The best museums Finland

A rather intriguing museum located on the second floor (and a half) of a well-built building (with beautiful stained glass windows in the hall). Organized into different sections, it focuses as much on Lenin's history as on that of the USSR in general, with a particular emphasis on its links with Finland. There are numerous historical documents, a small store and original period archives. A special mention for the checkroom, which is well worth a visit. A pleasant visit, if not compulsory!

The museum strives to push back the traditional boundaries of art museums by continuously following the development of the visual arts: originality and novelty are the watchwords of its exhibitions. The museum presents post-1960 contemporary collections in a superb building completed in 1998 to designs by Steven Holl: paintings, media works, spatial works and photographs. On several floors, white predominates, with an exceptional emphasis on natural light and remarkable work on volumes. Every year, the museum acquires around a hundred new works by Finnish and foreign artists. Room X showcases the most recent works, while the Printti section gives pride of place to the graphic arts. The first floor features a pleasant café-restaurant with wi-fi. Kiasma also has an auditorium where events are regularly presented in connection with all contemporary forms of performing arts (dance, theater, music), often in collaboration with festivals. The exhibition schedule is available on their website, as are theater and performance programs. Don't miss the official website to find out what's on, which is always surprising, exciting and attractive. Finland's most visited museum! Free with Helsinki Card and every first Friday of the month.

Located in Porvoo's old town hall, which dates back to 1764, you can see the works of Albert Edelfelt and the sculptures of Ville Vallgren, who also sculpted Havis Amanda on Helsinki's Market Square. There is also an exhibition on the Diet of Porvoo in 1809, which marked the beginning of Finnish autonomy and on the nobility of the city. There are also more than 220,000 archaeological and art objects on display, as well as archives including maps...

Completed in 1752, the church is located in the heart of the forest. You can reach it through a 5 km trail. it's a magical place, where some couples get married.

This ethnological museum gives back the period of time with numerous farms from different parts of Finland and lifts here with their greniers and fenils. The peasant interiors have preserved their appearance in the past.

In the heart of Vaasa, the Tikanoja Museum is an art museum with many surprises in store for you. Paintings by Gauguin, Daumier, Degas, Picasso but also by famous Finnish painters... These are some of the superb pieces in the collection of businessman Frithjof Tikanoja. This art collector has collected no less than 1,000 pieces by Finnish and international artists. They are now on display in the museum named after the famous Vaasa business man. In addition, the museum organises many events and activities.

Opened in 2007, this beautiful two-storey design museum of modern art is well worth a visit. Well located in the town of Vaasa, it is only a few steps away from the market square and the seafront. The museum is named after art collector Simo Kuntsi (1913-1984) and the art collection he created - and which can be seen here - is considered one of the most important collections of modern and contemporary art in the country. The temporary exhibitions are always very interesting.

In a bourgeois house built in 1700, a pharmacy preserved in its original state was set up in part of the building in the 19th century with two period laboratories. It is the oldest pharmacy in Finland and well worth a visit. At the same place, there is also the Qwensel House Museum. In it you can follow the history of the family of Joseph Pipping, a professor of medicine who lived in the building in the 18th century.

For design enthusiasts, it's a must! Cradle of the national company known throughout the world for its famous orange scissors, Fiskars is the village that saw the creation of this small workers' bastion. The museum traces the history of the factory and its inhabitants from the 17th century to the present day. Fiskars is a foundry company founded in 1649. In 1832, they launched the country's first cutlery factory and in 1967, they made themselves known worldwide with their famous orange chisel. On site: museum, café and souvenir shop.

This fun-filled family museum tells the story of the passionate relationship between Helsinki and its tramway, from its origins to the present day. An original way to learn about the city's development and its unique character. Relatively small, it's well suited to younger visitors, with its many interactive panels. You can play streetcar driver and imagine yourself traveling on these big machines every day. Free of charge, it's the perfect way to spend a little time.

