fortress), the fortress served for many years to protect against enemies. The site is in Russian.
Central railway station– the station, opened in 1919, is one of the striking works of Finnish architecture.
Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art- this museum contains paintings, spatial works and other exhibits of contemporary art from various countries since the 60s of the 20th century. (Mannerheiminaukio sq. 2)
National Museum of Finland– opened in 1916. The museum contains an interesting exhibition dedicated to the history of Finland. In the halls of the museum, exhibits are arranged in chronological order, so that you can trace the development of Finland, starting from ancient times. The museum building resembles a stone castle with a high tower. (Mannerheimintie Ave. 34)
Natural Science Museum– the University of Helsinki housed its zoological collections in a classic four-story mansion. Here you can see dinosaur bones, landscape models, stuffed animals and representatives of the deep sea of the Baltic Sea. The building is easy to recognize by the figure of an elk standing near the main entrance. (Pohoinen Rautatiukatu St., 13)
Temppeliaukio rock church– one of the most famous attractions of Helsinki. Two architect brothers created a church project in the 60s of the 20th century, deciding to choose pieces of rock, which were very often found on the streets of the city, as a building material. To implement the idea, they had to blow up the rock, and then cover the remains with a dome. Temppeliaukio's good acoustics make it possible to hold musical concerts within its walls. (Luterinkatu st., 3)
Houses of Parliament– a massive building, the facade of which is decorated with red granite, is one of the most famous in Finland and was built in 1925-1931 of the 20th century in the classicist style. Accommodates meeting rooms for 200 members of parliament and an impressive library. Guided tours are available inside. In front of the entrance there is a monument to the first president of the republic K.Yu. Stolberg. (Mannerheimintie Ave. 30)
Botanical Garden of the University of Helsinki was opened in 1829. The wonderful garden contains several hundred different plants, some of which are grown in greenhouses. (Unioninkatu st., 44)
Monument to Sibelius– located in the park of the same name. It was opened in 1967 and dedicated to the famous Finnish composer Jean Sibelius. It consists of several hundred connected metal pipes. Nearby is a bronze head of the composer. (Mishelininkatu st., 38)
ATHENEUM Art Museum– National Gallery of Finland. Many works of Finnish art from 1750-1960 are collected here. (Kaivoka-tu st., 2)
Finnish National Theater– erected in 1902 on Station Square in the national romantic style. Accommodates about a thousand spectators.
Seurasaari Museum Island- a unique place in the western part of Helsinki, very popular among city residents. There is an open-air museum here, which contains restored ancient buildings from all over Finland. You will be able to get acquainted with the life of Finnish peasants and find out what things were used by local residents more than a hundred years ago.
Korkeasaari Zoo– one of the oldest in Northern Europe. Located on the island of Korkeasaari, which can be reached either by bus No. 11 from the train station or by ferry from the Market Square (from May to September-September). Website?
Aquarium SEA LIFE- a huge marine center consisting of several aquariums and an oceanarium with a capacity of 250 cubic meters. Located in Linnanmäki amusement park. Here you can see a variety of marine fauna from tropical seas to Baltic waters. Visitors walk through a glass tunnel as sharks and other species of the deep ocean swim past. Website
Linnanmäki Amusement Park is the oldest amusement park in Helsinki, which contains more than forty different attractions for children and adults. There is also a cinema, museums, a Ferris wheel and playgrounds. Website
Waterpark Serena– located in the suburbs of Helsinki. The water park is quite large, built in a tropical style. Guests are provided with the standard set of entertainment of a quality water park: scary and not so scary slides, a pool with an artificial wave, various pools, saunas and cafes. Website
Download a guide with routes around Helsinki
Although many people say that there is absolutely nothing to do in Helsinki, I recommend not to believe such unfortunate travelers. The city is wonderful and perfect for a short trip to Europe. I hope that the map of Helsinki attractions will help you spend your time usefully and very interestingly ( review of my trip to Helsinki).
