Choose from 53 Fun Things to Do in Finland
ShowingFilter 41-53 of 53 listings.
Suomenlinna Toy Museum
Suomenlinna Toy Museum has a great collection of old toys and dolls, teddy bears, toy cars and games, some of which date back to the 1800s. A little museum showcasing the long history of toys, visiting is a unique way to get acquainted with Finnish culture and tradition. No furbies or tamagotchis here, even Suomenlinna's newest toys are over 50 years old.
Housed in a wooden villa on Iso Mustasaari Island, the cozy museum's private collection is large and well displayed, and has over 100 antique teddy bears on show. Suomenlinna Toy Museum is interesting for both kids and adults, and there are guidebooks available so you can read about the toys' stories and their previous lives. The house itself was originally built in 1911 by a captain who manned the headquarters of Viapori fortress. Aptly, one of the museum's specialities is wartime toys and games.
The museum cafe and its outdoor terrace is almost as popular as the toys The cafe sells home-made pastries, coffees and teas. There's also a toy store where you can buy authentic Steiff teddy bears.
Practical Info
Suomenlinna Toy Museum is open every day during summer, and on weekends during spring and fall. Tickets cost 6 EUR. To get to the island, you can take the public ferry to the main pier. The Toy Museum is then 500 m away. In summer, you can also take the waterbus to the Visitor Center pier, which is about 400 m away from the toy museum.
Address: Suomenlinna C 66, Helsinki 00190, Finland
Admission: 6 EUR
From $ 56
Military Museum's Manege
Take a tour of Finland's military history from the 17th century to the present day at the Military Museum's Manege, housed in a former artillery storehouse at Suomenlinna fortress. Inside, the main exhibition "˜From Autonomy to Atalanta' offers a fascinating insight into the Finnish defense forces, Finland's WWI history, and the life of a Finnish soldier.
Highlights include an impressive collection of military uniforms, historic weapons and other equipment; artillery including 16th-century field canyons and a modern army tank; and some more unusual exhibits including a Soviet T-46 torpedo, a Somali pirate boat, and a torpedo tube from a Finnish S2-torpedo boat.
Practical Info
The Military Museum's Manege is located in the Suomenlinna fortress on Suomenlinna island and is only accessible by water. Regular ferries and waterbuses run from the Market Square in Helsinki and take around 20 minutes.
The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm, but opening hours can vary during the winter months "“ check the website for the full schedule. Adult admission is 7€ or free with the Helsinki Card.
Address: Komendantintalo, Suomenlinna, Helsinki, Finland
Hours: Daily 10am-6pm (hours vary in the winter months)
Admission: Adult 7€, Child 4€
From $ 56
Villa Gyllenberg
Set amid the idyllic greenery of Kuusisaari Island, the magnificent Villa Gyllenberg is one of Helsinki's most beautifully situated museums. The historic 20th-century villa is the home of art collectors Signe and Ane Gyllenberg, and their impressive private art collection opens it doors to the public two days a week.
Inside, the gallery boasts around 400 pieces, mostly from Finnish artists and including everything from 16th century works by the old masters to modern art dating back to the 1970s. Highlights include Isak Wacklin's Portrait of a Man, a selection of surrealist paintings by Juhani Linnovara, and a collection of around 30 Helen Schjerfbeck works. The Villa also hosts temporary exhibitions and classic music concerts.
Practical Info
Villa Gyllenberg is located on Kuusisaari island in central Helsinki and is open Wednesdays from 4pm to 8pm, and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm. Adult admission is €10.
Address: Kuusisaarenpolku 11, Helsinki, Finland
Hours: Wed 4-8pm, Sun 12-4pm
Admission: Adult €10, Child (under 15) free
From $ 56
Pyhä-Luosto National Park
A wild landscape of ancient pine forests, lakes and hills stretching between the fell resorts of Pyhä and Luosto, Pyhä-Luosto National Park is the highlight of central Lapland and a popular choice for a day trip from Rovaniemi.
