Things to see and do Helsinki

This imposing granite construction of the architect Eliel Saarinen (1910-1914) marks a turning point in Finnish architecture. With a national romantic style, the lines are little more refined. The building of the station mixes Art nouveau and functionalism. Its strong facade, the jewel of Art Nouveau, is mitigated by the subtlety of coronations and the integration of the. Four busts of massive and solemn men, lamp carriers, frame the main entrance. The 48 m tower with a green-green roof has a clock 3 m in diameter. Inside the Station, the Pullman fresco on the second floor is signed by Eero Järnfelt, one of the great Finnish artists. To fool the boredom of expectations, the café on the ground floor has a small casino! The station provides access to the largest metro station and an underground shopping outlet.

She is a sculptor, Eila Hiltunen, who pays tribute to the famous composer Sibelius by a fairly original contemporary work. Indeed it sticks hundreds of tubes to each other. Located in the Sibelius park, north of the city centre, the work (Passio Speculum) has been established as one of Helsinki's masterpieces. " The steel forest, "as the Helsinkiens called it, caused much controversy. Made up of 580 tubes of steel, of uneven length, in the image of some imaginary, conifères organ reminiscent of the importance of nature in the composer's work. The monument does not usually leave anyone indifferent. The head of Sibelius, close to a rock, seems almost unusual in this context… Eila Hiltunen delivered a similar work at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

This monument is dedicated to the great Finnish composer Jean Sibelius (1865-1967). This work, created by the Finnish sculptor Eila Hiltunen and entitled Passio Musicae, quickly established itself as one of Helsinki's masterpieces. "The Steel Forest", caused much controversy when it was inaugurated in 1967. Made of more than 600 stainless steel tubes of unequal length, like an imaginary organ. Next to it is a portrait of Sibelius. You can walk under the work to hear the echoes of the wind or you can have fun generating them yourself

Completed in 1931, against a backdrop of national romanticism, the Eduskuntatalo perfectly embodies the Finnish Parliament, with its Greek temple appearance. The guided tour (on reservation only, sometimes in English or French - enquire by email or phone) provides a better understanding of the country's legislative system. Possibility to attend all plenary sessions in the gallery of the session room (doors are open 15 minutes before the session).

Since 2014, we have been enjoying a breathtaking view of the city and its archipelago from this 40-metre-high attraction with its 30 cabins, in order to compete with the famous Viennese Prater Ferris wheel... And if you've read our special report on the sauna, you know that one of these cabins closes one! The must: the VIP cabin which can accommodate 4 people with a glass floor and leather seats. Reduced price for Helsinki Card holders.

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.

Built of granite in the early ^20th century (1909-1919), this superb station is the work of architect Eliel Saarinen and marks a turning point in Finnish architecture. The national Romantic style was gradually replaced by cleaner lines. The station building blends Art Nouveau and functionalism. Its austere facade, the flagship of Art Nouveau, is softened by the subtlety of the copings and the integration of figurative elements. Four massive, solemn busts of men, carrying luminous globes, frame the main entrance - signed by Finnish sculptor Emil Wikström. The pair even have a name: Lyhdynkantajat, which roughly translates as "the lantern bearers" (Emil Wikström also created the bear sculpture in front of the National Museum). The 48 m tower with its verdigris roof features a 3 m-diameter clock. It is considered the most important work of national Romanticism. Inside the station, the Pullman fresco on the second floor is by Eero Järnefelt, one of Finland's great artists. The station provides access to the largest metro station and an underground shopping passage. The station is often cited as one of the most beautiful in Europe and the world. The station has often been featured in advertisements for Finland's railways. In 2013, the statues were restored and the globe lights replaced with LEDs.

The office is not open to the public, but the website is extremely comprehensive and is essential for any preparation of a trip to Finland. It contains information, photographs, files about Finland and its many facets. It is also rich in information on events in the capital and on excursions to the Helsikian agglomeration or, further afield, to Lapland. It is available in French.

