Helsinki City Museum

Helsinki City Museum

Helsinki

Provided byMaija Astikainen/Visit Helsinki

PDF Guide

Our travel guides are free to read and explore online. If you want to get your own copy, the full travel guide for this destination is available to you offline* to bring along anywhere or print for your trip.

*this will be downloaded as a PDF.

Price

€4,95

Home Europe Finland Helsinki MuseumsHelsinki City Museum

Helsinki City Museum

Helsinki City Museum

Spread across five historic buildings near Senate Square, including the city’s oldest stone house, this museum dives into Helsinki’s everyday life, displaying old photos, quirky objects, and personal stories. Permanent exhibits like Helsinki Bites and Children’s Town offer a hands-on look at the city's past. Bonus: Admission is always free.

Information

addressAleksanterinkatu 16-18, Helsinki
openingHoursMon–Fri 11am–7pm, Sat & Sun 11am–5pm
phone+358 9 310 36630
websiteVisit website
facebookVisit website

More in Museums

Amos Rex

Amos Rex

Amos Rex is an art museum mixing old and new — part of it is inside the Functionalist Lasipalatsi building, while most of the galleries are tucked underground beneath a wavy plaza. The exhibitions change regularly and cover everything from classic to contemporary art. There’s also Bio Rex, a small cinema showing art films and events.

MuseumsRead more →

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

Seurasaari Open-Air Museum

A short bus ride from the city centre, Seurasaari is an island where you can walk through Finnish history—literally. The open-air museum has over 80 wooden buildings moved here from across the country, including cottages, farmsteads and even a church, showing how people lived from the 18th to the early 20th century. You can explore the grounds on your own or join a guided tour during the summer. The island is free to visit year-round and popular for its walking paths and wildlife (keep an eye out for friendly squirrels). The museum itself is open seasonally, from mid-May to mid-September.

MuseumsRead more →

Helsinki Tram Museum

Helsinki Tram Museum

This small museum lets you hop aboard old Helsinki trams and get a feel for how people used to get around. It's set in a former tram depot from 1900, now part of the Korjaamo Culture Factory in Töölö. You can sit in the driver's seat, check out vintage tickets, and watch old transport clips.

MuseumsRead more →

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Kiasma is Helsinki’s leading venue for contemporary art, known for its bold exhibitions and striking architecture. Designed by American architect Steven Holl, the building’s flowing forms and ramps invite exploration across five floors of galleries. Part of the Finnish National Gallery, Kiasma presents thought-provoking exhibitions, performances, and events that challenge and inspire.

MuseumsRead more →

The Finnish Museum of Photography

The Finnish Museum of Photography

One of the oldest photography museums in Europe, this place has been showing work by Finnish and international photographers since 1969. The exhibitions change regularly and usually balance well-known names with up-and-coming artists. It’s not huge, but if you’re into visual culture or want a quieter spot to take in something thoughtful, it’s worth checking out. Located in the Cable Factory, which also houses a few other museums and cafés.

MuseumsRead more →

Art Museum Ateneum

Art Museum Ateneum

Ateneum is Finland’s main art museum, housing the country’s largest collection of classical art. The permanent exhibition, 'A Question of Time', explores Finnish identity, nature, and modern life through works from the 19th century to the early 20th century. Highlights include pieces by Akseli Gallen-Kallela, Helene Schjerfbeck, and even a Van Gogh. The museum is centrally located near Helsinki Central Station. It features a ground-floor bistro serving Finnish dishes and afternoon tea, and a third-floor café open during temporary exhibitions.

MuseumsRead more →

Kunsthalle Helsinki

Kunsthalle Helsinki

Since 1928, Kunsthalle Helsinki has showcased bold contemporary art, design, and architecture in one of the city’s most elegant venues. Housed in a striking 1920s Nordic Classicist building, it hosts 5–7 major exhibitions annually, featuring both Finnish and international artists.

MuseumsRead more →

Helsinki Art Museum (HAM)

Helsinki Art Museum (HAM)

The Helsinki Art Museum manages Helsinki’s public art — over 9,000 works scattered across the city, from parks to metro stations. Its main exhibition space is in the Tennis Palace, where you’ll find rotating shows of modern and contemporary art, both Finnish and international.

MuseumsRead more →

Theatre Museum

Theatre Museum

Tucked inside the Cable Factory complex, the Theatre Museum dives into Finland’s stage history and the art of performance in general. It’s not just about watching — many exhibits are hands-on, so you can try out lighting, costumes, or even directing a scene.

MuseumsRead more →

Didrichsen Art Museum

Didrichsen Art Museum

Tucked away on Kuusisaari island, the Didrichsen Art Museum combines modernist architecture, a rich art collection, and serene seaside views. Originally the private home of art collectors Marie-Louise and Gunnar Didrichsen, this 1960s villa now houses a museum showcasing Finnish and international 20th-century art, along with pre-Columbian and Asian artefacts. The surrounding sculpture park features works by artists like Henry Moore and Laila Pullinen.

MuseumsRead more →

Hotel and Restaurant Museum

Hotel and Restaurant Museum

Explore the delicious history of Finnish hospitality at the Hotel and Restaurant Museum. From cafés and fine dining to tourism and tipples, the exhibitions dive into how food, drink, and service have shaped Finnish culture. The permanent display covers everything from the golden age of hotel dining to the curious tale of alcohol sales in Finland. Located in the Cable Factory, the museum also offers guided tours by request.

MuseumsRead more →

The Worker Housing Museum

The Worker Housing Museum

Set in a wooden house from 1909, this small museum shows how working-class families in Helsinki lived through different decades of the 1900s. The rooms are furnished with stove ovens, wash tables, and pull-out beds from various eras. It’s a low-key but interesting stop if you’re into everyday history.

MuseumsRead more →

The Burgher's Home

The Burgher's Home

Tucked behind a yellow gate, this small wooden house provides visitors with a glimpse into middle-class life in 1860s Helsinki. Built in 1818, it’s the oldest surviving wooden building in the city centre. The interiors have been restored using old estate records to reflect how a fireman and his family lived back then, complete with period furniture and everyday details.

MuseumsRead more →

Natural History Museum

Natural History Museum

From dinosaurs to the Ice Age, the Natural History Museum’s exhibitions trace the story of life on Earth. The History of Life display takes visitors on a journey from the Big Bang through the rise of mammals and beyond, while interactive exhibits highlight the fascinating diversity of the natural world.

MuseumsRead more →

Aviation Museum

Aviation Museum

Located near Helsinki Airport in Vantaa, the Finnish Aviation Museum offers a fascinating look into the history of Finnish flight. The museum’s extensive collection features dozens of aircraft, from early aviation pioneers to modern jets.

MuseumsRead more →