Hotel price comparison in Helsinki
- Where to stay: The capital status of Helsinki gives you every right to say that if you want to travel around southern Finland, you can base yourself here for your entire vacation. The benefit of hotels and inns - for any choice. Close to the capital, but quieter - this is about Espoo. Porvoo has a peaceful and intimate semi-rural atmosphere, and local hotels match the mood. Vantaa hotels are a good choice for those who are flying through Finland with a stopover for a couple of days, but have already been to Helsinki. Lohja - “the city of a thousand apple trees”. To travel here in September, it is worth booking a hotel in advance - at the end of the month there is a big apple festival.
- What to see: The ideal is to travel along the entire coastline from Kotka to Hanko, with a thoughtful stop in Helsinki on the way there and back. In Espoo we enjoy the combination of a modern city and nature, for dessert - one of the largest water parks in northern Europe - Serena. Explore the entire island-fortress of Sveaborg on foot (otherwise there is no other way), explore museums, drink beer from a local brewery and experience all the delights of claustrophobia on board the Vesikko submarine. Hanko is considered the country's main seaside resort, flavored with history, including military history. In Raseborg we examine the castle and go on a boat trip - the 1300 islands of the national park will not see themselves.
In Kotka - feel like a Russian emperor on vacation, go around all the parks, marvel at the exhibits of the Aeronautics Museum and other attractions.
The leading scientific and educational museum in Finland, Eureka, operates in Vantaa. It will be interesting not only for children.
Today we will talk about the capital of Finland - the city of Helsinki. And also about how to get to the city, what sights to see over the weekend and how to save money on your trip.
Helsinki was founded in 1550 by the Swedish king Gustav Vasa. Over almost four hundred years of history, the city, like the whole of Finland, passed either to Russia or to Sweden, until finally, in 1917, Finland achieved independence.
The Finnish name Helsinki (Helsinki) and the Swedish Helsingfors (Helsingfors) are both official names of the city in these two languages.
Now just over 600 thousand people live in Helsinki, and it is also constantly in the top of the best, comfortable, safe, but at the same time the most expensive cities in the world. If you are planning to visit Helsinki for the first time, then this series of articles should definitely help you.
Sights of Helsinki
Briefly about what you can see in Helsinki in two days in our three-minute video. Read a more detailed story below.
Walking around Helsinki, a Russian tourist can discover the city both as an incredibly familiar place and as an absolute foreign place. The official languages here are Finnish and Swedish; it is also not difficult to communicate with Finns in English. Russian speech is also found, but mainly from tourists (usually from St. Petersburg).
You can start traveling around Helsinki from anywhere! For convenience, I will divide our two-day budget trip into several articles: “Attractions of Helsinki”, “” and “”.
Länsiterminaali West Terminal
The historic center of Helsinki is located on a peninsula with a heavily indented coastline. The city is surrounded on three sides by the Gulf of Finland, so it is not surprising that Helsinki is the largest port in Finland. Helsinki is connected by sea trade and transport links with Estonia, Sweden, Germany, Poland and Russia. 
People who prefer to travel by private car can transport their iron horse between countries by ferry. 
The port area of any coastal city will undoubtedly be on the list of attractions. There are trams and buses from the West Terminal, stop Bunkkeri. 
Monumental and decorative work “Horizon”. The design of the metal work was presented by professor and designer Hannu Kähönen: “The length of this monument corresponds to the average depth of the Baltic Sea, which is only 54 meters. In this way I wanted to illustrate the vulnerability of the Baltic Sea. I hope that this work will shine and sparkle as a symbol of the clean Baltic Sea" 
In Helsinki you can find many pleasant little things, for example, a shiny ball by the water and not a single cigarette butt around! 
Or this strange pissing man (also in the western port), it seems to me that he came from another planet. In fact, this is a portable fountain; in winter, of course, it does not work, but in summer it is placed near the water. 
Kalevankatu street
From the western terminal to the center of Helsinki it’s just a stone’s throw away. Of course, you can get there by public transport, or you can walk for 20 minutes, for example, along Kalevankatu Street.
As you move away from the port, the houses will take on a more and more picturesque appearance: 
Hotel Torni (free observation deck)
Hotel Torni was built in 1931 and remained the tallest building in Finland for 40 years. "Torni" is translated from Finnish as "tower".