Previously located in the main railway station, a new tourist office opened in October 2022. It provides information on the city's activities, events, restaurants and bars. Free maps of Helsinki are also available. The friendly staff will be happy to guide you if you need help or have any questions. Another tourist office, near the Old Market Hall, is open from late May to mid-September; the one at the airport is closed for good...

Sandy beaches, a seaside restaurant that serves smoked fish, family and relaxed atmosphere. Petit Deauville swimming huts with its colourful changed. Ideal for swimming in summer, opposite the large ferries to the neighbouring countries. You can also walk along the cliff and collect bays or mushrooms in the forests of the island.

In Helsinki's former working-class district, at the top of the hill (or rock, hence the name kallio), the church designed by Lars Sonck between 1908 and 1912 gives a good insight into the romantic national school and the influence of Art Nouveau in the city's architecture. Lars Sonck (1870-1956) is an architect who designed among others the Ainola residence of Jean Sibelius, the cathedral of Tampere, the Mikael Agricole church (not far from the district in Punavuori)...

With its twin 74-metre-high spires, this neo-Gothic Lutheran church, built between 1888 and 1893, is the largest in the city. Renowned for its acoustics, it hosts a number of concerts. The Divine Revelation was painted by Eero Järnefelt, brother-in-law of Jean Sibelius. The church takes its name in part from the hill on which it was built, a place that has traditionally been the site of Midsummer fires for centuries.

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.

A breathtaking (and free) view of the city from this magnificent fourteen-storey tower, built in 1928 to designs by the architectural brothers Bertel and Valter Jung (Jung & Jung - who also designed Helsinki's Kulosaari church). Don't hesitate to explore the hotel's interior, and if you're feeling a little thirsty, take a seat on the terrace of the Ateljee Bar to enjoy the view through the bay windows for a while longer. And don't forget to visit the ladies' toilets for the best view of the capital!

Beard to Daddy and good-natured atmosphere in this old-fashioned amusement park. Each year, the park is enriched with an additional attraction. Don't miss one of the first roller coaster of all time (all made of wood) and the free ride in the observatory tower. A dozen small rides and attractions, designed for the youngest, are free of charge. Ideal for families and for children, their eyes shining in front of this small magical world. Good to know: the park belongs to a children's foundation! In 1950, the park was founded by six associations which joined forces seven years later to create the Children's Day Foundation. All profits from the park are now donated to the foundation. Among the six associations are the following:

Barnavårdsföreningen i Finland: aims to protect disadvantaged children and their families.

The Federation of Mother and Child Homes and Shelters: which aims, among other things, to prevent domestic violence.

The Central Union for Child Welfare : whose most important tasks are to promote the interests of children and to pool expertise in child protection.

The Mannerheim League for Child Wel fare: to protect children, young people and young families

Parasta Lapsille : a national organization that organizes camps, activities, clubs...

Save the Children: which helps children with family difficulties

As Helsinki continues to expand, the city is taking over former harbors and waterfront industrial districts. Kalasatama is one of these up-and-coming business and residential districts. On the disused site of a large and beautiful factory built at the beginning of the ^20th century, you'll find a skatepark, a graffiti gallery, bars and pop-up restaurants in summer. It's a district in full transition, with work scheduled to continue for several more (long, long) years, until 2030. All the more reason to come back!

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.

This is one of the places we recommend in our Finnish design itinerary. It was created by an American artist Robert Wilson. He is known to be above all a scenographer, and therefore a specialist in staging. The park is divided into nine rooms, each symbolising different domestic spaces. It was designed in memory of Tapio Wirkkala, a designer. It was his daughter who suggested the name Robert Wilson, who at the time used a photo of a sculpture by Wirkkala for one of these settings.