With more than 90 miles (150 km) of walking trails, Pyhä-Luosto is a top destination for hikers all year-round, with highlights including Isokuru, Finland's deepest gorge, the Pyhä Waterfall and the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, Europe's only active amethyst mine, where visitors can try their luck digging for gemstones. With over 75 miles (120 km) of ski trails and ample opportunities for snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides and husky sledding, Pyhä-Luosto makes a fun place to spend the winter months, while summer activities include mountain biking, canoeing, swimming and fishing.
Practical Info
The Pyhä-Luosto National Park is located in Finnish Lapland, about 68 miles (110 km) northeast of Rovaniemi.
Address: Pelkosenniemi, Finland
From $ 90
Submarine Vesikko
What is a German type-II U-boat doing as a museum on the shores of Helsinki's Suomenlinna Sea Fortress? Here's the story. Built by the Dutch in 1931, Vesikko was a secret submarine built for experimental purposes for the German Navy. It was built in secret in Finland because, after World War I, the Treaty of Versailles officially banned Germany from making armaments.
In 1935, however, the Finnish Defence Forces bought Vesikko submarine, and its navy successfully used the sub to protect Finland against encroaching Russia during World War II. After the second world war, under the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947, Finland was banned from keeping submarines and was ordered to sell its little fleet of five to Belgium for scraps in 1953. The only submarine left in the country was Vesikko. But what does "Vesikko" mean? It's the Finnish name for the European mink. After all, both submarine and animal are small predators.
One of the most advanced submarine designs of its time, a visit inside is quite a shock to the modern visitor. By today's standards, the submarine is tiny, and it's fascinating to be able to go inside to see and touch everything, imagining just how a 20-man crew would have fit in its claustrophobic walls at the time. One of Suomenlinna's main attractions, Vesikko submarine receives nearly 30,000 visitors a year.
Practical Info
The sub is open daily from mid-May until the end of August from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Entrance costs 5 EUR. To reach the Suomenlinna island, a public ferry can be taken from Kauppatori.
Address: Susisaari, Helsinki 00190, Finland
Admission: 5 EUR
From $ 56
Military Museum
Finland has plenty of wartime history and it's the job of the Military Museum in Helsinki to preserve the collection of over 200,000 artifacts, including equipment, medals, flags, uniforms, photographs and more. The red brick building, which was used as barracks in the 1880s, not only honors the defense forces of Finland, but is also part of the Finnish National Defence University.
While the museum's permanent exhibition displays military history from the 15th century to the present day, the focus lies on the 19th century. During that time, just after a bloody war between Sweden and Russia over control of the Baltic, Finland ended up as a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire. Other interesting parts of the exhibition are the occupation by Sweden, the war of independence as well as Finland's involvement in the Second World War. Apart from the main museum in Helsinki, the Military Museum also supervises the operation of a number of smaller special arms museums throughout Finland, such as the Tank Museum, the Aviation Museum or the Infantry Museum.
Practical Info
The Military Museum in Helsinki opens Tuesday to Thursday from 11am to 5pm and Friday to Sunday from 11am to 4pm. It is closed on Mondays. The closest bus stop is Liisanpuistikko, which is located right in front of the building and is serviced by bus number 16.
Address: Elisabetsgatan 1, Helsinki, Finland
Admission: Varies
From $ 56
Museum of Technology
Established in 1969, the Museum of Technology, also called Tekiniikan Museo, is the only technology museum in Finland. The museum is operated privately by the Museum Technology Foundation which was established by a variety of engineering and industrial organizations within the city. The Museum of Technology focuses on the history of invention and innovation within the technology sector in Finland. It seeks to preserve the history of industrialization in Finland, and creates a historical lineage of industrialization in Finland dating back to its days as an agrarian society.
The museum is located on a small island in the middle of the Vantaanjoki River. The island itself is incredibly important historically. It was here that the Swedish King Gustav Vasa built an administrative center and established the city of Helsinki itself in the 1500s. As the city industrialized, the shores of the river became the life-blood of the various factories and industries in the city. Thus, the riverfront location makes great sense as the host of the Museum of Technology.