Hotel Torni is one of the main attractions of Helsinki, because from here you can admire the city from a bird's eye view for free.
Hotel address: Yrjönkatu, 26. 
We enter the hotel, go straight to the elevator and go up to the 12th floor! If the elevator button doesn't work, it means the bar is still closed. Go to the reception and ask in English: “When can you go upstairs?” They understand perfectly where you are going and why, and answer with a smile and kindness. We were told that the bar would open from 14.00.
On the 12th floor you already have a panoramic view of the city, but through glazing. There are also soft chairs and you can use the toilet for free (also with panoramic windows). The bar is located above. To get there, we climb a narrow twisted staircase, go out onto the summer terrace and admire Helsinki! 
Helsinki is a low-rise city, so the 12th floor is enough to see it all at a glance. In the photo below on the right in the distance you can see a tall white and blue building - this is the port where we came from. 
And this is where we are going to go: to the white temple, another port and other attractions. 
Kamppi Chapel
The Kamppi Chapel (chapel of silence, chapel of silence) is a very unusual representation of a chapel in our (Russian) view: this chapel does not even have a cross, and the shape is somehow strange.
Kamppi Chapel was built in 2012 and belongs to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland. This is such a quiet, warm and bright place where everyone can come and relax from the bustle of the city, and the chapel staff also provide psychological assistance to everyone in need.
Working hours: Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00; on weekends 10:00-18:00.
Address: Simonkatu, 7 
The chapel is the embodiment of nature. It is completely made of wood (walls, ceiling, benches), it seems that the rays of the sun are breaking through the roof (which is often missing in cloudy Helsinki), pillows in the form of stones, sand. 
Station square Rautatientori
The station square is also a kind of landmark of every city. Perhaps this is where your journey will begin. In any case, there is also something to see here.
Helsinki Central Railway Station was built in 1904-1914. in the style of northern modernism. It is an architectural monument. The front side of the building is decorated with giant stone atlases as tall as the building itself.
There is a metro station under the railway station building. And literally across the road is the Helsinki bus station. 
In winter, there is a skating rink on the station square itself. 
The Finnish national theater Suomen Kansallisteatteri was built in 1902 (and was founded much earlier - in 1872 in the city of Pori, Finland). The theater building periodically hosts performances based on the works of Russian classics: Chekhov, Tolstoy, Gogol, Dostoevsky, Turgenev, Gorky, Uspensky.
In front of the theater building there is a monument to the Finnish writer Aleksis Kivi, the founder of realistic literature in the Finnish language. 
Opposite there is an equally impressive building - the Ateneum Museum. This is the central art museum of Finland, named after the ancient Greek goddess Athena. The building was built in 1887. The museum's fund includes more than 20 thousand exhibits. 
Since February 10, 2017, asylum seekers from Iraq, Afghanistan, Somalia and their supporters have set up a tent city in front of the museum and said they will not leave until the authorities stop the deportation of refugees from Finland. 
Mikonkatu street
Mikonkatu Street is filled with shopping and business centers. 
There is also a very interesting corner house in the style of national romanticism of Finland, built in 1900. This was the first building in Finland that was designed for a trading company. The house is decorated with images of medieval women surrounded by forest. 
Mikonkatu street goes straight to the Esplanadin puisto park.
Park Esplanadinpuisto
The Esplanade Linden Park (Esplanadinpuisto) was laid out in the very center of Helsinki in the 1830s. The alley of trees was included in the city development plan back in 1812. Of course, it’s better to walk here in the summer, but now we’ll just admire the sights of the surrounding area. 
The Swedish Theater (an inconspicuous white building) appeared on this site in 1827. Then it was a wooden building. In 1866 and 1936 was rebuilt. Performances are conducted in Swedish.
Monument to the Finnish poet Johan Ludwig Runeberg, who wrote in Swedish about the ordinary Finnish people. The monument, made by the poet's son Walter Magnus, was erected in 1885 in the center of the Helsinki linden garden. It is interesting that the monument is not signed; supposedly everyone already knows to whom it is dedicated. At the bottom of the monument is the Virgin of Finland (Suomi-neito) with the Finnish anthem. 