Built in 1834, the observatory was reopened to the public after modernization work in 2012. You will be able to observe the stars and visit an exhibition on astronomy in the planetarium. Nice coffee on the spot. From this 38 m high hill, a privileged place for picnics in summer and sledging in winter, you will have a breathtaking view of the whole capital and the sea on the horizon! Guided tours are made by passionate people who are happy to pass on their knowledge! Don't miss the Shipwrecked Statue just around the corner.

Would you like to discover Helsinki through the eyes of the birds, for three hours and with a photographer as your guide? That's what Samuel Bloch, a French traveler and expatriate in the Finnish capital, is offering you. With him, you'll discover the species that inhabit the city's natural spaces, in Vanhakaupunki, Laajalahti and Suomenoja, in all seasons. A passionate and enthusiastic guide, Samuel will adapt to your every need. Recommended!

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..

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!

For architecture and interior design enthusiasts. Both home and office, the Villa Aalto already shows the beginnings of the "new" Aalto, the genius of Romantic Functionalist architecture. The museum is also home to the Alvar Aalto Foundation, founded in 1999 to organize conferences bringing together architects, researchers and enthusiasts. Just 500 m away is the studio of Finland's most famous architect, typical of his style. A must-see if you're passionate about the man!

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.

Just a stone's throw from Suomenlinna, Lonna is a pretty little island just reopened to the public, a former Russian mine-reserve area, then a mine-clearing area. There is already a small café and a summer restaurant there, but the idea is to create a new urban space where events and other initiatives can take place. A nice getaway on the way to the fortress island. It is easy to get around on foot, the island is very small. It is also a nice place for a picnic break on a sunny summer day with friends or family.

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!

Less well known than Puu-Vallila, Puu-Käpylä is another fine example of a garden city, designed by Martti Välikangas and built in the 1920s-1925s to meet the housing needs of the working classes. Today, the complex has a charming old-fashioned character, with colorful wooden houses surrounded by small gardens. The Käpylä district was originally built as an Olympic village for the 1952 Olympic Games. Martti Välikangas was born in 1893 and died in 1973. In Helsinki, he also designed the building at 46 Albertinkatu Street.

It's raining or cold and you don't know how to keep your toddlers occupied? Welcome to children's paradise! On the programme: bouncy castles, trampolines, slides and rides galore, a ball pool, a haunted cellar, a climbing wall and even an area reserved for the little ones. The perfect plan to let your children have fun while they're exercising! They also organize events such as the Lego show. And if the children want to sit down for a couple of minutes or swallow a cake to leave full of energy, a cafeteria is available.

If you want to visit the surroundings of Helsinki and especially the national parks, BioGeo - Traveller is for you. You can choose between several excursions, for example towards Nuuksio to discover both the Finnish forest and a national park with many lakes. In winter, the atmosphere is enchanting with its mist, the water starting to freeze, the snow starting to cover the ground... Alternatively, why not visit the city of Porvoo, accompanied by your guide to learn about the history and secrets of the place. Great experience!

Beautiful old house of the Russian founder of the Koff brewery, a popular beer in Finland. Art lovers, Paul and Fanny Sinebrychoff collected European paintings (Flemish and Italian in particular) from the 17th^{and 18th} centuries. Since then, the collection has been enriched by donations of art from the 14th^{to the} 19th^centuries . The Sinebrychoff Museum is the only museum in the country with a collection of works by European masters from the ^14th to the early ^19th century. The collection includes Swedish, Italian and Flemish paintings (including a Rembrandt), as well as furniture, silverware, porcelain and a collection of over 400 miniatures. The museum's origins lie in the donation by Paul and Fanny Sinebrychoff of their private collection to the Finnish state in 1921. It can be visited in the rooms of their former residence. This collection has been supplemented by antique works of foreign origin from the Ateneum Museum. The Sinebrychoff Museum regularly presents temporary exhibitions that seek to combine European tradition with extra-European cultural expressions. But the most interesting feature is undoubtedly the succession of rooms furnished in styles spanning the centuries...