Practical Info
The Museum of Technology is located about 20 minutes from the center of Helsinki. Buses 68 and 71 depart the city's railway station for the museum. Also, both trams 6 and 8 have stops within a reasonable walking distance of the museum. If you have a car, there is parking on the museum grounds.
Address: Viikintie 1, Helsinki, Finland
From $ 56
Sinebrychoff Art Museum
Specializing in European art from the 14th to the 19th century, Sinebrychoff Art Museum is the only museum of its kind in Finland. Part of the Finnish National Gallery together with Ateneum Art Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma, Sinebrychoff displays an important collection of paintings by Old Masters including Rembrandt and Goyen.
Housed in a mansion dating back to 1842, much of the furnishings are original and give an insight into the lives of Finland's upper classes during the 19th century.
A popular place to spend a morning or an afternoon, Sinebrychoff has a good collection of Dutch and Flemish artworks from before 1830. Sinebrychoff also has a large display of miniatures, porcelains, and sculptures dating back to classical antiquity.
The museum hosts a rolling collection of temporary exhibitions, generally at no extra charge. Often, the temporary exhibitions are dedicated to modern art, providing an interesting juxtaposition of old and new in the 19th-century house.
Practical Info
Located on Bulevardi 40, Sinebrychoff Art Museum is close to Aleksanterin Teatteri railway station. Closed on Mondays, the museum is open from 10am-6pm on Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am - 8pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and from 10am-5pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is 10 EUR, with free admission on the first Wednesday evening of each month.
Address: Bulevardi 40, Helsinki 00120, Finland
Admission: 10 EUR
From $ 56
Sederholm House (Sederholmin Talo)
Sederholm House (or Sederholmin Talo) dates from 1757 and was the house of Helsinki's then-richest merchant, Johan Sederholm. A two-story stone building with a mustard-colored roof, it was the most luxurious house in the city. Business was done on the ground floor, with storage cellars below, and the family lived in the apartments on the floor above. Apart from the windows, which were enlarged in 1866, the house is as it was when built.
These days Sederholm House is part of the Helsinki City Museum which traces the history of the city. The historic Sederholm House is used for special exhibitions. The museum has a number of other sites also including the main location at Sofiankatu 4, the Tram Museum, the Power Station Museum, the School Museum, Hakasalmi Villa, the Burgher's House and the Worker Housing Museum. Each hosts exhibitions and together they form an excellent picture of life in Helsinki over the centuries.
Practical Info
Reach the Sederholm House on trams 1, 3B, 3T and 4.
Address: Aleksanterinkatu 16-18, Helsinki, Finland
Hours: Wed, Fri - Sun 11am - 5pm, Thurs 11am - 7pm. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
Admission: Free
From $ 56
Urho Kekkonen Museum Tamminiemi
Found in the Meilahti district of Helsinki, Tamminiemi is a villa that served as the official residences for former Fininsh president Urho Kekkonen between 1940 and 1981. The house was originally designed by Sigurd Frosterus and Gustaf Strengell for a Danish man by the name of Jorgen Nissen. The building was completed in 1903 and housed a number of residents before finally becoming the home of Urho Kekkonen. Today, the villa is open to the eyes of the public as a museum. It's located next to Seurasaari Museum Island within a beautiful park.
Kekkonen held the office of president in Finland from 1956 to 1981, and Tamminiemi was the official residence, the center of political affairs, and was often used to entertain foreign guests and dignitaries. It is said that Kekkonen would often treat his important guest to a visit to his personal Turkish baths found within the complex. After Kekkonen left office in 1981, it remained his personal home until his death in 1986. Much of the residence has been left as it was during the years it was occupied by the Finnish President. Visitors can step back in time and wander through the house via guided tours. Guests also have the chance to see the living quarters, various art works, and the kitchen area. There is also a cafe and shop on site.
