Discover the Helsinki of Jean Sibelius

Main Building of the University of Helsinki. 

The Esplanade park on a sunny day. 

Helsinki Music Centre hosts 70 to 100 concerts and other events every month.

Kaivopuisto Park and observatory from above

In the footsteps of Sibelius in Helsinki

The Main Building of the university, designed by Carl Ludvig Engel, was completed in 1832. It is located next to the Senate Square in the heart of Helsinki's neoclassical centre, facing the Cathedral and the Government's Palace. The Fabianinkatu side was completed in 1937, before the war. The architect was J.S Sirén, who also designed the Parliament House.

Today Helsinki University consists of 11 faculties and almost 40 000 students spread across four different campuses.

1. University of Helsinki, main building

The National Library of Finland is not just a library, it is also a sight and a cultural destination where exhibitions and cultural events take place. 

2. The National Library of Finland

The Cathedral, by Carl Ludvig Engel, rising on the northern side of the Senate Square is the stage of national and academic festive services and one of the most popular tourist sights. The church is part of Helsinki's  Empire era centre and a landmark for those arriving by sea. It has become the symbol of the whole of Helsinki. Earlier called St. Nicholas Church and Great Cathedral, the current main church of the Helsinki Diocese was completed in 1852. Sculptures of the twelve apostles guard the city from the roof of the church. 

Exhibitions at the Crypt (Kirkkokatu 18), in summer also a souvenir shop Cathedral Shop.

3. Helsinki Cathedral

The House of the Estates, designed by Architect Karl Gustav Nyström, is located in the vicinity of Senate Square and stands opposite the Bank of Finland. The House of the Estates, built between 1888 and 1890 for the three common estates as a venue for meetings during the Assembly of the Representatives of the Estates, was inaugurated in January 1891. This dignified Neo-Renaissance building serves today as a venue for meetings and official functions held by the Prime Minister's Office and other offices of the central government.

4. House of the Estates

The  Helsinki City Hall was designed by C.L. Engel as a hotel in 1833 and the building has been the City Hall since the 1930s. The Helsinki coat-of-arms can be seen on the tympanum. With the exception of the facade, the building was completely rebuilt in 1967-1970 designed by the architect Aarno Ruusuvuori.

5. Helsinki City Hall

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).

6. Esplanade Park

Tradition and stories since 1867. Kappeli's strong attraction rests in its long-held traditions. The milieu and views offered by Kappeli's dining hall provide a unique setting for delicious lunches and suppers. Esplanade Park in all its beauty, the spaciousness of the glass veranda, the building's distinguished stature and Kappeli's up-to-date kitchen combine to serve today's customers. 

7. Restaurant Kappeli

Hotel Kämp is where the luxury of timeless elegance and European glamour unite. Enjoy your stay in the spacious hotel rooms of the most luxurious hotel in Helsinki, whether you're on a business trip or a vacation.

Hotel Kämp contains 179 rooms. These luxurious rooms range from a Deluxe room to the illustrious Mannerheim Suite which boasts a maximum floor space of 258m2. Additionally, the hotel is fitted with ten conference rooms for meetings and banquets.

Hotel Kämp Brasserie, with a magnificent view of the Esplanadi Park, is the choice for elegant and pleasurable moments. The 24-hour room service and exclusive concierge service will make all dreams come true. And if driving, the valet will park the car for you. 

Kämp Spa welcomes you to take an escape from the hustle and bustle of the everyday life. The comprehensive and tailor-made Kämp Spa treatments pamper both your body and soul.

8. Hotel Kämp

Svenska Teatern is the National Theatre for plays in Swedish. All the shows are in Swedish, but on the main stage some plays have Finnish subtitles and on occasion also in English. 

Svenska Teatern celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017 and is well worth a visit, if not for the performances, for the stunning architecture. The building was designed by Russian architect Nikolaj Benois and in 1935-36 a modernisation of the building was conducted by Eero Saarinen and Jarl Eklund.

9. Svenska Teatern

Klaus K Hotel is located on Bulevardi right in the heart of Helsinki, within walking distance of the city's attractions and services. 

