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Top Rated Attractions in Helsinki

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Built by world-famous architect, Steven Hall, Kiasma will fascinate anyone interested in contemporary art and architecture. Featuring works by famed artists such as Stig, Risto Laakkonen, Karel Dujardin, and Baumgartner, Kiasma aims to promote and contemporary art and inspire young artists. With everything from installations, paintings and audio landscapes to lectures and performances in the museum's built-in theater, this is the place to be for whose with an eye for art.

Cable Factory

The Cable Factory houses a set of spaces such as official areas, restaurants, museums, studios and galleries, as well as tiny band rehearsal rooms and two radio stations. The building is utilized to the smallest nook. Until the 1980s the Cable Factory was what the name implies, and the interiors vary in shape and size. Although every room has been thoroughly renovated, the basic feeling is still as austere as that of a factory. This does not discourage a wide range of activities from taking place here, you can catch art festivals, exhibitions, theater, dance and musical performances. The impressive 100-meter (328-foot) Sea Cable Hall (Merikaapelihalli) is frequently used for performances, and has seen events featuring thousands of people, wild horses, motorcycles and symphony orchestras.

Tennispalatsi

Tennispalatsi is situated right next to Helsinki's main bus station, in an indoor tennis complex built in 1938 for the Helsinki Summer Olympics. The 14 screens, each with a THX rating, show mostly mainstream films. Screen 1 is the biggest in Northern Europe. The box office opens every day at 10a. In addition to the film theater, the building also houses several restaurants, snack bars and stands, a café, the Museum of Culture and the Helsinki City Art Museum.

Finlandia Hall

Finlandia Hall, one of the most famous sights in Helsinki, has an ideal location next to a beautiful park and bay at the heart of Helsinki, very close to the Parliament and the National Museum. It can be reached easily by public transport, but you can also use the 600-vehicle parking lot. Alvar Aalto's famed creation houses meetings, conferences and concerts. Vital meetings between Russian and American leaders were held here during the Cold War. Nowadays, the building is mostly used by the Philharmonic and Radio Symphony Orchestras. The annual Jean Sibelius Violin Contest is also held here, and behind the hall there's the yearly Naisten kymppi (Women's 10K Fun Run). Concert tickets can be bought from the box office. Half-hour guided tours of the hall are arranged in Finnish, Swedish, English and German. To book a private group tour, contact Info Shop in the main lobby by phone or email on infoshop@fin.hel.fi. The shop is also the place to buy concert tickets, postcards and stamps, records, books and other souvenirs.

Finnish Museum of Natural History

The Museum of Natural History, situated in the middle of Helsinki, houses both a permanent exhibition and changing ones. The permanent exhibition is divided into five groups-mammals, birds, fish, invertebrates and bone structures. You can acquaint yourself with the members of the different groups with the help of, among other things, dioramas. The museum also has a library, a kiosk and a shop.

Helsinki City Theater

A member of the European Theatre Convention, the Helsinki City Theatre proudly represents the city's cultural facet. It comprises of six stages, where the gamut of performances held range from regional theater and foreign productions, to musical and dance performances. The theater's structure is quite an attraction in itself; a unique grey building that was designed by Finnish architect Timo Penttila.

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Helsinki University Museum – Arppeanum

Snellmaninkatu 3, Helsinki, Finland, 00014

The Arppeannum University Museum is located in a majestic building with elements of neo-classism. The museum hosts exhibitions portraying the history of the university's faculty, teaching methods and research projects, with a special emphasis on the history of the medical sciences. Academic culture such as festivities and student life also have their own sections. Among the items displayed are various objects and instruments used in teaching and research work as well as sculptures, portraits and paintnings. The museum also hosts a library and archive including a collection of old historical books, documents and photos, with the oldest dating back to the 17th Century. -Paula Holst

Galleria MustaValkoinen

Free

Iso Roobertinkatu 35–37, Helsinki, Finland, 00120

MustaValkoinen (Black White) is a gallery, showroom and photo studio in the hip Punavuori district of Helsinki. Pop in for one of the exhibitions featuring photographs taken by the owners during their various projects. The relaxed premises welcomes anyone to check out an exhibition, flick through the books of an ever growing collection, engage in a discussion about the presented works or just loiter around. A wireless Internet connection is available free of charge. Freelance photographers may also rent out the studio for their own projects. -Paula Holst

Free

Teatteri Naamio ja Höyhen

Korkeavuorenkatu 17, Helsinki, Finland, 00130

Mask Theater and Feather produces entertaining plays and programs for businesses and communities that are performed in its theater and elsewhere. With talented artists like Axle Aittomäki and Virpi Byring, the company has hosted several performances suitable for all kinds of events, seminars, corporate functions, trade fairs and parties. The theater group is well-known for its productions on a wide range of subjects and includes the famous play Alice and Infinitum, a philosophical play that highlights concepts like self and the universe; and Omnia II, a show about social health and alcoholism. The group's venue has entertained people with dance show like Butoamme, a four day show with Finnish and Russian artists displaying their art.