Restaurant Kappeli, similar to a museum. It appeared here back in 1840 in the form of a small counter and has since “grown” into a restaurant. The place is definitely touristic: there is a restaurant, a cafe, a bar, a summer terrace, a fountain and other goodies. I can’t recommend or dissuade, since we didn’t go inside. 
Fountain “Havis Amanda”, which means “sea nymph” in Swedish. According to Finnish sculptor Ville Wallgren, a young maiden emerging from the sea perfectly symbolizes Helsinki. The sculpture was cast in Paris in 1906 and installed only in 1908. 
Esplanade Park is located between two thoroughfares Eteläesplanadi (South Esplanadi) and Pohjoiesplanadi (North Esplanadi). The houses along these streets were built in the 19th century.
Grönqvistin talo, built in 1882-1883. 
Hotel Kämp, built in 1887. 
Both of these buildings were built according to the designs of the same architect. Similar buildings can be found both in Moscow and St. Petersburg, and in many other cities of Russia. For example, the house of E. A. Dernova (St. Petersburg, Gorokhovaya St., 61), or the apartment building of K. B. Korpus (St. Petersburg, Gorokhovaya St., 16), located on the same street.
A huge inscription “My Helsinki”. Glows at night. 
Kauppatori Market Square
Kauppatori Market Square is still a market place. Local residents buy fresh vegetables and fish here, and tourists buy souvenirs. Since 1594, a herring fair has been held annually in October on the market square. The market is open on weekends in the first half of the day.
Tram and bus stop: Kauppatori 
The market square is adjacent to the bay, you can stroll along the water, admire the boats and ferries, or even sail to the island of Suomenlinna (I’ll tell you about it a little further). Someone opens restaurants in old ships: 
Parking lot with the cutest turtles. 
I think it’s inhumane to put stakes in skulls, even if they’re just figurines, it looks simply creepy. 
The Empress Stele (Keisarinnankivi) is installed in the very center of the Market Square. The stela with the double-headed eagle was installed in 1835 after the visit of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, the wife of Emperor Nicholas I, to Helsinki. The coat of arms of Finland with a lion is depicted on the eagle’s chest - a symbol of Finland’s entry into the Russian Empire. During the revolution of 1917, when Finland gained independence, the double-headed eagle was dropped. It was installed again on the obelisk in 1972. 
The Assumption Cathedral can be seen in the background. 
And pay attention to the buildings around the Market Square - typical St. Petersburg, except for the atypical visors and blinds on the windows. 
Assumption Cathedral
The Assumption Cathedral (Uspenski katedreeli) was built in 1868, during the reign of Emperor Alexander II, when Finland was part of the Russian Empire. This is the largest Orthodox cathedral in Northern and Western Europe. The cathedral and adjacent houses stand on a separate island, to which there is a bridge from the Market Square - this is where the Katajanokka district begins (translated as Juniper Cape). If you have a couple of free hours, take a walk around Katajanokka and admire the interesting houses in the Finnish Art Nouveau style. 
The white building in front of the cathedral is the headquarters of the Stura Enso company. This is a Finnish-Swedish timber company, one of the largest in the world. Its roots go back to 1288. 
Suomenlinna Island or Sveaborg
Suomenlinna - translated from Finnish as “Finnish Fortress”, Sveaborg - translated from Swedish as “Swedish Fortress”. This is a bastion system of fortifications on the islands, now a museum and residential area. Why two names? The fortress was built in the 18th century, when Finland belonged to Sweden; after gaining independence, the Finns renamed the fortress Finnish. But, since Finland left two main languages, two names were assigned to the fortress.
How to get there? Getting there is very easy: a ferry departs from the Market Square to the island literally every hour. Ferry tickets are sold at the terminals at the pier. Minimum ticket price (round trip) for a 12-hour walk = 5 €. Daily passes for public transport are also valid on the ferry.
