3 ways to explore Helsinki's art scene

Helsinki Contemporary

Afternoon exploring street art

Helsinki Contemporary offers cultural experiences at a contemporary art gallery in the heart of Helsinki Gallery District on the lively street Bulevardi. The gallery is located at a new renaissance-style building and offers a beautiful view to the Old Church Park. The interior of the gallery is very unique in style, designed by the acclaimed Finnish designer Ilkka Suppanen.

1. Helsinki Contemporary

The Old Church Park is one of the most popular green areas in the city centre. It is also known as the "Plague Park" (Ruttopuisto), as victims of the plague in 1710 were buried alongside the church. The gravestones in the Old Church Park remind of the history of cemeteries in this part of town. The cemeteries in Kamppi made gradually way for the growing city. Today the Old Church Park is as popular as all the other parks in the city centre. Small scale events are also organized in the park. The Old Church (Vanhakirkko) in the park is the second oldest church in Helsinki.

2. Old Church Park - Ruttopuisto

Galerie Forsblom has from the very beginning brought established international artists to Helsinki while presenting Finnish distinguished art, including a careful selection of young artists, to an international audience. Founded in 1977, Galerie Forsblom is lodged in the heart of Helsinki, in the remodeled courtyard of the historic Suomi building.

3. Galerie Forsblom

Putte's Bar and Pizza, i.e. Putte, has become one of the city's classic pizza bars. 

4. Putte's Bar & Pizza Kalevankatu

The sculpture Love Helsinki from 2012 by Janne Siltanen (b.1976) is located close to the villas in Ruoholahti, on the pedestrian and cycle path Baana that passes through the city centre. The artwork includes the "Helsinki" sculpture and the nearby mural.

5. Love Helsinki

Cafe Java in the corner of Lasipalatsi, right in the city centre, is a two-storey high café with an art nouveau interior, a tranquil oasis in the middle of the hectic city.

6. Cafe Java

A small café, hidden in the heart of Helsinki with a great view of Alexanterinkatu. A favorite among a lot of busy Helsinkians who during the week visit the café for breakfast, lunch and take away coffees. During the weekends La Torrefazione serves brunch and salads, in other words, a perfect pit-stop when spending a day on the town.

7. La Torrefazione

Kahvila Rakastan is a café located on the courtyard of Hakasalmi Villa. The café serves vegan delicacies. A soup lunch is available every day.

8. Café Rakastan

Kunsthalle Helsinki - Contemporary art and design in a beautiful venue, since 1928. 

Each year, Kunsthalle Helsinki hosts 5-7 major exhibitions, in addition to special events and a cross-disciplinary programme. The focus of the exhibitions is on contemporary art but the exhibition programme also includes design and architecture. 

There's also a small museum shop, Kioski, and restaurant Finnjävel, known for its Finnish modern cuisine.

9. Kunsthalle Helsinki

Elite has been a unique cultural restaurant and living room for artists since its establishment in 1932. Actors, musicians, authors, dancers and artists have enjoyed themselves for years here in the theatre of real life. Paintings by some of its artist patrons can be admired on the walls of the Elite. The Finnish-international restaurant serves eg. sirloin steak with creamed onion à la Tauno Palo (inspired by the famous Finnish actor) and vorschmack.

10. Restaurant Elite

Ateneum Art Museum is the place to see the classic pieces of Finnish art

A day of exploring the city

Design District Helsinki brings together creative people in the heart of Helsinki. There are almost 160 members in the Design District area, offering eg. ceramics, jewellery, Finnish fashion as well as international brands, local goods, and sustainable lifestyle products. There are also art galleries with contemporary art, photography, installations or sculptures in the area, not to mention the prestigious museums, such as Design Museum and Taidehalli/Kunsthalle Helsinki.

Find.designdistrict.fi is a new design guide to Helsinki Design District which will help you explore the design streets of Helsinki and to find a handful of curated fashion boutiques, art galleries, specialty shops and other hidden gems you might not have heard of before. Also, top quality restaurants, cafés and hotels you shouldn't miss.

Design District Helsinki is an association founded in 2005 known as an advocate for city culture and specialty shops as well as an expert in the design field.

