The best specialized museums Helsinki

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!

Located on the island of Suomenlinna, this museum traces Finnish military history, with a particular focus on the Second World War. Numerous exhibits and objects retrace the episode of the "Winter War" and help visitors understand the civil and military issues of the period. An impressive tank and period weapons are on display. The ticket also includes a short but unusual visit to the Vesikko submarine.