10. Klaus K Hotel

The Old Student House is an integral part of Helsinki's cultural history. Opened more than 150 years ago, the Old Student House is perhaps the most legendary events venue in Helsinki. The Old Student House (Vanha Ylioppilastalo, also known as Vanha), in the corner of Aleksanterinkatu and Mannerheimintie and by the statue The Three Smiths, is the former student house of the student union of the University of Helsinki. The building was designed by Axel Hampus Dalström and was completed in 1870. 

The breathtakingly beautiful banqueting hall and the magnificent music hall are great settings for events such as seminars, spectacular gala dinners and trade fairs. The house can host events for more than a thousand guests and has four adaptable and unique meeting rooms. Versatile facilities and high-quality food and drinks will guarantee to have an event to remember.

11. Old Student House

Founded in 1872 The Finnish National Theatre is the oldest Finnish-language professional theatre in Finland. The building was designed by architect Onni Törnqvist-Tarjanne in 1902.

12. Finnish National Theatre

Uniarts Helsinki's Sibelius Academy is one of the largest music academies in Europe. Art and artistic work are at the core of education at the Sibelius Academy.

Art at the Sibelius Academy is versatile and surprising. The activities are showcased in over 600 annual concerts that are open to the public. Most of the concerts are staged at the Helsinki Music Centre.

13. Uniarts Helsinki's Sibelius Academy

Musiikkitalo is an acoustically first-class concert hall as well as other facilities providing a wide range of musical experiences for people of all ages and a place to study music. The residents of Musiikkitalo are Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and Sibelius Academy, Uniarts Helsinki.

Alongside music and architecture, it is also possible to enjoy visual art during a visit to Helsinki Music Centre. Reijo Hukkanen's Song Trees and Kirsi Kaulanen's Gaia were both specifically commissioned for the building. Works from the Finnish State Art Deposit collection are also on display.

The building was designed by LPR-Arkkitehdit.

There's also a café, lunch restaurant, a shop specialized in classical music, Fuga, and a sheet music shop, Ostinato, at Musiikkitalo. 

There are also guided tours in the building during summer, both to architecture and behind the scenes.

14. Musiikkitalo - Helsinki Music Centre

Töölö Sports Hall (Kisahalli), previously an exhibition hall, was completed in 1935 and served as a venue for concerts, banquets and sporting events. 

Nowadays the multifunction hall is used for a wide variety of sports training purposes and for competitions in basketball, volleyball, fencing, boxing and gymnastics.

15. Töölö Sports Hall

The world famous composer Jean Sibelius' (1865-1957) monument by Eila Hiltunen is located at the Sibelius park. It was unveiled 7 September 1967. The Sibelius Monument, resembling organ pipes, is made of welded steel with over 600 pipes and with the bust of the composer on one side. The monument is one of Helsinki's most popular statues and one of the most well-known tourist attractions.

16. Sibelius Monument

The Sibelius park was named after Finland's greatest composer Jean Sibelius on his 80th birthday in 1945. A favourite destination in the park is the Sibelius Monument designed by Eila Hiltunen.

17. Sibelius Park

Helsinki's oldest and best known park is surrounded by embassies and villas. The nearby sea, rock cliffs and green lawns offer many opportunities to relax and enjoy the outdoors. During winter, if the snow situation permits, the park is popular for sledding.

At the highest point of the park is the Ursa Observatory. There are also several cafées and restaurants along the shore and on the islands.

18. Kaivopuisto Park

The Lapinlahden Lähde is an active centre of culture, art and mental well-being operating in a historical hospital milieu designed by C. L. Engel.

19. Lapinlahden Lähde – The centre for arts, culture and mental wellbeing

The grey granite Kallio church from 1912 is one of the most prominent landmarks of Helsinki. It is located in the Kallio district, at the end of Helsinki"s longest straight street axis, Unionkatu- Siltasaarenkatu. The church is one of the purest representatives of the Romantic nationalism style in Finland. The church is decorated with Art Nouveau style murals. Acoustically superior, the Kallio church is also one of the most significant concert churches in Finland. The seven German bells in the granite tower play a tune by Jean Sibelius at noon and six o'clock pm.

20. Kallio Church

Discover the Helsinki of Carl Ludvig Engel

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Jean Sibelius achieved his greatest artistic triumphs in the Finnish capital. One can still sense the spirit of Sibelius’ times in Helsinki, even though the city has changed a lot. Only two of the composer’s numerous residences in Helsinki still exist, but his memory lives on in many places....