Helsinki is an iconic world-class city that serves as an incubator for start-up businesses and an innovative leader in sustainable urban development. Furthermore, this capital city features a vibrant cultural life and ranks among one of the happiest places on Earth.
To explore the city, top up your HSL Card at any ticket service point and use it to travel on metro trains, buses, trains, and the ferry.
History
Helsinki is known for its stunning natural environment and architectural grandeur, but also for its gourmet restaurants. Helsinki chefs are renowned for their inventiveness in using local ingredients with an emphasis on creating an exceptional dining experience; many even received Michelin Green Star awards while still in their 20s! In fact, famed architect Alvar Aalto even won one himself: Restaurant Natura won this honor during one of his early projects!
Aalto was born and raised in Helsinki; his home remains an active cultural centre to this day. For much of his adult life he designed buildings and parks throughout Helsinki – including its iconic Central Park that opened its doors in 1971 to promote healthy lifestyles through recreation space such as walking, cycling or skating, swimming in the sea or visiting its botanical garden.
Helsinki boasts an acclaimed cultural scene, including over 40 museums and numerous galleries and theatres. Helsinki’s cultural department actively works to foster connections among various art forms and cultures that strengthen connections to Helsinki among its residents – with this approach they aim to foster community involvement while decreasing segregation.
Helsinki has grown into an influential global center of international affairs and cultural exchange, particularly during the Cold War when its Final Act served to encourage governments to improve human rights records while expanding contact among their people while competing with superpower neighbors for influence.
In 1973, Helsinki hosted its inaugural CSCE conference where accords that eventually formed the Helsinki Accords were signed. These accords were the result of intensive negotiations between Soviet Russia and Western countries led by U.S. Ambassador Frederic Vest; negotiations took place simultaneously between Geneva and Helsinki as per Soviet request; eventually Vest agreed to hold negotiations in both cities so as to make Helsinki an iconic symbol of international peace and security while fulfilling his responsibility to promote human rights and resolve disputes through peaceful means.
Architecture
Helsinki boasts a treasure trove of architectural gems to be explored, from Eliel Saarinen’s Art Nouveau masterpiece at Central Railway Station to neoclassical splendour of National Theatre and Atenueum buildings and Modernist minimalism at Finlandia concert hall by Alvar Aalto. Churches also merit examination, from Lutheran Cathedral’s white facade gleaming against copper dome Uspenski Cathedral being Western Europe’s largest Orthodox church to subterranean Temppeliaukio Church built out of solid granite.
Helsinki is an architectural treasure trove, boasting numerous buildings designed by local architects as part of competitions to spur their careers and establish new ones. Competition successes include Alvar Aalto’s Vyborg Library and Helsinki Pavilion as well as Reima Pietila’s Heureka Science Centre in Espoo and Myyrmaki Church and Nokia Corporation Headquarters in Vantaa by Juha Leiviska and Heikko Karkkainen’s Myyrmaki Church / Nokia Headquarters by Juha Leiviska/Heikko Karkkainen as well as Heikkinen-Komppanen Architects Maunula House by K2S Architects and Kilden Performing Arts Centre designed by ALA Architects respectively.
Recently, Helsinki has undertaken public competitions to commission building projects to keep up with innovation and remain at the forefront. A prime example is the forthcoming Museum of Architecture and Design which will utilize Helsinki’s extensive architectural heritage as a starting point to develop forward-looking programs for education, discussion and sharing knowledge about contemporary design. Their mission is democratising design tools so everyone can use them responsibly.
Helsinki’s extensive residential areas, which formerly housed industrial and dockyard activities, are being converted to new housing designed in minimalist-functionalist style with community facilities like kindergartens and schools (such as Esa Ruskeepaa’s Opinmaki School and Multipurpose Centre in 2016) offering minimal services while at the same time offering new support services like multipurpose halls and shopping centres.