Also worth a visit: the Sinebrychoff park, a popular picnic spot in season, but also popular with sledging enthusiasts in winter (a hill with a perfect descent on laiskianen day, Finnish Mardi Gras) and the adjacent Café Fanny.

Formerly a slaughterhouse in the Kalasatama industrial zone, originally built in 1933 and turned into a wholesale market in the 1990s, this red-brick building has now become an urban space managed by its residents, with a number of events organized by ordinary citizens in the courtyard throughout the year. There's now a brewery, a coffee roaster, restaurants of all kinds... In short, an alternative and popular place, symbolic of this city of Helsinki that never ceases to change and evolve with the times!

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.

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.

Located behind the Lutheran cathedral, the small Orthodox church of the Holy Trinity is also Engel's work (like the palace of the Council of State, the library and the main building of the university...). More intimate and secret than Uspenski, the church is a real little jewel with its beautiful old icons and its typical gilding. In this small space, the masses take place in a magical atmosphere, probably due to the smoke of incense.

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!

Built in 1826 according to Carl Ludvig Engel's plans, this white wooden church has all the characteristics of the Engelian style: Doric pillars, high windows and a central cupola. Renowned for the quality of its organs still in use, especially during spiritual concerts, it remains one of the favourite places of worship for newlyweds. A plaque on its portal recalls that in 1710 two thirds of Helsinki's population died of the plague.

Built in 1763 for the merchant and magistrate Gustav Johan Bock, this is the oldest house in the district, and was restored to Engel's design in the early ^19th century. The building housed the town hall, was for a time the official residence of the Governor General (representative of Tsarist Russia), then a court of justice and a prison. Today, it houses the town's offices and ceremonial halls, as well as a number of small craft stores.

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).

Housed in a former tramway repair workshop, this "cultural factory" offers several exhibition spaces, concert/theater halls and a bookshop. These yellow buildings in the middle of a quiet neighborhood are home to one of Scandinavia's largest cultural spaces. You can also simply enjoy the trendy bar and listen to the latest summer DJs, or work in its public workspace, "le troisième espace". Beware, there's a lot of work going on in the area!

Helsinki Cityride offers you to discover the city in a thousand ways, especially by Nordic walking. For those who are not familiar with it, it is a dynamic walk with specially designed poles. Through several tours, it is a good way to combine sport and culture, as the guide accompanying you will introduce you to the city as well as the Finnish way of life. It is possible to do the tours in English. Other possibilities for excursions by sailing boat or even hot-air balloon!

Beach east of Helsinki, in Vuosaari. Very pleasant for swimming or a picnic.

The Kaisaniemi Botanical Garden is one of the most popular tourist attractions. After extensive restoration work, the greenhouses will bring nature lovers a tropical breeze away from city life. In the Palm House, visitors can see an impressive collection of orchids. The outdoor garden invites you to discover the world of plants. In summer, the most attractive part of the grounds is the central garden, with ponds and flowers, bordered by rose bushes.

Head for Place du Sénat for a guided stroll. Finland, a Swedish province for almost six hundred years, came under Russian domination following the war of 1808-1809. Almost all of Helsinki, built of wood, was destroyed by fire during the conflict. On the orders of Tsar Alexander ^I, the center of the future capital of the Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire was designed as a work of art. At the time, Finland was extremely rural. The very low level of urbanization, with the exception of a few towns scattered along the west and southeast coasts, attests to a certain provincialism. In this respect, Helsinki's acquisition of capital status marks a major turning point.

Senate Square is the work of two men: Johan Albrecht Ehrenström and Carl Ludvig Engel.

The north side of Senate Square is dominated by the white Lutheran Cathedral. From the top of the staircase, the view of the southern harbor (Eteläsatama) and surrounding streets is splendid.