An underground amusement park with Santa Claus as its main theme. Here, you'll meet elves, reindeer and all the logistics that go to make up the Christmas miracle! Fun with children, the atmosphere is cheerful and exotic, and despite the high prices and permanent crowds, it's an extra dimension to the Santa Claus Secret Forest that's worth appreciating. Reservations recommended. Tickets valid for all attractions on two consecutive days. Be warned: the area is very, very, very touristy!

Those who want to know more about the snowmobile and the lumberjack's life in the area will find all the info here. A large collection of snowmobiles and chainsaws is on display. The collection traces the history of this indispensable means of locomotion for the local population. Today, it is widely used by tourists to discover the vastness of Lapland's landscapes, but it has many applications, even on reindeer farms. There's also a sawmill museum... It's both typical and atypical!

Mining began in 1897 in Lohja. To visit this authentic limestone mine still in operation, you descend 80 m underground by funicular - guided tour only. You will learn all about the living conditions of the miners and their working methods. Sound and light show in an underground quarry. Don't forget to cover up because the visit lasts 1h30 and the temperature in the mine is 8 degrees. Instructive and entertaining: we recommend it!

Located in the old town of Naantali, the museum is spread over two wooden buildings dating from the 18th century. It reflects the bourgeois lifestyle of the small town and the trades of yesteryear. The first building houses the museum's ticket sales, an archaeological exhibition of the early days of Naantali and a miniature model of St. Bridget's Convent. The second takes visitors into 19th century interiors that show how the merchants of the small town lived. Beautiful garden with a rose garden. Count 1 hour for the visit.

A site much visited by Finns, but also by foreigners, which presents the history of the terrible Winter War of 1940. The Winter War Monument is a field with thousands of stones erected in memory of the Finnish and Red Army soldiers who died in the Battle of Suomussalmi in 1939-1940. The idea of the place is to make visitors reflect, using visual means, on the suffering and ravages of war. Guided tours.

This superb 1960s house, the work of architect Viljo Revell, houses a beautiful little private museum of modern and pre-Columbian art, hidden away on an island off Töölö Bay. It's easily reached by bike or bus, as the island is linked to the mainland by a bridge. Marie-Louise and Gunnar Didrichsen accumulated such an artistic heritage that they had to extend their private home and convert part of it into a museum. Today, exhibitions of contemporary art are held here. Permanent exhibitions of pre-Columbian art are housed in the basement. The park surrounding the house is home to a number of modern sculptures, including the largest collection of Henry Moore's work outside the UK. The museum's architecture is truly remarkable. The Didrichsens had originally approached Alvar Aalto to build their home, but he turned them down for lack of time, recommending Viljo Revell as the only architect capable of building their dream home. The museum's interior has kept some of the house's rooms intact. The living room, with its art library, enchants the mind with its large bay window overlooking the pine trees and pebble beach below. The bathroom, dining room and bedrooms are surprising in their modest size and simplicity. During the Didrichsen couple's lifetime, this rationalist architectural jewel was already giving pride of place to works of art.

Visiting this museum is a good idea to learn more about the habits and customs of the region, especially through a collection of objects and costumes. There are permanent exhibitions, as well as several temporary exhibitions that change every 2 to 4 years. Located in the heart of the city, it is a must-see for visitors to the city who are curious to learn more about the past and the values of the region, on which today's communities are based.

A modern, interactive site where you can learn all about sustainable forestry. The exhibits are well designed for children, who will quickly understand the process of photosynthesis and the principle of eco-responsibility. You can also get lost in a reconstituted birch forest, to feel the life of the forest at night. National park information desk for hiking and fishing sites (maps available). Extended opening hours in high season; see website.

On the ^8th floor of the Arabia factory and stores, you'll find this museum. It provides information on the history of the Arabia and Iittala brands, and showcases the work of influential designers such as Kaj Franck, Timo Sarpaneva, Rut Bryk and Tapio Wirkkala. Occasional thematic exhibitions are also organized. On the same site, one floor down, you can visit "The Design Lab Gallery", a space open to artists who can work, experiment..

The museum houses Martti Airio's private collection, which he bequeathed on his death. It features works by Finnish painters from 1870 to 1990, including artists from the Septem Group and the November Group. Upstairs, you'll find sculptures by Johannes Haapasalo (1880-1965), a pupil of Rodin. Some of these are scattered around downtown Mikkeli. There are also temporary exhibitions showcasing young local artists.

