Pyhän Ristin Kirkko
This 15th-century Franciscan monastery church has early 16th-century frescoes and several beautiful painted panels, a Prussian triptych from the 15th century and an ornate pulpit.
Ateneum
The top floor of Finland’s premier art gallery is an ideal crash course in the nation’s art. It houses Finnish paintings and sculptures from the ‘golden age’ of the late 19th century through to the 1950s, including works by Albert Edelfelt, Hugo Simberg, Helene Schjerfbeck, the Von
Arktikum
With its beautifully designed glass tunnel stretching out to the Ounasjoki, this is one of Finland’s best museums and well worth the admission fee if you are interested in the north. One side deals with Lapland, with information on Sámi culture and the history of Rovaniemi. The oth
Luostarinmäki Handicrafts Museum
When the savage Great Fire of 1827 swept through Turku, the lower-class quarter Luostarinmäki escaped the flames. Set along tiny lanes and around grassy yards, the 19th-century wooden workshops and houses now form the outdoor handicrafts museum, a national treasure since 1940.All o
Hämeenlinna
Hämeenlinna means Häme Castle, so it’s no surprise that this bulky twin-towered red-brick fortress is the town’s pride and most significant attraction. Construction was begun in the 1260s by the Swedes, who wanted to establish a military redoubt against the power of Novgorod. It wa
Seurasaaren Ulkomuseo
West of the city centre, this excellent island museum has a collection of historic wooden buildings transferred here from around Finland. Theres everything from haylofts to a mansion, parsonage and church, as well as the beautiful giant rowboats used to transport churchgoing commun
Kiasma
Now just one of a series of elegant contemporary buildings in this part of town, curvaceous and quirky metallic Kiasma, designed by Steven Holl and finished in 1998, is still a symbol of the city’s modernisation. It exhibits an eclectic collection of Finnish and international moder
Mekaanisen Musiikin Museo
‘You must understand’, says the personable owner, ‘it’s not a normal museum; more a madhouse’. A truly astonishing collection of mechanical musical instruments ranges from a ghostly keyboard-tinkling Steinway to a robotic violinist to a full-scale orchestra emanating from a large c
Gösta
Mänttäs principal attraction was once the private home of Gösta Serlachius and is now among Finlands premier galleries. Situated 2km east of the town centre in elegant grounds, it comprises two buildings: a spectacular new wooden gallery houses high-quality exhibitions of contempor
Olavinlinna
Standing immense and haughty, 15th-century Olavinlinna is one of the most spectacularly situated castles in northern Europe and, as well as being an imposing fortification, is also the stunning venue for the month-long Savonlinna Opera Festival. The castle’s been heavily restored,
Kierikkikeskus
This excellent museum is by the Iijoki, whose banks are riddled with important Stone Age settlements. The informative display sensibly only includes a handful of artefacts, including fortunately preserved wooden fences to trap fish. A ponderous video gives excavation histories, and
Visavuori
Once the studio of renowned sculptor Emil Wickström (1864–1942), Visavuori has a stunning situation on a ridge with water on both sides. It consists of three houses, the oldest of which was the home of Wickström, built in 1902 in Karelian and Finnish Romantic styles, and containing
Siida
One of Finlands finest museums, Siida, a comprehensive overview of the Sámi and their environment, should not be missed. The main exhibition hall consists of a fabulous nature exhibition around the edge, detailing northern Lapland’s ecology by season, with wonderful photos and info
Turun Tuomiokirkko
The ‘mother church’ of Finland’s Lutheran faith, Turku Cathedral towers over the town. Consecrated in 1300, the colossal brick Gothic building was rebuilt many times over the centuries after damaging fires.Upstairs, a small museum traces the stages of the cathedral’s construction,
Särkänniemi
This promontory amusement park complex offers dozens of rides, an observation tower, art gallery, aquarium, farm zoo and planetarium. There is also a dolphinarium, which may concern some visitors, as animal welfare groups claim keeping dolphins in enclosed tanks is harmful for thes
Suomenlinna
Just a 15-minute ferry ride from the Kauppatori (market square), a visit to Suomenlinna, the ‘fortress of Finland’, is a Helsinki must-do. Set on a tight cluster of islands connected by bridges, the UNESCO World Heritage site was originally built by the Swedes as Sveaborg in the mi
Doing business & staying in touch while in Finland
Finland: Doing business & staying in touch
Finland Weather, Climate and Geography
Finland Weather, climate and geography
Finland History, Language and Culture
Finland History, Language and Culture
Finland Travel Guide and Travel Information
Finland Travel Guide