To the right of the square, opposite the cathedral, the Government Palace, one of Engel's major works completed in 1822, houses the Senate and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Prime Minister's office is located on the second floor, at the corner of Aleksanterinkatu. The colonnade over the main entrance conceals one of the most beautiful Empire-style interiors. At the far end of the building is Helsinki's oldest public clock. Unfortunately, this area is closed to the public.

On the left, Senate Square is flanked by the main building of the former University of Finland, transferred to Helsinki by Tsarist decree after the great fire of Turku in 1827. The façade has the same structure as the Governor's Palace. However, much of the university was destroyed in the bombing raids of 1944, including the main concert hall and works of art.

Behind the cathedral, in the Unioninkatu, the small Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity, also by Engel, houses several fine old icons, including the Virgin of Smolensk. Also in Unioninkatu, the magnificent university library (Yliopiston Kirjasto), with its frescoed ceiling, is one of Engel's finest works. Open to the public, its lavish interior is matched by its splendid yellow façade, adorned with a majestic Corinthian colonnade.

At the center of the square stands the statue of Alexander II, assassinated in 1881 by an anarchist group, created by Walter Runeberg in 1894 (son of the famous writer Johan Ludvig Runeberg). It was during the reign of Alexander II that the Duchy of Finland acquired a large measure of autonomy, hence the special place it holds in the memory of the city's inhabitants.

To the south, Senate Square is also lined with the former residences of Helsinki's merchant bourgeoisie. Among these early ^19th-century mansions, note the pretty little grey-blue house built for the powerful businessman Sederholm, which today houses a children's museum of Helsinki history. Maison Kiseleff, on the corner of Unionkatu, is home to many of the chic boutiques that make up the touristy Baazar Kiseleff. Helsinki also has a touch of St. Petersburg about it... In fact, the Finnish capital has been used as a location for a number of films, the action of which was supposed to take place in the city built by order of Peter the Great in 1703.

Let's continue our stroll behind the magnificent Lutheran Cathedral, in Snellmaninkatu Street, home to the Bank of Finland, erected in 1882. A stone's throw away, note the metal-welded fountain by Eila Hiltunen (designer of the Sibelius Monument ). Opposite the Bank of Finland stands a statue of Johan Wilhelm Snellman (1806-1881), a remarkable ^19th-century Finnish statesman who took the initiative in minting a Finnish currency distinct from the rouble. The latter, by Emil Wikström, also sculpted the frieze of the nearby House of Orders (Mariankatu 5), designed by Gustaf Nyström and restored to house the state's salons d'honneur. Completed in 1891, it serves as a meeting place for the commoner orders during the national assizes of the orders. Nyström was also responsible for many of Helsinki's public buildings, such as the National Archives (Rauhankatu 17), whose oldest document dates back to 1316. Continuing along Unioninkatu, take a look at the Faculty of Humanities, housed in one of Helsinki's oldest hospital buildings.

Continuing along Unioninkatu, we reach the University Botanical Garden and the large Kaisaniemi Park (Unioninkatu 44). Further on, take Liisankatu Street to the end and cross the beautiful Kruununhaka district, where the sea and quayside come into view. Once you reach Pohjoisranta, you'll see some of the tallest buildings of the late ^19th and early ^20th centuries. An arm of land connects with Tervasaari, the ^17th-century site of merchants' tar stores. This area, now restored as a park, is one of the locals' favorite places for a stroll.

Just across the square is the exceptional (and free) Helsinki City Museum: don't miss it (especially with children).

Stromma is an agency that organizes bus and walking tours of Helsinki. It offers really interesting itineraries, and the route is well laid out. What's more, on the bus, you can listen to the tour in French through headphones. I particularly like the Living & Design tour, which is particularly well done and gives you the chance to see some of the capital's lesser-known places! Want more? Why not opt for a visit to the Fazer chocolate factory after a bus tour of the city? Or, in summer, opt for the neighborhood walking tours.