Built in a former postal depot dating from 1933, the space offers a large number of cultural events, mainly musical, but it also has a solid collection of contemporary art. It is also the home of the Lapland Chamber Orchestra. Temporary exhibitions change four times a year. It is an important cultural venue for the city, but it is also a place where you can meet to admire the beauty of the premises, in perfect harmony with the spirit of the place, and enjoy a coffee or a quiet moment in the complex's library.

To know everything about the Winter War in 1939-1940. A crucial episode in the country's history, as the Finns' fierce fight against the Soviets enabled them to retain their independence. In the museum, we learn about this episode with the help of photographic exhibitions, models, objects and also sound effects. One can get acquainted with the daily life of the evacuated civilians as well as the Finnish and Soviet soldiers.

A small family museum well worth a visit. The display cases showcase toys from the late ^19th century to the 1960s: a fine collection of dolls, teddy bears, toy soldiers, wooden horses and baby carriages - not forgetting, of course, the Moumines house! On your way out of the museum, stop off at Café Samovarbar to try their tasty cakes and hot chocolates, to prolong your return to childhood in this dolls' house atmosphere!

Housed in one of the beautiful red brick buildings of the former cable factory, this museum is dedicated to Finnish (and international) photography, with temporary exhibitions of consistently high quality. A second site, in the Kämp shopping center, presents temporary exhibitions that are renewed three times a year. Two visits that complement each other and offer a sharp look at the photographic work of Scandinavian artists.

At the top of a long street stands the Erottaja fire station, in operation since 1891. Designed by Theodor Höijer, it looks like a red-brick castle, with its main tower - a watchtower to keep an eye out for any sign of fire. One of the wings now houses the firefighters' museum, displaying trucks and equipment, as well as the history of the biggest fires to hit the city. An original museum to make children's eyes shine!

A relatively small museum in terms of size, but impressive in terms of the breadth of exhibits on display, especially when said exhibits come straight from the mysterious world of espionage! You'll have the opportunity to discover new and unsuspected facets of an opaque world, learn about famous spies and even try to solve some mysteries: cryptography, Morse code and the secret chamber. Please note that photography is not permitted during the tour. Don't forget to ask for the tour booklet in French (a rarity in Finland)!

The desire of Consul Alfred Jacobsson and his wife Hélène to preserve their home in its original state to illustrate the life of the upper classes in Turku a century ago led to the creation of the very special Ett Hem Museum. One will appreciate the refined and original painted wooden furniture, typical of the region. The museum's collection also includes books by artists and sculptors of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as objects typical of the bourgeois interiors of the time.

One of the liveliest museums in Turku. It houses more than 700 instruments (16th-20th centuries), including some rare pieces and important archives of the great composer Sibelius, who has a whole section devoted to his work. The aim of the museum is to bring to life the history of Finnish music from the 18th century to the present day. For music lovers, this is the most comprehensive museum in the country! The advantages: concerts are given in a room with acoustics that are necessarily excellent for such a place (tickets from 4 € to 8 €).

An imposing building in the purest Art Nouveau style (1904) stands high above Vartiovuori Park. The first floor is devoted to temporary exhibitions featuring Finnish artists. Upstairs, it's more classical, with collections representing Finland's golden age in the ^19th and ^20th centuries, with works by Aleksis Gallèn-Kallela, Hugo Simberg, Wainö Aaltonen, and more contemporary artists such as Ellen Thesleff and Helena Schjerfbeck...

In this typical garrison house, you'll discover a preserved interior, an exhibition of weapons paintings and model ships. It's a small, short visit, but one that offers an unusual, period view of a relatively little-known side of Suomenlinna. There are also some fine ship parts on display. The building, however, is charming, as are the surroundings. A welcome break after a long day's sightseeing.