Practical Info
The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm. During the summer months there are tours every day in English, Swedish and Finnish. During the winter, there are only English and Swedish tours on Sundays. The nearest metro station is Meilahdentie which is about 400 meters walk away. Bus number 24 runs all the way to the museum area as well.
Address: Seurasaarentie 15, Helsinki, Finland
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday 11am to 5pm
Admission: Adults €7
From $ 56
Sports Museum of Finland
Located in a wing of the 1952 Olympic Stadium in Helsinki, the Sports Museum of Finland is an extensive collection of historical artifacts, memorabilia, posters, and photos documenting the country's sport history. The museum itself was founded in 1938 as a simple collection of historic skis. The original plan was to place the museum in the Olympic Stadium during the 1940 Olympics which had been awarded to Helsinki. However, the games were canceled due to The Second World War, and plans for the museum were also put on hold. Despite the war, the museum was still opened in 1943. And, eventually, the world got a glimpse when the games finally came to Helsinki in 1952.
Today, there are both permanent and temporary exhibitions at the museum. The permanent exhibitions focus on Finnish sports history and culture. There are exhibitions documenting people like Matti Nykanen, who was one of the world's most successful ski jumpers. There is also a section documenting some of Finland's more obscure sports such as Pesapallo. The temporary exhibits are more interactive in nature and focus on getting children involved.
Practical Info
The Sports Museum of Finland is located in the Olympic Stadium. It is open Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm. The nearest metro stop is Toolon Halli.
Address: Olympiastadion Paavo Nurmen tie 1, Helsinki, Finland
Hours: Monday to Friday from 11am to 5pm and on Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm to 4pm.
Admission: Adults €5,00; Children under 18 are free
From $ 56
Saariselkä
Located about 155 miles (250 km) north of the Arctic Circle, Saariselkä is one of Finland's northernmost ski resorts, a remote spot that is an ideal choice for those looking to get off the beaten track and escape the crowds.
Saariselka is best known for its winter sports, and the nearby fells of Kaunispaa and Iisakkipaa offer 11 ski and snowboard slopes, along with more than 155 miles (250 km) of cross-country skiing trails. Other popular activities include snowmobiling, snowshoeing, husky sledding and reindeer safaris, while summer visitors can make the most of the abundant hiking and mountain biking trails. Saariselkä also makes a great destination for viewing the Northern Lights, with its northern location offering some of the highest sighting rates from September to March.
Practical Info
Saariselkä is located in Northern Lapland, 160 miles (260 km) north of Rovaniemi and 19 miles (30 km) from Ivalo airport.
Address: Saariselkä 99830, Finland
From $ 139
Museum of Finnish Architecture
Helsinki's Museum of Finnish Architecture dedicates three stories to design, with a special focus on Finnish architecture from 1900-1970 in its permanent collection on the second floor. The Finnish collection is especially interesting for those interested in Modernism and renowned Finnish architects like Alvar Aalto.
Located in Helsinki's design district, first floor temporary exhibits showcase both international and Finnish architecture.
As the second-oldest museum of architecture in the world, a visit to the small museum is an interesting way to learn about Finnish culture and Scandinavian style. Located in a beautiful neo-renaissance building dating back to 1899, the archives on the second floor are open to the public and feature over 50,000 drawings, many of which are originals. The archives also include an extensive selection of photographs, slides, and models. On the ground floor there's a bookshop and library.
Practical Info
On Kasarmikatu 24, the Museum of Finnish Architecture is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am - 6pm, and on Wednesdays from 11 am - 8 pm. Admission costs 6 EUR for adults, though it's worth getting the 12 EUR combi-ticket which will also give you entry to Helsinki's Design Museum, two minutes' walk round the corner. On the first Friday of every month, there's free entry to the architecture museum. The museum is easily walkable from the city center, or you can take tram 10, which stops just in front of the Design Museum.
Address: Kasarmikatu 24, Helsinki 00130, Finland
Admission: 6 EUR
From $ 56