1. Design District Helsinki

Sinne is a space for Finnish and international contemporary art. Entrance to the gallery is free.

2. Sinne

Interesting contemporary art exhibitions changing every 4 weeks. Also a wide range of graphic art on sale.

3. Galleria Bronda

Papershop is a high-quality paper goods and stationery shop in Helsinki.

4. Papershop

Lokal Gallery specializes in showcasing unique and limited edition items by local artists, designers and artisans. 

5. Lokal Gallery

Kämp Garden presents the most important names and emerging talent of Finnish fashion on the 2nd floor of the Kämp Galleria shopping mall. 

With an emphasis on accountability and community, Garden combines shops, events, workshops and showrooms. 

In Garden, you will find the following shops: Arela, éN Hats, Klaus Haapaniemi, Mannisto, Nomen Nescio, Paintings and Tauko.

In addition to Finnish design, the 2nd floor Garden also offers the dining establishments Haiku and Waffdaddy, lifestyle shop My o My Home, as well as an expert in natural cosmetics, the beauty shop Jolie. 

There are also interesting pop-up stores and temporary exhibitions.

6. Kämp Garden

Crispy, tasty and gluten-free Belgian-style waffles, with vegetables, fish or meat. Not forgetting the sweet waffles.

WaffDaddy - crushy, honest, fresh and tasty!

7. WaffDaddy

The Finnish Museum of Photography is a special museum devoted to the art and practice of photography.

8. Finnish Museum of Photography

Katajanokka Park was created in 1897 based on the designs of City Gardener Svante Olsson. The view from the park up to Uspenski Cathedral with its golden cupolas is itself magnificent. In 2014 the park was renamed Tove Jansson Park, celebrating the 100th anniversary since the birth of Tove Jansson, artist and author of eg. the famous Moomin books.

9. Tove Jansson Park

The popular Esplanade Park, fondly referred to as "Espa" among locals, is the most famous park in Finland and the green heart of Helsinki. People come here to see and be seen, to listen to music and watch performances, and to enjoy picnics. The park was originally planned by the principle architect of Helsinki, Carl Ludvig Engel. The park is characterized by an architectonic style with its straight tree-lined alleys and flowerbeds. The rows of linden trees on either side of the park create a hall-like space.

At the Market Square end of the park lies one of the most historic restaurants in Helsinki, Kappeli, built in 1867 and designed by architect Hampus Dahlström (1829-1882). Opposite Kappeli is Espa Stage, which offers concerts all through summer, from the beginning of May to the end of August. On either side of the stage is a pool with sculptures by Viktor Jansson (1886-1958). "Water Nymphs" depicts a mermaid and child playing with a fish, and "Hey There" ("Hi") depicts a small boy playing with a fish.

Standing in the middle of the park is the statue of Johan Ludvig Runeberg (1804-1877), Finland's national poet and author of the Finnish national anthem. Sculpted by the poet's son, Walter Runeberg (1838-1920), it was the first public monument erected in Helsinki.

Close to the statue are also the park's four historic kiosks. The decorative wooden kiosks on the southern side were built in 1893 and 1909, while the functionalist kiosks on the northern side were designed in 1928 by City Architect Gunnar Taucher (1886-1941).

Restaurant Teatteri and Svenska Teatern (Swedish Theatre) dominate the Mannerheimintie end of the park. Two memorials can be found here. The first is to the author, journalist and historian Zacharias Topelius (1818-1898).The second memorial is to the great Finnish poet and journalist Eino Leino (1878-1926).

10. Esplanade Park

HAM is one of the most significant art museums in the Nordics. In its exhibitions at Tennispalatsi, HAM showcases modern and contemporary art.

11. HAM Helsinki Art Museum

The Ateneum is the home of Finnish art and part of the Finnish National Gallery. The museum's collection includes more than 20,000 national treasures. 

12. Ateneum Art Museum

Restaurant Lasipalatsi is restored honouring the functionalism style of the 1930's. The restaurant serves classic dishes and the high-quality wine selection will satisfy even the most demanding tastes. At Restaurant Lasipalatsi you will find classic dishes as well as seasonal delicacies whenever they are at their best.