The painter's house-workshop, which he designed himself and which dates from 1913, is set in a park plunging towards the sea. An old red pine with tortured branches leans protectively over the roof of the sloping, wood-tiled house, backed by a white turret. A few steps across the road, on this little knoll in the forest, a charming white house with an openwork veranda houses a café and summer restaurant. The only false note is the freeway below, hidden by the forest but audible in the background. Regular temporary exhibitions.

Just a hundred meters from the Design Museum, the Museum of Finnish Architecture houses an extensive collection of archives and documents. Photographs, articles, books, models and films introduce visitors to the achievements of architects of the past (Eliel Saarinen, Herman Gesellius, Armas Lindgren) as well as those of more contemporary architects such as Alvar Aalto and Reima Pietilä. Plus: a play area for children.

The museum collects the memories of Marshal Mannerheim, a true national hero. The Generalissimo was elected Regent of Finland in 1918 after the victory over the Bolsheviks. He will also lead the heroic resistance of the Finns against the Russians. Part of the furniture and exhibits came from his Warsaw home. Memories also of travels, many portraits of ancestors... Reconstructions of the St. Petersburg and Warsaw salons, made up of precious objects and rare pieces, complete the picture.

Owned by the Signe and Ane Gyllenberg Foundation, the museum is located in the former home of its donors, in Kuusisaari, west of Helsinki. A successful banker and renowned art collector, Ane Gyllenberg (1891-1977) collected works by leading Finnish artists. The museum was renovated in spring 2013 and regularly transforms itself into a choice classical concert venue. Once a year, a temporary exhibition takes place here. A bucolic, pastoral visit as much as a real trip back in time!

This art museum presents works from the "People of Helsinki" collection, as well as temporary exhibitions of exceptional quality. The permanent collection features a large number of paintings, while the temporary exhibitions are an integral part of the Biennial, highlighting major names on the contemporary art scene. The scenography is modern and inventive, and some of the HAM's 9,000 works can be found in the city of Helsinki. It's a great way to learn in the fresh air. A must-see!

The museum presents the history of the country's main industries (metal, chemistry, wood, construction, mining), but also communications, information technology and electrical energy. Ideal to understand the real passion of the Finns for technology. It is the only general technology museum in the country. It is located next to the small falls of the Vantaa River, since it is in an old hydraulic factory dating back more than 150 years.

The official residence of Urho Kekkonen, Finnish president from 1956 to 1981, was known as the center of Finland's political and governmental life. Tamminiemi remains furnished as it was in Kekkonen's time, and the museum houses a collection of Finnish art and gifts received from foreign visitors. It's a most interesting visit, offering a new insight into an often overlooked aspect of political and diplomatic life. Interesting temporary exhibitions are also organized.

An interactive and entertaining museum that is particularly entertaining for children, with its "children's city"! The "Children's City" (Lasten Kaupunki) is a museum created to raise children's awareness of art and culture in a fun way. This site reviews the history of Helsinki during the 18th century: children can discover the period streets by entering reconstructed shops and workshops, they can measure their strength by loading the cargo on a merchant ship, disguise themselves with period clothing, write on a board... Upstairs, there is a primary school dating back to 1930 with Mormon discipline and a house from the 1970s with games that will inevitably bring back memories for parents. But this museum is also highly appreciated by adults thanks to its very lively and surprising scenography that takes us back in time in the city. On the fourth floor, an astonishing installation invites visitors to discover an olfactory Helsinki, lying on cushions. Feel free to venture into the museum's extensions, at Villa Hakasalmi (Mannerheimintie 13 B), Burgher House, the city's oldest wooden house dating from 1818 decorated in the style of a middle-class home of the 1860s (Kristianinkatu 12), the Workers' Housing Museum (Kirstinkuja 4), giving an idea of social housing from the early 20th century, and the tram museum (Töölönkatu 51 A).

You can learn all or almost everything about the history of the railways in Finland in this museum, which opened in 1898. Situated in an authentic railway station and depot area - the Hyvinkää - Hanko - it allows a total immersion in the history of this means of transport. On site, unique pieces such as the Tsar's locomotive and no less than 150,000 photographs illustrate the fascinating world of the train. The plus: in summer, there is a small café and an outdoor model train.

