Parliament Building
Mannerheimintie 30
Built in the style of 1920´s classicism, the Parliament building is a monument of independence and democracy. Architect J.S. Sirén’s work. Guided tours in Finnish, Swedish and English on Sat 11 a.m. and noon. Sun noon and 1 p.m.
Trams 3/4/7/10 or walk from City center.
The entrance for visitors is on the left side of the stairs.
Market Square and Old Market Hall
Eteläranta
Souvenirs, cafés, and best of all, people, are here year round. Next to the Market Square is the Market Hall. The best fish, meat, pastries and bakery products in town.
The Market Square is located on the shore, close to the Presidental Palace (Presidental Palace: only guided tours, tel. 22 88 1299).
Temppeliaukio Church
Lutherinkatu 3
A church carved into stone, with water running naturally on the granite stone. In addition to services occasional concerts are held here. The church was designed by Timo and Tuomo Suomalainen in 1969.
Tram 3, in Töölö direction or short walk from the centre.
Open: Tue, Thu, Fri 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Wed 10 a.m.-6.45 p,m. Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m, Sun 11.45 a.m.-13.45 p.m. and 15.30 p.m.-6 p.m.
Kiasma
Mannerheiminaukio 1
The museum of contemporary art Kiasma is a construction of steel, concrete and glass. Look for sites in the windows: they are the architect Steven Holl’s tribute to the city outside.
City centre. Open: Tuesday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m, Wednesday to Sunday 10 a.m. to 8.30 p.m. Closed on Mondays. Tickets 6 e.
Finlandia Hall
Mannerheimintie 13 E
The Finlandia Hall is one of Architect Alvar Aalto´s masterpieces. Alvar Aalto is a Finnish equivalent to Frank Lloyd Wright. The home of Alvar Aalto is located in Munkkiniemi (Riihitie 20).
A short walk from the centre. Concerts: Helsinki Philharmonic Orhestra and Finnish Radio Symphony Orhcestra has regular concerts + visitors. Tickets from the Info Shop inside the building (open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.).
Cathedral and Senate Square
Standing on the steps of the Lutheran Cathedral, looking down to the Senate square, the main building of the University of Helsinki is on your right, and the former Senate building (now Counsil of State) is on your left. Architect: C.L. Engel (1778 - 1840). The statue in the middle of the square pictures the russian tsar and grand duke of FInland, Alexander II (tsar 1855-1881). The smaller statues are symbols for law, light, peace and work.
Trams 1/2/3/4 to Kauppatori. The Helsinki City Museum at Sofiankatu 4 presents the history of Helsinki. The museum has another location too, the Hankasalmi Villa near Finlandia Hall.
Uspensky Cathedral
Pormestarinrinne 1
The dominating cupolas of this large orthodox church bring a slavic feel to any skyline picture of Helsinki. The interior with its paintings and icons is very decorative.
Open: The opening times vary during spring. The opening times can be read from www.ort.fi
Sibelius monument
The monument was built to honor the legendary composer Jean Sibelius.
The monument is located in the Sibelius park between Mechelininkatu and Merikannontie.
Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
Suomenlinna fortress is on the Unesco list of World Heritage sites. Several museums dedicated to the history of the fortress, as well as a doll and toy museum, somre restaurants and a 250-tonne WW II coastal submarine. Suomenlinna also has a hostel, with dorms for 40 e and doubles for 25 e/person (tel. 684 7471).
The ferry to Suomenlinna leaves from the Market Square. The HKL ferry costs 2 e (your HKL tourist ticket is valid too), the privately operated ferries are slightly more expensive.