13. Restaurant Lasipalatsi

Stairs to exhibition floor // Staircase on movie theatre's wall

Weekend break on a map

Hotel St. George is a full-service luxury hotel with holistic care for a healthy mind, heart and body. The hotel is situated by the beautiful Old Church Park in the heart of Helsinki. The Wintergarden, a restaurant and bar in the heart of the hotel, is a meeting place for everyone. Enjoy the vibrant cuisine, colorful and unique dishes by chef Tomi Björck in his newest restaurant Boom Nam on the street level. The hotel also has its own bakery St. George Bakery, the first Monocle Shop in the Nordic countries and St. George Care -spa and gym. 

This summer St. George is co-operating with Helsinki Biennale 2021. Staying at the Hotel St. George gives access to the hotel's own art gallery, which contains more than 400 works of art. 

See more information on St. George's special deals and getaways on the hotel's website.

1. Hotel St. George

Dylan Marmoripiha serves lunch in the city centre. The lunch restaurant is located in the Rautatalo building designed by architect Alvar Aalto. 

2. Dylan Marmoripiha

Helsinki Biennial is an international contemporary art event that is organised for the second time from 12 June to 17 September 2023. The biennial brings together around 30 established and emerging artists and collectives from Finland and across the world. It will take place on Vallisaari Island, HAM Helsinki Art Museum and other venues and public places in the city. HAM Helsinki Art Museum is responsible for producing the biennial. &nbsp;

3. Helsinki Biennial

Chéri is an elegant Parisian style brasserie by the Esplanade park, with tempting cocktails, sophisticated wines and delicious French flavours.

4. Chéri

Kiasma is a museum of contemporary art in the centre of Helsinki. It is a place where people meet art and where everyone is welcome.

5. Museum of Contemporary Art Kiasma

Oodi is Helsinki's new Central Library and a living meeting place in the city centre on the Kansalaistori Square. Oodi is a venue for events, a house of reading and a diverse urban experience. It will provide its users with knowledge, new skills and stories, and will be an easy place to access for learning, story immersion, work and relaxation. Oodi is a library of a new era, a living and functional meeting place open for all.

6. Oodi, Helsinki Central Library

The park around the Töölö Bay begins in the heart of Helsinki and there's a popular walking path circling the bay. The Winter Garden, boasting hundreds of plants, is located at the north end of the bay. Wooden villas along the shores are a reminder of Helsinki's history. The Töölö Bay is a treasure especially for bird watchers. Töölönlahti park is a new oasis for culture and city events that has been developed along the southern shoreline.

7. Töölönlahti Bay

Amos Rex is an art museum where the past, present and future meet.

8. Amos Rex

Pasila Urban Art Center, run by Helsinki Urban Art association, hosts changing exhibitions dedicated to urban art.

9. Pasila Urban Art Center

Restaurant Savoy has been at the very top of Helsinki's restaurant scene since the 1930's. Field marshal Mannerheim (or "Marski") was among the most well-known regulars, and his favorite dishes can still be found on the menu, eg. the vorschmack and filled-to-the-rim favorite shot. 

The Savoy interior was designed by architects Aino and Alvar Aalto who brought their human-centered and functional touch to every detail in the restaurant. Opening in June 1937, the interior was rich in various species of wood and lush planting, and the use of fabrics was vivid. The atmospheric dining hall was framed by terraces on three sides. The interior showed the Aaltos' preference for welcoming and comfortable furniture and their sensitivity towards high-quality natural materials. In 2019-2020, the restaurant was re-designed by Ilse Crawford and Studioilse and renovated in co-operation with Artek, Helsinki City Museum and the Alvar Aalto Foundation.

10. Restaurant Savoy

Helsinki's galleries take you to the heart of Finnish art scene

3 ways to make the most of Helsinki's seaside

Discover art by the sea

Must see art museums in Helsinki

More ways to explore art

Visual arts in Helsinki

Advanced search

Are you an art friend? Well then plan a trip to Helsinki, the city is littered with art and culture, from contemporary to classics. ...