If you sail in the evening, make sure there is a return ferry, otherwise you will have to spend the night on the island. Also in the evening, cafeterias, shops and museums will be closed there.
Ticket terminals: 
Ferry to Suomenlinna-Sveaborg: 
There are wooden benches on the ferry, which even in winter are not enough for everyone. There is a deck exit, but in winter it is closed. The swim is very short, about 15-20 minutes. 
View of Helsinki from the island: 
Shore barracks or Main Gate. Date of construction - 1868-70. 
Suomenlinnan kirkko, also known as the lighthouse church. This Orthodox church was built in 1854 on the orders of Nicholas I as a garrison church for Russian soldiers. Later it was rebuilt into a Lutheran church. 
Military Museum: 
Several bridges span the neighboring island of Susisaari (Wolf Island): 
Walking around the island of Susisaari is much more interesting, because it was the most fortified part, which means beautiful bastions, passages and labyrinths have been preserved here. 
The walls are built from natural stone. You can walk freely in all open tunnels. In good weather, it will be interesting to spend almost the whole day on the islands, since the territory is much wider than that shown in this article: beautiful rocky shores, many corridors inside stone walls, hilly meadows and a beautiful view of the Baltic Sea. It is important to note that on the islands in the bastions there are free toilets that are open even late in the evening. 
The “Big Courtyard”, where the administrative center of the fortress and the commandant’s house were located. Most of the original buildings were destroyed by artillery of the Anglo-French fleet during the Crimean War in 1855; during restoration, only the first floors were preserved. 
In the center of the “Big Courtyard” is the grave-monument of Augustin Ehrensvärd, the builder and first commandant of the Sveaborg fortress. 
And these are residential buildings on the islands: 
Senate square
Senate Square is located in the central part of the city in the Kruununhaka area, which translates as “calling card”. From Senate Square it is a stone's throw to Market Square and two steps to the railway station.
Tram and bus stop: Senaatintori
The absolutely symmetrical square was designed by the Finnish architect of German origin, Karl Ludwig Engel. Construction was carried out during the period when Finland became part of the Russian Empire: 1818-1852. Now it’s clear why the whole square evokes a feeling of déjà vu: 
Carl Ludwig Engel clearly drew inspiration from Russia, especially St. Petersburg.
The snow-white Cathedral (an almost exact copy of St. Isaac's Cathedral) is the main cathedral of the Lutheran Church of Finland and the main dominant feature of Senate Square. 
Strictness and minimalism are what distinguishes the interior decoration of the Lutheran cathedral from the Orthodox one: white walls, white columns, white statues of Martin Luther, Philip Melanchthon and Michael Agricola. The only thing that decorates the temple inside is a small altar and a beautiful organ, made in 1967 at the Danish factory Marcussen & Son. 
Opposite the cathedral:
A luxurious monument to Emperor Alexander II, erected in 1894. At the foot of the pedestal there are figures that represent “Law” (Lex), “Peace” (Pax), “Enlightenment” (Lux) and “Labor” (Labor).
The number 1863, fixed at the bottom of the monument, indicates the year in which Alexander II granted the constitution of autonomous (at that time) Finland. 
Mansions of Swedish merchants of the 18th-19th centuries, the oldest among them is the Söderholm house, which now houses a free museum. The remaining merchant houses are now given over to offices, restaurants and shops. 
To the west of the cathedral:
Helsinki University. From 1640 to 1827 The university was located in the city of Åbo (now Turku) as the Royal Academy of Åbo. After the fire in 1827, by decree of Emperor Nicholas I, the university was moved to Helsinki and renamed the Imperial Alexander University (in honor of the late brother of Alexander I). After the declaration of independence of Finland, the university began to be called the University of Helsinki. 
The National Library of Finland is the country's oldest library and simultaneously serves as a university and national library. 
To the east of the cathedral:
The State Council building (Government Palace), where the country's government still works. In the same building there is a very important room - the Presidential Hall, in which the President of Finland approves the laws of the country.
Despite the fact that the photographs were taken from different angles, you can see that the university building is an exact copy of the State Council building, except that there is no clock. 