The museum tells the story of the Lotta Svärd organisation, the largest national defence organisation created in 1918 after Finland's independence and composed of women who voluntarily joined the national army. It illustrates the history of women in Finland through the exhibition of part of the collection of 6,000 objects and 12,000 photos. There are permanent, temporary and even one outdoor exhibition on the ambulance trains. Possibility of guided tours. On site: a café and a souvenir shop.

In 2013, this museum celebrated the 150th anniversary of the artists of Tuusula Lake, Venny Soldan-Brofeld (1863-1945) and Eero Järnefelt (1863-1937), two key painters of the golden age of Finnish painting in the era of romantic nationalism. Eero Järnefelt studied at the Beaux-Arts in Finland, in Saint-Petersburg, in Paris... The permanent collection is dedicated to them, between the magnificent portraits of Brofelt, wife of the writer Juhani Aho and the landscapes of an ideal Finland. Also temporary exhibitions of contemporary art.

A marvellous chalet-studio by the painter Pekka Halonen (1865-1933), built in the romantic style on the shores of Lake Tuusula. There are also temporary exhibitions of paintings by Halonen's great contemporary artists, who were champions of national Romanticism. Pekka Halonen is a representative of the National Romantic style as well as Karelianism (a cultural movement of the late 19th century, which describes the political movement in the Grand Duchy of Finland aimed at spreading a Romantic vision of the Karelian region)

Near the market square, in an empire-style building, is the city's Maritime Museum. The building was built by a wealthy shipowner to house, at the time, the sailmaking of the Wendelin shipping company. In the mid-19th century Kristinestad was one of the most important shipyard and port towns in Finland. From Kristinestad great ships set sail for all the seas of the world, even for Australia! Tar and wood were the most important export products.

Kirsti's house is a humble sailor's dwelling, built at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, and has become a museum. It shows how the inhabitants lived here from the 1800s to the 1970s. In the window recess, two tile hounds, whose significance goes beyond mere decoration, can be seen. Facing outwards, they indicated that the sailor was at sea, pointing inwards, this meant that the sailor was at home. The small enclosed courtyard includes the stable, the barn, the attic, the cellar and the well.

The centrally-located building, constructed in 1912, was converted into a museum in 1993. The Lönnström couple, notables of Swedish origin, had an interesting collection of art and period furniture. On site, the premises can be divided into two small museums: the Art Museum and the Home Museum.

Home Museum: this house became a museum in 1988. It is the home of the couple Teresia and Rafael Lönnström, with a fine collection of period objects and art.

Art Museum: showcases contemporary artists in painting, sculpture and more

This museum, located in the former maritime school that marked the city by training generations of sailors, is worth seeing! On the first floor: permanent exhibitions, temporary exhibitions, the museum shop but also the navigation simulator Jenny II. The permanent exhibition highlights the importance of the sea in the construction and history of Rauma with many period photos of the port, life on the ships, objects... As for the second floor and the tower, there are temporary and art exhibitions.

This museum was the splendid residence of a rich shipowner of the last century, whose sons squandered their fortune travelling. Furnished in the style of the period (large tiled stoves for heating and beautiful furniture), it gives a slightly better understanding of the life of the Nordic bourgeoisie at the beginning of the 20th century. The office and dining room are particularly eloquent. One discovers many paintings of the commercial fleet on all the walls. The Russian flag was in use at a time when Finland was dependent on the Tsar.

Housed in a beautiful late 18th century mansion, the temporary exhibitions change every month and are varied with for example: Anna Eriksson, Kirsi Kuusisto, local or national artists... Every two years, the Baltic Biennial exhibits contemporary art from all the countries around the Baltic Sea, including Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia. On the website you will find a list of upcoming exhibitions and events.

In an old warehouse on the Eteläranta, converted into a museum in 1981, it is located in the centre of the town on the Kokemäki River. Most of the works come from a collection of the Mayor Gullichsen Foundation. This museum of modern art is known for its exhibitions of international contemporary art. Since the beginning of the 1990s, the museum has also been developing art education based on contemporary art. Beautiful temporary exhibitions as well.