Art Nouveau enthusiasts will delight in visiting Helsinki’s Art Nouveau hotels such as NH Collection Helsinki Grand Hansa, Hotel F6 and Hotel Indigo Helsinki-Boulevard; each boasting stunning Art Nouveau buildings. For an immersive experience in this timeless era of design, stay at one of these hotels to really experience this breathtaking style!
Museums
Helsinki offers plenty of museums that will pique your artistic or historical curiosity, from contemporary art galleries like MOCA Helsinki to design museums that showcase Finnish craftsmanship and design. There’s sure to be something exciting in store! From MOCA Helsinki and Design Museum exhibits to exhibits celebrating Finnish innovation – there is sure to be plenty to see and do here.
Kiasma, designed by Steven Holl, is one of the city’s premier museums of modern art. Boasting interconnecting rooms that create an ideal setting for thought-provoking exhibitions such as spirituality and urbanisation through immersive installations and multimedia pieces, you can experience Kiasma for yourself during guided tours or interactive art workshops.
The Helsinki Art Museum, or HAM for short, is Finland’s premier cultural center and an institution known for its vast art collection that encompasses paintings and sculptures alike. Hosted annually during special themes exhibitions with both traditional and contemporary artwork on display.
Sinebrychoff Art Museum (Konstmuseet Sinebrychoff), in Stockholm, Sweden is another outstanding art museum that houses works by European masters as well as porcelain, silverware and antique furniture from different eras. Additionally, Akseli Gallen-Kallela’s paintings can also be seen here displayed within his former home and garden.
Helsinki boasts many other interesting attractions beyond museums, too. The Natural History Museum (Museutieteellinen museo- ja linnakatu), located on Etelainen Rautatiekatu Street, provides an opportunity to learn about nature and animals that inhabit it. Or check out the Streetcar Museum which showcases historical streetcars along with tickets and stamping machines from years gone by.
If you’re seeking some history, visit Sibelius Park’s Historical Museum of Helsinki for an insightful tour. This free admission museum displays snapshots from Helsinki’s past as well as reconstructions of smoke cabins, crofts and manors from its past inhabitants. Plus its knowledgeable and welcoming staff make visiting an enjoyable experience! Accessible via walking, biking or streetcar, this attraction can easily be reached.
Outdoors
Helsinki, Finland’s stylish capital, provides ample opportunities for enjoying nature. Even with one of the world’s highest population densities, Helsinki has maintained its green spaces; getting outside in nature helps lower blood pressure, relieve stress, and calm the mind – and with over 100 kilometres of coastline surrounding Helsinki outdoor adventures are never far away!
Hiking is a favorite pastime among Helsinki locals. Many green areas provide trails suitable for cyclists and runners – one such paved route runs from Suomenlinna with its breathtaking seaside views to Linnanmaki amusement park beyond; alternatively Rantaraitti waterfront walkway offers cafes and restaurants along its route.
For an exciting and memorable journey through the archipelago, board a hovercraft for an exciting journey through frozen water and snowy landscapes – this safe yet thrilling excursion guarantees your safety as guides ensure everything runs smoothly.
Helsinki is an ideal city to take advantage of nature during winter. Lace up your skates and skate across its many ice rinks – some even provide rental equipment – or join one of Helsinki’s half-day forest walking tours to learn about wild Finnish herbs while witnessing how locals enjoy leisure time recreation.
If you aren’t quite up for taking a chance on the ice, Viikki Arboretum provides an ideal alternative. Situated at the university campus, this breathtaking arboretum houses thousands of trees from all around the globe – perfect if ice skating doesn’t appeal to you!
No one doubts why locals enjoy spending their free time outdoors; indeed, the coronavirus pandemic has only deepened their appreciation of parks and green spaces around Helsinki. Happiness hacker Lena Salmi points out that Finnish people spend three times as much time outdoors as European counterparts; she offers some insight into her favorite spots where Finns find peace and happiness in Helsinki – one nation which consistently ranks number one on World Happiness Report rankings!
Related Guides
- How to Get from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to City Centre — Airport guide