Helsinki University Museum Arppeanum and National Bank of Finland Museum Suomen pankin rahamuseo. These are two free museums, they stand opposite each other on the right side of the cathedral. 
Church in the rock Temppeliaukion (entrance fee)
Temppeliaukion Church (Tempeliaukion kirkko) is a Lutheran parish church inside a rock, built (so to speak) in 1969.
The developers of the unusual church were the architect brothers Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen. They based their project on the idea of harmony between the rock and the building, and maximum preservation of the rocky surface. Obviously, the best solution was to place the church inside the rock, rather than building one next to the other.
The public did not immediately accept such an unusual project; there were both indignations and protests; Some were afraid of the strange appearance of the church, others were afraid of the high cost of construction. However, soon after the completion of construction, the new church was filled with visitors, they began to write laudably about it in foreign magazines, and to this day the “temple in the rock” is considered one of the best Finnish buildings. In 2004, Temppeliaukio Church was declared a protected architectural monument.
Address: Lutherinkatu, 3 (Etu-Töölö district)
Opening hours: Mon-Sat from 10:00 to 17:00, Sun from 10:45 to 17:00
From the outside the church looks like a rock. If you don’t know that this is a church, you can pass by. 
The entrance looks like the entrance to a bunker. 
Entrance to the church is paid = 3 €.
There is another door installed inside the church, next to which two girls stand with a cash register and give out these round ticket stickers, they are scattered throughout the church, both inside and outside. If there are a lot of people, and there are almost always large crowds of tourists, you can take advantage of the opportunity. 
The inside of the church looks simply magnificent: solid stone walls, light falling through the roof. But it took 22 km of copper wire to wrap the roof.
Due to the excellent acoustics (thanks to the untreated stone), concerts are often held in the church. 
You can go up to the second floor. The organ was manufactured by the leading organ building company in Finland - Veikko Virtanen OY, but the design was developed by brother architects. 
Candles in the temple: 
Not far from the church in the rock we saw a parking lot in the rock :) 
Mannerheimintie street
Mannerheimintie street is the central avenue of Helsinki. It starts at Esplanadinpuisto Park and goes 5.5 km to the north of the city.
One of the most important museums in Helsinki, the National Museum of Finland (Suomen kansallismuseo), is located on this street. The museum's exhibitions represent the entire history of Finland: from the Middle Ages to the present day. Those who have visited the museum highly recommend it. Entrance for adults – 10€.
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11:00-18:00, Mon – closed
Address: Mannerheimintie 34 
The building was built in 1910 according to the project of Finnish architects. 
Not far from the National Museum of Finland is the Helsinki Music House (Musiikkitalo). The building was built in 2011 and is Helsinki's main concert house with several halls and a luxurious foyer. 
In the courtyard of the building there is a funny composition “Singing Trees”. The creative idea is based on the poem “The Pike Song” (Hauen laulu, 1928) by the Finnish poet Aaro Hellakoski, in which a pike climbs a tree and sings. 
The hall is decorated with a modern sculpture “Gaia”. 
Even if you don’t plan to go to a concert, you can visit the House of Music as a “transit point”: you can warm up, sit and relax, use the toilet and Wi-Fi. 
How to get from Russia to Helsinki
There are many ways to get from Russia to the capital of Finland, I will list only direct directions:
1. Planes fly non-stop to Helsinki from Moscow, St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg.
2. There is a direct train from Moscow and St. Petersburg.
3. You can get there by direct bus from St. Petersburg.
4. You can also take a ferry from St. Petersburg to Helsinki.
We were traveling to Helsinki from Moscow with transfers:
First, take the Lux Express Special night bus to Tallinn (Estonia). Buses with soft folding seats, the bus also has a coffee machine, sockets at each seat, a toilet, Wi-Fi and tablets with various entertainment. 
Then take the Mega Star ferry across the Gulf of Finland to Finland. 
So the trip turned out to be less tiring and more varied, we even had time to walk around Tallinn.
We also returned from Helsinki on Lux Express buses, only through St. Petersburg.
Also, do not forget that to visit Finland you need a Schengen visa.
