There’s a plethora of museums in Helsinki, although some are located a bit outside of city center.

In Helsinki, there’s a heavy emphasis on art, design, and most exemplary of all, nature. Several institutions pay homage to the arctic landscape in Finland, by providing visitors comprehensive knowledge regarding the Northern Lights, and native Sámi culture. Here are some of the must-visit museums in Helsinki that’ll heighten your exploration in this unparalleled city.

NOTE: Last three museums on this list are located outside of Helsinki city center.

 

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The National Museum of Finland is the perfect place to fully comprehend Finnish culture, from history to folk. Situated in the heart of the city, the building was an ode to National Romantic period.

Inside, there are more than 500,000 artifacts that showcase a rich past, all the way back to the Stone Age. Don’t forget to look up as you enter, the ceiling above the entrance is a magnificent fresco painted by Akseli Gallen-Kallela – Finnish painter best best known for illustrations of the Kalevala.

Amos Rex is a relatively new museum which opened its doors in 2018, named after the owner of Finland’s largest Swedish-language newspaper Hufvudstadsbladet – Amos Anderson. The museum, located inside Helsinki’s Glass Palace (Lasipalatsi,) beholds Finland’s largest private art collection and is underground. The circular domes are now free for the public to enjoy.

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma is the ultimate enclave of modern art in Helsinki. The architecture was designed by Steven Holl, the famous American architect influenced by natural light which alters according to the time of day especially in Finland. Kiasma is part of the Finnish National Gallery, and displays pieces that depict Finland’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Nestled in Kaartinkaupunki district, Design Museum is also not too far from Museum of Finnish Architecture. The Design Museum plunges into designers and producers of Finnish products, in particular their links to this special region’s arctic environment and polar lifestyle.

The Museum of Finnish Architecture, on the other hand, is a deep dive into Finland’s architectural movements since the 1920s. There are guided tours, workshops offered on site.

EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art is Finland’s largest art museum, setting itself apart with 1960’s brutalist symbol at the core of Tapiola district. Since 2006, it’s been presenting a range of works created by Nordic artists. The museum is also located in WeeGee House – home to five museums, a contemporary art gallery, a media center, an art school, a museum gift shop, and a café.

The best part about visiting EMMA is that visitors can use the same ticket to also tour Futuro House and the KAMU – Espoo City Museum. Complete bang for the buck!

Haltia – The Finnish Nature Centre is the first and the largest giant wood building in Finland for public viewing. Perched by the scenic Lake Pitkäjärvi, Haltia hosts stunning exhibitions through natural wonders of this country: national parks, trekking trails, lakes, rocks, forests, mires, valleys…and more. It’s a profound understanding of nature through interactive experiences via the five senses, so visitors can walk away with a greater appreciation for sustainability.

Heureka is a Finnish Science Center and one of the best museums in Helsinki made for children and families since there are numerous interactive and hands-on installations, ranging from planetarium, exhibitions focused on various themes and lively events. The planetarium is one of the largest in Europe, known to educate the natural cosmic and the Earth’s incredible occurrences, such as: Northern Lights.

Hvitträsk is among many museums in Helsinki comprised of a magnificent building. The lakeside atelier was the creation of architect trio: Eliel Saarinen, Herman Gesellius ja Armas Lindgren. In 1903, they were immersed in the dream of building a studio near Lake Vitträsk. Today, it’s a breathtaking home to concerts, exhibitions and different events. Public tours are also provided by the museum, where you can also take a break in its alluring garden and indulge in an exquisite courtyard.